In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1024: Manipulating Public Opinion
Zhou Wenshan took the document and glanced at it briefly.
It was indeed a document from the Censorate, and it even bore the seal of Zhan Hui, the Left Censor-in-Chief.

But he soon realized something was wrong.

Everyone present was either a soldier or an official from the Governor's Office, or a henchman of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
There wasn't a single Censorate official dressed in censor's robes.

He looked at Han Yike, his eyes filled with deep doubt:
“Brother Boshi, the document is from the Censorate, but where are the people from the Censorate?”

You, a former censor, cannot assume the responsibilities of the Censorate.

Han Yike came from a family of censors and was always upright and incorruptible.

His face flushed slightly at this abrupt question.

Before he could speak, Duke Xu Huizu of Wei stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"I have come here to investigate and confiscate the property of the rebels, not to give you any explanations."

Now, everyone, leave the academy as soon as possible.

Anyone who disobeys will be treated as an accomplice to the rebels!

Upon hearing this, the area in front of the academy fell into a sudden silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were on Zhou Wenshan.

We hope he will give a strong response.

But Zhou Wenshan glanced at the many soldiers present,

He glanced at the students behind him, then finally shook his head, sighed, and waved his hand.
"Everyone, leave the academy and wait on the side!"

"Wow."

The scene instantly erupted in chaos.

The students looked at Zhou Wenshan with disbelief, seemingly not understanding.

Why would this teacher, who usually taught them to be fearless of authority and to be upright gentlemen, back down now?

Zhou Wenshan noticed the gazes of the crowd but did not respond.

He warily surveyed the surrounding soldiers and then gave instructions to the teachers and older students:

"Protecting young students in the central government."

These soldiers are unreasonable; don't get involved in irrelevant matters, and more importantly, don't lose your life.

Although the crowd was puzzled, they knew that a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle.
They all left the academy gate and moved to the open space in front of it to wait.

The young Xu Huizu was slightly surprised that Mingdao Academy would be so pragmatic.

He waved his hand and said in a deep voice:
"Go in and search! Be careful not to damage the books and documents."

"Yes!"

The soldiers of the Governor's Office swarmed in and rushed towards Mingdao Academy.

This scene was witnessed by Liu Sanwu, who arrived in a horse-drawn carriage.

His gaze was complex, with a hint of strangeness and doubt flashing in his eyes:

Why was Mingdao Academy suddenly raided at this time?
Could it be that these government departments possess concrete evidence?

Or is there something wrong with it?

Just as I was pondering this, the driver's suppressed voice came from outside:

"Master, I think I've spotted Mao Xiang."

"Mao Xiang?"

Liu Sanwu was stunned. Shouldn't Mao Xiang be waiting to die in the imperial prison?

"where is it?"

The driver slowly lifted half of the curtain and pointed to the pancake stall not far away:
"Sir, look, isn't that the man leading the group, the one with the sweat towel around his neck and wearing gray clothes, Lord Mao?"

Liu Sanwu looked in the direction he was pointing, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The man before me, though retaining the honest and simple nature of a farmer, had also become much thinner.

But those sharp, angular features,
Who else could it be but Mao Xiang?
How come he is here?

Isn't he in the imperial prison?

Liu Sanwu felt his heart pounding, and the first thought in his mind was...
Is a play being performed in the palace?
The official statement was that Mao Xiang had been arrested and would be executed in the autumn.
Was he actually tasked with investigating the case secretly outside?
Now they've found Mingdao Academy?
This explains why He Zicheng's affair was exposed so inexplicably.

If Mao Xiang were to come and investigate, and no one were to stop him, it would indeed not be a difficult task.

Having figured this out, Liu Sanwu's pupils contracted again. He quickly drew the curtains and took a deep breath:

"Return to the manor and leave this place."

"Yes!"

The carriage swayed and rocked forward, while Liu Sanwu sat upright in the carriage, his eyes bright and showing no signs of aging.

His mind was racing.

No sooner had the three thousand wealthy households left than commotion broke out in the city.

Then, Mao Xiang, an unexpected figure, appeared.

All signs point to the fact that the royalists are about to launch a major counterattack!
Mingdao Academy was located in the north of the city, very close to the Liu residence.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage arrived at the back gate of the Liu residence.

Liu Sanwu did not rush to get off the carriage, but instead instructed the driver:
"Go, send someone to catch up with Zou Chuanqiao and tell him to be careful, something is wrong."

The driver was taken aback, and tentatively asked:
"Does the master mean the operation is canceled?"

"Whether to cancel or not is not something I can decide."

Tell him about the unusual situation in the capital. If he's bold enough, he can go with them.

"Yes!"

The driver nodded in agreement and first escorted Liu Sanwu into the mansion.

Then they led out a fast horse and hurriedly left, heading towards the north gate.

Meanwhile, at No. 16, Dagongfang
This is a currency exchange point set up by the Ministry of Revenue's Treasury in a bustling area.

For the past decade or so, this place has always been sparsely populated and rarely visited.

No one wants to exchange silver for paper money.

However, in the past ten days, this money exchange point has been packed every day.

Sometimes, just as dawn breaks and the curfew is lifted,
The people rushed to queue up, hoping to exchange their silver for paper money so they could get a better deal at the Yingtian Trading Company.

However, apart from the initial few days when there was an abundance of paper money, the amount of paper money has been decreasing in recent days.

Initially, the supply lasted until the afternoon, but later it only lasted until noon.

It was all redeemed just after dawn.

This greatly displeased many of the people who had gone to great lengths to get there.

At this moment, an elderly man over sixty years old was carrying a cloth bag.

He was banging on the table repeatedly at the entrance of the money exchange point, spitting everywhere.

The clerks exchanging the money not only couldn't object, but also had to put on a smiling face.

This was solely because the imperial court showed exceptional favor to elderly villagers over sixty years old.
In summer, give gifts to cool you down; in winter, give warm blankets.
If they are over eighty or ninety years old, it is considered an auspicious sign that they are still alive. During festivals, the government will send people to offer their condolences, and His Majesty will sometimes invite them to dinner.

This old man is Yu Jiliang, the village head of Yujia Village in Jurong County, who is skilled in making silk and bamboo products.

The bamboo cups and teapots that can be seen everywhere in Yingtian City today mostly come from Yujia Village and are quite popular among important figures in the court.

Yu Jiliang slammed his fist on the table and began to curse at the two clerks:

"How do you people perform your duties?"
Knowing full well that we, the elders and folks, were all coming to exchange our precious banknotes, they made no preparations whatsoever!

It's only just past dawn, and they're already saying it's all exchanged!

"Old Yu, we are acting under orders."

The government only provided this much paper money, and that's all we can exchange.

"Bullshit! In my opinion, you are clearly lining your own pockets!"
They don't share the benefits with our fellow villagers.
He exchanged all the paper money in the yamen so he could go to Yingtian Trading Company to buy things!
Let me tell you, I've met the head manager of Yingtian Trading Company a few times!
In a little while I will take the village children to pay their respects to him.

Ask your Ministry of Revenue officials exactly how much they embezzled!

"Exactly! They must have embezzled the precious paper money!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several burly, strong young men behind him immediately raised their voices.

One of them looked at the long line behind him and shouted:
"These officials from the Ministry of Revenue are refusing to exchange the currency for us; they must have embezzled it!"
Arrest them and send them to the capital so that Lord Gao can handle the case!

"Yes! Arrest them!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of agreement immediately arose from the crowd.

It was common for ordinary people to sue officials during the Hongwu reign.
Every day, commoners would bring local officials to the capital, where they would be tried by the capital authorities.

Now that the people of the capital region have arrested officials from the capital region, they should naturally be sent to the capital government for punishment!
The two clerks behind the table turned deathly pale instantly.
Her features were scrunched up, she looked like she wanted to cry but couldn't.

How did something that should have been an easy job suddenly become so dangerous?
Before they could figure it out, several burly men rushed out from the crowd.
Without saying a word, they forced the two of them onto the table.

Then they found two ropes from somewhere and tied them up tightly.

"it is good!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

His eyes were filled with satisfaction as he looked at the clerk.
Seeing others profiting from Yingtian Trading Company while he could only watch helplessly...

This kind of frustration is something outsiders simply cannot understand.

"Old Yu! Old Yu! We are just clerks, not officials!"
We're just following orders; whatever our superior says we'll be paid, we'll be paid!

Yu Jiliang stepped forward, sized up the two men, and gave a soft snort:
"The affairs of your Ministry of Revenue are none of my business. But Emperor Hongwu said that only when the people sue the officials will you people restrain yourselves and have some fear."

Regardless of whether you have embezzled or not, arrest you and bring you to the capital first.

If I have wronged you, I will personally apologize to you.
Here's another set of bamboo tea utensils from the village for you.

If that doesn't work, I'll carry my father into the city and have him apologize to your Ministry of Revenue!

Yu Jiliang waved his hand:
"Let's go to the capital and ask the officials there to solve the case!"

Under the watchful eyes of the common people in the large workshop, the group escorted the officials toward the capital.

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the intersection,

Then they encountered another group of people, also escorting officials, who came in a grand procession.

Upon closer inspection, they turned out to be people from Zhao Family Village in Shangyuan County.

Seeing this, the two sides quickly merged, and the procession grew even larger.

More and more people are being attracted here.
They followed behind, heading towards the capital.

Fudong Street, the capital's government office.

The two stone lions outside the yamen (government office) always exuded an air of majesty.

Today, however, it was surrounded by a dense crowd, making it impossible to see the whole picture.

The cobblestone path was crowded with people—farmers, craftsmen, students, and factory workers—you name it.
It was Yu Jiliang who led the people of Jurong County,
And the procession of officials being escorted by Zhao Family Village.

"Give it! Give it!"

Yu Jiliang, carrying a cloth bag, squeezed into the crowd, his voice booming:
"We're here to accuse the officials of the Ministry of Revenue! They refuse to exchange the paper money for cash and are trying to line their own pockets!"

"So are we!"

Zhao Laoshuan, the village head of Zhao Family Village, raised the hemp rope in his hand.
A clerk, pale with fright, was still tied to the end of the rope.

"This kid said the paper money was all gone, and as soon as I turned around, I saw him secretly slip two more into his pocket!"

The crowd erupted and surged forward.

The officials at the gate of the capital were sweating profusely with anxiety.

The constables swung their fire-and-water sticks like windmills, but dared not strike the newcomers.

They knew these people; they were the breadwinners of the capital.

Since Yingtian Trading Company voluntarily paid commercial taxes,

These villages have also begun to pay taxes one after another.

Although the amount is not large, it is many times better than before!
Just then, Gao Shou, dressed in a scarlet official robe and wearing a black gauze hat, strode out.

He was nearly fifty, with a gaunt face and wrinkles around his eyes that betrayed his weariness.

The capital has been in turmoil these past few days, with the imperial faction and the rebels locked in a fierce battle.
As the Prefect of the Capital, he never had a good night's sleep.

I had just arrived at the government office this morning when I heard a great commotion outside. I knew without a doubt that something had happened again.

He paused only briefly before taking the brass megaphone and shouting:
"Quiet down, everyone! Fellow villagers, please be quiet!"
This government is aware of your purpose in coming here; it is nothing more than the exchange of paper money.

But since you have brought officials from the Ministry of Revenue with you, you must follow the rules.

Release the person first, then come inside to discuss what you have to say.

"What kind of appearance is this, blocking the entrance? Don't delay the business of Yingtian Trading Company."

Yu Jiliang stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, but did not relent:
"Lord Gao, it's not that we're breaking the rules, it's that the Ministry of Revenue has gone too far!"

We lined up before dawn, carrying real gold and silver.

As a result, the money ran out in half an hour. Wasn't this deliberately making things difficult for them?

I remember last year, these little brats were clamoring for us to exchange our silver for paper money. How come they've changed their tune this year?

If you don't give us an explanation, we'll have no choice but to go to the Meridian Gate and lodge a complaint with the Emperor!

"Yes! To the Meridian Gate!"

A chorus of agreement immediately rose from the crowd.

Gao Shou's face darkened; he knew without a doubt that it was Lu Yunyi's idea.

Only the Market Transaction Bureau could command these village elders.

He cursed inwardly, but kept a smile on his face:
"Rest assured, everyone, this government will definitely give you an explanation."

If any official in the Ministry of Revenue has indeed embezzled paper money, this prefecture will not let it go lightly and will certainly impeach the officials in the Ministry of Revenue.

But even if it's just a misunderstanding, it still needs to be investigated.

"Bring them into the hall first, and we'll question them one by one, shall we?"

Yu Jiliang and Zhao Laoshuan exchanged a glance and wisely let go of each other's hands.

They were merely following orders and didn't actually intend to cause trouble at the Meridian Gate.
If we really anger the imperial court, it won't do the village any good.

The officials were untied and collapsed to the ground.

Some were wiping away sweat, while others bowed repeatedly to Gao Shou:

"Lord Gao, save me! We really didn't embezzle any of the paper money; the amount issued by the government was simply too small!"

Gao Shou ignored them and turned to the person in charge behind him, saying:
"Bring the people in, question them separately, and record their statements."

Then send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to invite Vice Minister Kong to come.

In addition, the Director of the Treasury was also summoned, with the excuse that there were important matters to discuss with him in the capital.

"Yes!"

The official in charge accepted the order, led the officers to escort the clerk into the mansion, and dispatched two yamen runners on horseback to the Ministry of Revenue.

As the officials were taken away, most of the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only a few village heads, such as Yu Jiliang and Zhao Laoshuan, and about a hundred villagers who were unwilling to leave.

Gao Shou stood on the steps, his brows furrowed.

He would never believe it if the Market and Exchange Bureau hadn't been pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Lu Yunyi is using the people to put pressure on the Ministry of Revenue.

They pressured the Ministry of Revenue to set up more exchange points for banknotes and promote the circulation of the banknotes, while simultaneously cracking down on the rebellious party!

As the Prefect of the Capital, he was caught in the middle and could only act as a peacemaker.

We must not offend the common people, nor the Ministry of Revenue, and certainly not Lu Yunyi.

After all, these people are all gods of wealth.

"Damn it, this prefectural governor job is so frustrating!"

Gao Shou cursed under his breath.

Shortly after, the person in charge hurried out, handed over a statement, and whispered:
"My lord, the officials all say that the daily quota of paper money allocated by the Ministry of Revenue is indeed too low."
Moreover, the amount has been decreasing in recent days, supposedly because the treasury is almost empty.

Gao Shou took the statement, glanced at it, and looked astonished:

"Is the treasury empty? How much have Yingtian Trading Company sold in the past few days?"

"My lord, look, Yingtian Trading Company is now restocking three times a day."

This was something that only happened during festivals and holidays in the past.

Gao Shou nodded in sudden realization. As the Prefect of the Capital,

He knew better than anyone the capabilities of Yingtian Trading Company.

He took a deep breath and gave the order:

"Send someone to the Market Exchange Bureau to deliver a letter to Lord Lu."
Tell him that the situation in the capital is getting out of control and ask him to find a solution as soon as possible.

Go to the Ministry of Revenue again and urge them to send someone over as soon as possible. If they don't come soon, the people will really go to the Meridian Gate to lodge a complaint with the emperor!

"Yes."

Meanwhile, inside the Ministry of Revenue.

Fu Youwen sat behind his desk, looking at the documents in his hand, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

Zhao Shunan stood to the side, holding the newly compiled evidence in her hand, and said cautiously:

"My lord, Xiong Xiangwen is very willing to take over the position of treasure paper supervisor."

The afternoon's deliberations will allow us to replace him.

Fu Youwen didn't look up, he just sighed:

"Putting a northerner in the squad might ease the situation somewhat."

The Markets and Exchanges Bureau is still pressing them relentlessly.
Even among the common people, rumors were circulating that the Ministry of Revenue was deliberately refusing to exchange currency for banknotes, preventing them from purchasing goods at the Yingtian Trading Company.

No sooner had the words been spoken than a clerk rushed in, looking flustered:
"My lord! A messenger from the capital has arrived, saying that Lord Gao requests Minister Kong's presence to discuss some matters."
They even said that the people had dragged our officials to file a complaint!

"what?"

Fu Youwen slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the official desk all seemed to jump up from the ground.
"Rebellion! Rebellion! What is Gao Shou doing? Can't he stop him?"

Zhao Shunan was also a little flustered and quickly said:

"My lord, if this gets out of hand, His Majesty will blame us, and our Ministry of Revenue won't be able to bear the consequences!"

Fu Youwen took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down:
"Go, tell Kong Tianzong to hurry over there and quell the public anger!"

Otherwise, we'll all be in deep trouble!

(End of this chapter)