Negotiations

Xu Yuan listened quietly to the end. His expression did not change. He merely lifted the spirit tea a maid had served, took a small sip, then set the cup down with a crisp clink.

"Gentlemen." His calm gaze passed over Wang Zhenyue and Zhao Gan before settling on Lin Moxuan. "I came today as agreed three days ago to discuss the defenses of the Clear Sand River and the tribute owed from previous years. As for these three—"

Xu Yuan glanced at the three men on the floor. "They offended a superior and neglected official business. The laws of the Water Bureau will determine their punishment. Whether they are beaten, fined, killed, or carved to pieces, I will handle it according to the rules. You need not trouble yourselves."

With that, Xu Yuan had defined the three men's offenses as official business and kept the right to punish them firmly in his own hands. He had cut off any chance of the others invoking family rules to deal with them instead and quietly letting the matter pass.

"As for Zhao Kun," Xu Yuan said, looking at Zhao Gan, his tone turning cold, "he was a registered steward of the Water Bureau. He drew a salary from the Jade Dragon Palace and enjoyed the Water Bureau's resources. When I took office, I repeatedly ordered everyone to report back by the deadline. He defied the order and failed to appear. Under Chapter Three, Article Seven of the Jade Dragon Palace's regulations, a cultivator assigned to guard a territory who fails to answer an order may be executed."

"What I would like to know is why I should owe the Zhao Clan an explanation for executing Zhao Kun according to the law. Shouldn't your clan be the one explaining to me and