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

Chapter 97 A Major Disaster in Henan Too? (Second Update Later)

As soon as Lin Yue finished speaking, an official dressed in a blue robe with a thin face stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Your Excellency, I am Shi Jin, the Prefectural Magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture, in charge of criminal matters."

According to the "Article on Foreigners Committing Crimes" in the Great Ming Code, all foreigners who commit crimes shall be punished according to the law. Although these individuals are envoys from Liaodong, they are within the territory of the Great Ming and must abide by the laws of the Great Ming without exception.

"If they bully the people in the street and engage in beatings or robberies, according to the Ming Dynasty Criminal Law, Fighting and Injury Article, anyone who injures another in a fight shall be flogged forty times. If the injury results in broken bones or more serious injuries, the punishment shall be increased by one degree for each type of injury. If they rob property, according to the Daytime Robbery Article, they shall be flogged one hundred times and imprisoned for three years. If they injure another, they shall be strangled with reprieve."

"As for the intention to kill a high-ranking official of the fourth rank in the current dynasty," Shi Jin raised his eyes and said.

"According to the Criminal Law of the Great Ming Dynasty, the article on murder, anyone who intends to murder the governor or the superior official in charge shall be beheaded if he has already done so, and shall be strangled even if no one is injured."

The prefect was a fourth-rank official, belonging to the category of superiors in his jurisdiction. These people harbored murderous intent, and although they did not succeed, they had already violated the law of murder without injury, and should be sentenced to hanging.

"For multiple offenses, the heavier penalty should be applied. A death sentence by strangulation is proposed, pending review by the Ministry of Justice before execution."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction and patted the gavel.

"Well said! Since we have the laws of the Ming Dynasty as a basis, this matter will be much easier to handle."

In accordance with the law, this official sentences this scoundrel to death by hanging. He is to be temporarily imprisoned and placed under strict guard, with no one permitted to visit him.

Once this prefecture has compiled the case file, it will be immediately reported to the Ministry of Justice for legal action!

Upon hearing this, the Liaodong envoys below the hall roared and struggled.

Upon seeing this, Lin Yue's expression changed drastically, and he slammed his gavel down so hard that it shook the roof tiles.

"Outrageous! How dare you resist law enforcement in the Yingtian Prefecture court, attempt to flee, and even utter foul language to insult this prefecture!"

He turned to the judge beside him and asked.

"You are Judge Shi, aren't you? Your citation of the law just now was precise and well-organized; you are a master of criminal law."

Upon hearing this, Shi Jin straightened his back slightly, a hint of joy flashing across his face, and bowed, replying, "Thank you for your kind words, Prefect. I was merely fulfilling my duty and doing my job."

"Just do your job properly. The problem with this world is that too many people don't know their place and don't know where their roots lie." Lin Yue nodded.

"Tell me again, what crime should these barbarians from foreign lands be charged with according to the laws of the Great Ming Dynasty for resisting law enforcement and insulting this government office?"

Shi Jin pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "Your Excellency, according to the Ming Dynasty's Criminal Law, Article 'Resisting Arrest of Fugitive Criminals' clearly stipulates that anyone who commits a crime and resists arrest shall have their punishment increased by one degree. If they resist arrest while wielding weapons, the punishment shall be increased by another degree."

These individuals, after being apprehended, openly struggled and attempted to escape. Although they were not armed, their resistance was evident, and they should be punished even more severely than for their original crime.

According to the "Great Ming Code on Curses and Insults," any citizen who curses the prefect, magistrate, or county magistrate of their jurisdiction, or any official or soldier who curses a superior of the fifth rank or above within their jurisdiction, shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane.

During the interrogation just now, several envoys from Liaodong, disregarding the dignity of the court, publicly hurled vulgar insults at the prefect. Their actions violated this provision, and they shall each be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane.

Lin Yue nodded repeatedly and clapped his hands in praise, "Well said! The citation of the law is accurate and the judgment is fair. Judge Shi is indeed a virtuous minister of the Ming Dynasty."

Shi Jin bowed and said, "I dare not accept your praise, Your Excellency. I am merely punishing according to the law."

Despite saying this, he couldn't hide the joy on his face.

Lin Yue turned to look at the struggling Liaodong envoy and sneered.

"Have you all heard me clearly? Before the laws of the Great Ming Dynasty, there is no distinction between foreign lands and barbarians; only right and wrong are considered!"

"You have oppressed the people, plotted to harm officials of the court, resisted law enforcement, and insulted your superiors. Having committed such grave crimes, I have no choice but to punish you severely!"

"Guards!" He slammed his gavel. "Put all these barbarians down on the caning bench, strip them naked, and give them one hundred strokes of the cane! The full number of strokes must be served without any favoritism!"

During their brief encounter, the constables learned that the newly appointed prefect was none other than Lin Yue, a household name in the capital, known for his role in saving the people from floods in Jiangnan, his fearlessness in the face of powerful figures, and his commitment to upholding justice for the people.

Since they are the people Lord Lin wants to punish severely, they must have deserved it. They didn't serve Lord Lin wholeheartedly before, they deserve to die.

The yamen runners dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately stepped forward to restrain the group of Liaodong envoys.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, when a person was punished with caning in a local court, he had to "remove his clothes before being caned." This meant that his inner garments were removed to expose his buttocks and legs. The reason given was to prevent clothing debris from getting into the wounds and causing infection, but more often it was used as an opportunity to humiliate and punish him.

Two bailiffs carrying fire and water rods stepped forward. The wooden rods were thick and sturdy, with polished edges, clearly instruments of torture that had been used for many years.

"Strike!" Lin Yue gave the order, and the wooden stick swung up, making a whooshing sound, and landed heavily on the flesh.

"Snapped!"

With each strike of the club, skin was torn and flesh was ripped open, and screams of agony echoed throughout the courtroom.

At first, the Liaodong Jurchens stubbornly continued to hurl insults, but after about twenty or thirty blows, the noise subsided.

Lin Yue sat upright in the high hall. Seeing that one of the constables had slowed down, he immediately shouted sternly, "How can such force intimidate the barbarians? Hit them harder! If they dare to hold back, they will be treated as traitors!"

The constables were initially hesitant. They had been beating people exactly as they were being beaten, and if they continued, few of these Liaodong people would likely survive.

However, since the prefect had given the order, they were bound to hit him with all their might, and the sound of the wooden stick falling became increasingly dull.

Shi Jin stood below the steps, watching this swift and decisive action, and was secretly astonished.

The new prefect is decisive and harsh in his punishments, just as rumored.

After the last blow landed, Lin Yue slowly raised his hand, looking at the group of Liaodong envoys on the ground, their fates unknown.

"Drag them out! Throw them into the street, let the world see the consequences of these barbarian bastards running rampant on Ming territory!"

The yamen runners dared not delay, dragging the group of envoys out of the yamen like broken sacks.

The gate was located in the most bustling street in Nanjing, lined with shops and crowded with pedestrians. Suddenly, a group of bloodied and mangled foreigners were thrown on the side of the street. The people were initially shocked and scattered, but after seeing the people's clothes and appearance, their fear gradually turned into schadenfreude.

"I remember those Liaodong barbarians who robbed the post station a few days ago," a peddler carrying a load of goods recognized them first.

"It's true, I saw them beat the clerk until his head was bleeding."

"They even looted shops along the Qinhuai River a few days ago!"

A murmur arose from the crowd, everyone chiming in, recounting the misdeeds of these Liaodong envoys over the past few days.

Beating up vendors, robbing goods, and harassing women are common occurrences.

Some people were curious about which official was so bold as to beat a foreign envoy like that. After some conversation, they learned that it was Lord Lin who had entered the government office today.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "These Liaodong barbarians were fought by Lord Lin! Lord Lin has stood up for us!"

"Lin Qingtian! It really is Lin Qingtian!"

Cheers instantly swept through the streets, with shouts of "Lin Qingtian" ringing out everywhere. Even the shopkeepers across the street peeked out and cheered after hearing what was happening.

Inside Yingtian Prefecture, Lin Yue was sorting through files, preparing to settle old scores and wreak havoc when he suddenly heard a commotion outside and frowned.

He wondered to himself, could it be that he had been too ruthless just now, which had aroused the people's criticism?

Alas, the Chinese people are just too kind. If they knew about the evil deeds of these Liaodong envoys, how could they speak up for them?

However, it's not necessarily a bad thing. If it arouses public anger, someone in the court will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble, so it's not a bad thing either.

Thinking this, Lin Yue pushed open the gate of the government office and walked out. He thought he would be met with passionate questioning from the crowd, but he saw people in the market raising their hands. When they saw him come out, there was a great commotion of gongs and drums, a scene of celebration.

Lin Yue was taken aback for a moment, but quickly understood. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped forward and shouted loudly.

"Fellow villagers, His Majesty is all-seeing and discerning; how could anything in the capital be kept from him?"

Your Majesty knows that there must be grievances in the capital. Foreign barbarians oppress the people, and corrupt officials prey on the villagers. None of them can escape the long arm of the law!

His Majesty has specially appointed me as the acting Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. My purpose in taking office today is to uphold justice for the people and restore a bright and clear world to Nanjing!

"From this day forward, the gates of the Yingtian Prefecture are open. Anyone with a grievance, regardless of age, gender, wealth, or social status, may come to appeal!"

This official will certainly enforce the law impartially, without favoritism or prejudice, regardless of the powerful or influential!

As soon as he finished speaking, the people cheered again.

Seeing this, Lin Yue felt a surge of pride and began to recite the poem aloud, just like the great philanthropist.

"Upholding the law alone to bring order to the world, with a loyal heart to protect all living beings."

Even if I were to brave a thousand dangers, I would not allow any injustice to be served in this world!

It can be said that Lin Yue's speech in front of the government office had a significant effect. Not long after, a commotion was heard outside the government office, indicating that someone had come to file a complaint and seek justice.

Lin Yue went outside and saw three ragged figures staggering towards him, their hair dry and brittle, looking like refugees fleeing famine.

A thought struck him, and he was secretly surprised.

Could they be victims of the floods in Jiangnan? The governance plan had already been submitted to Xia Yuanji, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, so how could there still be victims fleeing to Nanjing?

Natsuhara Yoshi's abilities shouldn't be that bad, right?

Lin Yue strode forward and said loudly, "Are you from Jiangnan? Is the poor flood control due to Xia Yuanji's procrastination, or are the local officials just paying lip service?"

The old man at the head of the group was taken aback upon hearing this. He was bewildered for a moment, then knelt down with a thud. The other two knelt down as well, and the three of them kowtowed heavily.

The old man had a white cloth wrapped around his head, on which the words "begging for life" were written in dark red blood.

He struck his forehead with such force that it bled, but he ignored it and crawled forward on his knees, pleading as if weeping.

"Lin Qingtian, help us! We're not from Jiangnan, we're from Henan!"

Henan was hit by a massive locust plague! The sky was covered with swarms of locusts, and the crops were all eaten bare. We had no way to survive, and it took us a lot of hardship to escape to the capital!

"Locust plague in Henan?" Lin Yue was taken aback, only then realizing that he had misunderstood.

He bent down to help the old man up, his gaze sweeping over the three men's chapped lips and gaunt faces. He had already made up his mind; it was yet another messy affair, a combination of natural disaster and human error.

It's the same thing again, the same operation, the same disaster victims who inexplicably ended up in the capital – clearly Zheng Ci's doing again.

However, just like before, Lin Yue ignored all the unreasonable aspects and chose to solve the key problem first: the locust plague in Henan. Other issues could be discussed later.

The old man shakily pulled out a stack of things from the tattered cloth close to his body and handed it over with both hands.

"Lord Lin, look!"

These are the straw stalks left by locusts, along with a tax-collecting notice from the prefecture and county, stamped with the official seal!

This is the petition we filed with the prefecture and county authorities, which was destroyed. And this... this is the red handprints of over a hundred households in a village in Henan.

The old man, who had just been helped up, knelt down again with a thud, weeping bitterly, and said, "Sir, we are telling the truth. The locust plague in Henan is too severe, and people are starving to death everywhere."

"Out of more than a hundred people in our village, only the three of us survived!" The old man cried so hard he could barely breathe, and cloudy tears slowly streamed down his face.

"But those officials didn't care. They concealed the disaster, didn't allow us to move around freely, didn't open the granaries to distribute grain, and sent yamen runners to collect taxes from house to house. If we couldn't pay the taxes, they would rob us and demolish our houses!"

Two men from our village went to the government office to file a complaint, but they were beaten so badly they were unrecognizable, and they died of the pain that very day.

A younger victim nearby added, "We went to the county to appeal, but the gatekeepers drove us out. When we went to the prefecture to file a complaint, they said we were falsely accusing the officials, and they whipped us. After that, they arrested us and beat and killed us."

We had no choice. We heard that the capital was where imperial petitions were submitted, so we begged our way to the capital.

"If it weren't for Lord Lin standing up for the people in front of the government office, we really wouldn't have dared to come up and file our complaint."

After a long and tearful outburst, the old man grabbed Lin Yue's sleeve.

"Lin Qingtian, you have always been upright and incorruptible. We beg you to have mercy and petition His Majesty to grant the people of Henan a way to survive!"

Lin Yue was furious and cursed repeatedly: "Natural disasters are merciless, but man-made disasters are even worse!"

A locust plague has struck Henan, causing widespread suffering. Local officials dare to conceal the extent of the disaster and openly demand taxes. The Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Surveillance Commission collude to protect each other, while the Office of Transmission blocks dissent. These officials of the Ming Dynasty have truly become utterly corrupt!

It can only be said that he is indeed a Ming Dynasty official. His methods of deceiving his superiors and subordinates are the same as those of the officials in Jiangnan. It's really something. He only remembers to kill the officials in Jiangnan, but forgot to kill the officials in Henan.

A surge of anger rushed to Lin Yue's head, his face contorted with rage: "Natural and man-made disasters have struck again and again, and the people are living in dire straits, struggling to survive, while these officials are only concerned with enriching themselves and protecting each other!"

"Rest assured, I will certainly report this matter to His Majesty!"

After saying that, Lin Yue led the group back to the courtroom.

Lin Yue picked up his brush and ink, spread out the memorial, and wrote six lines. He then wrote the first two characters of the title in a swift motion.

"Your Majesty, I, Lin Yue, acting Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, respectfully report: The prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of the Henan Provincial Administration Commission have recently suffered a severe locust plague. From Kaifeng to Nanyang, across thousands of miles of fertile land, the crops have been completely devoured by locusts, resulting in a complete crop failure. People are digging for grass to eat, and corpses of the starved are everywhere."

His writing was sharp and incisive, listing in detail the Henan officials' cover-up of disasters, forced tax collection, suppression of appeals, and cover-up by the two judicial departments.

He also cited the Ming Dynasty law which states that "officials who conceal disasters and fail to report them shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and three years of penal servitude; if they cause more than ten people to starve to death, they shall be hanged." He earnestly requested Zhu Di to immediately send officials to provide disaster relief and to thoroughly investigate the officials involved in the case at all levels in Henan, so as to appease public anger and uphold the law.

As he finished writing, he put down his pen heavily.

"Millions of people in Henan are suffering from a locust plague, trapped in a desperate situation where both the people and officials are in dire straits, starving and living on the brink of starvation."

As an official of the Ming Dynasty, I eat the people's grain and receive the emperor's grace. How can I stand idly by and watch the people be displaced and die of famine!

Although I am unworthy, I am willing to follow the example of the sages of the past and offer my head as collateral to Your Majesty to grant me temporary leave of my post in Yingtian Prefecture and to be granted the official seal of "Supervising the Famine Relief in Henan" so that I may rush to Henan overnight to oversee the disaster relief efforts!

Your subject, Lin Yue, swears to dedicate his remaining life to the nation in its time of crisis, to save the people from suffering. If he shows even the slightest favoritism or fails in his mission, he is willing to accept execution by axe. I humbly beseech Your Majesty's wise judgment!

After speaking, he threw his pen on the table, and ink splashed everywhere.

He quickly wrote the memorial, affixed his official seal, and ordered it to be sent to the capital by fast horse to be presented to the emperor.

Lin Yue picked up the old files on the table, preparing to make one last killing before leaving office!

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