Chapter 142: Eradicating the Nine Clans

On the second day, the morning court convened at Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the throne, listening to reports from the ministries.

When it was the Ministry of War's turn, Minister of War Shen Jin stepped forward and said, "His Majesty, the preparations for the campaign against the Japanese have been underway for three months, the naval warships have been repaired, grain and fodder reserves are sixty percent complete, but recently grain prices in Fujian and Zhejiang have risen, which may affect further preparations."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and asked, "Why have grain prices risen?"

"According to reports, this year's harvest was poor, and merchants hoarded the grain," Shen Jin said.

"Poor harvest… Yang Aiqing, does the Ministry of Revenue have statistics?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked toward Minister of Revenue Yang Jing.

Yang Jing stepped forward and said, "Replying, Your Majesty, according to the Ministry of Revenue's statistics, this summer's grain harvest in Fujian and Zhejiang is on par with previous years, with no major disaster.

The rise in grain prices may be due to human manipulation."

A murmur spread through the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression darkened as he said, "Human manipulation? Who would dare profit from a national crisis at this time?"

At that moment, Zhu Yong stepped forward and said, "Father, I request your decree to be in charge of investigating the grain price issue and to supervise the campaign's grain and fodder preparations."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and asked, "Yong Er, can you do it?"

"I can… I may not understand other matters, but I know who dares to cause trouble, and I'll beat them," Zhu Yong assured.

His words were blunt, and many civil officials in the hall frowned.

But Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Very well, I'll entrust this to you, Yang Jing, cooperate with Prince Wu."

"I will obey," Yang Jing bowed.

Next, Minister of Works Xue Xiang stepped forward and said, "His Majesty, the new style flintlock gun has been successfully trial‑produced, with a range of one hundred fifty steps and greater accuracy.

However, mass production will take time; if we wish to equip three thousand units before the campaign against the Japanese, we must increase investment."

"How much is needed?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"Ten hundred thousand jin of refined iron, five thousand cubic feet of hardwood, craftsmen increased to five hundred, and about one hundred thousand taels of silver," Xue Xiang reported the figures.

A sound of inhalation rose in the hall.

One hundred thousand taels is no small sum.

A civil official stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, spending one hundred thousand taels to make three thousand flintlock guns may be excessive, and with the campaign imminent, the cost is huge; we should economize."

Zhu Yong looked at that person, who was Censorate Left Deputy Imperial Censor Chen Ning.

"Lord Chen, you think it's extravagant?" Zhu Yong asked.

Chen Ning said, "Prince, one hundred thousand taels could sustain five thousand soldiers for a year; making three thousand flintlock guns is indeed extravagant."

"Then, Lord Chen, do you know how many Japanese pirates these three thousand guns could kill?" Zhu Yong asked.

"This…" Chen Ning was at a loss for words.

"Let me tell you, a flintlock gun in the hands of a trained soldier can fire four shots per minute; three thousand guns yield twelve thousand shots. When the Japanese pirates charge, a hundred‑step distance takes twenty breaths; in those twenty breaths, the three thousand guns can fire two volleys, that is twenty‑four thousand lead bullets," Zhu Yong said loudly as he moved to the center of the hall.

He surveyed the hall and said, "Twenty‑four thousand lead bullets—how many Japanese pirates can that kill? Lord Chen, have you calculated?"

Chen Ning's face turned pale.

Zhu Yong continued, "One hundred thousand taels to make three thousand guns is costly, but if those three thousand guns can save ten thousand Great Ming soldiers, is that amount worth it?"

The hall fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with approval as he said, "Prince Wu is right; one hundred thousand taels is worth it. Xue Xiang, the Ministry of Works shall manufacture with full force, and the silver shall be allocated from the treasury."

"I will obey," Xue Xiang bowed.

After the morning court dispersed, Zhu Yong was summoned by Zhu Yuanzhang to Qianqing Palace.

"Yong Er, you spoke well today in court, but remember, the campaign against the Japanese is not only about fighting; you must also guard against knives behind your back," Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said.

"Father, rest assured, I understand," Zhu Yong nodded.

"It's good you understand. This is the list of merchants the Brocade Guard uncovered, all involved in hoarding grain and fodder, each with ties to Jiangnan aristocratic families behind them.

Take it; arrest those who should be arrested, punish those who should be punished." Zhu Yuanzhang said, taking a list from the desk.

Zhu Yong took the list, glanced at it, and saw over a dozen names, among them some of Yingtian's renowned great merchants.

"Father, can I kill people?" he asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and smiled, "If they must die, they may, but there must be evidence."

"I understand."

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yong went straight to the Brocade Guard headquarters.

Commissioner Mao Xiang of the Brocade Guard was already waiting.

"Presenting to Prince Wu."

"Commissioner Mao, how long have the Brocade Guard kept these people under surveillance?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Replying, Prince, two months, the evidence is solid." Mao Xiang handed over a stack of files.

Zhu Yong flipped through them; inside were detailed records of how these merchants hoarded grain and fodder, inflated prices, and which officials they dealt with.

"Good, arrests tonight," Zhu Yong closed the files.

"Tonight… Prince, is that too hasty?" Mao Xiang was startled.

"Not hasty. If we wait for them to react, the evidence will disappear. You mobilize troops; I will lead the team myself." Zhu Yong said.

Mao Xiang looked at the young Prince Wu before him and suddenly felt that those Jiangnan aristocratic families might be in trouble.

"Yes, I will prepare at once."

Night fell, and the lanterns of Yingtian Prefecture began to shine.

Over a dozen Brocade Guard squads deployed simultaneously, beginning to arrest people according to the list.

However, there were few people on Yingtian Prefecture's side; the real battlefield was over in Jiangnan.

There, the Brocade Guard and the naval fleet would make the arrests, so Zhu Yong need not rush to Jiangnan.

Nevertheless, Zhu Yong still led a team himself, racing straight to the largest grain merchant in the southern city, the Zhou Manor.

The main gate of the Zhou residence was tightly shut, while inside the lights shone brightly.

"Open the door, Jinyi Wei is conducting an investigation!" Mao Xiang stepped forward and knocked on the door.

The door opened, and a man looking like a steward stuck his head out: "Gentlemen, it's so late…"

"Is Zhou Wancai at home?" Mao Xiang asked.

"Sir… Sir has already rested…"

"Even if he's resting, he must get up. I am Prince Wu Zhu Yong, and I request Boss Zhou to come out and speak." Zhu Yong stepped forward, speaking bluntly.

The steward's legs went weak upon hearing the Prince's title: "Prince… Prince, please wait a moment, I will report at once…"

"No need, I'll go in myself." Zhu Yong pushed him aside and, leading the Jinyi Wei, stormed straight into the residence.

Zhou Wancai was tallying accounts in the study; hearing the commotion, he came out and, seeing so many Jinyi Wei, his complexion changed dramatically.

"Gentlemen, this is…"

"Zhou Wancai, you are accused of hoarding grain and fodder and inflating prices. Come with me." Zhu Yong said.

"It's false! I have always operated lawfully and never committed any illegal act…" Zhou Wancai knelt on the ground and said.

"Operating lawfully?"

Zhu Yong took the ledger from Mao Xiang, tossed it before him and said: "Your ledger records that last month you purchased 50,000 shi of grain from Fujian, this month you sold only 5,000 shi; where did the remaining 45,000 shi go?"

Zhou Wancai's face turned ashen as he said: "That… that is the stored grain in my warehouse…"

"Stored grain… I've checked; your Zhou family usually stored no more than 10,000 shi at this time of year, yet this year it suddenly increased by 40,000 shi, and the grain price is 30% higher than market price. And you claim you didn't hoard?"

Zhu Yong sneered.

Zhou Wancai could not speak.

Zhu Yong gestured and said: "Take him away."

Two Imperial Guard stepped forward and restrained Zhou Wancai.

"Prince, spare me, Prince, spare me! I was forced; the Lu Family compelled me to do this!" Zhou Wancai shouted while struggling.

"Lu Family, which Lu Family?" Zhu Yong said, his gaze narrowing.

"Lu… Lu Ben, Lord Lu's household… Lord Lu said that as long as I hoard grain and fodder, raise prices, and hinder the campaign against the Japanese, he will give me 50,000 salt requisitions afterward…" Zhou Wancai wept.

Zhu Yong and Mao Xiang exchanged a glance.

Indeed, it involved Lu Ben.

"Take him away and interrogate him severely," Zhu Yong said.

That night, thirteen major merchants of Yingtian Prefecture were arrested, their warehouses sealed, and all hoarded grain and fodder were confiscated.

More merchants from Jiangnan were also taken away, but because the news had not yet reached Yingtian, it would be several days before the information became known.

The news spread, shaking the court and the realm.

At the next day's morning court, Lu Ben was the first to step forward and impeach.

"His Majesty, Prince Wu last night led the Jinyi Wei to arbitrarily arrest people, seal shops, and disrupt livelihoods. I request Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong and said: "Prince Wu, do you have anything to say?"

Zhu Yong stepped forward, speaking bluntly: "Father, the merchants I captured are good merchants of yours, the evidence is solid, and someone testified that they were acting under Lord Lu's orders."

Lu Ben's face changed dramatically as he said: "Nonsense… nonsense! Your Majesty, this is a false accusation!"

"Whether it's a false accusation can be known by investigation. This is Zhou Wancai's testimony, written in black on white paper, stating that Lord Lu promised 50,000 salt requisitions to have him hoard grain and fodder, hindering the campaign against the Japanese."

Zhu Yong pulled the testimony from his chest and said.

The eunuch took the testimony and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang finished reading it, his face turning ashen.

"Lu Ben, what explanation do you have?"

Lu Ben fell to his knees with a thud and said: "Your Majesty, I… I am wronged! This must be someone's plot!"

"A plot? Zhou Wancai has no enmity with you; why would you be framed, and not only him—other merchants also testified, saying they acted under your orders."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered.

Lu Ben trembled all over, unable to speak.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and asked: "Crown Prince, how do you think we should deal with this?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward, calmly saying: "Imperial Father, Lu Ben, as an official appointed by the court, colluded with merchants, hoarded grain and fodder, obstructed state affairs, and the evidence is conclusive.

According to the law, he should be executed."

The hall erupted in uproar.

Lu Ben collapsed on the ground and cried: "Crown Prince, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered briefly and said: "For a man like this, killing only him would be too lenient; eradicate the Nine Clans!"

"Your Majesty, spare me, Your Majesty, spare me!" Lu Ben, hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, immediately began to cry out in terror.

"Prince, Prince, spare me…"

Suddenly, Lu Ben thought of the benevolent Crown Prince Zhu Biao, but Zhu Biao only gave him a faint glance and then waved his hand at the Jinyi Wei below.

At once, Lu Ben was dragged out directly.

Even though he was still petty, he remembered that Lu Ben wanted his daughter to enter the Eastern Palace; sparing even ten families would already be lenient to the Lu family, and he still wanted him to speak on his behalf.

After Lu Ben's matter was settled.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the other officials in the hall, especially those from Jiangnan.

"The campaign against the Wa concerns Great Ming's national prestige; anyone who dares to obstruct will meet the same fate as Lu Ben."

The attendants bowed their heads: "We dare not."

When the morning court dispersed, Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong walked side by side out of Fengtian Hall.

The two brothers walked along the palace corridor, with morning light shining upon them.

In the autumn of Hongwu 6th year, the turmoil of Yingtian Prefecture had only just begun.