How to be of one heart?

For the first time, Ming Jing felt that death was so close. When he turned his head, he saw the dark blue poison on the short blade and inexplicably felt a sense of "beauty."

"Indestructible Golden Body!" At the critical moment, a golden arm blocked in front of Ming Jing, and the crisp "ding!" was so beautiful.

"What?!" Shoko was furious and suddenly let go of the short blade. After the short blade dropped a little, she fiercely struck the hilt with her palm. She was using the short blade like a kunai!

"Hmph!" Qing Yan's other hand reached out and grabbed the short blade. The sharp blade couldn't cut his skin. Then, he swung both fists, forcing Shoko back from Ming Jing. Shoko performed a backflip to evade Qing Yan's iron arms. She reached around her waist and flung dozens of senbon towards Ming Jing. Qing Yan stepped forward, and the senbon embedded themselves in him without missing a single one. Besides making crisp "ding" sounds, they were useless.

"Phew... I was really scared I'd wet myself!" Ming Jing finally reacted, realizing he was saved. He let out a deep breath and found himself drenched in sweat.

"Damn it, what kind of monster is this guy?!" Shoko glared fiercely at the golden man before her. In a few short seconds, she had used senbon to stab all of Qing Yan's vital joints. Even after the senbon dulled, she had achieved nothing. Qing Yan seized the opportunity, occasionally unleashing a punch with immense force that forced Shoko to dodge.

Pulling away again, Shoko saw Hizashi Hyuga rushing towards them. She gritted her teeth, glared at Ming Jing, and shouted, "Corrupt official, you're lucky today!" With that, she pushed off with her feet and hopped away like a rabbit. Qing Yan retreated to Ming Jing's side. Seeing Hizashi Hyuga return, he deactivated the "Indestructible Golden Body" state.

"Ming Jing, are you alright?" Hizashi Hyuga rushed over. He didn't pursue Shoko but looked at Ming Jing and asked. He had held off four people alone below and still managed to rescue some disaster victims. Hizashi Hyuga was truly a formidable expert of the Hyuga Clan.

"I was almost not alright," Ming Jing sighed. Hizashi Hyuga's expression faltered upon hearing this. He realized he had been a bit impulsive.

"I'm sorry, Ming Jing, I was impulsive just now," Hizashi Hyuga said guiltily, lowering his head.

"Sigh... Honestly, I really want to blame you, Mr. Hizashi, but let's put this matter aside for now! Let's deal with the current situation first." Ming Jing walked to the mountaintop and looked at the bewildered disaster victims below.

"Yes!" Hizashi Hyuga nodded and stood behind Ming Jing.

"My name is Akira Kurama, Prime Minister of the Land of Fire. The Daimyo has appointed me to be fully in charge of disaster relief and prevention! However, when I arrived here with tens of tons of grain, the first thing I heard was about you attacking the yamen. And just as I arrived, I was attacked by someone of unknown identity! I have two questions now, and these two questions will determine your future. The decision is now in your hands. If you do not cooperate, I will burn all that grain!" Ming Jing stood at the highest point and shouted loudly. His voice, amplified by chakra, reached everyone's ears. Everyone was surprised that the Daimyo had sent the Prime Minister himself for disaster relief, and they were initially overjoyed. But upon hearing the Prime Minister's words, their hearts were gripped with anxiety.

"Anyone who participated in the attack on the yamen, step forward!" Ming Jing's cold gaze swept over everyone.

After a while, some men walked out from the crowd and knelt on the ground. More and more people knelt, eventually leading to all the male disaster victims kneeling on the ground. The reason for their honesty was partly Ming Jing's status and partly Hizashi Hyuga's previous actions. No one was blind; they could see who was protecting them.

Seeing this scene, Ming Jing felt a pang in his liver. These people were truly honest! He had originally planned to apprehend a few ringleaders as a warning! Now that so many had come forward, Ming Jing couldn't possibly hold each one accountable. He could only gloss over it, pretending to smooth things over. Otherwise, a rebellion might truly occur.

He moved a little closer and then spoke, "Now for the second question: was the person who tried to assassinate me ordered by you?!"

"No!" The men kneeling on the ground were stunned and then shouted in a jumble. The innocent disaster victims behind them also shook their heads, conveying the same message: they did not order the assassination.

"Good, then the crime of assassinating the Prime Minister is unrelated to you." Ming Jing nodded and brushed the matter aside lightly. However, he continued, "But the crime of attacking the yamen cannot be absolved!"

The men were at a loss for what to do, unsure of how to proceed.

Ming Jing sighed and said earnestly, "I can understand your hardships, but 'every family has its rules, and every country has its laws.' If you make a mistake, you must bear the consequences. Otherwise, who will abide by the law in the future?"

"Prime Minister..." The disaster victims didn't know what to say. The men who had committed offenses remained kneeling with their heads bowed.

"Let me ask you all another question!" Ming Jing felt the atmosphere was right and asked, "Are you all tired of these floods that erupt every so often? Then... do you want to permanently resolve the flood disaster?"

The disaster victims were taken aback, looking at Ming Jing with confusion. They couldn't quite keep up with the Prime Minister's rapid train of thought! However, it sounded like the Prime Minister had a way to prevent future disasters? No matter what, they'd agree first!

So, after a moment of silence, the disaster victims suddenly erupted, looking at Ming Jing with surprise and shouting, "Yes!"

"Then, stand up! Because I need your strength!" Ming Jing spread his arms, like a Kun Peng about to soar into the sky. "Unity is strength! The way to control water is not to block it but to channel it. Let us work together to guide the rampant floodwaters back into their riverbeds. Let us all contribute to our homeland and leave a peaceful future for our descendants. A permanent solution, never to be troubled again!"

"A permanent solution, never to be troubled again!" The disaster victims stood up and shouted along with Ming Jing.

Ming Jing pressed his hands down, and the scene quieted down. Everyone looked at the Prime Minister expectantly. Ming Jing nodded with satisfaction and continued, "At the same time, this is also an opportunity for you to atone for your sins. Therefore, you will not be paid for the labor of digging the canal. However, we will provide you with three meals a day, medicine, and clothing. After the canal is dug, we will organize everyone to rebuild their homes and resume production as soon as possible."

"Long live!" The disaster victims cheered. Now they had nothing to worry about. In the past, during floods, they would all flee to the county town in groups. The yamen would distribute a small amount of food daily and then mostly ignore them. The reason for attacking the yamen this time was partly incitement and partly an outlet for the disaster victims' emotions.

"Phew... it's finally under control. Qing Yan, find someone smart to tell Right to move the convoy in! We'll distribute grain this afternoon so the disaster victims have some peace of mind," Ming Jing said to Qing Yan, sighing softly as he looked at the happy disaster victims.

"Yes!" Qing Yan nodded.

Then, Ming Jing and the others walked into the yamen. It was in complete disarray. The grain and clothing had already been taken by the disaster victims, and furniture and supplies were scattered everywhere. The Muchuan County Magistrate and a few clerks had hidden in the basement, gathering information from above through devices resembling earpieces. When Ming Jing and the others entered, they already knew.

"Muchuan County Magistrate, Yamashita Taiji, greets the Prime Minister." The Muchuan County Magistrate was an old man in his fifties. He ran out from the basement and bowed ninety degrees to Ming Jing, shouting.

"Magistrate Yamashita, I have handled the matter of the disaster victims attacking the yamen appropriately. You need not investigate further, correct?" Ming Jing nodded and spoke directly.

"Everything is as the Prime Minister commands." Yamashita Taiji bowed again and shouted.

"Thank you." Ming Jing nodded. With that, the matter was considered settled.