MLMD -Chapter 376 The Troublemakers Arrive

“Grain shops in the capital have started selling rice at fair prices!”

This news spread through the capital like a bird in flight, reaching every corner of Beijing in less than half a day. It wasn’t only Zhu Chuncheng—every noble and aristocratic household in the city soon heard about it.

Food is the lifeblood of the people. To say that grain is the most important strategic resource of a nation is no exaggeration; this has been true since ancient times. Yet such a vital commodity was not in the hands of the state—this, in itself, was a tragedy.

Did Beijing have grain? Of course it did. But all of it was firmly controlled by princes, nobles, and powerful families. The grain they hoarded was enough to feed several hundred thousand people in the capital for years. Yet for the sake of profit, they refused to lower prices. In their pursuit of wealth, they had long abandoned all restraint—unless they squeezed the very last copper coin from the common people, they would not stop.

Now, however, someone had begun selling grain at fair prices. This struck directly at their interests. Anger, jealousy, and fear churned in their hearts. Such a blatant disruption of their monopolized market was intolerable. But since the deed had already been done, rage alone would not solve anything. These nobles might spend their days wallowing in luxury, growing fat on wine and meat, but they were no fools. Marching out openly, declaring their identities, and suppressing the grain shops themselves was not something they would do.

In truth, every one of these aristocratic families was a deeply entrenched local power in the capital, with connections built over a century or more. Before the grain shops even opened, their backgrounds had already been thoroughly investigated. The shops belonged to none other than Loyal and Brave Marquis Yue Yang, a man currently blazing with fame across the entire Ming court.

The aristocracy was a peculiar class. Their ancestors had rendered great service to the nation, but under court policies and the suppression of the civil official faction, they had degenerated into people who knew only indulgence and pleasure. Still, one should never mistake that for stupidity. On the contrary, raised with elite education from childhood, they were experts in patience and restraint.

Earlier, when Yang Sichang had ordered Tang Hu to purchase grain at the Imperial Academy, it was these very people who had instigated it behind the scenes. Yang Sichang had wanted to refuse outright—after all, it was a thankless task—but he dared not offend them, so he had merely gone through the motions. No good news came back from Yang Sichang. Instead, word arrived that all the grain shops had opened—and were selling rice at fair prices.

This enraged the nobles. If even new rice was being sold cheaply, who would buy their old stock? Who would purchase their hoarded, years-old coarse rice?

They were furious, yet they had not lost their reason. They decided to wait and watch. Many of them knew someone would step forward soon.

They were right.

The first to act was the Duke of Cheng’s residence, which controlled nearly thirty percent of the capital’s grain market.

When a unit of over a hundred Ming soldiers from the Capital Garrison, led by a thousand-commander, arrived at a grain shop closest to the Inner City, they were greeted by the following scene:

Countless civilians holding rice sacks stood in a long line, craning their necks to peer forward. In front of the shop, more than a dozen clerks were drenched in sweat as they scooped snow-white rice to sell. Beside them, a slightly plump shopkeeper collected payment nonstop, the clinking of metal coins ringing endlessly.

Seeing this, a vicious glint flashed in the thousand-commander’s eyes. He barked savagely, “Men! Surround this grain shop at once! No grain is to be sold!”

“Yes, sir!”

More than a hundred Capital Garrison soldiers surged forward like wolves, encircling the shop. Several dozen others, weapons in hand, began driving away the civilians trying to buy grain.

That was when the people erupted.

“What are you doing?!”

“Hey! Why won’t you let us buy grain? What do you think you’re doing?”

“Yeah! My wife’s at home waiting for rice to cook!”

The thousand-commander snarled, “All of you, get lost! No buying grain here! If you want grain, go somewhere else!”

The people weren’t stupid. Hearing this, they immediately realized these soldiers must have been sent by other grain shops to retaliate. After all, selling fair-priced rice offended too many powerful interests.

Their anger boiled over. The other shops sold rice that might as well have been gold! After finally finding a shop that sold rice at a fair price, these people wouldn’t let them buy—was this leaving them any way to live?

At that moment, the shopkeeper pushed through the crowd and stepped out. He cupped his hands toward the thousand-commander and said solemnly, “Greetings, officer. May I ask your name, and why you have surrounded our grain shop?”

The thousand-commander shot him a sideways glance and sneered. “So you’re the shopkeeper? Let me tell you—your business has committed an offense. Not only is this shop forbidden from selling rice today, but all your Xinglong grain shops must close. All grain is to be confiscated.”

The shopkeeper flew into a rage. “Officer, if my eyes aren’t deceiving me, you’re from the Capital Garrison. Since when does the Capital Garrison have authority to seal grain shops in the market? Do you have no regard for the law?”

Smack!

Without another word, the thousand-commander slapped him hard across the face, then sneered. “Let me teach you a lesson. Today, I am the law. Not only will your shops be sealed, all the grain will be confiscated. Men—haul all the grain away!”

“Yes!”

The Capital Garrison soldiers were delighted. The grain in these shops was all newly harvested rice, and in large quantities. Confiscating it meant plenty of benefits for them—they could make another fortune. Excited, they rushed toward the shop.

The clerks rushed out to block them, and a physical clash broke out. Barehanded, the clerks were no match for soldiers wielding weapons. In moments, over a dozen clerks were beaten to the ground.

The shopkeeper himself was struck until his face was covered in blood, collapsing onto the ground.

Seeing this, a cruel smile finally appeared on the thousand-commander’s face. He squatted down before the shopkeeper and patted his face lightly. “Know why you’re being beaten? Because you offended people you shouldn’t have. Today is just a lesson. If there’s a next time, it won’t be just beatings and confiscation—you’ll lose your lives.”

He stood up, greed flashing in his eyes as he surveyed the terrified crowd and the grain piled high in the shop. He waved his hand. “Seal the shop. Take all the grain away!”

“Yes!”

Just as the soldiers surged into the shop, a furious voice rang out from behind.

“I’d like to see who dares to seal our Xinglong grain shop today!”

A fat man in a blue robe strode in. Seeing the clerks and shopkeeper sprawled on the ground, uncontrollable fury surged in his eyes. He looked down and demanded, “I am Tang Hu, Deputy Director of the Shanxi Finance Office. Who are you, to seal my Shanxi grain shop without cause?”

“Tang Hu?” The thousand-commander laughed uproariously. “Deputy Director of Finance? What kind of nonsense office is that? Does the Ming even have such a post?”

Then his face turned vicious as he pointed at Tang Hu. “Keep talking and I’ll beat you too!”

“Oh? I don’t believe you.” Tang Hu waved his hand. Dozens of sturdy men in short jackets surged out behind him. Their movements were disciplined, unmistakably military.

The thousand-commander sneered. “Tang Hu, I admit your men look capable. But do you think a bunch of unarmed men can handle us?”

“Unarmed?” Tang Hu smiled coldly. “Who said I came unprepared?”

His men pulled out double-barreled short muskets, black muzzles aimed straight at the soldiers.

The thousand-commander recognized them immediately and was shocked. Such weapons were rare and expensive.

His composure vanished. “Tang Hu! This is the capital! Bringing firearms into the city is a grave crime! Drop your weapons and surrender, or you’ll be executed without mercy!”

Tang Hu sneered. “Did the court order you to beat these people?” He pointed at the wounded clerks. “If I remember correctly, the Capital Garrison cannot deploy more than fifty men without an imperial edict. Where is your edict?”

The thousand-commander was struck speechless.

Tang Hu barked, “Drop your weapons and submit, or I will show no mercy!”

“You dare!” the thousand-commander roared, drawing his saber.

Tang Hu spoke calmly, “Break his legs.”

Bang! Bang!

Two gunshots rang out. The thousand-commander collapsed, both thighs pierced.

Facing his screams, Tang Hu said coldly, “Drop your weapons and surrender. No more warnings.”

Weapons clattered to the ground.

“Good.” Tang Hu smiled and had the soldiers disarmed and forced to kneel.

He ordered the wounded clerks treated, then turned to the shopkeeper. “Do you want revenge?”

“Yes!” the shopkeeper rasped.

“Then break their arms. Completely.”

Terrified but resolute, the shopkeeper grabbed a thick stick and smashed the thousand-commander’s arm. Bones cracked. Screams followed.

The clerks followed suit. Soon, every one of the soldiers had both arms broken.

Finally, Tang Hu ordered them thrown into the street.

Turning back, he asked, “Manager Yang, can you still work?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Tang Hu sneered. “Keep selling rice. I want to see who else dares to cause trouble.”