Chapter 251: No Fighting
The governor looked at Zhao Xingjian who was walking over and stood up from the armchair in confusion.
After seeing the man's appearance clearly, he burst into laughter. "Am I dazzled? Isn't this Zhao Xingjian, the man who resigned from his post because he couldn't stay in the capital anymore? Sir Zhao?"
The people looked at Zhao Xingjian curiously, and some recognized him, "Isn't this the former Master Zhao?"
"Master Zhao was an official in the capital before?"
…
Zhao Xingjian stood still and said, "You are not dazzled, it's me."
The governor looked at Zhao Xingjian, his tone full of sarcasm, "Oh, Lord Zhao! You're really back to your roots now. I almost didn't recognize you!"
Zhao Xingjian laughed and said, "It's not surprising. Some people just have their eyes on their butts and only care about clothes, not people."
The governor said exaggeratedly, "Oh, Lord Zhao, you are so rude now, just like a country bumpkin!"
"I don't want to be like this either. It's just that some people are so ugly." Zhao Xingjian laughed sarcastically. "When I was a cabinet minister, some people were servile, fawning, and obsequious. But today, they've changed their faces. They're really mean and have no moral integrity. They're losing sight of the big picture. It's ridiculous!"
The governor said with a certain smugness, "Now, you can only spout these cynical words. Things have changed over time. Today, you're just a commoner. Do you still expect me to treat you the same way I did before?"
"When the Governor says this, it's easy for people to think you're a scoundrel," Zhao Xingjian said with a smile. "No matter in the past or now, I've never asked you to treat me in any way, nor do I care how you treat me."
The governor was furious and said, "Zhao Xingjian, what are you being so proud of? Do you think you're still the same person you used to be? I'm giving you face by not asking you to kneel down, considering our past friendship!"
"Thank you so much, Governor." Zhao Xingjian smiled calmly. "Please let these innocent people go. They did nothing wrong. I was at the scene yesterday. If you want to know anything, just ask me."
"I will naturally question you, but I won't let them off either." The governor looked coldly at the people being beaten. "Today, I will make sure they remember what it means to distinguish between the superior and the inferior, and to maintain order between the upper and the lower levels!"
"But they didn't do anything illegal!" Zhao Xingjian was furious. "These are dozens of lives at stake, affecting dozens of families! As the governor, how can you be so careless about human lives?"
"Two imperial officials have died here, and you want me to let them go? Impossible!" The governor said expressionlessly. "I gave each of them eighty lashes of the cane. I showed mercy by not executing them outright! Zhao Xingjian, recognize your own position. I don't need you to teach me how to do things!"
Zhao Xingjian loudly refuted: "The prefect and the academic official accepted bribes from the examinees and played tricks on our laws. They deserve death! If you do this, people will only think that you are the same as them!"
"But what can you do to me besides talking nonsense?" The governor laughed loudly, "Zhao Xingjian, do you regret it now? If you were still a cabinet minister today, I would naturally listen to you. Unfortunately, you are nothing!"
Zhao Xingjian looked at the people being beaten, his heart burning with anxiety. "I understand. You don't care about the truth of the matter. You just want to trample the people under your feet and make them become submissive walking corpses!"
The governor sat back in his chair and said, "Go on. I like to hear the runner-up speak at length."
Zhao Xingjian took a deep breath and said, "Let them go and deal with me!"
The governor was stunned. "Are you serious?"
"Seriously!" Zhao Xing said firmly, "Stop fighting! Someone's going to die if you do!"
"Interesting!" The governor smiled sinisterly, "You chose this yourself. I didn't force you!"
Punishing Zhao Xingjian is much more interesting than punishing the untouchables!
Thinking of the noble and aloof Zhao Xingjian crawling at his feet, the governor felt an irrepressible pleasure in his heart.
"Let them go!" the governor ordered.
The beatings finally stopped, and the dozens of civilians were carried away by the crowd, and they were considered to have saved their lives.
"Thank you, Lord Zhao, for saving my life!"
The people were moved to tears, as they finally got to know this unknown former advisor again today.
"Zhao Xingjian, it's your turn now."
"good."
"Don't worry, we've known each other for a while, and I won't take your life."
"grateful."
"However, since you were the one who instigated the incident yesterday, a beating and a jail cell wouldn't be too much, right?"
"You dare!" Zhou Huaining stood in front of Zhao Xingjian, "Try to touch my senior brother!"
"I almost forgot your relationship," the governor sighed pretentiously. "But even you can't protect him. I'm not targeting him intentionally, but he's provoking conflict between the people and the government. I'm punishing him now for his own good. If the Emperor knew that a former cabinet minister was out there fighting against the court, what do you think would be his fate?"
Zhou Huaining gritted his teeth, "Are you threatening me?"
"Whatever you think," the governor ordered, "Come here, give Lord Zhao forty strokes of the cane to show him how much he deserves!"
As soon as the soldier came up, he was kicked away by Zhou Huaining.
"I'll take these forty lashes on my brother's behalf!"
When the people heard this, they became anxious and said, "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, this cannot happen! I am willing to take the forty strokes of the cane!"
The governor felt jealous. He, Zhou Huaining, was just a playboy. Why was he protected by so many people?
The governor gritted his teeth and said, "Since you all deserve a beating, then beat them all up. Don't let any of them go!"
"Don't panic, sir. I'm here!"
Zhou Huaining's guards rushed forward to protect Zhou Huaining and Zhao Xingjian.
"Are you planning a rebellion? Come on, officer!"
The soldiers were about to swing their weapons when suddenly a childish voice was heard.
"Don't fight! Fighting is not good!"
The soft and cute voice broke the solemn and tense atmosphere, and everyone felt relieved.
The academic official's eyes lit up, "Governor, I recognize that voice. It was this little kid who made you swear an oath yesterday!"
"Who is that little kid talking? Come out here!"
There was a sound of small footsteps.
"It's the same as before!"
A soft and cute little voice rang out, and everyone made way for a little baby with a round face, big eyes, and a cute appearance.
The little baby was not afraid of people at all. He paddled his short legs and ran straight to the governor.
The governor looked at the little dumpling and said, "Where are your parents, little kid?"
A kid this young knows how to swear, he must have been taught by an adult.
The little boy tilted his head and looked at the governor, "The nest is not wide enough!"
"Why?"
"Because you are a pervert!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
