It was another early morning, and the lively market began with the shouts of the waiters in the restaurant.
Rows of shops, crowded with people.
The aroma of tea, meat and rice floats in the wind.
The sound of wheels, footsteps, and laughter filled my ears.
~~
"Okay! Everyone!"
In the lobby of Lao Yutai Teahouse on Qianmen Street, a businessman-like member of the staff held a newspaper in his hand and smiled at the crowd of Wuyang Wuyang people around him.
Damn fresh!”
Within ten days, the news from Shandong had spread throughout the capital.
The Yingtian Times, as the people's first-hand source of major world events, not only immediately published the whole story on the front page, but also wrote down the court's plan to deal with it.
"What's wrong with scholars? I can't explain why a scholar meets a soldier!" Someone next to him laughed, "If you go against the imperial court, wouldn't you go against the Lord of Hell?"
"Hahaha!" There was a burst of laughter from everyone around.
"I would say that this imperial envoy is a bit cruel in Shandong!" A man wearing a Confucian scholar's robe frowned and said, "Isn't it just that he has someone else's land in his name? How can he be so cruel?"
As he said that, he shook his head and sighed, "In one breath, more than 30 people were able to gain the title of civil servant, and four or five respected squires were killed, which made the people resentful! I don't know what all the princes in the dynasty were thinking, but they didn't dismiss Li Zhigang."
It’s just an imperial envoy, and he asked him to arrest the troublemakers! It’s like... there’s a traitor in the court!”
He spoke angrily and gritted his teeth.
Hearing this, the wealthy businessman who spoke at the beginning immediately became unhappy and retorted, "Huh? Is this a trivial matter? Brother, it's true that scholars can also get tax exemptions, but the court didn't say that they can help others get tax exemptions and food exemptions!
Isn’t this..." He said, patting his elbow, "They say that scholars must be loyal to the court for the sake of their family, country, and the world. Damn it, aren't your elbows turned out?"
"You..." The man in Confucian robes suddenly became furious, "The imperial court has never said that you can't help others hang the ground, right? You can do it if the law prohibits it!" He said in a hateful voice, "The way of heaven is clear.
, it’s up to you to decide!”
"Bah, you little brat!"
The wealthy businessman outside the Yuan Dynasty directly scolded, "What the hell is there no law that prohibits it? The national law of the Ming Dynasty didn't say you can't poop in front of other people's homes? Tomorrow I will poop in front of your house, do you think it's okay?"
"You..." the Confucian scholar was furious, "How dare you, Mr. Zhu?"
The wealthy businessman outside the Yuan Dynasty ignored him, turned to look at the others, and sneered, "We are all people with two legs and one head. How can we become a literary star after studying for a few days and get free food and work? We ordinary people,
Do you have to pay grain taxes?”
As he spoke, his voice became louder, "Master, I rented three shops on Qianmen Street. The annual commercial tax paid to Yingtian Mansion is clearly marked with thirty silver dollars... Last month I bought a hundred pieces of silk and satin.
The city tax is another fifty silver dollars. This year, the tax alone is almost a hundred dollars. Ordinary people can't earn this kind of money in their lifetime!"
"What did this newspaper say before? The taxes collected by the imperial court are for the people. Our taxes are used to help the poor, build bridges and pave roads, and raise troops to defend the country!"
"They are all citizens of the Ming Dynasty. Why don't they pay taxes once they have achieved fame? No matter how good his articles are, how can I have enough tax money?"
"Let me tell you! It's right to punish these gentry and these poor scholars. The court can't always bully us common people, can it? This year the court has been taxed, donated and poor. We have worked hard to survive and there are only three melons left.
Zao, they don’t do anything to eat or drink enough! Just punish them, that’s right!”
The voice of the wealthy businessman became louder and louder, and more and more people around him followed suit.
Things in the world are like this, if someone is unlucky, someone will be happy.
"Hey, Mr. Liu!" The teahouse owner saw Yuan Wai saying more and more outrageously. He hurriedly bowed over, filled the tea himself, and said with a smile, "Look at what you said, if you are a common man, then we businessmen will
Stop living!" He said, and said attentively, "I will bring you a plate of freshly baked snacks, can you help your stomach?"
"Cao, if you don't want me to speak, just say so!" the member of staff called Liu Ye laughed and scolded.
~~
"Justice lies in the heart of the people!"
At the table in the corner of the teahouse, Xie Jin smiled and said to Zhu Yunxi, who was dressed in plain clothes, "This man's words are rough but not rough. Although the New Deal has touched the interests of the gentry, the people at the bottom must be really happy!"
Zhu Yunxi, who was holding the Yingtian Times, smiled, then put down the newspaper, picked up the snacks on the table and took a bite, "The key is to guide!"
As he spoke, he clicked the newspaper on the table and said, "You who run newspapers are the mouthpieces of the imperial court. The important relationship must be clearly explained to the people. Only when the people understand it will they sincerely support it."
"What you said is true, please bear in mind!" Xie Jin chuckled in a low voice, but then said in a low voice with a hint of worry, "The Imperial College and the Imperial College are not busy these days? There are scholars from the north.
I'm communicating privately to..."
Zhu Yunxi picked up the tea cup and asked, "What do you want to do?"
"He said he wanted to submit a letter!" Xie Jin lowered his voice again, "And he said... he wanted to go to Cao Guogong's mansion to question him face to face and find out!"
"Ha!" Hearing this, Zhu Yunxi couldn't help laughing.
Now two people are taking the blame for what happened in Shandong.
One is Li Zhigang, and the other is Cao Guogong Li Jinglong.
Especially the latter, a distinguished general and close minister of the Emperor, actually openly told the court that since the exam was canceled, there would be no need to take the exam, and all the students who caused trouble would lose their honors.
After saying something like this, it’s strange that it doesn’t become the target of public criticism among scholars!
"Sir!" Xie Jin said again, "Is it difficult to handle if the students from the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy also follow suit? How about... arresting a few of them?"
"No!" Zhu Yunxi shook his head and said, "Young students are enthusiastic and easy to get hot-headed. Let them say whatever they want, as long as it is not excessive. If people are arrested because of what they said, what will happen to the court? The Ming Dynasty
Don’t let anyone talk?”
"That's what you said!" Xie Jin said again.
At this time, Zhu Yunxi looked outside and asked, "Why hasn't Li Jinglong come yet?"
~~
"hurry up!"
Li Jinglong had just changed into casual clothes, and without even fastening the buttons, he came out from the back door of the Duke's Palace, got directly into the carriage, and kept urging him.
Li Xiaowai, the soldier driving the carriage, said, "Sir, please sit tight!"
"Hurry up!" Li Jinglong cursed, "The emperor sent me these bullies at home, but he didn't know how to report them immediately?"
"drive!"
Li Xiaowai swung his riding crop, curled his lips, and thought to himself, "You are not in the house, how can I tell you immediately? Could it be that I chase Qiuxiangyuan to tell you?"
"Xiao Wai!" Li Jinglong asked loudly in the carriage, "Doesn't Master smell of makeup?" He said, annoyed and said, "If I had known that I had just washed myself, if Long Live Master had smelled this, I would have said
Not clear anymore!”
Li Xiaowai was silently happy and said in his heart, "You don't have the smell of powder on your body, but there is a red mark on your neck. I don't know who sucked it for you!"
In the carriage, Li Jinglong felt inexplicably irritable.
The emperor sent someone to tell him early in the morning. I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing?
In fact, he didn't dare to go out these days. Ever since that day he was severely investigated and punished in the court, he became a notorious person among scholars.
In the past few days, the concierge said that there were always students from the Imperial College and Imperial College shouting curses at his door.
Some sycophants and national thieves, some vulgar warriors, etc.
"These plagued scholars cannot be beaten or scolded!" Li Jinglong was secretly angry.
Suddenly, there was a loud cry outside and the carriage stopped.
"What's wrong?" Li Jinglong asked.
"Master, someone is blocking the way!" Li Xiaowai replied.