Huangming

Chapter 186 Establish authority through force, win hearts through kindness

Yang Lian didn't sleep all night.

In reality, tonight, not many officials, merchants, or stakeholders in Huai'an Prefecture will be able to sleep.

All night long, blood was shed in Huai'an Prefecture.

The riots last night gradually subsided, and the swift action caught everyone off guard.

But Yang Lian knew very well that killing a few people was not enough to reform the canal transport system.

If it were really that simple, the imperial inspectors of past dynasties who were bold and capable would have done it long ago.

Although Operation Thunder had eradicated the long-standing problems in the canal transport system with an iron fist, the real test had only just begun.

If the aftermath is not handled properly, a crisis of paralyzed canal transport and widespread civil unrest may be difficult to avoid.

The most urgent task is to quickly fill the power vacuum.

Yang Lian knew that only by promoting a group of capable and virtuous officials to key positions could this reform be pushed forward.

He tapped the registers on the table with his fingertips; these registers were lists collected in advance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The candlelight cast the names of Chen Lin, the deputy commander of the Grand Canal, Zhang Wenhuan, the prefectural magistrate of Huai'an, and Lin Ruzhu, the head of the granary of the Ministry of Revenue, flickering in and out.

He looked up at Li Yangzheng, his voice low but sharp, leaving no room for doubt: "After this battle, the Grand Canal Administration is in dire need of rebuilding. What are the backgrounds of these people? Are they capable of being put to good use?"

Although Li Yangzheng's shoulder injury had not yet healed, he still straightened his back and replied in a deep voice: "Lord Yang is wise. These three are not sycophants. Although they have been in the canal transport office for many years, they have not been lured or corrupted by the likes of Yang Guodong."

He paused, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Chen Lin was skilled in naval warfare and once led a light boat to intercept and kill the White Lotus Sect water bandits. He fought to the death despite being hit by three arrows. Zhang Wenhuan was in charge of verifying the grain transport and was known as the 'Iron-Faced Judge.' He even dared to throw away Zhou Dexing's bribe in court. As for Lin Ruzhu, Yang Guodong once tried to induce him to falsely report the grain storage in the granaries with three thousand taels of silver, but Lin Ruzhu sealed the bribe money and went straight to the Ministry of Revenue to impeach him!"

"So, these people are all capable individuals."

Yang Lian's eyes flickered slightly, and he made a heavy stroke on the register with his vermilion brush: "In that case, I wish to see them."

The sun gradually rose.

Bloodstains that had not yet dried remained on the bluestone steps of the Grand Canal Governor's Office.

Chen Lin, Zhang Wenhuan, and Lin Ruzhu entered the hall one after another.

Their official robes were neat and their expressions solemn. Although they hadn't slept all night, there was no sign of weariness in their eyes; instead, their eyes revealed a sharp edge.

As news of last night's turmoil gradually spread, the three were both excited and worried.

The exciting thing is that someone has finally come to clean the canal; the worrying thing is, after such a shock, will the canal really not cause any problems?
With mixed feelings, everyone bowed to Yang Lian and Li Yangzheng in front of the table.

"We pay our respects to the angel and the governor!"

Yang Lian sat upright at the desk, lightly tapping the table with her fingertips, her gaze sharp as she slowly swept over the three people.

"Last night, Huai'an was awash in blood. Do you all know why?" His voice was low, yet every word was as firm as iron.

Chen Lin clasped his hands in greeting first, his voice hoarse but firm: "Lord Yang's swift and decisive actions have quelled the rebellion and cleaned up the canal transport system. Although I am a military man, I know that the law of the land cannot be disrespected!"

He paused, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"Yang Guodong, Liu Sandao, and their ilk should have been executed long ago!"

Yang Lian's eyes flickered slightly. This was a useful person; the secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard was correct.

He turned his head and looked at Zhang Wenhuan, the prefectural magistrate of Huai'an.

"What does the prefect think?"

Zhang Wenhuan's face was stern, his hands clenched into fists in his sleeves: "I have served as a prefectural judge for several years and have personally witnessed the deficit in grain transport and rampant corruption. However, due to the power and influence of Zhou Dexing and others, I have been unable to impeach them despite repeated attempts."

He looked up and stared directly at Yang Lian, his voice trembling slightly.

"Last night I witnessed Lord Yang slay all the treacherous officials, and I... only regret that I was unable to personally kill them!"

Lin Ruzhu's voice grew even more agitated as he said, "Lord Yang, you are wise! I have submitted three secret reports to the Ministry of Revenue exposing the embezzlement in the granaries, but they were all suppressed. If it weren't for Lord Yang's sweeping crackdown, I fear I would never have seen the light of day in my life!"

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the flickering candlelight.

Yang Lian slowly rose to his feet, flicking his sleeves: "Very well! In that case, I will give you an opportunity today to reorganize the canal transport and rise to prominence."

His gaze was piercing as he spoke slowly and deliberately: "Chen Lin, effective immediately, shall assume the post of General Commander of the Grand Canal, to reorganize military affairs and eliminate the remaining rebels; Zhang Wenhuan, temporarily acting as Prefect of Huai'an, to pacify the people and audit the treasury; Lin Ruzhu, promoted to Vice Minister of the Granary, shall see the accounts of the grain transport within three days, down to the last penny!"

Upon hearing this, the three men knelt on one knee in unison, their voices resounding like iron: "Your humble servants will certainly not fail Lord Yang's trust!"

Yang Lian nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of approval and expectation.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his voice steady and powerful: "His Majesty is eager to find talented people and often promotes them without being bound by convention. If you can perform your duties faithfully in this mission, whether you are appointed as 'substitutes' or not is just a matter of His Majesty's word."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lin's tiger-like eyes widened.

With the opportunity for promotion right in front of him, Chen Lin, who had served as deputy commander-in-chief for many years, was eager to seize the chance.
He immediately clasped his hands and said loudly, "This humble general is willing to sign a military pledge! Within ten days, I will surely eliminate the bandits along the canal and reorganize the navy. If there is any mistake, I will accept military law!"

Zhang Wenhuan took a deep breath, his heart pounding with excitement.

The transition from sub-prefect to prefect seems like a single step, but many people never manage to take that step in their entire lives. Now that the opportunity is before him, how could Zhang Wenhuan not cherish it?

He stepped forward, solemnly cupped his hands, and said, "I guarantee with my life that within half a month, I will thoroughly investigate the long-standing abuses in Huai'an Prefecture, recover the embezzled funds, and appease the displaced people. If even one household suffers famine due to the disruption of the canal transport, I will gladly accept my dismissal and be held accountable!"

Lin Ruzhu was so excited that his eyes reddened. He was just a minor official, and his sudden promotion was a stroke of good fortune.

If he misses this opportunity, he might live a mediocre life.

He must seize this opportunity!
He immediately declared, "Gong Yang and His Majesty trust each other so much, I could not repay even a fraction of their kindness, even if I gave my life! I will settle the accounts of the granary within three days. If even a single grain of tribute is missing, I am willing to use my own family fortune to make up the difference!"

Seeing the three of them express such a stance, Yang Lian smiled slightly and raised his hand to support them, saying, "Good! That's the kind of spirit I'm looking for."

He turned and took a roll of silk from the table, saying solemnly, "I have already prepared a secret memorial, which will record your oaths made today. I hope you will not fail the Emperor's grace; everything you have said has been recorded."

Before the words were even finished, the three men responded in unison: "We swear to serve Your Majesty to the death!"

Yang Lian was very satisfied with the three people's attitude.

However.
Promoting only three people is not enough to turn the tide.

Yang Lian did not stop.

He opened another list provided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and with a red pen, promoted those officials in the Grand Canal Transport Office who, although not high-ranking, had a good reputation and had not been won over by Yang Guodong's faction.

"Zhao Bingzhong, the clerk of the Huai'an Prefecture Office, was promoted to the position of clerk of the Grand Canal Office, responsible for document exchanges and strictly investigating the transmission of confidential letters."

"Wang Shouyi, the commander of the Grand Canal Transport, will temporarily serve as the deputy commander of the Grand Canal Transport and assist Chen Lin in reorganizing the navy and eliminating bandits along the Grand Canal."

"Liu Shimin, the principal clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, was transferred to the position of Assistant Prefect of Huai'an Prefecture to assist Zhang Wenhuan in investigating the treasury and recovering the stolen silver."

As each name was read aloud, Li Yangzheng would quietly add details about the person's resume and character to ensure that those chosen by Yang Lian were not mediocre, but truly capable individuals.

Yang Lian nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "The Grand Canal is the lifeline of the country and cannot afford the slightest mistake. Although these people are still relatively inexperienced, they are honest and upright. If they can work diligently, they will surely become great people in the future."

He closed the register, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, his voice suddenly sharpening: "Since you have all been promoted by the court, you should know that your power today was earned with blood! If anyone dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy, or to take this opportunity to line their own pockets—"

He slammed his fingertips on the table, making a dull thud.

"Last night's blade was not without its flaws!"

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and replied in unison, "This humble official will remember Lord Yang's teachings and will do his utmost to fulfill the trust placed in him by the court!"

His gaze was calm as he looked out the window at the gradually brightening sky, pondering his next steps.

Chen Lin, Zhang Wenhuan, Lin Ruzhu and others are all capable officials. As long as they stabilize their respective jurisdictions and cooperate with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to secretly monitor them, those restless forces will not be able to cause any trouble.

"Governor Li," he called softly.

Li Yangzheng immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "What are your orders, angel?"

Yang Lian pondered for a moment and said, "Issue the order to post notices in all prefectures and counties, stating that the purpose of the court's rectification of the canal transport is to eliminate corruption and restore people's livelihood. Anyone who takes the opportunity to incite a popular uprising will be executed without mercy! However, if any people are short of food due to the obstruction of the canal transport, they can report to the government immediately and the court will allocate relief funds."

Li Yangzheng nodded: "I understand, I will take care of it immediately."

Yang Lian added, "In addition, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard keep a close eye on the remaining associates of those officials who have been punished, especially those who have colluded with local powerful figures. If there is any unusual activity, arrest them immediately without asking for instructions."

While Yang Lian was cracking down on the canal transport authorities with swift and decisive measures, the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had been lurking along both banks of the canal, were spreading out like a spider web.

These "unofficial secret agents," secretly expanded by the emperor, finally revealed their immense power.

Dressed in coarse cloth and short clothes, they mingled in the streets, or disguised themselves as itinerant doctors, engaging in lively discussions in teahouses and taverns. There were even storytellers who held gavels and told stories every day in the places where canal workers gathered.

"Fellow elders, please look!"

Under the locust tree by the wharf of Huai'an Prefecture, a storyteller in blue robes 'whoosh' unfurled a three-foot-long piece of silk, and the river wind made the "Ten Evils of the Canal Transport System" flutter loudly.

His withered, bamboo-like fingers poked at the fanged clerk in the painting: "These blood-sucking parasites! They use tiger-head measures to measure rice, deducting three measures from every bushel of grain; they use sharp-edged measures to collect grain, kicking away half a bushel of good rice with one kick! These are all the accumulated abuses of the canal transport!"

A chorus of curses erupted from the pile of laborers, and several men smashed rough porcelain bowls with a deafening crash.

Clearly, they've been through a lot of trouble and suffered greatly because of these messes.

Seeing that the people's hearts were with him, the storyteller flipped his wrist and revealed the second act, which was a scene of the granary official filling grain sacks with sand and gravel: "What's even more hateful are these corrupt officials! They even dare to taint the disaster relief grain with poison. Don't you think they should be killed?!"

"kill!"

A shirtless man suddenly emerged from the crowd, knelt down, and began to wail.

The actors are in place!
"My father ate the rice he was given, and his intestines ruptured! Those corrupt officials deserve to die!"

"Woooooo~"

Amidst the wailing, the storyteller rang out his gong: "Fortunately, the Holy Emperor is discerning and all-seeing!"

He abruptly lifted the back of the canvas. The golden morning sun pierced through the clouds, illuminating the newly posted "List of Punishments by Heaven," the ink on the list of corrupt officials condemned in vermilion ink still wet.

"Yang Qingtian has been ordered to go south, and last night in Huai'an Prefecture, dozens of dog heads were beheaded! Anyone who embezzles 100 shi of grain will be executed on the spot, and anyone who embezzles even one sheng will be punished with eighty strokes of the cane! Instantly, the grain transport system was pacified!"

Then, he shouted emotionally:
"With His Majesty's decree, the canal transport will be at peace; with His Majesty's decree, the canal transport will have a clear conscience."

"Corrupt officials must be investigated at all times; there's no way they won't be investigated! Life without corrupt officials is truly a good life!"

The storyteller's words stirred the hearts of the people below, who shouted at the top of their lungs, "Yes, life without corrupt officials is the best life!"

"Your Majesty should have investigated these corrupt officials long ago."

"With His Majesty here, we no longer need to go hungry."

"Long live your Majesty!"

But the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not stop there.

In front of the Huai'an Prefectural Government Office, the bloodstains on the bluestone slabs, still wet, gleamed dark red under the scorching sun.

Han Shanhe, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stood with his hand on his sword, his black flying fish robe fluttering in the wind.

Behind him, dozens of canal workers, chained together, staggered along, the wooden plaques around their necks clattering with each step, and the vermilion flags on their backs bearing the indelible ink of their crimes:
"Liu Mang embezzled 470 shi of grain, resulting in 300 deaths from starvation in Qinghe County!"

"Wei Junzhi mixed sand and gravel into the disaster relief rice, resulting in the deaths of 68 people!"

"Shi Kelang suppressed the canal workers, resulting in the deaths of fifty-one people and injuries to hundreds."

More and more onlookers gathered, some spitting at the prisoner and pelting him with rotten vegetable leaves.

An old canal worker who had lost his right arm suddenly rushed to the front, pointing at one of the prisoners with his one arm and roaring: "It's him! Last year, my daughter was seriously ill and I asked for money for medicine. This beast said that the grain sacks were leaking and needed to be repaired, so he chopped off my hand to pay off the debt!"

"kill him!"

"kill him!"

"kill him!"

The shouts of killing were loud!
Upon arriving at the execution ground, Han Shanhe raised his hand to signal, and the commotion immediately ceased.

He drew his embroidered spring knife with a clang, the tip pointing directly at the prisoners: "Gentlemen, rest assured, His Majesty will absolutely not let any corrupt official or tyrant who oppresses the people go unpunished! According to the imperial edict, anyone who embezzles more than one hundred shi of grain will be executed immediately!"

The moment the command flag fell, the executioner's cleaver drew a bright arc.

Pfft~
Liu Mang's head fell to the ground.

The people cheered.

"Good kill!"

puff~
puff~
The sounds of beheadings were incessant.

The people were incredibly excited, and countless people knelt down and kowtowed.

"Good kill!"

"Well done!"

"Master Qingtian!"

"Long live the Emperor! The Emperor is wise!"

The official beside him immediately shouted, "These corrupt officials who embezzled your grain supplies before, today they will be distributed as relief grain!"

This statement immediately caused a sensation!

More people followed suit, kneeling down and bowing in the direction of Beijing.

"His Majesty is an emperor who loves his people like his own children!"

"Our Great Ming Dynasty is fortunate to have His Majesty, and the people are fortunate to have him!"

"Long live your Majesty!"

Han Shanhe was deeply moved by this scene.

His Majesty's methods are incredibly shrewd.

Not only did they publicly read out the crimes of these corrupt officials, but they also executed them on the spot to vent public anger.

Among the common people, there were also shills who directly created the atmosphere.

These methods of manipulating people's hearts are truly terrifying.

the other side.

The Tongzhou Grand Canal Wharf is bathed in the glow of the rising sun.

Another new day has arrived.

The newly appointed Vice Minister of the Grain Storage Department, Lin Ruzhu, dressed in brand-new official robes, personally stood in front of the grain carts to supervise the ceremony of returning grain to the people.

The 100,000 shi of grain gleamed golden in the morning light, each bag bearing the vermilion seal of "Heavenly Revelation Special Relief".

"This is His Majesty's grace!"

Lin Ruzhu announced loudly, his voice echoing across the dock.

He specifically ordered people to pile up the grain sacks into a small mountain so that every onlooker could clearly see this real relief.

In the crowd, a man dressed in coarse cloth suddenly shouted, "I heard that all this grain was taken from Yang Guodong's cellar!"

He deliberately lowered his voice, but just enough for everyone around to hear: "A total of twenty-eight cellars, the deepest of which is three zhang!"

This statement is like a spark falling into a haystack.

An old man with a cane shakily squeezed to the front row, tears suddenly welling up in his cloudy eyes: "Thank God! Last year, Yang Guodong said there wasn't enough grain for the grain transport, but he still took away the last half bag of seed grain from my family! That beast has finally been brought to justice by His Majesty!"

"Long live!"

It's unclear who shouted this first, but it immediately triggered a thunderous response.

"Long live~"

"Long live."

"Long live!"

The sound waves made the ropes on the flagpole at the dock vibrate.

"The grain has been distributed!"

"Line up, and we'll distribute the cards one by one according to the roster. Every household will receive one!"

The relief grain was distributed in an orderly manner, and the people's grievances melted away like ice and snow.

The credibility of the government was quietly rebuilt with each bag of grain that landed on the canal. The emperor's benevolence, like a gentle spring breeze, soothed the restlessness on both sides of the canal.

When hungry canal workers held up the new rice, and when widows, orphans, and the lonely received relief, the latent sparks of popular uprising were no longer likely to ignite.

Throughout history, those who rose up in rebellion were always those with empty stomachs; now that the Holy Emperor has opened the granaries, who would still be willing to take the risk?
half a month later.

As night fell at the Huai'an government office, Yang Lian's desk was piled high with secret reports from various places.

By candlelight, he turned the pages one by one:

Urgent report from Yangzhou:

More than 300 people spontaneously destroyed the White Lotus Sect's altar and smashed the Maitreya statue of its leader, Zhao Quan, to pieces.

The old scholar who was leading the group recited "The Secret Record of the White Lotus's Collusion with the Canal Tyrant" in public, which drew curses and spitting from the onlookers.

Confidential documents from Songjiang Mansion:
Overnight, posters denouncing "rejecting heretical teachings" were plastered all over the streets and alleys, and a children's rhyme was sung: "The White Lotus Sect is deceiving and making trouble, but the imperial court is better off distributing grain earlier."

What brought Yang Lian a knowing smile was a new legend circulating among the canal boatmen: "The emperor's secret agents disguised themselves as peddlers and laborers, secretly protecting the good and virtuous."

He recalled the secret report he had received during the day: three White Lotus sect members who had attempted to incite a popular uprising had been tricked into revealing their entire conspiracy by a group of porters who had gotten them drunk in a tavern.

The candlelight made the figures on the statistical documents stand out: in counties and prefectures influenced by the propaganda of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, reports of civil unrest plummeted by 70% within half a month.

In this war for the hearts and minds of the people, a war without gunfire, the emperor's hidden strategies are now proving incredibly effective.

Yang Lian picked up his pen and added a sentence to the secret memorial: "The people's hearts are like water. If Your Majesty guides them toward goodness, then all people will follow suit."

He put down his vermilion brush, gazing at the flickering candlelight on his desk, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Your Majesty's decisive actions truly demonstrate your wisdom and enlightenment.

The long-standing problems of the canal transport system were like a festering sore; now, the most rotten parts have finally been removed, and the spread of the problem has been stopped.

However.
Yang Lian's gaze swept over the mountain of case files, each one recording the deep-rooted corruption in the grain transport system.

Completely eradicating this century-old ailment is by no means an achievement that can be accomplished overnight.

But at least, this stagnant pool has been stirred up and is no longer a forbidden territory that no one dares to touch.

He slowly closed the folded booklet, a resolute smile appearing on his lips.

Now that Your Majesty has cleared this thorny path, what follows is a long and arduous process.

Clean it up inch by inch, and move forward step by step.

He was determined to eradicate this corrupt practice in the grain transport system!
Hai Gangfeng?
He's determined to take it!

(End of this chapter)