In fact, Wen Panshi was asking on behalf of all his men.

Jing Rong asked, Why? Do you want me to kill all of you?

Wen Panshi was rendered speechless.

I don't mind if you want to stain my hands with your blood. However, Teacher Ji pleaded for leniency on your behalf, and he also reassured me that you wouldn't repeat your mistake. I pondered over his words and thought, if I kill you, your army of a hundred thousand will definitely revolt. If that happens, the loss will outweigh the gains. That's why I decided to release you. Then, you'll owe me a favour, and we will decide what to do after the case is solved.

Wen Panshi was a little shocked by Jing Rong's statement, and at the same time, grateful for Jing Rongs kindness. He used to be a general, and had always respected honourable men like Jing Rong.

After a brief moment of silence, he cupped his hands and bowed.

This humble one will remember Prince Rongs kindness for life. I hope Your Highness can forgive what I did previously. If we become arch enemies in the future, this humble one swears to not hurt you.

I hope that that day will never come.

Yes, if that day comes and they are forced to arms, the ones who will suffer the most will be the commoners.

Wen Panshi wore a solemn expression as he remained silent.

Later that day, Jing Rong ordered for everyone to be released. The cramped prison had finally returned to its usual state.

It was the same for the yamen. All the yamen runners returned to their positions. Those who maintained order of the court went back to the court; the ones who guarded the front gate were back at the front gate; the ones who ought to be on patrol went on patrol everything in Yufu had returned to its original state. The people of Yufu didnt say anything, neither did they have a single inkling of what had happened.

However, the Si and Wen Residences were still sealed. Wen Panshi temporarily dismissed all the guards and troops he personally oversaw, then brought Madam Wen and Little Xiyue to live in the separate residence that his son Wen Xian maintained. They lived in joy and harmony.

The missing disaster relief silver was found in the mountain cave, and transported back into the relay station. This time, they were guarded securely by Jing Rongs men, with no one else allowed to approach. But what were they supposed to do with this money?

After Lang Po safely oversaw the transport of the silver, he hurriedly reported to Jing Rong, Your Highness, now that the disaster relief funds have been retrieved, should it be distributed to the people? Or should it be used to buy something?

That day, Lang Po truly had been injured when he had been caught sneaking into the secret passage at the Si Residence. He had been punched several times in the face and was still covered in a motley patchwork of bruises. Thankfully, those people had intended to use him as bait for Jing Rong, so they didnt kill him and instead tied him up in the secret passage. When Mo Ruo had gone to remove the explosives, he had rescued Lang Po as well. After he was released, he had been busy with the matter of the disaster relief silver.

Jing Rongs brows knitted tightly together as he listened to his report and pondered aloud, The fact that the disaster relief funds have been found cannot be publicised, but its also inadvisable to continue keeping the silver at the relay station either. Once the silver is distributed to the public, the Imperial Court would certainly hear about it.

Then what should we do with the silver?

What should we do? Jing Rong started to worry about it again. He paced back and forth, brain spinning rapidly to devise a good solution. Ah! He lifted his head, This prince has a good idea.

What is it?

Wait till it falls dark, and lead some men to secretly deliver the silver to those impoverished citizens. Remember, you cannot leave any trace, act swiftly, and avoid being seen by anyone. [1]

Deliver the silver to each family one by one? This plan would work! But doesnt it mean that theyll be doing good deeds anonymously?

Lang Po praised, Your Highness is certainly brillant.

Alright, quickly go do it as fast as possible.

Yes! He was about to leave, but turned around to ask seriously, Your Highness, this subordinate has something else to say.

Speak.

Your Highness came here to investigate the missing disaster relief funds but now, even if weve clearly concluded the case, we can neither announce it nor report to the Imperial Court. If we continue concealing the truth of this case, then does that mean that Your Highness can never return to the capital?

Jing Rongs expression darkened as he heard these words. After a long pause, he replied, Since its something that has already been decided, I naturally will not change my mind.

Your Highness Lang Po tried to persuade him again.

Enough. Theres no need to say anything else. This prince will send an official report to the capital, to clearly report to Imperial Father that theres no way to break through the case of the disaster relief silver.

Lang Po sighed softly. He didnt have anything he could say in reply to that. If the prince reported the truth, the Emperor would issue an order and allow him to return to the capital. But now that the prince has decided to conceal it, the road back to the capital is extremely precarious. However, Jing Rong maintained his resolve to sacrifice his own gain for the greater good. A talent indeed.

That day, Jing Rong immediately wrote an official report and had it sent to the capital at top speed by a mounted messenger. Lang Po also secretly led his men to deliver the silver to each household.

In no time, the entire Yufu county was rife with the rumor of a benevolent celestial being that had taken pity on them and delivered them life-saving silver. Some said that it was the God of Fortune that had descended to distribute money; others said that it was a martial hero who robbed the rich to aid the poor; yet others claimed that it was a rich family that gifted it to them. There were a myriad of different stories that spread like wildfire, whether it was in the taverns, teahouses, gambling dens, or brothels people everywhere were talking about it. [2]

The storytellers of the teahouse made the story even more fantastical. He snapped open his folding fan and grabbed a handful of peanuts, munching on them as he started to weave his story with a theatrical boom, As the story goes, there was a strong man that woke up in the middle of the night. The minute he opened his eyes, he saw a ray of light shoot in from outside the window. That ray was blindingly bright and held within it a myriad of dancing colours.

With a whoosh, a figure in white robes and pointed boots entered from the window. Strands of fine hair fell to a slim waist; together with a pair of almond-shaped eyes, cherry-red lips, willowy brows and a sharp nose, made for an incomparably alluring combination. That person stretched out a hand, a faint glow appeared on their fingertip, and numerous glittering silver ingots fell into that mans hands. That was the manifestation of a living bodhisattva, come to save the people of Yufu.

Clap clap clap~ Thunderous applause sounded from the listeners. Someone said, I saw them too. It really was a female bodhisattva.

Thats right. I actually saw them as well. That night, I worked till very late. When I got home and opened the door, I saw a shadow flash by, leaving behind a bag of silver on the table.

So miraculous?

Isnt that so? I say that it was the heavens that took pity on us and delivered silver to save us. Everyone nodded their heads.

However, someone sighed and said, What do you think happened with the mysterious disappearance of the disaster relief silver issued by the Imperial Court these past few years?

Who knows? Anyways, I heard that when they reached the yamen, the chests were filled only with stones, without sign of a single silver tael. Id say that there was a light-fingered thief in there somewhere.

The moment he finished speaking, a folding fan rapped sharply on that persons head. The storyteller said, you loose-tongued dolt. Is the question of whether or not the Imperial Courts relief silver was lost, or whether there was a thief something that you commoners are fit to discuss? You better not sprout any nonsense here, or you might be caught and sent to the yamen for a good paddling.

[1] SERIOUSLY IS THIS YOUR BEST IDEA?? However would anyone find out it was you? >.> Anyone else think that this is disaster in the making?

[2] Aka Robin Hood, Santa Claus, or a fairy hmm...