Chapter 207: Sleepless Night in Chang'an

According to the division of duties, Fang Chongyong currently actually does not have the qualification to enter the Jinwu Guard Office.

Of course, Zheng Shuqing is the same.

But the Jinwu Guard Office is not far from the Censorate Office, so when night just fell, Fang Chongyong went from the Censorate Office in the western district of Daming Palace, south of the Secretariat, into the Imperial City area's Jinwu Guard Office to discuss important matters with Zheng Shuqing.

The result was that he didn't know until he went, and once he went he was startled.

Besides Deputy Chief Censor Zheng Shuqing and Jinwu Guard Middle General Zhang Guangsheng, the Right Jinwu Guard Middle General Pei Min, the Jingzhao Prefect Pei Kuan, and the Grand Treasury Officer Yang Shenjin were also present. The cramped detention room was actually packed with people!

When Fang Chongyong arrived, Zheng Shuqing pointed at Yang Shenjin and said, "This is Grand Treasury Officer Yang Shenjin; after we confiscate the households, he is responsible for sending people to inventory copper material and damaged coins, and to replenish the Grand Treasury."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong modestly crossed his hands and bowed to Yang Shenjin.

He is not familiar with this person, but has heard of some of his "advanced deeds." It is said that he manages Ji Ge's inner treasury so meticulously that he can be called the emperor's personal "accounting officer."

Since Yang Shenjin is here, at least it proves one thing: this operation not only mobilized a great amount of official power, but Ji Ge also knows about it and has tacitly approved Zheng Shuqing's actions.

No wonder old Zheng was beaming with pride this morning.

Fang Chongyong understood implicitly; after the recent Li Heng treason incident, Li Longji clearly took a stance at the time and the officials who helped protect the carriage gained a few more points of trust. Meanwhile, the ministers who were inactive or acted recklessly were demoted to varying degrees.

Some were even imprisoned.

However, the Right Jinwu Guard Middle General Pei Min also took part in this operation, which was somewhat unexpected for Fang Chongyong. In his impression, Pei Min has always acted low‑key and dislikes getting involved in such side affairs.

"Since everyone is present, let Censor Fang explain this operation. He will have full authority; I am only holding the line at the Censorate Office and have arranged personnel to support you."

Zheng Shuqing smiled and addressed the crowd.

He knew he wasn't cut out for it, so he simply gave up! Hearing this, Fang Chongyong didn't know how to decline, so he forced himself to walk into the crowd, unfolded the Chang'an Inner Ward Layout Map hidden in his sleeve, and pinned it to the wooden board hanging on the wall.

This map had already been marked point by point according to the list on Zheng Shuqing's roster.

"In this operation there are fifteen families, spread across fifteen wards inside Chang'an. To avoid alarming the target, we must act simultaneously tonight; no one may break formation, lest the news leak."

The Left Jinwu Guard is responsible for seven families near the West Market, the Right Jinwu Guard for seven families near the South City, and the Jingzhao Prefecture for one family near the East Market. Each family will be seized by five squads, each squad consisting of ten men.

Fang Chongyong held a thin wooden stick and explained the marching routes to everyone present. He detailed, point by point, how to reinforce each other in case of sudden situations and all other particulars.

When he finished, he knowingly handed the stick to Zheng Shuqing and stepped aside without speaking.

"Ahem… ahem… ahem…"

Zheng Shuqing feigned a few coughs, then looked around the crowd and said:

"These private‑minted copper‑coin makers have been burning massive amounts of firewood and charcoal, driving up the capital's grain prices and leaving the populace unable to afford charcoal, so that every street and alley in Chang'an resounds with complaints. Their crimes are truly heinous."

Therefore, for this operation I propose that no survivors be left; we should beat them to death with random blows. What do you all think?

Zheng Shuqing's expression was grim, his aura filled with murderous energy; without anger he exuded authority.

"Given the gravity of the matter, I still recommend first consulting the Sage."

After a moment of silence, Yang Shenjin stepped forward to voice dissent, but as soon as he finished, the already white‑bearded Pei Kuan stood firmly on Zheng Shuqing's side and declared loudly:

"Censor Zheng's words are not false. According to Tang law: private‑minted coiners are exiled three thousand li; if the molds are prepared but the coins not cast, two years of hard labor; if the molds are not yet prepared, a hundred strokes of the cane."

The fifteen families uncovered have not only already minted coins, but in massive quantities; merely exiling them three thousand li would likely fail to deter petty criminals. I concur with Censor Zheng's view: these people must be killed to appease the populace.

No one has even been captured, let alone tried, yet the crimes have already been decided. The rules of the feudal era are understood by those who understand; don't ask too many questions.

Fang Chongyong pretended to be deaf and blind, his mind wandering beyond the heavens, saying not a word.

Zhang Guangsheng and Pei Min are both Jinwu Guard commanders; naturally they have little say in such matters and, knowing the situation, remain silently mute. Everyone's gaze turns to Fang Chongyong, as if his opinion were crucial.

Seeing Fang Chongyong remain silent for a long time, Zheng Shuqing can't help but remind him:

"Even if these people are captured, they will be sent to the Dali Temple for interrogation; that is the proper procedure. In the end, however, they will inevitably be sentenced to death—either by strangulation or beheading—either way it's death, no difference."

However, during the interrogation, if some prisoners cause a chaotic uproar and public outcry, the scene becomes unsightly, and the Sage would be displeased.

Dying a few days earlier would have saved many troubles; Censor Fang, do not indulge in feminine mercy, lest the situation become unmanageable in the end.

After Zheng Shuqing's blunt words, Fang Chongyong finally gave a slight nod and said, "Indeed, such scoundrels, not killing them would not satisfy the people's anger."

Hearing his "informed and tasteful" remark, the solemn expressions on everyone's faces finally relaxed.

Who gave the Fang father and son the great merit of saving the carriage, allowing them to speak before the Sage?

Though Fang Chongyong's official rank is modest, his imperial favor is considerable. If he were to speak ill of them behind the scenes before Ji Ge, that would indeed be a very troublesome matter.

Now that Fang Chongyong has expressed this, they can put their minds at ease and focus on the task.

"It's getting late, let's begin then."

Zheng Shuqing said to Zhang Guangsheng and Pei Min.

The two Jinwu Guard commanders immediately left the office, taking their elite guards to muster troops. Pei Kuan and Yang Shenjin also clasped their hands in farewell; they too must organize manpower for the task and cannot stay idle in the Jinwu Guard Office.

After everyone else had left, Fang Chongyong finally pulled Zheng Shuqing aside and asked, "Will many people die this time?"

"Yes, indeed many will die."

Zheng Shuqing gave a slight nod and said.

"Let them dig coal until they die; is that not enough? Must we kill them right now?"

Fang Chongyong retorted with some dissatisfaction.

"This isn't something anyone can decide; don't you understand that principle?"

Zheng Shuqing pointed upward, saying everything without words.

Behind every private‑mint merchant stands a big boss, whether speakable or not; these people are Ji Ge's close relatives and friends, high‑ranking court nobles, even the Tang dynasty's "cornerstones."

The current problem is that these private‑mint merchants continuously purchase large quantities of charcoal and firewood, use them to mint copper coins, and then quietly release these inferior coins into Chang'an's markets, creating an underground industry.

Double the harvest, double the pleasure—one can only say they know how to have fun!

Yet while these people revel, the citizens of Chang'an have fallen into misfortune! Even ordinary officials can no longer afford charcoal, having to wait for the court's payroll to possibly include a bit more firewood.

Earlier Fang Chongyong went to Binzhou to survey coal mines; later Zheng Shuqing dealt with private‑mint merchants—both actions share one goal: to ensure balanced energy supply in the Chang'an region.

Fang Chongyong is "opening sources," Zheng Shuqing is "conserving," but essentially the two employ different means to achieve the same end.

These private‑mint merchants have overstepped, harming the interests of many central officials in Chang'an and indirectly injuring Ji Ge's interests, so their punishment is inevitable—but that is where it ends.

Having someone step forward to "address the symptom" is already a blessing for the people; expecting someone to "cure the root" is unrealistic.

Beating the dog without regard for the master's face is already the tolerable limit; the stick must never strike the "master's" face! That would break the rules.

Although Zheng Shuqing has huge problems in execution and his adaptability is quite lacking, the operation he planned this time has no major flaws in itself.

"I understand."

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

"Understanding is enough."

Those private‑mint merchants, many are forced, truly innocent.

The powerful they depend on demand they mint privately; they cannot refuse, and any improper thoughts would be purged.

They are indeed pitiful.

But you and I, how can we decide for ourselves? How are we not also forced?

So since everyone is like this, don't blame me for being ruthless.

In the morning you gave a reminder, and I entered the palace to report to the Sage. The Sage said he does not wish to hear any bad news from Chang'an.

You asked how to handle it; now I can only handle it this way.

Zheng Shuqing sighed emotionally and said.

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong was startled, then suddenly enlightened.

The words he said during the day were not to urge Zheng Shuqing to rush to deal with the private‑mint copper coins. Fang Chongyong believes that such non‑market activity could cause a big stir, but past examples show the results are poor and unlikely to be good.

Pressure brings greater backlash; it might even make private minting more widespread later!

Fang Chongyong's point, simply put, is "Since the hidden mastermind cannot be cut off nor offended, we must find another way."

Unexpectedly, Zheng Shuqing interpreted it as "How can we get things done while keeping those hidden masterminds invisible and uninvolved!"

Obviously, silencing the black‑glove and white‑glove handlers who push the powerful to the front stage is the simplest method, and Zheng Shuqing's personal choice.

He is not the originator of this method; in fact, a hundred years ago, Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, to prevent private‑minted coins from entering the market, strictly decreed that anyone daring to mint privately would be executed on the spot.

Indeed, no interrogation was needed; they were slain on the spot. In the end, Zheng Shuqing is merely imitating Emperor Wen's "assassin's blade" of those days. As for whether it works, Zheng Shuqing must try; otherwise his role as a "charcoal envoy" would be in vain, and in the end Ji Ge won't spare him.

The two sat quietly in the Jinwu Guard's detention room, waiting for news from the Jinwu Guard and the Jingzhao Prefecture.

…

That night in Chang'an was destined to be recorded in history, yet it would surely be brushed off and forgotten by the world.

The sites of private‑mint copper coins in Chang'an were distributed in a regular pattern.

Either around the West Market, where a mix of all sorts swarms, population flow is massive, and small shops crowd each district, facilitating the circulation of low‑quality money.

Or in the scarcely visited southern part of the city, the district with the fewest residents—under five hundred. Normally the gates are deserted, making it the perfect hidden spot for private minting.

That night, near Anhua Gate in southern Chang'an, the western side of Changming District opened its gates. A fully armed squad of Jinwu Guard soldiers streamed in. Led by the district head, Zhang Guangsheng's team followed behind, and a massive crowd arrived at an inconspicuous courtyard.

Many think private minting of copper coins requires a grand mansion, but that's not the case. The threshold is low, technical demands are modest, far below those for casting copper Buddhas. All that's needed are a few skilled casters and some strong laborers.

What truly limits the scale of private minting are copper material, charcoal (firewood), molds, etc., and it doesn't require palace‑sized spaces. Because the objective constraints are few, private minting has persisted since the founding of the Tang dynasty.

Minting coins is "money begets money"; anyone with the means can't resist!

"Is the Zhang family living here?"

Zhang Guangsheng asked the district head with a cold face.

"Yes, General, that's correct."

The district head said cautiously.

"Hmph, you know this place is privately minting copper coins yet you didn't report it—what's the reason?"

Zhang Guangsheng asked in an unfriendly tone.

"Ah, General, can a single district head even handle such matters?"

"There are also people behind them…"

The district head lowered his voice and said.

"Go open the gate! Otherwise, you'll be charged for withholding information!"

Zhang Guangsheng scolded, showing no kindness to the district head.

"Alright, alright, I'll go open the gate now."

The district head was perceptive; he saw that today's Jinwu Guard brought not the usual wooden sticks but knives carried by everyone.

Why do the Jinwu Guard normally use wooden sticks on duty?

Because Chang'an has many high officials and many who are closely connected to them. When the Jinwu Guard are on duty, brandishing a knife carelessly could easily kill someone who shouldn't die, making reconciliation impossible for both sides.

Using wooden sticks avoids that problem; no matter how big the misunderstanding, as long as no one dies,

Thus, looking the other way, the fact that the Jinwu Guard didn't bring wooden sticks now indicates that tonight they intend to take lethal action.

The district head, sweating cold, opened the courtyard gate, and as soon as it opened,

"Search! Leave no place untouched!"

Zhang Guangsheng shouted, pointing toward the back courtyard.

In a moment, everyone living in the courtyard was taken to the front yard, sitting trembling on the ground, while a dozen Jinwu Guard soldiers with torches encircled them.

"General Zhang, we have found coin‑casting molds and several boxes of low‑quality money."

A Jinwu Guard officer whispered into Zhang Guangsheng's ear.

"You should have your men slaughter everyone here, leaving no survivors.

Then send a brother to the yamen to inform the Grand Treasury's Yang Prefect, so he can send people to take over this place.

"I'll go check elsewhere first."

Zhang Guangsheng gave the officer a brief order, then turned and left.

Killing is unavoidable; it's a death‑order, but he hasn't become a pervert who enjoys watching his subordinates kill.

While Zhang Guangsheng led the slaughter in Changming District, some districts in Chang'an were playing out similar stories.

In Longevity Ward, Cherishing Virtue Ward, Passing Goodness Ward, Prosperous Joy Ward...... among these wards, one household after another's gate was pushed open by the people of the Golden Warrior Guard, searched without distinguishing right from wrong, slaughtered without distinguishing good from evil.

When they first privately minted, how happily they took the money; now, when they were exterminated, how painful their deaths were. It seems that all gifts from fate have had their price secretly marked.

A faint bloody aura gradually spread throughout Chang'an city.

(End of Chapter)