Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Just as Yuan Shu and Zhang Pu were gathering manpower, a young worker quietly slipped away unnoticed and ran towards Luo Liu's residence.

Luo Liu lived in a large mansion near the equipment industrial park.

He and many others from Macheng live here, supporting each other through thick and thin.

This worker was one of them. He returned to the courtyard and, without even resting, shouted breathlessly:

"Sixth Uncle, something terrible has happened!"

"The henchmen of the Northwest Imperial Guard have tracked us down here!"

"That guy surnamed Yuan... King Yama..."

Before he could explain, Luo Liu jumped up in surprise, rushed to the worker, grabbed his shoulder, and pressed him for an explanation:

"The King of Hell surnamed Yuan?"

"Are you referring to Yuan Shu, the Garrison Commander?"

"Wasn't he in the Northwest? How did he get here?"

The fact that the Yuan family was about to be granted titles and to establish a fiefdom in Southeast Asia was common knowledge among the upper class, but it was not widely publicized to the world.

Because of this, Luo Liu only knew that Yuan Shu was serving as the pacification commissioner in the Northwest, and had no idea that he was going overseas.

The worker who brought the news was also unaware that he was being grabbed by the shoulder, which was very painful. He endured the pain and said:

"I have no idea."

“I saw him come to the Equipment Institute, so I came to Uncle Liu to tell him the news.”

Luo Liu's face darkened; he knew this was a life-or-death crisis for him.

Yuan Shu's reputation in the Northwest was far greater than in other places, especially among displaced people and bandits.

Under his leadership, the Northwest Garrison Command earned a formidable reputation. The refugee army even called him the King of Hell, and deeply resented him.

Luo Liu claimed to be from Macheng in the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area, but he was not at all. He was one of the leaders of a refugee army who had fled from the war-torn northwest.

His wanted posters were everywhere in the Northwest. Although he disguised himself after arriving in Suzhou and Songjiang, he could not guarantee that he would not be recognized by the Jinyiwei henchmen from the Northwest.

Realizing the importance of this matter, Luo Liu immediately sent people to keep an eye on Yuan Shu.

However, as soon as he stepped out the door, he hurriedly returned:

"Sixth Uncle, something's wrong!"

"The Imperial Guard's henchmen have arrived; they're in the style of the Northwest Army."

"We need to leave immediately, or we'll be arrested."

It is recommended that you pack your belongings and escape from the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area as soon as possible.

If you're too late, you'll be caught; there's no room for complacency.

This was a bloody lesson they learned in the Northwest: without exception, all those who thought themselves strong enough to confront the imperial army head-on were wiped out.

They've survived until now because they can run. They even escaped from the Northwest to the prosperous Jiangnan region.

They never let their guard down here, always ready to run again.

Luo Liu knew this too, and immediately ordered his men to pack their luggage.

However, before they could set off, a whistle sounded outside the door, and someone shouted:
"Are the Luo brothers here?"

"The government has matters to inquire about; please come out for a meeting."

However, Liu Xinguang and his workers' guard team had already arrived.

This was Zhang Pu's contingency plan. He ordered the workers' guards to control Luo Liu and wait for the new district guards to issue a warrant for his arrest before formally detaining them.

As the person who brought Luo Liu into the new district, Liu Xinguang had always been responsible for monitoring him. Upon learning of this, he quickly organized a team to cooperate with the military and police to surround the area.

Luo Liu climbed up to the attic and quietly peered out.

They found that their own house had been completely destroyed, and even the surrounding high points were now guarded by military and police personnel.

Once these people set up their muskets, no one within 500 meters could escape.

Going out now would be suicide; he might not even get close to the enemy.

"Oh!"

Frustrated, Luo Liu pounded the floor and slumped to the ground, a sense of powerlessness washing over him.
"I had long expected this day to come, but I didn't expect it to come so soon."

"Unfortunately, we haven't obtained the secrets of the firearms in the new district yet, so we can't produce them ourselves."

"We can't defeat the workers' guard with the weapons we've accumulated."

After working in the new district for a year, Luo Liu had saved up a considerable amount of money.

Not to mention the combined spears he invented with some blacksmiths, he also collected several of the latest firearms of the imperial court.

Unfortunately, it was difficult to replicate, especially the bullets. He tried many methods, but failed to uncover the relevant secrets.

What they could actually use were still cold weapons. But even with those, they couldn't defeat a workers' guard team equipped with firearms.

At this moment, Luo Liu saw that everyone in the courtyard was holding a gun, as if they were about to fight to the death with the people outside.

His eyes flickered, and he sighed deeply, saying:
"What are you going to do with all this?"

"Put it down right now!"

"Don't you know the power of the new muskets?"

"Are you going to take a fire poker to your death?"

They believed that relying on this, even if they fought their way out, they would only be throwing their lives away.

Everyone knew this, of course, but there was no other way.

One of the people in the crowd asked:
"Sixth Uncle, what do you think we should do?"

"We'll do whatever you say!"

Luo Liu looked at everyone and said:
"Find this month's official gazette and the edict granting a general amnesty."

"Let's lay down our weapons and apologize in front of the official gazette."

This order undoubtedly puts one's life entirely in the hands of the enemy.

Someone in the crowd questioned:

"Sixth Uncle, is this how it should be?"

"None of us are afraid of dying, so we'll fight them to the death."

This prompted some people to echo the sentiment, all shouting "Let's go all out!"

Luo Liu sneered and rebuked these people:

"Fight to the death? What are you going to fight with?"

"A musket without bullets is just a fire poker; the muskets in our collection can only fire a few shots."

"Although the short gun is usable, its power is no different from that of a fire poker with a bayonet attached."

"The government troops have muskets and bullets, why would they fight you?"

"Your thinking is all foolish."

"This is not fighting the government troops, but rather deliberately throwing our lives away."

He severely reprimanded these people and ordered them to lay down their weapons.

Otherwise, if the government troops saw anyone resisting, they would not hesitate to open fire.

He didn't want to be implicated by these people and lose his life; a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

Those who were unwilling to lay down their weapons immediately lost their morale upon hearing Luo Liu's words.

Indeed, their pistols were no different from fire sticks in the face of the government troops' muskets.

Even if they had the courage to fight the government troops to the death, they couldn't possibly defeat the enemy.

To surrender without a fight was, in their eyes, utterly humiliating. One of them said:

"Sixth Uncle, do we understand what you're saying?"

"But will the government troops let us go?"

"Treason is unforgivable!"

They raised their banners in rebellion against the imperial court in the Northwest, and at the time they felt great.

Now that I've come to the new district, I've learned from the legal education campaign there that this is treason, the first of the ten heinous crimes.

The newspapers in the new district repeatedly emphasized that if there were any objections to the government's policies, people could stage a sit-in protest.

However, it must never escalate into looting, arson, or even being coerced into rebellion. That would change the nature of the crime and constitute an unforgivable offense.

Therefore, they simply did not believe the emperor's edict of pardon. They did not believe that their crimes were worthy of being pardoned by the court.

Luo Liu sighed and replied:

"Now that things have come to this, we can only try to survive against all odds."

“I will take all the blame and say that you were all coerced.”

"I suppose the imperial court will be lenient and at most exile you overseas."

"There are so many nobles going overseas to establish vassal states now, there will be people who will accept you."

These words surprised everyone and deeply moved them.

They all called out "Sixth Uncle," unwilling for him to die in their place.

But Luo Liu shouted loudly, demanding that they obey his orders.

In the end, everyone dug out all the newspapers where they could find the amnesty edict.

One by one, they walked out with newspapers on their heads, bound and gagged.
-
Outside, Yuan Shu and Zhang Pu had already arrived.

Looking at the several towering high points beside Luo Liu's residence, Yuan Shu said approvingly:

"It seems you also know that Luo Liu's identity is problematic and have already made preparations."

"These high points are good; we can completely block off the surrounding area with muskets."

Zhang Pu said with a smile:

"This isn't just targeting Luo Liu; it's how everything is built."

"Suzhou-Songjiang New Area is a city without walls; all industrial parks are built according to the layout of fortified areas."

“High ground and fortresses are everywhere in the new district, and the families of the new district’s reserve personnel live there.”

“They are responsible for maintenance during normal times, and can cooperate with the military and police to use this place when the government gives an order.”

Yuan Shu had never seen such a concept for building cities before.

However, considering the current size of the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area, it is indeed impossible to build a city wall.

He decided to adopt this method in his fiefdom as well, transforming some unsuitable places into fortified areas.

He carefully observed and absorbed the advantages and disadvantages of the new district's construction. When Yuan Shu saw Luo Liu and the others emerge, he was immediately struck by a profound shock:

"Luo Rucai!"

"How did this notorious bandit end up here?"

"Could he be Luo Liu, the one who invented the combination spear?"

I never imagined that the notorious bandit from the Northwest, whom I had been searching for so desperately, had actually hidden in Jiangnan.

Zhang Pu's expression changed upon hearing this name.

He might not know the names of ordinary bandit leaders, but he had heard of Luo Rucai's reputation.

After Wang Jiayin, Wang Ziyong and other leaders of the refugee army were executed by the imperial court, Luo Rucai was one of the most powerful leaders among the remaining refugee army.

The imperial court had been issuing orders to arrest him, but they never expected him to be hiding here.

This left him somewhat at a loss, wondering how many more people like this were hiding in the new district.

Thinking that he might be attacked by other officials because of this, Zhang Pu said angrily:
"Bring Luo Liu up here!"

"I will personally conduct the interrogation."

Ignoring all the previously emphasized etiquette and procedures, I just wanted to get to the bottom of this matter.

Luo Liu was escorted by several soldiers and quickly brought before Zhang Pu.

Looking at Luo Rucai's wanted poster and Luo Liu's appearance, Zhang Pu sneered:

"You bastard Luo Liu!"

"I never knew that there was such a talented person under my jurisdiction."

"Speak! What are you doing in the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area? What is your purpose?"

He had already decided in his heart that this person was Luo Rucai.

Luo Liu, also known as Luo Rucai, arrived before Zhang Pu and saw Yuan Shu beside him. He immediately felt relieved, knowing that he had been safe for some time.

Compared to dealing directly with court officials, the lower-level officials were much more difficult to handle.

Luo Rucai's biggest fear was that he would be secretly killed by corrupt officials and never even reach the ministers' side.

He said, while holding up the official gazette:

"Luo Rucai, a sinner, is ignorant of the law and the grace of Heaven."

"Please, Your Majesty, consider my ignorance of etiquette and laws, and grant me leniency and a pardon."

"The sinner wishes to repay the Emperor's grace with the rest of his life."

They directly apologized to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, hoping that Yuan Shu and Zhang Pu would convey their grievances.

He believed that with the current emperor's benevolence, his sins would surely be forgiven.
-
Upon hearing these words, Yuan Shu and Zhang Pu exchanged bewildered glances.

They never expected that this person would confess and submit to the law so quickly, admitting that he was Luo Rucai.

They also demanded that the emperor grant them a general amnesty and presented their conditions to him.

Yuan Shu, who had been entangled with them in the Northwest for years, frowned and said:
"You surrendered because you had no other choice, so it can't be called accepting amnesty."

"The Emperor has never promised to pardon your crimes; you are still traitors."

Luo Rucai, with his head bowed and eyes downcast, said while holding the newspaper:

“The sinners knew this, so they voluntarily bound themselves and begged the emperor for a pardon.”

"As long as the emperor agrees, the sinners will be the emperor's loyal dogs for the rest of their lives."

Zhang Pu frowned upon hearing such vulgar words.

Yuan Shu didn't think anything of it, because the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's henchmen.

Having spent several years in the Northwest, he had picked up these habits and did not think Luo Rucai's words were inappropriate.

He looked at Zhang Pu and said:
"Given Luo Rucai's request, it seems we are unable to handle it."

"It can only be submitted to the imperial court and left to the emperor for a decision."

Zhang Pu, also a confidant of the current emperor, nodded and said:
"That's exactly right, we should report this matter in its entirety."

"The Crown Prince captured such a powerful bandit as soon as he arrived in the new district, which will help maintain the stability of the new district."

“This is a great achievement, and I will certainly submit a memorial to the court.”

They planned to submit a memorial to the emperor to commend each person and present their achievements.

Yuan Shu had already been confirmed as the heir apparent to the Duke, so he didn't care about this achievement.

However, Luo Rucai's arrest marked another milestone in his efforts to suppress bandits in the Northwest.

Thinking that someone might be hiding in the new district like Luo Rucai, Yuan Shu said:
"The new district has developed rapidly in recent years, and the population is quite mixed."

"I believe we should crack down hard and eliminate suspicious individuals."

Zhang Pu fell silent upon hearing this, somewhat undecided.

He knew the benefits of martial law and the cleanup, but he also knew it would inevitably harm the development of the new district.

The reason the new district is so prosperous now is because of its relaxed atmosphere.

A sudden tightening of arrests would cause many people to flee the area out of fear.

He said to Yuan Shu:

"Your Highness may not know this, but people from all over the world live in the new district."

"Many of these people have loopholes in their identities, and it's impossible to clean them all out."

"Otherwise, the development of the new district will be halted, and no one will buy the goods produced."

Yuan Shu did not believe this was more important than safety, and he reminded Zhang Pu:
“Scholar Zhang, you are the future Grand Secretary; you must consider the fate of the nation.”

"For the world, which is more important, security or commerce?"

Zhang Pu opened his mouth, knowing full well that safety was the top priority.

If trade affects security, it deserves to be banned.

However, the development of the Suzhou-Songjiang New Area is related to the current prime minister's position.

Han Kuang, whose industrial and commercial development targets were set by the emperor, demanded that the new district focus on developing industry and commerce.

Now that Yuan Shu's proposed crackdown might affect this goal, Zhang Pu thought it over and over and was not sure what to do.
Ultimately, he decided to escalate the conflict, writing a memorial to the emperor and the chief minister for their review. (End of Chapter)