Chapter 1027: Chapter 863: More Ruthless Than Bandits and Bullies

It’s a pity that these desperate civilians are doomed to disappointment, as the court has yet to come up with a concrete plan for disaster relief silver taels.

At least Gu Chengyu has not received the court’s carrier pigeon message about the matter since arriving in Jiangnan.

"All civilians from Changtian Prefecture are to retreat two miles away immediately, without any errors! Anyone who defies this order will be killed without mercy!"

Gu Chengyu’s cold voice echoed outside the city gates, matched with Ding Shiliu and the others’ menacing appearance, making the civilians shudder like cicadas in winter.

The entire scene was silent enough to hear a pin drop, some civilians secretly swallowed, their bodies slowly moving backward.

In truth, where were they willing to back away? If they moved away from Hangtian Prefecture, Hangtian Prefecture would never again care whether they lived or died.

The original plan was to hold this position to the death, believing that as more civilians gathered, the court would have to address the problem.

But now, not retreating was no longer an option; if they didn’t, this lord imperial envoy might really kill them.

As soon as one person wavered, naturally the other civilians also became faint-hearted, for what is more important than life? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Camping outside Hangtian City was all in the interest of survival.

Retreating now might offer hopes of survival in the future; not retreating would mean certain death at present.

The choice, civilians naturally understood, no one would be foolish enough to decide to die right then.

There’s no fighting this, nor is it possible to fight, as those long swords awaited their necks to be offered.

"I’ll count to three, if anyone defies, blame not this official for being ruthless!"

Gu Chengyu’s fair and delicate face was filled with fierce cruelty, leaving Hu Maoshen silent for a while beside him.

In Hu Maoshen’s impression, Gu Chengyu had always been gentle and graceful.

Now, Gu Chengyu’s harsh expression reminded him of how relentlessly he had killed river bandits on the ship back then.

The unwavering and decisive manner of using the knife, thinking back now, was truly unnerving.

It’s just that so much time has passed, long enough for it to fade from memory.

Every time meeting Gu Chengyu, his humility, courtesy, and graceful demeanor always made one overlook his literary and martial prowess.

This time, Gu Chengyu’s methods were even more ruthless than when he had dealt with river bandits on the ship, no wonder the Emperor dispatched him to Jiangnan to take charge of affairs.

The master’s judgment was indeed wise, such talent certainly served as a great assistance in conquering the realm.

Hu Maoshen knew Gu Chengyu did this to intimidate the civilians, otherwise, how would they obediently comply? In the face of major issues, sacrificing a few civilians is nothing.

Those who achieve great things are never bound by minor details, those in power always focus on the bigger picture. Hu Maoshen greatly admired Gu Chengyu’s performance.

He felt deeply moved inside, indeed this person is a capable minister!

"One!" Gu Chengyu pointed a finger at the assembled civilians and began counting.

The civilians instantly panicked, those nearest to the city gates almost frightened to the point of wetting their pants.

They wished for more legs to swiftly retreat two miles away from the city gates.

Some civilians couldn’t even grab their pots and bowls, clutching their bundles and children, they ran desperately outside.

The scene outside the city gates suddenly turned chaotic again, but compared to earlier noises, now the civilians dared not make a sound.

"Two!" Just as Gu Chengyu’s voice fell, with Ming Yan and the others raising their swords, civilians were instantly filled with dread.

At this moment, they wanted to cry, how could this be an imperial envoy sent by the court?

This was undoubtedly a brutal demon even more vicious than mountain bandit tyrants! This was simply coming to claim lives.

Gu Chengyu observed for a moment and saw that the civilians had indeed retreated a ways, he then nodded in satisfaction. After a few breaths, he counted to three.

The civilians looked back at Gu Chengyu panting heavily from two miles away, their fearful and evasive eyes made Gu Chengyu’s breathing pause.

Oh well, who would want to play the villain? If he had not been this forceful, he would have ended up just like Yang Chaoying, reduced to being kidnapped by civilians.

Only by severely intimidating the civilians can he swiftly and accurately carry out the following disaster relief work.

In such emergencies, he had no intention to waste time with these civilians.

Therefore whether they thought him cold-blooded, or ruthless, he wouldn’t care.

"Take these three for treatment first, this corpse shall be temporarily sent to Yizhuang, a special person is assigned to oversee it. Remember! No one is allowed near it, or if anything happens to this corps, this official will not spare them lightly."

Gu Chengyu pointed at the three civilians and a corpse on the ground outside the city gates, solemnly instructing the government officials standing there in a daze.

This corpse had not been investigated, it might contain some clues, but for now, he had to resolve the civilian issue first.

Swept by Gu Chengyu’s dignified gaze, the government officials guarding the city gates were chilled to the bone. Listening to his order, how could they dare disobey?

"Yes, Lord Imperial Envoy!" The officials respectfully saluted Gu Chengyu, then called others to prepare to lift the three civilians and the corpse.

They were murmuring to themselves, hadn’t these three died? Why carry them for treatment?

Yet as they touched the still warm bodies of the civilians, then saw the barely rising chests, they glanced incredulously at the young imperial envoy.

Gu Chengyu signaled to Ming Yan, Ming Yan immediately understood. He turned and pointed at Ding Jiu, instructing him to follow the officials as the corpse could not be mishandled.

Ding Jiu was meticulous in his work, his martial arts were not lacking, sending him, Ming Yan felt somewhat assured.

Yang Chaoying had descended from the tower by now; he tidied his official uniform that had gotten disheveled while escaping, suppressing his inner panic, he saluted Gu Chengyu.

"Magistrate of Hangtian Prefecture, Yang Chaoying, pays respects to the two lords imperial envoys!" There was nothing to be done, with two imperial envoys, he didn’t know how to proceed.

But with Gu Chengyu holding a gold medal, imposing and aggressive, Yang Chaoying naturally dared not provoke this Evil God, so he saluted Gu Chengyu first, then Hu Maoshen.

"Right Imperial Censor Hu Maoshen on orders, declaring the Emperor’s edict! This official has been promoted to Right Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the Emperor appoints this official as imperial envoy, fully authorized to handle the Jiangnan flood, and you are to assist upon dispatch."

Gu Chengyu rode on, holding a gold medal in one hand, and taking a bundle from Ming Yan with the other, handing its documents and official certificate to Yang Chaoying.

Since he’d already been promoted, he must clarify his identity, lest Hu Maoshen remains unaware of his current rank.

Yang Chaoying took the documents, glanced at them, and found written "Right Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice Gu Chengyu, styled Jinyu," along with birthplace and other details.

Gu Chengyu? He had heard of this person; he was the Champion Scholar of Triple Champion fame. Back when he paraded through the streets on horseback, he was exceedingly glamorous.

Indeed! He should have thought of this sooner; he’s heard that this person has been favored by the Emperor in the past couple of years. Previously even promoted two levels within three years, truly admiringly.