The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 105 A Surprise Crackdown on Organized Crime

"Fellow villagers," Lin Yue began, "I am aware of the situation you have described. The bandits at the underground well are causing harm and death; I will show absolutely no leniency!"

Having said that, he turned and stepped into the main hall of the Yingtian Prefecture government office, and announced loudly: "Summon the Yingtian Prefecture Magistrate, Clerk, and Prefect, as well as the constables of Shangyuan and Jiangning counties, and all officials of various departments to the hall immediately for a meeting! Three drumbeats will serve as the signal; those who are late will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane!"

The drums sounded rapidly outside the hall, and in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, officials of all ranks had gathered in the main hall, standing on both sides with solemn expressions.

Lin Yue stood behind the table, his gaze sharp as he swept over the crowd below.

"The underground canals in the capital were dug during the Hongwu period. Originally intended for drainage and flood control, they were occupied by gangsters and became like the Ghost Tower of the Song Dynasty!"

This gang of bandits abducted women and children, harbored important criminals, and plundered valuables, causing widespread resentment among the people.

I am temporarily serving as the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, governing the capital region. Today, I will emulate the method used by Yin Shang of the Western Han Dynasty to govern Chang'an, dig out this tiger's den, and eradicate the banditry!

"My men, listen to my command! I will now make the following arrangements!"

"Two hundred constables, two hundred handgunners, three hundred bailiffs, and one hundred and fifty archers directly under the jurisdiction of Yingtian Prefecture shall immediately assemble in the square in front of the prefectural government office and await orders."

"Shangyuan County will deploy 100 constables to guard the area east of the city to the Qinhuai River; Jiangning County will deploy 100 constables to guard the area west of the city to Xuanwu Lake!"

Lin Yue glanced around and noticed Zhao Hu was also there. He threw down his token and shouted at him.

"Zhao Hu, I hereby order you to lead the elite constables of the prefectural government to take control of all nine gates, three wharves, and twelve main streets and alleys of the city, setting up both overt and covert checkpoints. Anyone without official authorization shall not be allowed to leave the city. After 7 PM, pedestrians shall be prohibited from traveling in the streets and alleys. Violators will be detained and interrogated!"

Zhao Hu straightened up and knelt on one knee: "Yes, sir! Your subordinates will strictly guard all key points and ensure that not a single bandit escapes!"

"Issue my order again to request the deployment of the patrol troops of the Five Cities Military Command!" Lin Yue wrote swiftly, ink splashing everywhere, and quickly completed a document. He then stamped it with the seal of the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture and tossed it to the clerk.

"Order the five city offices in the central, eastern, western, southern and northern regions to each dispatch one hundred patrolmen to guard the water gates and drainage outlets of the Qinhuai River, add double-layered iron fences, nail them shut with rivets, and heavily guard them to cut off the bandits' escape route!"

Anyone found entering or exiting through the waterways must be apprehended first and reported later. Anyone who resists will be killed without exception!

The clerk took the imperial edict and quickly left.

Lin Yue picked up his pen again and began writing a memorial to Zhu Di.

The pen moved swiftly, the pages rustling, quoting classical texts, each word carrying immense weight: "In the past, during the Western Han Dynasty, Yin Shang governed Chang'an. Seeing the rampant evil youths in the city, he dug a tiger's den several feet deep and buried more than a hundred desperate fugitives alive. In the end, even dogs dared not bark at night, and travelers did not carry weapons."

In Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, the city's moats were extremely deep and wide. Fugitives hid in them, calling it the Worry-Free Cave. There were also villains who abducted women and children, calling it the Ghost Fanlou. Even women from the imperial family were kidnapped.

"The underground banditry in the capital is worse than in the past. The official canals, lined with bricks, are several meters deep and wide, and interconnected in all directions, linking to the Qinhuai River and Xuanwu Lake. Bandits use these canals as their hideouts, abducting women and children and harboring thieves. If they are not eradicated, they may shake the very foundation of the capital."

"I propose to mobilize 1,150 soldiers from the prefecture and county, and more than 100 patrolmen from the five city garrisons, to seal off the entire city, clear out the official ditches, rescue women and children, and strictly investigate the Green Gang. The necessary food, fodder and equipment will be drawn from the Yingtian Prefecture Treasury in advance, and the Ministry of Revenue will be notified and reimbursed afterwards."

In times of emergency, expediency is necessary; saving the people is like putting out a fire. We dare not cling to old ways and wait until the banditry is eradicated before accepting the punishment for unauthorized requisition!

In the first year of the Yongle reign, the Five City Military Commands were established, dedicated to patrolling and apprehending thieves and controlling fire prevention in the streets. Although under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, their daily security was also under the control of the Yingtian Prefecture. However, this was only in theory; unless there was a sudden fire or rebellion within the city, the prefect was required to report to the Ministry of War.

Only with the emperor's permission can something be used.

But who is Lin Yue? Today he will learn from Xi Da Chuan and follow the procedure of acting expediently in times of emergency to mobilize the patrol troops. At worst, he can report to his superiors in the Ministry of War later and inform the court.

If Zhu Di felt there was a problem, then he could come and behead him.

The memorial was sealed and sent to the palace by fast horse.

Lin Yue turned around and gave the order directly: "Summon ten veteran river workers and twenty experienced constables, mix them with elite archers, and have them follow me on my mission."

A moment later, he unfolded a map of Nanjing and a map of the Yellow River, marking the main road and branch tunnels of the Guan Canal with cinnabar.

"This official marks the depth of the moat and the direction of the forks in the road. Each team should carry a copy and search according to the map!"

All manholes, water wells, and inspection ports, except for pre-designated search ports, must be equipped with lockable iron gates, and designated personnel must be on duty 24 hours a day, with handover at dawn (5-7 AM) daily, without fail!

"Furthermore, the two counties of Shangyuan and Jiangning shall post notices in all neighborhoods, rewarding anyone who reports gang strongholds or provides clues about human traffickers with fifty taels of silver and exempting their household from six months of corvée labor."

Anyone who harbors bandits or conceals their activities will be punished according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty: eighty strokes of the cane and two years of penal servitude. If the bandits' relatives can persuade them to surrender, their punishment will be reduced by one degree!

The officials exchanged glances, all feeling that Lin Yue's actions were too audacious. It was just a matter of suppressing a gang of bandits, but he had made it seem like a rebellion.

However, given Lin Yue's infamous reputation and the Yongle Emperor's favor towards him, few dared to voice their opposition.

The officials obediently carried out their orders, and the government office was immediately filled with noise and chatter.

More than a thousand soldiers gathered in the square, their swords and spears standing tall. The constables wore steel knives at their waists, while the archers held longbows with full quivers.

It can only be said that it was indeed the violent stabilization force of the Ming Dynasty in its early days. The neatness of its ranks and the grandeur of its momentum were comparable to those of regular armies of other countries.

Lin Yue, his crimson official robes fluttering, an eight-sided Han sword at his waist, mounted a chestnut warhorse from Jiangnan, and waved loudly, "Follow me!"

The sound of horses' hooves broke through the streets and alleys as the procession headed straight for the entrance to the Guan Ditch on the banks of the Qinhuai River in the north of the city.

This place is located in a quiet alley, with low houses on both sides. The manhole at the entrance of the alley is covered with bluestone slabs with the words "Made in the Hongwu period" engraved on them. Black sewage seeps out from the gaps in the slabs and emits a pungent stench.

Just as they reached the alley entrance, an archer bent down to examine the stone slab and whispered, "Sir, there are pry marks on this stone slab, and this is lying nearby!"

Lin Yue peered out and rode his horse to the manhole. He saw a red silk "囍" character, embroidered with silk thread, scattered along the edge of the bluestone slab.

The double happiness symbol looked very familiar; Lin Yue was certain she had seen it somewhere before.

He dismounted and picked up the ornaments. Suddenly, the gentle smile of the waitress at Zuixianlou Restaurant flashed through his mind, along with a sentence she had said: "That scholar treated me very well, saying that he would let me taste the sweetness in the future and make up for all the suffering I had endured before."

It should have been a happy occasion after all the hardships, but now, this red silk, which symbolizes joy, has appeared next to a dirty manhole.

Is the bartender alive or dead? Could it be a coincidence that her ornament fell here?

Lin Yue clenched his fists, twisting the double happiness ornament, and a slight bitterness welled up in his throat and nose.

He remained silent for a moment, then suddenly lifted the heavy bluestone slab and shouted, "The emperor's feet have become a place of filth and corruption! I cannot tolerate this!"

"I will not rest until I have completely crushed the underground bandits. You two or three, follow me down into the manhole."

"My lord, you must not put yourself in danger!" Zhao Hu hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him, grabbing Lin Yue's sleeves tightly with both hands.

"The official canal is narrow and deep, with passageways in all directions. If the bandits resist, the number of dead and injured is unpredictable."

"Your Excellency is of noble birth, in charge of the military and political affairs of Nanjing. If anything were to happen to you, what would become of the people of Nanjing? Perhaps I should lead the troops down there while you remain in command!"

"As the Prefect, I am paid by the people and should uphold their rights!" Lin Yue shoved Zhao Hu aside, drew his long sword from his waist, its cold light gleaming, and spoke in a chilling tone.

"The people have suffered terribly, been abducted and thrown into this dark and humiliating ditch. How can I sit here in the hall? You all, follow me and charge! No need for further words!"

Even a commoner can shed blood in a fit of rage, and he's already risen to the position of Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture; in his fury, he should be able to bring down a whole city.

Ignoring everyone's advice, Lin Yue rushed in first.

Seeing this, Zhao Hu had no choice but to instruct his men: "You will each lead a team of ten. Five teams will follow me deeper into the area, while the rest of you will guard the side passages at the entrance and block the bandits' retreat!"

The constables and soldiers responded in unison, lit torches, and, holding short blades, followed Lin Yue into the manhole.

The drainage culvert in Nanjing has an inner wall made of blue bricks. However, after decades of wind and rain, the cracks between the bricks are covered with moss, making it slippery and difficult to walk through. The passage is about three feet wide and less than five feet high, with a low vaulted ceiling. People can only walk by bending over and winding their way forward.

Lin Yue led his men swiftly along the pipeline network map, their movements rapid.

Because Lin Yue acted so quickly from deciding to strike to rushing into the capital's sewers, the bandits didn't even receive a warning.

Our troops marched straight in, unimpeded, without the bandits noticing.

It turned out that the open area of ​​the sewers had been turned into a market, and the Green Gang members were still operating underground casinos and brothels as usual. They were unaware of what was happening outside and had not mobilized any manpower to deal with it. Only a few thugs who looked like thugs patrolled back and forth.

"Kill!" Lin Yue suddenly appeared and started slashing at anyone with tattoos.

During the Ming Dynasty, bandits had a custom of tattooing, which was especially prevalent in the Jiangnan region. Zhu Yuanzhang once strictly prohibited tattooing among the common people, stipulating that anyone with a tattoo would be exiled to the army. This regulation, however, prompted bandits to tattoo even more vigorously. After all, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, once you had a tattoo, you were already a potential criminal and there was no turning back.

The bandits were terrified and scattered in panic. Lin Yue drew his sword and charged into the crowd, wreaking havoc. Although he was not skilled in swordsmanship, his attacks were indeed very powerful, but he suffered few casualties.

Under Lin Yue's lightning-fast surprise attack, the Green Gang in the sewers was immediately wiped out.

Lin Yue captured the prisoners and subjected them to severe torture on the spot. He then fought his way through the sewers, eliminating one Ghost Fanlou market after another.

After a fierce battle in the sewers, wiping out all the members of the underground Green Gang, Lin Yue led the rescued women and children and escorted the ringleader out of the manhole.

As soon as Lin Yue stepped out of the alley, he was suddenly blinded by the sunlight. He raised his hand to shield his eyes, and after taking a clear look at his surroundings, he stopped abruptly.

Outside the alley, a dense crowd of people, men, women, and children, packed together so tightly that it was impossible to move.

Lin Yue was somewhat surprised, wondering why so many people were watching.

When the people saw Lin Yue come up, they cheered.

When they saw a group of women and children following behind, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Lin Qingtian, he's truly a just and upright official!"

Seeing Lin Yue's ragged clothes, foul odor, and disheveled appearance, some people even shed tears and sobbed.

"Lord Lin is truly a benevolent official, a true parent to all. In all my years, I have never seen such a good official as Lord Lin."

The news that Lin Yue had sealed off the entire city and was carrying out a large-scale crackdown on the Green Gang quickly spread throughout Nanjing. On the same day, the Yingtian Prefecture received hundreds of reports from the people about the gang.

At first, a few members of the Green Gang, who were used to being arrogant, attempted to resist arrest, brandishing knives and even retaliating against civilians who provided clues.

Upon learning this, Lin Yue was furious. He immediately sealed off the relevant area and led the police to kill the thugs on the spot. Under such a ruthless approach, the local thugs in Nanjing surrendered one after another and dared not make any more rash moves.

He also expanded the scope of his crackdown, changing from cautious arrests based on evidence to arresting people simply by filing reports.

The main principle was to arrest the wrong person rather than let them go. As a result, the street thugs and gambling bullies in Nanjing suffered greatly, with almost entire gangs being arrested.

Back at the government office, Lin Yue looked at the captured Green Gang members and the large amount of stolen silver on the table, but felt little joy.

In the year following the end of the Jingnan Campaign, the crimes within Nanjing were far greater than Lin Yue had imagined. There were thousands of women, children, and the elderly who had been rescued from various places.

Although the rescued women and children regained their freedom, the wounds they suffered will likely never heal.

"The crimes committed in Nanjing are appalling, and we must take strong measures."

Looking at the stacks of criminal lists, Lin Yue picked up his pen and increased the severity of all crimes by one level.

For serious crimes such as human trafficking, robbery, and murder, the punishment is increased by three degrees, basically starting with beheading, with dismemberment depending on the circumstances.

"Those who sell free people into slavery shall be beheaded!"

"Harvesting and mutilating alive, subjecting them to slow slicing!"

"Those who rape women shall be beheaded!"

"Anyone who harbors a wanted criminal shall be punished the same way, and their property shall be confiscated by the government."

"Anyone confirmed to have committed cannibalism will be executed by slow slicing, and their entire family will be interrogated and investigated. Anyone who knows about it but fails to report it will be sentenced to hanging with reprieve!"

"But any ringleaders and key members of the Green Gang, regardless of whether their crimes have been investigated, shall be hanged pending trial and displayed in public at the city gates. Their bodies may only be collected three days later!"

"Once a member of the Green Gang is discovered, even if innocent, he will be flogged thirty times. Anyone involved will be exiled thousands of miles away."

After a thorough and scathing trial, Lin Yue slammed his pen down on the case file, spilling a few drops of ink that left faint marks on the document.

He didn't care at all, turned around and walked to the window of the government office, pushed open half of the wooden window, felt the breeze blowing in, and his mind was full of thoughts.

The decisiveness and sharpness of the judgment have faded, leaving only a deep sense of melancholy that is hard to explain.

The hundred or so women and children who were rescued were all in terrible condition. They were in a terrible state, and Lin Yue felt a lot of sympathy for them, but after a while, he didn't feel anything anymore.

Only the bartender at Zuixianlou, like a fine needle, gently pierced his heart, making him unable to forget her.

The bartender's fate is unknown, but upon closer examination, she is most likely dead.

Lin Yue knew perfectly well that with such a chaotic underground den and such ruthless Green Gang bandits, she, a weak woman, would most likely not survive.

But he refused to think too deeply about it, still clinging to a sliver of hope that he had overlooked something, that she hadn't met with any misfortune, and that she had happily gone off to get married.