"The power of the people is infinite. The Zhu family dynasty ignored this, so it is now in turmoil. These Yangzhou businessmen must pay the price for this."
A large and elaborate sand table has now been built in the prefect's Yamen.
A group of high-level officials gathered around the sand table and listened to Zuo Mengeng's speech.
"These nobles and wealthy businessmen are used to being aloof. Ordinary people are like ants in their eyes. They think they only need an order. They will still drive the people like cattle and horses. It's a pity that they don't know... Times have changed."
Although the situation in Yangzhou is very bad now, prices are still rising, and people are still panicked, as if those Qin and Jin merchants have firmly grasped the initiative.
But they simply didn't see the essence.
It's not that these Qin and Jin businessmen are stupid and incompetent, but that they simply don't know that the way of fighting has changed.
In their eyes, the only opponent is Shandong.
Therefore, all means are aimed at Shandong.
However, as a person who is proficient in teachers' thoughts, Zuo Menggeng knows that class contradiction is the fundamental problem.
The richer the place, the more serious this contradiction is.
As the saying goes, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
When the world and historians talk about Yangzhou, they all focus on its prosperity and literary talent. But they have not noticed at all how miserable the ordinary people are living under these superficial prosperity.
Don’t they hate the nobles and wealthy merchants?
of course not.
It's just that in the past, they had no ability to resist and could only accept the reality helplessly.
But now Shandong is coming, the new army is coming, and the powerful force that can change their destiny is coming.
Why is the Red Army so invincible and invincible wherever it goes?
It is because they are the army of the poor. They are anxious for the needs of the poor and solve their difficulties.
Zuo Mengeng kept this in mind, so the Shandong New Army also showed the same qualities.
Since entering the city, Xin Junqiu has committed no crimes, his transactions are fair, and he has happily punished those who committed crimes, ensuring the tranquility of the city to the greatest extent.
"Demon Town Museum"
The common people see these practices and naturally know who is good and who is bad.
Therefore, when Shandong was preparing to take action against the stubborn forces, the help they received was amazing.
On the surface, it seems that Qin and Jin merchants have firmly controlled the situation in Yangzhou through hundreds of years of operation. But beneath the surface, people's hearts have turned.
Through the reconnaissance of the New Army, the help of Anhui merchants, dock coolies, and ordinary people, Yangzhou has been exposed to Shandong in an unobstructed and unobstructed view.
The sandbox in front of me was built for action.
The combat staff tried their hand at a test.
"There are a large amount of salt in these warehouses opposite Chaoguan Pier. They are all the stocks of various families. Although each family has sent thugs to guard them, it is of no use."
"This Zhuangzi in the west of the city belongs to the Li family. There is a large amount of grain hidden in the two courtyards on the west side of the Zhuangzi. The Li family hoards and drives up prices. The rise in food prices is inseparable from them."
"The chief rudder of the Cao Gang is at Wangyue Tower at Chaoguan Wharf. All the leaders of the Eighth Sixteenth Family will be here tonight. The ships controlled by the Cao Gang are all stored in the Taiping River area, and there are thousands of ships."
Li Banghua asked.
"Do you have the list of the main figures in the Cao Gang?"
Zheng Jiada handed over a piece of paper.
"Don't worry, Mr. Li, no one can escape."
This time Li Banghua was full of confidence.
"Zhongheng, I have long nights and many dreams, I don't think it's better than..."
Zuo Mengeng's hand touched the east gate.
"Let's do it tonight."
In the afternoon, the city government suddenly made an announcement.
"In view of the recent deterioration of the situation, in order to avoid people with evil intentions, a curfew will be implemented in Yangzhou from now on, and no one will be allowed to enter or leave at night without permission."
When the news came out, the whole city immediately went into panic.
Only in the Shanshan Guild Hall at Dadongmen, there was still singing and dancing, and people were in a state of intoxication.
On a gilt table, eight men sat around, each of them flushed from drinking. There is a pretty and charming little lady nestled next to her, doing her best to serve him.
"Be calm and don't be impatient. Zuo Menggeng is arrogant. He has no salt, no grain, and no cloth in his hands. How long can he last with just some Qiuba shouting and killing? Aren't you going to have to beg us in the end?"
Everyone was laughing wildly, enjoying the pleasure of being in control of everything.
Unfortunately, the lively atmosphere was violently ruined.
Suddenly, there were shouts of panic outside, and then some servants were seen crawling back in.
"Asshole, what are you talking about?"
The beautiful atmosphere was interrupted, making the people inside very angry.
But then they understood what was going on.
Countless New Army soldiers were seen pouring in, fully armed, and surrounded the people in the room.
The black muzzles were pointing from all directions, with murderous intent.
Then a stern-faced young man walked in with a taciturn girl.
"Hey, they're all here! It saves a lot of effort."
The eight people on the collapse were all panicked, but tried to maintain their composure.
"Who are you? You broke into the Shanshan Guild Hall without permission. Do you know where this place is?"
The young man stood in front of the audience, his tone full of contempt.
"It's just a place of filth and evil."
The face of the person who collapsed was ashen.
"Leading troops into private houses and showing off their power is the way to govern the country in Shandong?"
The young man looked up to the sky and smiled.
"I'm here to arrest criminals, not to break into people's houses."
"That's nonsense. We are all law-abiding citizens. If we are not given an explanation for this matter, we will definitely not let it go."
The young man nodded.
"You want to explain, right? Come on, I'll take care of you with pen and ink."
An officer personally brought a pen and paper.
The young man just wrote a line of words on the paper, then balled up the paper and threw it towards the eight people.
The eight people on the collapse didn't know what he meant by this move.
One of them picked up the ball of paper and hurriedly opened it. When he saw the content on it clearly, he couldn't help but be stunned.
The young man's murderous words came.
"You colluded with the northwest bandits and caused trouble in the Huaihe River. Your crime is unpardonable. Now that I have a letter about your collusion with the northwest bandits, is it considered conclusive evidence?"
One of the eight people was furious, pointed at him, and said angrily: "You... you are guilty of making a lot of mistakes, don't even think about blocking the mouths of the people in the world."
The young man sneered.
"Look at what scares you. This is just a joke with you. Why should I punish you? Now that Yangzhou is under my rule in Shandong, if you don't judge the situation, are greedy for profit, and go against the general trend, you will die unjustly."
Seeing what he said so straightforwardly, the eight people on the cave all had pale faces.
They were so arrogant in the past, but they are so embarrassed now.
They fully believe that they can do whatever they want with the gold and silver in their hands. But now, after being oppressed by Shandong's powerful force, I understand what it means to be vulnerable.
They want to compete with Shandong in a battle of wits and courage, repeatedly dealing with each other, and at worst they can be in an invincible position.
But now Shandong has told them with practical actions.
In the face of absolute power, any tricks are just the behavior of a clown.
