In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 847 You do the first day of the month, I'll do the fifteenth.

Wu Su'an received Lu Yunyi's orders.

Not daring to delay in the slightest, he immediately selected several capable clerks from the Bureau of Records.
They took more money from the storeroom and, together with the people from the household registration office, headed in a grand procession towards the market in the north of the city.

It was midday, and the scorching sun beat down on the streets and alleys of the northern part of the city.

The once bustling market,
Now, however, it appears deserted due to the closure of many workshops.

The workshops along the street had their doors wide open, but were deserted.

Only a few pedestrians occasionally hurried by, casting curious glances their way.

More often, there were workers squatting at the workshop entrance.
They did nothing and kept sighing.

Although the workshop was open, it was not in operation, which was different from the busyness they had expected.

Wu Su'an and her entourage rode horses along the central avenue in the north of the city.

Several burly men carrying loads followed behind.
The carrying pole was filled with heavy silver ingots, which gleamed alluringly in the sunlight without any obstruction.

Their appearance instantly attracted the attention of those around them.

"Isn't that Lord Wu from the Bureau of Records? What is he doing in the north of the city with so many people?"

An old man selling vegetables stopped what he was doing, craned his neck to look around, his eyes full of doubt.

"Who knows? Judging from this scene, something big is about to happen," a woman selling shoe insoles nearby chimed in.

Wu Su'an, mounted on his horse, surveyed his surroundings and secretly made plans.

He knew full well that this operation was not only crucial to the successful implementation of the Commandery's decisions,

It is also related to the livelihoods of many people in the north of the city.

The adults entrusted him with this task, which was undoubtedly a sign of their trust!
Therefore, he must do this matter well. If he does it poorly, he will not only lose face for himself, but also for the adults.

Soon, they arrived at the first workshop they wanted to acquire.
Yongchang Blacksmith Shop.

This blacksmith shop is quite famous in the north of the city.

Because their iron pots are so famous, they are said to last for ten years without breaking.

The clanging of blacksmiths used to be a constant sound, and business was booming.

However, at this moment, the door was tightly shut.
The door was locked with a large padlock, making it look deserted.

After suspending business with the northern grasslands,
The blacksmith shop immediately ceased operations, and only symbolically reopened today.
But because work was not in progress, the blacksmith shop was closed again after all the craftsmen had left!

Wu Su'an dismounted, walked to the door, and gently knocked.

A short while later, a short, stout middle-aged man with a fierce face slowly walked out of the alley next door.

It was Zhao Defu, the owner of Yongchang Blacksmith Shop.

When Zhao Defu saw Wu Su'an and his group, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He forced a smile, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked:

"It's Lord Wu! I didn't know you were here. What brings you here?"

Wu Su'an looked at him, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"Manager Zhao, I have come to inform you of something important today."

"May I ask what brings you here, sir?"

Wu Su'an slapped a document out and said calmly:
"The government is compassionate towards you merchants. It can't bear to see you running workshops but unable to produce for various reasons and losing money every day."

Therefore, the government has decided to purchase your workshops to free you from this misery.

"Well, isn't the government being considerate enough?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Defu's lips twitched slightly, and he inwardly cried out in alarm, but dared not show it on his face.

He rolled his eyes and pretended to be hesitant, saying:
“Lord Wu, this workshop is the culmination of my life’s work. How can I just sell it off like that?”
Moreover, my workshop is only facing some temporary difficulties.
Once the raw materials arrive, production can resume immediately.

"Business will definitely be as booming as before then."

Wu Su'an sneered inwardly; she had long expected him to say that.
He shook his head slightly:
"Manager Zhao, stop being so stubborn."
The authorities have investigated and found that your workshop's problem wasn't a lack of raw materials at all.
Instead, they deliberately did not start work.
Are they trying to use this opportunity to inflate prices, or do they have other motives?

Zhao Defu's face stiffened; he hadn't expected him to speak so bluntly. He quickly tried to explain:

"Lord Wu, you can't wrong me!"
I had no other motives; the raw materials just hadn't arrived yet.

Wu Su'an ignored his explanation.
Instead, he turned around and winked at the clerk behind him.

The clerk understood and immediately took out a packet of silver from his bag.
He waved his hand in front of Zhao Defu and said:

"Manager Zhao, the government is truly sincere."

This hundred taels of silver is enough for you to reopen a small workshop and live a comfortable life.

If you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame me for being impolite.

Zhao Defu stared blankly at the pile of silver coins.

One hundred taels? Are you kidding me?
Once his workshop starts operating, he can earn a hundred taels a month!

"Lord Wu, even if the government wants to buy it, the price can't be too low."

My workshop is fully equipped and has many skilled craftsmen; it's worth quite a bit of money, after all.
One hundred taels is absolutely unacceptable; you should go back now.

"As for the raw materials, I'll think of a solution."

Wu Su'an smiled slightly and said:

"Manager Zhao, the government isn't going to be taken advantage of."
The purchase price was determined based on the taxes paid by your workshop.
Don't worry, the government won't let you suffer any losses.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Defu inwardly groaned.

This isn't a loss, it's outright robbery!

By this time, a large crowd of people had gathered around, and several blacksmiths had suddenly appeared from nowhere.
They were all very excited when they heard that the government wanted to buy up the workshops.

A burly blacksmith with a full beard stepped forward and chimed in:

"Manager Zhao, don't be ungrateful. The government is doing this for our benefit. You have to sell it whether you want to or not!"

"That's right, Manager Zhao, you're usually so stingy..."

"Now that the authorities are here, let's see how arrogant you can be!" Another craftsman chimed in.

Looking at the angry craftsmen and common people around him, Zhao Defu felt a little scared, and his face stiffened.

He looked at Wu Su'an ahead and forced a smile:
"Lord Wu, the shop doesn't sell to you. Please try another shop."

Wu Su'an snorted coldly and said with a smile:

"Alright then, Manager Zhao, add another hundred taels of silver. Sign and seal the document now, and the money and goods will be settled!"

"Sir, this is impossible."

Zhao Defu stiffened his neck, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Really not possible?"

"no!"

"Good, you've got guts!" Wu Su'an waved his hand and looked at the household affairs manager behind him:

"Come, Lord Sun, calculate the taxes he needs to pay."
Such a large blacksmith shop, and they only pay two taels and eight mace of silver a year? Who are they trying to fool?

Lord Sun from the Household Department hurriedly came up.

He held a thick document in his hand, flipping through it back and forth.
He quickly found the name of Yongchang Blacksmith Shop and said:

"Lord Wu, according to the law, Yongchang Blacksmith Shop still needs to pay an additional tax of 4,362 taels and 3 mace."
Three hundred taels of that was tax payable last year.

The remaining funds were used to pay income tax on trade with other regions.
Yongchang Blacksmith Shop has never paid this tax.

"what?"

Zhao Defu's eyes widened suddenly as he looked at Steward Sun of the Household Registration Office with disbelief:
"What kind of tax is this? Don't talk nonsense here, I've never heard of it."

Manager Sun of the Household Registration Office said with a smile:
"Manager Zhao, this tax is available."
The commander clearly outlined this when he set up the first three-year plan at the beginning of the year, and he also showed it to you.
However, due to a shortage of staff in the household registration office, the accounts had not been settled in time, so the matter remained unresolved.

Now the government wants to suspend trade with the grasslands.

We've got some free time now, so let's call it even. Manager Zhao, here's the money.

"Manager Zhao, don't even think about reneging on your debt. All the goods entering and leaving the city gates are recorded, and the government office also has records of the precious iron materials entering and leaving."
Considering the losses involved, those losses can also be sold for money.
This tax amount is still too low.

If we were to calculate it carefully, it probably wouldn't even reach five thousand taels.

Zhao Defu's face turned ashen instantly.
His pupils dilated violently as he looked at the records of goods coming in and going out.

He hadn't expected that the city gate guards would actually register these things.
He even saw it at this time last month.
Thirteen hundred iron pots were sent out of the north gate in one go.

this.
"Lord Wu, I suddenly... suddenly remembered that there are still some iron materials in the warehouse in the north of the city."
If we're going to start work, we can use those first.

"Time to start work?"

Wu Su'an glanced at him and nodded approvingly:
"That's right, Manager Zhao is a wise man. Let's start work as soon as the taxes are paid, so as not to delay the workers from making money."

"Huh?" Zhao Defu stood there dumbfounded.

"Do we still have to pay taxes after starting construction?"

"What kind of talk is this?" Wu Su'an asked, somewhat surprised.

"Isn't paying taxes something that you merchants should do?"
Manager Zhao, I've heard of your reputation.

Since you've chosen to exploit your employees, you still have to pay taxes on the money you save.

Could it be that Manager Zhao doesn't want to pay?

Wu Su'an's voice suddenly turned cold, while the surrounding craftsmen felt a warmth in their hearts and chattered about Zhao Defu's "crimes".

"Lord Wu, you must do us justice!"

Zhao Defu usually deducts our wages.
The promised three qian of silver per month often only resulted in two and a half qian being left.

He always finds excuses to cut corners, like being a little late or not having the tools properly stored away—all made-up pretexts!

Another short, stocky blacksmith angrily chimed in:
"That's right, he made us work day and night, often working six hours a day."
They wouldn't even give them a proper meal, only some thin porridge so watery you could see your reflection in it.

"Which of us isn't working on an empty stomach!"

"Lord Wu, Zhao Defu often beats and scolds us, and takes his anger out on us at the slightest provocation."
I made a small mistake while I was working last time.

He actually hit my leg with a hammer, and I still walk with a limp to this day.

As he spoke, he rolled up his trouser leg, revealing a hideous scar on his leg.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding people all showed expressions of anger.
He pointed at Zhao Defu and cursed him incessantly.

Zhao Defu's face was deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, yet he stubbornly continued to argue:

“Lord Wu, they are framing me. I have never done any of these things.”

Wu Su'an sneered, her gaze fixed intently on Zhao Defu:
"Manager Zhao, are you still being stubborn at a time like this?"
With so many people testifying against you, are they all lying?

I'm telling you, you must pay this tax today.
If you don't pay, come with me to the yamen. There's room for you in jail!

Four thousand taels of silver is enough to exile you to Lingnan.

Zhao Defu's body went limp, and he almost collapsed to the ground. His face contorted with grief, he said:

"Lord Wu, I really have no money."
I used all that money to buy iron in Liaodong.
I was planning to make a lot of iron pots and sell them to make a profit once the iron material arrived.
I never expected it to turn out this way.

Wu Su'an frowned and said coldly:
"Manager Zhao, don't try to fob me off with these excuses."

Now you only have one path in front of you.

"We'll sell your blacksmith shop to the government, they'll pay your back taxes, and you won't have to go to jail. How about that?"

Zhao Defu struggled internally for a moment.
This blacksmith shop was the culmination of his life's work, and he was truly unwilling to sell it just like that.

But the thought of that gloomy and terrifying prison sent a chill down his spine.

After a long silence, Zhao Defu sighed and said weakly:

"Lord Wu, I...I agree to sell the shop."

Wu Su'an nodded:
"Manager Zhao, this is the wise move."

"Bring the documents here so that Manager Zhao can sign and affix his seal."

Soon, the clerk brought the documents, and Zhao Defu's hands trembled.

Sign your name and press your fingerprint on the document.

Wu Su'an took the document, examined it carefully, and then said to the clerk behind him:
"Give the silver to Manager Zhao. From now on, this blacksmith shop belongs to the government."

The clerk handed the silver to Zhao Defu.
Zhao Defu took the silver and immediately collapsed to the ground.
His biggest regret now

They believed those people's lies and did things against the government.

Wu Su'an ignored him, instead looking at the excited craftsmen around her and loudly proclaimed:

"Gentlemen, the government is acquiring this blacksmith shop."

It's all so that everyone can have work and food again.
Starting tomorrow, the government office will send someone to take charge.

The blacksmith shop will remain open as usual, and everyone's wages will be paid in full; in fact, benefits will be improved!

The craftsmen were stunned on the spot, then burst into tears of joy.

Many people started talking at once, describing the inhumane practices in their respective workshops.

After acquiring Yongchang Blacksmith Shop,
Wu Su'an and her group then visited the second workshop, Xiangrui Furniture Store.

This furniture store is famous for making high-end furniture.
The furniture in the store is novel in style and exquisite in craftsmanship.
In particular, some precious woods are highly favored by high-ranking officials and nobles.

The furniture store owner was a tall, thin, fair-skinned middle-aged man named Qian Wengui.

When he saw Wu Su'an and his group arrive, he immediately had a bad feeling.

But he still forced himself to remain calm, smiled, and went to greet her, bowing respectfully as he asked:
"Lord Wu, may I ask what brings you to my humble shop today?"

Wu Su'an looked at him and said with a smile:

"Manager Qian, you saw it yourself just now."

To show compassion for you merchants, the government has decided to purchase your workshops.

"What do you think about getting you out of this predicament?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Wengui secretly groaned inwardly.

Before he could speak, Wu Su'an handed him a document:

"Look, this is the tax owed by Xiangrui Furniture Store."

The total was 7,320 taels and 3 mace, most of which was the city entry fee for precious timber.
In the past, no one lived in the houses, so there wasn't time to do the calculations.

I finally had some time, so I quickly came over to take a look.

"So, Manager Qian, do you want the tax payment to be handled by the government or will the business be taken over by the authorities?"

Qian Wengui took the tax payment documents, his fingers trembling slightly, his face instantly turning deathly pale.
But he quickly regained his composure and said through gritted teeth:
"Lord Wu, I accept this tax payment. I will go back and raise the money to pay it right away."

Wu Su'an's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer.

He then took out another document from his sleeve, handed it to Qian Wengui, and slowly said:

"Manager Qian, don't rush to make a decision. Take another look at this."

Qian Wengui's heart skipped a beat.

He took the document with trembling hands, and after just one glance, he felt his vision go black and almost fainted.

The document stated in black and white that Xiangrui Furniture Store had cut down trees in the forest outside the city.

The incident affected the harvest of sweet potatoes in the surrounding area, and a fine of 9,340 taels of silver is required.

"Lord Wu, how is this possible?"

Qian Wengui's voice trembled, with a hint of a sob in it.
"I bought that forest farm many years ago, and the logging was done according to regulations. How could it affect the sweet potato harvest?"

Wu Su'an stared coldly at Qian Wengui with piercing eyes and said:

"Manager Qian, the government has always been fair in its dealings. Why would it extort you without reason?"

The forest farm is near sweet potato fields.

Your extensive deforestation has led to soil erosion, causing water and fertilizer shortages in sweet potato fields, which naturally affects the harvest.

This was said by Mr. Sun himself, and the evidence is conclusive.

The regulations of the government stipulate that no one or anything can affect the grain harvest; otherwise, they will be imprisoned!

"The fact that you're only being asked to pay a fine is already letting you off easy."

Large beads of sweat rolled down Qian Wengui's forehead. After a moment's thought, he forced himself to speak:

"Lord Wu, although my body looks impressive..."

But business has been tough these past few years, with meager profits. Where would I find the money to come up with?

Wu Su'an snorted coldly and said:

"Manager Qian, stop complaining about being poor in front of me."
Your Xiangrui Furniture Store is one of the top in the city; you've made a lot of money over the years.

If you don't pay the fine, the authorities will have no choice but to shut down your business, and then you'll have nothing left.

Moreover, this is just a fine.
"If you don't sell the shop, there might be other troubles later, and you might even end up in jail."

Wu Su'an spoke very directly, and Qian Wengui felt a surge of anger, staring intently at him:
"Sir, is the yamen also resorting to forced buying and selling?"

Wu Su'an snorted and smiled disdainfully:
"What, you're allowed to do things on the first day of the month, but the government isn't allowed to do things on the fifteenth?"

I just don't understand, are the government offices some kind of benevolent people? Aren't you afraid?
"I've given you orders to start work repeatedly, and you're still trying to fool me."

After a long silence, Qian Wengui looked at the armored soldiers glaring menacingly at the door.
He let out a long sigh, and seemed to age ten years in an instant.

He raised his head, looking blankly at Wu Su'an, and said weakly:
"Lord Wu, I...I agree to sell the trading company."

Wu Su'an nodded and said:
"Manager Qian, this is the wise move."

"Bring the documents here so that Manager Qian can sign and affix his seal."

Soon, the clerk brought the documents.
With trembling hands, Qian Wengui signed his name and pressed his fingerprint on the document.

Wu Su'an took the document and said to the clerk behind him:
"Give the silver to Manager Qian. From now on, this furniture store belongs to the Military Commandery. We'll resume operations as usual tomorrow!"

The clerk handed the silver to Qian Wengui, who took it and let his hands fall limply to his sides.
The silver coin fell to the ground with a clatter.

He stood there blankly, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had been ripped away.

Wu Su'an ignored him and instead looked at the surrounding crowd of onlookers, and said loudly:

"Please don't block our way, we're on our way to the next place!"

"it is good!"

Upon hearing this, the common people and craftsmen quickly made way for them, their faces beaming with joy!

(End of this chapter)