Chapter 51: The End of a Servant
Chapter 51: The End of a Servant

"Your Majesty, these few days when we went out of the palace to do some shopping, the common people all gave us a thumbs up and praised Your Majesty as a wise and enlightened ruler."

"Not only did the petty officials stop causing trouble, but even the officials in the government offices became amiable and amiable. The common people said that it was our Emperor Hongwu who subdued these officials."

In the Wuying Hall, Yun Qi spoke excitedly and enthusiastically about what he had seen and heard outside the palace, and Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard as he listened.

"Okay, okay, what is the purpose of overthrowing the Tartars? Isn't it just to let the people of the world live a good life?"

"Now that they can live and work in peace, I am relieved!"

Yun Qi smiled flatteringly, massaging Zhu Yuanzhang's legs and said with a smile: "If the people knew that Master Hongwu cared about them so much, they would definitely be moved."

The master and servant were chatting, when suddenly a general came to report: "Your Majesty, the commander of the Jinyiwei, Mao Xiang, wants to see you."

"Oh, what is he here for?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned in confusion.

Ever since he summoned Mao Xiang a few days ago and told him to expand the number of Jinyiwei and gave them the privilege of arresting, interrogating and confiscating property without going through the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, Zhu Yuanzhang has completely become a hands-off boss, allowing the Jinyiwei to stir up a bloody storm in the court and the country in Yingtian Prefecture.

Firstly, we have a relatively good understanding of Mao Xiang's abilities. We believe that even if Mao Xiang obtains imperial authorization, he will be able to grasp the scale and know what he can and cannot do.

Secondly, it is also to shut up the civil and military officials, meaning that I did nothing, and the Jinyiwei raided your homes just to perform their duties.

And the most important thing is that Zhu Yuanzhang just wanted the Jinyiwei to do it freely, to kill and capture!
Those officials who think they are high and mighty should be killed or arrested!
We must make them fear corruption from the bottom of their hearts so that whenever they want to take bribes, they will think of the consequences of being caught.

If anyone’s house is searched, blame yourself for taking bribes.

Mao Xiang obviously understood Zhu Yuanzhang's intention, so in order to avoid suspicion, he hardly came to the palace during this period.

But why did you come today?
"Xuan!"

Zhu Yuanzhang announced the meeting without hesitation. Since Mao Xiang had come, it must be more than just a simple visit to pay his respects.

Sure enough, when Mao Xiang strode into the Wuying Palace, he saw that his face looked solemn.

Just as he was about to salute, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him impatiently and got straight to the point: "You came to see me because there is something that you are unsure of?"

Mao Xiang flattered him as usual, "Nothing can be hidden from your majesty's discerning eyes."

Then he told a story that made Zhu Yuanzhang deeply angry, and this matter also involved an important court official, Yang Xian.

It turned out that after the Jiangnan area was pacified, due to the war and floods, the land in the Jiangnan area became alkaline and nothing could grow no matter what was planted.

The water towns in the south of the Yangtze River have always been an important tax collection area for the Ming Dynasty.

Most of the troops sent by the imperial court to fight against the Tartars were fed with military rations grown in the south of the Yangtze River.

Moreover, when Zhu Yuanzhang started the rebellion, he had received a lot of help from the gentry in Jiangnan. Now the harvest failure in Jiangnan made Zhu Yuanzhang very anxious.

At that time, Yang Xian was just a small clerk in Zhu Yuanzhang's court. Just when everyone was at a loss, Yang Xian, a clerk who was ignored by everyone, actually stood up and volunteered to be responsible for governing the land in the south of the Yangtze River.

There was really no other way at that time, so Zhu Yuanzhang agreed to Yang Xian's request.

As a result, the Jiangnan region had a good harvest that year, and the army's urgent shortage of military rations was replenished. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang was in a critical period of war, and thanks to Yang Xian's grain, he narrowly defeated his opponent.

It was also from that time that Yang Xian, a small clerk in the shogunate, caught the eye of Zhu Yuanzhang, and from then on he gradually stepped to the forefront and eventually became the left prime minister of the Secretariat.

But a few days ago, Jinyiwei arrested a granary clerk while investigating a case of military ration shortage. Who would have thought that it was this small clerk of the eighth rank who, in order to make meritorious service and atone for his sins, actually confessed to a major case that happened many years ago!
That is, Yang Xian was actually helpless about the salinization of the land in the south of the Yangtze River. However, Yang Xian somehow won over the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River and made them willingly sign a joint letter to Zhu Yuanzhang, falsely claiming that the salinization of the land had been controlled.

As for the military rations that were handed over, Yang Xian purchased them from a merchant from Nanyang.

The person who was responsible for purchasing this batch of grain and contacting the Nanyang merchants was the captured granary clerk!

At this point, Mao Xiang said sarcastically: "I didn't expect that the left prime minister of the Secretariat would make a mistake due to a small official of the eighth rank."

"What a Yang Xian! I thought he was a capable official and entrusted him with important tasks. I never thought he would deceive me like this!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up suddenly, knocking over the coffee table beside him.

With a "clang", the teacup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces!

Yun Qi and Mao Xiang knelt down at the same time and said in fear, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Zhu Yuanzhang roared: "You lied to me openly, do you think I'm a fool?"

After pacing back and forth for a few circles, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stopped and said to Mao Xiang: "Bring your men to arrest this bastard who deceives the emperor! I want to see how many heads he has to dare to deceive me!"

Mao Xiang seemed to accept the order with fear and trepidation, but in fact he was overjoyed.

Just imagine who Yang Xian is. He is the head of all officials and the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat!
Being able to capture such a big shot personally, even...

He confiscated his property and executed him personally!

Then, Mao Xiang could imagine that he would definitely occupy a place in history books!
Yang Xian's residence.

Mao Xiang led the team personally, and more than a hundred Jinyiwei surrounded Yang Xian's mansion aggressively.

The servant at the door had not yet realized what kind of terrible thing was about to happen. Seeing so many Jinyiwei coming, although he was a little scared, he suddenly felt a little braver when he thought that his master was the prime minister.

"Stop, this is Lord Yang's residence, what do you Jinyiwei want to do?"

Mao Xiang sneered and said, "It is said that the prime minister is the most important official. Since you know we are the Jinyiwei, you still dare to stop us. You are really brave!"

"you you……"

However, Mao Xiang had no interest in talking to a doorman anymore. He waved his hand and ordered his subordinates, "Brothers, let's go in and invite Lord Yang out!"

"Subordinates take orders!"

As the Jinyiwei responded loudly, more than a hundred people, wearing armor and holding swords, rushed into the mansion with great momentum.

(End of this chapter)