#485 - Death-free gold medal

That the other party would not pursue Zheng Qiu's responsibility was entirely within Xu Ming's expectations.

Five hundred taels of silver, any normal person would accept that price, let alone...

“Lord Yu, according to the laws of the Wu Kingdom, what should be done in this situation?” Xu Ming asked Yu Ping'an.

Yu Ping'an sat in his seat and cupped his fist at Xu Ming, saying, “Reporting to Lord Xu, in this situation, if the injured party forgives the other party, and considering the extent of Zheng Qiu's harm and impact on the people, he only needs to be imprisoned for half a year.”

“Ah? I still have to go to jail?” Zheng Qiu was dumbfounded.

Didn't the other party forgive me?

Why do I still have to go to jail?

“Of course you have to go to jail. Although the other party has forgiven you, no matter what, you have violated the laws of the Wu Kingdom and must be punished to a certain extent. It's just that the severity of this punishment is much lighter than before.

Come, take Zheng Qiu down and transfer him to the Jingzhao Prefecture prison.”

Xu Ming pronounced the sentence.

“Yes!”

Several Imperial Guards stepped forward and escorted Zheng Qiu away.

Zheng Qiu wanted to shout a few times to express his grievance.

But when Zheng Qiu saw his father's expression, he immediately lost his temper and thought it over, deciding to just let it go.

Being imprisoned for half a year is still better than being imprisoned for five years, and being held in Jingzhao Prefecture, his life wouldn't be too miserable. He would just treat it as a half-year of confinement for reflection.

After Zheng Qiu was taken away, Zheng Liu hurried forward and bowed to Xu Ming: “Thank you, Lord, for your kindness. If there is nothing else, then this official will take his leave.”

In fact, Zheng Liu wasn't surprised at all that his son was imprisoned for half a year.

He even felt that his son should be imprisoned for half a year so that his temperament would be restrained and he wouldn't be so arrogant. This would make him more stable in the future.

Otherwise, this time it was only half a year, but next time, he might even lose his life.

However, in Zheng Liu's heart, he was also grumbling.

Originally, Zheng Liu wanted to manipulate things further to get his son transferred to Jingzhao Prefecture.

But unexpectedly, Xu Ming directly sent the person to Jingzhao Prefecture.

Could it be that Xu Ming wants to give me face?

That doesn't make sense.

Although my official rank is indeed not low, I don't have much real power, and the Imperial Guards have taken away the largest part.

Now, I can be said to be just the person in charge of the safety of Wudu. To a certain extent, the Imperial Guards are even above me. He has no need to curry favor with me.

Zheng Liu didn't know what this Number One Scholar was thinking.

But no matter what, since the goal has been achieved, then so be it.

Anyway, all I want to do now is to finish these few years properly and then retire to my hometown.

“Lord Zheng, walk slowly.” Xu Ming nodded.

After Zheng Qiu and Zheng Liu left, Xu Ming looked at Mo Yuanshan, who was kneeling on the ground, and said in a deep voice: “Mo Yuanshan disobeyed the Imperial Guards in their law enforcement and injured two Imperial Guards. According to the laws of the Wu Kingdom, both crimes shall be punished together. Imprison him in the Imperial Guards prison for ten years! Take the prisoner away!”

Xu Ming didn't waste any more words with Mo Yuanshan.

It's his business if he doesn't admit it. Anyway, the evidence is sufficient, and others have nothing to say.

“Yes!”

Two Imperial Guards stepped forward, their expressions filled with excitement, and even a sense of heroism permeated their hearts.

This is the son of the Great Pillar of the Nation!

They didn't expect that the Lord would say to imprison him and then imprison him!

“Wait!”

Just as Mo Yuanshan was about to be taken away, the Great Pillar of the Nation stood up. His voice was full of vigor, and it spread throughout the hall, shocking everyone's minds.

“Does the Great Pillar of the Nation have something to say?” Xu Ming turned his head and asked, looking at him without the slightest fear.

Mo Peinan stepped forward and cupped his fist in a salute: “Lord Xu, my son has indeed done many wrong things. As his father, I am also ashamed, but no matter what, Yuanshan is my son, and I cannot ignore him.

Otherwise, I would not be able to answer to his deceased mother.”

Xu Ming looked at Mo Peinan seriously: “Lord Mo, I have always respected you very much. As the strongest person in the Wu Kingdom and a founding general of the Wu Kingdom, you have made indispensable contributions to the Wu Kingdom's achievements today.

But, the Son of Heaven commits a crime, and he should be punished the same as the common people, let alone your son.

Mo Yuanshan obstructed our Imperial Guards from enforcing the law and even injured our Imperial Guards.

Mo Yuanshan not only needs to give our Imperial Guards brothers an explanation, but also the laws of the Wu Kingdom an explanation.

Otherwise, what would the people think? What would the laws of the Wu Kingdom be? Could anyone trample on them?”

Mo Peinan nodded: “I naturally understand and can comprehend what Lord Xu said, so…”

Halfway through his sentence, Mo Peinan took out a golden token from his sleeve.

The golden token had the character "Exempt" written on it.

Mo Peinan continued: “This is a death-exemption token bestowed upon our Mo family by the late Emperor. It can be used three times in total. I, this old man, once made a mistake and used it once, leaving two more. This time, it will be used on Yuanshan.”

Xu Ming looked at the death-exemption token: “Great Pillar of the Nation, your son's crime is not punishable by death. Using the death-exemption token for this is too extravagant, isn't it?”

“Not so.”

Mo Peinan shook his head.

“I, this old man, don't have many years left to live. If my son is imprisoned for ten years, I may not even be able to see my son after ten years.”

Xu Ming continued: “But if I remember correctly, the use of this death-exemption token has conditions?”

Hearing Xu Ming's words, Mo Peinan himself was stunned for a moment: “Indeed, as Lord Xu said, the use of this death-exemption token has conditions. The late Emperor once said that if I use this death-exemption token, if you can withstand three punches from me, this death-exemption token will be invalid.”

In an instant, Wu Yanhan, Tang Ningzhi, and others in the hall sat up straight, their eyes all looking at Xu Ming.

Both of them were worried that Xu Ming would do something foolish.

And it turned out just as they had thought.

Xu Ming stood up and walked down from the high platform again: “Since that's the case, then this junior would like to experience the Great Pillar of the Nation's boxing skills.”

The Great Pillar of the Nation frowned, looking at the young man in front of him: “Are you sure? According to what the late Emperor said at the time, I can use my fist against you with two realms higher.”

Xu Ming smiled: “There is no need for the Great Pillar of the Nation to remind me. This one knows.”