Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 151 Execution! Plow through Jiangnan!
Under the torchlight, figures could be seen moving among the vast crowd.

"Don't move, or you'll be killed without mercy!"

This is His Highness the Prince of Yan. Anyone who dares to disrespect him in the slightest or harm even a hair on his head will have no chance of survival!
Not only will he die, but his entire family, including his three clans, will be exterminated!

Qiu Fu was highly focused, constantly keeping an eye on the movements of the many rioters.

Upon seeing this, he immediately began to reprimand them.

The already highly focused guards of the Prince of Yan, along with many other armored soldiers, stepped forward upon hearing Qiu Fu's words, brandishing their swords and spears, their armor clanging in unison.

These battle-hardened troops, who had come from the end of the Yuan Dynasty, immediately exuded an overwhelming fighting spirit and their momentum was terrifying!

"Don't misunderstand! I absolutely had no intention of harming His Highness!"

The moving figure immediately stopped.

He said loudly and raised his hands high.

"Liao Xing, a commoner, is the leader of many innocent people."

"I have something I'd like to say to His Highness the Prince of Yan."

"Speak, I am listening."

Zhu Di's expression shifted, and he raised his voice.

The murderous intent in his eyes flashed and disappeared in an instant.

The riots that broke out in Suzhou this time were caused by those treacherous merchants who deserve to die.

However, these people, including merchants, were arranged to come here to incite the people, guide and coerce them to attack the county government and kill the officials.

They deserve to die too.

Liao Xing, who stood up and commanded many people, acting as their leader, could not be let go.

In getting Liao Xing to speak, Zhu Di subtly concealed a hidden agenda.

They only said to let Liao Xing speak, not that they wanted Liao Xing to come forward and speak.

The meaning behind this is quite different.

It's still dangerous to let Liao Xing speak.

Zhu Di, who was wearing soft armor underneath a dragon robe, did not have anyone in front of him holding shields for protection.

Liao Xing stepped forward and replied that he would either have some more soldiers guard with shields or retreat himself.

That would look rather unattractive.

If Liao Xing were to step forward, the man might think that they were deliberately trying to take advantage of him.

It's not good for him.

They might not be willing to step forward.

Therefore, it's better to just talk to them from a distance.

"As Your Highness just said, even after the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office, with tax revenue reaching six out of ten, these merchants can still make a profit."

Is it true that he earned more than the average merchant?

Zhu Di raised his voice and said, "Nature is the truth."

Doing business overseas can be extremely profitable, with many industries offering profits of more than twenty times the initial investment.

Otherwise, how could these smugglers be so fat and prosperous?

My father established the Maritime Trade Office to standardize and formalize foreign trade.

It is necessary to crack down on smuggling, but at the same time, it is also necessary to maintain order.

And it has provided my Great Ming with a stable source of tax revenue.

Under such circumstances, it is naturally impossible to drain the pond to catch all the fish or kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Six out of ten taxes seems very high at first glance.

However, compared to overseas profits, it is not as high as one might imagine.

The remaining profits are enough for them to earn.

How could the imperial court not conduct extensive research before formulating such a national policy?

The Maritime Trade Office was related to the country's tax revenue and the livelihoods of many ordinary people.

They absolutely wouldn't dare to do anything reckless.

Moreover, it's not to say that all goods are subject to a 60% tax.

Instead, adjustments will be made based on the specific goods or products.

Some of them are exempt from tax.

For example, grain transported from overseas into the Ming Dynasty could be exempted from taxes.

It can even offset some taxes.

The imperial court had already issued official documents regarding these matters.

It was even published in the newspaper.

As for the claim that the imperial court's establishment of the Maritime Trade Office would lead to unprofitable or even loss-making maritime merchants, thus prompting the closure of workshops.

These are all rumors.

These people with ulterior motives deliberately said this to incite public sentiment and stir up a popular uprising.

So that you can be used as weapons.

We send you to the front lines to fight against the Maritime Trade Office and resist taxes.

You were fighting desperately at the front, and it caused a rebellion.

They reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, the many weavers and others who had been gathered around began to discuss among themselves.

It emitted a buzzing sound.

This was something that many of them did not know before.

Furthermore, Zhu Di, being the emperor's own son, directly led such a large army to surround them.

Therefore, it was able to make many people listen to Zhu Di's words calmly and peacefully.

In fact, by this time, many of these weavers and other craftsmen had already regretted their actions.

Many of them simply wanted to seek an explanation from the imperial court because they had lost their income.

It's good for resolving the predicament.

How did they end up on the path of killing officials and rebelling?
Now, with the Prince of Yan in front of him, he is surrounded by a large number of fierce and powerful soldiers.

Once you get high, more people become clear-headed.

Even those who were usually good at stirring people's hearts fell silent at this moment.

Apart from the presence of the Prince of Yan and the encirclement of his army, they could no longer make any significant impact.

Another reason was that they gathered the people here and killed the officials.

Many people quietly left the group.

They disappeared without a trace, their whereabouts unknown.

At this time, apart from Liao Xing and a few others, only a few people remained here.

The vast majority were weavers and similar workers in the true sense of the word.

After a short wait, Liao Xing called out, "Quiet!"

After the scene quieted down considerably, his voice rang out again.

"Then, Your Highness, how do you intend to deal with these people?"

"The common people are mostly deceived and misled by unscrupulous merchants, who deliberately mislead them, causing them to resist the government."

They are innocent.

They were taken advantage of.

Naturally, they won't pursue the matter.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, many anxious people breathed a sigh of relief.

Some people even couldn't help but shed tears.

After killing officials and rebelling, they were surrounded by even more armored soldiers. Many of them truly regretted their actions and were genuinely afraid.

They just wanted to find a way to survive; they never intended to rebel.

At that moment, what Zhu Di said was undoubtedly heavenly music to them.

"But you, and those among you who have ulterior motives and deliberately incite unrest, are unforgivable."

There's only one way out: death!

Zhu Di was also very frank about this matter.

There is no reason to conceal it, nor is there any intention to do so.

They were not afraid that Liao Xing and his group would continue to try to coerce the people and seek a way for them to survive.

If he can't even handle this little thing, then his trip will have been in vain.

Instead, you should stay home and spend more time with Miaoyun.

"Then, Your Highness, how do you plan to provide these people with a way to survive?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people perked up their ears.

This is what they care about most.

Why were they incited to cause this kind of trouble this time?
It's because there's no income and no hope in sight.

This time, if the government only pardons their crimes, it will not solve their livelihood problems.

So many things are still unresolved.

Zhu Di said, "I will allow the workshops to start operations."

Let them continue working and earning money.

For the first month, wages were paid daily.

One month later, the monthly settlement will be conducted as before.

Many people were immediately filled with joy and excitement.

As long as they can start work, it would be the best thing ever for them.

Moreover, His Highness Prince Yan said that wages could be settled daily for the first month.

This truly solved their urgent problem.

Nowadays, many people don't have much money.

If wages are paid daily, you get paid for each day you work.

With money, all the current difficulties will be easily resolved.

His Highness the Prince of Yan is truly a good person.

"How could so many maritime merchants and workshop owners be so obedient as to start work just because they are told to?"
You think you can just tell him to settle accounts daily and then do it?

Previously, the government had already issued orders, and the deputy director of the Maritime Trade Office had been running around doing so.

But these people just keep dragging their feet and won't start work.

This ultimately led to the situation we see today.

Now, how can we say they'll start working just because we tell them to?

Liao Xing's voice continued to ring out, dampening the cheers and jubilation of many people.

Zhu Di glanced at Liao Xing, who was standing in the crowd.

He nodded to himself. Putting everything else aside, this person was indeed meticulous and could consider all aspects.

That's a very pertinent question.

Then someone spoke up, saying, "These numerous maritime merchants incited the people to rebel, which is an unforgivable crime."

Many have already been executed.

The rest are being purged by the soldiers, their entire families being executed.

All the property of the rebels was confiscated.

The imperial court will quickly organize efforts to utilize the confiscated assets of these criminals.

They form individual state-owned enterprises, covering different industries, and conduct business.

"The wages for ordinary people working in state-owned enterprises are no different from before." Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Zheng Shiyuan, who was standing next to him, was taken aback.

Clearly, no one expected Zhu Di to say such a thing.

The property of these criminals was confiscated and managed by the imperial court.

This was something he had never imagined before.

Generous!
That's a really big deal!

He was astonished by the emperor's methods and charisma.

From the very beginning, he knew that these maritime merchants, who were going against the emperor, would not end up well.

After becoming the Deputy Director of the Maritime Trade Office and coming to work in Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Seeing the attitude of these maritime merchants, his idea became even more certain.

However, in his imagination, the best way for the emperor to resolve the matter was simply to brutally kill a group of disobedient maritime merchants.

Then, we will support a group of obedient maritime merchants.

Little did they expect that the emperor's method would be completely different.

After killing the maritime merchants, they simply abandoned them and confiscated all their assets, turning them into state property.

It should be managed by the state!

This is absolutely brilliant!

These maritime merchants thought they were very important.

They thought that by coming together, they could put the emperor to a good fight.

They thought they could use the popular uprising to force the emperor to back down and abolish the Maritime Trade Office.

They never imagined that just as the emperor wanted a popular uprising, so too did the popular uprising.

The emperor not only refused to yield to them, but also ordered them all to be killed!
Abandon all maritime merchants and do these things yourself.

These maritime merchants were of no importance to the emperor.

The most important thing is to get rid of these people, confiscate their assets, restructure them, and have the state manage them!
high!
It's really too high

With this move, the main supplier of goods for maritime trade in the Jiangnan region became the state.

If we collect the 60% tax, there will be little resistance.

The Maritime Trade Office was led by the government, and the main suppliers were also appointed by the government and allocated in a unified manner.

If managed properly, many problems can be solved.

The merchants had no chance to complain anymore.

Thinking about it again, the opportunity to use the common people to threaten the imperial court was gone.

This solves the problem directly at its root!
Who says His Majesty doesn't understand finance or business?
You understand perfectly!
Throughout the entire Ming Dynasty, few people understand business better than His Majesty.

With His Majesty's brilliant stroke, the predicament in Jiangnan was broken in one fell swoop.

With proper management, all the difficulties in establishing a maritime trade office can be easily overcome!

Your Majesty is truly great, even greater than Mount Tai!

Zheng Shiyuan was filled with awe and admiration for him.

Your Majesty is indeed Your Majesty; your actions are often so unexpected.

The solution to the problem was unconventional, yet the results were surprisingly good, leaving people amazed!

However, doing so will also present many challenges that need to be considered.

Among these, the most important is preventing corruption.

To prevent those responsible for managing these assets from taking the opportunity to enrich themselves.

This is a big problem.

However, he quickly suppressed such thoughts after they appeared in his mind.

Nothing in this world, and no method is perfect.

There are pros and cons to every approach.

All we can do is weigh the pros and cons.

Just see which method has more advantages than disadvantages, and that's enough.

As things stand, His Majesty's move is undoubtedly very beneficial.

There are drawbacks, but compared to the benefits, they are not that serious.

Your Majesty is so intelligent that if you can think of these things, you must also be able to think of these subsequent problems.

There will be a more appropriate solution.

Besides, His Majesty is very capable of dealing with corruption.

They really have the heart to do it.

It seems unlikely that many people responsible for these matters in the future will have the courage to act recklessly in this regard...

"Your Highness, would you be willing to make a guarantee in front of everyone that you will not lie about this?"

Are they really willing to give the people a way to survive?

After a moment of silence, Liao Xing spoke again.

"presumptuous!"

Qiu Fu couldn't help but reprimand him.

Liao Xing, a bandit leader who incites people to rebel, has gone too far!
Take measures!

His Highness has already said this in public, yet he still wants His Highness to make a guarantee in public as well.
What does he mean?
This is a classic case of judging a gentleman by one's own petty standards!

Zhu Di raised his hand to stop Qiu Fu.

Looking at Liao Xing and the many people present, he spoke: "Very well, I will make a guarantee here in front of everyone, as well as the officials of the Suzhou government."

I, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, have said everything that I just said, and there is absolutely no falsehood or deception involved.

You people were misled into doing such things; you are innocent.

This time, only the ringleaders will be punished.

Within three days, some workshops will complete their restructuring and resume operations.

Within ten days, 80% of the workshops in Suzhou will resume operations.

All work will commence within fifteen days!
For the first month, wages were paid daily.

Monthly settlement will begin one month later.

Wages will remain the same as before and will not be reduced.

If I can't do these things, I, the Prince of Yan, will resign!

"This humble subject kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness!"
"I kowtow in gratitude to Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, for your immense kindness!"

After hearing Zhu Di's words, Liao Xing knelt down and kowtowed vigorously.

Following his gesture, many people knelt down and expressed their gratitude.

Beside Liao Xing were three or four people, their expressions grim and flustered.

However, after hesitating for a moment, he knelt down along with Liao Xing.

He bowed in gratitude to Zhu Di and the emperor for their kindness.

These people were sent by someone to assist him in his work.

Of course, while it was said to be assisting with tasks, it was actually a form of surveillance to some extent.

After kneeling and kowtowing to express his gratitude, Liao Xing immediately stood up.

The iron rod in his hand was suddenly swung down.

Bang, bang, bang sounds rang out, along with some shrill screams.

But the legs of the four people kneeling beside him were broken in an instant.

"Liao Xing, you...you want to rebel?!" "What are you doing?!"

Stung by the pain, someone shouted in alarm and anger.

Liao Xing ignored them and continued to strike with the iron rod in his hand.

They broke their remaining limbs, giving them no chance to resist or escape.

"Your Highness, among these people, besides this commoner, the four who truly incited the people to revolt are these four."

As for the four who incited the people to storm the government office and kill the officials, one of them was involved.

The remaining people disappeared without a trace when everyone left the government office.

I don't know who those people are.

His Majesty and His Highness are so benevolent that they do not regard the lives of us common people as worthless.

"Then this humble commoner is willing to die!"

Hearing what Liao Xing said and seeing what Liao Xing did.

Zhu Di's expression changed.

Extremely unexpected.

Liao Xing's reaction was completely different from what he had expected.

As he had previously thought, Liao Xing dared to incite people to rebel and became the leader of the uprising.

They dared to do such a thing after the people had rebelled.

That must be a vicious and utterly depraved person.

It is highly likely that they will incite the people to resist to the very end.

They are using the lives of ordinary people to threaten themselves and others.

Who would have thought that this would be the final choice?

"What have you done in the past?"
Is this your real name?
You can say it.

Zhu Di raised his voice and said.

"My original name was Liao Erjiu. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, I killed some Tartars in the village."

He later changed his name to Liao Zhongren.

The county officials were corrupt and greedy, and did nothing of any value.

The villain, unable to bear witnessing the man's death, secretly murdered him.

His family discovered this, so he had no choice but to change his name and leave for distant lands…

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di nodded.

"Judging from your actions, you seem to be a righteous person."

But this crime is unforgivable.

"Your Highness, I do not wish to live, but I deserve to die for doing such a thing."

"Who is behind this?"

Liao Xing paused for a moment and then said, "He has been kind to me, but I cannot speak of it."

Zhu Di nodded and did not ask any further questions.

Whether we ask or not, it's nothing more than these maritime merchants, or perhaps some gentry, secretly courting disaster and adding fuel to the fire.

None of this matters.

Anyway, I'm going to thoroughly plow through the Jiangnan region next.

After Liao Xing finished speaking, he stepped out of the crowd and stopped when he was still a dozen feet away from Zhu Di, and kowtowed three times.

Then he drew the sword from his waist and held it across his neck.

He slit his own throat with a single stroke.

Clean and efficient, without any unnecessary delays.

Seeing Liao Xing lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, everyone present was deeply moved.

What Liao Xing did was truly beyond their expectations...

……

In Hangzhou, Li Sanshi hummed a little tune, in a very good mood...

(End of this chapter)