Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 462: Enemy of the People
Zhoutie Town, outside Yixing County, Changzhou Prefecture, is located on the west bank of Taihu Lake. It has always been a commercial hub.

The world-famous Yixing purple clay ware is shipped from the port here and then sold to various places via the dense water network of Taihu Lake and Jiangnan.

Xiazhu, not far from Zhoutie Town, is an even smaller town.

Although it is small, its influence is greater.

One is that Su Shi in the Song Dynasty passed by this place and heard the sound of reading, so he inscribed the name "Rufangli", which means "young children are teachable and the Confucian spirit is flourishing."

Secondly, after the Jiajing period, the number of people who passed the imperial examinations and entered officialdom here gradually increased. A bridge on Xiazhu Street was named "Rulin Bridge", which shows the ambition of the scholars here to "revitalize the clan through literature".

Third, there is a Sanhuaitang Wang family here. Their ancestor Wang Hu was the military assistant minister in charge of imperial edicts during the reign of Emperor Taizu of Song Dynasty. Later, another branch of the Wang family moved here. The ancestor of this branch of the Sanhuaitang Wang family in Yixing, Wang Gao, was a military commander and was good friends with Yue Fei. There is even a postscript by Yue Fei in the family tree.

The Sanhuaitang Wang family originated from the Taiyuan Wang family, and later became the largest branch of the Wang family. There are countless Wangs in the world who have the Sanhuaitang name. For example, Wang Shouren is a Sanhuaitang Wang family from Yuyao.

However, the Wang family of Sanhuaitang in Xiazhu, Yixing, now actually controls a large share of Yixing's purple clay wares. Yixing purple clay wares began to rise to a new level during the Zhengde period. After the development during the Jiajing period, Yixing kilns had become "the most profitable in the four directions, and sold half of the world without any direct access." With the gradual prosperity of Gongfu tea, purple clay wares have rapidly replaced some porcelain pots and tea cups in Jiangnan and the southeast coast, and have become "the best tea set in the world."

During this period, Dong Han, Zhao Liang, Shi Peng, and He Yuanchang emerged, and were collectively known as the "Four Masters of Famous Teapots". During the Wanli period, Shi Dabin and his disciples Li Zhongfang and Xu Youquan became the "Three Great Masters of Teapots". Another master, Li Yangxin, used the sagger firing method to produce many small teapots that were simple and colorful, and were known as "famous toys".

Nowadays, Yixing purple sandware has various famous craftsmen who have borrowed the shapes and patterns of pottery, bronze, jade and porcelain from past dynasties to create many works that surpass those of the ancients. These works have long attracted the attention of the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River, and they competed to customize the tea sets for literary play.

For example, Dong Qichang, who is now a scholar of Taichang, is a very stable old customer among them.

When purple clay ware reaches this level, it actually needs more packaging and hype.

In the past, the Wang family of Sanhuaitang in Xiazhu certainly had a natural advantage in this regard.

But since the establishment of the government-owned production institute, a purple clay kiln factory has also been established in Yixing. Because of the previous accumulation, purple clay wares also have the potential to be sold overseas like porcelain.

This business did not originally conflict with the Wang family of Xiazhu. After all, one was external and the other was internal.

However, it is not easy to fire purple clay ware.

The clay material can only be obtained under the conditions of mass production of daily-use pottery, because the purple clay material is hidden in the "A clay" hundreds of meters deep under the rock layer and must be sorted out from the A clay. Without the large-scale use of A clay in daily-use pottery, purple clay cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, the resources of famous artists and craftsmen with sophisticated skills are limited.

Since the Yixing purple clay kiln factory under the Ministry of Official Production was a government-run factory, the imperial court had changed the registration of craftsmen into civilians, and the registration of craftsmen into hired workers. Some of the great craftsmen in the past had even become engineers and academicians. The business of the purple clay kiln factory was stable, so the competitiveness of the private kilns controlled by the Wang family of Xiazhu was suddenly insufficient.

Now, the Wang family of Xiazhu was not angry and shocked by the competition for purple clay ware, but because of the autumn and winter fair that was set up outside Zhoutie Town in a short period of time.

Since Zhoutie Town is a famous commercial town, the imperial court even set up a special inspection office here, so there is naturally no shortage of teahouses and taverns in the town.

"Did you see clearly?"

In a private room of a teahouse, a middle-aged man with respectable and noble clothes had a gloomy expression.

"Look carefully, they are all shipped from the Zisha Kiln Factory." A shrewd-looking young man quickly replied, "There are boats waiting at the dock, bringing in truckloads of common pottery jars and bowls from the Zisha Kiln Factory."

"...The Zisha kiln factory is no longer producing Zisha wares?" The middle-aged man was shocked and angry. "The grain ships are not going to transport grain?"

"Brother Zhu, have you not received any news from the prefectural capital yet?" another middle-aged man said gloomily, "The Ministry of Taxation has issued an official document. The Executive Yuan has made arrangements for this year's grain tax. All provinces do not need to store their grain this year. All of it can be kept for circulation."

"What?" The middle-aged man from the Zhu family narrowed his eyes slightly. "Border towns don't need food? The capital doesn't lack food?"

No one could answer his question.

At this time, another clever young man came back and said as he entered the private room, "Master! Master! There's a sign over at the market. They're buying surplus grain, raw silk, dried cotton, and dry goods. They'll accept cash. They're selling grain, oil, salt, iron, cloth, and general merchandise. They'll also accept private money!"

"What?" The middle-aged man of the Zhu family said this again, but this time he stood up, "You acknowledge private money too? How do you acknowledge it?"

"They said it will be based on last year's market price." The young man pointed outside again, "People from the county and the patrol officers from the Public Security Bureau have already reported to Xiazhu, telling the people who can't buy or sell anything to go to the market."

"Last year's market price..." another middle-aged man's eyes sparkled, "They still accept surplus grain?"

"I think the counter is almost ready."

"Brother Zhu, how about..."

"No hurry!" The man from the Zhu family felt depressed. "Hurry up, run again and visit all the autumn and winter fairs in the nearby prefectures, states and counties to see if they are the same."

"Uncle, what does this mean?" a young man at the table asked.

The Zhu family member showed fear in his eyes: "Where did all these people come from? Where did all this cash come from?"

Another middle-aged man also thought of it: "Brother Zhu, are you saying that the whole world is ready to do this?"

In the autumn and winter fair in Yixing County, if people from all over the country come to the fair, how many people will be needed to ensure that no trouble occurs? How to manage such a large market with so many goods to be collected and sold?
"...Even the Changming does not have enough manpower to fill several prefectures!"

"The Public Security Department." The man from the Zhu family took a deep breath, "There are also soldiers in the camp, and... students from the prefectural school and the university, at least students of natural sciences... and..."

"...With so many people, how can everyone obey?" The other middle-aged man clenched his fists. "The more other prefectures, states and counties are like this, the more we need to find a solution!"

"What can you do? Give them all this year's grain in exchange for the cash they have? Use their private money to buy salt and grain? Let each family's hired laborer buy them separately?"

An old man who had been silent all this time spoke up in a deep voice: "How do you know this isn't a trap? The court is trying to force all the shops to open their doors and receive customers!"

"They dare to admit to private money, and they have the support of the court. Do we dare to admit it? Daji admitted it, but we don't admit it. Are we guilty?"

"What if this fair continues?"

The old man looked at everyone, and when they heard this, they felt even more depressed.

The old man stood up tremblingly, his body hunched but his eyes showing fear: "The exemption of summer grain is definitely not without reason. The court has made up its mind to endure the huge reduction in annual revenue this year, and the grain and salt sold at the market will definitely not be expensive. If it is really like what you said, and all the provinces are prepared to do so, how big a financial hole will the court have? What will it use to fill it? Whose wealth will it use to fill it?"

After saying this, everyone's faces turned pale.

"Don't act rashly. The people in the government are mixed, but seeing that the people in Beijing are... they are ready to fight to the death. Do you dare to be the first to step forward? Do they dare?"

The small Wang family of Sanhuaitang in Xiazhu began to feel the court's wrath at close range. He didn't dare to do much, so he argued with another indignant old friend.

This year, a lot of grain taxes were able to be retained in local areas. This was probably because the imperial court wanted to reassure local officials by giving them extra "hard work reward silver".

So who has the courage to take the lead?
...In fact, only the five prefectures suffered the greatest pressure.

Just as they dared not believe, even though the imperial court is very different now, even though Changminghao and Guanchanyuan have much greater control than before, this control is not enough to implement the will of the emperor and the court under the current conditions of transportation, manpower, and people's hearts.

By November, the news had spread far and wide.

The Five Prefectures seemed to be the places where the court was putting the most effort. Many shops there that had been operating with trepidation had already reopened, and they dared not sell grain at a price much higher, just a little higher due to the convenience of the location.

And they also gritted their teeth and admitted to the private money.

But some are strong while others are weak. In other parts of the vast Ming Dynasty, does the imperial court have enough cash and coins to operate?
Many people in other places are holding on, neither cooperating nor stopping, quietly waiting to see if there will be any new changes in the situation.

There were even some bold enough to use their own grain reserves and other goods this year to exchange for cash, coins, and even private money at the local market.

As long as this initiative ultimately still has to rely on a large amount of private money for circulation, the new currency law will become increasingly difficult.

The more daring ones even took advantage of the time when the Caohe River was not frozen and purchased a lot of extra summer grain from Jiangnan and operated it in Henan.

Xie Tingzan wanted to make progress. Wang Dewan was already the Minister in charge of government property, and Xie Tingzan was only a little behind.

This audacious bank run in Henan involved several prefectures, and ultimately the Henan Provincial Battalion was mobilized to "suppress the rebellion."

The snow has not fallen this year. Henan is not far from the capital. When the situation arrived in the Forbidden City, Yuan Keli clearly saw the emperor's gloom.

"Under the Nine Springs of Yutian..."

"Your Majesty..." Ye Xianggao hesitated to speak.

"Li Qing!" Zhu Changluo gritted his teeth and said, "First, start to fill the vacancies in the Henan Public Security Bureau as soon as possible. In an emergency, let the Henan Provincial Camp transfer another sentry to temporarily boost the courage of the Public Security Bureau. As for Yu Tian... behead him!"

The one who provided cover for the big families and merchants who were operating the new grain run and cash collection in Henan was the son of Li Hualong, who was a hero in suppressing the rebellion and eventually became the deputy privy councilor of the Privy Council.

This son was not very talented, and was a Jinyiwei official in his early years. In the previous reform of the system of favor, Zhu Changluo and the court were grateful for Li Hualong's contribution, so his son was transferred to the Henan Public Security Department.

The focus now is not just on this case, but on the symbolic significance of this case.

Finally, Xie Tingzan and the Central Inspection Team found clues. Li Hualong's son and many generals and police officers who had retired or transferred from the border troops and garrisons fought stubbornly together, and there was even a tendency of a small rebellion.

Although it was quickly put out by the Henan Provincial Battalion which had prepared in advance, would this be the spark that detonated the situation?

Destroying someone's financial resources is like killing his parents. This statement is true for some unwilling people.

Yuan Keli asked hesitantly, "When it snows in December, it will be even more inconvenient to travel. I'm afraid someone will take advantage of the situation. Your Majesty, do you want to activate that emergency plan?"

"No!" Ye Xianggao immediately retorted, saying earnestly, "Your Majesty, the Henan case should be quickly punished and reported to other provinces as a warning to others. That's enough. If the governors-general and inspection teams of the provinces really use the martial law plan, it will be like wartime once the officers and soldiers move. The grain stored in various places was originally a reward for the diligence of local officials. In this way, it will have to be turned into military pay. I am afraid that there will be more complaints from the local government. Moreover, if there are those who are greedy for merit, they may add fuel to the fire. If there is a tendency to kill innocent people to take credit..."

When he said this, he looked directly at Yuan Keli and said, "Minister Li, even though the officers and soldiers have been known for their benevolence and righteousness in disaster relief over the years, in this situation, can the Privy Council guarantee that there will be no chaos in any province?"

Yuan Keli naturally couldn't guarantee it, but he was indeed worried that there would be a big mess during the heavy snow in winter.

"Now, in addition to deterring the scoundrels, the most difficult thing is manpower and money!" Ye Xianggao bent over and said, "I would like to sell the shares of the silver banks and counters in various places first, so that we can use the cash locally and divide it..."

Wang Heng immediately retorted: "No! The banks in various provinces have just been established. Whether the people employed are virtuous and upright remains to be examined. New money will be issued next year. In the first three years, local wealthy merchants who are not on the list must not be directly absorbed and allowed to open counters and shops."

Everyone in front of Zhu Changluo was talking about something, and soon after, Liu Ruoyu came over from the inner study with a pale face.

When he arrived before the emperor, he knelt immediately, holding high a secret memorial in his hand.

"The governor of Yanzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province, urgently reported that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated at the Tengxian market. Fortunately, one of the guards was killed and two were injured. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince escaped unharmed. The identity of the assassin is still under strict investigation. It has been found that he has a Henan accent and may be a remnant of a major Henan case. The Duke of Yansheng... has hanged himself, and left a blood petition to plead the innocence of the Kong family."

Looking at the secret report held by Liu Ruoyu on the ground, the Huangji Hall was extremely quiet for a moment. Ye Xianggao felt dizzy and his whole body began to shake.

Zhu Changluo, on the contrary, was quite calm. He took the secret memorial and took a look at it.

"Great... You're so brave..." His tone was even colder than the weather outside the palace. "Kong Shangxian wholeheartedly obeyed the imperial decree, but some people in the Kong family were willing to be used. Duke Yansheng... although he knew that the Kong family was not unrelated, he was submissive all his life, but in the end he hanged himself to me, as if he was forced to death by the imperial court."

"I'm afraid there's another hidden story! Duke Yansheng knew the matter was of great importance, so why would he hang himself? I'm afraid he was so angry that his illness was difficult to recover from..." Zhu Guozuo supported the staggering Ye Xianggao and quickly said something nice.

Zhu Changluo said, "What is the truth? Does it matter? Even if he died of illness first and was then hanged on the beam by some members of the Kong family, this is the news that has been spread now, and this is what has been reported to me."

After a pause, he looked at Yuan Keli.

"Li Qing, you go to Shandong in person and impose martial law in the province alone. This case of assassinating the crown prince must be investigated thoroughly!"

"Your Majesty, there's more..." Liu Ruoyu rested his forehead against the carpet, "The Queen fainted upon hearing the news..."

"How did it get to Kunning Palace?"

"…The Queen misses Your Highness, I…"

Zhu Changluo just stared at his head: "You know how to investigate the eunuchs. Although the eunuchs in the local areas have lost their power in the past, what new interests have they gained in the local areas? They are so bold as to dare to assassinate the prince, how can it be just because of the new currency law? No matter which palace they are investigated, I will never let them off easily!"

He couldn't help feeling a little powerless.

Although the situation has not gotten out of control, Li Hualong's son and some people inside and outside the country are still growing suspicious of each other in this tense situation based on their own interests, the direction of the new policy and the crown prince, all trying to see if they can take advantage of the situation.

Even though Zhu Youjian knew there might be danger, would he, who was frightened at this moment, have other thoughts and start to suspect his brothers?
People only have one life.

If the assassination attempt succeeded, the emperor would certainly be furious and would kill many people in a thorough investigation. However, in this situation, which was like a dead end in the eyes of some people, taking the risk would definitely completely affect the direction of the government.

Who will be the new crown prince? How will the emperor deal with the strong and resolute will to resist the new policy after so many years?
After all, it was recognized by both the government and the public that what the emperor wanted was a powerful Ming Dynasty, not a Ming Dynasty that was severely damaged by internal strife.

Zhu Changluo looked at the important officials in front of him, took a deep breath, and then became determined again.

He stood up and said, "There is only progress and no retreat! I have said long ago that if we want to share the same ideals and walk the path of a prosperous people, a strong country, unity between the monarch and his subjects, and a stable government, we must not be shaken by the actions of villains! My other sons are still young, and my concubines are all confidants in me. In the final analysis, both internally and externally, we must still seek the word profit. You don't have to worry about any disputes over the foundation of the country during the Taichang Dynasty. You just need to firmly push the new policy to completion."

"I will order that from now on I will spend all my treasury, leaving only the daily expenses for thrift. I will announce to the world without changing a word: Taizu attacked the north from the south, and I can attack the south from the north! If we really want to destroy before we can build, then I will not hesitate to use the sword and the sword to completely eliminate the old evils."

"Which officials and gentry participated in the assassination attempt on the crown prince? They all wanted to borrow their status as descendants of Confucius to encourage scholars all over the world to resist the new policies and the imperial court. The great harmony that the ancient sages hoped for is what I and the court officials are diligently pursuing. These officials and gentry are full of the teachings of the ancient sages, but in fact they are full of money and selfish desires. The new policies benefit the people and want to benefit the people, which is known to everyone in the court and the public. Those who think that the new policies are not good for them are not my people, but the enemies of the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)