Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

The main street on the east side of Yanzhou City was already filled with people.

A group of royal guards in light armor surrounded five or six Eastern Depot guards, and there were many onlookers watching the fun.

"Cheng Dazhong, if you know what's best for you, get out of here right now. Do you dare to do anything inappropriate to the prince's family's assets?"

Zhou Zhenglun, the chief of the palace's personal guards, pointed a knife at Cheng Dazhong with an expression of extreme disdain.

Several guards turned pale, and the captain Cheng Dazhong also frowned.

Through investigation, he already knew that this grocery store was the property of the Prince of Lu's Mansion. In fact, although the Ming Dynasty law stipulated that royal family members were not allowed to engage in business, some powerful royal family members were doing it secretly.

However, according to Cheng Dazhong's estimation, he thought that the Prince of Lu's Mansion would not openly obstruct national policy.

After all, just because the imperial court turns a blind eye to members of the royal family doesn't mean it's legal for members of the royal family to do business.

In fact, Captain Tian had told several of their supervisors a few days ago that if Wangfu Industries could lower the price as ordered, they did not intend to make a big deal out of it.

After all, the royal family is the royal family. Although the current emperor hates corrupt gentry and officials, he has no intention of taking action against them.

But no one expected that the people from Prince Lu's Mansion would dare to admit the fact of doing business in the street and threaten them in public.

"Cheng Dangtou, what should we do? They have a lot of people, why don't we retreat first." A soldier whispered to Cheng Dazhong.

The other bandits also wanted to retreat after hearing this, Cheng Dazhong immediately said angrily:

"We are blessed by the Emperor, how can we bow to the lawlessness?"

"Hahahaha! What a joke!

No matter how loyal you are, can you surpass the blood-thicker-than-water bond between my prince and His Majesty?"

Zhou Zhenglun laughed loudly, seeming to be very disdainful of Cheng Dazhong's stubbornness.

At this moment, a group of militiamen suddenly came running over from one side of the street. It was Tian Jingwen who brought his troops to support.

Cheng Dazhong was overjoyed when he saw this, and the guards behind him also perked up.

The people around hurriedly made way. Tian Jingwen stared coldly at Zhou Zhenglun and said:

"We are carrying out our duties under the Emperor's orders. Do you really want to be enemies of the court?"

"I don't care what job you do. If you want to do something, go to another place to do it. But if you want to reach out to the prince, you can't do it!"

Zhou Zhenglun is still very arrogant.

Tian Jingwen looked around and saw that the shop owners were all looking at the place with a gloating look on their faces.

Tian Jingwen knew without thinking that this King of Lu must be a giant Buddha that the merchants had spent a huge price to invite.

After all, it was said when the national policy was implemented that all kings, princes, generals, and common people must obey it. Now, if the tax revenue of the Prince of Lu's Palace is not collected, but the taxes are collected from ordinary people, this is unreasonable.

Tian Jingwen immediately made a decision in his mind that he must not compromise, otherwise his trip to Yanzhou Prefecture would be in vain.

Thinking of this, Tian Jingwen tightened his grip on the scabbard and immediately said loudly:

"The owner of Qilu Grocery Store disobeyed the law and arbitrarily raised prices to obstruct the implementation of national policies!

Tian Jingwen, the head of the Dongjishi Factory, received the emperor's order to arrest the shop owner Wu Qizhen.

Those who dare to stand in the way.

Kill them on the spot!"

As he spoke, Tian Jingwen drew his sword, and the twenty or so subordinates behind him, including Cheng Dazhong, also drew their swords.

Zhou Zhenglun took two steps back upon seeing this, and more than 40 guards from the royal palace also quickly took defensive stances.

"How dare you! I am a sixth-rank military officer. You are a dog with no rank at all. Who gave you the courage to kill an official appointed by the imperial court?"

Tian Jingwen had a fearless expression, which made Zhou Zhenglun a little scared, but even so, he still refused to compromise.

Tian Jingwen ignored Zhou Zhenglun's noise and turned to Cheng Dazhong and said:

"Why don't you go and catch the criminal Wu Qizhen?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Dazhong immediately took his men to the grocery store.

The palace's personal guards blocked the door and refused to give way. Several guards were somewhat timid in front of the palace's personal guards and dared not move forward.

"We have received the Emperor's grace. Even if we die, Your Majesty will provide us with relief. What are you afraid of?

Everyone, die for your majesty today!"

As he spoke, Tian Jingwen walked towards the grocery store himself. He was determined to die. After all, the palace guards were all fake, so they unconsciously made way for Tian Jingwen.

Cheng Dazhong immediately rushed in and dragged out Wu Qizhen, who was already trembling with fear.

"The East Factory is so powerful!"

Suddenly, an older man's voice came from the outside of the crowd, and Zhou Zhenglun was immediately overjoyed.

"The prince is here!" He said as he ran over happily, bowing and nodding to pay his respects to Prince Zhu Shouyong of Benlu.

"I humble myself to pay my respects to the prince!"

Prince of Lu Zhu Shouyong was about fifty years old, with a fat figure and two gray beards.

He ignored Zhou Zhenglun and went straight to Tian Jingwen, his face full of contempt of a superior.

Tian Jingwen frowned, sheathed his sword, and said with a saliva:

"I, Tian Jingwen, the head of the East Factory, pay my respects to Your Highness."

No matter what, the necessary etiquette must be performed. This is the rule.

"Captain Tian, I will ask you one last time, do you really want to go against me?"

Zhu Shouyong narrowed his eyes slightly, as if crushing Tian Jingwen to death was as easy as crushing an ant.

"Your Highness, I have no intention of opposing you." Tian Jingwen said this with his back straight, and added:

"It is His Highness who is the enemy of the court and His Majesty."

When these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked, and even Zhu Shouyong frowned.

It was the first time he had seen such a stubborn guy.

"The royal family and the country share the same fate, which is the ancestral rule established by Emperor Gaozu, and Your Majesty is not a heartless person.

Why, do you really think His Majesty will blame me for this?"

Zhu Shouyong still had a contemptuous expression on his face. He came here because he was sure that the people from the East Factory would not dare to do anything to him.

He didn't want to come, but those merchants offered too much.

But it doesn't matter. He just needs to suppress the arrogance of the East Factory. As a prince, this is just a piece of cake.

At least that's what he thought. With every appearance, he could make a net profit of more than 20,000 taels of silver. There was no better business than this.

"I dare not discuss the friendship between Your Highness and Your Majesty.

But today's matter is my duty.

The emperor’s grace is so great that even though I die, I have no regrets! "

As he spoke, Tian Jingwen drew out his sword again and marched towards the palace guards.

The guards behind him felt Tian Jingwen's determination to face death head-on, and they also took Wu Qizhen with them and followed him.

"You don't know whether to live or die! Zhou Zhenglun, kill him!" Zhu Shouyong frowned and seemed to be angry, and gave the order immediately.

Zhu Shouyong brought with him the remaining two hundred guards from the palace, making a total of three hundred guards present.

He didn't want to make things go to this extent, but Tian Jingwen was really a stubborn person. Even if he killed him, he would definitely be reprimanded by His Majesty in the future.

But as he said, he and Your Majesty are blood relatives, and it is not a big deal, so just reprimand him.

In exchange for a scolding, he got tens of thousands of taels of silver, which was definitely not a loss for him.

Behind Tian Jingwen, there are only more than 20 bandits. Although they seem ruthless, the difference in numbers is not so easy to make up.

Zhou Zhenglun drew his sword and was about to rush forward when he suddenly heard the sound of horse hooves coming from the direction of the city gate.

A young general in armor came riding on his horse, followed by a large group of cavalrymen.

"Captain Sun Dasheng, the cavalry commander of the Beijing Camp, is here to reinforce us on the orders of the Grand Marshal!

Anyone who dares to attack the brothers of the East Factory will be killed without mercy, regardless of their status!!!"

……