Wang Youde gritted his teeth, thinking that he couldn't possibly kill him, so he stiffened his neck and said, "No..." Shen Jintang sneered and drew his sword without hesitation.
With a flash of the sword, a "hiss" was heard, and blood spurted from Wang Youde's neck.
Blood splattered on the hall, making a sizzling sound, and a pungent smell of blood filled the air.
One fatal blow.
Wang Youde collapsed to the ground, clutching his neck with both hands, letting out a few weak groans, but soon fell silent.
Only his body was still twitching slightly, and blood kept gushing from between his fingers, staining the ground red.
The room was deathly silent, save for the sound of Wang Youde's body convulsing.
Upon seeing the corpse, the officials turned ashen-faced, trembling and daring not to utter a sound.
Shen Jintang sheathed his sword, coldly glanced at everyone, and asked in an undeniable tone, "What do you gentlemen think? Do you have any leftover grain at home?"
The surroundings fell silent instantly, with only the rapid breathing of the crowd, like a group of frightened wild animals trying to find a glimmer of hope in the silence.
Some people tried to take the opportunity to escape, but found themselves cornered with the doors tightly shut and no way to get out.
Shen Huaixu's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected Shen Jintang to actually dare to kill someone, but he didn't show too much surprise.
He knew perfectly well that no matter how many questions he had, he should let the matter rest before asking any further.
Shen Jintang pressed the tip of her sword against the ground, and drops of blood remaining on the blade slid down, gathering into a small puddle on the ground, reflecting her cold and fierce eyes.
She dragged her sword and slowly walked step by step to the second official.
The official's name was Zhao Quan. He was a tall, thin man who was usually very cunning and always managed to get along with people in the treacherous world of officialdom.
Shen Jintang placed the sword against Zhao Quan's neck again. The blade was cold, and as it touched Zhao Quan's skin, he could feel the chill penetrating to his heart.
Shen Jintang's tone was surprisingly calm, as if he were just having a casual chat: "How about we take some grain from your house to help the people?"
Zhao Quan trembled with fear. He knew that Shen Jintang was not joking with them, but having been in officialdom for many years, he reacted quickly.
He nodded hastily, his voice trembling, "Okay...okay, I'll take out all the grain from my family to help the people!"
Once it happens, it will happen again.
Shen Jintang's gaze swept over everyone like a cold arrow, landing on the third person.
The man quickly nodded in agreement: "I agree too."
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, sheathed her sword, turned to look at everyone, and said coldly, "Since everyone understands, let's begin!"
Shen Jintang asked Xinghui to bring out paper and pen, then turned his gaze back to Zhao Quan and asked, "How much grain does Lord Zhao intend to take out?"
Her tone was gentle, as if she hadn't just committed murder, but was merely discussing something perfectly ordinary.
Zhao Quan trembled for a long time before tentatively saying, "Fifty...fifty shi."
The sound was so soft it was almost inaudible.
"Five hundred bushels of grain? Lord Zhao is very generous."
Shen Jintang made the final decision and instructed Xinghui to write it down on the paper.
Zhao Quan was on the verge of tears; he dared not defy Shen Jintang.
After all, killing one person is the same as killing two. She doesn't need another life, but she does care about her own!
After dealing with Zhao Quan, Shen Jintang immediately looked at the next official.
The official's name was Li Ming. He was a short man and usually very timid and fearful.
Shen Jintang placed the sword on his shoulder, smiled slightly, and said, "Lord Li, where is your family's grain?"
Li Ming turned pale with fright and stammered, "I...my family only has thirty shi (a unit of dry measure)..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Jintang frowned slightly, but his tone remained calm: "Thirty shi is too little, isn't it? Lord Li, please think about it again. The people are starving."
Li Ming trembled with fear, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "Then... then one hundred shi will do!"
Her voice carried a hint of a sob, as if she had been driven to the brink.
Shen Jintang curled her lips slightly, without much change in expression, and simply gestured for Xinghui to record these numbers one by one.
She then looked at the next official, her cold gaze sweeping over the crowd.
Everyone present was shrewd and knew exactly what to say to save their lives.
Soon, one person after another announced the amount of grain they were willing to contribute, their voices filled with trepidation and unease as they looked up to see Shen Jintang's attitude.
But they found that Shen Jintang was just listening, and no attitude could be seen from her face.
However, this is still considered good, as long as they don't speak or kill anyone.
The air was thick with silence, and everyone felt as if each day was an eternity.
Just when some people were about to give up, Shen Jintang handed paper and pen to Xinghui, her tone calm and firm: "Go and write down all the numbers they reported, and then send someone to their homes to collect the grain."
She paused, then added, "If there isn't enough grain, we'll convert it into gold and silver at market price, as a token of our appreciation to you gentlemen."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's faces turned even more ashen than purple eggplants.
What does Shen Jintang mean by this?
If there isn't enough food, they resort to robbery – that's pure robber logic!
But at least they were given a way to survive. Money is fine, as long as they live.
Besides, once they leave, whether or not they get paid is still up to them, isn't it?
I refuse to believe that Shen Jintang could chase them to their home and kill them!
Then someone in the crowd asked, "Sir, may we leave now?"
The voice carried a hint of urgency and anticipation.
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, but the smile remained cold, like frost in winter.
She glanced around at everyone and said coldly, "Leave? Why should we leave? Do you think just stating a number is enough?"
Her words shot out like sharp arrows, instantly extinguishing any lingering sense of relief they had felt.
Upon hearing this, everyone panicked again and asked, "What exactly do you mean, sir?"
Their voices trembled slightly, revealing their inner fear.
Shen Jintang slowly walked to the center of the hall, surveyed everyone with a sharp, knife-like gaze, and said calmly, "I have already sent people to your homes to collect grain. You can only leave when the grain is all gathered!"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned pale, as if they had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
It seems like this time it really will cost a lot of money!
Shen Jintang didn't speak, but his eyes turned cold, like an ice sculpture, making people afraid to look directly at him.
Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak further, and could only silently pray that nothing more would go wrong.
Shen Jintang turned to look at Shen Huaixu, smiled slightly, and said with a hint of indifference, "Lord Shen, I'll leave the rest to you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
