Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 154

Chapter 154 Death Man (1)
The Daxing County Government publicized the thirty decrees in such a big way that everyone in the city knew about them. Very quickly, the officials in half of the capital knew about them clearly. To this, most people with some status were very disdainful. This was Beijing City, how could a small county government make rules?

However, although they were disdainful in their hearts, they did not show any intention of confronting the county government. Because these thirty decrees were practically justified and consistent with the rules set by the Imperial Court, not to mention them, even the officials and officials who specialized in picking on people’s faults couldn’t say a single word wrong about this.

Of course, in the eyes of some sensible people, Daxing County’s actions would obviously cause him quite a bit of trouble. There were quite a few arrogant people in Beijing City, and there were even more people with backgrounds and status. Once these people really violated these laws in Daxing County, it would definitely make the county government, especially the county magistrate who proposed this series of laws, very difficult to handle.

How much power could a county government have to deal with high-ranking officials and dignitaries if they were to act according to the decree written above? However, if he turned a blind eye to this, he would be slapping himself in the face. At that time, not only would he not be able to convince the crowd, even those officials would not let him off. These officials and officials were able to pick out bones from eggs. Now that there was such an omission, they naturally wouldn’t miss it.

Actually, not only was it clear to the bystanders, but many people in the county government were also not optimistic about this. Zeng Guang and the others even tried to persuade Lu Zhenmo to finish his sentence. However, County Magistrate Lu was determined this time. No matter who tried to persuade him, he didn’t listen. In the end, he could only publicize this matter according to his intentions.

Fortunately, everyone now knew that it was the time when he, County Magistrate Lu, could start three fires. This law was new, so no one dared to try to touch this mess with their own hands for the time being. But presumably, after a period of time, there would naturally be some changes.

However, it was obvious that because the county government had made a big fuss this time, it had even issued the slogan that no matter whether it was noble or lowly, it had already caused many people to be dissatisfied and wanted to embarrass this Daxing County.

@ @ @ @

In the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, a few young masters dressed in luxurious clothes were each holding a red card in the pavilion and changing glasses. Not long after, there were also people who moved their hands upstream of the delicate body, causing the beauty’s soft anger and disobedience, causing the entire room to be filled with spring.

After a few glasses of wine, there were women who turned around, and the young masters’ tone gradually grew bigger. They all took out their daddy to show off and directly said that there was nothing that their family could not do in the capital because of how important their status was.

After bragging to each other, a handsome young man looked at the crowd and chuckled, “It’s not interesting for us to say such big words here. We have to do something to make people believe us.”

“Brother Li, what idea do you have?” A young master whose face was slightly pale and who knew that he was overdrunk at a glance smiled and asked, “Normally, you have the most ideas. Quickly tell me.”

“It’s fine to fight for wealth and do small things. We can all do it. There’s no point in comparing it. So it’s more interesting to me. For example, we can compare the 30 decrees made by Daxing County, which has been spreading in the capital recently.” Young Master Li suggested with a smile,

“How can I compare this?” Everyone drank a few more drinks, and their minds naturally didn’t spin as quickly as they had in the past.

Young Master Li took a sip of wine and touched the beauty’s chest twice. After provoking a wave of pampering, he continued, “This is simple. It’s more important than who of us is. After breaking his county government decree, the people in the county government won’t dare to take people.”

Upon hearing this suggestion, everyone shook their heads, “This is incomparable. Just the few of us, even the people from the Military Horse Division of the Five Cities, can only nod and bow when they see him. Does he, a Daxing County Yamen, dare to attack us?”

“That’s right. It’s not even taller than this. Let’s change it.”

“What, do you think this is simple? I don’t think so.” Young Master Li’s eyes shone brightly as he said, “These 30 decrees are all proposed by the new county magistrate. He has to put on an act if he wants to establish his name in the capital. It has only been two days since this decree came out. If someone really violates it, what do you think he will do?”

“Oh … it’s interesting to say so.” One of them stroked his chin, revealing a thoughtful expression. But then he remembered something and pointed at one of them, “However, there is also a difficulty in this matter. His father is the top superior of the county magistrate of Daxing County, Prefecture Governor Shuntian. This matter is too beneficial to him.”

“That’s right, Brother Huang’s identity isn’t very convenient here. Then let’s ask him to arbitrate. The four of us will compete.” Young Master Li suggested.

“Then what are we going to compete for? We can’t violate all thirty laws, can we?”

“It’s getting late now. I remember that there is one of the thirty decrees that forbids the night. Let’s try it!” Young Master Li said with a smile.

They glanced at each other and then nodded their heads, “Alright, let’s compete with this! If we can’t determine the outcome, we’ll compete with the others. However, since it’s a competition, there must always be a lottery.”

“That’s easy. As long as it’s taken down by the county government, we’ll set up a table of flower wine here tomorrow to invite those who haven’t been caught. What do you think?” Young Master Li hurriedly suggested.

“Good idea, I want to see if Daxing County can get us to pay for this!” As he said that, one of them pushed away the woman in his arms impatiently and staggered out, “Brothers, let me go first.”

Seeing him move, the others also stood up one after another. Only Young Master Huang of the Shuntian Prefecture Yin Clan sat motionless and smiled, “Everyone, I won’t send you off. If anyone is really captured and doesn’t want to alert the old master of the clan, I will help you.”

“Fuck you! We’ll be trapped by this small county government! Isn’t it just a curfew? It’s forbidden to ordinary people. He can’t forbid the few of us!” Amidst the laughter and curses, three of them had already left the house quickly. Only Young Master Li’s footsteps were slightly slower. He nodded at Young Master Huang before following them.

The beautiful ladies in the room had helpless expressions on their faces. Originally, they could get a lot of benefits from these young masters tonight, but now they could only let them leave …

@ @ @ @

After nightfall, Beijing would enter a state of curfew. This was a rule passed down from ancient times to ensure the stability of the capital. For this reason, the military forces of the five cities, the Shuntian Prefecture, and the other yamen would send quite a few people to patrol the streets and alleys after the ban was put in place. However, any night walker who did not bring any proof, waist token, or other items would be severely punished, and they could even be killed on the spot if they were in a serious situation.

Of course, this statement was only implemented in the decades after the founding of the Great Ming Empire. By now, the law had long since relaxed. Especially for those noble families, they didn’t need any proof to do anything during the night. As long as they hung up the lanterns on their mansions, the officers and soldiers on the night patrol would naturally have no choice but to retreat.

After all, the rules were set by humans, so there were naturally plenty of people who would break them. When a rule is broken by too many people, it is useless.

Outside the Warm Fragrance Pavilion was a street. When the four young masters came downstairs one after another, a group of officers and soldiers on the night patrol lit torches and walked over. Although they saw that these carriages were going to take advantage of the night to drive, they didn’t even look at them, and didn’t even come over to ask what was going on.

This was because everyone knew what kind of place this Warm Fragrance Pavilion was. Those who could afford to spend money here were all people of high status. Furthermore, looking at their carriages from afar, one could tell that they were the sons of officials. To them, these officers and soldiers on patrol did not dare to provoke them. Even if they had violated the curfew, they would only pretend not to see them.

Actually, this method was no longer a secret in the capital, and could be said to be known throughout the city. However, even the officials who liked to pick on people turned a blind eye to this. They did not impeach the banned officials, nor did they impeach the officials who did not do anything, because they knew very well how much trouble they would cause if they really exposed the matter. They did not want to be enemies with the Manchao people.

The four carriages carried the lanterns in their respective mansions and slowly drove towards Daxing County, just like they did in the daytime. When the carriage with the lanterns of the Li Clan landed at the end, Young Master Li Huan played with a jade pendant in his hand with a mocking smile on the corner of his mouth.

Two days ago, the commotion caused by the people from Daxing County passing by his house made him very uncomfortable, so he had this gamble tonight. He wanted to use his own methods to teach the arrogant county magistrate a lesson and tell him that the capital was not a small county magistrate who could issue any decree at will.

Along the way, they encountered two groups of night patrol officers and soldiers, but they were still unable to do anything to them. They even avoided them until they left before continuing forward.

This was the current situation in Beijing. Although the laws were strict, they were only aimed at ordinary poor people. There was no restriction on officials and noble families like them.

The road was much smoother at night than during the day, and in a few moments several carriages had already turned into the territory of Daxing County. At this moment, this point was silent and dark. It was much quieter than anywhere else, and it was unknown if the thirty decrees were working.

As the carriages moved forward, they quickly made quite a commotion on the road. At this moment, a group of more than ten people suddenly arrived at the corner of the street in front of them. Under the illumination of the torches, they were surprisingly a group of soap-clothed tolerances!