Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 64: A "Difficult" Decision (Fourth update, please subscribe first!)
"Lin Zhaoen..."

"This person seems to be quite famous in history?"

Haiyue looked at the fourteen-year-old Lin Zhaoen with some surprise.

In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, two famous figures emerged in the Fujian intellectual circle, who were called the "Two Heretics of Central Fujian."

One of them was Li Zhi from Quanzhou, who considered himself a "heretic" of traditional Confucianism of Confucius and Mencius. Many of his ideas, which seemed unorthodox at the time, were quite in line with modern people's concepts, and therefore he gained considerable fame in later generations.

Not many people know about the other one. His name is Lin Zhaoen. He advocated the unity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, founded a religion, fought against the Japanese pirates, and did a lot of practical things. However, in terms of explosive points, he is far inferior to Li Zhi, so he is not discussed as much.

Lin Zhaoen also has another identity, which is the grandson of Lin Fu, the current governor of Guangdong and Guangxi.

But the fact that he would appear here was indeed surprising: "You kidnapped Governor Lin's grandson?"

Yan Xiu laughed and said, "How can you call him kidnapping? The young master came here of his own accord. He's also very curious about the affairs of the Fang Mansion!"

"Hello, Brother Hai!"

Lin Zhaoen's eyes were clear and he saluted politely.

"Master Lin, please!"

The four of them came to a private room in a teahouse across the street, took their seats, and looked at each other.

After a brief silence, Yan Xiu began to liven up the atmosphere. Hai Yue was also talkative and quickly started a conversation.

As they were chatting, they talked about Lin Fu's memorials to the court, "Petition to Stop Pearl Harvesting" and "Petition to Abolish the Eunuchs in the Pearl Pond and Maritime Customs."

Hai Yue asked, "I heard that a riot broke out in Hepu County, which prompted Governor Lin to make up his mind and petition the court to stop the pearl fishing. Is this true?"

Lin Zhaoen's face was solemn, and he said slowly: "Brother Hai, have you ever been to Hepu County?"

"No."

"I've been there."

"How's it going there?"

“People are living in misery!”

Lin Zhaoen said without hesitation, "Hepu County is already a barren land with a poor population. Ever since Hepu pearls became world-famous, the local people have stopped growing crops and are now farming the sea to collect pearls, trading them for rice!"

"But soon, pearl collecting became a government monopoly, and private mining was strictly prohibited. Pearl miners would be severely punished if caught even hiding broken pearls!"

"And every time the government imposes corvée labor, the nightmare of the people of Hepu begins!"

"Pearl fishing is extremely difficult and dangerous. Pearl farmers tie a rope around their waists, carry a basket, and dive ten feet into the seabed. After collecting pearl oysters, they shake the rope to signal the boatmen to pull them back."

"They were often attacked by sharks. The people on the boat would see a stream of blood rising up, and then they would be unable to pull anyone out..."

"Even those who managed to survive often suffered from bleeding from their ears and noses, and soon died of illness and pain!"

"What Lin Zhaoke, the prefect of Lianzhou, said in his poem "Picking the Pearls," 'The cries of grief go unheard, and one hundred thousand strong men are half dead and half alive,' is absolutely not an exaggeration!"

Lin Zhaoen gritted his teeth as he said, "Every pearl on the emperor, empress, and maids was purchased with the lives of the people who bought it!"

Haiyue was moved.

As expected of a future heretic, he is truly extraordinary.

In fact, not only were the palace jewels of all dynasties stained with the blood of the people, but the Ming Dynasty was the dynasty with the most prosperous pearl mining in Chinese history, and it was also the dynasty that destroyed the pearl resources of Hepu and oppressed the pearl people the most severely.

The Qing Dynasty might have wanted to be even more inhumane, but the problem was that the Ming Dynasty had caused too much damage. In order to protect the environment and avoid completely draining the pond to exploit the fish, the people of Hepu had a better life during the Qing Dynasty.

Lin Zhaoen didn't know that the next Ming Dynasty would be the most unkind. However, when he mentioned what he had seen and heard in Hepu, his eyes were red and he gritted his teeth and said, "With such evil governance, how could there not be civil unrest?"

Hai Yue said slowly, "So, the Hepu rioters assaulted the Lingshan County Magistrate and looted Bailong Village because they were driven by the pearl-diving?"

Lin Zhaoen's face darkened. "No! Those people aren't from Hepu at all. They're bandits who roamed the area from elsewhere. They've been killing people and stealing pearls, committing all sorts of atrocities, and even forcing the locals to go up the mountain! The Hepu County Magistrate is a complete scoundrel, and the County Office is full of scoundrels. They don't care about anything else and just report everything as rioters. Was the destruction of Bailong Village done by bandits or by government soldiers..."

"Cough cough!"

Yan Xiu coughed lightly, interrupting the young master's words, and continued, "At that time, many scholars were almost kidnapped by those bandits. Once they went to the mountains, they were almost dead!"

Hai Yue suddenly realized: "Could this be how you two met?"

Lin Zhaoen nodded: "Master Yan saved our lives!"

"No, it's because the young master has too few servants, otherwise the bandits couldn't hurt you!"

Yan Xiu waved his hands and said smugly, "But being able to save Governor Lin's relatives is something I can boast about. Everyone respects Governor Lin for his love for the people. I've done a great thing!"

Lin Zhaoen, who never held back when it came to badmouthing the imperial court, felt a little shy upon hearing this compliment. "My grandfather often said that the first thing he remembered from Zhu Xi's words was that 'officials are like virgins; they should always have the heart of their parents.' That's how it should be!"

Zhu Xi once said that officials should maintain a pure heart and treat the people with parental love. This is also the most direct origin of the term "parent official". Haiyue also wholeheartedly agrees with this statement, but there is a twist: "After hearing so much about Hepu County, I am reminded of the legend of Yanzhen!"

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of several people in the field changed immediately: "Yan Zhen?"

Hai Yue asked, "You've all heard of the legend of 'Hidden Mist Village,' right? Do many of the elements in it seem familiar?" Yan Xiu raised his thick eyebrows. "Young Master Hai, is it that 'Hidden Mist Village' corresponds to the destroyed 'White Dragon Village,' and the pearl rope hanging in the village corresponds to the Hepu Pearl? Could it be that this local legend is based on the Hepu uprising?"

"Just a guess!"

Hai Yue said, "However, Fang Wei's death has exposed a serious suspicion of embezzlement of pearls. The Jinyiwei are determined to get to the bottom of this matter. No matter how great the obstacles are, even if it means reporting to the capital, we will investigate thoroughly!"

The atmosphere in the field grew tense again. Lin Zhaoen murmured, "Investigate! We should have investigated thoroughly long ago! I'm afraid even the Imperial Guards might be unable to do anything..."

Yan Xiu sighed and said, "I was once a retainer of a nobleman in the capital. I wonder if Master Hai knows about this?"

Min Ziyong had mentioned this, and Hai Yue nodded: "I've heard of it."

"My former master once said, 'There is no single corrupt official in the government; only officials protect each other; corrupt officials are not isolated, but are in cahoots with each other.'"

Yan Xiu whispered, "In fact, it's not just the officials. Even the group of bandits we just mentioned did one thing after arriving in Hepu County: they distributed broken beads to the villagers of Bailong Village!"

Hai Yue said coldly, "Are you trying to coerce the villagers?"

"Not bad!"

Yan Xiu said, "Once the villagers take the pearls, the local government won't let them go. Even if they don't want to be thieves, they have to become thieves! So, Master Hai, have you ever considered that the young master of the Fang family is just greedy for pearls and asking for money? He is the nephew of the Minister of Personnel!"

Hai Yue took a deep breath and said, "Brother Yan is very knowledgeable and insightful. What he said is truly thought-provoking and thought-provoking!"

Yan Xiu grinned and said, "I'm just showing off my skills in front of an expert. Thank you for telling me about the case in the Fang Mansion. As for the reward..."

Hai Yue said calmly, "I believe Brother Yan will give me a reasonable price, but there is no rush. It won't be too late to wait until the case is over."

"All right!"

Yan Xiu rubbed his hands, revealing a pained look: "Then we'll take our leave."

Lin Zhaoen and Xiaochuan stood up and bowed, then left with Yan Xiu. The teahouse private room fell silent.

Haiyue picked up the teacup and sipped the tea gently, but did not leave.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

"Boom boom boom!"

After knocking politely three times, a man who looked like a clerk pushed the door open, walked in, and bowed respectfully, "Mr. Hai!"

Haiyue didn't even raise her head, still sipping her tea, and asked calmly, "What's the matter?"

The man lowered his eyebrows and said, "Someone asked me to bring a few words to you, sir."

Hai Yue said calmly: "I won't ask who is behind you, and you may not really know, so just tell me!"

The man said, "First, you are the top scorer in two exams and have great potential for success. Do you want to be driven by the Jinyiwei and bring shame to the Hai family of Qiongshan? No matter how powerful the Jinyiwei are, they will return to the capital. Qiongshan is your root!"

Haiyue was silent.

The man observed her expression and continued, "The second sentence is, if you can solve the chain, your path to success will be clear, your name will be on the imperial examination list, and you will bring honor to your family. Isn't that wonderful?"

Hai Yue was silent for a moment again, then asked, "How do you solve the chain?"

The man's voice rose slightly: "How far have the Jinyiwei investigated?"

Hai Yue was silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Fang Wei has an account book with a list of names on it, and the Jinyiwei are looking for it!"

The man's expression changed when he heard this, and he asked anxiously, "Are they about to find it?"

"I don't know."

Hai Yue shook her head. "Sheriff Lu is very clear about the distinction between public and private matters. He's been close to me privately because I've practiced martial arts since I was a kid, and sparring with him is incredibly satisfying! He's only listening to my opinions on the official investigation, and I'm not aware of the specific progress of the case. Otherwise, do you think the Jinyiwei would let me out so easily?"

The man thought it made perfect sense and wrote down every word, preparing to report back with all the details. He knew this opportunity was too good to miss: "Mr. Hai is a brilliant young detective. He solved the Annan Mission case brilliantly. Don't you have any clues at all?"

Haiyue frowned.

The man struck while the iron was hot: "Young Master, you have to think clearly. The Jinyiwei solved the case because of that Lu Sheren. What does it have to do with you? On the contrary, if you can solve this matter, someone will always remember this great favor. This is your hometown!"

Hai Yue spoke slowly, "I do have a few suspects. After Fang Wei's death, the account books are most likely in the hands of these two people. But even if I tell you, are you going to rush into Fang's house and take him away?"

The man scratched his head and felt embarrassed: "This..."

"Well! Now that I've said this, there's no turning back!"

After a difficult decision, Haiyue finally said, "I'll convince the Imperial Guards to release the suspects. You wait outside and take them away directly. Even if the Imperial Guards come to demand them, you can refuse them. By then, wouldn't the offensive and defensive situation be completely different?"

"Good plan!"

The man clapped his hands in admiration and bowed sincerely, saying, "It is a blessing for Guangdong and Guangxi to have such a talent as you. I will take my leave. Please wait for good news!"

(End of this chapter)