Chapter 115: I Would Still Do the Same.

The next morning, Xu Ming, who had already packed his luggage, was ready to leave Baihe County.

As Xu Ming and Tian Xuan Goose stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Xu Pangda waiting for them outside.

"Third Brother, you're up so early," Xu Ming said with a smile.

"I'm here to see you off, Fifth Brother," Xu Pangda replied, his round belly giving him the air of a good-natured general. His smile was as honest and warm as it had been in their childhood. "I'll walk you to the city gates."

"Alright," Xu Ming agreed without hesitation.

The two brothers chatted as they made their way toward the county office. After today, Xu Pangda would have to rely on himself to navigate the challenges in Baihe County.

Fortunately, after Xu Ming's decisive actions against the county's four prominent clans, most of the troublemakers in Baihe County had been dealt with—some captured, some eliminated, and the rest silenced.

As a result, Xu Pangda now held complete control over Baihe County. Moreover, the recent events had firmly established his authority and earned him the respect and admiration of the people. Moving forward, managing the county would be much easier for him.

"Fifth Brother, what do you think we should do about the remnants of the four clans?" Xu Pangda asked for Xu Ming's opinion.

Back then, while Xu Ming had been ruthless toward the wicked members of the four clans, he had spared the innocent—the children, those without evidence against them, and those genuinely uninvolved.

Xu Ming shook his head. "For the young and innocent, provide them with some silver so they can live decently until they can stand on their own.

As for those who might have committed crimes but lack sufficient evidence, you can detain them temporarily. If they're found innocent after investigation, release them.

The wealth seized from the four clans should naturally go to the county office. I trust Third Brother has a plan for its use."

Xu Ming believed Xu Pangda wouldn't embezzle the funds. Instead, he would likely use them to compensate the people oppressed by the four clans over the years, perhaps establish schools, repair roads, or undertake similar efforts for the community.

Xu Pangda glanced at his younger brother. "Aren't you worried that sparing those people might lead them to seek revenge against you in the future?"

Xu Ming smiled faintly. "If they come seeking revenge, let them come. For now, they're innocent. But if they decide to pick up a blade against me in the future, they should be ready to face the consequences."

Xu Pangda stared at his younger brother for a moment before laughing. "Fair enough."

The two brothers exited the county office.

As they stepped through the gates, they saw a large group of townsfolk kneeling outside.

"Thank you, Lord Wenwuqing (Minister of Letter and Arms), for clearing my name!"

"Thank you, Lord Wenwuqing. If it weren't for you, my daughter would not rest in peace!"

"Thank you, Lord Wenwuqing, for standing up for us!"

The voices of gratitude echoed outside the county office.

Xu Ming turned to Xu Pangda, puzzled.

Xu Pangda smiled. "Don't look at me like that. Ever since that day, you've become a hero in the hearts of Baihe County's people. A few days ago, I merely mentioned that you'd be leaving. I didn't expect the townsfolk to gather here of their own accord."

Xu Ming stepped forward and helped an elderly woman to her feet. "Please, everyone, rise. This is simply what your county magistrate and I should do."

"Lord Xu, you're too modest. Many officials don't even fulfill their basic duties. Without you, we wouldn't know what to do," the elderly woman said as she stepped forward. "Today, knowing that you're leaving, we've come to see you off and offer a small token of our gratitude."

Seeing the sincerity in the eyes of the people of Baihe County, Xu Ming felt a subtle stir in his heart. He bowed deeply to them.

The crowd was startled by his gesture and hastily knelt again, leaving Xu Ming momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Firecrackers went off along the streets as Xu Ming and Xu Pangda walked out of Baihe County, surrounded by the grateful townsfolk.

Just as they passed through the city gates, they saw two dignified officials galloping toward them on white horses.

If Xu Ming wasn't mistaken, those were White Dragon Horses from Wudu, capable of traveling a thousand miles in a single day and specifically used to deliver imperial decrees.

"Whoa!"

The two officials reined in their horses.

They clearly recognized Xu Ming and Xu Pangda—after all, the portraits of the top three candidates in the imperial examination had been widely circulated in Wudu.

However, they seemed surprised by the large crowd of Baihe County residents following behind the two brothers.

"Xu Ming, receive the imperial decree!"

The two officials dismounted and took out the golden imperial edict.

"Xu Ming, here to receive the decree."

Xu Ming stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

The townsfolk behind him were momentarily stunned.

An imperial decree?

After a moment of confusion, someone in the crowd reminded them of protocol. Those with scholarly titles bent at the waist in respect, while those without knelt to the ground.

The official began reading aloud:

"By the Emperor's command:

Beloved minister Xu Ming, in a single day, wielding the Water Dragon Token, you slew nearly a hundred members of the Sun, Xiao, Li, and Zhang families in Baihe County, shaking the court.

However, I have reviewed your memorial and understand that the four families committed heinous crimes. Your actions were for the welfare of Baihe County's people.

Nonetheless, you mistakenly killed the eldest sons of the Xiao, Zhang, and Sun families, for whom there is no concrete evidence of guilt.

The Thunder Mark Sect, Mountain-Moving Sect, and Yin Spring Sect have raised complaints. You are to resolve the matter personally.

In the future, I hope you will not act on impulse and will think carefully before taking action.

This decree ends."

"Your servant, Xu Ming, accepts the decree."

Xu Ming straightened and accepted the imperial edict.

The decree's contents were more or less what he had expected. The Emperor was merely going through the motions.

The death of Li Hui from the Li family was well-deserved, and the sect behind the Li family would likely face annihilation. As for the sons of the other three families, Xu Ming had indeed failed to gather sufficient evidence.

The Emperor's phrase "resolve the matter personally" essentially meant, "If those three sects come after you, you're on your own."

However, the final line, "I hope you will not act on impulse and will think carefully before taking action," was a clear warning: "Those sects won't dare to break the rules to kill you, so handle them properly."

One of the officials stepped forward and conveyed a message, saying, "Grand Eunuch Wei asked me to pass along a word: this time, you truly acted recklessly."

Xu Ming smiled faintly.

The so-called "message from Grand Eunuch Wei" was really the Emperor's words, simply delivered under the guise of Wei Xun.

"It was indeed a bit impulsive," Xu Ming admitted.

He turned to look at the people of Baihe County behind him.

"But if I were to do it again, I think I'd still make the same choice."

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