In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1066 United in hatred against the enemy, showing no mercy

Inside the office of the military commander, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and the heat dispelled the chill outside the window.

Lu Yunyi sat behind his desk, flipping through a progress report sent by the workshop. His brows furrowed slightly, and he occasionally picked up his pen to make a few notes.

The door was gently pushed open.

Hong Yishan, dressed in a dark official robe, walked in with steady steps.

He was in his forties, with a thin face and peaceful eyes.

As the Prefect of Daning City, who also oversaw various workshops, he was known for his competence and composure.

"Your subordinate, Hong Yishan, greets Your Excellency."

Hong Yishan bowed respectfully, his voice gentle yet firm.

Lu Yunyi looked up, put down his pen, and gestured:
"Please sit down. Basong, pour Lord Hong a cup of hot tea."

"Thank you, sir."

Hong Yishan sat down on a chair nearby, took the teacup handed to him by Basong, held it with both hands, and said slowly:

"My lord, I have come today to report on the recent situation of the workshop."

The weapons workshop, textile workshop, and sugar mill have all been handled as you instructed.
Through concerted efforts, preparations for the storage and transportation of the thunderbolts were completed.

The oil-soaked silk sealing sleeve has been tested, but it's completely airtight.

The sugar shop's protective cotton padding was also wrapped tightly.
Yesterday, Jing Lei Zi fell off the carriage and was unharmed.

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, and felt great admiration for these focused craftsmen in the workshop.

They always go all out in what they do, even with a degree of recklessness.

He nodded, a hint of approval on his face:
"Well done, but please be careful in the future."
Money can be earned back, and things can be bought again.
But once the talent is gone, who knows when or how long it will take to cultivate a replacement.

"That's what my lord said."

Hong Yishan humbly said:

"The artisans in the workshop are now protected by elite soldiers and have adults in charge. Everyone is convinced and does their best."

The first batch of packaged Thunderclap Coins has been stored and is ready to be shipped to the capital at your command.

In addition, the annual accounts of each workshop have been settled.
This year's harvest is good, and the craftsmen's wages and bonuses have been prepared and are ready to be distributed during the New Year.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the yamen, accompanied by the crisp sound of armor plates colliding.

Lu Yunyi looked up at the door and saw Zhang Bin, dressed in black armor and looking somewhat tired, walking in quickly.

As soon as Zhang Bin entered, he saw Hong Yishan there as well. He paused for a moment, then bowed respectfully.

"This humble general, Zhang Bin, greets Your Excellency."

Upon seeing this, Hong Yishan quickly stood up:

"My lord, since Lord Zhang has important matters to report, I shall take my leave now."

"I'll keep a closer eye on the workshop."

"Alright."

Lu Yunyi nodded, his tone calm:

"The transportation of Jing Lei Zi must be handled by reliable personnel. We have already contacted the post stations and garrisons along the way, and they will cooperate fully."

There are also matters concerning the Lunar New Year; not a single penny of the due payments should be missed.
The artisans and officials have worked hard all year; they deserve a peaceful New Year.

In addition, the government should expedite the implementation of the annual holiday subsidies for the city's residents.
In the dead of winter, don't let the elderly and children get cold or hungry.

"I understand!"

Hong Yishan bowed in response, his eyes full of respect:
"I will make the arrangements immediately."

After saying that, he nodded slightly to Zhang Bin, then turned and quietly left the yamen.

Only Lu Yunyi, Zhang Bin, and Basong, who was standing to the side, remained in the yamen.

Zhang Bin took two steps forward, handed over the file in his hand, his voice slightly hoarse:

"My lord, I have come to report the results of the interrogation of the assassin case. Everything has been investigated and clarified."

Lu Yunyi took the file, but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he gently stroked the cover with his fingertips and said softly:

Tell me more, in detail.

"Yes!"

Zhang Bin took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and said in a deep voice:

"After a night of interrogation, Shen Junhao of Sai Shang Ju and Wang Chengye of Mo Bei Lou have confessed to everything."

They were spies for the Northwest rebels, acting under the orders of a man who claimed to be a general.
"Meet the assassins in Daning City, provide them with food and shelter, and you'll receive a reward of one thousand taels of silver afterward."

He paused and continued:

"Those assassins sneaked in through the north gate, disguised as merchants and refugees."
Holding a travel document stamped with the official seals of the Shaanxi and Beiping Military Commands.

Li Mo, the commander guarding the North Gate, had been bribed with five hundred taels of silver. He let the assassins pass immediately upon seeing their wooden token, without even checking it.

"After the assassins entered the city, they hid in several houses on West Heng Street, which Shen Junhao and Wang Chengye had rented in advance."

They usually bought food from two restaurants, so traces of it were left in their stomachs.

My men have already sent people to search West Heng Street.

Some weapons and letters that had not been destroyed were also found in those houses.
Although most of the letters had been burned, after careful piecing together and analysis,
All that could be seen were the words "a generous reward will be given after the deed is done," the rest of the text was illegible.

Zhang Bin's tone was somewhat weary, yet also conveyed a sense of relief:
"My subordinates have already sent men to arrest Li Mo, and he has confessed to colluding with the enemy."

In addition, there were 37 people in the two restaurants.
Li Mo's family members have also been taken into custody; not a single one has escaped.

After listening, Lu Yunyi slowly opened the file, his eyes quickly scanning the testimonies and evidence list.

His face remained expressionless, showing neither anger nor surprise.
It was as if they were just looking at an ordinary little thing.

He looked at it for about half an incense stick's time, then closed the file, placed it on the table, and lightly tapped the surface with his fingertips.

"Do you have any ideas on how to deal with these people?"

Lu Yunyi looked up at Zhang Bin, his eyes calm and expressionless.

Zhang Bin was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and said:
"In my humble opinion, Shen Junhao, Wang Chengye, and Li Mo are the masterminds, and their crimes are heinous. They should be executed immediately as a warning to others."

Their family members and close associates, knowing the truth, failed to report it and assisted in their concealment.

He was exiled to the frontier and was never to return to Daning City.

As for those coerced workers and cooks,
The offense is relatively minor, so a lenient sentence can be imposed: confiscation of family property, thirty strokes of the cane, and expulsion from Daning City.

Lu Yunyi nodded, his tone indifferent:

"We'll do it your way, but we'll change the place of exile."

He paused and continued:

“Send them to the Jurchen border of the Doyan Three Guards. Many new military farms have been established there, and they are short of manpower.”

Let them farm, working from sunrise to sunset.

They have to work there their whole lives and can't leave without permission.

This not only gives them a way to make a living, but also adds manpower to the land reclamation efforts, making the best use of everyone's talents.

"Yes! I understand!"

Zhang Bin quickly agreed.

Lu Yunyi then said:
"In addition, all the properties of the two restaurants will be confiscated."

The storefronts of Sai Shang Ju and Mo Bei Lou remain unchanged.

"Find two capable managers from the government office to take over."

"Li Mo's position as commander of a thousand households is to be immediately revoked, all preferential treatment for his family is to be cancelled, and all previously issued salaries, rewards, and annual allowances are to be taken back. His deputy commander of a thousand households will temporarily take over his position."

"Yes!"

Zhang Bin felt a chill run down his spine.
Since returning this time, the adults seem to have changed a bit.

In the past, the family and friends of those who made mistakes were often not excessively implicated.
But now, there is a trend of collective punishment.

Lu Yunyi continued:

"After you return, immediately organize the city's defense forces to conduct a comprehensive investigation."

All the officers on duty, both commanders of a thousand and a hundred, should be thoroughly questioned, especially at the north and west gates, where there is a large flow of people. It is imperative to ascertain whether there are any other accomplices.

Zhang Bin bowed and accepted the order:

"Your subordinate obeys! I will thoroughly investigate and never let any remnant of the traitors escape!"

"It's not just the city defense troops."

Lu Yunyi added:

"We should also inform the government office and ask them to cooperate in investigating the inns, restaurants, and shops in the city."
Especially those gathering places for merchants traveling between the Northwest, Beijing, and Zhili.

Shen Junhao and Wang Chengye said that the general behind them contacted them through letters, which suggests that there may be hidden liaisons in the city.

Tell the investigators to pay close attention to those who act suspiciously, frequent visitors, and have no legitimate livelihood.
Once a clue is discovered, apprehend the suspect immediately and interrogate them rigorously.

His voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

"Daning City is the foundation of all of us. We must not allow these rebels to stir up trouble in the city."

This incident has also served as a reminder to us.
Internal investigations must not be relaxed; they should become a routine practice, conducted every six months to ensure no internal moles remain.

"Understood, sir!" Zhang Bin's expression grew even more solemn.
He knew the weight of the lord's words; this was to thoroughly eliminate the hidden dangers in Daning City and leave no opportunity for the enemy to exploit.

Lu Yunyi picked up another document from the table and handed it to Zhang Bin:

"This is the inspection report sent by Qin Yuanfang and Zou Jing."
The poison used by the assassins, mentioned above, is unique to the Northwest.

Have the people in the torture chamber investigate, based on this clue, whether anyone has recently transported large quantities of poisonous herbs from the Northwest, or whether anyone in the city has purchased such poisonous herbs.

Following this lead might uncover more clues about the general.

Zhang Bin took the document, glanced at it carefully, and then solemnly put it away:

"I will investigate immediately. If I find any clues, I will report to you at once!"

There's no need to rush.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand:
"Investigating the traitors is a meticulous task; we cannot rush it, lest we alert them."

As long as the gates of Daning City are tightly secured,

No matter how many schemes and tricks they have, they can't stir up any trouble.

He paused, looked out the window; the snowflakes were still falling, and the air held a touch of the New Year's atmosphere.

"In addition, inform the people and merchants in the city that the assassins have been eliminated and the inside agent has been captured and brought to justice, so that they can rest assured."

Those who need to work should continue working, and those who need to do business should continue doing business. There's no need to panic.

"Yes! I will arrange for people to post notices immediately to appease the people."

Zhang Bin responded.

Lu Yunyi nodded and waved his hand:

"Go ahead, you have a lot to do and you've worked hard too. Once you're done, take a good rest."

"Thank you for your concern!"

Zhang Bin bowed respectfully, a hint of gratitude on his face, while also feeling a sense of relief.

Fortunately, thanks to the all-out investigation, they narrowly escaped disaster.
He almost got caught up in this turmoil.

Zhang Bin turned and left the yamen, the sound of armor plates clashing gradually fading into the distance.

The yamen returned to silence, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire remaining.

Lu Yunyi walked to the window, pushed it open a crack, and a cold wind rushed in, making the hair on his forehead sway slightly.

The Northwest is in turmoil, the Crown Prince is seriously ill, undercurrents are brewing in the capital, and the city of Daning remains stable.
Countless things intertwined, like a dense net, tightly enveloping him.

He knew that this assassination attempt was just the beginning, and the chaos was only just beginning to unfold.

But he was not afraid. Now that he had come this far, he should have the courage to face everything with equanimity.

"Basong".

Lu Yunyi spoke softly.

"My subordinate is here."

Basong immediately stepped forward.

"Go and call Black Hawk here. I have something to say to him."

"Yes!"

Basong responded and left.

Lu Yunyi sat back down at his desk, picked up his pen, and wrote the words "Northwest" on a blank document.
He paused for a moment, then added the words "struggle for the throne," his expression growing even more profound.

Meanwhile, Zhang Bin had already returned to the city defense military headquarters.

Without resting, he immediately summoned all the city's garrison commanders and centurions.

Inside the hall, a dozen officers in armor stood solemnly, the atmosphere heavy.

Standing in the hall, Zhang Bin relayed the results of the interrogation and the proposed punishment for Lu Yunyi.

When it comes to Li Mo's betrayal and collusion with the enemy...
All the officers in the room wore expressions of disbelief.

"That bastard Li Mo, he actually betrayed us!"

A bearded commander shouted angrily.

"Who would have thought that he, who always looked so respectable and acted so scholarly, was actually a mole!"

Another commander chimed in, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Zhang Bin raised his hand and pressed down, saying in a deep voice:
"Now is not the time to be angry."
The lord has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation of the city's defense forces, especially the personnel guarding each city gate.

And those who have had dealings with Li Mo, Shen Junhao, and Wang Chengye on a regular basis—not one of them can be let off the hook!

In addition, the government will cooperate with us in inspecting the inns and shops in the city.
Each of you lead your men,

Strict enforcement and thorough questioning.
Once suspicious persons are discovered
Take it immediately, without fail!

"Yes! I will obey your orders!"

All the officers responded in unison, their voices so loud that the beams and pillars of the hall swayed slightly.

After the meeting, the officers immediately split up and went about their tasks.

The city's defense troops, clad in armor and wielding long swords, moved in squads through the streets and alleys of Daning City.

They went door-to-door to investigate and question people carefully.

The residential areas near the North Gate and the area around the two restaurants were investigated with particular care.

The people on the street were initially alarmed when they saw the city defense troops making their move.

But upon seeing the posted notice, they learned that the assassins had been eliminated and the accomplice had been captured.

They were immediately relieved and cooperated with the city defense troops in their search.

"Xiao Hu, there's a guy from out of town living next door to me. He's been here for about two weeks and rarely goes out. I wonder if he's the person you're looking for?"

A woman in her fifties, wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, stepped forward and spoke to a young soldier.

The young soldier named Xiao Hu was taken aback, a glint of light flashing in his eyes:

"Thank you for letting me know, ma'am. I'll go take a look right away!"

"Hey, hurry up! It's almost New Year's and there are still people causing trouble in the city, they deserve to die!"

Similar scenes were playing out in every corner of Daning City.

The people of the city have benefited from the widespread availability of schools over the past two years, and have become increasingly enlightened.
They know that their current peaceful life is intertwined with the prosperity and decline of Daning City.

Now someone wants to disrupt this peace.

This is absolutely intolerable!
Liu Heiying strode into the office of the military commander's yamen, his black armor still covered with unmelted snowflakes, and his cloak fluttering in the wind.

He rubbed his hands together as soon as he entered the room, exhaling a puff of white breath:
"Brother Yun'er, you were looking for me?"

Lu Yunyi looked up and pointed to the chair opposite him:

"Sit down, Basong, and have another cup of hot tea."

He picked up the stack of papers on the table and handed it over:

"This is the militia training document I drafted last night. Take a look."

Liu Heiying took the booklet, his fingertips touching the cool paper, and quickly flipped through it.

"After the New Year, all construction workers, workshop laborers, and farmers in the garrison, as long as they are between sixteen and fifty years old, must participate in the drills?"

Liu Heiying raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:
"One hour of daily training, and your wages will increase by 30%?"

"Ah."

Lu Yunyi picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and let the warm tea slide down his throat.

"Daning City is becoming increasingly populated, with workshops, construction sites, and farmland scattered throughout its outskirts."
Relying solely on the city defense troops and personal guards would be insufficient to handle any potential trouble should something else happen.

These laborers, who have done manual labor year-round, are of decent physical condition and, with a little training, can become a reserve force.

He paused, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the table:
"The wages will be increased by 30% so that they will be willing to come and train."

We can't let them work for nothing; our Daning City isn't short of money.

If they can train, they will be able to better deal with external enemies and handle internal strife in the future.
These militia members will come in handy; it's a case of being prepared for a rainy day.

Liu Heiying stroked the edge of the booklet, his brows furrowing slightly:
"Brother Yun'er, with so many people, where are we going to find a training instructor?"
Why don't we select some households of a thousand or a hundred from various places and have them train in shifts?

“I’ve already thought of that.”

Lu Yunyi smiled:

"We will select a group of veterans from the city's garrison, those who have seen battle and know how to train."
Let them be the instructors; each of them can be responsible for several hundred people, which is more than enough.

In addition, the exercises do not need to be complicated.
It only requires basic formations, hand-to-hand combat, and simple use of knives and guns.
The key is to instill discipline in them and teach them how to cooperate.

If something really happens, you won't panic.

Once they've gotten used to the drills, we can gradually increase the difficulty.

Liu Heiying thought about it carefully and felt that this method was feasible:
"I'll make the arrangements right away. Have the city defense troops count the number of people and select instructors. We'll start training after the New Year!"

"Not urgent."

Lu Yunyi raised his hand and pressed it down:

"Let everyone take a good rest during the Spring Festival, and we'll get back to work after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month."

How's the inventory of the commander's accounts going lately? How much cash do they have on hand?

(End of this chapter)