With a solemn expression, Lu Chang unfolded the imperial edict and read it out word by word in a clear and loud voice.

The imperial edict contained only about 200 words, but it was like a heavy hammer, striking everyone’s heart again and again.

As Lu Chang’s voice echoed in the meeting hall, the originally quiet atmosphere became more solemn, as if the air had been frozen.

After Lu Chang read the last word, he slowly put away the imperial edict.

Lin Hetang, who was kneeling next to Lin De, originally had a somewhat uneasy look on his face, which instantly turned as pale as white paper.

His eyes were wide open, filled with fear and disbelief.

His mouth opened unconsciously, as if he had seen something extremely terrifying.

The whole person stood there in a daze as if he was under a spell, obviously frightened out of his wits by the contents of the imperial edict.

Lin Yuande, who was standing by, reacted even more violently.

He was originally kneeling there with all his strength supported, but the moment he heard the contents of the imperial edict, it seemed as if all the strength in his body had been drained away.

Then Lin Yuande’s legs went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

His face was filled with despair and helplessness, and his eyes stared ahead with empty eyes.

Lin Yuande muttered to himself, as if he was still trying to accept this sudden and huge change.

Everyone else in the meeting hall was also shocked by this scene and looked at each other.

The entire meeting hall fell into deathly silence.

Only Lin Yuande’s faint murmurs seemed particularly abrupt and strange in this silent space.

“How could this happen?

This is God’s will to destroy our Lin family!”

Ye Chen, the director of the Commercial Administration Bureau, snorted coldly upon hearing this: “Your Majesty originally intended to refer to those joint-stock commercial banks in Shanxi and support the cross-holding of Daming Bank and Lin’s Bank.

However, while I was on my way to deliver the imperial edict, the news that the Lin family had sent assassins to attack Shuozhou Guard had already reached His Majesty’s ears.

If it weren’t for the fact that the Lin family has provided fodder for the Yuanma Temple in recent years, and if Lin Zhen hadn’t stopped at the critical moment, I’m afraid all of you members of the Lin family would have been beheaded!
Now, Your Majesty is only merging the two banks, which is already a pardon outside the law.

If anyone dares to disobey the imperial order, the Imperial Guards can execute them first and report later with the token in their hands. This is a special permission granted by the emperor!”

As soon as Ye Chen finished speaking, it was like an invisible command, breaking the tense and oppressive atmosphere in the meeting hall.

Jiang Lin and several Jinyiwei spies who had been disguised as Lin family guards reached out without hesitation, grabbed their outer robes and pulled them hard, and the robes fell off like butterflies.

Jiang Li was seen wearing a flying fish suit, which was beautifully embroidered.

The flying fish pattern is lifelike, as if it will burst out of the clothes at any time, showing unique majesty and mystery.

The fabric fluttered slightly with his movements, making a slight rustling sound.

Jiang Li’s face was stern and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle as he scanned everyone present.

The embroidered spring sword worn at the waist flickered coldly in the dim light.

The rest of the Jinyiwei secret agents were also wearing Feiyu uniforms.

They are tall and straight.

Like a row of steel statues, they exude a chilling aura.

The texture and luster of the flying fish suit flickered in the candlelight in the meeting hall, adding a bit of mystery and solemnity.

This sudden scene shocked all the Lin family members present.

After a brief silence, everyone seemed to be drawn by an invisible force and turned their eyes to Lind.

Those looks were filled with shock, confusion, fear and exploration.

As if trying to find the answer to all these changes from Lin De’s face. Lin De was focused by the elders of the Lin family, his face changed slightly, and beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead instantly.

He subconsciously clenched his fists, wondering in his heart how to deal with this sudden situation next.

“Listen to my explanation…”

At this moment, Lin De was just about to say the words he had repeatedly prepared in his mind in an attempt to find a glimmer of hope for the current chaotic and crisis-ridden situation of the Lin family.

However, the words had just reached his lips before he could utter a few words.

At this moment, a burst of light and slightly hurried footsteps were heard outside the meeting hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lin Miaoyin hurriedly and lightly stepping over the threshold and entering the meeting hall.

Her usually gentle and beautiful face now showed a hint of anxiety and determination, and her eyes revealed a firm light.

Next to Lin Miaoyin was a female chieftain dressed in Yi ethnic costume.

The female chieftain is tall and graceful.

The Yi costumes they wear are colorful and the embroidery is exquisite.

The clothes are embroidered with various patterns with ethnic characteristics with colored threads, which emit a unique and charming glow under the candlelight.

The female chieftain wears a unique headdress, and the accessories make clear and pleasant sounds as she walks, as if she is playing a unique piece of music.

She looked calm, and her eyes swept calmly over the people in the meeting hall, with an innate majesty and confidence in her eyes.

The sudden appearance of these two people made the atmosphere in the meeting hall, which was already filled with tension and chaos, even more subtle.

The eyes of the Lin family members present shifted from Lin De to Lin Miaoyin and the strange female chieftain, and they were all secretly guessing their purpose.

However, Lin Miaoyin ignored the elders of the Lin family. She brought the female chieftain to the oldest one, Lu Chang.

“Since this gentleman holds the imperial edict, he must be an important official in the court.

I am Lin Miaoyin, the first wife of Jinyiwei Zhenfushi Mao Xiang, and I have important military information to report.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chang immediately asked Lin De to find a separate room for him to meet Lin Miaoyin and the female chieftain.

“I, Lu Chang, have been trusted by Your Majesty and have served as the head of the Price Bureau for many years.

Before leaving the capital, His Majesty conferred on him the title of Minister of Revenue.

No matter what happens, you can tell me directly. “

Lin Miaoyin turned to look at the female chieftain, “Madam Shexiang, you can now tell us your identity.”

Madam She Xiang nodded and said, “I am Pu Lou She Heng, the daughter of Chele Jun Heng She of the Yi ethnic group Heng tribe of Yongning Xuanfu Division in Sichuan. In the eighth year of Hongwu, I married Ai Cui, the leader of the Yi ethnic group Mo tribe of Shuixi, the Xuanwei envoy of Guizhou.

Unexpectedly, when the officials under King Liang used soldiers to open the Puding Post Station, they massacred the Yi people and forced the Guizhou Xuanwei Mission to pay taxes.

Guizhou is currently suffering from a severe drought and there is no harvest of crops.

The people lived in extreme hardship and taxes could not be collected.

My husband Ai Cui wrote to the king of Liang many times to complain, but he took the opportunity to arrest him and bring him to Guiyang.

King Liang also ordered his warriors to expose Ai Cui’s body and whip his back in an attempt to provoke the Yi soldiers.

The chiefs of the forty-eight tribes under the Guizhou Xuanwei Mission had long hated King Liang.

Upon learning that my husband Ai Cui had been humiliated, they immediately led their soldiers to Yunnan and cooperated with the Ming army to capture King Liang.

I also ask Lord Lu to tell Your Majesty that the Guizhou Xuanwei Envoy is willing to carve mountains and dig through dangerous places, build post roads, and at the same time prevent future generations from causing trouble.”

When Lu Chang delivered the news provided by Lady She Xiang to the capital in the form of a carrier pigeon, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to verify it.

Later, the chief eunuch Wu Cheng was ordered to summon Zhu Gang back to the capital, and the father and son accompanied Empress Ma in her last years. (End of this chapter)