The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 154 Scathing Rebuke
The students of the three provinces south of the Yangtze River never expected that before the sorcery and the White Lotus Sect had even begun to cause trouble, the governor's office would first press for the grain requisitioned last year and this year.

One stone caused a thousand waves!

Compared to the unfounded rumors of sorcery and the fabricated story of the White Lotus Sect, the matter of reporting and canceling documents involved a wide range of issues.

The winds and clouds over Jiangnan changed color. Even though Li Xianmu was in the governor's office, the storms and rains that swept across Jiangnan could still slowly reach his ears.

"Anxious."

Li Xianmu casually dusted off non-existent dust from his crimson cuffs and laughed heartily at the crowd, "It's good that they're in a hurry; it means we've found their weakness. Now let's see what they do. I'm looking forward to it."

The last syllable of his words carried a chilling coldness, as if metal scraped across ice.

Before long, prominent figures from Jiangnan entered the governor's office. Some of them knew in advance that Li Xianmu was going to raise provisions for the southern expeditionary army, but they did not expect that he would force the powerful clans to pay.

“Your Excellency, the reporting of expenses is a national policy of the court. Since it has already been compiled, it is inappropriate to press for it further.”

"Yes, Your Excellency, such pressure is disregarding the people's will. The court has lost the hearts of the people in the Jiangnan region."

"Governor, if you want to collect grain, you can simply issue an order. The thirty million people of Jiangnan can certainly raise enough for the army. Why bother targeting the good and honest people to collect it?"

These high-ranking officials from Jiangnan, provincial officials, and ministers of the six ministries, were all prominent figures, yet they were gathered in the governor's office in a dense, dark mass.

Although the tone was relatively calm, it was blatant pressure.

After all, with so many officials of the second, third, and fourth ranks discussing the same issue, even the emperor would have to consider the implications.

If the emperor had a weaker personality, he might have simply revoked the order.

"Ah……"

A clear, slightly mocking sneer broke the silence. Li Xianmu did not rise; he remained seated in the main seat, his fingertips casually stroking the warm jade belt plaque.

"What a grand display!" His voice was not loud, but it clearly penetrated the entire hall. Li Xianmu's attitude made everyone feel uneasy. "Who else could face so many officials without fear?"
Do you all know why His Majesty sent me to Jiangnan?

As expected, Li Xianmu's first words were scathing and incisive!

It's exactly the same as when they said at the welcoming banquet that Jiangnan was going to become an independent kingdom.

Before anyone could think or argue, Li Xianmu suddenly raised his eyes, scanned every face in the hall, and shouted, "Because my name is Li Xianmu!"

Grandson of Emperor Taizu! Nephew of the Emperor! Son of the Eldest Princess! Son-in-law of the Duke of Ying, the most distinguished nobleman of the Ming Dynasty!

A group of people from Jiangnan arrived together, intending to join forces and create a massive wave on the vast ocean, forcing Li Xianmu, a small boat, to retreat in the face of difficulties. Li Xianmu then boldly told everyone that he was not a small boat, but a towering mountain capable of calming the sea and filling the ocean!

I have connections, and I'm always ready to use them!
Li Xianmu burst into loud laughter, which made the candlelight in the hall flicker. But everyone could clearly hear that there was no warmth in that laughter, only a chilling coldness.

The faces of everyone in the hall had already turned deathly pale. Generally, a powerful background is used to save one's life. The more powerful a person is, the less willing they are to use it, because using a powerful background proves that you are not capable and will hinder your career. However, Li Xianmu has repeatedly acted against the norm.

Li Xianmu's voice still rang out, "So that you may know that when I, Li Xianmu, was three years old, the late emperor took me to observe politics in the Fengtian Hall."

"What I've seen, heard, and experienced far surpasses what you've all combined. Did you really think that coming here to force my abdication would intimidate me?"

"You're wrong!" His voice suddenly rose, booming like thunder, "You're terribly wrong!"

After saying his last sentence, Li Xianmu suddenly stood up. The hem of his scarlet official robe rippled sharply with the violent movement, like a surging wave of blood. This was a gift from the emperor!

Li Xianmu placed one hand on the jade belt, which was also bestowed by the emperor, at his waist. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, exuding an aura of dominance over the world. He pointed at the crowd and shouted sternly, "This Ming Dynasty is not for you to decide."

A high-ranking official of the second rank, a provincial governor, and the chief official of the prefecture.

Which one of them wasn't a disciple of the emperor?

Which one of them is not a learned scholar who has read the classics?

Now you dare to sit right in front of me, treating me like a child and deceiving me with these bullshit words of leniency.

It seems I was too lenient at the welcoming banquet.

"You lot should take off your official hats. This matter of sorcery is likely not accidental. If you dare utter another word, I will have no choice but to report to His Majesty and send you to Jiaozhi!"

The moment the blatant threat was uttered, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically. Using sorcery to massacre people in Jiangnan was unacceptable, but removing a few officials from their posts was easy. Even though Li Xianmu was unwilling to kill people on fabricated charges, he didn't care about demotion. "Your Excellency, please calm down! We have absolutely no such intention!"

“Your Excellency, matters of state cannot be rushed. We are merely discussing matters with Your Excellency.”

“This matter is of great importance. If the governor insists on doing so, it will surely cause a storm and be condemned by everyone. We also mean well.”

These officials from Jiangnan spoke up one after another, and many began to wonder if they could extricate themselves from this matter.

Some people are too deeply involved, especially since they come from prominent families in Jiangnan, making it difficult for them to extricate themselves. Others are not so deeply involved and can escape by cutting off their ties in time.

When everyone joined forces to suppress Li Xianmu, they were naturally united in their hatred of the enemy. However, once they discovered that Li Xianmu had brought out his background, which was second only to the Crown Prince and the Prince of the State, and was ready to fight to the death, they immediately backed down.

As Li Xianmu said, the worst outcome for him in Jiangnan would be to return to the capital in disgrace, where he could still hold a prestigious position. Given his relationship with the emperor and the crown prince, becoming the Minister of Rites in the future would not be a problem.

But what about them?

They were literally risking their lives to secure Li Xianmu's future!
"Pointed at by a thousand men?"

Li Xianmu sneered, "My late father once said something that I will pass on to you all today—'Having enemies is not terrible; it means you have stood up for something!'"

I'd like to see who dares to criticize me. Heaven is high above, and the world is ultimately divided into black and white. I am not afraid of rumors or gossip, nor am I afraid of the buzzing of flies.

That's all for this.

You may tell the people of Jiangnan that I am right here!
Please leave, everyone.

After saying this, Li Xianmu sat back down in his armchair and remained silent. The Imperial Guards in the hall gestured for him to leave. The officials from Jiangnan, still reeling from the previous conversation, could only leave the governor's office dejectedly.

It wasn't until they reached the courtyard of the governor's office that they came to their senses, and a chill ran through them. The group looked at each other, their eyes filled with deep anxiety. They had never seen anyone like Li Xianmu before.

He possessed an aura as deep and profound as mountains and the sea. His words and actions were as still as mountains and lakes, and as powerful as thunder in the heavens. He was especially upright, so upright that they felt ashamed of themselves. Yet, his background was so strong that people couldn't help but be afraid of him, as if he were always carrying great power.

A person who possesses almost limitless power and yet stands on the moral high ground.

They didn't understand why Li Xianmu had developed such a personality. Did he really have no concerns?

How could someone as intelligent as Li Xianmu truly believe that the emperor would favor him forever? By offending his colleagues like this, didn't he think about the future?
But naturally, no one in this world knows that Li Xianmu's true confidence comes from his father, Li Qi, who is in the heavens. If you knew that your ancestor was the only true god in the world, you would also be quite confident and dare to fight against any illegality!
Inside the governor's office, a group of advisors and officials accompanying the delegation stared at Li Xianmu in shock. "Governor, are we just going to let them go like this? Since we've already broken off relations, why not go all the way and detain them!"

Letting them go so easily might lead some to believe that the governor is all bark and no bite, and that this only emboldens him.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How can a high-ranking official of the second or third rank be detained at will? You don't understand any political rules at all. Besides, where did things fall apart? It's just that each side drew its own bottom line. After we go back today, many people will stay out of it."

A cold glint flashed in Li Xianmu's eyes. "As for those who are unwilling to stay out of it, I'm going to let them convey my stance. If they think I'm all bark and no bite, that would be even better."

"Isn't the governor worried that they might incite a disturbance? If things get out of hand, it will be difficult to handle."

Li Xianmu chuckled and said, "I'm just afraid they won't gather a crowd and cause trouble. If they really don't cause trouble, where will I find a reason to deal with those stubborn elements?"

Now everyone understood that the governor was deliberately indulging those people's arrogance. Otherwise, with such a vast area in Jiangnan and hundreds of thousands of students, it would be impossible to distinguish the wicked among them. But if they gathered to cause trouble, they would be caught one by one.

This is called luring the snake out of its hole.

This wasn't the first time Li Xianmu had used this tactic. He had used it when he moved the capital, and now he was using it again. It was truly a case of one trick that worked wonders.

……

As Li Xianmu had predicted, the group of high-ranking officials from Jiangnan went to the governor's office, only to be humiliated and severely reprimanded by the young governor. This incident immediately caused a great uproar in Jiangnan.

The faces of the prominent gentry in Jiangnan all changed. They never expected the governor's attitude to be so resolute. A group of second and third-rank officials were threatened with losing their official hats.

Someone said confidently, "I think Li Xianmu is all talk and no action. Ever since he entered Jiangnan, he has been threatening people with sorcery, but so far, he has not arrested any provincial officials, not even a single clerk."

Don't look at what he says, look at what he does!
I think Li Xianmu understands that this matter is of great importance and is unwilling to escalate the situation, which is why he has repeatedly applied maximum pressure without actually taking action.

I will not pay this grain tax.

"Of the 100,000 students in Jiangnan, which one isn't in arrears on grain rations for the imperial court? I'd like to see if Li Xianmu really dares to defy the public and arrest people!"

(End of this chapter)