Defying the Wind to Commit a Crime
Most of the townsfolk had little schooling. You could call them honest and simple, but in truth, they rarely thought for themselves—just a bit of coaxing, and they’d be swept up like leaves in the wind.
Now, when the recruitment teams started grumbling about the land allocation, the crowd’s doubts spread like wildfire, infecting everyone nearby.
Just then, several spies who’d slipped past the first round of screening burst from the army tents, shouting, “Exactly! They’re all cheats! We’ve already signed up, but there’s no land, no silver, no grain—just empty promises! My brother’s got the inside scoop: Prince Alexander Hayes wants to slap us with a conscription head tax. He’s scared we’ll dodge payment, so he cooked up this scheme! It’s not real recruitment—it’s a trap to get Charleston’s able-bodied men to register names and addresses. Once you sign up, soldiers will come knocking for taxes. If you can’t pay, they’ll take your cattle, tear down your roof, and snatch anything valuable to cover the tax!”
Taxes—nothing scared the townsfolk more. Back when Justin Zhao ruled as magistrate, the endless levies sucked every household dry, leaving not a single copper behind.
Now, at the mere mention of a conscription head tax, panic rippled through the crowd. Those who hadn’t registered shrank back, torn between running or staying put.
Those already signed up were sick with worry, terrified their names and addresses had been written down—afraid they’d be forced to pay the tax.
Edward Yu shot Steward Charlie Zhao a secret thumbs-up. Steward Charlie Zhao, bouncing with excitement, egged on the registered men: “Why are you just standing there? Grab that roster and tear it up! Otherwise, you’ll all pay the tax—no one escapes!”
The registered recruits, terrified of the tax, were instantly riled up. A few hotheads surged forward, eager to snatch and destroy the roster.
Edward Yu, blending into the crowd, bellowed, “Run for it! If you don’t, you’ll be forced to register and pay the conscription head tax!”
Edward Yu’s shout was the tipping point—the hesitant townsfolk bolted, scattering in all directions like startled sparrows.
Just as the crowd scattered in chaos, a voice rang out from the second floor—clear, crisp, and refreshing as a mountain spring, slicing through the panic.
“Citizens of Charleston, don’t let the House of Zhao fool you.” Lily Evans—Princess Jade Hayes—stood at the railing, fanning herself with serene grace as she gazed down at the turmoil below.
The townsfolk, halfway through their escape, looked up to see a youth on the second floor—elegant as a banished immortal, radiant and refined, as if he’d stepped down from the clouds themselves.
Beside that ethereal youth stood another striking young man, his gaze cold and distant, like winter frost.
Both were graceful and scholarly, exuding an aura rarely seen in Charleston. The townsfolk couldn’t help but stare, mesmerized—forgetting to run, rooted to the spot.
“You, you, you... and you—all of you are House of Zhao spies! Arrest them!” Lily Evans pointed her fan, singling out every Zhao conspirator in the crowd.
The Qin soldiers instantly recognized Princess Jade Hayes in disguise; at her command, they surged forward and seized the stunned House of Zhao spies.
Meanwhile, Edward Yu, lurking at the edge of the crowd, shrank back, hoping to slip away unnoticed with his face half-hidden.
Suddenly, the cold-eyed youth on the second floor moved like a great eagle, swooping down into the crowd. With a single motion, he grabbed Edward Yu by the collar and flung him onto the recruitment plaza.
“Edward Yu, defying the wind to commit crimes—aren’t you bold?” Lola narrowed her eyes and delivered a swift kick, sending Edward Yu rolling across the ground.