Chapter 148: A Common Man

Ye Xin said leisurely, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate? I have interacted with them several times, and I'm afraid none of you lords here understand them better than I do."

Deng Guozuo and the others thought to themselves, of course you understand them—you were in cahoots with them to begin with!

Although there was a common saying that street markets often produced heroes, when they themselves were the rulers of the Great Wei Kingdom, they utterly looked down upon those denizens of the streets. This was because of resources; the resources of Great Wei were firmly controlled by the sovereign and various aristocratic families. No matter how formidable a hero might be, without the backing of resources, he could never soar.

"To be honest, they are simply thieves," Ye Xin continued. "It is somewhat absurd to let them enter the Grand Prefecture."

"Indeed, Xiao Xin makes a good point," Wen Yuanren nodded, feeling even more satisfied with Ye Xin in his heart. He had initially thought that upon hearing Deng Guozuo's proposal, Ye Xin would be overjoyed and immediately agree to let the righteous league members enter the Grand Prefecture, thereby seizing control of the public security in Jiuding City. At the same time, he knew that Deng Guozuo and the others were merely probing Ye Xin's intentions, and it would have been inappropriate for him to chime in with reminders, as that would make people underestimate Ye Xin. As it turned out, Ye Xin had already seen through Deng Guozuo's scheming and had spoken up to refuse.

For any society, simple or complex, order was of the utmost importance; it was the same from top to bottom. All the benefits acquired by the aristocratic families had to be exchanged for a stable order, and the common people relied on order to live and work in peace.

The Wen family alone, coupled with Ye Xin, could not possibly maintain good order in Jiuding City, nor could the righteous Tie Xinsheng. Everyone had to make a concerted effort.

"Your Excellency the Grand Marshal is mistaken," Wang Fang said with a smile. "Even prostitutes can choose a virtuous path, so can someone who is a thief for a day remain a thief for the rest of their life? Allowing them to enter the Grand Prefecture to give them a chance to turn over a new leaf and start afresh should be considered a meritorious deed."

Oh? Deng Guozuo and the others were somewhat startled. What was Wang Fang trying to do? Was he actually going to hand over the real power of the Grand Prefecture? Tie Xinsheng had oppressed him for more than a decade, yet he had remained as steady as a mountain, withstanding immense pressure. Was he frightened now, or what was going on?

"I still have some misgivings," Ye Xin shook his head. "This matter is of great consequence; let us discuss it again later. I have another matter here. Bai Qi, bring the person in."

Xue Bai Qi, standing guard outside the hall, acknowledged the order in a loud voice. Not long after, the clanking of iron chains came from outside, followed by Xue Bai Qi escorting in an elderly man whose clothes were in tatters and who looked utterly wretched.

That old man was none other than Feng Qishan, the vice president of the Longteng Martial Arts Academy. It was he who had originally allowed Ye Xin to enter the academy. In the span of half a year, one had risen to become the Grand Marshal, while the other had been reduced to a prisoner. Such were the unpredictable vicissitudes of the world, sigh-inducing indeed.

Upon seeing Ye Xin, Feng Qishan dropped to both knees and wailed, "Your Excellency the Grand Marshal, I am wronged, I am deeply wronged... It was all that old dog Guan Hanyu, who forced me to frame Lord Wen. I was truly reluctant, but..."

"This is the Marshal's Mansion! How dare you make a raucous scene here!" Ye Xin shouted. "Tell me slowly, and recount the whole sequence of events from beginning to end!"

Thereupon, Feng Qishan recounted how Guan Hanyu had subjected him to brutal interrogation and directed him to point his confession toward Wen Hongren.

Deng Guozuo, Han Sanmei, and the others felt a sense of alarm in their hearts. They suddenly realized that judging Ye Xin merely by his age was a grave mistake. After driving Tie Xinsheng to his death, Ye Xin had not indulged in the excitement of sweet revenge; his very first task was actually to clear his own name and deliberately drag Tie Xinsheng's reputation through the mud.

"That old traitor Guan Hanyu!" Han Sanmei roared. "Corrupt, lawless, and utterly unforgivable! The Grand Marshal merely giving him a slash of the blade was letting him off far too easily!"

"The sovereign made so many blunders all these years, and they were all thanks to that Guan Hanyu!" Deng Guozuo sighed. "He deserved to die long ago!"

Han Sanmei and Deng Guozuo wanted to protect Tie Xinsheng's reputation not out of loyalty, but for the sake of checks and balances.

If the majority of people still sympathized with Tie Xinsheng, then Ye Xin, who had committed the grave crime of regicide, would forever have the sword of justice hanging over his head. As long as they manipulated the situation slightly, they could cause trouble for Ye Xin.

If Ye Xin's conduct remained relatively sound and the distribution of benefits was fair, they would be happy to work alongside him. Whenever they became displeased, they could dig that incident back up and throw Ye Xin into turmoil for a while—in other words, they held the initiative.

Moreover, the new sovereign was about to ascend the throne. How could Tie Shudeng tolerate others insulting his biological father? Needless to say for Han Sanmei, Deng Guozuo had always supported Tie Renhao; if he didn't change his stance now, Tie Shudeng might well make the Deng family his very first target.

Among the nine major ducal states, every dynastic transition and transfer of power resulted in the decline of one or more aristocratic families. This was practically common knowledge.

"Don't you all find it strange?" Ye Xin frowned. "What good would framing Uncle Wen do for Guan Hanyu? No one stirs without something to gain... Feng Qishan, is there anything you left unsaid? Speak! Tell me honestly and fully!"

With his final sentence, Ye Xin channeled his primordial energy, releasing a miniature Heavenly Wolf Howl. He intentionally worked himself into such an emotional state to warn Deng Guozuo, Han Sanmei, and the others: I am about to lose my temper, are you afraid?!

The old saying went that when a scholar met a soldier, reasoning was impossible; a similar logic applied here. Ye Xin had just washed the royal palace in blood and was once again wielding his blade to kill people—there was nothing surprising about it.

"I have—I do have..." Feng Qishan stammered repeatedly, and then proceeded to reveal how Tie Xinsheng had attempted to break off the engagement between the Ye and Wen families and intended to marry Tie Huizhen into the Ye family.

In truth, Guan Hanyu could never have told Feng Qishan his true motives, but Ye Xin knew them clearly. Using Feng Qishan's mouth, he exposed Tie Xinsheng's real objective.

Han Sanmei, Deng Guozuo, Shen Wangji, and Wang Fang had never expected such inside information. Upon careful reflection, Ye Xin had always been renowned for his arrogance and unmanageable nature. Tie Xinsheng wanting to marry Tie Huizhen into the Ye family to firmly bind Ye Xin to the Tie family's chariot was an extremely probable move.

It was a pity that after scheming all these calculations, he had ultimately ruined his own life. Sentencing Wen Hongren and his family of three to immediate execution by beheading had driven Ye Xin into a frenzy of madness, causing him to raise the banner of rebellion outright.

Wen Yuanren was so infuriated that his beard and hair stood on end, while Han Sanmei and the others wore deeply complicated expressions and remained silent.

"Feng Qishan, a public trial will be held for you in a few days. If you speak the truth, I guarantee you in front of these lords that I will spare your life at that time and send people to escort you back to the Dazhao Kingdom. If you conceal anything further, I will have no choice but to behead you," Ye Xin said slowly.

"Yes... I understand... Thank you for your mercy, Grand Marshal..." Feng Qishan was already weeping with gratitude.

"Grand Marshal, what is a public trial?" Han Sanmei asked, uncomprehending.

Such a miraculous method of political struggle had never appeared in this world. Not only Han Sanmei, but the others did not quite understand either.

"It means finding a large venue capable of holding tens of thousands of people, gathering the common people, and publicly trying Feng Qishan in front of everyone," Ye Xin said.

"Grand Marshal, such a move must never be made!" Han Sanmei turned pale with shock. Once such a public trial was carried out, Tie Xinsheng's reputation would be completely ruined, and he might even bear eternal infamy. As for Ye Xin, fueled by the sentiment of 'flying into a rage for a beauty,' his good name would undoubtedly be spread far and wide.

"Why not?" Ye Xin retorted.

"Jiuding City has seen frequent chaos lately. What the people need right now is stability; there is no need to make such a grand and troublesome fuss," Han Sanmei said.

"Such a thing has never happened in the Great Wei Kingdom; there is no precedent," Deng Guozuo also shook his head.

"Furthermore, if rioters seize the opportunity to stir up trouble, it might cause massive complications," Han Sanmei added.

"Can things without precedent not be done? I do not believe it, nor do I accept it," Ye Xin said indifferently. "Besides, I will personally lead the Wolf Cavalry to oversee the trial myself. Let's see who dares to come and make trouble!"

"I beg the Grand Marshal to think twice!" Han Sanmei stood up. On this matter, he could not yield. "The sovereign has paid with his death to atone for his sins—is that still not enough to appease Your Excellency's anger?"

"I only want justice. Is clearing Uncle Wen's tainted name really that difficult?" Ye Xin's expression turned cold.

"Grand Marshal, in these troubled times, people's hearts yearn for peace!" Han Sanmei argued. "Why must you disturb the masses? All of us already know the Grand Marshal's hidden grievances and understand that Lord Wen was wronged. Isn't that enough?"

"It is not enough," Ye Xin said decisively. "When Uncle Wen was wronged and imprisoned, quite a few ministers in the imperial court must have known there was a hidden story behind it. Although Lord Tailing was far away on the southern front, only Grand Preceptor alone argued with the sovereign. What were you all thinking at that time? Now that I want to bring the truth to light before the world, you are all rushing forward to block it. Let me ask you another question: what are you all thinking right now?"

Seeing that Ye Xin had begun raking over old coals, Han Sanmei was momentarily stunned.

"Some people are so used to being dogs that they think both the sovereign's grace and wrath are imperial favors!" Ye Xin said coldly. "Some fellow considered himself my master, believing that whenever he wanted me to bark, I should bark, and whenever he wanted me to bite someone, I should go bite. He could arbitrarily strip away what I cherish most and arbitrarily make me walk according to his plans... In that, he was gravely mistaken. I am not a dog, nor have I ever thought of acting like a dog!"

Ye Xin's tone had turned sinister, plunging Han Sanmei and the others into silence.

"When an emperor flies into a rage, corpses float for a thousand miles; when an ordinary man flies into a rage, blood splashes five steps. I am merely an ordinary man, and for me, five steps are enough." Ye Xin's expression grew even frostier. "You think it's no big deal simply because it is not you who are wronged and humiliated! If Feng Qishan were to testify right now that you are traitors who have been selling vital secrets to the Dazhao Kingdom, and I threw you into the heavenly prison and sentenced you to immediate execution, would you not be furious?!"

Han Sanmei and the others looked at each other in dismay. Ye Xin's words were impossible to answer; if you said you weren't angry or furious, well, if you dared to say that, Ye Xin might just dare to throw you into the heavenly prison!

What was the point of this? Right now, Ye Xin's momentum was at its peak and his temper was fiery—there was no need to make things so rigid.