In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1068 Duke Cao Returns to the Capital

The festive atmosphere in Yingtian (the capital city) was several times stronger than that in Daning (another city).

On the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the main streets near Fudong Street, Dagongfang, and Sifang City Gate were already bustling with people.

The cobblestone and cement paths were swept clean, and the shops on both sides were adorned with bright red lanterns.

Stretching from one end of the street to the other, it resembles a burning fire dragon!

Every household has put up brand-new couplets, all purchased from Yingtian Trading Company at low prices and made by famous calligraphers.

The street vendors selling New Year's goods lined the streets one after another, their voices rising and falling as they shouted their wares.

The streets were packed with people, and even in winter, it felt unbearably hot.

Amidst this commotion, the Imperial Guards' patrols were significantly more numerous than usual.

Dressed in black armor and carrying long spears, they moved through the streets and alleys in orderly steps and with solemn expressions.

When ordinary people see this, they will instinctively step aside to let it pass, and the originally noisy conversations will also be quieted down.

Although the festive atmosphere was strong, it couldn't suppress the oppressive feeling that permeated the air!

I don't know when it started, but these patrolling soldiers have appeared more often in the capital.
The people of the capital initially didn't understand, but gradually got used to it.

The Yingtian Trading Company, located at the beginning of Fudong Street, was so bustling that it was packed with people.

The storefront was decorated in a festive manner, with long red silk ribbons hanging on the facade, making the originally silver-white walls stand out even more.

Gilded Spring Festival couplets were pasted on the main gate, and huge palace lanterns hung above the lintel.

The shop assistant at the door was wearing a brand-new cotton-padded coat and was so busy he barely had time to breathe.

In front of the gate, the fence used when the store opened was put up again, this time even more spectacular, stretching from one end of the street to the other, and even blocking the gate of the Yingtian Prefecture.

But when the prefect saw this, Gao Shou was not angry at all. Instead, he smiled so much that his eyes almost squinted.

Yingtian Trading Company now shares the same fate as the government, rising and falling together.
The more prosperous the business, the more taxes the government collects!

Thanks to the commercial taxes from Yingtian Trading Company, the government not only did not default on salaries this year, but even had surplus funds to distribute holiday subsidies, which greatly improved his reputation.

Hearing the clamor of voices ahead, Gao Shou gradually shifted his gaze northward, as if trying to cross the high walls and look towards the imperial city standing in the north of the city.

Slowly, his expression turned serious, and he sighed silently.

"Sigh, I wonder if I'll be able to have a proper New Year next year."

Unlike the bustling city streets, the festive atmosphere deep within the palace is more solemn and dignified.

Above the Meridian Gate, a huge gilded palace lantern swayed gently in the wind.

Huge Spring Festival couplets were pasted on the vermilion palace walls, with powerful and vigorous characters that exuded royal grandeur.

Colorful ribbons were wrapped around the pine and cypress trees on both sides of the palace road, and small palace lanterns hung from the branches, which looked like twinkling stars from a distance.

In the squares of each hall, the Imperial Guards stood guard, their armor and weapons gleaming. They stood motionless in the cold wind, their eyes sharp as eagles, scanning everyone who came in or out.

The occasional whispers of palace maids and fish that used to be heard have long since vanished. Only the crisp sound of armor plates clashing during the changing of the guard echoes across the empty square, carrying a sense of desolation.

Inside the Wuying Hall, the lights were on.

Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in a bright red casual robe, sat in a chair, holding a memorial in his hand, which he did not turn the pages of for a long time.

His hair was mostly white, his face was lined with deep wrinkles, and his eyes were cloudy yet occasionally flashed with a sharp light.

On the table was a plate of pastries that had long since cooled, next to a cup of strong tea, the steam rising gently but unable to dispel the somber atmosphere in the hall.

"Issue the imperial decree: Tomorrow, a grand court ceremony will be held to worship Heaven. All nobles, civil and military officials in the capital must be present without fail."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was deep and hoarse, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Yes!"

The eunuchs outside the hall bowed and responded quickly, then retreated slowly without daring to delay.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the sun begins to set.

At the north gate, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the evening's tranquility.

Three simply decorated but exceptionally sturdy carriages, escorted by a troop of cavalry, slowly made their way toward the city gate.

The carriage wheels rolled over the thin snow, leaving deep ruts.

The cavalrymen, clad in armor and with long swords at their waists, looked alert as they escorted the dusty carriage, clearly having traveled a long distance.

The area beneath the city gate was already packed with people.

Leading the group was Duke Xu Huizu of Wei, dressed in a scarlet official robe, with a resolute face and calm eyes.

Behind him stood a group of dukes, marquises, and nobles, including the founding duke Chang Sheng and the marquis of Zhulu Zhu Shou. They were all dressed in formal attire, but their expressions were unusually solemn, showing no joy whatsoever for the New Year.

Zhang Heng, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stood at the front, holding a document in his hands. He had a smile on his face, but a hint of unease was hidden in his eyes.

The carriage stopped, the door opened, and the first person to step out was Duke Cao, Li Jinglong.

He was in his early twenties, tall and handsome, with a hint of weariness between his brows, and his armor was covered in dust.

Following closely behind were Marquis of Dingyuan, Wang Bi, and Marquis of Changxing, Geng Bingwen.
Both were old generals with gray hair and beards, their faces etched with the marks of time, and their eyes sharp.

After getting off the vehicle, they subconsciously scanned their surroundings with the vigilance characteristic of soldiers.

"Duke of Cao, Marquis of Dingyuan, Marquis of Changxing, you must be tired from your journey!"

Zhang Heng quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a deferential tone:

"His Majesty has decreed that I be here to welcome you gentlemen into the city."

Li Jinglong and the others nodded slightly, without exchanging many pleasantries, and simply bowed to Xu Huizu and the others who came to greet them.

In the past, when nobles met, they would always chat and laugh, but now there were only brief greetings, and a heavy silence filled the air.

Xu Huizu stepped forward, patted Li Jinglong on the shoulder, and whispered:

"You must be tired from your journey. Let's go into the city and rest first."

Li Jinglong nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dukes and marquises present. Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, his unease intensified.

They were training troops in the Northwest and had no intention of returning to Beijing for the Spring Festival.

However, a few days ago they suddenly received an urgent imperial edict from His Majesty, ordering them to return to the capital immediately without delay.

This hasty imperial edict made them all realize that something major must have happened in the capital.

The procession entering the city moved slowly forward, with Li Jinglong intentionally slowing his pace and trailing behind Xu Huizu.

The cold wind stung their faces slightly, and neither of them spoke, walking in silence for a while.

Li Jinglong spoke first, his voice extremely low:

"What exactly happened in the capital? Why did His Majesty suddenly summon us back?"

Xu Huizu glanced at him sideways, his expression complex, sighed, and said in a deep voice:
"The situation is serious, and it's not convenient to discuss the specifics on the street."

You've just gotten back, settle in first.
"His Majesty will issue a decree at the grand court ceremony tomorrow."

Li Jinglong frowned, his suspicions growing stronger.

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking:
"When I was in the Northwest, I heard some rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince was seriously ill. Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Huizu paused in his steps.

He turned to look at Li Jinglong, his face expressionless, and sighed again, his voice so low it was almost drowned out by the cold wind:
"I do not know."

Those few simple words sent Li Jinglong's heart sinking to the bottom.

He had known Xu Huizu for many years and knew Xu Yungong's character; he was always outspoken in his words and actions.

If this were false, he would have denied it on the spot. His current ambiguity speaks volumes.

Li Jinglong raised his hand to wipe his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.

The Crown Prince is benevolent and kind, and is recognized by the court and the public as the heir apparent. He is also a pillar of stability for many nobles.

He simply couldn't imagine what the Ming Dynasty would become if the Crown Prince were truly seriously ill.

"After you go back, be careful with your words and actions, do not believe rumors, and do not take sides easily."

Xu Huizu patted his arm, his tone serious:
"In the capital today, every step is fraught with danger; caution is the best policy."

Li Jinglong nodded, his gaze falling on Zhang Heng, who was bowing and leading the way, his voice extremely low:

"According to regulations, the person who should be welcoming them should be the Minister of Rites, so why is it Zhang Heng? Where is Minister Li Yuanming?"

Xu Huizu's gaze became more complex. His profile appeared particularly resolute in the afterglow of the setting sun, yet it also revealed a hint of weariness that was hard to conceal.

He raised his hand to pull his official robe tighter, shielding his face from the biting wind, his voice low and deep, like a whisper in the wind:

"Minister Li has retired and returned home."

"Retire?" Li Jinglong's pupils constricted, his face filled with disbelief.

Why would he suddenly retire?

Li Yuanming was already somewhat famous during the Yuan Dynasty, and his reputation grew even more during the Ming Dynasty. He served as Minister of Rites for many years and was a role model for all officials.

It is highly illogical for someone to resign at such a sensitive time.

Xu Huizu sighed, slowed his pace, and distanced himself from the people behind him.
"It wasn't that he wanted to resign, but that he had no choice but to."

His gaze swept over the imperial guards patrolling in the distance, his expression complex:
"A few days ago, another dispute broke out in the imperial court."

A group of officials jointly submitted a letter arguing that the national treasury was empty and that tax laws should be reformed and paper money abolished.

They also demanded heavy taxes be levied on the Yingtian Trading Company, claiming that it had monopolized trade in the capital region and was making a fortune.
This will perfectly cover the losses left by those small businesses that evaded taxes.

"Should we impose heavy taxes on the Yingtian Trading Company?"

Li Jinglong's expression changed:
"Are you crazy? Yingtian Trading Company pays double taxes, why don't you go after those who don't pay commercial taxes?"
Furthermore, how many people's livelihoods are affected by the Yingtian Trading Company?

If heavy taxes are truly imposed, unrest among the people will inevitably ensue sooner or later.

"The officials in the imperial court don't care about the lives of ordinary people."

Xu Huizu's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, but more so, a sense of helplessness:
"These people are either instigated by certain forces or they want to take the opportunity to make money."

Minister Li strongly opposed the reforms, arguing that the reform of tax laws and the abolition of paper money should be carried out gradually.

Imposing heavy taxes on the Tian Shang Bank would be a self-destructive measure, jeopardizing the very foundation of the nation.

He paused, then lowered his voice even further:
"The court was in an uproar. Someone impeached Minister Li on the spot, saying that he had accepted bribes from Yingtian Merchants and was supporting the merchants, disregarding the safety of the court."

Minister Li was upright and outspoken; how could he tolerate such slander?
He was so enraged that he vomited blood and collapsed in the imperial court.

Li Jinglong's heart sank upon hearing this, and he subconsciously clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

"and after?"

"Later, His Majesty sent someone to take him back to his residence to recuperate, but he was depressed and fell ill and never recovered."

Xu Huizu's eyes dimmed:

"A few days later, he submitted his retirement memorial, saying that he was old and frail and could no longer shoulder heavy responsibilities."

His Majesty granted the request and even bestowed some silver for medicinal herbs.

The imperial physician said that his illness had been brewing for too long, and it was uncertain whether he would even survive the New Year.

The cold wind howled, swirling up the remaining snow on the ground, which rustled against the two men's official robes.

The weariness on Li Jinglong's face had long been replaced by solemnity.
Looking at the bustling crowd ahead, he felt that behind the liveliness of Yingtian Capital City lay a chilling coldness.

Who is the current Minister of Rites?

Li Jinglong composed himself and asked again.

Xu Huizu shook his head:
"Without a Minister, not only does the Ministry of Rites lack one, but the Ministry of Revenue does not either."

"What? The position of Minister of Revenue is also vacant? Then who is in charge of the affairs of both ministries?"

The Ministry of Revenue was in charge of finance, and the Ministry of Rites was in charge of rites and sacrifices; both were crucial departments among the Six Ministries.

If the position of chief official is vacant, wouldn't things fall into chaos?
"They are all presided over by the Left Vice Ministers of their respective ministries."

Xu Huizu's voice was filled with deep helplessness:
"His Majesty's thoughts have been unpredictable lately, and various factions in the court are deeply entrenched."

Those officials who petitioned for tax reform and the abolition of paper money were involved in far-reaching conflicts.

There were princes, nobles, and some former officials from the previous dynasty.

He turned to look at Li Jinglong, his eyes sharp as knives:

"Even His Majesty cannot distinguish who is truly loyal to the court and who harbors malicious intentions."

Promoting someone risks emboldening a particular faction, while demoting someone risks wrongly killing a loyal minister.

The position of Minister was left vacant, allowing the Vice Ministers to temporarily manage official duties and create a system of checks and balances.

Li Jinglong felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his whole body felt cold.

He never imagined that the situation in the capital had become so dire.

The last time the positions of the heads of the six ministries were vacant was during the Guo Huan embezzlement case involving government grain.

At that time, Wang Daoheng, Vice Minister of Revenue; Zhao Mao, Minister of Rites; Wang Zhong, Vice Minister of War; Wang Huidi, Minister of Justice; and Mai Zhide, Vice Minister of Works, were all involved.

After the massacre, four positions of Minister were left vacant until the remaining remnants of the faction were eliminated, at which point new positions were filled.

Now, it has actually come to this?

"Those who propose raising taxes and abolishing the paper money are clearly rebels!"

Li Jinglong gritted his teeth, his voice tinged with anger:

"Disregarding the foundation of the nation and inciting unrest in the court, he should be arrested and punished according to the law! Why doesn't His Majesty order such a punishment?"

Having spent two years training troops in the Northwest, he had become accustomed to decisive action and could no longer tolerate this sluggish and turbulent situation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Huizu simply shook his head slowly, a complex expression on his face, seemingly one of helplessness:

"If we could just catch them all at once, it would be simple. But now, it's like pulling up a radish and bringing out the mud along with it—we're all intertwined."
His Majesty once tried this: he pulled up a radish, and a cornfield eight hundred miles away collapsed. The consequences were far-reaching and spread throughout the entire Ming Dynasty.

He raised his hand and pointed to a restaurant not far ahead. Figures moved about by the restaurant's windows, seemingly ordinary, but who knew how many spies were hidden there?

"The court today is no longer what it used to be."

Xu Huizu's voice was deep and hoarse:
"The crown prince is seriously ill, and the position of heir apparent is vacant. Various forces are secretly making their moves."

Today's loyal ministers who advocate protecting the crown prince may, tomorrow, be tempted by benefits and switch sides to support other princes.
Today's seemingly virtuous minister who opposes tax increases may one day join forces with the rebels to protect himself.

It's difficult to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and they can even switch sides at any time.

His Majesty, a seasoned warrior who has witnessed the wickedness of human nature, dares not make a hasty move in the face of this intricate and complex situation.

"If we rashly arrest people, it's fine if we arrest the right one, but what if we arrest the wrong one, or arrest one person and it leads to a whole series of others, or even causes a bigger upheaval?"

Xu Huizu's gaze swept over Li Jinglong:
"The Crown Prince is seriously ill, and the court is most afraid of unrest."

All Your Majesty can do now is stabilize the situation, observe secretly, and wait for the right opportunity.

When you return, do not act rashly; prioritize the overall situation.

Li Jinglong fell silent, looking at the bustling yet oppressive capital city before him, feeling as if a heavy stone was lodged in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

This capital city of Yingtian, seemingly the heart of the Ming Dynasty and the most prosperous place in the land,
In reality, it has long been a huge vortex where various forces are vying for power, and a slight misstep could lead to utter destruction.

Li Yuan was retired, two ministerial positions were vacant, the city was full of imperial guards, and the crown prince was seriously ill. All these things foreshadowed a huge storm that was about to break.

"What is the condition of His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Li Jinglong couldn't help but ask again, his tone tinged with a hint of hope.

Xu Huizu did not answer immediately, but instead looked up towards the direction of the imperial city:

"Since the incident, His Highness the Crown Prince has not left the Eastern Palace."

Li Jinglong's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly held his breath!

Xu Huizu then said:
"The imperial physicians in the Eastern Palace have changed wave after wave, and the imperial kitchen has been sending in medicine every day without fail, but apart from His Majesty and a few senior eunuchs, no one knows how the Crown Prince is doing."

He turned to look at Li Jinglong, his eyes carrying a hint of warning:
"Jiujiang, the more you know about certain things, the greater the danger."

His Majesty has summoned you back; there must be something important to attend to.

Watch your mouth and your hands, and don't get involved in any factional disputes.

"Let's get through the New Year peacefully, and then everything will be clear at tomorrow's grand court assembly."

Li Jinglong nodded heavily, his expression having changed from initial confusion and anger to deep solemnity.

He took a deep breath, the cold wind rushing into his throat, carrying a biting chill, but it made him much more awake.

He shook his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh:
"It's absurd. When I was in the Northwest, I thought about the prosperity of Yingtian all day long, but after coming back, I felt that the Northwest was pretty good too."

"northwest."

Xu Huizu's eyes were deep-set, and his lips twitched as if he had thought of something. He asked:

"How is His Highness the Prince of Qin doing in Shaanxi?"

Li Jinglong was taken aback:
"Very good, what's wrong?"

Xu Huizu's eyes deepened further, and he gently shook his head:

"fine."

(End of this chapter)