Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 148 Zhu Di excitedly: Good, good, good, finally things are in chaos! It's my turn to perform!
"Let's go! Let's go to the government office! Let's go there and demand justice!"
The deputy director of the Maritime Trade Office is located in the prefectural government office!
Let's ask him properly why he won't give us ordinary people a way to survive!
Why commit such a brutal act!
"Aren't the lives of ordinary people like us also lives?"

Suzhou is in complete chaos today.

Large numbers of people flocked to the streets, some shouting loudly.

After the New Year, the workshops in various places remained closed.

Numerous rumors also arose, claiming that the imperial court was unjust and that the Maritime Trade Office was acting recklessly.

They disregarded the lives of ordinary people.

In addition, many people were running out of money and food, which made them very anxious.

As things stand, it seems like the workshop is still a long way from opening.

So, encouraged by those with ulterior motives, they flocked out of their homes in droves.

They gathered together to demand an explanation.

What started as a normal march and demonstration turned into a protest after a period of time.

Soon, people in the marching crowds started shouting.

He called on the people to head towards the government office.

In recent days, thanks to the continuous propaganda of some people, the blame for the various workshops not operating has been placed on the Maritime Trade Office.

They believed that the Maritime Trade Office was the culprit.

At this point, they are further influenced by those with ulterior motives.

Immediately, public sentiment was aroused, and demonstrators from all directions flocked to the government office...

……

"Prefect Zheng, something terrible has happened!"

A large number of people are heading this way, demanding an explanation from the official!

Upon receiving this news, Zheng Shiyuan's expression was not very pleasant.

He has been in Suzhou and Hangzhou for half a month.

For the past two weeks, we have been actively planning for the Maritime Trade Office.

He was naturally aware that workshops in Suzhou, Hangzhou, and other places had stopped operating after the Lunar New Year.

Numerous efforts have been made in this regard.

For example, the Maritime Trade Office could summon the merchants together to discuss the matter and urge them to start work as soon as possible.

They also praised the Maritime Trade Office, saying how good it was, and so on, to promote it.

These businessmen never argued with each other when they were face to face; they always spoke very well.

Everyone said they would definitely support the government's work.

One or two, they were righteous and reasonable.

However, even after it was finished, work still didn't resume.

When asked, they said they were making preparations and it would be soon.

The reasons are varied and numerous.

But in short, construction simply cannot begin.

How could Zheng Shiyuan not know what these people were trying to achieve by doing this?
They're just dissatisfied with His Majesty's establishment of the Maritime Trade Office and the taxes set, and they want to take this opportunity to cause trouble and put pressure on His Majesty to give in.

Thus, they negotiated and persuaded His Majesty to make concessions.

He just returned from Hangzhou today.

They haven't shown up yet.

The itinerary was also kept secret.

But now, many people have started to march and demonstrate.

They even wanted to surround the government office and demand an explanation from him, the deputy director of the Maritime Trade Office.

If he couldn't see that someone was secretly stirring things up, revealing his whereabouts to these people so they would deliberately come looking for him.

Then his official position was wasted.

"Prefect Zheng, what do you think... we should do about this?"

Prefect Feng Shi of Suzhou looked at Zheng Shiyuan with a worried expression and asked him a question.

He was the prefect of Suzhou.

Now that such a huge mess has suddenly broken out in Suzhou, he, the prefect of Suzhou, is equally anxious and frustrated.

Most importantly, this wasn't even directed at him.

They came for the Maritime Trade Office and for Zheng Shiyuan.

"They want an explanation from me."

"Then I will go out and meet them."

Zheng Shiyuan looked serious and started to walk out.

“Prefect Zheng, these people have become rioters, and I’m afraid they won’t be so easy to deal with.”

Zheng, the supervisor, must not be careless.

"It would be better to send soldiers to disperse them."

Feng Shi offered his opinion.

Zheng Shiyuan shook his head.

"Most of these people are workers in workshops."

With the workshop shut down, they lost their income and had no means of food or clothing.

Naturally, he was anxious.

This is because it was instigated by treacherous people.

It's better to guide than to suppress.

Forcibly dispersing them will only make the people more panicked and intensify their resentment.

Since they want to speak to me, the Deputy Director of the Maritime Trade Office, I will step in and explain things clearly to them.

Let them understand that the Maritime Trade Office is not as they think.

The current situation is due to the machinations of malicious individuals behind the scenes.

They were being used.

Once things are explained clearly, things will be easier to handle.

Upon hearing Zheng Shiyuan's words, Feng Shi thought for a moment and said:

"That's fine too."

However, given that such events have occurred, it is necessary to guard against insurgents taking unnecessary risks.

Zheng Shiyuan cannot afford any unforeseen events at this time.

His Majesty places high hopes on Zheng Shiyuan, and also on the Maritime Trade Office.

If something really goes wrong, it will be a huge problem!
"With such a thing happening, the Suzhou government cannot stand idly by."

"Let the yamen runners protect Prefect Zheng and ensure his safety."

Zheng Shiyuan shook his head: "It's alright, I have five hundred elite guards personally dispatched by His Majesty, there's no need to trouble the yamen runners."

But Feng Shi would never agree to that.

Given this situation, if he doesn't send troops to help, then...

If anything were to happen to Zheng Shiyuan, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Although this incident was directed at the Maritime Trade Office and Zheng Shiyuan.

But now that the matter has occurred in Suzhou Prefecture, it involves not only the Maritime Trade Office but also Zheng Shiyuan.

Suzhou Prefecture was also implicated.

As the prefect of Suzhou, he cannot escape blame!

We must put in the effort and do our best to get things done so that we can minimize the penalties we face later.

Moreover, the incident happened suddenly, and the yamen runners in Suzhou Prefecture had already taken action.

A group of yamen runners did their best to maintain order outside the Suzhou prefectural government office.

We must prevent these rioters from storming the government office.

The matter was urgent, and Feng Shi meant well.

Zheng Shiyuan then stopped making excuses.

He straightened his official robes and strode forward.

"When we go out, we should just keep things in order and not kill the people."

You must not kill.

Even the yamen runners are forbidden from killing!

As he was about to leave the government office, Zheng Shiyuan remembered something and spoke to Zhang Qianhu, who was leading the troops, and the head constables of the government office.

Everyone agreed.

Having explained the matter clearly, Zheng Shiyuan then ordered his men to continue forward.

With a creak, the gates of the government office opened.

A large number of yamen runners poured out.

Following them were numerous soldiers in full armor.

Their arrival immediately quieted down the noisy scene outside the government office.

They forced the crowd of people, who were already close to the government office, back nearly ten feet.

"Fellow villagers, I am Zheng Shiyuan, Deputy Director of the Maritime Trade Office."

Zheng Shiyuan walked out of the government office, looked at the large crowd of people gathered there, and raised his voice to speak.

"This whole thing was a misunderstanding."

The blame lies neither with the imperial court nor with the Maritime Trade Office.

And those unscrupulous merchants, and those who run workshops!

They deliberately don't work, just so you can't make money.

So that you may harbor resentment.

Using you to do such unwise things to the court.

Fellow villagers, please heed my advice!

Go back, everyone!
The imperial court will surely resolve this matter!
The imperial court will not ignore your difficulties...

"Bullshit! What do you mean the blame doesn't lie with the imperial court?"
This is because the imperial court is not giving us common people a way to survive!

If it weren't for the imperial court's insistence on establishing the Maritime Trade Office and increasing tax revenue to six out of ten.

This made it impossible for many gentlemen who ran workshops and did legitimate business to survive.

How could the men possibly stop working?
"It's because you don't even treat us like human beings!"

"Yes! Yes! It's all because of you heartless, rotten-necked people!"

"Start work! Start work!"

"Abolish the Maritime Trade Office and abolish the six-tenths tax!"

"Stop the violence!"

"Stop the violence!"

Zheng Shiyuan had barely begun to speak when he was interrupted by an angry voice.

As soon as these words were spoken, many people immediately echoed and voiced their support.

It made quite a splash.

The situation, which had just begun to ease, immediately became tense again.

Many ordinary people also joined in the commotion.

Then, without anyone starting it, many people began to stir and push forward.

He looked as if he was about to break through the yamen runners' obstruction and beat Zheng Shiyuan to death.

The yamen runners on the outskirts moved forward and confronted the people.

The armored soldiers led by Commander Zhang also moved forward to prepare for battle.

"Silence! Silence!"

Zheng Shiyuan rebuked him.

"Don't let yourselves be manipulated by those with ulterior motives!"

Committing a rebellion is no laughing matter!

Listen to me, and go home immediately.

Don't get involved in this.

We will give you an explanation in ten days.

"Solve your problems!" But unfortunately, many people among the common people were crying out for this.

Amidst the public's outrage, countless voices clamored.

His words barely reach the ears of many people.

"Kill these corrupt officials."

"Kill them!"
"It's all because of these corrupt officials that we've been ruined!"

Amid the chaos, a strong man, clearly not an ordinary laborer, shouted out.

At the same time, he quietly drew a short blade from his waist.

He then stabbed the constable in front of him hard.

Immediately, a constable screamed in agony as blood spurted out.

After this person made his move, several others joined in the chaos.

In an instant, five or six yamen runners were lying on the ground.

Once this happened, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.

"No killing! No killing!"

Zheng Shiyuan shouted loudly.

But it was impossible to stop it.

Some of the yamen runners also used excessive force against the common people.

Then they were violently dispersed and driven away.

Zheng Shiyuan was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

This was the last thing he wanted to see.

"Prefect Zheng, should we disperse these rioters?"

Zhang Qianhu asked Zheng Shiyuan for permission to take command.

He was instructed before he arrived that he was to protect Zheng Shiyuan's safety.

Do as Zheng Shiyuan commands.

Zheng Shiyuan said, "You must not kill the common people!"

They immediately mobilized to separate the common people from the yamen runners.

They must not be allowed to fight again!

Upon hearing this, Commander Zhang immediately ordered several centurions to lead elite soldiers out.

They separated the yamen runners from the common people.

Seeing these armored soldiers mobilized, those who had been so impulsive calmed down somewhat.

Seeing that people had died again, many people began to panic.

Some people who mingled among the common people, seeing that their goal had been achieved, stopped stirring up trouble.

The people who had gathered began to retreat from the government office.

However, the retreat did not eliminate the chaos it caused...

"Immediately send a message to His Highness the Prince of Yan, informing him of what has happened here."

Zheng Shiyuan spoke with a grim expression.

This incident has blown up.

Someone died.

If no one had died, many things would be easier to handle, and there would be room for maneuver.

But now that people have died, it's no longer just a regular march or demonstration.

This escalated into a full-blown rebellion!

Some people truly deserve to die!

You ungrateful animal!
These people deserve to be killed!
Some people don't know the pain until they're dealt a severe blow!
How dare they incite so many people to do such a thing? Their crime is unforgivable!

Feng Shi, the prefect of Suzhou, also had a livid face.

At this time, some yamen runners had already been arrested and were being severely tortured.

This incident is unusual in every way.

Including this incident, on the surface it appears that someone among the rioters attacked the yamen runners first.

That's why the constables were enraged and retaliated, killing some civilians.

But in reality, he didn't believe there wasn't a traitor among these yamen runners.

No one deliberately tried to kill or escalate the situation.

These people really have connections everywhere!
They even pulled off this trick.

This is a group of extremely foolish, arrogant, and money-blinded people.

Do they really think they can bargain with the emperor using these methods?

Do they really think their methods can make the emperor back down?
Extremely stupid!

"At this time, we should send a letter to the Suzhou Garrison, asking them to immediately mobilize troops to prevent the situation from escalating."

What does Zheng Tiju think?

Feng Shi discussed the matter with Zheng Shiyuan.

Originally, he, as the prefect of Suzhou, could have made this decision on his own.

Now, however, he first asked about Zheng Shiyuan's attitude.

This was partly because Zheng Shiyuan was the Deputy Director of the Maritime Trade Office.

And this time, the matter is aimed at the Maritime Trade Office and Zheng Shiyuan.

On the other hand, the main issue was that the situation escalated too much, leading to a popular uprising.

Once the emperor is enraged, the investigation will be no laughing matter.

At this point, if not handled properly, it can easily lead to major chaos.

He consulted Zheng Shiyuan's opinion on some matters first, so that the emperor would investigate later.

That way, he'll have an explanation.

That way, I won't put myself at the very front.

"That's fine, but we need to tell them not to kill anyone, and just to try their best to maintain order."

Just prevent the situation from escalating.

We should try to handle this matter as lightly as possible.

After saying that, he added, "The specifics of how to proceed are up to His Highness Prince Yan."

With His Highness the Prince of Yan here, there won't be any major trouble here.

Upon hearing Zheng Shiyuan's words, Feng Shi was overjoyed.

Many of my worries lessened at this time.

Judging from Zheng Shiyuan's tone, it seemed that the court had already anticipated this situation.

With the Prince of Yan, the emperor's own son, taking the lead, the matter in Suzhou will be much easier to handle this time.

If any trouble does arise, the emperor's own son will be there to take the fall.

Even if he, as the prefect of Suzhou, is implicated, he won't be implicated too much.

This is exactly the result he wanted...

The fire started, and they tried to put it out.

But some people don't want the fire to be extinguished so easily.

Not only did they not want to put it out, but they also felt the fire wasn't burning bright enough and wanted to add more firewood...

……

"The imperial court is cruel and doesn't value our lives."

Today we have gathered at the government office to demand an explanation, but the corrupt official actually beat and killed us innocent civilians in public.

There is no justice, no law!
Such things are intolerable!
I, Liao Xing, stand here today to speak up for my people!

Anyone who is willing to follow me, demand an explanation from the court, and ask the emperor to abolish the Maritime Trade Office, so that we common people can have a way to survive, please step forward!

Let us rise up together!

This is done for no other reason than to seek justice and a way to survive!

Let us common folk not die in poverty!

They won't be so poor that they won't even have a bite to eat.

My wife and kids are sick, and there's no medicine to cure them!

He was a robust man, around forty years old, who exuded a chivalrous air in his every move and posture, and was a very righteous person.

They shouted loudly in front of the City God Temple.

"Well said! We are willing to obey your orders and join forces!"

"Get justice for us, find a way to survive!"

"Yes! The imperial court is cruel and inhumane. Fortunately, there are heroes like Liao who stand up for us! Who dares to disobey?"

Immediately after he finished speaking, someone echoed his words.

These people were physically strong, and their demeanor was unlike that of ordinary people.

As soon as they spoke, many real weavers and others immediately echoed their sentiments.

They all expressed their willingness to do so.

"Since you're willing, then you must obey my orders!"

We are acting solely to seek justice.

It was to fight against the Maritime Trade Office, so that the imperial court could see our demands and know the hardships of our lives as ordinary people.

In the next operation, innocent people must not be implicated, and no one should be allowed to take the opportunity to burn, kill, or loot!

Otherwise, they will all be executed!

As soon as Liao Xing finished speaking, a resounding chorus of agreement immediately followed.

Immediately after he issued these orders, people began posting notices and writing slogans.

Then they swore an oath of blood and drank some wine with many people.

He immediately led his men toward the county government office.

Countless people followed behind...

……

Compared to the prefectural government, the county government's defenses and manpower are far inferior.

In addition, many people previously believed that the rioters would not act again after they retreated.

Who would have thought that they would suddenly launch a counterattack?

Instead of going to the prefectural government office, they rushed towards the county government office.

They immediately suffered a great loss.

The county government office was quickly breached, and some county officials were arrested.

Then, right outside the county government office, in front of countless people, these people in the county government office were executed.

It wasn't a beheading, but rather being beaten to death by a large number of civilians with stones, wooden sticks, and other things.

The death was very tragic.

During this process, some of the followers disobeyed Liao Xing's orders and went to rob people of their property.

He was captured by Liao Xing's men and then executed in public.

To set the record straight.

People were shaken.

Some people with ulterior motives dare not act recklessly.

Many Suzhou locals breathed a sigh of relief after receiving this news.

He then began to appreciate Liao Xing and others.

They thought Liao Xing was a remarkable person.

I feel that this time, the imperial court has really brought this upon itself, and its actions have gone far too far!
Suddenly, the situation in Suzhou changed drastically, turning into complete chaos...

……

"Pass on my order: the army shall advance at full speed toward Suzhou!"

Fifty or sixty miles away, Zhu Di learned of this news, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent.

He gave the order and then took the lead, leading his army straight to Suzhou.

This time, he's going to slaughter everyone in sight!
Those who orchestrated this must all die!
(End of this chapter)