Chapter 604: Conflict between Workers and Peasants
After a while, Yu Qingyun, the commander of Fengchensi, came over on horseback, dismounted not far from the carriage, walked up to him, bowed and reported: “Your Majesty, there is a disturbance in Fengrun County ahead.”

Yu Qingyun is Xue Han’s brother-in-law and Queen Xue Baoqin’s uncle.

He is the descendant of Hejian Prince Yu Tingyu and the seventh-generation grandson of Yu Tongyuan.

Yu Tingyu had three sons, Tonghai, Tongyuan and Tongyuan.

Yu Tonghai died in the attack on Zhang Shicheng in Suzhou and had no descendants.

Yu Tongyuan participated in military campaigns in various places and was granted the title of Marquis of Nan’an. He died of illness in the 22nd year of Hongwu. Later, he was stripped of his title because of his involvement in the Hu Weiyong case.

Yu Tongyuan was appointed as a attendant to the emperor because of his father and brother. Later, he was awarded the title of Marquis of Yuexi for his meritorious service, with an annual salary of 2,500 dan and a hereditary certificate.

In the 1393th year of Hongwu (1399), he lost his title of marquis and was sent back to his hometown. In the first year of Jianwen (), he was recalled to his post and appointed as the commander of the Baotao Guard. He followed the army to attack the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, and died in the Battle of Baigou River.

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, in recognition of the founding contributions of Yu Tingyu and his three sons, he granted Yu Tongyuan’s only surviving third son, Yu Duan, the title of a thousand-member Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yu Tongyuan’s son Yu Zu was ill and had no children, so of the three brothers in the Yu family, only Yu Tongyuan’s lineage has survived to this day.

But the Yu family was, after all, one of the founding nobles, and had many friendships with other founding nobles, and their friendship lasted for generations.

After hearing what Yu Qingyun said, Zhu Yijun asked, “What’s the trouble?”

“In reply to the emperor, two groups of people were confronting each other about ten miles ahead, each with more than a thousand people. Both sides fired artillery, the sound was so deafening that it disturbed the emperor.

The cavalry has already gone forward to arrest him and will return with the result soon.”

“Yes, Liu Yi.”

Zhu Yijun named Liu Yi, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Stables.

“The servant is here.”

“Go and see.”

“According to the order!”

Zhu Yijun leaned back in his chair and said to Zhang Juzheng with a smile, “Master Zhang, you see, it is better to launch a surprise attack so that we can see the truest side.

If I had told them earlier about my eastern tour route, would we have been able to see this wonderful scene and hear the sound of the cannons?”

Zhang Juzheng said sternly, “Your Majesty, fighting among villagers with artillery is no small matter! We must punish them severely.”

In his traditional bureaucratic thinking, the people must be as docile as sheep and allow themselves to be managed by officials.

How dare you fight?
Not only did they fight with weapons, they even dared to use artillery.

Is there any royal law?
How lawless!

If there is no severe punishment, the country will no longer be a country!

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, “Master Zhang, please be patient. This place was once under the jurisdiction of Jizhou Town. Once the northern barbarians break through the border, this place will suffer from looting.

Previously, the imperial court issued an order for the counties and towns of Jizhou to train more local militia and prepare more weapons to defend against the northern barbarians. This cannon must have been prepared at that time.”

Zhang Juzheng said sternly: “Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance!”

In his opinion, a gathering of over a hundred people is a big deal. Now both sides have gathered over a thousand people, fighting each other with weapons and even firing cannons. The Japanese War was no more than this. How can it not make people terrified?

Your Majesty, I know that you have seen many storms and waves. You eliminated tens of thousands of Jianzhou Jurchens at will, exterminated hundreds of thousands of Mongolian Tartars at will, and killed tens of thousands of aristocratic families and scholars at will.

But Your Majesty, this is not the case at all.

Zhang Juzheng’s face turned slightly red with anxiety, but Zhu Yijun still waved his hand disapprovingly.

“Master Zhang, don’t be afraid of tigers. There are both advantages and disadvantages for the people to gather together. The missionary team of the Taichang Temple’s Mission Bureau went to the countryside to promote the transformation of customs and habits, and often gathered thousands of people.

Besides, the people have grievances. Don’t block them or suppress them. The more you block and suppress them, sooner or later they will explode, and then it will be out of control.”

Seeing that Zhang Juzheng still had something to say, Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, “Master Zhang, let’s take a look at the situation first and let the facts speak for themselves.”

Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to shut up.

After waiting for half an hour, Liu Yi came back.

“Your Majesty, I have roughly understood the situation.”

“explain.”

“Your Majesty, ahead is Yahongqiao Town, Fengrun County, where the largest woolen cloth factory in Zhili, Fengrun Cashmere Factory, is located. There is also a cement factory, a steel rolling mill, and a machinery factory, which belong to Xingruixiang Group and Kaiping Coal and Iron Company respectively.

These four factories were all driven by water power, so they intercepted the Beng River and built a dam more than two miles above, forming a small lake.

The factory used more water, so there was less water for nearby farmland. Several nearby townships and the four factories have been arguing over water since last year.

Now is the last growing period of spring wheat, and it is the time to use water. The villagers could not hold back any longer, so they started fighting with the people in the factory.

The villagers took out the pine cannons that had been used to defend against the northern invaders, and the factory dragged out the six-jin cannons from the artillery regiment of the civilian militia division, and opened fire into the air.

But at least both sides knew their bottom line and only fired cannons into the air across the river to scare the other side, but they did not dare to fire at the other side. “

After listening to Liu Yi’s story, Zhang Juzheng’s face turned pale instantly.

There is no more royal law!
Especially these four factories in Fengrun, they are lawless!
As a traditional Confucian scholar and civil servant, Zhang Juzheng naturally stood on the side of the villagers.

The country is based on agriculture, what are craftsmen? How dare they hinder farming!
If this had happened during the reign of Emperor Taizu, the thousands of craftsmen in these four factories would have been beheaded on the spot!

But now it is different. Now it is the Wanli Emperor who rules the country. Although he also attaches importance to farming, he also attaches importance to industry and commerce. It is precisely with his connivance that there is a scene of workers and villagers confronting and firing at each other today.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Zhu Yijun opposite him, the sunlight shining on his face through the car window.

The young face was full of determination, his dark eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, as if he was thinking about the future path of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Juzheng’s heart moved, today was a great opportunity.

The development of industry and commerce will sooner or later conflict with farming. At least in places like Jiangnan, landlords and factory owners competed for young and strong people. In the north, due to water shortage, factories are also large water users, so the most common problem is the competition for water sources.

What happened in Yahongqiao Town, Fengrun County today has actually happened many times in Taiyuan, Luanzhou and Liaodong, where factories are concentrated. However, the local authorities tried their best to solve them and they were never exposed.

Just as the emperor said just now, if the conflict is suppressed blindly, both sides will be unhappy and angry, and then suddenly it will explode and something like what happened today will happen.

How about asking the Emperor for his judgment?
I have attended more than ten classes in Xiyuan, and I feel that the emperor seems to have an idea about this unprecedented new problem. Why don’t you set an example with us so that we have an idea in mind and know how to deal with these new problems in the future.

As soon as Zhu Yijun’s eyes moved over, Zhang Juzheng immediately said: “Your Majesty, the conflict between workers and peasants is not only in the southeast, but has also occurred many times in Luanzhou and Taiyuan.

The provincial governments of Zhili and Shanxi, as well as the cabinet, were all at a loss as to what to do about this matter. Agriculture is the foundation of the country, and industry and commerce are the key to a strong country and a rich people. The backs and palms of the hands are made of flesh, and neither left nor right is right.

Today, the emperor was on a tour to the east, and happened to encounter this matter. I dare to ask the emperor to make a wise decision so that I can handle this matter in the future, so that I can have a clear mind. “

Zhang Juzheng only dared to say this to Zhu Yijun.

If it was the first riddler of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Jiajing, would he never dare to say so? Emperor Shizong would never give his own opinions, but would only be vague, and then wave his sleeves and let his ministers do it.

If you do well, it means you understand the divine will. If you do not do well, it means you do not understand the divine will.

Zhu Yijun would never play tricks on his subjects. He would tell his subjects clearly what he wanted to achieve. As for how they should act, he would sometimes give instructions and sometimes not.

Zhu Yijun turned around and nodded to Zhang Juzheng, “That’s good. The conflict between workers and peasants is indeed a big problem. You all read the books of sages, and this kind of problem is very troublesome for you.

Then I will give you a sample.”

Zhang Juzheng breathed a sigh of relief.

The emperor was as confident as ever.

“Where is Song Gongliang?”

“In reply to the emperor, Song Gongliang is handling this matter in front.”

“Send him an order to choose a place to set up camp and build a tent. I and Master Zhang will try this case in person. Call the village elders, the head of the village and the village representatives, as well as the factory director, manager and worker representatives, to come forward.

By the way, is there anyone from the local government?”

“In reply to the emperor, the Fengrun County Magistrate, the County Magistrate, the Chief Clerk, the County Lieutenant, as well as the Vice Magistrate and the Garrison Commander of Luanzhou Prefecture are all present at the scene.”

“Call them all to my presence.”

“According to the order!”

Two hours later, on a nearby hill, the tent was pitched and a curtain was made with blue cloth, with an open space of two hundred meters in the middle.

Zhu Yijun and Zhang Juzheng sat at the top, each with a blanket, sitting cross-legged, with a table behind them.

The Tongzhi and garrison commander of Luanzhou Prefecture and the magistrate, county lieutenant, county magistrate, and chief clerk of Fengrun County sat on the left and right respectively.

There were more than thirty people sitting at the bottom. On the left were the village elder, the head of the village, and six village representatives, all of whom were prestigious figures in the village and whose words carried weight.

On the right are the directors, managers and eight worker representatives of the four factories.

They had already paid their respects to Zhu Yijun and Zhang Juzheng, and were now sitting on their small stools nervously.

“I will not ask you first, I will ask the county magistrate first. Fengrun County, please tell me the whole story.”

“Your Majesty.” The Fengrun County Magistrate spoke slowly.

This is a long-standing problem. There is only so much water in the Bing River. If the factories use it, there will be less water for farmland. If there is less water in the farmland, production will decrease. If production decreases, taxes will not be paid enough, the villagers will go hungry, and Fengrun County will be criticized.

Zhu Yijun nodded and turned to look at the villagers.

“The whole story has been explained clearly in Fengrun County. I would like to hear your opinions now, one by one.”

The village elders, village heads, and village representatives looked at each other, and finally elected a village representative, who was also a student in his forties, to state their opinions.

“I, Your Majesty, am a student of the county school. I have read the books of sages and understand that agriculture is the foundation of the country.

Emperor Taizu once said, “A farmer works hard with all his body to cultivate the five kinds of crops. He never leaves the fields, and his hands never put down the hoe. He works hard all year round without rest. He lives on a thatched hut and a straw bed, wears a linen skirt and a cloth shirt, and eats vegetable soup and coarse rice.”

‘If there is a flood or drought, or a poor harvest, the whole family will suffer from hunger.’

Emperor Taizu was fully aware of the sufferings of the villagers and showed them great compassion. And the local reality was indeed like this. The crops grown in the fields depended on the weather and the water.

The factory intercepted the flow of water, taking away most of the water source, and tens of thousands of acres of farmland are crying out for water. On behalf of the 1,370 farmers in three townships and eleven villages, we sincerely ask the emperor to make a decision for us and save our lives. “

After saying this, he knelt on the ground and begged loudly. The other village elders, village heads and village representatives also knelt on the ground and begged together.

The factory manager and worker representatives on the right were anxious. Some were fidgeting and some blushed, but they knew they were in the presence of the emperor and did not dare to speak carelessly.

“Liu Yi, Song Gongliang, Qi Yan, a few of you come over here and help me help all the villagers up.” Zhu Yijun stood up and helped the oldest village elder up.

Zhang Juzheng also quickly stood up and helped another village elder to stand up. The rest of the people helped the other village elders, village heads and village representatives to stand up.

The faces of the people at the factory on the right were even uglier.

Zhu Yijun comforted him, “Fellow villagers, please help me. As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, I will definitely handle this impartially. The spring wheat you planted in Fengrun is very good. The pasta in the palace is mostly made from the flour ground from your Fengrun wheat.

I have tasted the fruits of your hard work, as have the Queen Mother, the Empress, and all the ministers in the cabinet. I will certainly make the decision for you.”

Wait until everyone has calmed down and sits down one by one.

Zhu Yijun also sat back in his seat and said to everyone in the factory: “Okay, now it’s your turn to speak. Tell me, you are waving guns and cannons again, what are you fighting for?”

The people in the factory who were so excited and blushing just now and were about to speak out to refute, now hesitated and dared not say a word.

“What’s wrong? Just now you were filled with righteous indignation, and you all wanted to rush up and fight to the death with the villagers. Now I ask you to speak, why are you all silent?”

Zhu Yijun joked.

The villagers on the opposite side chuckled, their laughter full of contempt. The student villager representative even shouted, “Your Majesty, they are guilty!”

“Who feels guilty?” a worker representative stood up and answered.

He had a full beard and wore a dark blue work suit, which was a short-sleeved cotton shirt with a pocket on the upper left side, two pockets on each side of the abdomen, and navy blue trousers.

He raised his hands and said, “Your Majesty, I am Zhang Dali, please allow me to speak.”

“explain.”

“Our Fengrun Woolen Fabric Factory is responsible for the production of winter military uniforms for the nine border areas. Hundreds of thousands of winter uniforms require millions of meters of woolen fabrics. Our factory works overtime day and night and dares not rest.

why?
Because we fail to complete the mission, the soldiers of the Nine Borders will have to endure the cold this winter! They are risking their lives in the border towns to defend their country and our peace. How can we let them endure the cold?”

Hearing this, the flesh on Zhang Juzheng’s face couldn’t help but twitch.

I have always heard that Taichang Temple’s missionary work is the most solid among all factories, and it is indeed true.

Zhang Dali continued to say that the steel rolling mill had the task of producing nine-sided car guard plates, the machinery plant had the task of producing naval sails, and the cement plant also had urgent orders for city construction in Liaodong, Liaoxi and Jilin. Every family was so busy that their heels were smoking.

Hydraulic drive is the main power source of every factory. Once it stops, the production efficiency of each factory will drop by half, and the task will not be completed even if the factory workers work themselves to death.

After Zhang Dali finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng was also dumbfounded.

The factory is responsible for military industrial tasks. Any delay may result in death, so we cannot afford any delay.

How to do?
This is a difficult situation, what should I do?
Like everyone else, Zhang Juzheng turned his attention to Zhu Yijun.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said: “Without investigation, you have no right to speak.

Master Zhang, let’s stop for two days and walk around, visit farmlands, and factories, and do a field investigation. We can make a conclusion after we have thoroughly investigated the situation!”

(End of this chapter)