Finest Servant-Chapter 660

Chapter 660 Blame Your Excellence

The beguiling voice had a profound effect, as the eyes of the Miao members darkened once again. Indeed, the Xuzhou Prefecture in Sichuan had committed too many evils, and Nie Yuanqing was a prime example of this. Naturally, all the blame was placed on the Hua people.

“True, there are some scoundrels among the Hua people who oppress and commit atrocities in our village, but justice will be served in due time. Someone will surely come to deal with them!” Ah Lin Ge’s voice boomed like a great bell. “Similarly, the wrongs of one do not reflect the whole people. In Xuzhou, Sichuan, many Hua people are just like the Miao people - hardworking, intelligent, simple, and kind. Both people have coexisted peacefully. When has there ever been any oppression between us?”

The crowd, already favorably inclined towards him, nodded in agreement as they listened to his persuasive words.

Ah Lin Ge, with his eloquent speech, seemed on the verge of swaying the villagers. Zhaguo, greatly anxious and about to interject, was stopped short by Lin Wanrong’s cold snort. He glanced disdainfully at Zhaguo and declared, “Likewise, there are villains in the Miao village who oppress their neighbors! As a leader, he does not seek the welfare of his people but pursues his own selfish interests, plunging his kin and neighbors into dire straits. Such a man is utterly despicable and unworthy of being a Miao!”

The villagers immediately understood who he was talking about. Zhaguo, the Miao leader, had colluded with the officials and caused widespread misery. Everyone was too afraid to speak out, but hearing Ah Lin Ge’s outspoken condemnation brought them immense satisfaction.

“You’re spouting nonsense!” Zhaguo, teeth bared and gripping his hatchet tightly, glanced silently towards Nie Yuanqing on the stage, as if waiting for a signal.

“Am I?” Lin Wanrong hummed. “The thousand-year history of Xuzhou Prefecture has taught us that the Hua and Miao people should coexist peacefully, like one family, without any ethnic barriers. The Miao should have the same rights as the Hua people – to have food, clothing, shelter. Miao people can also study, pass the imperial examinations, become high officials. Future affairs of Sichuan Miao community should be managed by the Miao people themselves - is this also nonsense?”

“Ah Lin Ge, is what you say true?” Overwhelmed by his vision of a bright future, a young Miao man stood up and asked loudly.

“Of course, it’s true!” Lin Wanrong's face was solemn as he raised his right hand high. “I swear in the name of Ah Lin Ge – equality and shared prosperity for Hua and Miao! To those corrupt and oppressive, regardless of their ethnicity or status, they will face the swift justice of the sword without mercy!”

The name ‘Ah Lin Ge’ had become a magical synonym among the Miao people. Hearing his solemn oath, they were all emotionally moved, erupting into excited cheers and thunderous applause, seeing hope in him.

As the crowd’s fervor reached a boiling point and the situation seemed to slip out of control, a flicker of viciousness appeared in Nie Yuanqing’s eyes, giving Zhaguo a slight nod.

Unable to contain himself, the one-eyed man leaped up, his remaining eye blazing with blood-like fervor. “Fellow villagers, do not listen to this Hua dog’s lies. He’s here to bully us Miaos people. Follow me, let’s kill him!”

In terms of prestige, Ah Lin Ge had already far surpassed Zhaguo. Zhaguo shouted a few times, but only his thousands of private Black Miao soldiers responded. The other villagers merely watched him with cold, disdainful eyes.

At this point, Zhaguo, gritting his teeth, commanded his thousands of Black Miao soldiers. With a fierce roar, he ordered, “Brothers, charge with me. Kill this Hua dog!”

“Attack!” These thousands of Black Miao, privately raised and fiercely loyal to Zhaguo, responded immediately. Wielding their hatchets, they surged forward like a tidal wave.

Zhaguo’s despicable act of drawing weapons during the Flower Mountain Festival infuriated all the Miao people. Thousands of Miao villagers, gripping their own hatchets, spontaneously formed a large circle, defending against the onslaught of the Black Miao and protecting Ah Lin Ge and the Holy Maiden on the high platform.

“Brother Lin—”

“Brother San—”

Gao Qiu and Si De hurriedly leaped from the crowd, positioning themselves protectively in front of him.

An Biru, her beautiful face clouded with frost, coldly rebuked, “Raising private armies and wielding weapons to kill, especially in front of the Xuzhou Prefecture’s official. This is an unforgivable crime, Zhaguo. Are you trying to rebel?!”

Nie Yuanqing burst into laughter and stood up, waving his hand nonchalantly. “Holy Maiden, you're overreacting. What private armies, what murder? I see nothing. This is a private matter of your Miao village, and it's inappropriate for an official like me to intervene.”

Elder Hannong was in a panic. “This cannot be, sir! Zhaguo raises a private army and intends to murder. We have no weapons to defend ourselves. If this causes bloodshed in the Miao region, how will you explain it to the court?”

“What’s there to explain?” Nie Yuanqing chuckled darkly. “A large-scale bloody conflict erupted in Sichuan due to a power struggle among the Miao leaders. Fortunately, I arrived in time to prevent bloodshed. A few lawless Miao villagers attempted to attack the official army, and I had to make a decisive move to eliminate them—”

“You—” The Elder’s face changed instantly. Nie Yuanqing's intention was clear: he would ignore Zhaguo’s actions, but any resistance from others would label them as troublemakers, deserving of execution. This was a blatant collusion with Zhaguo.

“Well played, ‘the magistrate can start fires, but the common people can’t even light a lamp’,” Lin Wanrong applauded and laughed loudly. “Nie Yuanqing, truly a fitting Prefect of Xuzhou, so arrogantly corrupt.”

Nie Yuanqing looked at him with a sinister smile. “Ah Lin Ge, you are mistaken. In my territory of Xuzhou, I don’t need to resort to trickery. Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish. It's as simple as that!”

The audacity of a mere Prefect of Xuzhou! Gao Qiu, having served as a commander of the palace guards and seen countless dignitaries, had never encountered someone as brazen as Nie Yuanqing. Enraged, he pointed at the official and shouted, “Nie Yuanqing, you have some nerve, speaking such outrageous and treasonous words! Do you know who you are talking to?!”

Nie Yuanqing laughed loudly, disregarding him. “Of course, I know. Isn’t this Lin San, General Lin, renowned for his bravery and wisdom, feared by the nomads? The Imperial Consort of Princess Chuyun and Princess Nishang! Oh, and the esteemed father of the newly-born imperial grandson! I recognized you right away!”

His eyes were cold and fierce as he scrutinized Lin Wanrong. A disdainful smirk played at the corners of his mouth, the epitome of arrogance.

The revelation of Ah Lin Ge being an Imperial General and the princesses' consort shocked the Miao elders surrounding them. They all turned to scrutinize him, and Uncle Buyi, who was close to him, felt a mix of joy and sorrow.

He rejoiced because Ah Lin Ge had promised to treat the Miao kindly and bring the Hua and Miao as close as family. If true, Nie Yuanqing would be of little concern, and good days for the Miao were on the horizon. The sorrow lay in the realization that since he was an imperial official and the princesses' consort, his daughter Yilian's chances with him were slim. His daughter might truly remain alone for her whole life.

Amidst this mix of emotions, even the usually composed Uncle Buyi couldn’t help but frown, uncertain of what to do.

Seeing Nie Yuanqing's continuous sneers and the mockery on his face, Gao Qiu exploded with rage, "Nie Yuanqing, knowing General Lin’s identity, shouldn’t you be kneeling in respect? Do you not value your life?”

“It’s not that I don’t value my life, but rather I wish to live well!” Nie Yuanqing shook his head with a cold laugh. “From the moment I recognized Lord Lin, I understood that today’s situation will either end with the fish dead or the net broken. Given this, why should I kneel?”

Was this man staging a rebellion? Gao Qiu, furious, was about to charge forward, but Lin Wanrong stopped him. He looked leisurely at Nie Yuanqing and smiled, “So, you fear nothing now, do you?”

Nie Yuanqing paced a few steps, his fair face showing a deep viciousness. “General Lin said before, the Emperor is the foremost under heaven, but I am the foremost in Xuzhou! Just as a powerful dragon cannot suppress the local snake, since you've come to Sichuan, if everything here escapes your notice, then you are no longer you. Even the foremost under heaven must yield to me, the foremost in Xuzhou! Within the boundaries of Xuzhou Prefecture, I have the final say! If I command you to live, you live; if I command you to die, you must die!”

His voice grew fierce, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness. With a wave of his hand, he shouted, “Where is the Xuzhou official army?”

At his call, loud shouts echoed from the hillsides. Hundreds, thousands of Xuzhou soldiers, armed with swords and spears and carrying torches, crazily surged from all directions. Their numbers were overwhelming, at least three to four thousand. These were formally trained soldiers, the most important military force in Xuzhou. With them present, who would dare resist?

Zhaguo and his privately raised Black Miao soldiers, previously restricted on the periphery, now saw the arrival of the official army. They were immediately excited and triumphant, wildly waving their weapons and roaring. The Black Miao guards, together with the Xuzhou garrison, numbered over five thousand. Their swords and spears gleamed menacingly as the two forces merged, surrounding the Miao villagers participating in the Flower Mountain Festival, pressing them towards the center of the meadow.

Zhaguo, red-faced and frantic, shouted, “Holy Maiden, please marry me. I will plead with Lord Nie on your behalf! Ah Lin Ge can’t protect you!”

"Zhaguo, you are courting your own destruction!" An Biru sighed silently, then coldly addressed Nie Yuanqing, "You disregard even the Emperor, Prefect. Are you openly rebelling now?"

"Rebel? How could I dare to do such a thing?" Nie Yuanqing shook his head, giving Lin Wanrong a sly smile. "At the Flower Mountain Festival, a fierce internal conflict arose between two factions of the Miao clan, leading to bloodshed. General Lin was inadvertently involved. Since he was in disguise and did not reveal his identity, I had no idea he was in my territory of Xuzhou. By the time I was informed and arrived, it was too late. The General had been harmed by traitors, and I was powerless to reverse the situation. The only thing left to do was to capture all the Miao involved and avenge the General. Holy Maiden, if I submit such a report, would anyone still accuse me of rebellion?"

This scoundrel had calculated everything! He dominated Xuzhou, where his word was law. Even if the young General met his end in Xuzhou, it would be attributed to Miao clan infighting, hardly implicating him! An Biru’s eyes flashed coldly as she disdainfully said, "Prefect Nie, such cunning and skillful tactics! If you succeed, it would truly be an injustice!"

"Holy Maiden flatters me!" Nie Yuanqing bowed, then hee-heed at Lin Wanrong. "I merely took a lesson from my mentor, Prince Cheng. When dealing with someone like General Lin, striking first is paramount. He who strikes late suffers the consequences!"

Since General Lin had come to Sichuan, everything was exposed. Rather than being passively beaten and begging for mercy to no avail, it was better to take the initiative and fight back. There might still be a chance for survival. This Prefect of Xuzhou was indeed a remarkable figure!

Seeing Lin Wanrong deep in thought, Nie Yuanqing's eyes turned cold. He gestured swiftly, and the Xuzhou soldiers and Black Miao guards aggressively advanced towards him.

“At such a moment, to remain so calm, you truly live up to your reputation as the renowned Lin San," Nie Yuanqing sarcastically bowed, a mocking smile on his face.

Lin Wanrong nodded slightly, looking at him calmly. "Prefect Nie is not too bad himself, treating Xuzhou as your own backyard, taking whatever you want. Having such audacity, you can indeed be considered a significant figure. But there's one thing I don’t understand. I had never met you before this festival, so how did you recognize me?"

This was a question both Gao Qiu and An Biru wanted to know. Nie Yuanqing laughed loudly, "The smartest General Lin, confused for once? I'm honored! To be honest, it's not anyone else's fault. If blame must be assigned, it’s because you are too outstanding!"

Too outstanding? This reason was indeed unique! Gao Qiu shook his head in confusion, while Lin Wanrong smiled with narrowed eyes.

"As you must know, General, you are a highly sought-after figure in Great Hua. Although I have never met you, your dealings with Prince Cheng are known to all in the court. How could I remain ignorant of the man who brought down my mentor? At the very least, I had heard about your appearance. The moment I saw your face when you arrived on horseback, I was already somewhat surprised."

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