In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1025 Taking advantage of what others have heard, and using the opportunity to back down
Inside the Liu residence, Liu Sanwu sat in his study.

He held a secret letter in his hand, his face grim.

The butler who delivered the message stood to the side, head bowed, not daring to speak.

The secret letter contained two things.
First, Mingdao Academy was shut down. Xu Huizu took a hard line, and the scholars' joint pressure had no effect.
Secondly, the common people are holding up the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and causing a disturbance in the capital. Gao Shou is helpless and has already sent someone to contact the Ministry of Revenue.

"How could this happen?"

Liu Sanwu muttered to himself, his brows furrowed.

He had originally thought that the Royalists would only advance slowly.

I didn't expect them to suddenly exert their strength today.
The closure of academies and the incitement of the people clearly indicate a readiness for a decisive battle!

“Mingdao Academy is the foundation of local scholars, and the people’s riot in the capital is aimed at the Ministry of Revenue.”

The imperial faction is trying to kill two birds with one stone: both destroy the academies and force the Ministry of Revenue to back down, paving the way for moving the capital!

Liu Sanwu slowly stood up, his steps somewhat unsteady.

He walked to the window, looked out at the courtyard, and his eyes suddenly sharpened:

"Why didn't you take action before? Were you collecting evidence? And what did Mao Xiang do in all of this?"
Could it be that they're trying to stir up trouble in the capital and divert attention from the wealthy?

"No, the cost is too high."

Seeing him deep in thought, the butler asked softly:

"Master, what should we do?"
Should we continue with the matter concerning Master Zou?

If we try to catch up now, it's still not too late.

Liu Sanwu thought for a moment, his eyes resolute:
"Let him be! He's stubborn, and he's been holding a grudge after losing so much money."

No matter what, he was determined to do it.

Moreover, with things so chaotic in the capital right now, if something really happens, it would actually be a good thing.

"Should we inform Master Zou and ask him to hurry up?"

"No need, let them decide for themselves."

"Yes!"

"Send another letter to the Ministry of War, to Lord Ru, inviting him to a banquet at the mansion tonight."

"Yes!"

The steward accepted the order and hurriedly ran out.

Liu Sanwu sat back down in his chair.

I picked up the teacup on the table, only to find that the tea had already gone cold.

He looked at his reflection in the glass, his brows furrowing once more.
He still underestimated the capabilities of the Marketplace.

With so much money to support it,
The resources that Yingtian Trading Company can mobilize are beyond imagination.

In the past, only local gentry and gentry could mobilize the power of the people in this way.

Now, this power has been taken away because of trade!

Upon realizing this, Liu Sanwu looked shocked and suddenly raised his head.

He suddenly realized something: it's said that imperial power doesn't extend to the county level.

Although the Hongwu reign implemented many measures and intervened in local affairs through the "Great Proclamation," these measures were ultimately not thorough enough.

Perhaps the palace allowed the existence of trading companies like Yingtian Trading Company in the capital region.
They wanted to use Yingtian Trading Company as a front.
In a roundabout way, imperial power was devolved to the villages!
The dull thud of horses' hooves echoed on the stone-paved road of Yingtian City.

Kong Tianzong rode a black horse, his face extremely gloomy.

"Sir, please slow down! I can't keep up!"

Behind him came shouts from Fang Deyu, the supervisor of the Treasury.

Fang Deyu was a short, stout middle-aged man, dressed in a blue official robe of an eighth-rank official.
Riding on a skinny horse, he was jostled so much that his face turned red, and sweat streamed down his cheeks.

Kong Tianzong reined in his horse, turned around and glared at him:
"I always tell you to eat less, but you just hide in the storeroom all day and sneak food!"
The people have already protested all the way to the capital, and you're still dawdling!

Fang Deyu shrank back, not daring to argue, and could only urge the skinny horse forward:

"Please calm down, sir. I'll follow you right away."
The quota for paper money was decided by my superior; it has nothing to do with me.

"Enough with the nonsense! Once we get to the capital, explain things properly to the people."

If you can't explain it clearly, you shouldn't be in this position!

Kong Tianzong snorted coldly, turned his horse around, and continued towards the capital.

Before long, the noise from outside the capital's government office could be heard.

Looking into the distance, Kong Tianzong could see that many people were still gathered on the bluestone road.

Yu Jiliang and Zhao Laoshuan stood at the very front.

He was still holding an empty silver ingot in his hand, talking to a yamen runner from the capital.

"They're here! The officials from the Ministry of Revenue are here!"

Someone shouted, and the people turned their heads instantly.

All eyes turned to Kong Tianzong.

Kong Tianzong dismounted and was about to walk forward...

Several young men rushed over, carrying vegetable leaves and rotten fruit in their hands:

"So you're in charge of the Treasury's Notes Bureau? Why won't you let us exchange our notes!"

"Give us back our silver! Don't think you can bully people just because you're officials!"

Rotten vegetable leaves and fruit fell onto Kong Tianzong's official robe, leaving stains.

He was trembling with anger, but he couldn't retaliate.

He was a high-ranking official; if he disregarded his dignity, he would only alienate himself from the court.

"Stop it all!"

Kong Tianzong took a deep breath and spoke in a loud voice:
"I am Kong Tianzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Let's talk this out."

Yu Jiliang stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, but his tone remained firm:

"Lord Kong, it's not that we want to cause trouble, it's that your Ministry of Revenue has gone too far!"

We've been queuing up since before dawn for several days in a row.
He had real gold and silver in his hands, but the precious paper money disappeared in half an hour!

Tell me, isn't this deliberately making things difficult?

"Exactly! When I came to exchange cash at the end of last year, Magistrate Fang said that the more I exchanged, the more I would receive. Why is it all gone this time?"

Zhao Laoshuan also spoke up, pointing to Fang Deyu who had just arrived:
"Prefect Fang, tell me, where exactly did these precious notes go?"

Under the gaze of everyone, Fang Deyu stammered:
"These precious notes are issued in fixed amounts, and there's only this much each month."
"There's really none left in the warehouse. It's not that I'm unwilling to exchange them."

"fart!"

A craftsman shouted:
"The day before yesterday, I saw your people from the Treasury Bureau using Treasury notes to buy cloth from the Yingtian Trading Company!"

Why is it gone when it comes to us? Did you embezzle it yourselves?

"Yes! He must have embezzled! Arrest him and send him to the capital for interrogation!"

The people became excited again and surged forward.

Kong Tianzong quickly stepped in front of Fang Deyu and shouted to the crowd:

"Fellow villagers, please be patient!"

Regarding the matter of the fixed quota for paper money, I will discuss it with my colleagues immediately upon my return.
Add more cash exchange points and increase the monthly quota!

We will give everyone an explanation within three days!

"Three days? Why should we believe you?" Yu Jiliang frowned and asked.

"Because I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue!"

Kong Tianzong took out a token from his pocket and held it above his head:

"This is a token from the Ministry of Revenue. If there is no result within three days..."
"Take this token and go to the Meridian Gate to lodge a complaint with the Emperor!"

Seeing his solemn expression and the display of his token, the people gradually quieted down.

Yu Jiliang and Zhao Laoshuan exchanged a glance and nodded:

"Alright! We'll trust Master Kong this once!"
If there's no movement within three days, we'll come back!

"must!"

Kong Tianzong quickly agreed, but cursed inwardly.
Lu Yunyi's methods are truly remarkable; he seized the initiative and accomplished what he had been preparing for all along.

After some back and forth, Kong Tianzong left the capital without saying a word the entire way.

Fang Deyu followed behind, barely daring to breathe.

As they approached the Ministry of Revenue, Kong Tianzong finally stopped, turned around, and glared at him:
"Why couldn't you explain yourself clearly back in the capital? Did you insist that I smooth things over for you?"

Fang Deyu looked distressed:
"Sir, I want to explain, but they won't listen at all."
Besides, I'm just a minor official; how could I dare to change the fixed amount of paper money?

"If you were truly capable, you wouldn't have let the people cause such a commotion!"

Kong Tianzong snorted coldly, turned his horse around, and headed towards the Ministry of Revenue.
"We'll have a meeting to discuss this later. You can explain it to Lord Fu yourself!"

Fang Deyu's heart sank; he knew he was in trouble. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow.

The council chamber of the Ministry of Revenue was already quite full. Fu Youwen sat in the main seat, holding a document in his hand, his expression calm.

Zhao Shunan, who was standing to the side, saw Kong Tianzong enter and quickly went to greet him:

"Lord Kong, you've finally arrived! Lord Fu has been waiting for you for ages."

Kong Tianzong snorted irritably and walked to his seat.
"You all know about what happened in the capital?"

Fu Youwen put down the document and nodded:

"I just received a letter from Lord Gao, saying that the people are making a big fuss and it will take Lord Kong's intervention to quell it."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Fang Deyu, who was following behind, and his tone became serious:

"Fang Deyu, you tell us."
What's going on with the Treasury? Why are the people causing a disturbance in the capital?

Fang Deyu quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"Lord Fu, there really isn't any extra banknotes in the treasury."

Fu Youwen sneered, pulled out a few sheets of paper from his pocket, and threw them on the table:
"This was found by Steward Zhao. Last month, the Treasury had three days' worth of paper money, but it wasn't distributed to the public."

Instead, you secretly lent it to a grain merchant outside the city! Is that true?

Fang Deyu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he hurriedly knelt down:

"My lord! My lord! I'm innocent! The grain merchant said he needed it urgently and would pay it back in a few days."

Fu Youwen chuckled and picked up the paper to read aloud:
Where is it now?

The officials in the hall looked puzzled, their brows furrowed.

What happened today?
Kong Tianzong sat to the side, his face extremely grim.

He never expected Fang Deyu to be so useless, even trying to take advantage of such a small thing!

"Sir, this...this is just a misunderstanding."

Fang Deyu still wanted to argue.

Fu Youwen threw the paper in front of him:

"These IOUs all bear your seal, how could they be fake?"

The people outside were protesting, demanding to exchange their money.
"Yet you lend the precious paper to merchants. How can you be a high-ranking official like this?"

Fang Deyu was speechless and could only kowtow on the ground:

"Lord Fu, spare my life! This humble official will never dare to do it again!"

Fu Youwen ignored him and looked at the crowd:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Treasury is the key department in charge of managing paper money."
Fang Deyu's actions not only delayed the court's implementation of the paper money system, but also aroused public discontent.

In my opinion, he should be removed from his post as supervisor, and a more capable person should be selected in his place.

Kong Tianzong's pupils contracted slightly; he instantly understood.

Fu Youwen had been preparing for this all along, intending to take the opportunity to replace Fang Deyu.

"Lord Fu, although Fang Deyu was incompetent in his work..."

But you've worked so diligently all these years, shouldn't we give you another chance?

Fu Youwen gave a light snort:
"If I give him a chance, who will give me a chance?"
Surely Lord Kong knows what kind of commotion is going on outside.

Kong Tianzong's face was extremely grim, and he sighed softly.

He knew the evidence was conclusive and it wouldn't be good to argue, so he nodded.
"Do as Lord Fu says."

Seeing that the two vice ministers had reached an agreement so easily, no other officials objected.

Seeing this, Fu Youwen said to Zhao Shunan:
"Call Xiong Xiangwen here."

A short while later, a middle-aged man in his forties walked in.

He wore a green official robe befitting a ninth-rank official, and had a tall, upright figure and a resolute face.
It was Xiong Xiangwen, the manager of the Treasury of the Treasury of the Treasury.

"This humble servant, Xiong Xiangwen, greets Lord Fu, Lord Kong, and all other officials."

Xiong Xiangwen bowed respectfully, his attitude respectful but not obsequious.

Fu Youwen nodded:
"Manager Xiong, you've been with the Treasury for five years. You're familiar with the exchange process and you understand accounting."

Now that Fang Deyu has been dismissed, I propose that you take over as the Director of the Treasury, responsible for increasing the number of exchange points and expanding the quota of Treasury notes.

Are you willing? "

Xiong Xiangwen's breath hitched, then his face lit up with joy, and he quickly kowtowed:
"This humble servant is willing! Thank you for your promotion, Lord Fu!"

"This humble servant will certainly live up to your trust and diligently promote the exchange of precious paper money!"

"it is good!"

Fu Youwen nodded in satisfaction:

"From this day forward, you will be the Director of the Treasury."

Within three days, five more currency exchange points will be set up in the capital.

The monthly quota of paper money was doubled to appease the people in the capital.

If you handle it well, I will then petition His Majesty for commendation on your behalf.

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!"

Xiong Xiangwen quickly stood up, took the appointment document, and hurriedly left the meeting room.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Fang Deyu knew he had no hope.
He could only lie paralyzed on the ground, letting the bailiffs drag him away.

After the meeting adjourned, Kong Tianzong walked to Fu Youwen's side and frowned, saying:
"Lord Fu, you've wanted to replace Fang Deyu for a long time, haven't you?"

Fu Youwen smiled and said calmly:

“I have been in the Ministry of Revenue for four years. If I wanted to replace him, I would have done so long ago.”

"If Fang Deyu hadn't made his own mistake, how could I have replaced him?"

Kong Tianzong agreed with this assessment, sighed, and said softly:

"Lord Fu, you cannot exchange too many banknotes."
"The more strings of paper money the common people hold, the greater the danger!"

Fu Youwen shook his head with a wry smile:

"Lord Kong, you know how tightly the Market Exchange Bureau is pressuring us, even without me saying it."

At this point, if no measures are taken to appease them, the Ministry of Revenue will become the target of public criticism!

Kong Tianzong remained silent, then nodded helplessly, which was considered his agreement to set up more money exchange points.

Fu Youwen also breathed a sigh of relief. With this matter settled, he could buy some more time.

The afternoon sun slanted into the main hall of the Market and Commerce Bureau.

The stack of documents on the desk, half a person high, was edged with gold.

Lu Yunyi had half his head sticking out from behind the document, looking at the paper in his hand with a serious expression.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded, and Basong rushed in:
"My lord, there's news from the Ministry of Revenue!"

Basong didn't stop, walking directly to the desk and handing over the document:
"This was just transferred from the capital. Lord Gao said that Lord Fu held a meeting this morning and has already made a decision!"

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, then took the document.

He quickly glanced at the beginning, his eyes narrowing slightly before a look of surprise crossed his face:

"They're moving so fast? They've changed the people, and they've even agreed to add more money exchange points?"

Basong scratched his head, unable to understand such a thing, and remained silent.

"Xiong Xiangwen, a native of Hanzhong, was the manager of the Treasury of the Treasury of the Treasury and was promoted to the position of Director of the Treasury of the Treasury."

Lu Yunyi looked at these words with a subtle expression:

"Is this a case of taking advantage of a difficult situation to back down?"

He paused, then looked at Basong:
"Send someone to keep an eye on the Treasury Bureau to see if they really intend to set up branches or if it's just for show."

"Yes!"

Just as Basong agreed, another official rushed in from outside the hall.

The clerk held documents in his hand and spoke hurriedly:
"My lord! This is a document from the Governor's Office! The Marquis ordered me to deliver it to you personally!"

Lu Yunyi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly opened the document.

After scanning just two lines, his previously calm expression instantly turned to astonishment:
"The Great Yuan Scripture? A secret text destroyed years ago, hidden in a secret compartment of the academy?"

The clerk nodded quickly and added:

"Yes! Vice Commissioner Du personally counted them; there were seventeen books in total."

Each book bears the destruction stamp of the Ministry of Rites from that year on its title page.

They also found three volumes of correspondence, which mentioned several prominent monks in the capital.

The Marquis has already sent the letter back to the Governor's Office and ordered someone to verify it!

Lu Yunyi nodded, but his heart was in turmoil.
Confucian academies have somehow become entangled with Buddhism and Taoism?
Did he also secretly possess ancient Yuan Dynasty Buddhist scriptures?
What... what's going on here now?
Lu Yunyi hadn't figured out the key points yet.

But his intuition had always told him:
This matter is far from simple; there must be a deeper connection behind it.

Just as he was racking his brains, pondering the various possibilities, a eunuch rushed in.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi, the eunuch bowed deeply.
"Lord Lu, His Majesty summons you to the Wuying Hall."

(End of this chapter)