Governor's Mansion
The vines on the parapet wall had already started to grow leaves. Within the parapet wall, the trees were lush and lush. A faint red mist could be seen everywhere, and birds could be seen foraging for food.
There were carriages all around the entrance, as the officials welcomed and sent them in. When they entered the mansion, they saw soldiers standing guard with swords on their backs. When they entered the mansion, it was a bustling scene. The serving maids were busily packing up their belongings.
The butler was busy arranging for servants to fill up the carriages.
Within the study, a middle aged man was drinking tea with the Governor. The fragrance of the tea wafted through the air. The two of them were seated at the same table and felt extremely comfortable.
This was the newly appointed Governor, Gong Yun. Both of them were very courteous to each other. This was because the Governor had made many achievements in the past. He had lifted the ban on the sea, increased the revenue from the customs, and wiped out the pirates. Furthermore, he had managed to uncover the murder of the You Ji General.
Although Gong Yun was appointed as the Governor of Ying Prefecture, he wouldn't rush him or be rude.
"Brother Gong, since you're here to replace me, I have to order the servants to clean up the place. We can't occupy the Governor's mansion any longer." The Governor was in high spirits, and a smile could be seen on his face as he sipped his tea. He felt as if he were floating, as if he were about to fly.
Gong Yun took a sip as well, "Brother Li, you're not being honest. It's obvious that you're thinking of a promotion, which is why you refused to stay in the Governor's mansion. You even told me to give up my mansion."
"You know me best, brother Gong." The Governor didn't deny it as he smiled and asked, "Have there been any rumors in the capital city recently? Tell me about it."
Gong Yun then spoke softly, "This year, the Grand Princess' daughter, the Canton Princess, performed a song on the zither. Her skills were appreciated by the Majesty, and she was summoned to play the zither."
"Why?" The Governor was in a good mood, and couldn't help but start gossiping.
"On one hand, it's because the Canton Princess's zither skills have improved by leaps and bounds. I've heard it before, and it's no wonder she's a descendant of the Tian Huang Empire. Her skills are much better than those of the craftsmen."
"Secondly, King Lu left the capital city and cried. This caused the Majesty to be worried. Ai." Gong Yun sighed.
When the Governor heard this, he turned around and thought, "If that's the case, the Crown Prince's position is stable."
"That's true. King Lu has already left the vassal state, and the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince is set in stone. Although he has another son, he isn't that outstanding.
Both of them were thoughtful people. After saying that, they didn't talk about it anymore.
A butler entered the room. He was around forty years of age, and had a fair complexion. He looked extremely intelligent and capable. He then whispered, "Your excellency, everything has been packed up. Only the study room is left. What do you think?"
"You guys, you guys always look forward to returning to the capital. You've only been with me for a few years and you already want to go home so much." The Governor smiled and pointed at him, "Alright brother Gong, let's go out for a walk. We shouldn't delay you any longer."
Gong Yun stood up and smiled, "Just now when I heard Brother Li scolding your family, I was still smiling. I didn't expect you to be more concerned about your family than the servants. Come, let's go and enjoy the scenery."
The two of them went out and walked along the corridor, passing by a fake mountain and a pond. They were chatting about recent events when someone hurried up to them, "Your Excellency, an imperial edict has arrived."
"An imperial edict?" The Governor paused before regaining his composure and ordered, "All movements are to stop, and do not make any noise. Prepare the incense sticks to receive the Imperial Edict."
"Yes!" The Governor and the newly appointed Governor were dressed neatly as they rushed out and knelt down to receive the Imperial Edict.
The eunuch nodded his head as he held the Imperial Edict in his hands. He then walked over to the Governor and said, "Your subject Li Min (Gong Yun) respectfully greets the Emperor!"
"Your Majesty greets the Emperor!" The eunuch replied before reading the Imperial Edict, "Decrees: The magistrate of An Ji Prefecture, Yue Bai, has gone mad. There's no need for a trial. He shall be stripped of his official position and executed immediately. All officials shall witness his execution.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" After the Imperial Edict was read, the Governor stepped forward to receive it. The eunuch smiled, "This lowly official has brought two Edicts. This one is for you, and the other is for the deceased You Ji General, Gao Shunyi. This lowly official shall not stay any longer."
"Eunuch, please go ahead."
Seeing the eunuch leave, Li Min sighed, "In the blink of an eye, the magistrate has become a prisoner on death row. What a pity."
As he said this, he handed the Imperial Edict to Gong Yun. Gong Yun was a scholar, and had never witnessed an execution before. He was a little afraid of it. When he saw the Imperial Edict being handed to him, he couldn't help but shudder. He then said, "The handover has not been completed. Brother Li, I think it's better for you to oversee the execution."
Hearing these words, Li Min laughed. He knew that Gong Yun was a scholar, and was afraid of such an execution. He then said, "It's good that there's a beginning and an end. But brother Gong, do you know the difference between a local official and a capital official?"
"Oh? Please enlighten me, brother Li! "Gong Yun paused before clasping his hands and asking for advice.
Li Min took a stroll as Gong Yun followed him. When they reached the railing, Li Min looked out at the pond and sighed, "As a local official, the first thing is power, the second is prestige."
"Being in charge of promotions and promotions, prestige means killing people. If I were to kill the magistrate, I would leave behind a good reputation. Brother Gong, if you were to kill the magistrate, you would gain prestige and nobody would dare to offend you."
"Before I, Li Min, leave, I will do my best to help out." The Governor laughed.
"Many thanks brother Li. To have you as a good friend is a great blessing in my life." Gong Yun paused, before regaining his composure. He then clasped his hands and said, "I've been enlightened. I didn't expect that the first thing I, Gong Yun, do when I come to Ying Prefecture would be to kill someone. Since the Emperor has gathered all the officials in the city, let's set a rule. There's no need to summon people from other counties.
Li Min laughed out, "Great!" Seeing that Gong Yun had a sense of propriety, he then laughed, "Great!"
Gong Yun didn't decline, and immediately passed down the order. His subordinates all acknowledged the order and spread it out.
The next day, Execution Grounds
This was the first time Gong Yun was handling such a matter, and he was extremely serious about it. He personally arranged for the bailiffs to maintain the execution grounds. Because he did not implicate the family members, he allowed the family members to collect the corpse. Furthermore, there were more than ten officials of the ninth rank and above. Reed mats were set up and seats were arranged for everyone to sit.
Gong Yun arrived at the stage where the executioner was held. There were two chairs on either side of her. Li Min looked around and noticed that dozens of officials had arrived. Even Pei Zi Yun was present. She then pointed at him, "This is the man who killed Yue Bai. He's very powerful."
Gong Yun heard this as well, and turned around to look. He saw Pei Zi Yun sitting on a seventh ranked mat, drinking tea. He wasn't even twenty years old, and wore a bamboo crown. He was dressed in a large robe, and looked like a gentleman. He didn't seem to have a close relationship with the Crown Prince. Furthermore, he had killed a magistrate just like that. These Daoists really had some tricks up their sleeves.
Gong Yun looked at him, and took note of what was happening.
"The criminal has been brought in!" A shout was heard, and the atmosphere became tense. Several whips were whipped, and the crowd quietened down.
Yue Bai was dragged down from the prison cart. His white prison uniform had changed color, and was now covered in a layer of ash. When he was dragged up, he didn't look like an official at all, and looked extremely haggard.
The executioner stepped forward, and wore a red bandana. He was tall and sturdy, and carried a bowl of wine. Just as he was about to feed Yue Bai, Yue Bai refused to drink. He bit down on his head and smashed the bowl. The executioner had seen situations like this many times, and didn't bother to pour the wine. He laughed coldly, and raised his blade. As soon as he gave the order, he would execute Yue Bai.
"Although Yue Bai had committed a heinous crime, and harmed himself, he was a diligent man who loved his people. Especially when it came to reclaiming the land, he was meritorious. He deserves a cup of wine." Li Min sighed as she stood up and walked up to the execution grounds. She then took the jug of wine and looked at Yue Bai, "Yue Bai, I'm here to send you off. This is an imperial decree, nobody can do anything about it."
"Drink it, you'll feel better. You shouldn't have offended someone you shouldn't have."
Hearing the Governor's words, Yue Bai raised his head, his eyes were bloodshot. He then gulped down the wine and shouted, "I hate him!"
Li Min returned to her seat, and Gong Yun held up the wooden block in his hand. He then struck the wooden block and read it out loud, "The decree states: The magistrate of An Ji Prefecture, Yue Bai, has lost his mind. There is no need for a trial. He shall be stripped of his official position and executed immediately. All the officials shall witness his execution."
As soon as he finished reading, he tossed the token of execution into the air. The red token spun in the air before landing on the ground. The moment it landed on the ground, the executioner raised his blade and chopped down.
"Pu!" All the officials watching sucked in a breath of cold air as blood spurted out from their mouths. A head flew into the air before landing on the ground. It rolled several times, its eyes were wide open, as if it wanted to speak.
The new Governor was expressionless as he looked at Pei Zi Yun. Seeing that Pei Zi Yun's expression was calm, he thought to himself, 'He's indeed a ruthless character.'
After killing Yue Bai, Li Min didn't hesitate to set off.
A huge boat was waiting for him, with soldiers on board. The officials escorted him to the city gates, but Li Min refused to let them go. Before boarding the boat, he looked back at the prefecture and saw the city walls. He sighed with emotion.
Pei Zi Yun alighted from the ox-cart to send him off.
Li Min stroked his beard and smiled, "You're finally here. I've waited for a long time. Do you have a farewell poem for me?"
"Your excellency, have you forgotten something?" Pei Zi Yun smiled as well.
"What?" Li Min was startled for a moment, then smiled, "Of course I've prepared it. Men, bring me the precious wine bestowed by the emperor."
Sometime later, a servant brought a jug of wine. Li Min poured seven cups of wine and sighed, "I drank seven cups to recognize you, and seven cups to bid farewell."
Pei Zi Yun didn't argue as he downed seven cups of wine before standing up and reciting,
"There are few travellers at the crossing of the willows, and the soldiers paddle towards Linqi.
Only yearning is like spring, and the south and north send you home. "
"What a good poem!"
"There are few travellers at the crossing of the willows, and the soldiers paddle towards Linqi. With such a poem to send me off, my life is complete!" Li Min recited the poem as he laughed and turned around to board the boat. Seeing the Governor leave, Pei Zi Yun felt a little melancholic. He then turned to the veiled Sect Leader, "With such an awe-inspiring performance, even if the new Governor were to come, both of our sects would be safe. I shall go as well. If there's any news of Ye 'er, inform me immediately!"
"Oh yes, this is a new poem by Wine Not Empty. It talks about retribution, and the main characters are General You Ji, the magistrate, and the River Deity. It's a taboo for our sects to interfere. Since the River Deity wants to be famous, it's a win-win situation.
The Sect Leader nodded her head, "I shall publish it now!"
Pei Zi Yun laughed and boarded the boat as well. He then instructed, "We shall depart soon!"
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