I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 328 Little Wanli: The debtor is to the creditor as the tenant is to the landlord!
Zhengyangmen Street, Sanwancha Bookstore.

On the storytelling stage.

The gray-clad man, around thirty years old, brandished a kitchen knife and slashed at the portly middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man used the storyteller Zhang Tiezui as a shield, dodging left and right.

Bang!Bang!Bang!
The man in gray swung his knife several times, all of which struck the lectern.

at this time.

Two burly men dressed in gray short-sleeved shirts rushed onto the stage and quickly tackled the man in gray to the ground, taking the kitchen knife away from him.

"Report to the authorities quickly! Report to the authorities quickly!" Zhang Tiezui shouted down.

"No need, no need to report to the authorities! This is my debtor. If the officials arrest him, who will pay me back?" the middle-aged man said, straightening his collar.

“Then…then we’ll listen to Master Xu!” The storyteller Zhang Tiezui said, bowing low. He clearly couldn’t afford to offend Master Xu, otherwise he would have given Master Xu a good scolding just for taking the knife for him.

Xu Liu walked up to the gray-clad man, punched him hard in the stomach, and cursed, "Zhang Ping'an, you still want to kill me? Yesterday I sold your daughter, today I'll sell you too!"

Having said that, Xu Liu waved his hand.

Two burly men then dragged Zhang Ping'an, the man in gray, down below.

"Xu Liu, you...you...you bastard who lends money at exorbitant interest rates, you're making money that will bring you no descendants, you...you'll die a horrible death! Your whole family will die a horrible death!"

……

now.

The four people not far away, Xiao Wanli, Shen Nian, Wang Jia, and Shi Qing, also understood the reason for this murder.

Zhang Ping'an, a debtor, owed Xu Liu a high-interest debt. Unable to repay the money, his daughter was sold by Xu Liu. Enraged, Zhang Ping'an took a knife and tried to kill Xu Liu.

Xu Liu's refusal to report to the authorities was not due to his kind heart.

Instead, for this crime of attempted murder, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, he would be punished with "one hundred strokes of the cane and three years of penal servitude." However, Xu Liu still wanted Zhang Ping'an to work as a laborer to repay his money.

At the bottom of society, everyone suffers.

Such conflicts between creditors and debtors occur frequently.

Seeing that the debtor Zhang Ping'an was an honest man, Shen Nian decided to make a note of the matter and inform the Shuntian Prefecture later, so that they would handle the matter impartially.

Just when Shen Nian thought this little incident was about to end and he was about to remind Xiao Wanli to return to the palace...

A clear and loud sound suddenly rang in my ears.

"Halt!" The speaker was the young Wanli Emperor.

"boom!"

As the two burly men escorted Zhang Ping'an to his side, the young Wanli Emperor suddenly stood up and kicked a stool into the aisle, blocking the three men's path.

Shi Qing quickly stood protectively beside the young Wanli Emperor, and the other Imperial Guards also stood up instantly to prevent the two burly men from making a move.

"How much money does he owe you? You even sold his daughter and said you would sell him too! According to the Great Ming Code, selling a free person into slavery is punishable by a hundred strokes of the cane and exile for three thousand li, or by beheading or hanging!"

The young Wanli Emperor had a loud voice and could recite the "Great Ming Code" almost backwards.

Xu Liu strode over, looking Xiao Wanli, Shen Nian, Wang Jia, and the others up and down. Seeing that they were dressed in expensive clothes and had an extraordinary air about them, he couldn't help but slightly bow and say, "Young master, this matter has nothing to do with you, does it?"

“You have violated the Great Ming Code, and I have an obligation to report you to the authorities for arrest!” said the young Wanli Emperor, puffing out his chest.

Seeing that there were several guards around Xiao Wanli, Xu Liu's eyes immediately lit up, and he said with a smile, "Young master, you have misunderstood! This man owes me money that is overdue and has not paid it back. He has no land or property, so I can only let his daughter do laundry and cleaning for others. This does not count as human trafficking!"

Currently, human trafficking is disguised as employment, with the ostensible form being an employment contract, but the ostensible form being a contract of servitude.

Followed by.

Xu Liu looked at the waiter beside him and said, "Put the tea bill for these guests on my tab!"

After saying that, Xu Liu was about to leave with his men.

At this moment, Zhang Ping'an shouted, "He...he's a human trafficker! My daughter is only eleven years old, and...he sold her to Fenzi Hutong! I...I...I want her back..."

Before Zhang Ping'an could finish speaking, the man next to him covered his mouth.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Xu Liu with anger and said, "Let him go!"

Xu Liu was immediately annoyed and glared at him, saying, "Who exactly are you? I don't want trouble, but I'm not afraid of it either. You'd better mind your own business!"

"Let him go!" Little Wanli said sternly, his hands behind his back.

"Bullshit! Bullshit!"

The moment those words were spoken, a loud "snap" was heard.

The young Wanli strode out and slapped Xu Liu across the face.

The moment Xu Liu resisted, two Imperial Guards grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back.

at the same time.

The two burly men were also subdued by the Imperial Guards behind them and forced to kneel on one knee.

The audience members, fearing they might get hurt, quickly stepped back, but most were reluctant to leave and wanted to continue watching the spectacle.

"Report to the authorities! Report to the authorities!" Zhang Tiezui shouted to the waiter beside him.

Immediately, one of the waiters ran outside.

Xu Liu was slapped, and seeing that the other side had more people and was more powerful, he immediately dared not say another word.

Shi Qing couldn't help but let out a long breath; he was actually the one who was most nervous just now.

He needed to protect the young Wanli Emperor, but he also had to give him enough room to perform.

Just now, when Xu Liu was cursing, Shi Qing caught a glimpse of Xiao Wanli's outstretched hand the instant he made his move, and he quickly withdrew it.

If he were to slap the young Wanli Emperor on his behalf, the young Wanli Emperor would definitely be unhappy.

Having read too many miscellaneous books, the young Wanli Emperor is now playing the role of a hero who acts decisively when the time is right.

Xiao Wanli looked at Zhang Ping'an and asked, "Zhang Ping'an, how much money do you owe him? When did you start owing him this money? How much do you owe him?"

“Three months ago, I borrowed three taels of silver from him to bury my wife. He clearly said that he would repay three taels and five mace in three months. When the deadline came, I sold my belongings and raised three taels and five mace, but he claimed that I owed him ten taels of silver. Then yesterday, he forcibly sold my daughter, saying... she sold for four taels and five mace. I still owe him two taels of silver. If I repay it a day later, it will be three mace more. I... I... can't repay it!”

“Nonsense! I have an IOU, it clearly states that in three months, the principal and interest will be repaid, totaling ten taels of silver. For each day of delay, an additional three qian of silver will be added. There’s your fingerprint on it!” Xu Liu argued.

"At that time...at that time, I was grieving for my beloved wife's passing. They seemed very concerned about me, but I...I didn't look closely...that's why..."

Thinking of this, Zhang Ping'an suddenly looked around, seemingly searching for his kitchen knife.

A member of the Imperial Guard pressed down on his shoulder, and he immediately collapsed to the ground, slowly sobbing.

Shen Nian looked helpless. This person was pitiful, but also quite pathetic.

The young Wanli looked at Xu Liu.

"Xu Liu, according to the Great Ming Code, the monthly interest rate for private lending and pawning of property shall not exceed three percent (3%). Even if the interest rate is high over many years, it shall not exceed one percent of the principal and one percent of the interest. He owes you three taels of silver. Even if he delays repayment, the interest rate cannot exceed twice the principal. Your IOU is invalid!"

"Hahahaha..." Xu Liu suddenly burst out laughing.

"Where did this young master come from? Did you crawl out of a bookworm's lap?"

"Go ask around the capital, which pawnshop or lender offers interest rates below three percent? Even in the palace, His Majesty's interest rates are above eight percent!" Upon hearing this, the young Wanli Emperor was somewhat at a loss for words.

Many rules were clearly written in black and white in the Ming Dynasty Code, but ordinary people just didn't follow them.

This is the difference between imperial edicts and real-life events in the common people; the Ming Code could only restrain honest people.

In addition, the young Wanli Emperor was aware that the inner court was lending money at interest, but he did not know how much interest there was.

Just then, several soldiers from the South City Garrison came over.

"Make way, everyone! Who's causing trouble here? Do they want to spend the New Year in jail?!"

"Commander Liu! I, Xu Liu, I...I...I've been beaten!" Xu Liu shouted excitedly, straightening his back instantly.

"Hey, Xu Liu? What happened?"

"Commander Liu, these people are meddling! This man is my debtor, and he can't pay his debts..."

Just as Xu Liu was about to explain the reason, Commander Liu and the soldiers behind him all knelt on one knee and bowed to Shi Qing, saying, "Sir, we didn't know you were here. We apologize for disturbing you!"

Xu Liu was momentarily stunned.

Shi Qing put away the Embroidered Uniform Guard token in his hand and said, "Take these two people who are having a conflict out!"

"Yes!" Commander Liu replied, cupping his hands in greeting.

Then, the soldiers behind General Liu immediately escorted Xu Liu and Zhang Ping'an outside.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards were the nemesis of the soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison. Whenever they saw the Embroidered Uniform Guards, they would kowtow and pay their respects before speaking.

at the same time.

Xiao Wanli, Shen Nian, and others also quickly walked out of the Three Bowls of Tea Storytelling Hall.

Just now, Shen Nian reminded Shi Qing with her eyes to reveal his identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When the young Wanli Emperor traveled incognito, he could not be in the public eye, otherwise, if someone recognized his identity or remembered his appearance, it would be dangerous for him later.

Just now, the young Wanli Emperor's sudden intervention in this matter was inappropriate.

Seeing that the young Wanli was emotionally agitated, Shen Nian realized that he had read too many miscellaneous books about "governors and provincial governors inspecting the country on behalf of Heaven and petitioning for the people" and wanted to "show off his divine power." So she did not stop him, but she knew that it would be too late to continue entangled with him.

The young Wanli Emperor knew he shouldn't be so flamboyant, so he behaved very obediently.

……

After a while.

Xiao Wanli and Shen Nian returned to the carriage.

Emperor Wanli spoke first, saying, "I was rash just now. Minister Shen did the right thing by having Shi Qing reveal his identity in time so that I could leave. However, now that I know about this matter, I should take charge of it."

“Your Majesty is kind-hearted. If you are not comfortable entrusting this matter to the Shuntian Prefecture, you may order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle it!” Shen Nian said.

"Shi Qing!" the young Wanli Emperor called out.

"Your subordinate is here!" Shi Qing, sitting on the carriage shaft, quickly replied.

"Order men to arrest Xu Liu and Zhang Ping'an and bring them to the imperial prison. Find out all the details of their borrowing and lending activities, and write it down. I want to see it tomorrow. Also, make them settle the matter according to the 'Great Ming Code,' and remember to rescue Zhang Ping'an's daughter!"

"I obey my orders!"

"Sigh!" Little Wanli sighed and looked at Shen Nian, saying, "Minister Shen, is the current situation of private lending very serious?"

Shen Nian's expression turned serious.

“Your Majesty, I was just thinking about this matter as well. Since the beginning of the exchange of money for goods, there has been the practice of ‘powerful and wealthy households lending money and exploiting the common people.’ Private lending is based on contracts, which makes it difficult for the government to regulate.”

"After the implementation of the Single Whip Law, the circulation of money accelerated, and more people started businesses, which inevitably exacerbated the level of lending. High-interest debt will inevitably increase. As for the extent to which it has developed, we still need to investigate carefully. This is a negative impact of the Single Whip Law, and we must pay attention to it!"

The young Wanli Emperor nodded and said seriously, "If the interest rate is too high, the debtors are to the creditors as tenants are to the landlords. If there are many debtors, the common people at the bottom will also find it difficult to live in peace."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian's eyes lit up, and she suddenly felt an urge to kneel down and kowtow to the young Wanli Emperor.

In his memory, this was the most skillful sentence that the young Wanli Emperor had ever uttered.

Debtors, like tenants, are constantly being exploited.

There is no human rights, no freedom.

Once you fall into this ravine, it's extremely difficult to get out, and displaced people, refugees, and anti-government groups all originate from this group.

Shen Nian was very proud that the young Wanli Emperor had such insight.

This shows that the young Wanli Emperor had the people in his heart, and he was determined to record this in his daily records.

“Your Majesty is right. The court should thoroughly investigate high-interest debt. However, before conducting a thorough investigation, we must first conduct a self-examination!” Shen Nian said.

Shen Nian was very clear about it.

The main entities that lent high-interest bonds must have included those in the inner court, officials in the capital, and nobles.

The young Wanli Emperor rolled his eyes and looked at Shen Nian.

"Shen Qing, we will not inform the Prime Minister about this matter beforehand. Let the two of us investigate. Once we have ascertained the situation and devised a solution, we will announce it to the public."

Shen Nian smiled slightly; how could he not see through the little Wanli Emperor's scheme?

The young Wanli Emperor wanted to establish merit and prove his ability to rule personally.

Furthermore, having the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate this matter is indeed better than the Cabinet ordering the Six Ministries to conduct their own investigations.

If the Six Ministries were to investigate, they would inevitably find their own people involved, but they dared not investigate the inner court or the nobility.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to do my utmost to assist you!" Shen Nian bowed.

Upon hearing the word "assistant," the young Wanli Emperor smiled with satisfaction and murmured, "Shen Qing understands me best."

……

Half an hour later, as the sun set, Xiao Wanli and Shen Nian returned to the Forbidden City.

Emperor Wanli immediately ordered Feng Bao to compile statistics on the lending activities of various government departments within the inner court, and also ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to compile statistics on the high-interest debt situation throughout Shuntian Prefecture.

Shen Nian then ordered officials from the Ministry of Revenue to investigate the pawnshops, securities firms, and professional money lenders in the capital.

The capital city is undoubtedly the most severely affected by high-interest debt; resolving the high-interest debt in the capital city will solve the high-interest debt problem throughout the country.

The implementation of the Single Whip Law essentially gave ordinary people more opportunities to change their fate.

If some powerful and wealthy families are allowed to exploit loopholes, causing ordinary people to fall into high-interest debts and find it difficult to escape, then the imperial court has an unshirkable responsibility and should resolve this hidden danger as soon as possible.

at the same time.

Xu Liu and Zhang Ping'an were also imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. When they learned that they were in the Imperial Prison, they were so frightened that they fainted.

Upon waking, the two men answered whatever the Imperial Guards asked them, remaining remarkably honest.

Late that night, the Imperial Guards rescued Zhang Ping'an's eleven-year-old daughter from a brothel.

The little girl was locked indoors and forced to sing obscene songs. If she sang a wrong line, her palm would be slapped. It was very pitiful.

(End of this chapter)