Establishing Authority!

The general begged for mercy again and again. After some thought, Fang Qian immediately ordered, "Guards, seize this criminal!"

The soldiers on both sides answered in unison, "Yes!" and stepped forward to seize the general.

Fang Qian intended to stall for time and continued, "Throw him into prison. He will be publicly executed at noon tomorrow."

Having heard the prefect's order, the soldiers began escorting the general away.

Di Renjie watched silently. Seeing this, he gave Hu Jinghui a meaningful look.

Hu Jinghui immediately understood. This was meant to kill a chicken and frighten the monkeys. He shouted, "Stop!"

The soldiers halted at once.

Hu Jinghui slowly walked up to the restrained general and drew the man's sword. The general trembled all over and begged repeatedly, "General, General, spare my life!"

Hu Jinghui examined the gleaming military blade and said with a sneer, "There's no need to trouble Lord Fang with this."

The general trembled even harder and continued begging. Hu Jinghui sneered. "I told you just now—when the time came, don't blame your grandpa's blade for being fast."

Fang Qian hurriedly cupped his hands. "Please calm your anger, General. This is a court hall; it hardly seems proper to use a blade here. My lord, perhaps..."

Di Renjie pretended to persuade him. "Jinghui, why not leave this criminal to Lord Fang for disposal?"

Hu Jinghui turned back silently and replied, "To be honest, my lord, I do not particularly trust Lord Fang. We arrest him now, and perhaps he'll be released by tomorrow. What public execution would there be to speak of?"

Fang Qian's expression shifted slightly. Trembling a little, he said, "General, I do not understand what you mean."

Hu Jinghui replied with a cold laugh, "What is there not to understand? This petty villain openly assaulted an