The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

"It was Pang Mian who coerced and lured us into this mess! He said if we didn't follow along, we'd be treated as accomplices to bandits!"

"We didn't want those fields at all! Pang Mian forced them on us!"

Lin Yue nodded, a look of surprise on his face: "So that's how it is. It makes sense."

He paused, then changed the subject and continued.

"I've also heard that Pang Mian secretly sold off the county's grain reserves, making a fortune. I just don't know who he sold all that grain to?"

Upon hearing this, the local gentry breathed a sigh of relief.

Oh, so all they wanted was grain? That makes things easier.

An elderly gentleman with gray hair quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Excellency, to be honest, we have heard a little about Pang Mian's sale of grain, but we do not know who he sold it to."

He was extremely secretive in his actions and never revealed a single detail.

The old man wiped away his tears, his voice filled with sorrow.

"We are all locals from Wuxian County. We are heartbroken that our fellow villagers are not able to eat!"

"As soon as the Imperial Envoy gives the order, we will immediately donate money and grain without hesitation!"

"Yes, yes!" the other local gentry echoed.

"I am willing to donate 800 shi of grain!"

"I will donate one thousand shi (a unit of dry measure) and two hundred taels of silver!"

"My family still has some grain stored in our granary. We'll donate it all, begging Your Excellency to save our fellow villagers!"

Lin Yue finally smiled again, and his tone became much gentler.

He stepped forward and personally helped up several local gentry who were kneeling in the mud and kowtowing, patting them on the shoulder.

"You flatter me."

"You are all so insightful and loyal to the country; you are truly pillars of the nation!"

Lin Yue said with a sympathetic look, "In the end, it's all because of Pang Mian's many evil deeds that he forced you to annex land and resell grain."

Although you're making a fortune every day, it's money earned through dishonest means. These days, your consciences must be tormented, and you must be suffering immensely.

The local gentry nodded hastily, their faces showing deep distress.

"Your Excellency is truly wise! You've really spoken to our hearts!"

"We've wanted to atone for our sins for a long time, but we've never had the chance!"

"We'll leave it entirely to you, sir. We'll cooperate fully!"

Looking at the sycophantic faces of this group, Lin Yue suddenly grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and said with a smile.

"Since you esteemed fellow villagers are so insightful and understanding, then things will be much easier."

"Hand over 95% of your family's property. Wu County is severely affected by the disaster, and tens of thousands of displaced people are starving and desperately need money and food."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the local gentry present changed drastically.

The fawning smile that had been plastered on his face froze instantly. In the crowd, an elderly country gentleman couldn't help but take half a step forward, his voice trembling.

"Your Excellency, this...this is far too much! Ninety-five percent of your wealth! It's going to empty your coffers!"

"Hmm?" Lin Yue's expression darkened, his brows furrowed, and he drew out the last syllable of his voice.

"What? You're not convinced?"

He took a step forward, his scarlet official robe waving.

"It seems you still don't understand my methods."

Before he finished speaking, with a whoosh, Lin Yue drew the eight-sided Han sword from his waist.

Lin Yue held his sword, its tip pointed directly at the speaking gentry, and sternly rebuked him.

"The sword I hold in my hand is a gift from the Emperor. Do you think your life is more important than money?"

Pang Mian's head is right here; the blood from the pig we just chopped off hasn't even dried yet. Are you in such a hurry to follow in their footsteps?

The sword's chilling aura hit him, and the old man's legs went weak, his lips trembling as he was unable to speak.

The local gentry were so frightened that they fell silent, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Seeing this, Lin Yue tapped his palm with the scabbard, then suddenly changed the subject and started talking about important matters of the court.

He raised his voice, his tone arrogant: "His Majesty trusts me greatly, personally bestowing upon me the Imperial Sword and granting me the authority to act expediently."

His Majesty was already aware of the floods in Jiangnan, and was furious, declaring that a thorough investigation was to be conducted and that no corrupt official who deceived the emperor and disregarded the lives of the people would be tolerated!

His gaze swept over the assembled gentry, his words ringing with conviction: "Emperor Taizu dredged the Grand Canal so that the wealth of Jiangnan could nourish the entire realm, not so that you could line your own pockets!"

Now that the canal is flowing smoothly, you are using the floods to seize land and resell government grain, driving the people to the brink of despair. You are courting death!

Lin Yue used a series of persuasive tactics, employing both threats and inducements, to terrify the local gentry.

"I advise you to be sensible and voluntarily hand over your property. This will not only atone for your sins but also earn you a reputation for loyalty to the emperor and love for the people."

If someone is ungrateful and tries to shirk responsibility or hide the truth, it won't be as simple as just providing money and provisions.

Lin Yue said quietly, his tone sinister: "At that time, the whole family will lose their heads, their property will be confiscated, and even their ancestral graves will be destroyed."

The local gentry remained silent. In their view, Lin Yue must have something to be afraid of if he dared to kill the county magistrate.

However, demanding 95% of the assets is too demanding, making it difficult to decide for the time being.

"What do you mean! Speak!" Lin Yue suddenly shouted angrily, his voice so loud it made people's eardrums buzz.

The local gentry were startled by the shout and looked up, their faces filled with fear.

"We're willing! We're willing!" the old man and local gentry at the front quickly said.

"Your Excellency, please calm your anger. I am willing to donate 95% of my wealth to share the burdens of the court and atone for the sins of the people!"

"Yes, yes! We are willing!" Other local gentry echoed.

"We are all law-abiding citizens, and we would never dare to disobey your orders!"

"Money is but an external thing; to serve Your Majesty and help my fellow villagers is truly a lifelong honor!"

Lin Yue nodded with great satisfaction, a smile returning to his face, and sheathed the eight-sided Han sword.

"That's more like it." He instructed Liu Zhong, "Liu, arrange for men to escort these respected local gentry home to collect their money and grain."

Remember, follow the entire process without fail. If anyone tries anything funny, deal with them on the spot!

"Yes, sir!" Liu Zhong clasped his hands and bowed.

Under the "escort" of the Imperial Guards, the gentry turned around tremblingly and staggered home.

The surrounding disaster victims witnessed the whole thing. At first, they were completely silent, but after the gentry had gone far away, they suddenly burst into thunderous cheers.

"My lord, with the arrival of Judge Lin, the day has dawned in Wu County!"

"Long live the Emperor! The Emperor is wise and sagacious!"

Cheers rose and fell, echoing through the sky.

Many people were moved to tears, waving their arms, giving the impression that you had come from the depths of winter.

In the crowd, an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, walked unsteadily to Lin Yue, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly.

His forehead was bleeding profusely from the banging, but he was completely unaware of it. He choked back tears and asked, "Your Excellency, you are the people's second parent!"

We earnestly request that you, sir, reveal your honorable name. The people of Wu County will surely build a shrine in your honor, offering sacrifices day and night to commemorate your great kindness and virtue!