Mu Yong himself admitted to embezzling thirteen thousand taels of silver, causing losses of over fifty thousand taels to Jing Kingdom. In accordance with Jing Kingdom's laws, Fang Yun sentenced Mu Yong to the confiscation of his household, seizing all Mu Family assets as compensation, then exiling him to military service for twenty years.
Steward Zhao thanked Fang Yun, promised to pay two thousand taels of silver, and departed.
Mu Yong had already seen through it. He was most likely a sacrifice in the struggle between Fang Yun and Prince Kang. The young county prince could not possibly clash with Fang Yun head-on for his sake. Although Fang Yun did not bear the Zhao surname, within Jing Kingdom, he was no different from one who did.
After the verdict had been delivered, Ao Huang asked, "That Workshop Master Liang and this Workshop Master Mu both committed crimes. Why did you not punish Workshop Master Liang, but instead reward him heavily?"
Fang Yun smiled. "Yes, Workshop Master Liang sent some relatives into the workshop and pocketed a little money himself. He was at fault. However, he once brought the workshop back from the brink of death, creating immeasurable value for Ning'an County and Jing Kingdom. His mistakes are not beyond remedy; to Ning'an County's workshops, they are merely tiny blemishes. As a local official entrusted with the people, if I cannot even tolerate such blemishes, how can I seek greater benefits for Ning'an and Jing Kingdom? If even he cannot be used, then there will be scarcely anyone left worth using! Gold has no absolute purity, and no man is without flaws. This is how talent should be selected and employed."
Ao Huang said, "That's true. Workshop Master Liang deserves a reward. If everyone were like him, Jing Kingdom's workshops would