Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife

"Lord, please do justice for the people of Bailu Village!"

"Kill that corrupt official!"

"Both he and Zhao Bapi deserve to die! Please stand up for us, Lord!"

The scene was charged with emotion; the villagers, feeling supported, were eager to tear Zhang Pengju, the corrupt official, apart. He trembled with fear, loudly begging for mercy, and soon enough, a puddle of yellow water flowed from beneath him.

Seeing such excitement among the people, Li Qingmu encouraged them to expose and accuse County Magistrate Zhang on the spot. The result was uncontrollable; almost every villager present could recount a multitude of his crimes.

Unfair judgments, forming cliques for personal gain, accepting bribes, embezzling funds, oppressing the people, and exploiting the village - each charge was enough to doom him.

Zhang Pengju, stripped of his official hat, kneeled on the ground, disheveled and dirty. Villagers threw stones and dirt at him. He lifted his head to defend himself, "Sir, it’s not like that, those things weren’t done by me!"

"At this point, you still want to argue?" Li Qingmu snatched the greatsword from the government official’s waistband beside him and shouted, "For the sake of clear skies and daylight, not killing you is not enough to quell the people’s anger!"

"Crack!" With one swing, County Magistrate Zhang’s head rolled to the ground, his eyes filled with terror and confusion.

This bastard actually dared to kill him?

Seeing Zhang Pengju’s head fall to the ground, the people knelt one after another, calling him Lord.

Feeling rather pleased, Li Qingmu glanced back at Yue’er, seeing that she was not afraid, then looked at Qi Jingyu, "Were you scared?"

"Imperial Uncle, you underestimate me too much. Am I someone who is timid and fears trouble?"

Long Yue seized the opportunity to tease him, "Yes, you are."

"Imperial Aunt, why do you say that too... Qi Jingyu was somewhat frightened, but being coaxed by the couple made him lose face, and unable to argue against their words, he resigned, "Fine, whatever you say is true."

Before long, a long-bearded man in a sixth-rank official uniform rode over, followed by about a hundred soldiers, each armed with crossbows and sharp blades, scaring the villagers into scattering in all directions.

They were grateful for the killing of County Magistrate Zhang, but dared not get involved in such matters.

Seeing Zhang Pengju’s corpse still dressed in official garb on the threshing ground, Prefect Feng Chuan was startled, but more than that, he was angry. Although County Magistrate Zhang was a minor official, he often sent him benefits.

"Who dares to be so bold as to murder a court official in broad daylight?!"

He shouted from horseback.

In fact, there was no need to ask, as the villagers had all run away, leaving only three people at the scene.

He only asked to put on a show.

Qi Jingyu smiled slightly. With an imposing presence without anger, he said, "Feng Chuan, Prefect Feng, do you recognize who I am?"

Earlier, Feng Chuan was so shocked by County Magistrate Zhang’s death that he focused solely on the head. Now, taking a closer look, he hurriedly dismounted his horse and knelt down with a thud, "I did not know the Emperor was here, Your Majesty, I am guilty and deserve death!"

The other soldiers heard that the person opposite was the Emperor and were also frightened, immediately bowing their heads in worship.

In principle, a sixth-rank official has no right to enter the court to see the Emperor, but Feng Chuan was fortunate enough to have glimpsed the dragon visage of the current Emperor during the enthronement ceremony. Although some years had passed and the Emperor had grown, he could vaguely recognize the familiar face.

Qi Jingyu nodded in satisfaction, "I, in casual attire, passed through this place to investigate County Magistrate Zhang’s oppressing the people and exploiting the village. His crimes are worthy of death, so I have killed him on the spot to set an example!"

When the Emperor kills, there’s no need for charges; even with ten heads, County Magistrate Zhang wouldn’t have enough to behead.

The ancients said that when the ruler orders his minister to die, the minister must die. Feng Chuan, trembling, raised his head, and with a hint of flattery, said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Unfortunately, Qi Jingyu had no intention of letting it go, asking with a forced smile, "Feng Chuan, there’s a situation in your jurisdiction where villagers strip bark to eat, are you completely unaware?"

"Uh...this, I have slightly heard. I was secretly investigating County Magistrate Zhang’s corruption and lawlessness. Unexpectedly, Your Majesty was one step ahead in killing this villain, which truly gratifies the people’s hearts and is indeed a blessing to the people!"

Feng Chuan, after all, being a seasoned official, continued with rounds of flattering words.

Qi Jingyu frowned, loudly declaring, "Prefect Feng, as the local parent official, turning a blind eye to subordinates wreaking havoc on the village, I have decided to demote you by one grade and let you take over the position of County Magistrate!

You must make amends and within one year rectify the corruption and land consolidation issues here. I will revisit to inspect next year; if there is no improvement, I will definitely exile you to the frontier!"

The Emperor’s verbal order is as effective as an imperial edict. Prefect Feng, with a troubled expression, kowtowed to express gratitude, "I comply with the decree, thank Your Majesty for the grace."

Qi Jingyu’s voice was so loud that the villagers hadn’t fled far. Seeing that even Lord Governor was demoted and was to solve their land issues, they immediately surged out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

Qi Jingyu, satisfied, looked at the people’s gratitude and reverence, raising his hands slightly, "Everyone please rise. In the past, I was deceived by those court ministers who occupy positions without serving, unaware that the people’s hardships had reached this extent. It’s my oversight."

"But rest assured, from now on, I shall govern diligently and strive for an upright rule!"

The words were so forceful and resolute that the people knelt once more, expressing gratitude.

Long Yue glanced at her husband, Li Qingmu happened to look back, both exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each other’s thoughts.

This is how an Emperor should act.

They believed Qi Jingyu would indeed become an Emperor remembered for ages.

In front of the Emperor, Feng Chuan led troops into Bailu Village, capturing or killing squiremen, and executed those who resisted on the spot.

The confiscated properties were enough to fill thirty carts, and at Qi Jingyu’s command, half of this wealth was turned over to the national treasury, with the other half distributed to the local people.

Additionally, the land deeds found in Zhao Wanqing’s house were burned in public, allowing the villagers of Bailu Village to claim their land back according to previous deeds and resume farming.

Not only did they regain their land, but they also received silver taels, making Qi Jingyu’s reputation in Bailu Village sky-high, with villagers elevating him to a deity-like status, even claiming they would inscribe and enshrine him forever.

Naturally, Qi Jingyu would not accept this; he felt he was only doing what a good Emperor should do, with no need to waste people and resources on such inscriptions.

Since the villagers of Bailu Village had nothing much to offer, as Qi Jingyu and the two others were leaving, they gathered half a basket of eggs, presented personally by the village elder, making sure he accepted.

This was the villagers’ goodwill, so Long Yue advised him to accept it.

Coincidentally, the three were hungry, deciding to continue on to the next town to have a meal.

On the way, Li Qingmu teased, "How does it feel to be a good Emperor beloved by the people?"

"Haha, Imperial Uncle, you overpraise me, but these were matters I wanted to address in the past yet couldn’t," Qi Jingyu, young and spirited, proclaimed, "Henceforth, I am determined to make Dazhou prosperous and strong, letting the people live in peace and contentment!"

Heh, this kid, he’s getting a bit too ambitious, isn’t he!