Chapter 23: Slaying the Rebel in the Military Tent, Promoted to Squad Leader

Zhao Mang allowed them a moment to digest the situation. After a brief pause, his gaze sharpened like a blade, fixed upon Li Huai'an.

"I wonder where you obtained such information, Magistrate Li, that you would go so far as to frame me."

Hearing this, Li Huai'an shrank back, retreating half a step. "I have no idea what nonsense you are spouting. This case was uncovered by my aide, Jiang Shan. If you have any questions, take them up with him."

Zhao Mang let out a mocking laugh. "I have never seen such a shameless person, daring to commit such acts but lacking the spine to admit them!"

Li Huai'an, trembling, pointed a finger at Zhao Mang. "You..." He was choked with rage, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Zhao Mang then cast a glance at Jiang Shan. This lapdog of the Zhang family had repeatedly led the charge in causing him trouble. Though merely a subordinate, he was unforgivable. Such a treacherous villain, being the direct superior of Wang Wu, was better removed. By doing so, he would create an opportunity to get close to and finish off Wang Wu.

Zhao Mang spoke coldly to Xie Bin, "I wonder if there is any other evidence? If not, is Magistrate Xie going to punish this man?"

Jiang Shan jumped to his feet upon hearing this. "Who says there isn't? I have a witness!" He shouted immediately, "Wang Mazi, get in here!"

Zhao Mang feigned surprise as he watched Wang Mazi enter the tent. Seeing Zhao Mang’s reaction, Jiang Shan felt a surge of joy. It was fortunate he had kept a backup plan; otherwise, he might have been overturned by this brat today. Yet, little did Jiang Shan know that everything was actually arranged by Zhao Mang. He was simply hoist with his own petard.

Jiang Shan glared threateningly at Wang Mazi, who had just stepped into the military tent. "You had better speak clearly. What exactly happened?" He added, "Think of your family. It is not easy to earn military merit; isn't it all for the happiness of your loved ones?" He then looked at Zhao Mang with smug triumph, as if he had already won the day.

Zhao Mang remained expressionless. The presiding magistrate was impatient. "Speak up already!"

Wang Mazi finally spoke slowly. "I am indeed one of the members of the Dunzi Peak beacon tower."

"That day, I saw..." Wang Mazi paused and looked toward Zhao Mang.

Li Huai'an, seeing this, became frantic. He was on the verge of dragging this brat into a desperate situation; how could he not be anxious? He immediately cursed, "Why are you looking at him? Do you think he still dares to threaten you?"

Wang Mazi trembled and said, "That day, I was having a late-night talk with Squad Leader Zhao when famous assassins suddenly appeared and attacked us. It was thanks to Squad Leader Zhao that I survived. As for the guards from the Zhang family that Jiang Shan mentioned, we certainly never saw them."

Jiang Shan, who had been excited just moments ago, felt something was wrong. When Wang Mazi stated he had never seen the Zhang family guards, he exploded in a rage. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you not want to live anymore?" His threats were blatant, showing no regard for anyone in the tent.

At this, Zhao Wuji, having heard Wang Mazi’s testimony, broke into a smile. "Haha! Tell me, Magistrate Li, what is wrong with your men? They keep making such blunders. The incident regarding the Zhao family last time was one thing, but this is a serious matter involving the military—falsely claiming credit for killing civilians—how can you be so careless?"

He turned to the presiding magistrate, Xie Bin. "Magistrate Xie, you must uphold justice this time. If the hearts of the soldiers are chilled, who will fight for us in the future? Does that make sense?"

Xie Bin looked helpless, caught in a dilemma. He had accepted bribes from Li Huai'an to bury the matter, but he had not expected Zhao Mang to be so difficult to kill. Both sides were pressuring him, but the evidence clearly favored Zhao Mang. He could not afford to ruin his reputation for fairness in front of everyone.

With a sigh of resignation, he said, "Since Zhao Mang has sufficient evidence, I declare him innocent. For his service in killing the enemy, he is awarded and promoted one rank to Team Leader. As for you, Jiang Shan, as an aide to the Camp Field Commissioner, I should not punish you, but given the gravity of the matter, I sentence you to deliver a cart of grain to the Dunzi Peak beacon tower as an apology! Do you have any objections?"

Zhao Mang felt a surge of fury. They had tried to take his life so casually, and now the punishment was merely a cart of grain. That was far too lenient. Since they refused to execute him on the spot, he would seek justice himself. A man's rage can leave blood flowing five paces. Furthermore, he was standing on solid ground.

Ignoring the setting, Zhao Mang flashed in front of Jiang Shan, drew the long saber at his waist, and with a single upward stroke, severed Jiang Shan's head.

Jiang Shan had never imagined Zhao Mang would kill in a military tent; he did not react until it was too late. Blood sprayed, splattering Li Huai'an’s face.

The scene left everyone present in shock. How could this man be so bold, completely disregarding the rules? To kill inside a military tent! Li Huai'an’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets, and the magistrate on the dais was equally stunned.

"Zhao Mang! You..."

"How dare you do this?"

After killing Jiang Shan, Zhao Mang finally let out a breath, his mind clear. He had been holding back far too much. He spoke bluntly, "Magistrate, if an aide can interfere in military affairs and frame soldiers at will, does it not make our army look spineless and weak? If those who commit crimes are not killed, are we keeping them for the New Year? He was nothing but a thief; killing him is only right! Magistrate Xie, what do you think?"

Xie Bin’s face flushed red. "You are preposterous! Even if he was guilty, it should have been carried out by my men. Who are you to take the law into your own hands?"

Li Huai'an finally recovered from his shock and shouted, "Zhao Mang! You are only a Team Leader, not a law enforcement officer! By what right do you kill my aide?"

The atmosphere in the tent shifted dramatically. Zhao Wuji had not expected the lad to be so impulsive. He stepped in to mediate, "Magistrate Xie, please calm down. Jiang Shan disrupted military order and framed a soldier; killing him is not unjustified. To let such a villain go with just a cart of grain would be a grave mistake! If he were to collude with the Tubo thieves in the future to harm our soldiers, it would be a much greater catastrophe."

After taking several deep breaths, Xie Bin suppressed his anger. He reprimanded, "Brute, do not dare to do such a thing in the camp again! Get back to your beacon tower at once."

Zhao Mang bowed to Xie Bin. "Thank you for your understanding, Magistrate." He then turned to bow to Zhao Wuji. "And thank you, Commander Zhao, for your righteous words! By preserving a shred of fairness for the frontier soldiers, I swear that when the time comes to charge into battle, Zhao Mang will surely be the first to break the enemy lines."

Hearing Zhao Mang’s impassioned words, Zhao Wuji smiled with relief, as if looking at one of his own kin. He felt he must do his best to protect such a promising talent.

Li Huai'an watched as Zhao Mang walked out of the tent unscathed, feeling as though something were stuck in his throat. He had never suffered such humiliation; it was as if someone had defecated on his head. He vowed that he would find an opportunity to kill this butcher!