How dare you ride a horse like that when you look like this

Zhang Shi was thrilled and exhilarated.

Not only had he received the imperial edict personally issued by the Duke, but he could also use the excuse of capturing Yuancheng to enjoy riding that magnificent steed first.

His spirits were practically soaring.

Bangchui, however, was having a complete breakdown.

With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees. "General, your subordinate... your subordinate has failed you. I didn't keep a close eye on that divine steed."

"Snow Qilin suffered hidden internal injuries."

"It cannot be ridden again for a short while."

"Moreover, it might not fully recover in the future. I'm afraid its endurance will be significantly impaired."

"What?" Zhang Shi flew into a violent rage. "What happened? Was the horse ruined by Xu Shang and his bitch? Damn it, how did such a peerless steed fall into the hands of those two dogs? The heavens are truly unfair to that horse!"

"No, General Zhang Shi. It's... it's because your subordinate didn't look after it properly..." Bangchui dared not delay and explained everything that had happened when he took Snow Qilin to the Xiema Inn and encountered Xu Qin.

"General Zhang Shi, I never expected this either. I was just having a meal and resting for a bit at the Xiema Inn. I never imagined someone would dare to harbor malicious intentions toward our military horses, let alone that some blind fool would actually dare to touch such a fine steed."

"It is all my fault."

"Please punish me, General!"

Zhang Shi was already furious beyond measure.

"Where is that woman named Xu Qin?"

"Has she been executed?"

"If she has been chopped down, dig up her coffin for me. I will open it and whip her corpse."

Bangchui hurriedly replied, "I got a warrant from General Wang Ming and have already locked Xu Qin in the dungeon on charges of provoking trouble!"

"Take! Me! There!"

These three words squeezed coldly through Zhang Shi's teeth. He followed Bangchui with rapid strides. Wang Ming, who was not far away, saw this and quickly hurried after them.

He was terrified that Zhang Shi would cause too big of a scene and stir up major trouble, which would be quite a headache.

Wang Ming soon caught up with Zhang Shi. The three men entered the prison together. From a distance, Zhang Shi spotted Xu Qin locked in her cell.

Deep behind the prison doors, the dungeon reeked of a terrible stench. Yet, in such a foul and filthy environment, Xu Qin stood out remarkably.

Using the sliver of light shining through a window less than a square foot wide, and looking at her reflection in a broken wooden bucket of water as if it were a mirror, she was happily dressing herself up.

This made her look less like a condemned prisoner waiting to die in a dungeon, and more like a young maiden in her boudoir preparing for marriage.

"That's her, Xu Qin!"

Bangchui pointed at her through gritted teeth.

Before Zhang Shi could even unleash his fury, Xu Qin stood up first, looking quite excited. "Is... is the horse's owner here to see me?"

"Is he already dying to see me?"

"I'm all prepared."

"I'm ready to work closely by his side at any time."

"If he's in a hurry, I can pledge myself to him right here and now. It's not out of the question."

However, as Xu Qin finished speaking, she failed to find a suitable candidate among the three men.

Bangchui went without saying. Wang Ming had a somewhat simple-minded look on his face, which was not to her liking. As for Zhang Shi... the hideous scars all over his face immediately ruled him out in Xu Qin's eyes.

The horse owner in her imagination was a peerless hero with a cool, handsome countenance, completely unmatched by the three men standing before her.

The light in her eyes dimmed.

Zhang Shi's eyes, however, flared with raging fire.

The blazing flames seemed ready to scorch heaven and earth.

"That horse is mine."

"Ah, it's yours..." The disappointment, and even despair, on Xu Qin's face was absolutely not faked. "With a face like yours, how dare you ride a horse like that? Isn't that just ruining the horse?"

Those words nearly drove Zhang Shi mad with rage. Even if he still had some reason left, there wasn't much of it.

He immediately gave the order.

"Bangchui!"

"Here!"

"Drag this woman out and call the brothers over!"

"Yes, sir!"

Bangchui unlocked the chains and yanked Xu Qin out. Terrified, her face turned pale as a sheet. "What are you going to do?"

"Are you crazy?"

"Isn't it just a horse?"

"At worst, I'll compensate you! I'll lower myself and work as your personal servant to pay off the debt."

Smack!

Unable to hold back, Zhang Shi lashed out with his horsewhip.

Xu Qin gained another scar and immediately fell silent. But unlike before, when there was still a lingering glimmer of hope in her eyes, this time, her gaze was filled with sheer terror.

"Don't, don't, don't..."

Wang Ming stepped in hastily to stop him. "General Zhang Shi, don't be impulsive! The Great Yu Dynasty has its laws, and Huai'an City naturally abides by them. Don't blow this out of proportion, or the Duke will lay the blame on us."

Wang Ming saw things clearly.

Right now, their army was the imperial court's army, an army of justice. Doing something shady on the sly was one thing, but doing it openly would surely lose them the hearts of the people.

Especially since the Duke had issued strict orders that their troops must never rely on such crooked ways to maintain morale. If Zhang Shi really went through with it, even if the Duke didn't punish him, the army's morale would crumble. And if the Duke did punish him, the loss would be too great.

"I fucking know that!" Zhang Shi roared, slapping Wang Ming's hand away. "But I just can't fucking hold it in!"

"Ever since I started out on the steppes, when have I ever taken this kind of bullshit? I beat the crap out of all those bastards on the grasslands, and now, in Huai'an City—a city I conquered with my own hands—someone dares to attack my precious horse?"

"Fuck! Today, I'm going to kill her."

Clang!

Zhang Shi took a step back and drew his waist blade. The steel flashed with a cold glint.

In the gloomy, freezing prison, it radiated an unspeakable aura of intimidation.

Xu Qin, whose face was already pale from fright, began to tremble all over. "Don't... don't kill me! Don't kill me! I'll pay for it! I'll really pay for it, okay?"

Just then, a group of people strode toward the prison entrance. The leader, a man dressed in official robes, shouted loudly, "Stop!"

"Stop right there!"

"This is the prison of Huai'an City! How can I allow you to lynch someone here? Stop!"

The man arrived swiftly. Zhang Shi glanced over and realized he had just seen this person—it was the official who had gone to receive instructions from the Duke and Pei Jingzhi.

He seemed to be the one in charge of the city's penal and legal affairs.

His surname was Zhou, if he remembered correctly.

"Lord Zhou..." Wang Ming recognized him, his expression changing. "Why are you here?"

"This is the prison of Huai'an City, and I am in charge of its penal affairs. Why shouldn't I be here? Moreover, someone reported to me that arrogant scoundrels were attempting to carry out a lynching in the dungeon."

"As long as I am here, let's see who dares!"

Lord Zhou truly exuded an aura of righteousness. He stood fearlessly in front of Zhang Shi. Even with Zhang Shi's blade raised high, almost at his neck, his expression didn't change in the slightest.

"The nation has its laws, and the city has its rules."

"I will not tolerate anyone running wild!"

These words rang out loudly and clearly, instantly bringing Zhang Shi to a halt. After all, times were different now.

Back when they were attacking Huai'an City, Zhang Shi would have dared to lead his men to chase this Lord Zhou from the east side of the city to the west, leaving heads rolling in his wake.

But now, Lord Zhou served the Duke, meaning they were technically officials of the same court. Zhang Shi might be reckless, but he wasn't stupid. If he dared to touch Lord Zhou now, the crisis it would provoke would be no less severe than dragging Xu Qin out just moments ago.

For a moment, the scene actually fell into a stalemate. Wang Ming immediately spoke up, Lord Zhou, are you aware that this woman mobilized military horses without authorization and destroyed property? Especially now, with the grand army setting out, how can...

Are you intending to shield this woman?

Lord Zhou bowed respectfully to Wang Ming and Zhang Shi, saying, I would not dare. This humble official would not dare.

This humble official does not know the exact details of the situation, but I do know that it is highly improper to inflict unauthorized punishment without a formal interrogation.

Since the two generals are so anxious, this humble official can personally interrogate her right in front of you both. I will have her sign and affix her fingerprint to the record, and I will deliver a fair verdict in strict accordance with the laws of Huai'an. There will be absolutely no favoritism!

Pausing for a moment, Lord Zhou stood up straight. He seemed to be enveloped in an aura of resolute, unyielding glory as he declared, Please rest assured, Generals. This humble official has always maintained an upright heart, handling matters solely according to the law.

In today's matter, I will absolutely not show any favoritism or leniency!

Without bias or prejudice, everything will be dealt with strictly according to the laws and regulations.

No matter who is involved, all shall be treated equally!

I shall strictly uphold the law to rectify discipline!

I will never allow personal feelings to compromise public duty and ruin the rules!

...