Yuan Tu had many thoughts about what would happen today, but being imprisoned was not one of them. Looking at the direction the day was heading, it seemed like that would become reality soon enough.

Yuan Tu had been holding his breath in dread of the judgment that was about to come.

Li Peng declared,

"Yuan Tu. You have falsely accused Lin Mu of theft, and have attacked him along with other peasants which were also incited by you. You have but one chance to speak in your defense."

"I… I… I'm innocent, Sir Supervisor. I was only trying to protect the mayor's property and not let the boy steal any spirit apples."

"I yelled at him because he came back to the town when you exiled him Sir, and attacked him so he would learn his lesson and not come back."

Li Peng raised his eyebrows and stated,

"I never said I exiled him, did I? I had him thrown out of the town, but he was not explicitly exiled. His punishment was for his property to be confiscated, and be thrown out of the town by the guards, not exile."

"But... but Sir Supervisor, I thought you meant to exile the boy when you threw him out... I just assumed."

With an amused tone, Li Peng spoke,

"Oh? Since when can mere peasants assume the judgments of officials? Hmm, have you lost sight of your standing?"

Yuan Tu's back was covered in a cold sweat, once again, upon hearing the supervisor's words. Yuan Tu could not speak, feeling as if there was a lump stuck inside his throat.

Looking at the frozen face of Yuan Tu, Li Peng continued,

"Well then that settles it, now hear your crime."

"Yuan Tu was found to be guilty of falsely accusing Lin Mu of theft, inciting a crowd to attack Lin Mu, and delaying the process of harvest - which was of the utmost importance."

"I order Yuan Tu to receive twenty lashes and to be imprisoned for a month."

"Guards, take him away."

had a dumbstruck expression, and then pulled him away to

had intended to only save himself from false accusations, but did not expect for Yuan Tu to be punished instead. He turned to the three mercenaries, not knowing

the peasants

GET BACK TO WORK IF YOU DON'T

rushed back to their work, no longer

security checks and let them pass; they're disturbing the work here." Li Peng said to a guard, who then dashed in the direction of the town

the mercenary trio nodded his head in a gesture of thanks and walked away towards the mercenary caravan, thinking in his head that they at least

- showing the age of the garment. The boy had a skinny

presence will only further disturb

Peng's voice, Lin Mu, who was looking at the

for upholding justice and freeing me from

to linger here anymore. Seeing the supervisor walking

the mercenaries had puzzled expressions. Lin Mu faced the three

you for testifying and helping me

their puzzled expression resolved and the mercenary who had talked to

was asked of us by that official,

intending for Lin Mu to leave. Understanding the gesture, Lin Mu nodded his head and walked away. He did not

he closed the ledger. Reaching for the teapot that was kept

feeling tired from work as another sigh escaped his lips. Thinking about completing the harvest in time gave him a headache. 'I wonder if I should have asked for people from other towns and villages to help out in harvesting. Even if we increase the work hours, we would be cutting it close to

Mu made him feel even more helpless. The loss had been more than he expected. Once he received the actual invoice for the loss of the spirit apples, he had almost lost his temper. He had wanted to fine the peasants even more, but knew that he could not as some peasants may not have

The plague last year had already hit them hard, making them lose around twenty percent of their entire population to it. If any more people died,

call a servant. No sooner than a few seconds did the door open as a servant walked in and cupped his fist

need of

is the harvest

should be completed almost

hummed in response

the other servants to set up torches in the orchards. The working hours will be extended by three hours from today so as to

you say. Anything else you require

about the

know sir. I'll call the guards,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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