Kyoto, Great Wei.
In the Shouren Academy, after Xu Qingnian’s order was given.
At this moment, the entire Ministry of War and the Ministry of Penalty had already been on the move.
These days, the foreign merchants have been running rampant in the capital of Great Wei, doing business instead of doing it properly, but only doing crooked things.
They have been unable to resist for a long time, but they have been ordered by their superiors not to move.
The people have been pointing fingers at them, calling them the dogs of the merchants, and they are angry too.
They had been holding their anger in their stomachs, especially the officials from the Ministry of Justice, who were even scolded by the people when they walked along the road.
Now that Xu Qingnian has finally given the order, the officials of the Ministry of Penalty and the Ministry of War have completely let themselves go.
As hard as they had pressed before, they were now as ferocious as they could be.
“Brothers, Lord Xu has ordered that the unscrupulous Fan merchants be apprehended and all arrested and brought to the Ministry of Penalty for trial!”
“What are you still doing? Lord Xu has ordered the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of War to join forces and arrest everyone on sight!”
“Let’s go, let’s arrest all these B*****ds.”
A voice rang out, it was the officials from the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of War, they were now like wild horses that had broken free, heading straight for the major streets.
The Huainan Yamen.
A large number of capital soldiers swarmed out, each with a serious expression.
The people were furious, they looked at the soldiers and officials with a real sense of anger.
These days, they had been humiliated, but what they didn’t expect was that today, when they broke out, these soldiers would come to stop them!
“Fellow villagers and fathers, these officials and soldiers are really too inappropriate, even if they don’t help us, now they come over and want to suppress us, let’s fight with them.”
“Yes, how badly have we been victimised by these merchants these days? It is not enough that you have seen us being bullied, but now you are helping the enemy.”
“Listen up, if these officials and soldiers arrest us, we will go outside the palace and make a scene, I don’t believe His Majesty will not care about us.”
The anger of the people raged as they shouted, their eyes filled with rage.
These days, they were really P*ssed off by this **merchant.
Only when the officials arrived and saw the people like this, they couldn’t help but shout in haste.
“Don’t misunderstand, we’re not here to trouble you, Lord Xu has an order that recently the Fannish traitorous merchants have been doing wrong within Kyoto, so we are told to arrest the traitorous merchants, you people can go to the Ministry of Punishment now, Lord Xu wants to examine them in public.”
“If the Ministry of Punishment is standing full of people, let’s hurry back now and take out all those receipts, Lord Xu has a use for them.”
“In a word, you can’t trust us, but you can always trust Lord Xu, right? He has done the people justice, we see it in our eyes, don’t we?”
He was afraid that the people would really mutiny, and if this were to go outside the palace, it would not be a trivial matter.
As soon as he said this, the people fell silent, and all of them began to whisper.
But immediately someone spoke up.
“Even if we don’t trust them, we can still trust Lord Xu. Lord Xu is a Confucian scholar who would rather offend the great scholars by seeking justice for the people of South Yu.
“The other thing is, when Lord Xu entered Kyoto, one of his officials was bullied, and Lord Xu would rather destroy his career than make a scene at the Ministry of Punishment, and the other day he beheaded the King of Huai Ping in anger.
“Let’s not talk about anything else, but Lord Xu is a really good official in the capital. If we go to the Ministry of Justice without any problems, if we are cheated by the merchants, we can go back and get the receipts, and Lord Xu will definitely do it for us.”
The people were talking as soon as they heard the loud voice.
“Yes, yes, Lord Xu is a good official, Lord Xu will indeed redress our grievances.”
“En, I believe in Lord Xu… What does Pingqiu have to do with Lord Xu? A million people died in vain, Lord Xu could have left it alone, it’s a case that happened decades ago, but Lord Xu would rather risk offending a prince and still seek justice for the people, he even invited the holy will, this alone is something we have to believe.”
“Okay, I don’t believe anyone else, but I believe Lord Xu! Let’s go, let’s go to the Ministry of Punishment.”
“Then let’s go back and get our receipts, I told you Lord Xu would not ignore us, let’s go now.”
The people opened their mouths and murmured.
They hesitantly whispered at first, not that they didn’t believe Xu Qingnian, but they didn’t believe what these officials said, only when they looked at the attitude of these officials, the crowd then believed they were true.
“Stop talking, let’s go, to the Ministry of Punishment, let’s back up Lord Xu.”
“Lord Xu came to the capital to make a fuss at the Ministry of Punishment and beheaded the county king in anger, now that we’ve encountered this, it’s reasonable to say that Lord Xu can’t step in anymore, he’s already offended many people, but now Lord Xu sees our pity and still steps up for us.”
“We definitely can’t let Lord Xu get cold feet, let’s go over there and back Lord Xu up! Lord Xu is our people’s parent official, a good official, now Lord Xu must be under great pressure, if we still make trouble here and don’t go to support Lord Xu, then are we still human?”
Some people shouted loudly, arguing that Xu Qingnian had done too much for them, and that now he was under enemy in the court, the Great Wei Palace despised Xu Qingnian, the civil ministers despised Xu Qingnian, and the hundred officials despised Xu Qingnian.
In such a difficult situation, Xu Qingnian still came out to redress the grievances of the people, and if people did not support Xu Qingnian, who else would support him?
As soon as these words were said, the people became excited and headed towards the Ministry of Punishment.
Looking at the people who left in a flock, the capital soldiers were completely relieved.
“This Xu Qingnian’s prestige is really big, he has already won the hearts of the people.”
“Yes, we should be polite when we see Lord Xu in the future, don’t look at Lord Xu’s rank now, but the people of the world support him, so he will be able to climb up the ladder and may be the Prime Minister one day.”
“En, we must respect Lord Xu when we see him in the future.”
The capital soldiers were shocked beyond measure, Xu Qingnian’s rallying power made them really don’t know what to say, a single word could make the people follow him over, if it was any other Shang Shu who came over, I guess the people wouldn’t listen.
It was terrifying, gaining the hearts of the people.
It was not just the Huainan magistrates’ offices, but also the magistrates’ offices all over Kyoto where the same thing happened.
Countless people went over to the Ministry of Punishment to support Xu Qingnian.
At the same time a voice appeared in Kyoto.
“Everyone stop it, Lord Xu has done us justice, go to the Ministry of Punishment.”
“Lord Xu is standing up to the pressure of the heavens to redress the grievances of us, the people, and to severely punish the treacherous merchants, everyone go to the Ministry of Punishment and give Lord Xu support, if we, the people, don’t give Lord Xu support, there will be no one to give Lord Xu support.”
“Lord Xu has offended all the people of Confucianism, and all the civil servants of the court, and the royal family hates Lord Xu. Let’s go to the Ministry of Justice and give Lord Xu our support.”
The people shouted, word of mouth, for everyone to go to the Ministry of Punishment quickly, yet some still spoke up, full of doubt.
“Xu Qingnian didn’t back us up before, why is he standing up and speaking out now? Is there a ghost?”
“Yes, he didn’t come forward earlier, he didn’t come forward later, he came forward at this time, it feels like there are not many good people in office.”
“Collusion between the government and business, this Xu Qingnian is not a good person either.”
An odd voice rang out, appearing eerie, this was deliberately done by someone to discredit Xu Qingnian’s reputation, so that the people would not blindly believe.
Just as soon as the words were said, what was instantly drawn was countless curses.
“What are you saying? Lord Xu didn’t show up before? When people beheaded the county king, were you blind? Were you deaf when he caused a fuss at the Ministry of Punishment? How can you say such things? Are you still a human being?”
“Why didn’t Lord Xu step in before? That’s because he had just killed the county king and the court didn’t like him, so Lord Xu didn’t dare to come forward. Do you have a conscience?”
“Yes, Lord Xu has done too much for us, the people, to be honest if this ** merchant is not too abominable, I really do not want Lord Xu to step forward again, pity me Lord Xu.”
“Lord Xu is so pitiful, both to speak up for us people and to be insulted by you people, why don’t you go and die? By the way, who are you? How come I haven’t seen you before?”
“Yes, yes, yes, who are you? I haven’t seen you before either, are you from our street?”
The people were not stupid, their first reaction was anger, thinking that Xu Qingnian had done enough for everyone and that the reason why he had not come forward all this time was because Xu Qingnian had endured too much.
The reason why Xu Qingnian had not come forward was because he had endured too much.
At the same time, as everyone cursed angrily, someone suddenly reacted and realised that these people seemed to be unfamiliar faces, ah, and when they questioned them more carefully, the person who had just spoken instantly turned pale and wanted to run away, but they were stopped by the people.
They would not let them go.
“Guys, I just have a broken mouth, I’m a tourist, a visitor.”
“Yes, yes, we don’t know what’s going on, we just made a few remarks, don’t get angry, don’t get angry.”
When the gang saw that public opinion was not right, they quickly shivered in fear and immediately begged for forgiveness, informing everyone that they were just talking casually.
“Just talking? You’re just saying whatever you want, Lord Xu is something you can talk about? I think you have evil intentions, catch him and hand him over to Lord Xu for disposal later.”
“Yes, yes, seize him, Lord Xu is a noble man who has served our people well, and you still want to gossip about our Lord Xu? Are you people?”
“They are definitely not tourists, they must have ill intentions, seize them and send them to the magistrate’s office.”
The people were furious, they were not stupid, they instantly realised that there was something wrong with these people, they caught the gang straight away and were going to report them to the officials.
“Listen to me for a moment, everyone, Lord Xu is a good official, let’s not question anyone about this, if he is not a good official, then who in the whole of Great Wei dares to claim that he is?”
“A man who dares to rebuke a great scholar for the people, a man who dares to make a scene at the Ministry of Justice for the people, a man who dares to kill a county king for the people, will he be greedy for money? No! Would he curry favour with merchants? No! He wouldn’t even please the emperor, would he please a **merchant?”
“Some people are creating rumours to harm our Lord Xu, we must not be fooled, if anyone dares to say one more bad word about Lord Xu, they will be taken directly to the court and let them know not to chill Lord Xu’s heart!”
“If we let Lord Xu get cold feet, who will stand up for us ordinary people in the future? Who will speak for the common people?”
Someone roared, instantly sensing that something was wrong, and called on the crowd to support Xu Qingnian.
And one by one, the people responded.
“Lord Xu, he’s a good official! Let’s support him!”
“Go, go, go, go to the Ministry of Punishment, don’t say anything.”
“D*mn it, if anyone dares to curse Lord Xu one more time, I’ll chop his head off with this pig-killing knife, what a B*****d.”
The support of the people was almost unprecedented.
And at this moment.
In Kyoto.
All the merchants were like ghosts at this moment, they were running around, and the soldiers were arresting them as soon as they saw them, no matter what, and taking them straight to the Ministry of Justice.
Many of these merchants ran into the homes of the people and tried to escape, but they were also taken away, and when they saw them, many people stood outside and shouted at the soldiers to come and arrest them.
Countless merchants were taken away, and they were all screaming in agony, but there were also arrogant people.
“Do you know who I am? Do you know who is behind me? How dare you arrest me? You are dead!”
“My country’s emissary will be here soon, which one of you dares to arrest me? Believe it or not, I’ll tell our emissary to go before His Majesty and censure your Ministry of War.”
“You dogs, how dare you arrest us? Do you want to die?”
The foreign merchants were dumbfounded, yesterday they were able to do business in Kyoto with impunity, all kinds of rampant and arrogant.
But today they had suddenly become rats and everyone was shouting at them, who could bear it?
The cowardly ones were afraid and kept saying that they had done nothing wrong and that they were just pa*sing through.
The bold ones were still fierce, arrogant and domineering, and thought they were the King of Heaven.
“Shut the hell up.”
The Jing Bing kicked up and pointed at the Fan merchant who had been shouting and cursing angrily.
“If you say one more F**king word, I’ll cut you down with a knife, believe it or not. Do you really think this is your home, you dog?”
“This is Wei! It’s you who should get lost!”
The Peking soldiers were furious too, they had been patrolling the streets for some time and had seen many people being bullied by these merchants.
They were angry!
They were angry too.
But what could they do? There were orders from above not to let them arrest people, and they even had to be partial to them.
This belly full of fire has caused them to grow a lot of stuff on their faces during this period of time.
But to their surprise, this happiness came so suddenly, the top suddenly ordered that they could arrest people?
The Beijing soldiers were so excited that they rushed out, more enthusiastic than in battle.
Anyone who dared to shout would be slapped twice. Two more slaps on the wrist?
Still not convinced? If not, they would beat them to death.
“Good! Well said! This is the Great Wei, it’s these people who should get lost!”
“Good job, we should fight to the death.”
“Our soldiers of Great Wei still have blood in their veins.”
The people shouted and even applauded on both sides, cheering for the Peking soldiers.
And for a moment the Peking soldiers became even more excited, a sense of glory came over them, what did they become soldiers for? What did they become soldiers for? To defend their country, but not to mix with the army.
What is defending the country? To protect their own people, but also to be praised by the people.
Now that the people are praising them, how can they not be excited? How could they not be excited?
“People, this gang of crooked merchants, Lord Xu has said that they will be punished severely, so just wait for the good news, and Lord Xu has said that anyone who has been cheated by this gang of crooked merchants should hurry back and get their receipts.”
“We are all just doing our jobs, the person who is really under pressure is Lord Xu, there is a lot of power behind this gang of treacherous merchants, it is not for us to say whether we can eradicate them completely, nor is it for Lord Xu to say, it is for you to say.”
“People, I was also raised by my parents, I am a citizen of Wei, but today we must say something from the bottom of our hearts, this gang of foreigners, they have been making a fool of us in Wei, today Lord Xu is standing up for us! He will do us justice!”
“You must support Lord Xu, if you don’t, Lord Xu’s heart will really be chilled.”
The capital soldiers spoke up, saying all the good things for Xu Qingnian.
After hearing this, the people could not help but be moved to tears, after all, there are really not many good officials who can stand up for the people these days.
Soon afterwards, the merchants were sent in batches.
The merchants were sent to the Ministry of Justice one by one.
The Ministry of Justice was jammed with people, both inside and outside, including a dozen streets outside, all of whom came to watch and support Xu Qingnian.
The good thing is that the Beijing soldiers had left their men behind beforehand, leaving a lane empty.
All the merchants were escorted over, one by one, into the Ministry of Justice, while the people on both sides cursed loudly and angrily.
“A** merchants, do you really think no one can punish you?”
“What a bunch of dogs, Lord Xu, you will be punished severely.”
“Arrogant, why don’t you guys continue to be arrogant?”
“Boss Choi, where is your arrogance from yesterday? Why aren’t you talking now?”
“Lord Xu, you must punish these treacherous merchants.”
The people roared in anger, and some even took vegetable leaves and smashed them directly on the gang of treacherous merchants, but they still did not relieve their hatred.
The fact that they had attracted such hatred showed how many things these merchants had done that made people angry.
Outside the Ministry of Justice.
A public hall is set up!
At the main table sits Xu Qingnian.
On his left is the Minister of Punishment, Zhang Jing! Gu Yan, the Minister of Household Affairs!
On the right sits Zhou Yan, the Minister of War.
Three of the Six Ministers are sitting in the audience.
Xu Qingnian was presiding over the trial.
It is clear how big this is.
There was no need to mention the fact that many spies were already sending messages back to the city, and the whole of Wei was concerned about this matter.
The three Shang Shu listened to the trial.
Xu Qingnian is presiding over the trial with the Dragon Talisman.
No matter what the outcome is today, Great Wei will once again be abuzz with excitement.
One by one, the merchants were arrested, and even if only the leaders were arrested, three to four hundred people were arrested, and it was fortunate that this was set up outside the Ministry of Justice, for if it were inside the Ministry of Justice, there would have been no room for examination.
The crowd grew, the people gathered, even if they were dozens of streets apart, there were people standing and watching, letting those in front of them pa*s on the news.
By the end of the day there were already 700 or 800 merchants, and all of them were big leaders, while the rest of the small leaders were in other places.
They were not qualified to enter at all.
He took a glance at the sky.
Xu Qingnian took a sip of tea, not in a hurry, for the real characters had not yet arrived.
