Qi Xiuwen, even his kneeling and bowing posture was very elegant.
Shenxi showed no intention of forgiving him.
If her subordinates have personal grudges, they are most likely to cause the hard-won group to disintegrate from within.
Shen Xi didn't ask for the specific reason, but instead asked in a deep voice, "Qi Xiuwen, what crime did you commit?"
Qi Xiuwen did not rise, but continued to kneel and bow deeply: "I have acted improperly in front of you, Commander, due to personal grudges. I voluntarily accept thirty strokes of the cane and three months of hard labor as punishment."
This punishment is severe enough.
After all, no serious consequences resulted.
Shen Xi remained noncommittal, instead turning to Song Zhen and asking, "Magistrate Song, what do you think of this punishment?"
When Qi Xiuwen asked for punishment earlier, Song Zhen had already frowned. Now that the commander asked him, he spoke frankly: "Commander, Xiuwen's punishment is a bit too severe. I hope you can guess what I mean."
After a moment of silence, the atmosphere at the scene became very tense.
"In that case, Qi Xiuwen, you shall take ten strokes of the cane and increase your working hours to six hours in lieu of hard labor." (Six hours is twelve hours, but Chenxi implements an eight-hour workday.)
Qi Xiuwen bowed deeply in gratitude.
After the sentencing was completed, Shen Xi personally walked towards Qi Xiuwen, gently helping him up and saying, "The ten strokes of the cane will be carried out in a moment. Now you can explain the truth."
What's done is done, regardless of the reason. After the punishment, the reason still needs to be clarified.
Qi Xiuwen thanked Chen Xi and sat down in the first seat to the left, his light eyes filled with a melancholy.
"Commander, do you know about the Qi family of Shoutian more than ten years ago? My father was Qi Yuandao, the head of the Qi family at that time."
Shen Xi had thought that Qi Xiuwen had an extraordinary background, but she never expected that he was actually the son of Qi Yuandao.
Everyone knows the Qi family of Shoutian Prefecture. In Shoutian Prefecture, their word is law, and Qi Yuandao is known as the King of Shoutian.
More than a decade ago, the imperial court began to gradually reduce the power of the princes. The Xie family of Nanning was the first to respond to the call, relinquishing their royal titles and making the next generation marquises.
However, the Xie family was different from other families. Although the Xie family was demoted, the emperor did not take back their military power.
In other places, the king would also have his military power taken back.
At that time, the Bai family was a first-class aristocratic family, and Bai Qiao's uncle, Bai Ting, served as prime minister.
The idea of weakening the power of the feudal lords was proposed by him.
The emperor agreed on the spot to gradually reduce the power of the vassal states.
The imperial court's funds were no longer sufficient to support the various regional princes.
Xie Hou's military power was not taken back, but the court also stopped funding the army's upkeep.
King Shoutian was also unwilling to relinquish his military power. In order to smoothly reduce the power of the vassal states and appease the other vassal kings, Bai Ting directly sent troops to Shoutian Prefecture to attack the weakest King Shoutian.
At that time, the world was not in great turmoil. King Shou was isolated and helpless, besieged by the imperial army for three months. In the end, the city fell, Qi Yuandao died in battle, and his family was arrested.
All the men were beheaded, and all the women were forced into prostitution.
Qi Xiuwen was only eight years old at the time, and Qi Xiuwu was six.
In the chaos, he was rescued by the Qi family guards at great personal risk.
They were escorted by guards to Nanning Prefecture, which was then ruled by the Prince of Nanning, who was Xie Hou's father.
Under the protection of the Prince of Nanning, the two young sons concealed their real names but retained their surnames. They not only grew up smoothly but also learned both literary and martial arts like young masters from noble families.
The Prince of Nanning discovered that the two men had exceptional talent, and thus paid even more attention to them.
These two men were prepared by the Prince of Nanning for the incompetent Marquis Xie.
It was precisely because Xie Hou was incompetent that the Prince of Nanning did not reveal their true identities to him.
All I wanted was for them to be by Xie Hou's side when they grew up.
However, less than two years later, the Prince of Nanning died. Under the care of the old princess, a few years later, fifteen-year-old Qi Xiuwen and thirteen-year-old Qi Xiuwu became advisors and guards to Marquis Xie.
When the old princess was alive, Marquis Xie dared not act rashly.
After the old princess passed away, Marquis Xie became even more incompetent, stubborn, and unwilling to listen to advice. Not only did he not give important positions to Qi Xiuwen and Qi Xiuwu, he also frequently transferred them away.
As a result, Marquis Xie was tricked by Xie Ning, leading to the loss of the city and his own death.
Qi Xiuwen and Qi Xiuwu originally intended to learn martial arts and seek revenge on the Bai family, but unexpectedly, the Bai family was wiped out overnight.
It's like holding your breath for a long time with nowhere to vent it.
The resentment towards the Bai family has a long history.
Suddenly, one day, facing the descendants of the Bai family directly, how could one not feel indignant!
Upon hearing this, Shenxi breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, it wasn't a direct feud between the two!
Shenxi glanced at Bai Qiao, then at Qi Xiuwen.
"Xiuwen, should we continue to oppose Bai Qiao?"
Qi Xiuwen had already calmed down, his face turning ashen: "Commander, Xiuwen wouldn't dare!"
"Sister Bai, I've punished him for you, so please don't hold it against me."
Shen Xi's expression softened considerably, and she faced Bai Qiao with a gentle smile.
Bai Qiao was more than ten years older than Qi Xiuwen, so naturally she wouldn't hold a grudge against a junior. Besides, it was indeed the Bai family that had harmed the Qi family.
"Sir, Bai Qiao won't hold it against you!"
Then she bowed gracefully to Qi Xiuwen and said, "Officer Qi, I apologize to you and your family on behalf of my uncle!"
Qi Xiuwen stood up and immediately returned the greeting: "It was Xiuwen who was being presumptuous."
They were victims of political struggles, not only the Qi family but also the Bai family.
This is a principle he understands in his daily life, yet he failed to remain so calm when it came to his own affairs!
Now, no matter how deep the blood feud, it is a small matter in the face of the leader's great cause.
Moreover, since the destruction of the Bai family, he should not dwell on hatred all the time. Especially since he has a lord, personal feelings should not be higher than those of his superior.
Qi Xiuwen was extremely intelligent; he understood everything in an instant, and his gloomy expression vanished.
Seeing that Qi Xiuwen's brows were now clear, Shen Xi also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sister Bai, since you are all my subordinates, I naturally hope that you can get along harmoniously and not harbor any personal grudges!"
Bai Qiao understood perfectly: "I will obey the commander's instructions!"
Shen Xi then formally introduced Bai Qiao's skills and position. When he mentioned that the hybrid rice variety was Bai Qiao's creation, Qi Xiuwen was surprised.
Now I finally understood why the leader valued this woman so much.
It's only natural that leaders would value someone with such ability, who controls the food supply for so many people.
Qi Xiuwen bowed to Bai Qiao again: "Minister Bai, I admire you!"
There aren't many people that Qi Xiuwen admires, but now there's one more besides the leader.
Bai Qiao was completely relieved.
The leader accepted her, and the first chief of staff under the leader, who also served as the prime minister, also accepted her. From now on, this will be the place where she can display her talents!
Shenxi instructed Di Yingxue to formally draft the document, which was then distributed by Qi Xiuwen. The Agricultural Research and Development Department was officially established, and Bai Qiao was appointed as its minister.
Qi Xiuwen said gently, "Minister Bai, I recently discovered several elderly farmers who have a great understanding of agriculture. I wonder if Minister Bai would be willing to meet them? If they are useful, they can be kept on the farm."
Bai Qiao smiled and nodded.
She needs someone to help her; she can't be a lone commander!
Bai Qiao bowed to Chen Xi again: "Commander, I have a request. I wonder if you would grant it?"
Shenxi, feeling quite pleased with herself, asked happily, "What does Sister Bai wish to ask?"
"Your subordinate begs the commander to spare Chief of Staff Qi's ten strokes of the cane!"
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