Li Daoxuan said simply, "Oh."
Seeing that Li Daoxuan's expression seemed to soften, the Prince of Fu immediately pressed on. "Besides compensation, these fellows must naturally be handed over to Xiao Qixia. If they deserve Labor Reform, then Labor Reform. If they deserve to be beaten to death, then beaten to death…"
"Beaten to death?" Li Daoxuan interrupted. "Eating without paying and getting into fights does not warrant the death penalty. Punishment must be appropriate and standardized. One cannot arbitrarily lighten or increase sentences based on personal mood or emotion."
The Prince of Fu nodded so fast his head nearly came loose. "Yes, yes, yes, yes. You are absolutely right. Sentencing must have standards and cannot depend on personal preference. Labor Reform. It must be Labor Reform."
Li Daoxuan nodded in satisfaction. "Finally, there is the issue of your lax discipline over subordinates."
Eunuch Zheng immediately stepped forward. "These men were hired by me. I have already broken one of my own arms as self punishment."
The Prince of Fu also hurriedly pointed to the blood streaking down his face. "Eunuch Zheng acted under my orders, and I have punished myself as well."
Li Daoxuan curled his lips into a mocking smile, the kind that made him look like a powerful figure secretly enjoying himself. "Oh? How ruthless. Broken arms and bleeding heads. Must it really be this cruel?"
The Prince of Fu and Eunuch Zheng quickly replied in unison, "It is what we deserve. It is what we deserve."
Li Daoxuan's expression suddenly turned solemn. "Have you already forgotten what I just said? Punishment must be moderate. There must be standards. Lax discipline is indeed a serious issue, but it has not led to irreparable consequences. As long as you actively correct it and carry out proper criticism and education, that will be sufficient. There is no need to take things to this extreme. You have gone too far."
While he said "you have gone too far," inside his heart he was laughing so hard he was nearly choking.
Serves you right.
Modern people actually carry two sets of standards in their hearts.
One is the standard he had just voiced aloud. Punishment must be fair, regulated, neither too light nor too heavy.
The other is much more honest. They want to see bad people suffer a far heavier price. Hence the saying, "Online sentencing starts with the death penalty."
These two standards coexist perfectly without contradiction.
The first maintains fairness and order.
The second releases emotional pressure.
Li Daoxuan had now achieved both fairness and emotional satisfaction. A perfect outcome.
He put on an innocent expression. "Earlier, I was worried the Prince of Fu might be an unreasonable big shot. I did not expect Your Highness to be so reasonable. Not bad at all. The matter is settled, so I will take my leave."
The Prince of Fu hurriedly said, "I have always been a very reasonable person, Xiao Qixia. Please take care. I will have these lawless martial artists delivered to you later for Labor Reform. Please take care. I will not see you out. If you have time, do come again next time."
Li Daoxuan strolled leisurely toward the street corner, turned, and vanished from sight.
Only then did the Prince of Fu finally relax.
His legs gave out completely.
With his massive body weight, once his legs softened, he had no chance of holding himself up. He collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Someone. A doctor. Quickly summon a physician."
The Prince of Fu's residence instantly descended into chaos.
While the Prince of Fu's residence was in turmoil, Luoyang City itself was finally at peace.
The common people gathered in small clusters, chatting excitedly.
"Just who was the immortal that saved us?"
"No idea. They never even showed their face."
"That venerable elder did not even leave a name. Who am I supposed to burn incense to?"
"Look. The Governor's carriage is coming."
Henan Governor Fan Shangzheng emerged onto the streets with a large group of officials, his expression full of disbelief as he surveyed Luoyang City.
When the locust plague had struck earlier, they had all believed Luoyang would be ruined. They had expected chaos, looting, arson, and riots, a complete free for all.
Yet now, everything was calm.
Forget looting. After witnessing an immortal display divine power, not even the smallest thief dared to act.
"The heavens are watching" was no longer just a saying. It was a reality hanging above everyone's heads.
Fan Shangzheng walked along the street, sighing deeply. "Truly astonishing. With the arrival of this immortal being, Luoyang has gained an entirely new aura."
"Governor, I caught an escaped locust," a constable shouted excitedly as he ran over.
Fan Shangzheng ordered calmly, "Break its wings and throw it down."
The constable obeyed at once.
Fan Shangzheng watched the wingless locust struggle on the ground. He snorted, raised his foot, stomped on it, then ground it into the earth twice for good measure.
The act was filled with undisguised arrogance.
At that moment, a figure appeared from a side street. Bai Yuan arrived, leading a large unit of Gao Family Village Militia soldiers.
Fan Shangzheng's eyes lit up. "Instructor Bai."
Bai Yuan clasped his hands respectfully. "Governor."
Fan Shangzheng asked, "Did you see it earlier? An immortal descended upon Luoyang and swept the locust swarm into the heavens."
Bai Yuan smiled faintly. "Of course I saw it."
Fan Shangzheng frowned slightly. "Hm? You do not seem particularly excited."
Bai Yuan laughed. "What are you saying? I am quite excited. This divine ability of Dao Xuan Tianzun is also something I have witnessed for the first time."
Fan Shangzheng sensed something off. Bai Yuan sounded far too familiar with this immortal being, as if he had seen such miracles before.
His gaze grew suspicious.
Bai Yuan laughed openly. "Governor, you probably do not know yet. The immortal who cleared the locust plague is named Dao Xuan Tianzun."
Fan Shangzheng thought for a moment. "Dao Xuan Tianzun… I have heard that name before. Merchants from Shaanxi and Shanxi have mentioned a Daoist sect there that worships this very immortal."
Bai Yuan pointed at the golden embroidered emblem on his chest. "That is him."
Fan Shangzheng gasped. "Then you…"
Bai Yuan laughed loudly. "Yes. I have always been under the protection of Dao Xuan Tianzun."
The Gao Family Village Militia soldiers burst into laughter as well. "We have always been protected by Dao Xuan Tianzun too. This time the locust plague came, so Dao Xuan Tianzun must have acted to protect us."
Bai Yuan turned and scolded them with a smile. "Do not flatter yourselves. Dao Xuan Tianzun acts for the common people of Luoyang City, not just for you lot."
The soldiers laughed even harder. "We are soldiers of the common people. Are we not common people too? So Dao Xuan Tianzun protecting us is perfectly reasonable."
The entire Gao Family Village Militia was filled with joy.
Fan Shangzheng looked up at the sky, then down at the crushed locust beneath his foot. After staring at the golden emblem on Bai Yuan's chest for a long time, he finally spoke hesitantly.
"If I may ask… if I were to embroider the image of Dao Xuan Tianzun on my chest as well, would that venerable elder also protect me?"
Bai Yuan snapped open his folding fan, revealing the word "Gentleman," and laughed. "Dao Xuan Tianzun protects all people, but only character matters. Those of good character receive his protection. As for those of poor character, even if they embroider Dao Xuan Tianzun's image all over their bodies, that venerable elder will never favor them."