Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Nian Fu coldly replied, "Commander Wang, I have no authority over matters; I am acting on the Emperor's orders! Guards!"

Several guards rushed in from outside and surrounded Wang Lin.

Wang Lin's expression changed drastically: "What are you trying to do?"

"I am an official appointed by the imperial court; who dares to arrest me without an imperial edict?"

Nianfu took out a document from his sleeve and unfolded it in front of him:

"This is His Majesty's personal edict, authorizing me to act as I see fit."

Commander Wang, would you like to see this?

Wang Lin took a closer look and immediately collapsed to the ground.

The seal bearing the inscription "Guangyun Zhibao" was prominently displayed on it.

The Ming Dynasty's imperial seal was not the one that read "By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous."

Instead, it is a complete set of twenty-four imperial treasures.

Different imperial seals were required for different occasions and different imperial edicts.

However, the "Emperor's Seal" was taken out of the palace by Zhu Qizhen and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

The new "Emperor's Seal" has not yet been made.

Therefore, all imperial edicts now use the inscription "Guangyun Zhi Bao".

Guo Deng waved his hand: "Take him away and keep a close watch on him!"

After Wang Lin was taken away, Guo Deng looked at Nian Fu and said, "Lord Nian, Wang Lin has been captured."

But the real trouble was just beginning.

His 800 mu of farmland is to be cleared out.

Those fifty-odd vacant slots need to be recovered.

He also had to vet his trusted officers one by one.

These things can't be finished in less than three months.

Nian Fu said, "Three months it is."

General Guo, let's split up and proceed separately.

You'll be in charge of reorganizing the army, and I'll be in charge of investigating land ownership.

"Commanders and captains of the Fourteen Guards, come one by one! No one is getting away!"

Guo Deng nodded: "Lord Nian, aren't you afraid of offending people?"

Nian Fu smiled and said, "I have offended people since the day I became an official."

Offend corrupt officials and powerful local bullies.

If I were afraid of offending people, I would have gone home to take care of my grandson long ago.

Guo Deng laughed heartily: "Good! Lord Nian, with your words, I'll fight you to the very end!"

In the next two weeks, the situation in Datong Town changed dramatically.

After Wang Lin was arrested, Nian Fu personally took charge of the governor's office.

They retrieved old files from the Ministry of Revenue and compared them with the land reclamation records submitted by each garrison, checking the land of each garrison.

At the same time, officials were dispatched to various garrisons to verify the land reclamation.

Guo Deng, accompanied by his personal guards, patrolled from one garrison to another.

First, to prevent any unrest within the military.

Second, count the actual number of soldiers and verify the disbursement of their pay.

The most outrageous of them all is Weiyuanwei.

The commander of the garrison refused to see the officials sent to him, claiming that "they are organizing the accounts and please wait a few days."

The officials sent by Nian Fu waited outside the camp for five days, but couldn't even get through the city gate.

Guo Deng heard the news and didn't say a word.

They immediately found Nian Fu and the garrison eunuch Pei, discussed the matter, and led a thousand cavalrymen straight to Weiyuan Guard.

The commander of Weiyuan Guard was named Zhao Neng.

He was also a hereditary military officer, and he was used to bullying others in the local area.

Upon seeing Guo Deng arrive in person, he opened the camp gates, but his attitude remained firm:

"General Guo, it's not that I'm not cooperating."

The accounts are really messy and need time to be sorted out.

"If you grant me a few more days, I will certainly provide a clear account book."

Guo Deng looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Commander Zhao, do you know where Wang Lin is right now?"

Zhao Neng's expression changed slightly: "I heard about it, he's been thrown into prison."

Guo Dengdao asked, "Do you know why he was imprisoned?"

Zhao Neng stopped talking; this was no secret.

He's currently in a rush to make these accounts look as good as possible.

Guo Deng: "Commander Zhao, do you also want to go in and join him?"

Cold sweat beaded on Zhao Neng's forehead, and he finally lowered his head: "This humble official...this humble official will hand over the account books immediately."

When Nian Fu saw the account books from Weiyuanwei, he was furious again.

The ledgers were a mess, with dates mixed up and numbers altered, making them impossible to read.

Nianfu then sent people to visit every household in Weiyuanwei to investigate the true data.

The news spread quickly, causing a stir in Datong.

Those officers who had been stalling finally realized that the imperial court was serious.

One by one, people voluntarily came to the governor's office to hand over account books, return land, or receive additional pay.

All those who were young and wealthy were welcomed and registered.

In accordance with Zhu Qiyu's decree.

Those who voluntarily confessed were given lenient sentences.

Those who resist to the end will be severely punished.

Meanwhile, the rectification of Xuanfu Town is also underway.

However, unlike Datong, the rectification in Xuanfu encountered resistance from the very beginning.

The resistance came from Yang Hong's nephew, Yang Yue.

As soon as the investigation began, Yang Yue approached Yang Hong: "Uncle, could we postpone the rectification?"

Yang Hong looked at him: "Why?"

Yang Yue said, "Uncle, you've been in Xuanfu for so many years."

How many of the people under my command have clean hands?

If an investigation were to be conducted, more than half of them would be in trouble.

If we investigate and punish everyone like this, who will be willing to risk their lives for us in the future?

After a moment of silence, Yang Hong asked, "Yue'er, tell me honestly, do you have any problems yourself?"

Yang Yue's expression changed slightly, then he smiled and said, "Uncle, you jest. What problem could I possibly have?"

Yang Hong stared at him: "Really not?"

Yang Yue felt a little uncomfortable under the gaze and looked away: "Really...really not."

Yang Hong sighed: "Yue'er, I watched you grow up."

I can tell at a glance whether you have a problem or not.

Tell me, how much land have you occupied?

How much of the empty quota was used?

Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Yang Yue decided to bite the bullet and say, "I occupied a little bit, only about three hundred acres."

There are only a few vacancies... about twenty.

Father, this is nothing in this border town. Who doesn't do this?

"Wang Lin occupies over 800 mu of land and draws over 50 unregistered loans; isn't that much more serious than my situation?"

Yang Hong slammed his fist on the table: "You still have the nerve to compare yourself to Wang Lin! Wang Lin has already been taken down, do you know that?"

Yang Yue was stunned: "What? You won?"

Yang Hong said, "Guo Deng and Nian Fu have joined forces in Datong and have already imprisoned Wang Lin."

No one will escape this crackdown!

Do you think Xuanfu is an exception?

Yang Yue's face turned pale, and he quickly said, "Uncle, you are the Commander-in-Chief..."

Yang Hong interrupted him: "Hmph! One who eats the emperor's food must serve the emperor faithfully."

The Emperor didn't pursue the matter last time, so how could I possibly do anything to betray him?

Yang Hong was referring to the Battle of Tumu Fortress.

Xuanfu is less than 100 li from Tumu Fortress, and at that time the Oirat Mongols pursued them.

Yang Hong did not send troops to rescue them, but instead chose to hold Xuanfu.

Afterwards, someone submitted a memorial arguing that Yang Hong's failure to attack led to Zhu Qizhen's capture.

They demanded that Yang Hong and his family be summoned back to the capital for punishment.

In Zhu Qiyu's eyes, Yang Hong was a good helper in his ascension to the throne.

Of course, it's impossible to punish him.

At the time, Yu Qian also believed that Yang Hong was right to hold Xuanfu.

If Xuanfu is captured by Esen, then Beijing will be his meal.

The city will fall and people will die in an instant.

With Yu Qian's explanation, Zhu Qiyu overruled the objections and ordered Yang Hong to remain in Xuanfu to atone for his crimes through meritorious service.

Yang Hong walked up to Yang Yue and softened his tone: "Yue'er, how has your uncle treated you all these years?"

Yang Yue lowered his head: "My uncle's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain."

Yang Hong said, "Then let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

This rectification is His Majesty's decree, and no one can stop it.

If you take the initiative to admit your mistake, return the land you occupied, and make up for the shortfall in food consumption.

Your uncle is going to risk his reputation to plead for you before His Majesty.

If you remain obstinate, even your uncle won't be able to save you when the imperial court sends men to arrest you.

Yang Yue's eyes were filled with struggle: "Uncle, if I... if I admit it, can I still stay in the army?"

Yang Hong said, "Whether I stay or not depends on your attitude."

As long as you sincerely repent, your uncle believes His Majesty will give you a chance.

"You come from a military family and have real skills, why bother with those crooked and dishonest paths?"

Yang Yue remained silent for a long time before finally kneeling down: "Uncle, I was wrong, I will listen to you."

Yang Hong helped him up, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "Good, good boy."

Your uncle will accompany you to see the governor and explain the matter clearly.

Remember, from now on, lead your troops well in battle.

Don't touch things you shouldn't touch.

With Yang Yue taking the lead, the reorganization in Xuanfu went much more smoothly.