In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 934 Passing on the Torch
In mid-April, the winter chill completely disappeared in Liaodong, and the sun became warm and pleasant.

They could finally take off the mink and fox fur coats they had been wearing all day and put on light and comfortable clothes.

Over the past ten days or so, the road construction in Liaodong Commandery has progressed extremely rapidly.
Once the money arrived, the ironware workshops expanded rapidly, and cement workshops also sprang up.

A dozen or so thick black smokestacks stand to the west of Liaoyang City, billowing thick smoke all day long, making even the clouds in the sky seem a bit grayer.

When the people saw it, they didn't think it was damaging the environment.

Instead, he saw it as a symbol of the development of the capital, and his face was full of satisfaction!
After all, having enough to eat is more important than anything else.

At the construction site in the west of the city, thousands of tents have already been set up, and some simple cement houses have also been built, creating a rather spectacular scene.

Nearly three thousand people are busy at the construction site, making preparations for the start of construction in full swing.

A red carpet was laid out at the very front of the construction site.

A dozen or so tables were arranged in a row, covered with wine, dishes and meat. On the table was a fine bronze incense burner with three straight sticks of incense sticks.

"Hurry, hurry, the auspicious time is almost here! All lords, please arrive shortly! Everyone, please retreat to the outer perimeter!"

An official shouted and waved for the laborers to leave the prepared area and go to the outside to watch the ceremony.

As the laborers hurriedly retreated, they also picked up the debris on the ground.
Although his steps were hurried, his face was full of smiles.

This is a crucial moment for Liaodong!
Such a grand opening ceremony,
Many of the older laborers had only seen it during the reconstruction of Liaoyang City.

That was the time when the Ming Dynasty had just wiped out the remnants of the Northern Yuan, driven out the Jurchens, and completely controlled Liaodong.

Many people looked on with emotion and sighed.

Time flies like an arrow; more than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.
Many of those who participated in the construction of the city have passed away, and the new residents have long forgotten its former glory.

Today, some people are still alive.

They brought their grandchildren and nephews to the ceremony so that future generations would remember this moment.

Years later, when their grandchildren and nephews become old like them, they too can relive the experience.

After everyone had left the ceremony site, the sun shone on the bright red carpet, making the bronze incense burner on the table gleam.

With a quarter to go before the auspicious time, the area around the construction site was already packed with people.
Laborers in short tunics, officials wearing square scarves, and wealthy men in brocade robes;
Even the children with their hair in pigtails were tiptoeing to peek inside.

Old Master Liu, supported by Liu Sizhen, stood in the front position.

Zang Shengjie followed beside him, holding a folding fan in his hand but not in the mood to fan himself, his eyes fixed on the three incense sticks on the table.

"He's here! Lord Pan is here!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and the noise instantly quieted down a bit.

Everyone turned to look and saw Pan Jing dressed in the robes of a second-rank military officer, with a jade belt around his waist.

He walked slowly, accompanied by several deputy commanders.

Beside him stood Lu Yunyi, also dressed in the robes of a second-rank official, his posture upright and his expression calm.

Next up is Zhang Gou, still wearing the robes of a fourth-rank censor.
His expression was a bit more somber than usual, as if he were pondering something.

Pan Jing walked to the table and stood there, his gaze sweeping over everyone. He cleared his throat:

"Today is an auspicious day for the commencement of construction on the Liaoyang-Daning official road."

Thanks to the trust of the imperial court and the great help of everyone, we have achieved what we have today.

The sacrificial ceremony will be held later. We hope everyone will offer sincere prayers, wishing for the road to be completed soon, so that it may benefit the people of Liaodong!

No sooner had he finished speaking than another commotion arose from the crowd.
Everyone stood on tiptoe, looking towards the stage.

The candles were lit, and wisps of smoke rose into the air.
Blown by the wind, it drifted deep into the construction site.

Pan Jing picked up three incense sticks and bowed three times to the sky, his movements solemn.

His fingers trembled slightly as he lit the incense.

I've been in Liaodong for nearly a year, from the time Zhou E caused the chaos to the start of construction.
Only he himself knows how difficult the journey has been.

Pan Jing took a deep breath, mustered all his strength, and made his voice resound throughout the entire construction site:
"Heaven above, Earth below!"

The Liaodong Military Command has been ordered to repair the official road from Liaoyang to Daning.

To connect the north and south, benefit the people, and strengthen border defense.

May Heaven bless the project, ensuring its smooth progress and freedom from disasters and difficulties!
May this road, once completed, bring peace and prosperity to the people of Liaodong, allowing them to travel on smooth paths and make a living!

Having said that, he picked up the wine cup on the table and slowly poured the wine onto the ground.
The wine seeped into the soil, leaving a damp patch.

The sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out, instantly creating a lively and bustling scene, with colorful ribbons fluttering in the wind.
Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the stage.

Lu Yunyi stood aside, watching the people who were standing on tiptoe and peering in.
There was a hint of emotion in his eyes.
This road is not only a national policy of the imperial court, but also the livelihood and hope of these people!

After the sacrificial ceremony, Pan Jing walked up to the high platform, cleared his throat, and waited for everyone to quiet down before continuing:
Fellow villagers, fellow colleagues!

I, Pan Jing, am a rough man, not good at speaking in refined terms, but I have a few words from my heart that I'd like to share with everyone.

He paused, his gaze falling on the laborers:
Last winter, a mutiny broke out in Liaodong, and many people had no food or clothes to wear.

Many soldiers' families couldn't even afford charcoal to keep warm in the winter.
I know you're all suffering! But do you know what's going on?
What does the city of Daning in the west look like now?

Some people in the crowd whispered among themselves, and a merchant who had been to Daning shouted:
"The roads in Daning City are all paved with stone slabs, and there are schools in the city where children can study!"

"That's right!"

Pan Jing raised his voice.

"The people of Da Ning can eat their fill every day. Women can go to workshops to spin yarn, and men can go to construction sites and run caravans!"

The elderly also receive a charcoal subsidy in winter!
Why?

"Because the road to Daning was opened, it allowed us to travel to and from Beiping, to do business, and to earn money!"

He pointed deep into the construction site:

"The road we built is not a simple dirt road; it is a major road that can accommodate horse-drawn carriages and hundreds or thousands of caravans!"
In the past, the roads in Liaodong were muddy, and even slightly larger merchants were unwilling to come here.
They'll all come once the road is repaired!
Silk and porcelain from Beiping could be transported to Liaodong, and furs and ginseng from Liaodong could be sold to Beiping!

By then, workshops will increase and schools will be built.
The woman no longer needs to revolve solely around the stove.
The man no longer needs to worry about not having work.

Children can also learn to read and write, and understand principles, just like the children of Daning!

An uproar erupted in the crowd, while the common people and laborers mostly looked bewildered.

They couldn't believe that such a good thing could happen to them.

"Can we also live the life of the people of Daning?" A boy, barely a teenager, asked boldly.

"Yes!" Pan Jing said decisively.
"As long as everyone works together to build the road, Liaodong will not only catch up with Daning, but also surpass it!"

The imperial court will not forget us, nor will the military command!

Work starts today, and I won't lose a single penny of my monthly wages!
Enough meals every day!

We must let everyone know that the people of Liaodong can also live a good life through their own hard work!

These words stirred the blood of the crowd.

The old man wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, while the young people clenched their fists.
Even the wealthy families nodded in approval; the road was now open.

Their business can grow bigger, which is everyone's hope.

"Build good roads! Live a better life!"

The shouts rose and fell, making the sun overhead seem even brighter.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered around Pan Jing and Lu Yunyi, discussing their plans for the project to begin.

Grandpa Liu held Lu Yunyi's hand and said with emotion:
"Yunyi, thanks to you and Lord Pan, Liaodong is what it is today. If this road is completed, Liaodong will be revitalized."

Lu Yunyi smiled:

"You're too kind, sir. This is the result of everyone's hard work."

"With the road repaired, the good days are yet to come for Liaodong."

As they were talking, Pan Jing walked over, his face showing concern:

"Are you really leaving today? Don't you want to stay a few more days to see how things are progressing after construction starts?"

Lu Yunyi shook his head:
"I still have things to do in Da Ning, so I can't stay any longer."

Pan Jing felt a pang of reluctance:

"With you gone, I've lost someone I can consult with. Don't you have anything to say to Zhang Gou?"

Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Gou not far away.
The latter stood alone below the platform, gazing at the construction site in a daze.

"I've already told him everything I needed to say before."

He's a smart man, just too serious. Maybe he'll understand later.

The group saw Lu Yunyi off to the entrance of the construction site.

His entourage had already prepared a carriage, and more than a thousand soldiers stood to the side, exuding a chilling aura.

Lu Yunyi waved to the crowd:

"Farewell, everyone. Let us meet again when the road is completed."

Pan Jing and other officials bowed in return.
As Lu Yunyi mounted his horse, his guards followed closely behind, heading towards Da Ning.

The people spontaneously made way for each other, standing on the roadside waving.
"May Lord Lu have a safe journey!"

The sound, accompanied by the clatter of the carriage wheels, carried far.

Lu Yunyi sat on horseback and looked back.

The crowd remained standing, waving in his direction.

Although the trip to Liaodong was not without its twists and turns, it was ultimately worthwhile.

With the roads open and commerce booming, he was one step closer to his plan!
The carriage traveled for about half an hour before arriving at a post station five miles from Liaoyang City.

As soon as they stopped, they saw a person standing at the entrance of the post station, and it was Zhang Gou!
He was still wearing his imperial censor's robes, his hair was a little messy, and his eyes were sunken.

A stubble had sprouted on his chin, and he looked much more haggard than usual. "My lord, it's Lord Zhang."

His bodyguard, Gong Xianzhi, leaned closer and whispered.

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly: "Why is he here?"

"Since I didn't see any of his entourage, he must not have left Liaoyang; he must have come specifically to see you."

Gong Xianzhi spoke with a somewhat strange expression.

Lu Yunyi dismounted and walked to Zhang Gou:

"Lord Zhang, are you waiting for me here because you have something to say?"

Zhang Gou stared at the young man before him, paused for a moment, then bowed deeply.
"This humble official has met Lord Lu. I do indeed have something to say to you."

Lu Yunyi shook his head helplessly:
"Let's go inside and talk."

The two entered the post station, and the innkeeper, seeing that they were two adults,
He quickly prepared a private room, served hot tea, and then left.

In the private room, Zhang Gou looked at Lu Yunyi, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly spoke:
"Lord Lu, I've been investigating for so long..."
The trading companies in Zhenjiangbao withdrew, and the Goryeo side insisted that it was a Jurchen raid, and there were no abnormalities in the army dispatch records.

But I know that the two hundred thousand taels of silver, and your trip to Goryeo, are not false.”

Lu Yunyi picked up his teacup, blew on it to cool it down, and said nothing.

Zhang Gou continued:
"As a censor of the Censorate, it is my duty to investigate corrupt officials and correct malpractices."

You led troops into Goryeo without authorization, seized Goryeo's silver, and allowed local powerful families to interfere in the imperial projects.
If these matters were reported to the imperial court, they would all be considered serious crimes.

Lu Yunyi raised his eyes and looked at him:
"Then what are you waiting for?"

Zhang Gou smiled wryly:
"I dare not deceive you, sir, but I have no conclusive evidence."

I can't understand where those 10,000 soldiers came from.

Moreover, you are a high-ranking local official, trusted by His Highness the Crown Prince, and you also hold military power.

"I am but a fourth-rank censor; even if I were to submit a memorial, it would be futile and would only bring trouble upon myself."

He paused, his tone softening slightly:

"Lord Pan is right. With the road open, the people of Liaodong will be able to live a good life."

If the road construction is delayed because of my report to the court, then the people's hopes will be dashed.

Although I am an imperial censor, I cannot ignore the lives of the common people.

Lu Yunyi looked at him, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation:
"You are a very honest person, but Lord Zhang reads books to understand things, not to get stuck on trivialities."

The imperial court sent you to Liaodong to oversee road construction and improve the lives of the people there.

Now that the road construction has started, that's enough.

As for those so-called truths, revealing them would only incite disputes within the court.

Officials like you and me, even if we were dismissed from office and went home, would we starve? We would still live a life of luxury.

The ones who suffer are the people who go hungry because of the strife.

Zhang Gou fell silent. His teacher had once said...
Some things are not black and white; substance is more important than rules.

"Your humble servant."

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Lu Yunyi stood up and straightened his cloak:
“I don’t blame you for investigating me before; you were just doing your duty. But from now on, don’t investigate me anymore.”

"There are some things that are better left unknown for you, for the court, and for the people."

He walked to the door and said again:

"I must go now. I'm returning to the capital. If anyone asks about Liaodong..."

Just tell them that the road construction has started and everything is going smoothly.
As for the rest, it's up to you.

Zhang Gou watched his retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He stood up, his face resolute, bowed deeply to Lu Yunyi's retreating figure, and said firmly:

"As an imperial censor, I cannot fail to investigate. I will not abandon this matter."

Lu Yunyi did not pause at all, pushed open the door, and mounted his horse.

The convoy slowly started moving and headed towards Daning.

Zhang Gou stood at the entrance of the post station, watching the carriage gradually disappear at the end of the official road, and let out a long sigh:

"A person cannot stand without integrity. If court officials lose their discipline, they will sooner or later ruin everything."

The convoy proceeded smoothly all the way.
Half a month later, they entered the territory of Beiping Commandery and arrived at Yingzhou Right Garrison.

Five li outside Youtunwei, Commander Ding Lang led a group of officers to greet them.

From a distance, a group of people could be seen slowly approaching.
The black armor of the hundreds of soldiers at the head of the column was particularly striking, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

The long line of tall horses strutted proudly, exuding a more majestic aura than the caravans beside them.

"coming!"

Ding Lang's personal guards were somewhat agitated.

Ding Lang also smiled:
"Let's go forward and greet them!"

The group mounted their horses and went to meet them.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, the two groups met on the official road.

Ding Lang immediately spotted Lu Yunyi at the front of the line; he stood out conspicuously.

He dismounted, strode forward, and bowed deeply.
"Ding Lang, Commander of the Right Garrison of Yingzhou, greets Your Excellency!"

The personal guard slowly parted, and Lu Yunyi rode out on his warhorse.

Looking down at Ding Lang,

He glanced again at the spirited soldiers behind him and nodded in satisfaction:

"Ding Lang, it's been a while since I've seen you. You seem to have lost weight."

Having said that, he dismounted and went to meet them.

Ding Lang was taken aback, then scratched his head sheepishly:

"My lord, I have been extremely busy lately. The Commander has given me a lot of tasks, which has left me feeling overwhelmed."

Upon hearing this, the officers and commanders behind him nodded repeatedly, clearly sharing the same sentiment.

"Oh? What kind of problem has Black Hawk given you this time?" Lu Yunyi asked with a smile.

"My lord, Lord Liu has instructed us to cooperate with the front and rear garrisons of Yingzhou."

They reclaimed land in Qingfengchuan, Tubaoguan, Xiaoshichi, and Songlingshan, which were not far away.

They also said that the commander would send an agricultural expert to improve the soil, and sweet potatoes would be planted two years later.

Ding Lang looked worried and sighed.
"My lord, you don't know, Lord Liu has demanded that the reclamation be completed before August."

To meet the deadline, even in the dead of winter, his subordinates led people to dig the ground.

The soil was frozen solid; one blow with the hammer and your hand would ache from the impact.

"Hahaha, Black Hawk really knows how to give you guys something to do!"

Lu Yunyi burst into laughter, put his hands on his hips, and looked at the neat fields on both sides of the official road.

"How's the land reclamation going?"

Ding Lang instantly composed himself, his tone becoming serious:
"My lord, since this is a military order, I will do everything in my power to carry it out!"
The usable fields in Qingfengchuan and Tubaoguan have now been fully cultivated, and the remaining two areas will be finished in the next few months!

"it is good!"

Lu Yunyi stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder:

"The military farms are the top priority for the Commander-in-Chief. With you here overseeing things, I feel at ease."

"Once we get back, the commander will give you your reward money."

"Thank you, sir!"

Ding Lang and the officers behind him responded in unison.

"By the way, you know about the road construction that started in Liaodong, right?"

"The repairs have started?"

Ding Lang's eyes lit up, and his face showed surprise.

Yingzhou Garrison was located at the easternmost edge of the Beiping Regional Military Commission, less than a hundred li from Liaodong.

Once the road is completed, they will be the first to benefit!

"Work has already started, and we will speed up the process after spring plowing."

If you calculate the time, the road will be built to your location by this time next year.

You'd better prepare in advance, so nothing goes wrong.

"Yes!"

Ding Lang was extremely excited and immediately stood up straight.

"Rest assured, sir, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties and ensure the road construction preparations are completed successfully!"

"Mm." Lu Yunyi nodded.
"Is there anything else? If not, let's go into town."

Ding Lang's expression hardened, and he quickly took out two letters from his pocket and handed them over:
"Sir, these two letters..."
One letter was sent by the Three Guards of Doyan, and the other was delivered by the Commander yesterday.
The commander specifically instructed that this be delivered to you immediately; it's extremely urgent!

(End of this chapter)