Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 416: No matter what means he uses, he should be arrested and killed
Just as Sun Yuerong was leaving the Shen family's old residence, Sun Chengzong, in a bid to smooth things over, stopped a discussion about budget submissions. Mi Wanzhong advocated submitting the budget as usual, saying this would save money and be less of a burden on the court, and that there was precedent to support the request, making it easier to approve.

Citing the example of the previous dynasty's canal construction leading to widespread chaos, Lu Shanji advocated generous rewards for civilians and minimal or even no corvée labor. He believed that if canal construction led to exhaustion of the people and military in the capital, leading to civil unrest and rebellion that would destabilize the capital, the three of them would be condemned to national shame and condemned to history.

As for Sun Chengzong, he remained silent, listening in silence. He intended to submit both budgets to the emperor through secret channels, and then have the emperor, in conjunction with the cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue, make a comprehensive decision based on the country's current situation.

Sun Yuerong nodded, not delving further into the details of widening the canal. Instead, he asked, "What about surveying the settlements?"

Sun Chengzong put down his teacup and replied, "Currently, the Governor's Office has largely completed the measurement of all farmland within the Zhongwei area. Military and civilian settlements are progressing rapidly, and the registers are almost complete. We will be submitting the updated "fish-scale register" to the Ministry of Revenue by the middle of this month. We plan to complete the measurement of farmland within the Left and Right Guards within the next two months, and for the entire Governor's area within this year. This will allow us to clear out hidden farmland and restore the tax base."

At present, the jurisdiction of Sun Chengzong, the governor of Tianjin, only includes the three guards of Tianjin and the coastal areas of Tanggu in a narrow sense. However, according to Sun Chengzong's river management plan, some counties and prefectures of Hejian Prefecture and Shuntian Prefecture will sooner or later be placed under his jurisdiction.

Sun Yuerong silently took note of Sun Chengzong's words. His eyes turned and he asked, "Measurement of land is not an easy task. Didn't Sun Zhongcheng encounter any obstacles?"

Sun Chengzong moved his head slightly, not sure whether to nod or shake his head. "It's a little troublesome, but it's not a big obstacle."

What surprised Sun Chengzong was that Sun Yuerong actually showed interest in this "little trouble." "Can you tell me more about it?"

"Of course." Sun Chengzong said slowly as he chose his words, "Not long after the criminals from Zhongwei were arrested by the Jinyiwei and brought to the capital."

Because of the major case in Tianjin Zhongwei, most of the local landlords and wealthy people who had connections with a group of criminal officials cooperated with the government's land measurement operation.

But the vast majority was not the entire population; some still attempted to resist the government to protect their own interests. In the early stages of the land measurement campaign, some landlords, believing themselves to be uninvolved, attempted to defy the governor's office. One of the most radical of these families even used a combination of soft tactics, a mixture of force and invitation, to drive away the land measurement officials when they arrived.

However, Sun Chengzong didn't care if you approached them softly or forcefully; if they dared to show up, he would crush them to death. The day after the yamen runner reported the incident, Sun Chengzong issued a notice in the name of the governor's office, charging the head of the family and his eldest son with bribing a guard. On the third day, the youngest son arrived at the governor's office at night and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the government in measuring the land.

By this time, Sun Chengzong had already decided to make an example of him. So, not only did he ignore him, he even beat him. A few days later, the governor's office gathered "conclusive evidence" that the family had committed numerous crimes. They had abused their servants without cause, disregarded the Ming Dynasty Code, and had bribed the deposed commander, Shen Caiyu, on more than one occasion. Subsequently, all of the landlord's immediate family members were arrested, and the household servants were dismissed.

If nothing unexpected happened, once Zhongwei's crimes were confirmed by the Imperial Guards, this family would be completely finished. While not punishable by death, they would at least face imprisonment or even exile. As for their land, it would naturally be confiscated and placed under the temporary management of the government.

Facts have proved that this method, which is not new at all, is very useful. After that, there was no more opposition in the whole of Zhongwei. The yamen runners who went to measure the land walked around with their heads held high and chests puffed out, and they had to accept some bribes.

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Sun Chengzong's account was full of detail, but Sun Yuerong, an expert in criminal cases, knew immediately that Sun Chengzong had omitted many details, most likely using underhanded tactics. But instead of questioning and correcting him, he said, "I've heard that you always like to leave room for others. Why are you so ruthless this time?"

"What room is there to leave?" Sun Yuerong's question was so abrupt that Sun Chengzong immediately confirmed his previous doubts: the head of the East Factory did come to ask about that matter, and widening the river and measuring the reclamation were just the prelude and introduction before Sun Yuerong got to the point.

However, Sun Chengzong understood and his heartbeat accelerated: the emperor did not issue an edict or send a secret letter, but directly sent people from the East Factory to ask. Does this mean that the emperor does not agree with his way of handling the matter?
Sun Yuerong asked with a smile, "I heard that a few days ago, Sun Zhongcheng summoned the officials of the left and right guards to meet with him?"

Sun Chengzong quickly adjusted his mindset and nodded, saying, "That's right. I'm busy with official duties and have limited energy. I can't spare the time to run around, and I can't stay away from my officials for a long time, so I had no choice but to invite them over to talk."

"It's not just talk, is it?" Sun Yuerong's face gradually formed a subtle smile. "I guess there should be some suggestions and advice mixed in."

"Yes." Sun Chengzong put on a very calm expression and said, "I told them to take Zhongwei as an example and go back to clean up the snow in front of their own door. When I have some free time, I will personally take people to check on them to see if the snow in front of their door is clean."

"May I ask you, why don't you just capture them directly, but instead leave them with this glimmer of hope?" Sun Yuerong subconsciously glanced at his chest, where lay the two envelopes Cui Yuan had given him.

"The answer has been told to you before." Sun Chengzong said.

Sun Yuerong was stunned. "I don't quite understand what you mean."

"You, Captain Sun, have asked me this question, and so has Chief Lu." Sun Chengzong took a sip of tea to moisten his slightly dry throat, then spoke tactfully, "The reclamation is underway, and a larger-scale land survey is about to begin. Widening the river requires not only coordination from the governor's office, but also the presence of officials familiar with the conditions along the way. Even if these people are dishonest, they've at least been serving in the local area for so many years. Rather than dismissing them all at once, it's better to give them a chance to make meritorious contributions and reform themselves. With the example of Zhongwei as a precedent, I think they'll behave themselves."

"I see." Sun Yuerong didn't press for details like Lu Shanji did. He approved of Sun Chengzong's approach. After all, if the case was to be strictly investigated according to the law, then every eunuch in the East Depot, including Sun Yuerong himself, would have to go to the West Depot to be whipped and tried.

However, although he recognized it, Sun Chengzong's words did not include the introduction that would allow Sun Yuerong to get to the point, and he still needed to continue to explore Sun Chengzong's inclinations.

Sun Yuerong then followed up Sun Chengzong's answer with a leading question: "If those people are restless and put on a show similar to a fire dragon burning a warehouse, how will you deal with it?"

Sun Chengzong didn't think too much about it and immediately responded, "A guard has a fixed amount of money and grain in its treasury. It doesn't matter if it's burned by a fire dragon, flooded by a flood, or some other means. Anyway, when I go to the local area for inspection, I only look at the fixed amount."

"If the warehouse numbers don't match, or if the grain and silver don't match, then I'll follow the lines of those in charge of grain and silver and remove them one by one, first cutting those who can be cut, then dismissing those who can be dismissed." A crimson glint seemed to leap in Sun Chengzong's eyes. "Then I'll raid their homes to make up for the shortfall. If raiding just one family isn't enough, I'll raid their relatives. If raiding relatives isn't enough, I'll raid their clansmen. If raiding their clansmen isn't enough, I'll raid their in-laws, until the shortfall is covered. After that, I'll submit a petition to the Emperor requesting that these dismissed individuals be handed over to the Northern Pacification Office for strict trial. I believe that after seeing the methods of the Factory Guards and the fate of the Central Guards, no fool would dare to risk implicating their entire families and clansmen to defy the court."

"Well said! I knew from the beginning that you are definitely not the kind of incompetent official who only knows how to be lenient!" As soon as Sun Chengzong finished speaking, Sun Yuerong clapped his hands and said, "No matter what means he uses, as long as he defies the will of the emperor and opposes the court, he must be arrested or killed! There must be no mercy."

Sun Chengzong didn't know why Sun Yuerong suddenly became so excited, but his keen political sense still made him smell a hint of danger.

Sure enough, after Sun Yuerong finished speaking, he immediately followed up with, "We from the East Factory have discovered a major case in your jurisdiction where vile means were used to interfere with national policy! I came here to visit you, hoping that you can handle the case impartially and apprehend the criminals." "Who from which guard?" Following the topic, Sun Chengzong's first reaction was that a guard officer had done something shameful in a corner where he couldn't see and was caught by the East Factory.

"Beitang, the Ministry of Supply." Sun Yuerong slowly uttered two words.

"The Ministry of Finance!" Sun Chengzong was shocked. "What happened to Minister Li?"

Sun Yuerong kept it a secret for a moment before saying, "He's fine. It's just that this case happened in Beitang and is related to the Ministry of Finance."

Sun Chengzong's eye twitched slightly. "Master Sun, you should be very concise when you speak."

"Mr. Sun, you are too kind." Sun Yuerong waved his hand.

Sun Chengzong shook his head and smiled, as if he was looking at a naughty student. "Someone come!" Sun Chengzong called out towards the door.

"Master." Soon, Sun Sui pushed the door open and walked in.

"Go to the custody room and send Doctor Mi and Chief Lu back." Sun Chengzong sighed silently in his heart. Although Sun Chengzong had not yet been to Beitang, his instinct told him that what Sun Yuerong wanted to say could not be explained in just a few words.

"Yes." Sun Sui retreated again and closed the door silently.

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"Captain Sun, please tell us. What is the case?" Sun Chengzong asked as soon as the door closed.

Sun Yuerong nodded and spoke, but then he asked a rhetorical question: "Does Sun Zhongcheng know that the emperor has summoned Li Xiang's troops to the capital?"

"I understand," Sun Chengzong said. "Because Zhang Yuheng, the military commander in charge of the Jin army's recovery of the four prefectures of Haigai, submitted a memorial, His Majesty summoned Li Youqing, the Minister of Revenue, to the capital to discuss the matter."

"Oh?" Sun Yuerong was a little surprised. "You know so much about this matter?"

"Of course. The memorial recommending Zhang Yuheng to go to Liaonan to prepare for the restoration of Jin, Hai, and the four prefectures had two names on it, one of which was mine." Sun Chengzong seemed to have realized something and added, "I also discussed the contents of that memorial with him."

"Were you the one who suggested requesting His Majesty to issue an order to the Ministry of Finance to change the route?" Sun Yuerong couldn't help but sit up straighter.

"That's not the case. I agree with his idea, but it is indeed his idea, not mine." Sun Chengzong did not take credit for himself.

"Since you understand this matter, I'm glad to save myself the trouble of explaining it." Sun Yuerong began to like the old man. "The emperor attaches great importance to Zhang Bingxian's request and is unwilling to pursue Li Xiangbu's lax governance. However, someone, out of selfish interests, wants to destroy this route."

"Did it drift?" Sun Chengzong asked.

"You know all this!" Sun Yuerong said in surprise.

"I don't know, but I can guess," Sun Chengzong said. "Land transport has losses, and water transport has losses. Aside from making the losses appear to outweigh the losses, and then using this as evidence to petition His Majesty to restore the old laws, or even impeach Zhang Yuheng, I really can't think of any other way to prevent the smooth implementation of a petition that has the Majesty's particular attention."

Sun Yuerong sincerely praised: "You are indeed worthy of being called Master Sun."

Sun Chengzong didn't respond to Sun Yuerong's admiration. Instead, with a stern face, he calmly asked, "This is a serious case that requires bloodshed. How could the East Factory be willing to let me handle such a case?"

In Sun Chengzong's view, Cui Wensheng was a wolf who delighted in the sight of blood, and even without it, would find a way to scratch someone until they bled. The East Depot under his leadership was nothing less than a large wolf den. It was truly bizarre that such a wolf den would not directly report a major crime to its owner, claiming credit and arresting the perpetrators, but instead come to him with the meat in its mouth.

"Because of this." Sun Yuerong took out an envelope from his arms, poured out the only piece of letter paper inside and handed it to Sun Chengzong.

Sun Chengzong took the letter and saw that it was a list of names. "Are these all suspects?"

"Yes." Sun Yuerong nodded.

"Is his background not simple?" Sun Chengzong asked.

"Since you have already guessed it, I will just tell you directly." Sun Yuerong stretched out his hand, and Sun Chengzong handed the list back to him with understanding.

Sun Yuerong placed the list on the small coffee table between them and pointed at the names, saying, "These are the family members of Marquis Wuqing, these are the family members of Earl Pingjiang, and these are the family members of Earl Boping."

(End of this chapter)