Rule the Ming Dynasty Alone

Because the gentry class in the Ming Dynasty was too powerful and local officials played marginal roles in the officialdom, local officials in the Ming Dynasty were often controlled by the local gentry group.

Because the salaries of officials in the Ming Dynasty were extremely low, local officials were at a natural disadvantage in terms of financial resources, and were even controlled by local gentry.

Fang Bosong, the prefect of Huizhou, collected filial piety money from local gentry. This was not an isolated phenomenon, but had become a common method used by local gentry to win over local officials.

The reason why the ban on silver has never been successfully implemented is precisely because this decree was blocked by the gentry group, which caused local officials to be in a dilemma.

"Yes!" Fang Bosong sighed sadly and replied bitterly.

Master Wu and others knelt behind them and couldn't help but sigh sadly, but they knew that Fang Boxong's official career was over.

Ma Feng raised his eyelids and asked sternly again: "They gave you two thousand five hundred taels of silver, but did they ask you to do anything illegal for them?"

"Although I have taken care of them since I took office, I have never done anything illegal and have always abided by the court's legal system!" Although Fang Bosong could not control his greed, he was able to maintain the bottom line of his officialdom.

At the beginning of taking office, it was the first time that he saw so much free money, and he didn't need to pay a big price, so he couldn't help but feel a little greedy in the end.

Even though he knew that if he took the money, he would be controlled by the squire, he thought that if he coexisted peacefully with the squire, everything would be fine.

If he had known that there would be today's consequences, he would never have accepted the money.

Ma Feng seemed dissatisfied with the answer, and emphasized with a serious face: "You only need to answer yes or no!"

"No!" Fang Bosong shook his head firmly and denied that there was really no such thing as aiding others.

Ma Feng's face suddenly turned serious and he sang: "By His Majesty's command! Any squire who gives you silver can cast silverware for your own use. If you dare to trade money in the market, you will know the law and break the law, and your crime will be increased to one level. Those who are parents and officials should take care of themselves. Silver Money is the source of disaster! The current ban on silver in the imperial court must not only be limited to the circulation of merchants and common people, but officials should also set an example."

"I...I will obey the order and will not do it in the market, but will also set an example!" Fang Bosong's head was a little confused, but he still expressed his position immediately.

Ma Feng glanced at Fang Bosong coldly, looked up at the sky, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

Master Wu, who was kneeling behind, was bathing in the sunset, but he caught the change in Ma Feng's expression and reached out to secretly pull off Fang Bosong's official uniform.

Fang Bosong was waiting for the next step. He looked up blankly and said, "Is it over?"

This time the imperial decree came, he was mentally prepared to be punished, and he had been waiting for the wrath of thunder. He just didn't expect that things seemed to be different from what he thought.

Ma Feng frowned again: "What else?"

"Eunuch Ma, it's getting late. We adults kindly ask you to stay here. We will entertain you grandly!" Mr. Wu lifted Fang Bosong, who was full of excitement, and made arrangements in a flattering manner.

Ma Feng nodded lightly and reminded him at the end: "Work hard. Your Majesty not only wants to see the effectiveness of your ban on silver, but also pays attention to the cases of evil gentry oppressing good people. This southern tour is to give the people of Jiangnan a peaceful and prosperous age." !”

"Thank you, Eunuch Ma, for the suggestion. I will keep this in mind!" Fang Bosong suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and nodded quickly.

Since it was getting late, Ma Feng decided to stay here for one night and go back to reply to the order early tomorrow morning, so he stayed at the Yin Hotel in Huizhou Prefecture.

When Fang Bosong asked Ma Feng to stay, he still asked in disbelief: "Master Wu, what is the emperor's intention?"

"Your Majesty is well aware that the Jiangnan squires are trying to prevent the ban on silver, and I am afraid that this time I hope you will take action against the squires!" Master Wu's eyes flashed with wisdom, but he made a judgment.

Fang Bosong frowned, but he said with difficulty: "There are too many squires in Huizhou Prefecture!"

"We can choose a typical squire to deal with, or we can kill a group of them first! Your Majesty is indeed a wise king. We want to ban silver now. We cannot just defend it blindly, but we must dampen the spirit of those squires!" Master Wu stretched out his hand and pinched his mustache, showing that he was very wise.

Fang Bosong has completely broken up with the squire group in Huizhou Prefecture, but he is still puzzled: "I don't need to be afraid of those squire groups anymore, but I will not be held accountable for accepting 2,500 taels of filial piety silver?"

These two thousand five hundred taels of filial piety silver were a thorn in his heart. Now that he was stabbed by the squire of Huizhou Prefecture to the emperor, it could be said that he was doomed, but things suddenly became incredible.

"Didn't His Majesty just make it clear? The silver accepted by Dong Weng can be cast into silverware for his own use and is not allowed to be circulated in the market. As long as Dong Weng does not violate the holy will, he will naturally not be held accountable by the court. After all, silver is not currency. That's all. The matter was eventually exposed. Even if the Huizhou government's ban on banking this time does not rank first in effectiveness, it still needs to be ranked first, otherwise there is no guarantee that the court will be held accountable afterwards!" Master Wu explained patiently.

Fang Bosong finally let go of his hanging heart, and said with greed again: "Since the emperor will not ask for guilt, can we still compete for the position of governor of Fengyang?"

"Our Majesty used to attach great importance to Wan'an. If Dong Weng can really handle the errands that His Majesty values, let alone the governor of Fengyang, who is insignificant in his eyes, it will be easy for Dong Weng to aspire to be the six ministers in the future!" Wu Wu Master is full of confidence.

Fang Bosong looked at the last ray of the setting sun and suddenly felt comfortable that the catastrophe was completely over: "Send the order and copy everyone to me!"

The night is as dark as ink, and the streets and lanes of Huizhou City are quiet and deep.

After some rectification, Zuixianju reopened. The business was not affected by the closure, and the place became lively again. Especially the upstairs private room is brightly lit, which is in sharp contrast to the darkness outside.

In the Tianzihao elegant room, a huge mahogany table is filled with all kinds of delicacies: abalone, bird's nest, bear's paw, deer antlers... Every dish is a luxury that ordinary people cannot reach.

"The square stone statue is really asking for death if it goes against us!"

"They say the emperor is a tyrant. Isn't the stone statue going to be quartered this time?"

"Haha... The emperor's actions are really fast, he really hates evil as much as he hates it!"

…

Li Shen, Cheng Dexing and others sat around the table, with smiles of satisfaction and pride on their faces, congratulating themselves on getting rid of the ignorant Huizhou magistrate Fang Bosong.

They held exquisite wine glasses in their hands, which were filled with fragrant wine. Thinking of Fang Bosong who was about to die, they all toasted to each other and congratulated each other.

Cheng Dexing gently picked up a piece of abalone with his chopsticks, put it to his mouth and savored it carefully, as if he was tasting the ultimate delicacy in the world, and then gave Li Shen a thumbs up.

Li Shen was forced to close down his business for rectification due to Zui Xianju. He suffered a lot of losses during this period, and was also forced to pay a deposit. He hated Fang Bosong in his heart, and he was enjoying the deer antlers on the table at this time.

With good wine and delicious food, and a beautiful woman playing the piano beside them, the squires here were so happy. They felt that their life was more comfortable than that of the emperor.

However, just when the luxurious and glitzy atmosphere reached its peak, the door to the elegant room was suddenly pushed open.

Fang Bosong, dressed in crimson official uniform, filed in with his servants, and a chilling air instantly filled the air.

The originally cheerful environment suddenly became silent, leaving only the panic and gasps on the faces of the squires when they saw Fang Bosong.

"Alabaster statue?"

"He...why is he still wearing official uniform?"

"Hasn't he been condemned by the emperor?"

…

Li Shen, Cheng Dexing and other squires were extremely shocked when they saw Fang Bosong suddenly appearing with the policeman, and then murmured to themselves in confusion.

Although their information could not be reported in real time, the emperor sent down the eunuch to ask him in the first sentence whether he had received 2,500 taels in bribes. This was the confirmed news returned by their informants.

Fang Bosong could see through their thoughts at a glance and solemnly raised his hands in the direction of Nanjing City: "Are you wondering why I haven't been dismissed from office yet? Your Majesty is wise, the silver you donated has been ordered by my government to cast a drowning weapon. Not circulating in the market.”

Silver drowning device?

The squires present were shocked again. They didn't expect that the prefect would dare to do such a luxurious thing. Did he think he didn't die quickly enough?

"Prefect Fang, you are so extravagant, aren't you afraid that the squires of Huizhou Prefecture will jointly impeach you?" Li Shen thought he had caught Fang Bosong's pigtails, so he threatened with a sullen face.

Silver is such a noble thing, even a wealthy family would not do this.

Unexpectedly, the Huizhou magistrate not only admitted to accepting their silver, but also used silver to cast drowning utensils. This is clearly a negative example of corrupt officials in the Ming Dynasty.

Fang Bosong realized that the other party could not understand what he wanted to express, so he smiled coldly: "Silver is a cheap thing. If you gift it to me, how can I value it? Silver is banned in the imperial court, so you should regard me as your treasure." Example, don't let these cheap things circulate in the market! If you don't know how to dispose of these cheap things, you can also send them to me, and I will make drowning vessels and give them to others."

These words were undoubtedly a naked provocation and a slap in the face.

They originally thought that Fang Bosong would be doomed if they revealed their gift of silver, and they did not want the silver that they originally regarded as a treasure to be redefined by the emperor.

Since silver is a cheap thing, Fang Bosong naturally did not accept bribes. Casting the drowning weapon can be said to be in response to the call of the court.

"It is truly an anecdote that someone who is obviously greedy for ink is not punished now. It is truly an anecdote for the ages!" Cheng Dexing had already understood the true meaning, but said sarcastically.

If silver were currency, the amount of money Fang Bosong committed was far more than 800 guan, enough to behead three times.

But now, in order to implement the ban on silver, the emperor turned a blind eye to Fang Bosong's crimes. By this measure, the corruption methods they thought they used to control local officials have now completely lost their effect.

Fang Bosong's eyes were as cold as a knife, and his voice was loud and firm: "Li Shen, Cheng Dexing, and everyone present, do you know your guilt?"

His voice echoed in the private room like thunder, making the squires tremble involuntarily, suddenly thinking of the crimes they had committed over the years.

Fang Bosong directly listed their crimes: "Do you really think that this government has really known nothing these years? Li Zitao, you seized the land of your neighbor Li Si, causing him to die of anger. Zhang Hongzhong, you colluded with the bandits to kidnap Li Zitao's son. Asking for money, the bandit leader Guo Jianglong has confessed to this matter. Sun Zhongshu, you have already committed many crimes by relying on your identity as a Juren... Everyone here, what you have done is unacceptable!"

As Fang Bosong complained in his voice, the fear of the squires present became more intense.

It would be okay if Fang Bosong had wronged them, but it was all true, and some things could not be denied at all. They seemed to see their own tragic future, a disaster was about to befall them, and the horror in their eyes could not be concealed.

"Prefect Fang, please keep a line in your behavior!" Cheng Dexing, the leader of this group of squires, warned with a sullen face.

Thinking that he was almost killed by the other party, Fang Bosong responded jokingly: "Cheng Dexing, your affair with Li Shen's wife, do you really think it was seamless?"

Li Shen had been eating melon nearby, but now he heard the news and looked at Cheng Dexing in shock.

Cheng Dexing was shocked at first, and then denied it, but Li Shen, who saw the clues, rushed over and scratched his face, so he had to fight with Li Shen.

Two people who were in the same camp just now are now life-and-death enemies, and both of them soon fell into disgrace.

"Master Magistrate, please spare us! We know we were wrong and we will never dare to do it again!" A squire suddenly knelt down in front of Fang Bosong and begged for mercy with tears in his eyes.

His plea for mercy seemed to open Pandora's box, and other squires fell to their knees, crying and begging for mercy. Although they are usually arrogant and domineering, at this moment they are as helpless and pitiful as lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

However, Fang Bosong did not waver in his determination, but waved his hand gently: "Send them all to the government prison, and I will judge them one by one!"

The police officers present had been waiting for a long time and immediately stepped forward to lock up the squires.

The cries and begging for mercy of the squires echoed in the night sky. They finally realized the horror of imperial power and official power, but they could not change the tragic fate they were about to face.

But who can blame this?

Only now that I have a knife on my neck do I realize I regret it, but it's already too late.

The emperor's move south, coupled with a certain degree of whipping and connivance towards them, caused the fourteen prefects and four prefects to bite the Fang Squire Group like mad dogs.

In fact, not only the Huizhou Prefecture, but also the other thirteen prefectures and four directly-governed prefectures were determined to change their previous practice of squandering foreign workers, and instead vigorously implemented the imperial court's ban on silver.

In particular, silver was redefined by the emperor and its status as currency was abolished, so they could do whatever they wanted after removing the shackles, but they vented their anger on the local gentry.

Now they have only one thought: Anyone who dares to block the silver ban will go to hell. (End of chapter)