In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 765 Good People Get Good Fortune: Slay All
Li Wu scratched his head sheepishly.

"Master Li, how could I possibly distinguish right from wrong?"
However, for a villain, this is a good thing.
This also applies to the merchants of Xintianjie.

"Talk about it."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was calm, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and his tense nerves relaxed somewhat.

"Those arrested by Emperor Hongwu were all either rich or noble, and most of them were ruthless and heartless."

Now they've been arrested.
Even if the vacant business only leaks a little dust, it's enough for a small family to eat and drink.

If they had always been there,

That person will find it increasingly difficult to support their family.

Zhu Yuanzhang pursed his lips, gently stroked his drooping beard, and asked softly:
"Would the powerful and wealthy in the city steal your business?"

Li Wu glanced cautiously at the old man in front of him.
If I'm not mistaken, the Master Li in front of me is also a powerful and influential person, but I don't know what profession he's in.

After thinking for a moment, Li Wu decided not to hide anything and nodded vigorously:
"The wealthy gentlemen in the city might not care about the small amount of money they earn pulling a rickshaw."

But they also have relatives and friends.
Even if relatives and friends don't approve, the household stewards and servants will.

Especially after the tricycles were put on the market, we couldn't buy any; they were all bought by these old men.
They bought it to haul goods... naturally reducing the small-time crook's business.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was grave, his brows twitching rapidly.

“The nobles, relying on their power, encroach upon merchants, monopolize profits, and seize the livelihoods of ordinary people; this is the ill of the world.”

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly upon hearing this.

Wen Cheng, who was standing behind him, almost knelt down and kowtowed, but then realized it was inappropriate and quickly lowered his head.

Li Wu didn't notice the change in atmosphere, but he was a little puzzled:
"Master Li, I am a crude and uncouth man. What do you mean by that?"

"Officials use their power to interfere in business and take all the good deals, which is why ordinary people can't make a living and can't get by."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke succinctly, and the vague memories in his mind gradually surfaced, making his face extremely grim.

What Li Wu said reminded him of the tax farming system of the Yuan Dynasty.

The imperial court receives a fixed amount of money, but it doesn't care how much it actually collects.

This led to layers of exploitation by local officials throughout the Yuan dynasty, a practice that could be described as "scraping the bone and tearing the flesh."

Such signs are already emerging in the Ming Dynasty, with powerful officials in the court beginning to encroach on the livelihoods of the poor.

What weighed even more heavily on Zhu Yuanzhang's mind was that...
If such things happen right under the emperor's nose, what about in the remote border regions?
Where the emperor is far away and the imperial power does not extend to the countryside, isn't that even more serious?

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt restless and kept rubbing his hands together at his side.

Upon witnessing this, Wen Cheng quickly stepped forward and gently patted Zhu Yuanzhang on the back:
"Master...please calm down. Lord Hongwu can see this."
Now that so many people have been arrested, who knows how many ordinary people in the capital will survive.

Seeing that Master Li's face was flushed, Li Wu quickly poured a cup of tea and said:
"Mr. Li, don't worry, there's always a way to survive in this world."

Whether you live well or poorly, isn't it all just living?

Zhu Yuanzhang's emotions gradually calmed down, but the anger in his eyes did not diminish; instead, he spoke fiercely:
“From the beginning of his career until now, he has never changed. As soon as life gets better, he starts to exploit the people.”

Li Wu laughed:

"Master Li, I know you are a good man."
But you don't need to be too angry; Emperor Hongwu is already killing these corrupt officials.

"Humph…"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, his expression growing even more gloomy:

"No matter how many people the Hongwu Emperor you speak of kill, he cannot cut off this road."

And... what can he do all by himself?

With so many people in the world, there will always be places we can't see and places we can't control.

What can you do if someone won't listen after you've said something?

Li Wu was stunned, and his expression suddenly changed drastically:

"Master Li, you mustn't say that."

Emperor Hongwu was wise and powerful; he would surely eradicate corruption.

Besides, something is better than nothing; at least there's something to look forward to.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly calmed down, and his expression returned to normal.

"Yes, something is better than nothing, and doing something is better than doing nothing at all."
At least... now that the imperial court has arrested so many people, it allows small merchants like you to survive in the cracks.

Li Wu chuckled:
“Master Li, I never dared to dream that I could own such a brokerage firm and have several carriages. This is already a life of luxury.”

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply and nodded slightly:
"Alright, today is your big day."
I won't linger here any longer.
You should treat your guests well and study accounting diligently.

"Next time I come, I'll test you."

After speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, and Li Wu quickly stood up as well:

"Master Li, please stay and have some food and drinks. Although it's not anything of high quality..."

But they were all simple home-style dishes, and the taste was acceptable.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand:
"Forget it, just focus on running your business."
The children must be sent to school; it's free anyway, and they won't do much work anyway.

"Yes, Master Li, I understand." Li Wu said solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood at the door and waved to Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng stepped forward, took out a purse from his pocket, handed it over, and said with a smile:
"Manager Li, please take this."

This is a token of my husband's goodwill, meant to bring you joy.

Li Wu took the purse, glanced at it casually, and saw that it contained a large, gleaming gold ingot. He quickly waved his hand.
"Too, too precious! Ten coins will suffice to celebrate!"

Wen Cheng firmly pressed down on his hand, his smile gentle:

"My master is extremely wealthy, and this is all the money he can give as a token of his joy. Here you go."

After some arguing, Li Wucai dazedly accepted the gold.
He couldn't imagine how wealthy someone must be to offer a gold ingot as a token of celebration...

At the entrance, Li Wu saw the two of them onto the carriage.

As Zhu Yuanzhang approached the carriage, he waved to him:
"Go on, and do your job well."

"Yes, Master Li, I will remember!"

Li Wu stood still, bowed deeply, and looked solemn.

After the carriage swayed and drove away
A group of shopkeepers immediately surrounded him, bombarding him with questions.

It's simply a matter of who that person was.
They have some kind of background or powerful connections.

But Li Wu had no idea about any of this.

He could only shake his head and invite the people in for drinks.

Just as the group was pushing and shoving and playfully fighting, a carriage stopped at the door.

Unlike the previous carriage's understated luxury,

This carriage immediately catches the eye with its glittering gold decorations and precious jade stones.

Especially the chestnut horses pulling the cart, which looked heroic and extraordinary.

A hint of doubt flashed across the group of shopkeepers.
Who's here again?
Manager Chen was even more incredulous; the carriage in front of him was only something he had seen at first glance.

You can't get off without a hundred taels of silver.

He didn't quite understand why Li Wu, this seemingly ordinary and incompetent man,

How do I know so many wealthy people?

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man in his thirties peeked out and stepped down.

Upon seeing him, the atmosphere in the room became solemn.
Many shopkeepers' pupils suddenly contracted, and they couldn't help but take a half step back.

Li Wu was also a man of great experience, and upon seeing the newcomer, his knees almost buckled:
"Master Shen, what brings you here?"

Manager Chen's expression also looked somewhat unnatural.
But he still stepped forward to help Li Wu out of the predicament, after all, this was in Xintian Street in the lower city, not in the middle city!
Only then did Manager Chen reveal his identity.

Only then did the people present realize who the person in front of them was—Shen Zhengxin, the leader of the Sanxian Gang.

They were based in the Huowa Lane and Hubu Street area of ​​Zhongcheng, with more than a hundred brothers under their command, and they ran a restaurant, a gambling den, a carriage and horse shop, and a chess and card room.

Although its sphere of influence is not large, it has a powerful background, as evidenced by its ability to open a chess and card room in Beijing.

Shen Zhengxin landed on the ground and did not answer immediately.

Instead, he looked around, his eyes scrutinizing.

He is no longer the down-and-out man he was a year ago.

He was now dressed in a luxurious robe, with a palm-sized jade pendant at his waist. He was fair-skinned and had an extraordinary aura.

The two fierce-looking guards behind him added to his imposing presence.

Shen Zhengxin's gaze fell on Li Wu.

After looking him up and down for a moment, his serious expression softened.

"This must be Manager Li Wu."

Li Wu straightened up cautiously and nodded absently:

"Greetings, Master Shen. I am Li Wu."

He made a gesture as if to bow, but Shen Zhengxin smiled and stepped forward, grabbing his arm:

"Oh, today is a joyous occasion for Manager Li. I've come to offer my congratulations."

Ok?
Not only was Li Wu stunned,

Even the many shopkeepers around him were stunned...

Shen Zhengxin ignored them, and with a smile, took a wooden box from the messenger behind him and handed it over:

"Manager Li, these are five receipts from Yingtian Trading Company."

With these receipts, you can pick up five tricycles, all the extra-wide and extra-large kind, perfect for transporting goods for the merchant guild.

Li Wu stood there, stunned.
Manager Chen, who was standing nearby, squeezed in with wide eyes, somewhat shocked.

"Tricycles? Five of them?"

The surrounding shopkeepers were shocked.

These days, Yingtian Trading Company's tricycles are in high demand and short supply, with queues already stretching into next year.

Nowadays, a tricycle sold on the market costs at least ten taels of silver, more than three times the factory price.

The crowd looked at Shen Zhengxin with some shock, and became even more wary of the person in front of them.

Rumors circulated that he had a powerful background, and seeing him today, it's certainly true!
Amidst the envious gazes of those around him, Li Wu stood frozen in place.
A sense of panic welled up inside me.

It's not that five tricycles aren't tempting enough,

Rather, the person in front of him was someone he had never seen before...and didn't know at all.
Why are you giving me such a valuable gift right away?
Shen Zhengxin understood his dazed expression perfectly, smiled, and then took out a document from his pocket and handed it over:

“Shen is just following orders. If you have any trouble in the future, you can come to Huowa Lane to find Shen.”

Li Wu took the document and immediately opened it.

He really couldn't understand who had given him the gift.

The letter was in hand, but only glanced at it.

Li Wu's pupils dilated slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Although he didn't recognize most of the characters on it,

But he had only seen such a unique style of writing on one person!
"It's Lu Da..."

Shen Zhengxin raised her hand to stop him from continuing:

"It's good that Lord Li knows this, but don't spread this matter around, or there will be trouble."

"Yes, yes... I understand."

Li Wu nodded repeatedly, overjoyed.

"Alright, the goods have been delivered, so I'll head back now. Manager Li, please continue with your business."

"Take care, Master Shen. Please thank him for me... thank him..."

Shen Zhengxin nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry."

After speaking, Shen Zhengxin boarded the luxurious carriage, and the group slowly departed…

The group swarmed forward, surrounding Li Wu.

Her gaze was fixed intently on the small box in his hand.

Both their attitude and tone became much warmer…

Feeling this enthusiasm, Li Wu couldn't help but smile.

he knows,
From today onwards, I can say that I have established a firm foothold in Xintianjie.

As evening approached, in the Imperial City, at the square in front of the Fengtian Hall,
Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, ascended the steps one by one.

His face was solemn, his expression dignified, and he stared at the steps, lost in thought.

Beside him, Wen Cheng, the Junior Minister of the Divine Palace, followed silently behind, equally silent.

He watched as His Majesty left muddy footprints, his expression complex.

In one day, the two of them toured all over Yingtian City and even went to the fields outside the city.
What I saw and heard along the way
He is still terrified and doesn't dare to think about it.

I remember the last time was in the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign.
His Majesty did the same, disguising himself and going out for a stroll, only to return to find ten thousand heads rolled...

This time, I don't know how many people will die.

The two slowly walked up to the Fengtian Hall. Zhu Yuanzhang stopped at the head of the table, slightly out of breath, his eyes somewhat dim.

I remember when the Fengtian Hall was first built, I was still young.
I don't get tired walking up and down the steps in front of the hall, but I'm actually tired today.

"Wen Cheng, am I getting old?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared blankly at the setting sun in the distance, his voice somewhat hoarse.

Wen Cheng pursed his lips, his whole body drenched in cold sweat, and his scalp tingled.

He spoke softly:
"Your Majesty is in the prime of life and has not aged."

Zhu Yuanzhang smirked, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and muttered to himself:

"I am old, and the world thinks I am easy to bully. They want to climb over me and my people to act arrogantly, as if I'm no longer here..."

The voice grew increasingly deep, and this time Wen Cheng had no hesitation. He knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed firmly against the ground.
"His Majesty's divine might is at its peak, and no one dares to rival his glory."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his sleeve and let out a cold laugh:
"I see that the whole world is full of treacherous and deceitful officials."

"Order the Three Departments to execute all those imprisoned who have encroached on land or oppressed the people, regardless of the number of prisoners!"

Wen Cheng's expression suddenly changed drastically. He abruptly raised his head, and cold sweat immediately poured down his face.

The more ambiguous the imperial edict, the more people were killed.

How many people would have to be killed now...?

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree!"

"Order Lu Yunyi and Liu Sili to come to the palace to see me, and bring with them the personnel roster of Yingtian Trading Company!"

"Yes!"

As the sun set, the entire city of Yingtian fell into darkness, with the imperial city appearing like a bright pearl embedded in the darkness.

Although the palace gates were closed

But the six ministries remained extremely busy.
None of the clerks or officials left; the atmosphere was extremely tense.

At the main gate of the Ministry of Justice, a troop of imperial guards clad in silver armor hurried in.

The leader had a resolute face and a stern expression; he was none other than Guo Zhen, the Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant!

Behind him, several eunuchs in scarlet robes stood with solemn expressions, the leader holding an imperial edict and walking hurriedly.

Guo Zhen arrived at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice, looked at the guards, and said in a deep voice:

"Order the head of the Ministry of Justice to come out of the office and receive the imperial decree!"

Before long, all the ministers and officials, led by Yang Jing, the Minister of Justice, left the yamen.
They knelt down in an orderly fashion.

At this moment, the head eunuch stepped forward, opened the imperial edict, and spoke loudly:
"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

I rose from humble beginnings, braving wind and rain, overcoming all obstacles, to build the Ming Dynasty I enjoy today.

The hardships of starting a business are still fresh in our minds, as I and my lords have witnessed them firsthand.

In the past, I recruited many talented people. Whether you fought bravely on the battlefield or devised strategies in the command tent, you were all pillars of the nation. I treated you with all my heart, promising you wealth and honor.

However, I am deeply saddened to hear of so many rebellious acts.

Li Shanchang, an old minister of mine and a founding hero.
I have treated him with utmost loyalty, entrusted him with important responsibilities, bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Han, and granted him a certificate of merit, hoping that he will serve me faithfully and bring blessings upon his descendants.

Unexpectedly, he became arrogant and complacent, gradually developing a spoiled and arrogant attitude.

His relatives and cronies formed a large faction and acted recklessly in the court, interfering in state affairs.

Moreover, when Hu Weiyong plotted rebellion, he knew about it but did not report it, and was indecisive.

I have repeatedly pardoned him because of his past merits, but he shows no remorse and his behavior has only worsened.

I now realize that raising a tiger will inevitably lead to great harm.

Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong, Zhao Yong, and others also did not think about serving the country, but instead embezzled and accepted bribes, oppressed the people, privately amassed weapons, and plotted rebellion.

Your actions have violated the laws of our Great Ming Dynasty and gone against the principles of Heaven and human nature.

As the ruler of the world, I should strive for the well-being of all people and safeguard the peace and prosperity of the nation.

If we condone and tolerate evil now, how can we face the people of the world, and how can we set an example for future generations?

Therefore, I am determined to punish him severely.

The court ordered the execution of Li Shanchang and over seventy others, including his wife, daughters, brothers, and nephews.

The entire families of Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong, Mei Yi, and others involved in the case were also executed to uphold the law and serve as a warning to others.

His entire estate was confiscated, and his fields and houses were seized.

I am not an ungrateful or heartless person; it is you who have severed yourselves from me and from the world.

I hope all officials will take this as a warning, be loyal to the emperor and love the country, be dutiful and law-abiding, and not repeat the mistakes of the past.

This proclamation is hereby issued to the entire realm, so that all may know. This is the imperial decree.

After he finished speaking, the entire Ministry of Justice fell silent.

Yang Jing half-raised his head, his body trembling.

His eyes were filled with deep fear.

Upon hearing the news, the other five department heads rushed out, only to be stunned and at a loss, each with a complex expression.

Your Majesty is about to unleash another massacre.

Lu Yunyi, who was passing by, stood there stunned, his eyes filled with complex emotions and a sense of bewilderment.

Although I already knew the outcome, hearing the imperial edict with my own ears was still amazing.
He still felt that the solemn imperial city before him was shrouded in a bloody mist, making it impossible to see anyone clearly.

"Let's go. In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. Killing is the simplest way."

Liu Sili tugged at Lu Yunyi's sleeve and took the lead in leaving.

Lu Yunyi let out a long sigh of relief and followed after him…

(End of this chapter)