In the big account, Zhu Ying smiled and said to Ye Yueqing.
At this moment, the banquet in the county town has come to an end. All the contents of the banquet were reported to Zhu Ying within half an hour after the end.
"The Dong family, the Yuan family and the Zhou family are deeply rooted in Ruyang. Even though they have experienced the chaos of the Yuan Dynasty, they are still big surnames and have a good foundation."
Ye Yueqing replied.
Zhu Ying nodded. The skinny camel was bigger than the horse, but two houses alone sold something worth 30,000 silver, which still surprised Zhu Ying.
Even if it is not a noble family, the savings within the clan alone cannot be underestimated.
"Thirty thousand silver. This is not a treasure. It is almost thirty thousand shi of food. Ruyang was like this earlier, and Yuan Zhou's family also provided disaster relief. How can they still have so much foundation?"
Zhu Ying said with some sigh.
A sharp light flashed in Ye Yueqing's eyes, and she replied in a deep voice: "Okay, boss."
Zhu Ying was stunned for a moment, but then she immediately reacted.
A good hammer is good, what did I say? You are good.
Quite speechless, Zhu Ying knew that Ye Yueqing had misunderstood.
Ye Yueqing now looks a little weak, but in fact she has seen blood on her hands.
Some time ago, he had dealt with those unscrupulous businessmen, but it had made the Qunying Chamber of Commerce a huge profit, so Ye Yueqing thought that the boss also wanted to steal these people.
"Don't think too much. We are not the same as before. We need to change our thinking. We can't do things the way we used to."
"Yuan Zhou's family has some savings, but these are all retained normally, and their reputation in the local area is also very good."
Zhu Ying explained.
The current landlord class is the deepest supporter of the Ming Dynasty. If they carry out land reform and equalize land distribution in these days, it will undoubtedly be like digging their own grave.
Most of the 1,427 counties in the Ming Dynasty belonged to the landlord class.
Only their strong support is the foundation for the stability of the Ming Dynasty.
Although the poor constituted the largest group in the Ming Dynasty, they could not even afford to eat in this era. Most of them had no right to speak, and because of their illiteracy, they were extremely easy to follow.
"Yes, boss."
Ye Yueqing immediately corrected her attitude and then asked, "Then what should we do with them?"
Zhu Ying shook her head slightly and said: "Don't use words like disposal. Early tomorrow morning, let someone notify us and let most people come directly."
"Just say that I will hold a banquet and invite the big families in Ruyang City to have a feast!"
Noon the next day.
In the large tent in the military camp, more than ten people, headed by Yuan Zhixian, were ordered to come over to participate in the banquet.
This made Yuan Zhixian not expect that he originally wanted to bring only one or two people, but His Highness Changsun actually asked most of the people to be brought here.
And he even prepared a banquet himself.
For a time, everyone, including Yuan Zhixian, felt very honored.
The powerful cavalry team in the military camp made everyone feel the power of the army and the majesty of His Highness Changsun.
The shock brought by the 40,000 cavalrymen almost made everyone's minds go blank.
What made everyone feel strange was that there was a large amount of white lime powder sprinkled on the ground everywhere in the military camp.
After entering the big tent, Zhu Ying sat at the top, and Yuan Zhixian and others began to pay homage.
However, when Yuan Zhixian saw Zhu Ying at the head, he became extremely shocked.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Xingzhou, pays homage to His Highness Changsun."
There was a very obvious tremor in Yuan Xingzhou's tone, because he discovered that the 'His Royal Highness Changsun' sitting at the top was not the emperor's grandson Zhu Yunwen.
Yuan Xingzhou once had the honor to visit the capital and participate in Zhu Yuanzhang's banquet.
On the day of the banquet, he met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and his grandson Zhu Yunwen.
Calculated by age, the emperor's grandson Zhu Yunwen is only fourteen years old at the moment, and he is completely different from his predecessor.
Moreover, the appearance of 'His Royal Highness Changsun' surprised him even more. It almost coincided with the face of His Highness the Crown Prince in his mind.
Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince has rejuvenated his youth?
The news of the death of Prince Zhu Biao was spread throughout the Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, Yuan Xingzhou's heart was filled with countless questions.
"How dare you, His Majesty Changsun, conferred the title of King of Yu. How dare you offend like this!"
While Yuan Xingzhou was still confused, Eunuch Guo Zhong, who was standing next to Zhu Ying, yelled at Yuan Xingzhou.
According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Ying has been canonized as King Yu, so he should be called His Royal Highness King Yu. This is the official official title.
Of course, you can also call him His Highness Changsun, but in the capital, the word "Changsun" has a greater symbolic meaning.
It's like calling Zhu Di not King Yan, but the fourth prince.
Guo Zhong's move was somewhat of a nitpick.
However, Zhu Ying did not speak, which was obviously his instruction.
"Your Majesty, King Yu, will forgive me for my sin."
Yuan Xingzhou, who was originally bowing, immediately knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.
"He who doesn't know is not guilty. He really doesn't know much about my identity. Guo Zhong, you don't have to be too harsh. Everyone, get up."
Zhu Ying said with a smile, her tone gentle, as if everything just now was Guo Zhong's own decision.
After hearing this, Yuan Xingzhou slowly stood up and bowed again before he dared to sit down at the table.
Not only was Yuan Xingzhou confused, but others such as the county magistrate, the chief registrar, the pian, and even the other squires were also confused.
When in the Ming Dynasty did His Highness King Yu appear?
You must know that nowadays, those who are crowned kings are usually princes, and the crowning of princes must be spread throughout the world.
No matter which prince's name it is, the people may not know it, but the officials must remember it clearly.
The crime of treason against the royal family can be serious or trivial, and if pursued, it can lead to confiscation of homes and extermination of families.
"Your Highness, this is the list sent by everyone in Ruyang City, mainly Yuan Zhixian."
After sitting at the table, Guo Zhong took out a booklet from his arms and formally handed it to Zhu Ying.
Although Zhu Ying already knew the contents of the list, she still took it and pretended to read it.
The food and drinks were served by the attendants.
Below, Magistrate Yuan and others were all sitting at attention, not squinting, waiting for His Highness King Yu to speak.
"Ruyang is worthy of being a large county since ancient times. Even after the war, it was able to recover quickly. Yuan Zhixian made a lot of contribution to this."
After Zhu Ying read it, he spoke.
Yuan Xingzhou stood up quickly, bowed and said, "I'm scared. These are just my responsibilities and I don't deserve His Highness's praise."
"Yes, come, let's raise a toast together to congratulate Yuan Zhixian for his many years of hard work."
Zhu Ying picked up the wine glass and said to everyone.
Everyone stood up quickly, shook their glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.
When Yuan Xingzhou heard these words, his heart felt knotty, and his whole body couldn't help but tremble.
Today, Yuan Xingzhou is in his fifties and is well versed in officialdom.
Faced with such praise from His Highness King Yu, I knew in my heart that things would not be easy in the future.
As expected, Zhu Ying began to ask:
"The plague is now too raging in Henan. Although it has not yet reached Runing Prefecture, it looks serious and is likely to come soon."
"I wonder what measures Yuan Zhixian has taken to deal with the plague."
Zhu Ying asked in a calm voice, and no emotion could be heard.
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Yuan knew that the main event was coming, and replied: "To inform His Highness King Yu, in the face of the plague, I and others have already prepared a large amount of food to supply it."
"We are also strictly guarding the checkpoints. Whenever there is news that the plague is approaching, we will make preparations first. They will not be allowed to invade the territory of Ruyang."
Zhu Ying nodded and said: "In this regard, Magistrate Yuan has done a very good job and can definitely set an example for other counties."
"but!"
After Zhu Ying first acknowledged it, he changed the subject and his tone gradually turned cold: "Why did I get the news that there are a large number of traders in Ruyang?"
"In the face of this natural disaster, not only did they not help stabilize prices, but they hoarded goods and even secretly purchased grain from plague areas at high prices. Doesn't Magistrate Yuan know these things?"
After speaking, Zhu Ying's tone of voice was already very reprimanding.
Before Yuan Xingzhou could speak, Zhu Ying asked again: "As the parent official of Ruyang County, is it possible that Yuan Zhixian, as the parent official of Ruyang County, just looks at the suffering of the people in other counties without being touched at all?"
Yuan Xingzhou broke into a cold sweat.
He did not expect that His Highness King Yu's final attack would be in such a place.
In fact, merchants' hoarding of goods was a common phenomenon throughout the Ming Dynasty.
The actions of the government are generally to directly provide grain to stabilize prices, and it is impossible to arrest all these businessmen.
As for price gouging, this will only happen if the product is sold at a very high price.
Most traders are unable to sell their goods.
However, most of these merchants who stocked up goods were very close to the landlord class.
The main source of rice for rice merchants is naturally from the landlords.
The rice merchants themselves do not grow rice either.
Faced with His Highness King Yu's questioning, Yuan Zhixian had beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, and he didn't know how to answer for a long while.
It seemed that Zhu Ying was going to attack directly, but what he said next made Yuan Xingzhou and other officials, including the wealthy squires, breathe a sigh of relief.
"I believe that you all have the common people in your hearts. Yuan Zhixian should pay attention to this matter. I hope to see results during the period when I am here."
Zhu Ying's words are a bit like loud thunder and small raindrops.
But at least the current difficulty has been overcome.
The reason why Yuan Zhixian and others are so afraid of Zhu Ying.
In fact, all this has a lot to do with Zhu Ying's uncles.
None of the princes' behavior in the vassal territory has a good reputation.
Bullying of local officials has almost become a routine.
If you find any corruption crime, local officials will not be able to bear it, and killing them is common.
"Okay, let's not mention other things for now. This time I summoned you, the main thing is about the plague."
"The imperial notice has been sent to you a long time ago, especially regarding the lime matter."
"Lime can stop the plague, but from what I have seen, the entire Ruyang City seems not to care about lime at all, and there is not even any move to collect lime in large quantities."
"Zhixian Yuan discussed this matter with me."
Zhu Ying asked straight to the point.
Regarding the matter of lime to prevent plague, Zhu Ying had already begun to inform the entire Henan territory when he set out.
Yuan Zhixian stood up quickly and said: "Reporting to Your Highness, there are not many lime stocks in Ruyang City. After the imperial court issued the notice, I have already arranged for people to start refining it."
Zhu Ying said in a deep voice: "Lime and kill rats, these two things cannot be delayed. The plague is no small matter. Once it spreads, it will not only be a matter of a few human lives."
"You have just entered the camp, and you should have seen lime powder scattered everywhere. From today on, you must do your best to refine lime."
"The first is to prevent and control the plague, but the excess lime must be transported to plague areas."
"This king has been commissioned to deal with the plague this time, and there must be no room for any negligence."
After Zhu Ying finished speaking, he raised his hand slightly to indicate that Guo Zhong immediately arranged for his attendants to deliver the pamphlets to Yuan Zhixian and others.
"Everyone, take a good look at this. This is the prevention and control strategy set by the king to prevent and control the plague. You must strictly follow the above method."
"Within three days, I will see concrete results."
The content in this booklet was written down by Zhu Ying while he was on the road.
In fact, there are not many rules. They all follow some methods of paying attention to personal hygiene from later generations.
There are also measures to deal with the plague.
These brochures will be printed in large quantities and then distributed throughout the plague areas.
It was directly pointed out that the main source of this plague was the spread of fleas on rats.
People seldom bathed and did not pay attention to personal hygiene. Most of them had fleas on their bodies.
Therefore, hygiene is a big issue if we want to prevent the spread of plague.
Just like the current camp.
Zhu Ying has arranged to build a large number of temporary bathhouses and has strict requirements for bathing.
You must take a bath every three days.
And now, Zhu Ying has ordered the production of masks to begin.
It's just that although the masks made now are not much different from those of later generations, because they are made of silk cloth, they cannot be used once and can only be used repeatedly.
Everyone in the audience started reading after receiving the booklet.
Zhu Ying noticed that after seeing the prevention and control methods, everyone not only had no big ideas, but also frowned.
In the eyes of everyone, these actions are so cumbersome and really unnecessary.
The court has publicized it many times, but it is difficult to attract the attention of local officials and even the people.
As required in the booklet, washing hands frequently, bathing, washing clothes, cleaning up messes in the house, etc. are too troublesome and will bring a lot of inconvenience to the people.
Zhu Ying was not surprised when he saw this.
Not to mention now, even in the past life, when there was a major global epidemic, even if the information spread extremely fast, the officials continued to publicize it.
But no one cares about things that are not in front of me.
Not to mention the current Ming Dynasty.
In a city that has not been invaded by the plague, even if the plague has begun to appear in the city, few people care.
Only after you have truly been severely beaten by the plague can you understand the horror of it.
This is also the most important reason why Zhu Ying came here in person.
At this stage, for cities outside of the plague, only semi-coercive measures can be used to make the people strictly implement prevention and control regulations.
Even though this seems to most people to be a waste of labor.
But after the plague, especially the situation in the plague area, spreads, everyone will know who saved their dear life.
After the banquet, Yuan Xingzhou returned to the government office.
Behind the yamen of the Ming Dynasty officials was their residence. The name of the ancient yamen came from this.
"Zhou Dianli, why do I feel that the name of King Yu seems to have been heard not long ago."
Yuan Xingzhou asked with a frown.
After Yuan Zhixian said this, Zhou Dianli also had a strange look on his face and replied: "To be honest, sir, I feel very familiar even in my humble position."
"It's true that I heard about it not long ago, but I don't know where I heard it."
The two of them recalled it carefully, but found that they couldn't remember it.
After a long time, the two finally gave up.
"I will write a letter to the teacher in the capital, maybe he will know something."
Yuan Xingzhou said.
His teacher is in the capital and should know better.
Zhou Dianli nodded, and then said with a smile: "I heard that someone came to Yixiang Garden today, why don't you, sir, come and enjoy it together?"
When Yuan Xingzhou heard this, his smile bloomed and his wrinkles became much clearer.
At his age, listening to music is considered a daily enjoyment.
Just when Yuan Xingzhou agreed, a light suddenly flashed in his mind.
He suddenly remembered when he had heard of such things as His Highness King Yu.
Just when I was listening to opera.
That was more than a month ago. Rumors about the Royal Xiaoling Mausoleum started in the capital and spread crazily to the surrounding areas of the Ming Dynasty.
The royal affairs have caused explosive heat for the people all over the world, and the court has no intention of banning them.
That's the best way to talk.
It took more than a month for the heat to subside.
Among the rumors about Xiaoling, the key point is related to the tomb of King Yu.