Chapter 19: To Aid the People and Bring Peace to the Common Folk

Liang Xiao was quite satisfied with the public's reaction. He gripped his spear, spurred his horse, and led his team toward the city gate.

Aside from Zhuo Zifang, the rest of the men who had accompanied Liang Xiao had been trembling with fear. With the death of Yuan Bailong and the acknowledgment of Liang Xiao’s authority by the officials and people of Pei County, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. The ten imperial guards, dressed in their official military attire, also served as a deterrent to the remnants of Yuan Bailong’s faction.

Taking advantage of the crowd's cheering, Zhongli Xiu turned back in annoyance and glared at Zhongli Wanxue. She merely looked innocent and naive, ducking behind her mother, Lady Qin. Frustrated, Zhongli Xiu turned his gaze back to Liang Xiao, his mind racing. He could not comprehend how someone who had initially appeared to be a refined scholar could, upon arriving in Pei County, publicly execute Yuan Bailong to establish his authority. Yet, the current situation gave him a sense of realization: this young man was no ordinary person.

"Could it be that he was truly sent by the Emperor to Pei County to oppose the powerful clans?" Watching Liang Xiao maintain his dignity and composure from start to finish, Zhongli Xiu began to calculate.

As Liang Xiao reached the center of the crowd, he took in the state of the people of Pei County. They were all sallow and emaciated, exhausted, and more than half were barely clothed, shivering in the cold. Many, disheveled and clutching their children, stared at him with wide, pleading eyes, as if they had much to say but were held back by hesitation. War and oppressive governance had dragged them into a quagmire of suffering; their eyes were now fixed on a light they had never before possessed.

Liang Xiao exchanged a silent, knowing look with Zhuo Zifang before announcing in a clear, resonant voice, "Respected elders and fellow citizens of Pei County, I am Liang Xiao. From this day forward, I shall serve as the Magistrate of Pei County. Henceforth, I shall serve the people, bring peace to the land, safeguard our borders, and root out all evil and treachery!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in excitement. Suppressing her own joy, Zhongli Wanxue said softly, "Magistrate Liang intends to seek welfare for the people of Pei County, protect the county, punish the wicked, and promote the good, so that everyone may live in peace and contentment!"

Zhongli Xiu felt a headache coming on. His daughter, who appeared as a demure lady in public but possessed a chivalrous spirit in private, was far too easily influenced by this young man.

Liang Xiao cast a grateful look toward Zhongli Wanxue and nodded with a smile. "Indeed! The time of the elders and fellow citizens is precious, so I will get straight to the point: starting tomorrow, all taxes in Pei County shall not exceed the official rates set by the imperial court, and I will assess the situation to grant further reductions! All the exorbitant, miscellaneous taxes and levies invented by Yuan Bailong and his cohorts are hereby abolished!"

"From now on, the law will be strictly enforced; no evildoers shall be allowed to stir up trouble or harm the people. Let it be known to all in Pei County: before any petty villains attempt to cause mischief, they should weigh for themselves whether their capabilities are any match for Yuan Bailong's."

As the words left his lips, the crowd burst into earth-shattering cheers. Countless people were moved to tears, embracing one another and weeping.

"Thank you, honest and upright official!" "A true protector of the people!"

The burden of exorbitant taxes alone had kept them gasping for air; selling their own children had become an all-too-common occurrence. Yet, this new magistrate had brought such grace upon his very first day—something they had never seen in their lives. The thugs and ruffians in the crowd, who had been harboring secret resentment, all turned pale and dared not look up at Liang Xiao.

The Zhongli and Wu families stood on opposite sides, casting glances at one another, each harboring their own hidden thoughts. Zhongli Xiu turned to glare at Zhongli Wanxue and whispered to his son, "Qingfeng, keep an eye on your sister and don't let her be led astray!"

Hidden behind her mother, Zhongli Wanxue suppressed a laugh. She glanced at her timid brother and then toward the imposing figure on the swan goose horse in the distance, her mind already made up. He had faced Yuan Bailong’s tyranny with unflinching courage, referring to himself as "this official" to command authority. What boldness it took to execute a corrupt official with his sword! Now, facing the trembling people, he referred to himself as "this humble person," displaying true humility. Facing the terrified masses, he had immediately declared his stance to protect them and intended to reduce their taxes... He was a true hero. She had only spoken up for him out of a sense of conscience. It was a pity she was not the head of the Zhongli family; she would surely face a lecture from her father for this show of support.

Liang Xiao looked at the Registrar Wang, who had stepped forward earlier. "Have there been any changes to the subordinate officials of Pei County recently?"

Registrar Wang hurriedly presented a pre-prepared roster, trembling as he replied, "Reporting to the Magistrate, there have been no changes. Everyone is awaiting your appointments..." At this moment, he felt grateful that the roster had been prepared as a matter of routine.

Liang Xiao took the roster, glanced at it, and asked, "Where is the County Lieutenant, Cao Chen?"

A burly, tiger-shouldered man emerged from behind the Registrar and knelt before Liang Xiao, looking nervous. "I, Cao Chen, the current County Lieutenant, pay my respects to the Magistrate!"

Liang Xiao immediately ordered Liang Pin, who was in his party, to step forward. He appointed Zhuo Zifang as the County Assistant on the spot and split the office of County Lieutenant in two, with Liang Pin and Cao Chen serving as the left and right Lieutenants respectively.

"From this moment on, County Assistant Zhuo Zifang shall evaluate the existing officials of Pei County. Anyone deemed unqualified shall be reassigned or dismissed immediately!"

"Cao Chen, take Liang Pin and his men, along with your own reliable personnel, and immediately seize Yuan Bailong’s estate. If any of his cohorts have escaped, bring me their heads!"

Cao Chen’s heart skipped a beat, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the order. He mustered twenty soldiers, led the five guards from the Liang estate headed by Liang Pin, and two imperial guards who had accompanied Liang Xiao to Pei County, and hurried off to Yuan Bailong’s home.

With the arrangements made, Liang Xiao dismissed the crowd, leaving only the Pei County officials behind.

The people bowed deeply to Liang Xiao, departing with newfound hope. Zhongli Xiu hurried forward to pay his respects. "Zhongli Xiu of the Zhongli family, leading my kin, welcomes Magistrate Liang!"

After Liang Xiao returned the gesture, Zhongli Xiu prepared to leave with his clan. Before departing, he looked back at Zhongli Wanxue, his face darkening. His precious daughter was clearly still sneaking glances at Liang Xiao. Lady Qin stood in front of Zhongli Wanxue and gave her husband an apologetic smile. "Xue'er, it is time to go."

Zhongli Wanxue followed the others, though she was clearly reluctant, finally pulling her gaze away from Liang Xiao. Even as they parted, she could not resist one last look. The figure on the white horse with his silver spear would never fade from her memory; it would only grow more profound with each passing day.

The head of the Wu family, looking dejected, hesitated for a long time before finally stepping forward to salute Liang Xiao. "Wu Wenting of the Wu family, leading my kin, welcomes Magistrate Liang..."

Once Liang Xiao returned the salute, Wu Wenting felt as if he had been granted an amnesty and hurriedly led his clan away, terrified of having any further contact with Liang Xiao.

What was supposed to be a welcome party for Yuan Bailong to show off his power had, with the stroke of Liang Xiao’s sword, instead established the authority of the new Magistrate. Having lost their master, Yuan Bailong’s lackeys were leaderless and dared not act rashly. Yuan Bailong’s corpse was still on the cart, after all.

Liang Xiao remained calm, having Registrar Wang and the others lead the way, and the group finally entered Pei County safely. As the carriage moved through the city, Liang Xiao observed everything, his ears attuned to his surroundings. He discovered something: the population density of Pei County in every district far exceeded that of Wangjiang County, where Dong Sheng resided. Wangjiang County was one of the ports on the north bank of the river, a large county with a population exceeding one hundred thousand.

Zhuo Zifang, who was sitting with Liang Xiao, also noticed the clues and whispered, "The population of Pei County is likely much larger than our final estimates!"

"At least one hundred and twenty thousand..."