In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 804 A Small Person's Unexpected Twist
The commotion caused by the Embroidered Uniform Guard quickly attracted the attention of the Six Ministries.
One by one, high-ranking officials walked out of the yamen, tiptoeing and peering out, hoping to see what was happening to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

At the same time, they all seemed used to seeing dogs fighting.

They even secretly cheered for both sides in their hearts.

Nobles and the Embroidered Uniform Guard

We should fight, we should fight big!

Soon, people from the Five Military Commands also came out to watch the spectacle.

When they discovered that the protagonist was Yu Tongyuan, only a very few people wanted to step forward to mediate the fight.
Most of the others also seemed pleased with the outcome.

These two men were notorious in the imperial court.
One was eccentric and unruly, the other jumped ship halfway through; neither had a good reputation.

Liu Sili, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, walked out of the Ministry of Rites and gazed into the distance.
His brow twitched when he saw two acquaintances arguing.
For some reason, a feeling of exhilaration began to spread through my heart.

These two are his enemies, and now they're actually fighting?
After making several inquiries, Liu Sili finally learned the whole story.
The excitement of watching the spectacle had faded from his face, replaced by a more serious expression.

Yu Qilun is dead? Killed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

This news spread rapidly, and it was quite significant!
Li Yuanming, the Minister of Rites, stood beside Liu Sili and spoke thoughtfully:
"Lord Liu, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is breaking the rules by doing this."

Liu Sili narrowed his eyes slightly. He was very wary of this Minister of Rites; it was almost impossible for anything in the capital to be kept from him.

"Mao Xiang is truly vindictive; he's willing to kill someone's son just because a commander of a thousand or a commander of a hundred died."

A thoughtful look flashed in Li Yuanming's aged eyes.
He glanced sideways at Liu Sili and said with a smile:
"Neither of them had a firm foothold in the court, and both wanted to establish their authority, so it was only natural that neither would back down."

However, as the saying goes, "When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who had been standing silently to the side, was taken aback.
He glanced thoughtfully at Liu Sili, a hint of apprehension flashing in his bright eyes.

In the previous turmoil, Yingtian Trading Company had already demonstrated capabilities no less than those of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
It's easy to make someone else profit from the situation.

Feeling the scrutinizing gaze from one side,

Liu Sili spoke calmly and casually:
"Lord Li, they are fighting like dogs, not like the snipe and the clam fighting."

"hehe."

Li Yuanming was taken aback, then chuckled dryly twice.

Clearly, no one expected Liu Sili to be so bold.

But then I thought, we're already mortal enemies, so there's no need to hold back anymore.

"Ugh."

Li Yuanming sighed and said with some emotion:
"They are all high-ranking officials in the court. It's not good for them to fight like this all the time, especially since it's happening in the palace."

Lord Zhang, go and try to persuade him.
If you want to fight, go to the government office. Fighting in public like this is disgraceful.

"Yes."

With a gentle expression, Vice Minister Zhang Zhi bowed and headed towards the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters.

After he left, Li Yuanming looked at the location of the Five Armies Commandery, searched for a long time, and said:

"It's strange that Lord Lu didn't come to watch the excitement."

I heard that Mao Xiang practically begged and pleaded with everyone to pay the 40,000 taels of silver owed to Lotus Pavilion.
It was pieced together from various sources, and that's how it was finally put together.

Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is in trouble, I'm still a little uneasy that Lord Lu isn't applauding it.

These words were quite profound, and Liu Sili understood them perfectly. However, he reacted very quickly, smiling as he said:

"Yunyi has always preferred quiet, and he rarely participates in such lively events."

Moreover, his influence in the capital is still weak, and he might not even know about this matter yet.

"hehe."

Li Yuanming nodded with a smile:
"I don't know if it's good, I don't know if it's good."

Knowing some things can cause trouble, while not knowing them can save you from many disasters.

By the way, Lord Liu, when does Yingtian Construction Firm plan to open for business?
I've heard that many villages around the capital have recently sent people to be stationed in the city, all in anticipation of this day.

Liu Sili frowned, but did not give a direct response.

Instead, while watching the argument not far away, he spoke up:
"Yingtian Construction Firm is not under the overall management of Yingtian Trading Company, and I do not know when it should open for business."

However, the construction company recently bought a lot of items from the shop, so it should be ready soon.

Li Yuanming nodded thoughtfully and asked:
"Lord Liu, who do you think should be the head of the Market and Exchange Bureau?"

"Market and Exchange Bureau?"

Liu Sili was stunned, a look of absurdity appearing on his face:
"Your Excellency, I am merely a fourth-rank official, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies. I cannot speak presumptuously about a second-rank official position like this."

"Lord Liu, since we've come this far, I won't beat around the bush anymore."

"Your Excellency, please speak frankly."

Li Yuanming nodded and said:

"The matter of the Market Exchange Office has already spread throughout the capital region."

Scholars from various regions opposed this, arguing that the imperial court should not interfere in the affairs of merchants.

Many people have also submitted documents to the Ministry of Rites; I currently have several boxes of them in my office.
Fortunately, Lord Liu was extremely knowledgeable about business matters.

"I would like to ask, is Your Majesty truly preparing to establish a Market and Exchange Bureau?"

In an instant, these words pulled Liu Sili's thoughts back from the argument and fight in front of him.
At this moment, the conflict between the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Yu Tongyuan became insignificant.

Liu Sili knew that as time went by,
The ministers in the court, who had been immersed in this for so long, would gradually come to their senses.
Li Yuanming, standing before him, had already sensed something amiss.

After a long silence, Liu Sili spoke softly and smiled:
"Your Majesty's decision is not yet known to this humble official."

However, it's not a long-term solution for the construction companies and Yingtian Trading Company to remain detached from the imperial court.
Although the business of merchants is lowly,

But without money, nothing can sustain itself.

Since merchants are so important, why does the court exclude them?

"Oh?"

Li Yuanming's hands, hidden in his sleeves, rubbed together gently. His aged skin was wrinkled and aged, and he was thinking about many things.

And foresaw the potential future turmoil,

If we follow Liu Sili's logic, then merchants are about to gain wider influence.

As the Ministry of Rites, how to explain such matters and how to deal with the impact of such changes was a major challenge.

Liu Sili continued:
"Lord Li, merchants have no boundaries; there is only the distinction between buyers and sellers."

If there is enough money to be made, both the natives of the south and the barbarians of the north can be partners.

Given the persistent problem despite repeated prohibitions, why not entrust such an important matter to the imperial court?
It's not a perfect solution, but it at least guarantees temporary stability.

Li Yuanming fell into deep thought, and after a long while he sighed:
"Throughout history, merchants have always been considered low-class people. How could they possibly gain entry into such a prestigious institution?"

Liu Sili smiled calmly:
"Lord Li, before the founding of our Great Ming Dynasty, the practice of skinning people alive and stuffing them with straw, and the people suing officials, was unprecedented in ancient times."

"If they can do such things, what are a few merchants compared to them?"

"That makes sense."

"I don't think I need to elaborate on the importance of the Yingtian Trading Company."
"If such vital national assets were truly handed over to the private sector, wouldn't that be like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot? Shouldn't we move the rock away?"

Liu Sili, with an air of nonchalance and detachment, continued:

"I am a man from the frontier, sometimes a Jurchen, sometimes a Song dynasty person, sometimes a Yuan dynasty person, and now a Ming dynasty person."

The civil and military officials of the imperial court all said that treating the symptom, not the cause, was not advisable.

But I think it's already good enough that they can cure it.

With the Ming Dynasty's commerce flourishing ever more, to continue ignoring and turning a blind eye to such things would be self-deception.

Li Yuanming pursed his lips slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his clear eyes from time to time.
After a long while, he let out a sigh:
"I am old and I am not clear about these principles, nor can I understand them."

But everything must move forward.

Whether the changes are good or bad, it's never wrong to take action.

"Lord Liu, how is your position as Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies going? Are you satisfied?"

"It's okay."

Liu Sili was somewhat surprised and didn't understand why he brought this up.

"If Lord Liu is not satisfied with his work, he can take a position in the Ministry of Rites."

I am getting old and lack the energy, so many things have fallen on Lord Zhang's shoulders.

But Lord Zhang is not young anymore. If a younger person were to come, our burden would be greatly reduced.”

Liu Sili was somewhat shocked; the intention to win him over was almost undisguised.
Moreover, the pie in the sky was drawn up to be so big that Liu Sili had never imagined it before.

Minister of Rites?

The most prestigious official position in the Ming Dynasty! However, Liu Sili quickly calmed down.

In officialdom, only what you can decide counts; promises from others are not to be trusted.

He pointed to the increasingly heated argument ahead and said with a chuckle:
“Lord Li, something has just happened in Liaodong. I am already in a precarious position. It would be bad to make any more noise.”

Now it was Li Yuanming's turn to be surprised.

He couldn't believe that someone would refuse a position with the Ministry of Rites.

But on second thought, Liu Sili's life is anything but leisurely these days.

The Ming Dynasty was defeated and subdued in all directions, and those who came to the capital treated it with utmost respect.
Yingtian Trading Company has many affairs to attend to, but it has already gotten back on track.
Now that I hold a high position of power, there is no need for me to pursue a prestigious or respectable post.

"Lord Liu, the Court of State Ceremonial is the Ministry of Rites. If you have any business, please don't stand on ceremony and come directly to me. I still have some influence in the court."

"Thank you, Mr. Li."

Liu Sili cupped his hands in a gesture of apprehension, somewhat bewildered as to what had happened.

This Grand Minister of Rites has always been detached from worldly affairs in the court.
Today's inexplicable attempt to win him over made him feel that things might not be so simple.

At this moment, the conflict between the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Yu Tongyuan intensified, and the two sides began to push and shove each other.

Mao Xiang's voice grew louder and louder.
There was a hint of madness in their mutual defiance, and Yu Tongyuan was no exception.

At that moment, the sound of orderly footsteps echoed from the end of the imperial city street.

A troop of imperial guards clad in silver armor marched in with measured steps.

The leader was dressed in noble armor, with long arms hanging at his sides, looking strange yet full of majesty.

As the Imperial Guards passed by, all the officials from the Six Ministries and the Governor-General's Office bowed deeply.
"Lord Wuding".

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding arrived at the entrance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters.
Looking at the chaotic scene, his brows furrowed, and his aged beard trembled.
"As high-ranking officials in the imperial court, how can they be behaving so improperly in the capital?"
Do you still have any respect for the laws and authority of the imperial court?!

"Take it!"

"Kick!"

Without a word, the imperial guards behind him stepped forward.
They pinned all the Imperial Guards and bodyguards who were still pushing and struggling to the ground.

Mao Xiang and Yu Tongyuan were also separated.

The scene was noisy for almost fifteen minutes before it gradually quieted down.

Just as the two were about to speak, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding looked up and stopped them:
"My lords, please be quiet. This is the imperial city, a place where civil and military officials gather. Your noise is disgracing the Ming Dynasty."

Having said that, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding waved his hand.

The imperial guards stepped forward and pulled two men from their respective ranks aside to inquire about their identities.

Soon, the Imperial Guards came to report, and Guo Ying nodded repeatedly, gaining a preliminary understanding of the ins and outs of the matter.

He was also very shocked when he heard the news of Yu Qilun's death.

However, he quickly calmed down and looked at Yu Tongyuan:

"Was this done by the Embroidered Uniform Guard? What evidence do you have?"

Yu Tongyuan waved his hand, and a person behind him stepped forward and handed over the document.

"Marquis Wuding, these are the survey documents from the capital's prefecture and the Ministry of Justice."

I've already sent people to investigate; the Baijing Trading Company is doing business with the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The person in charge of this matter was Wei Hua, the manager of the Wanshun Trading Company in Beiping.
If the Marquis does not believe me, then have Commander Yu summon Wei Hua for a face-to-face confrontation.
Ask him where he was and what he did last night!

These words caused a stir, as the officials present had not expected this.
Yu Tongyuan had already made such a precise judgment, even identifying the person.

They all looked at Mao Xiang with scrutiny and inquiry.

Mao Xiang's face was extremely grim, and he glared at Yu Tongyuan with resentment.
During the shoving and struggle just now, Yu Tongyuan, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, didn't reveal anything.

This sudden revelation caught him completely off guard.

Moreover, it also made Mao Xiang curse inwardly.
"Who the hell are these people? How was this arranged? They didn't even realize someone touched their heel?"

Marquis Wuding looked at Mao Xiang and said in a deep voice:
"Mao Xiang, call Wei Hua out and question him. The truth will be clear soon enough."

"My lord, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a secretive agency, and its personnel are even more secretive. How could this be possible?"

"enough."

Guo Ying raised her hand to stop his explanation, and looked around:

“If you want this matter to be resolved peacefully, call the person out for questioning. What kind of time is this to be trying to argue?”

Mao Xiang took a deep breath and pursed his lips.
Knowing this is like having mud stuck in your crotch—even if it's not shit, it's still shit.
Without a reasonable explanation, the Imperial Guards will definitely be blamed for this.

"Go and call Wei Hua over here!"

"Yes!"

The officials hurriedly returned to the yamen, but soon they came running back, their faces grave and grim.
"My lord, Lord Wei is not here."

"what?"

Mao Xiang's eyes widened suddenly, and his pupils contracted sharply.
For a fleeting moment, he even thought that Wei Hua was the one who killed him.

Where is he? Wasn't he just here a moment ago?

The group of Imperial Guards around them exchanged bewildered glances.

Upon seeing this scene, Yu Tongyuan's eyes immediately turned red:
"Mao Xiang, you bastard, you still say you didn't do it? Where are the people? Show them to me!"

Although Mao Xiang was annoyed by his insults,

But he didn't show it on his face at all; instead, he revealed a hint of doubt.

After a long while, he lowered his voice and murmured:

"Someone is trying to harm me."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding narrowed his eyes.

"Wei Hua has disappeared?"

Yu Tongyuan was also somewhat taken aback by this explanation, and he immediately became agitated:
"Mao Xiang, you must have hidden Wei Hua!"

"I hid him?"

Mao Xiang, enraged, laughed coldly, staring intently at Yu Tongyuan:

“You’ve already found out who the person is and figured out their background, so is there any need for me to hide them?”
Where he went, I have no idea.

"Alright, the most urgent thing is to find Wei Hua and find out where he went."

Marquis Wuding's expression was cold, and he added:
"Find out who he is working for."

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye, and the capital city was quickly turned upside down.
The Five Military Commands, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Guard, and the Capital Prefecture were all searching for Wei Hua, but they could not find any trace of him.

In the Imperial City, in the Wuying Hall, the upper seat was completely empty.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao sat at a long table on one side.

He was holding a document in his hand, examining it word by word, his expression solemn.

After a long while, he raised his head.
He glanced at Mao Xiang, Yu Tongyuan, and Guo Ying standing to the left, and gave a mocking smile:
"So, it's because the Embroidered Uniform Guard had lax discipline and was infiltrated by rebels?"

And then use murder to sow discord within the government?

Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding stepped forward, his expression grave:

"Your Highness, this is the conclusion reached by the Three Departments and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Mao Xiang also bowed deeply, his face extremely solemn:

“Your Highness, this matter is due to my lax management of my subordinates and my blindness to the truth, which prevented me from discovering the traitors hidden within the government.”

Yu Tongyuan, standing to the side, clearly couldn't believe this explanation, his voice urgent:

"Your Highness, a perfectly healthy person has disappeared in the capital. There must be someone helping them."
Now that the rebels have been wiped out, it's hard for me not to suspect that the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly assisted in their escape!

"Governor Yu, you must provide evidence before you speak."

Wei Hua was just promoted to the rank of commander of a thousand men by me, and now that this has happened, I am more anxious than anyone else.”

"OK OK."

Zhu Biao, sitting at the head of the table, rubbed his temples wearily and gave the order:
"Order all county governments in the capital region to post notices and issue arrest warrants for Wei Hua."

The Ministry of Justice, the Capital Prefecture, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are jointly investigating this case; they must bring the perpetrator back!

"Mao Xiang was lax in managing his subordinates and spoiled them, so he was fined a year's salary."

“Yu Tongyuan caused trouble without authorization and made a scene in the capital, but he was spared punishment because of his grief over the loss of his son.”

After speaking, Crown Prince Zhu Biao sighed:
"You are all in a bad mood right now, so don't cause trouble in the capital."

Since this has already happened, let's get to the bottom of it.
"You should all go back and calm down, and wait for the Ministry of Justice to investigate and give us a result."

(End of this chapter)