I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, all the people of Dingxing County rushed out to see what was going on.

His Majesty has personally issued an edict to execute the local magistrate and the largest salt merchant by slow slicing!

Many people have lived most of their lives without ever seeing such a scene.

The two men were wheeled out bound hand and foot, and the onlookers were thrilled. They picked up rotten vegetable leaves, bricks, and tiles and threw them at the two men.

Over the years, Xie Jinrong and Fan Liuyang have colluded with each other, causing immense suffering to the people.

Now, seeing the two suffer such retribution, all the pent-up resentment poured out, and the Imperial Guards could barely control the situation.

On the execution ground, Hong Niangzi personally wielded the knife, and Xie Jinrong screamed in agony, his heart breaking.

As he lost too much blood, his screams grew fainter and fainter, and he gradually lost consciousness.

However, a bucket of cold water was poured on him, waking him from his unconsciousness.

Only then did he truly understand what it meant to be worse than dead!

Zhu Youjian was not present at the scene. Beside him, Luo Yangxing was giving a report while holding a booklet.

"A search of Magistrate Xie Jinrong's home yielded 1.2 million taels of silver, 150,000 taels of gold, and countless antiques and paintings, estimated to be worth over 200,000 taels. A search of salt merchant Fan Liuyang's home yielded 2.7 million taels of silver, 320,000 taels of gold, and a large number of land deeds, especially the land deeds, which account for more than 70% of the land in the entire Dingxing County!"

Following that, Luo Yangxing added, "Due to time constraints, we have only made a rough count so far; the actual number will likely be much higher."

He Fu's face was grim. He said, "This humble subject was completely unaware of such a thing happening under my jurisdiction. I beg Your Majesty to punish me for my negligence!"

"Now is not the time to assign blame!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and then said, "Summon County Magistrate Huang Mao!"

Before long, Huang Mao stepped forward, bowed, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Youjian handed over the booklet and asked, "Are you aware of all these details?"

Huang Mao glanced through it and was immediately shocked by what he saw.

"Your Majesty, I knew that Xie Jinrong and Fan Liuyang were colluding with merchants and officials, and had seized a large amount of land from the people over the years, but I did not know that there was so much. As the county magistrate, I cannot escape my responsibility!"

"The county magistrate is an assistant official of the county. He must not only assist his superiors but also face the common people. I know your difficulties. Considering that you took the initiative to report and expose wrongdoing, I will let bygones be bygones."

"I feel guilty and request to resign from my position as county magistrate. I will henceforth live in seclusion in the countryside and will no longer concern myself with official matters!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian slowly stood up and said, "Do you think that after such a big case, you can just walk away and get away with it?"

"I, I...are guilty!"

"You are indeed guilty!"

Zhu Youjian coldly replied, "You have studied the classics; I ask you, what is the purpose of studying?"

Huang Mao's back was covered in cold sweat. After a long while, he finally replied, "To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations!"

"Well said!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and then asked, "I'll ask you again, have you done it?"

"Your Majesty...I have failed to do so; I am ashamed before the sages of the past..."

"You have not only failed your ancestors, but also the hundreds of thousands of people in Dingxing County!"

"Your Majesty is right. I have failed the hundreds of thousands of people in Dingxing County. I am guilty!"

"I'm giving you one chance now. Can you still find your original intention?"

"My lord, my lord..."

Huang Mao's body trembled, and he prostrated himself on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

There was a time when he dreamed of one day being able to establish a moral compass for the world and a purpose for the people.

However, after entering officialdom, he realized that his initial high spirits were just wishful thinking.

Over the years, he has witnessed firsthand that collusion between officials and businessmen, and corruption and bribery have become the norm.

In such an environment, it is already quite remarkable to be able to maintain one's integrity and not conform to its corrupt practices.

But is it possible to study hard for more than ten years just for the sake of maintaining a pure and upright character?

The people suffered persecution, going hungry and naked, and as the county magistrate, he could only watch helplessly.

Although he tried to report and expose them, he had no connections and was always stopped.

The boy who once shouted for the people's livelihood has unknowingly had his edges worn away by reality.

"Huang Mao, raise your head! I'm asking you a question!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Mao slowly raised his head, as if he had made up his mind.

"I swear on my life, I can do it!"

"That's right!"

Zhu Youjian knew this person was capable, but lacked a certain drive.

It lacks the fighting spirit of daring to resist, not fearing death, and never giving up!

Therefore, we need to give him a good talking-to first before adding more responsibilities to his shoulders.

"From this moment forward, I appoint you as the magistrate of Dingxing County. I require you to implement the new policies of Baoding Prefecture throughout the county. Can you do it?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Mao shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to rescind your decree!"

He Fu hurriedly said, "Magistrate Huang, are you going to disobey the imperial decree?"

Huang Mao's eyes were resolute as he said, "This humble subject is ashamed before the people of Dingxing and dares not accept the position of county magistrate. Please, as the assistant county magistrate, do your utmost to promote the new policies!"

"That works too, I grant your permission!"

Zhu Youjian agreed and continued, "Then we'll see what your performance is like. If you have good performance, you should be promoted; if not..."

"If I fail to achieve any political success, I will atone with my death!"

Huang Mao kowtowed deeply, his tone filled with determination.

Zhu Youjian finally felt a sense of relief; he hadn't expected Huang Mao to be so stubborn.

He wouldn't even accept a county magistrate position offered for free; he insisted on fighting for it himself. Excellent, he's capable of great things!

"Remember this: no matter what obstacles you encounter, do not hesitate! Because behind you is me, the Ming Dynasty, and millions of people. Go forth and do it!"

"I obey your decree!"

Huang Mao accepted the order, bowed, and took his leave.

Zhu Youjian looked at He Fu and said, "If Dingxing County is like this, what about the other counties?"

He Fu looked ashamed and said, "I am responsible for my oversight. I will immediately send people to inspect the various counties upon my return!"

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "It's better to do it yourself than to rely on others! Take Dingxing County for example, can you see these things in the memorials?"

"Yes, yes!"

He Fu's face showed even more remorse as he lowered his head and said, "I will personally go to each county to inspect and ensure the smooth implementation of the new policies!"

"That's right!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said, "The money and grain confiscated from Xie Jinrong and Fan Liuyang's homes, in my opinion, need not be sent to the national treasury. You should make an account book, clearly write down the amount of money and grain, and then send it to the capital. The money and grain should be transported directly to the front line to supply the army."

"Your Majesty, I will go and prepare immediately!"

He Fu led his men to count the money and grain, and after a full day and night, they finally finished counting it.

Antiques, paintings, jewelry, jade, and other items, as well as money and grain ledgers, were all taken back to the capital by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Since all those involved in the case had already been executed, it saved them the trouble of arresting people in the capital.

Huang Mao stayed behind to oversee the overall situation, remeasured all the land, and implemented new policies.

Because the amount of money and grain seized was large and there weren't enough horse-drawn carts, He Fu had to rent them from surrounding villages and towns to transport them back to Baoding to pay the soldiers at the front.

Accompanied by Li Ruolian and others, Zhu Youjian returned to Baoding first.

Before entering the city, Hong Niangzi asked, "You are the emperor; you cannot go back on your word!"

Zhu Youjian asked, "When have I ever gone back on my word?"

"In that case, may I leave?"

"sure!"

Hong Niangzi was surprised that the other party agreed so readily, and her subconscious reaction was that there must be a conspiracy!

However, she looked left and right but found nothing.

Zhu Youjian then asked, "What are you looking for?"

Hong Niangzi looked wary and said, "You must have planted archers to ambush me and shoot me from behind when I leave!"

Zhu Youjian smiled and shook his head: "If I wanted to kill you, you would have died ten thousand times over. Why would I need to stab you in the back?"

"Then...why did you let me go?"

"We agreed that I would avenge you, and in return, you would submit to my command. Have you forgotten that so quickly?"

"But……"

The matchmaker was speechless for a moment; she had only made up a pretext.

Who would have thought that it would actually come true!

What should we do now...?

"The famous Matchmaker, are you going to take back what she said?"

Hong Niangzi grew anxious and retorted, "When did I say I wanted to take it back?"

"Then it's as we agreed. Go back now, reorganize your troops, and surrender to Baoding! I'll give you three days. Is that enough?"

The matchmaker blushed, and after a long pause, said, "Alright, three days it is. You wait!"

After saying that, he turned the horse around, lightly touched its belly with his legs, and galloped away in a flash.

Li Ruolian stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, are you just going to let her go like this?"

Zhu Youjian watched Hong Niangzi's departing figure and said, "Do you think she will surrender?"

Li Ruolian thought for a moment and said, "I don't think so."

Why?

"Battles between two armies are not child's play. Behind Hong Niangzi are tens of thousands of troops. Even if she wanted to surrender, it would be in vain if the other generals did not obey."

"You're right. I knew she wouldn't surrender easily."

Li Ruolian was even more puzzled and asked, "Then why did Your Majesty...?"

"Don't rush, the real show is just beginning!"

Zhu Youjian smiled meaningfully and urged his horse into the city.