Fang Yun sat behind the desk, lost in thought.
Whether a kingdom's prime minister or a saint of the Human Race, figures at their level no longer needed evidence when they acted. A single pretext was enough.
A clamor rose from outside the door.
Fang Yun looked up and saw nearly a hundred officials approaching the entrance beneath the noon sun. They wore Licentiate, Academy Student, Provincial Graduate, or Metropolitan Graduate robes, their expressions solemn and their heads held high, carrying the air of men who pointed at the world and commanded the winds of the age.
Several Metropolitan Graduates walked at the front.
County Deputy Tao Dingnian stood outside the main hall and cupped his hands toward Fang Yun. "Greetings, County Magistrate Fang!"
"Greetings, County Magistrate Fang!" Nearly a hundred people greeted him in unison, their voices so full and forceful that they nearly lifted the entire county office off its foundations.
Ao Huang widened his eyes, knowing a fine show was about to begin.
When Shen Ming saw those officials arrive, his eyes reddened. Choking up, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you all for coming to save me despite the risk of losing your posts. You have sent me benevolence today; one day, I will surely return it with righteousness! Great kindness needs no words of thanks!"
"It is only what we ought to do!" said Wen Gu, the head of the county academy.
Shen Ming nodded. "Your righteousness reaches the clouds, and you do not fear power. This old man will remember it in his heart!"
Smack...
Fang Yun struck the Court-Shocking Gavel. "Those outside the hall, what brings you here?"
The sound of the gavel was like a cold wind, making everyone shudder and clearing their minds. Yet when they remembered that the Left