They Are All Anti-Human

They Were All Crimes Against Humanity

Lin Wen did not notice Huang Mingxiao's drifting thoughts. After considering it, he said, "When the soldiers start cooking later, give them all the meat that belongs to the commandery chief's office. Then buy some chicken, duck, fish, and the like from the townsfolk and send it over as well. Consider it a reward before they begin work."

Huang Mingxiao said in surprise, "What work?"

Lin Wen smiled. "They'll be participating in the construction."

"What!?"

Huang Mingxiao's eyeballs practically popped out. Ever since this commandery chief had arrived, not a single thing had been normal.

"Th-this is the Imperial Army! Even if you have military command authority, you can't stop someone from reporting you to Imperial Army Headquarters for issuing 'disorderly commands.' This could end very badly!"

"Oh?" Lin Wen had not expected such a thing, but he did not care. "Then let him report me. Let's see how many lives he has."

Whoever reported him would definitely be completely black. Even if they were not completely black, reporting him would make them black. He had plenty of ways to deal with them.

Half of Huang Mingxiao felt chilled, while the other half burned hot. The Empire's waters ran so deep that even the grand lords of the imperial court dared not casually test them, yet this mere commandery chief dared to step into them without the slightest concern.

He did not know what fate awaited such a commanding commandery chief.

Perhaps he would ascend to the heavens, like the last rule-breaker. Or perhaps he would fall, like the countless famous and nameless corpses piled beneath the Empire's throne.

But at least for now, he was here among them, sparing no effort to rebuild a home for the disaster victims.

An inexplicable thought, a goal, an impulse suddenly arose in Huang Mingxiao's heart: even if he had to give up everything, he would make the reconstruction work the best it could possibly be—so flawless that no one could find fault with it, no one could sneer at it.

With such an achievement to his name, even if Lin Commandery Chief encountered stormy waves in the future, he would have another layer of protection, another measure of safety.

He was a true hero of the Empire. He absolutely could not be allowed to fall.

Lin Wen did not notice Huang Mingxiao's change. He was doing his utmost to think through what he needed to do next. His meager ability to handle administrative affairs had long since been overwhelmed, wailing and screaming without end, yet he still had to force it back to work.

After all, the power of his Primordial Spirit had long been exhausted, and casting spells with good karma was simply too expensive. Lin Wen could only squeeze himself dry.

After a while, Lin Wen asked, "I remember there are still more than fifty thousand people who haven't been settled, sleeping out in the open?"

Huang Mingxiao nodded.

"Quickly arrange the construction work. Before nightfall tomorrow, make sure every person has a tent to live in. Also optimize the management and coordination of the disaster victim settlement sites. If you run into difficulties during implementation, come find me."

"Yes, Commandery Chief Lin."

After another moment, Lin Wen suddenly slapped his forehead. "Have you finished the project budget?"

Huang Mingxiao hesitated slightly. "More or less."

"What's the total budget?"

"Based on the construction plan in the proposal, the first phase will cost 180 million. There's no need to consider the second phase or the long-term plan for now."

Lin Wen thought for a moment. "Take out the labor costs and give me the number again."

Huang Mingxiao calculated mentally for a while before answering, "It should be possible to bring it down to around 130 million."

That was more than half less than the original quote of 270 million, but even so, the money was still far from enough.

They had to find another way.

As long as they could complete the first phase of the project, the disaster victims' lives would have basic security. The second phase and the long-term plan could wait until later.

Lin Wen calculated silently.

The immortals' plan was very reliable. While ensuring basic living conditions, the first-phase plan not only drastically reduced costs, but also left sufficient room in reserve, allowing the second phase and long-term projects to connect seamlessly and without loss. There was no need at all to worry about obstructing subsequent development.

There was a funding gap of more than 100 million, and they still had to make up the construction teams' payments, but there was no helping it.

They could only get the project underway first and slowly think of a solution to the money problem afterward.

Having made up his mind, Lin Wen said, "Construction must begin first. Once it starts, everything else will be easier. Don't worry about the money for now."

"Later, I'll organize the disaster victims to participate in the construction as well. At the same time, I need to establish a new order in the temporary settlement sites. There are countless matters to handle, and you'll have a great deal of work to do afterward. Prepare yourself well."

Hearing this, Huang Mingxiao felt both delighted and uneasy. There was no question that, with Commandery Chief Lin's current prestige among the disaster victims, he could accomplish this. But organizing three hundred thousand people to take part in reconstruction work—and not well-trained soldiers at that—was no easy task.

For a time, countless thoughts tangled in his heart, leaving him unable to settle his mind. He did not even notice when Lin Wen left.

Night had long since fallen, and the moon quietly rose into the sky.

Though this was a remote wilderness, people were everywhere. The night breeze was gentle as it brushed against one's face, bringing an indescribable sense of ease and comfort.

Amid this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, Lin Wen visited the newly appointed Changle Town mayor, Little Li; the members of the work group; Fang Dashan's troops; nearby disaster victim gathering sites; and several representatives of the disaster victims.

Under the effects of the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, both sides found their conversations exceedingly pleasant. Just a few simple words could bring people confidence, encouragement, hope, and boundless anticipation for a better life ahead.

The disaster victims and their representatives benefited most visibly from this.

They were also the ones who needed it most.

Afterward, Lin Wen met with the chief judge of the Imperial Court stationed in Long Mountain Commandery, who had rushed over through the night.

Fang Yaobo.

The title sounded terrifying, but he was actually only a town-level official—and a balding middle-aged man at that.

Not only was he three ranks below Lin Wen, he was also directly under Lin Wen's jurisdiction. Upon seeing the commandery chief, he acted like a mouse seeing a cat.

Lin Wen had no interest in wasting words on him. Pointing directly at the case files in his hands, he said, "These four men: sentence them for crimes against humanity. The verdict: they intended to ambush the commandery chief and were shot dead by me on the spot."

Sweat poured down Fang Yaobo's bald head like rain; the assistant beside him had gone through two rolls of handkerchiefs without managing to dry it.

He stammered, "P-P-Prefect, b-but according to the intelligence I've received so far, these four have merely committed evil deeds and bullied decent women. Under Imperial law, that doesn't qualify as a crime against humanity, nor is it... enough... enough for a death sentence."

He uttered the last two words so softly, terrified of provoking the Prefect's wrath.

Lin Wen sneered. "What kind of court president are you? Your vision is so shallow—you don't have the slightest sense of the bigger picture."

Sweat streamed from Fang Yaobo's head as though it were pulp. He had no idea how to respond.

Lin Wen continued, "By their duty, they should have maintained order and aided the disaster victims. Yet they abused their authority, withheld food, committed evil deeds, and preyed on men and women alike. What were they trying to do?"

Fang Yaobo shook his head in panic, unable to understand what the Prefect meant.

Lin Wen stared at him and barked, "They were trying to incite a popular uprising! To drive a wedge between the prefecture and its people, intending for the disaster victims to storm the prefectural government and murder the Prefect! Then aid would be cut off, reconstruction would fail, supplies could not be transported—what were they trying to do? They wanted to condemn three hundred thousand disaster victims to death!"

"I'm asking you now! Murdering an official of a prefecture! Murdering three hundred thousand people! Is that enough to count as a crime against humanity?"

Fang Yaobo trembled like a sieve. Only after a long while did he manage to answer, "Y-yes, it... it is a crime against humanity."

Lin Wen was somewhat disappointed. He used Aura Reading on him for a while and, sure enough, the man was timid as a mouse and unfit for major responsibility. Still, at least there was no black aura around him.

He could only make do with him.

At a time like this, it wouldn't be good to look for someone more suitable. Not only would it be troublesome, but good fortune wasn't something to squander so freely.

Besides, he would only be handling minor, peripheral chores from here on. I'll still be doing the main work myself, so it doesn't really matter.

"Enough."

Lin Wen's tone eased as he spoke lightly.

"Set up a platform outside town. Tomorrow, I will publicly try those vermin and deliver the verdict in court. Anyone sentenced to death is to be executed immediately."

"You will finish all preparations overnight. Prepare the legal basis and the charges. There must be no mistakes in a public trial; every action must be lawful and reasonable."

"Also, send people out overnight to spread word of this matter."

Lin Wen spoke without pause, while Fang Yaobo could only nod repeatedly, never getting a chance to say a word.