The people are the cornerstone. If we want to stabilize the superstructure, we must stabilize the lower cornerstone.
But paradoxically, in stabilizing the underlying foundation, it often affects, or even threatens, the superstructure.
The reason is very simple. The benefits are limited. Those high officials in the imperial court are used to eating meat. If you ask them to drink soup, they will definitely refuse.
Examples of officials and gentry forcing the emperor to compromise, forcing the emperor to compromise, have occurred in all dynasties.
Li Qing could only plan, using both soft and hard tactics.
Fortunately, in the past few years, through his efforts, Zhu Qizhen has been able to stabilize the overall situation in the temple and prevent the situation from getting out of control.
If he consolidates the lower levels, the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty can be extended for at least several decades, or even nearly a hundred years.
He didn't dare to ask for it for too long, and it was unrealistic.
But it is already very good now. Li Qing estimates that when the pilot project in Jinling is successful, without the guidance of the court, others will follow suit.
The giant wheel of the Ming Dynasty only needs to shift a little bit, and the path it takes will be completely different.
If the Ming Dynasty really went towards industrialization, what would the future be like?
Li Qing couldn't help but long for...
At this time, a Jin Yiwei walked in and interrupted Li Qing's thoughts.
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, Sixth Eunuch." Jin Yiwei knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Liu, the admiral of the East Factory, is here and is waiting for you two."
Li Qing and Xiao Liuzi stood up at the same time, their faces full of surprise.
"Okay, I understand." Li Qing nodded, "I'll be there right away."
Jin Yiwei cupped his hands and exited the room.
Xiao Liuzi was a little nervous, "Sir, is the emperor going to replace our family?"
"This possibility is very small." Li Qing said with a smile, "Dongchang, like Jinyiwei, is a court eagle dog. The emperor needs them very much and will not easily let Admiral Dongchang stay in Jiangnan."
"That's right." Xiao Liuzi felt relieved a little, "Then what is he here for?"
Li Qing rolled his eyes and said, "How could I know this? I'll find out if I go and take a look."
~
"Eunuch Liu." Li Qing smiled and stepped forward, cupping his hands.
"Our family has met Mr. Liu."
Eunuch Liu clasped his fists and returned the salute, "Li Qin, you're welcome."
Then, he politely helped Xiao Liuzi up and said with a smile: "We are all my own men, there is no need for these vain things."
Hearing what he said, Xiao Liuzi felt relieved, knowing that his position as eunuch Bingbi was probably gone, provided that nothing unexpected happened.
The three of them chatted for a while and then took their seats.
Li Qing got straight to the point: "Why did my father-in-law come here this time?"
"That's right." Eunuch Liu put down his tea cup and explained: "The emperor learned about the situation of the two of you in Jinling, and was afraid that something might happen to you, so he specially sent our family to escort you."
Xiao Liuzi was overjoyed, "How many people did father-in-law bring?"
"We are here in a hurry. There are only 500 people around us, but there are 2,500 more people behind us. We will arrive soon."
After a pause, "The Emperor has already punished the Minister who embezzled public funds. The Emperor has said that Imperial Envoy Li will not have to worry about arresting those who deserve to be arrested and killing those who deserve to be killed. Imperial Envoy Li has the right to intervene in all affairs in Jinling."
Li Qing nodded, "I'm determined."
Eunuch Liu: "..."
With such a great favor from the Emperor, the least you can do is kneel down and kowtow, right?
It’s such a big deal!
Eunuch Liu smacked his lips and did not take the matter seriously, "Your Majesty specifically told me, please tell me what Imperial Envoy Li said and what we should do."
People in the palace are all snobbish. Li Qing is so young and can achieve such achievements and has a bright future. He will not treat Li Qing like a seventh-grade general.
Li Qing thought for a moment and said, "Excuse me, father-in-law, please send someone to watch over Shen Xin's property to prevent anyone from causing damage."
Be polite first and then use force. Tomorrow, the officials and gentry will know that etiquette is no longer enough and they will definitely know how to use force.
"That's no problem." Eunuch Liu said sarcastically, "The problem is that our family doesn't know who Shen Xin is and his property..."
"Our family knows." Xiao Liuzi said with a smile, "Our family is with the father-in-law."
Eunuch Liu said politely: "Then you'll have a hard time."
It is almost certain that Xiao Liuzi will become the eunuch Bingbi, so it is necessary to establish a good relationship in advance.
The two of them fawned over each other and were in harmony.
With so many helpers arriving at once, Li Qing was completely relieved. After chatting briefly for a while, he simply went home to sleep.
…
The next day.
Li Qing got up early, practiced Tai Chi with his master for a while, and read for a while. After breakfast, he slowly went to the Yamen.
When he arrived, the plaintiff and defendant were already waiting for him, the trial officer.
Today, Wang Mao is here. After all, in the eyes of the officials, the overall situation has been decided and the advantage lies with me; there is no need to show up.
In order to cater to Li Qing, Wang Mao stood ten government officials on each side of the lobby today, holding killing sticks and looking solemn and solemn.
"Bang——!"
Li Qing threw the gavel and said, "Ascend the hall!"
"mighty……!"
'Dang, Dang, Dang...' The killing stick hits the floor tiles, making a unique syllable that is breathtaking.
Li Qing finally experienced the happiness of the county magistrate in movies and TV series.
It’s really cool!
"Who is in this hall, and what grievances do you have?"
"..." Both sides were speechless, but they could only cooperate.
Wang Yuanwai: "The grassroots are the plaintiff's representatives."
Shen Xin: "The common people are the defendants."
Li Qing asked: "What are you suing for?"
"The bully Shen Xin refuses to pay back the money he owes." Wang Yuan said, "Sir, you know who Shen Xin is. He is a big liar."
"You bastard Shen Xin, give me back my hard-earned money." Zhang Fushen's face was full of anger and grievance, "Master Qingtian, please make decisions for the common people!"
"Don't worry, I will not let a bad person go, nor will I wrongly accuse a good person." Li Qing said with great style, "Bring me the IOU."
Everyone presented their IOUs one after another.
Li Qing glanced at him businesslikely and was stunned, "Shen Xin, do you admit it?"
"Yes, the common people have always recognized it." Shen Xin said aggrievedly, "But isn't it not the repayment date yet?"
"That's easy to talk about." Li Qing cleared his throat and said to a group of people outside Mr. Wang, "Don't worry, when it's time to repay the money, if he dares not to pay back the money, or if he misses a penny from you, I will let him I can’t eat and walk around.”
"grown ups……"
'Bang——! As soon as the gavel fell, all the wealthy gentry were frightened back by the second half of what they said.
Li Qing's clapping was so loud that even the two rows of government officials were so scared that they shrank their necks in surprise.
"Shen Xin, do your business well, make money well, and pay back your money well."
"Exceptor Wang, please wait at home and count the money carefully when the time comes."
Before the wealthy gentry could speak, Li Qing shouted again: "Retreat."
"grown ups……"
"You're welcome, this is what I should do." Li Qing's clear and clear voice was so penetrating that it made people feel trance-like. gōΠb.ōγg
Then, the Jin Yiwei, who looked like wolves and tigers, rushed in and chased them away.
Li Qing turned a deaf ear to the cries of injustice that gradually faded away, and said to Wang Mao, who was on the sidelines as a jury, "Shilang Wang, am I still fair?"
Wang Mao has never seen such a shameless person. Even bandits and bullies know how to take people's money to help them eliminate disasters, but this Li Qing...
Shameless, so shameless~!
He greeted Li Qing's eight generations of ancestors in his heart, but with a smile on his face, he said: "Li Qinchen, there is a hidden secret in this!"
"The writing is clear and there is no hidden secret." Li Qing said firmly.
Wang Mao finally figured it out. This guy just refused to admit his guilt.
"Prince Li!" His face turned cold. Since he was too soft, he had to be tough. "There is no airtight wall in the world. If the news about yesterday's banquet spreads..."
He didn't say any more, waiting for Li Qing's reaction.
Li Qing looked indifferent, "Go ahead and spread the word. It's best to go to the capital to complain. That way it will be spread more widely."
He was so arrogant, "Let's see which one of us will die!"
"You...!" Wang Mao's blood surged, but he really didn't dare to yell. After all, the banquet was held at his home, bribery was a serious crime, and he who took the lead was even more unpardonable.
"Li Qinchen, you are still young and have a bright future. There is no need to stand up for a businessman." Wang Mao said, "I have a message for you. You will not go far in the officialdom by being independent. That’s the best choice.”
Li Qing said without hesitation: "In my opinion, to be in harmony with the light is to be in harmony with the evil!"
Wang Mao narrowed his eyes and said, "Envoy Li, please don't forget that you are also a civil servant."
"How do you say this?"
"As officials in the same dynasty and as civil servants, we should work together in the same boat." Wang Mao said quietly, "Otherwise, we will only be squeezed out. I hope Li Qin will think twice."
Li Qing smiled disdainfully: "That is your way of being an official, not mine, Li Qing."
After a pause, "Shilang Wang is also a man who has read books and passed the imperial examination. Is this how the books of sages are written?"
Is this the way to be an official taught by a sage? "
"Saint?" Wang Mao sneered.
He looked at Li Qing with pity, like a peerless master who had understood the true meaning of martial arts looking at a stupid young man who had just started practicing martial arts.
That sense of superiority made him too lazy to talk nonsense with Li Qing.
"One day, you will suffer a big loss." Wang Mao shook his sleeves and left angrily.
Li Qing leaned back on the chair, dazed, helpless and powerless.
This is the root cause of the decline and demise of the dynasty.
He saw it but was unable to change it.
It's easy to break a mountain, but it's hard to break a heart...
