Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 865

Xie Jin was a famous official in the history of the Ming Dynasty, the future chief editor of the Yongle Encyclopedia and the cabinet minister. He was the best choice among thousands of students in terms of knowledge and political ability. Even though he was a little arrogant and had a problem of "low emotional intelligence", the complex relationship between the various ethnic groups in Lianzhou Prefecture was not difficult for him, who had a brain that was worthy of being recorded in history.

As Li Wenzhong expected, Xie Jin knew that the situation was not good after learning that the Tu people left in anger. Because of Zhu Su's relationship, he had studied the origins of the Tusi in Lianzhou and even the southwest in recent days. He was well aware of how domineering and arrogant the local emperors were. Therefore, he immediately sent an urgent letter to Zhu Su and Li Wenzhong, asking them to return to the city to deter the villains.

However, the messenger on the fast horse galloped away, but did not bring back the mighty elite of the Ming Dynasty, but brought back a letter. Xie Jin and Wang Dabin, who had learned that the chieftain had begun to call on the people and were ready to get back at the place, were already as anxious as ants on a hot pot. Xie Jin saw that the letter was stamped with Zhu Su's seal, so he quickly took the letter and opened it.

"Let the bullet fly for a while? What does your highness mean?" Wang Dabin leaned forward and saw that there were only seven words on the huge letter paper. He couldn't help but read out these seven words. Unfortunately, he still didn't understand after reading it, and asked Xie Jin without understanding the meaning.

Xie Jin was also confused. He knew that the so-called bullets were the pellets fired from the muskets, but he did not understand the meaning of this sentence. He read it several times in a murmur, and suddenly, as if a blessing came to his mind, the corners of his mouth curved up.

"Brother Jie, His Highness is unwilling to return. What does this mean... Speak up!" Jie Jin had a mysterious look on his face, as if he understood, but Wang Dabing became even more anxious.

"What's the point? It's just letting things take their own course and following the law." Xie Jin said with a smile. Wang Dabin was even more confused after hearing this. Just as he was about to ask again, he saw a government official rushing in from outside.

"My Lord, my Lord, something bad has happened... many Tu people have come to the market with great fanfare... and have started a fight with the Han merchants!"

"What?" Wang Dabin almost fainted upon hearing the news. Although the Lianzhou Market was built by Zhu Su, it was also his contribution as the Lianzhou Governor. In the past few days, he, the Lianzhou Governor who was not loved by his grandmother and uncle and was almost just a decoration, has been able to enjoy the feeling of being an official for a few days because of managing the market.

Now that riots have broken out again in the market, his career, which has finally started to improve, may fall to the bottom again. How can he not be anxious?
The second wave of riots in the city was far more ferocious than the first one.

The second group of hundreds of Tu people were the tribe that had previously clashed with the Han merchants. They came with great force and soon got into a fight with the Han merchants. Because of the previous riot, there were still many yamen runners and soldiers in the market who were still cleaning up the mess.

When these yamen runners and soldiers saw the riots break out again, their first reaction was to suppress them. Most of them had weapons in their hands, and although they were not really killing people, they were still incredibly powerful when they smashed around with their scabbards and water and fire sticks. Most of these people were Han people, and they were biased towards the Han people. They deliberately took sides, and the Tu people were once again unable to resist.

However, the Qin clan members who were hiding in the dark had secretly "reported" the incident to the Tu tribes. They were very smart and did not mention the cause of the incident, but just said "the Han people are bullying others". There were also many Tu people from other tribes who opened shops in the market. When they went out to the street, they happened to see the soldiers and Han merchants knocking the local Tu people to the ground. When they saw this scene, they had only one feeling: the rumors were true, the Han people were really bullying them!

As a result, the scope of the riot expanded further, and the native tribes of various tribes called their friends and joined the battle. With the addition of these new forces, the yamen runners and soldiers who were maintaining order could no longer control the situation, and one yamen runner hurried to the provincial government to ask for help.

"Quick, quick, go ask the chieftains of each family to restrain their people... Summon all the police officers and soldiers in the city to drive out the people who are killing each other!"

If the official army constables left by Duke Cao and Prince Zhou in the city gathered together, they would have several thousand soldiers. Wang Dabin changed his mind and hurriedly instructed: "Just disperse them, disperse them, and try not to kill anyone!"

"Your Excellency the prefect is wrong!" Xie Jin stepped forward, turned around and ordered the yamen runner, "Your Excellency should order the soldiers in the city to suppress the riot immediately. Those who refuse to obey will be killed without mercy! All those who participated in the riot should be arrested and dealt with after the matter is fully investigated!"

Wang Dabin was startled, and he didn't care about Xie Jin's overstepping his authority and bypassing him to give orders to the yamen runners. Instead, he pulled Xie Jin up, walked to the side and whispered, "Friend Xie, His Royal Highness King Zhou has tried his best to gather the chieftains and use gentle means to deal with them. Now my Lianzhou is in chaos, and it is still unclear who is right and who is wrong. If we rashly use military force and kill too many people, it will inevitably ruin His Royal Highness's plan. You and I can't afford it!"

Xie Jin was confident and said proudly, "Your Excellency, they have already started fighting, killing and looting in the market. If you and I continue to tolerate them, they will become even more arrogant. By then, all your hard work will be in vain!"

"The officers and soldiers have suppressed them once, but they are still as rampant as ever. Now that His Highness and the Duke are both outside the city, all the affairs of the city are entrusted to you, my Lord. If your orders are issued, those who still refuse to obey them are not thugs? How can we treat them as civilians?"

Wang Dabin still hesitated: "This..."

Xie Jin raised his eyebrows and shouted, "The riot in the city was condoned by you, and the majesty of the court has been destroyed. Who will listen to the orders of the government from now on? If you continue to be indecisive, not only will the situation in the market be out of control, but the tribesmen who come after hearing the news will also turn Lianzhou Prefecture upside down. If there is anything wrong with this handling, Your Highness will blame me, and I will bear the responsibility! Please make a decision immediately, otherwise the situation will be out of control!"

As he said this, he winked at Wang Dabin.

Wang Dabin was trembling with excitement. After Xie Jin shouted at him, he finally realized what Zhu Su meant by the letter. He gritted his teeth, turned around and shouted, "Did you hear that clearly? The officers and soldiers in the city should be dispatched immediately. Inform the whole city that everyone should lay down their weapons and gather together to wait for punishment... Anyone who disobeys orders will be killed without mercy!"

At this time, the yamen runner who reported the news was not the only one on standby. The garrison generals and constables who had rushed to the government office from other places had also arrived. Since Zhu Su and Li Wenzhong had left the city, Wang Dabin was responsible for guarding the city. They should have obeyed the orders of the prefect Wang Dabin.

Most of these people were veterans of many battles. When they heard that the prince and the duke had asked them to stay in Lianzhou City, they were all filled with shame and anger. They felt that they had lost face and were eager to make up for their losses. After hearing what Wang Dabin said, they shouted "yes" and rushed out, loudly announcing the orders of the prefect. If anyone disobeyed the order, they would rush forward and deal with them decisively. They quickly quelled the street riots with iron-blooded means.

When the chieftains of the tribes, some of whom were still unaware of the situation and some of whom were deliberately playing dumb, arrived at Lianzhou City at the urging of Wang Dabin, they saw only broken arms and legs, blood everywhere, and the crowds participating in the riots in the relatively empty streets and squares had been surrounded and controlled by soldiers with shining swords and guns...

(End of this chapter)