I founded a heavy industry group in the late Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 129 Inviting the enemy into the trap under the guise of filial piety

Chapter 129 Inviting the enemy into the trap under the guise of filial piety

Chapter 128 "No, no!"

Jiang Chun quickly waved his hand and said with a smile, "This humble citizen is just speaking the truth. Your Excellency is a wise man and should know that cooperation benefits both sides, while conflict leads to mutual destruction. If the Huizhou merchants are willing to take a step back, Your Excellency should also take a step back. It's better for us to sit down and talk things out than to waste each other like this."

Jiang Chun said he dared not, but he didn't mean it at all. This was because since the Tumu Crisis, the military officials of the Ming Dynasty had been thoroughly crushed by the civil officials. Although Chen Ying was now the second-rank military commander of Daming, in fact, not to mention the second-rank provincial governor, even the third-rank left and right councilors, the fourth-rank left and right advisors, the military commissioners of various circuits, or even the prefects of a prefecture, would not take the second-rank military commander seriously.

Jiang Chun had seen many high-ranking officials, such as the Provincial Administration Commissioner, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, and even the Grand Secretary. Chen Boying was only good at fighting on the battlefield, but what good was being good at fighting? As long as he didn't give you money and supplies and won over his generals, even if you were Di Qing, you would be finished.

Just then, Fu Yingxing stepped in to smooth things over: "Boying, Mr. Jiang is right. If you two keep fighting like this, neither of you will benefit. Why don't you each take a step back? You can put in less salt, and he can pay more. It's better to make money peacefully."

Chen Ying looked at Fu Yingxing and said, "Young Master Fu, are you involved in this?"

"this----"

Fu Yingxing hurriedly explained, "No, no!"

Despite being Wei Zhongxian's nephew, Fu Yingxing held only a hereditary title of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Wei Zhongxian's camp. He had no real ability, and Wei Zhongxian knew that his nephew was more trouble than he was worth. Although Wei Zhongxian employed many corrupt officials, all of them were capable.

In Wei Zhongxian's words, if you can't even be a proper official, what else can you do?

Chen Ying suddenly stood up, looking down at Jiang Chun: "Who do you think you are? You dare threaten me? It seems I've been too lenient with you; any Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to bark at me!"

"I don't like to cause trouble, but I'm not afraid of it either. If you want to fight, I'll fight you to the end. If you want to talk, you can, but on one condition: send someone who knows how to talk to me!"

As soon as Chen Ying finished speaking, Chen Yongren came up with a squad of personal guards.

Jiang Chun panicked instantly: "Sir, this—this is cutting off our path! We, the people of Jiangnan, are not dough to be kneaded. You must think carefully about the consequences. You are all intelligent people, don't be foolish!"

Chen Yongyi was overjoyed; he finally had a chance to prove himself.

He stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Chun by the collar, forced Jiang Chun to face him, and slapped him hard across the face: "You old bastard, how dare you be disrespectful to my godfather in front of me! Kneel down!"

Although Jiang Chun was merely a salt merchant, the problem was that he was wealthy and had powerful connections. Even the provincial governors of the various provinces of Jiangnan wouldn't treat him like this. He was so angry that his face turned pale, and he shouted loudly, "Chen Boying—how dare you!"

Chen Yongyi, with his back to him, acted as if he hadn't heard, and looked at Jiang Chun, whose face was pale and blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth. He raised his knee and slammed it into Jiang Chun's groin: "Didn't you hear me tell you to kneel down?"

Jiang Chun let out a miserable howl, his knees buckled, and he knelt down. Breaking free from Chen Yongyi, Jiang Chun charged forward angrily, throwing a punch at Chen Ying's head, roaring, "You little beast, you're asking for death—"

However, Jiang Chun, who was used to being arrogant, forgot that he was now in the Chen family mansion. Chen Ying was a second-rank military officer and a young and strong military household. Originally, Chen Ying did not intend to take action himself, but Jiang Chun rushed up. He moved aside slightly and then gently pushed Jiang Chun from behind. Jiang Chun could not stop and crashed headfirst into the blades of the two guards on the left.

The two militiamen hurriedly dodged to the side, but he couldn't stop himself and fell face-first into the mud like a mad dog. He snatched a knife from one of the militiamen, turned around, and charged at Chen Ying, yelling, "You son of a bitch, I'll kill you today!"

Chen Ying's expression turned slightly cold. He sidestepped the blade and gently grabbed Jiang Chun's wrist with his left hand. Jiang Chun felt a numbness in his arm, and before he knew it, the steel knife was in Chen Ying's right hand. He raised his left foot and gently stepped on the back of Jiang Chun's knee, causing Jiang Chun to kneel down involuntarily. Chen Ying freed his left hand, grabbed Jiang Chun's hair, and held the steel knife across Jiang Chun's neck with his right hand.

"I am a second-rank military officer of the imperial court, while you are merely a commoner. Since you have defied your superiors and insulted your family, if I were to let you off lightly today, it would be unfilial of me—"

Before Chen Ying could finish speaking, Jiang Chun, his face contorted with rage and his eyes burning with fury, roared, "You're nothing but a lowly soldier, what are you pretending to be so important about? You've messed with us Huizhou merchants, even Wei Zhongxian can't protect you!"

"you----"

'

Even if Fu Yingxing was stupid, he would realize at this moment that he had been used by Jiang Chun. Five thousand taels of silver was not so easy to get.

Just then, Song Yanniang, who had heard the commotion, pulled out a Miao knife from the room and rushed out. She was now enraged: "Dare to insult my man? I'll chop you down—"

Song Xianze quickly pulled Song Yanniang back, a calm smile on his face, and whispered, "Just enjoy the show."

Chen Ying lowered his head, looking at Jiang Chun's indignant face, a cold smile appearing on his lips: "I am an official, you are a commoner. Even if I kill you today, I will only be stripped of my official rank and exiled three thousand miles away. With filial piety as a shield, I might be treated leniently. Guess whether I dare to kill you?"

As he spoke, he applied some force with the steel knife in his hand, and the blade cut into the skin of Jiang Chun's neck, from which a trickle of blood seeped out.

Jiang Chun's face was ashen, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter another curse. He hadn't truly lost his mind; there was nothing he could do, and he had no face to go back. Could he say that he had deliberately provoked Chen Boying so that he would send someone to beat him up, so that he would have some injuries on his face and could explain it back. If he embellished the story, he wouldn't have to take any responsibility. After all, the business belonged to everyone, not just Jiang Chun.

Chen Ying said calmly, "I have thousands of soldiers under my command. Without my order, there are plenty of people willing to kill you for me, and even wipe out your entire family and exterminate your Jiang clan. Guess if anyone is willing to do it?"

Chen Ying's voice wasn't loud, but the guards around him could hear it clearly. Chen Yongyi stepped forward and said, "I've been adopted by my godfather, and every day I live is a bonus. If he dares to insult my godfather, and I pretend to be deaf and dumb and remain silent, would I still be human?"

Chen Yongyi stepped forward and swung his knife at Jiang Chun's neck.

"clang----"

Chen Ying deflected Chen Yongyi's knife with his own. He didn't really intend to kill Jiang Chun; there was still plenty of money to be squeezed out of him. Chen Ying was desperate for money, just like he was starving. Now that the Cheng family was no longer profitable, this opportunity was simply too good to pass up.

Seeing the guards in the hall eager to fight, Jiang Chun realized that he had made a mistake. Chen Ying was the commander of Da Ning. Even if he didn't have to take action himself, he still had tens of thousands of troops. These soldiers were different from the garrison soldiers in other provinces. These garrison soldiers had lost their courage and struggled to make a living every day, just getting by and living one day at a time.

But the soldiers under Chen Boying were ruthless men who dared to fight the Jurchens to the death. Moreover, he was now in a difficult position because Chen Boying had him under control.

Now Chen Ying is going to use the laws of the Ming Dynasty. No matter how much money Jiang Chun has, he is just a commoner, while Chen Ying is a second-rank military officer of the Ming Dynasty. No matter how much property Jiang Chun has, or how many dignitaries he is a guest of honor, he insulted Chen Ying, and Chen Ying can kill him without consequence, without having to pay with his life. This shows that he is in the right.

Jiang Chun collapsed to the ground, his crotch soaked. He never expected that Chen Boying, this "soldier," would actually dare to use a knife, and so brazenly at that. What terrified him even more was that the knife in Chen Boying's hand was still against his neck, the blade already cutting through his skin, blood flowing down his neck, while the guards around him had bloodshot eyes, like hungry wolves smelling blood.

"Lord Chen—Lord Chen,"

Jiang Chun's voice trembled: "This humble subject—this humble subject was confused for a moment, please, Your Excellency, have mercy—"

"A moment of confusion?"

Chen Ying looked down at him, his gaze icy: "You insulted my parents, and you call that a moment of folly? If I were to kill you, the court would still have to reward me for filial piety, do you believe it or not?"

Jiang Chun believed it, of course. The Ming Dynasty governed the country with filial piety in mind; the hatred between parents and children was irreconcilable. Let alone a mere merchant, even a high-ranking official in the court would be beaten to death for publicly insulting someone's parents.

"My lord, spare me! My lord, spare me!" Jiang Chun finally broke down, kowtowing repeatedly.

Chen Ying sheathed his knife, took a step back, and said calmly, "Take him away and treat him well. Don't let him have any fun. I want to cut him to pieces. Keep a close watch on him and don't let him die."

"Yes!" Chen Yongren waved his hand, and two guards stepped forward and dragged Jiang Chun away like a dead dog.

Fu Yingxing stood to the side, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but was forced back down by a look from Chen Ying.

"Young Master Fu"

Chen Ying looked at him calmly, "I know you took their money. I don't blame you, after all, you need to eat too. But there's one condition: go back and tell those people that I'm the kind of person who responds to kindness but not force. If anyone dares to act arrogantly in front of me again, I'll teach them what 'insubordination' really means."

Fu Yingxing nodded repeatedly and slunk away.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

"Have you heard? Chen Boying has detained Jiang Chun, the vice president of the Anhui Merchants Association!"

Why?

"Jiang Chun caused a ruckus at the Chen residence, insulting Lord Chen's parents. In a fit of rage, Lord Chen decided to kill him as a sacrifice to his banner!"

"Good riddance! Those Huizhou merchants, relying on their wealth, acted arrogantly, showing no respect even to imperial officials. They should have been dealt with long ago!"

However, some people worry: "Chen Boying is, after all, a military officer. If he offends the Huizhou merchants, he may not have a good outcome."

"What's there to be afraid of? He has Eunuch Wei and the Emperor backing him! Besides, he's in the right. Insulting someone's parents is no crime; he should be beaten to death without consequence!"

For a time, the capital was in an uproar, with all sorts of rumors circulating.

The Huizhou merchants panicked.

Jiang Chun is the vice president of the Anhui Merchants Association, a highly influential figure in the Jiangnan business community. His detention is tantamount to a slap in the face to the entire Anhui merchant community. What's more troublesome is that Chen Ying is in the right, leaving them with no one to appeal for justice.

"Quickly, go and invite Lord Yang! Invite Lord Li! Invite the Grand Secretary!" Wang Wende paced anxiously around the guild hall. "No matter how much money it costs, we must get Jiang Chun out!"

The Huizhou merchants launched a rapid offensive with their gold and silver.

The first to arrive was Yang Jingchen, the Vice Minister of Rites. He was from Jiangnan and had close ties with the Huizhou merchants. He arrived at the Chen residence in a sedan chair, presented his visiting card, but was stopped by the gatekeeper.

"Lord Yang, my master said he is unwell and will not receive guests."

Yang Jingchen frowned: "I'm here to mediate a fight, not to cause trouble. Go inside and announce my arrival."

The gatekeeper said with a forced smile, "Sir Yang, it's not that I didn't announce your arrival, but Your Excellency has ordered that you will not see anyone, no matter who comes. Would you like to come another day?"

Yang Jingchen's face darkened, and he was about to explode in anger, but he saw that the Chen residence's gate was tightly shut, and there was not a sound from inside. He stood there for a while, but finally turned and left.

The second person to arrive was Lai Zongdao, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. This venerable Grand Secretary was highly respected, and the gatekeeper dared not neglect him, so he went in to announce his arrival.

A moment later, the gatekeeper came out, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency, my master said he is unable to receive guests. He will come to apologize after the mourning period is over. My master also said that the hatred for one's parents is irreconcilable. Jiang Chun insulted his parents, which is an irreconcilable hatred for him. If this hatred is not avenged, he will have no face to face his ancestors. Your Excellency, please return!"

Lai Zongdao was speechless. He'd lived to such an old age; what hadn't he seen? But this was the first time he'd heard such a reason. The key was, the other party was right, and he really couldn't refute it.

"Never mind," Lai Zongdao sighed, "I'll go back and think of another way."

For several days in a row, officials came to plead for Chen Ying's release, but none of them were able to see him. The gates of Chen's residence remained tightly shut, as if isolated from the world; Chen Ying's attitude spoke volumes.

The Huizhou merchants finally figured it out.

"Chen Boying isn't angry, he's fishing!" Wang Wende slammed his fist on the table. "He detained Jiang Chun to lure us in. The more we plead for him, the more he'll control us!"

Wang Wende is now in a very helpless situation. There are some things he could do, but a commander like Chen Boying wouldn't dare provoke the Huizhou merchants; dealing with Chen Ying would be too easy. Unfortunately, Chen Ying isn't an ordinary commander; he has Wei Zhongxian above him. Ordinary impeachments are ineffective against members of the eunuch faction. More importantly, Chen Boying is a military general. With the factional strife in the Ming Dynasty so intense, almost everyone is impeaching Chen Boying, yet he is gaining increasing trust from the Tianqi Emperor.

Impeachment is impossible, and trying to cut off Chen Boying's finances is a joke. The Da Ning Military Command doesn't take military pay from the national treasury. Part of their pay comes from the imperial treasury, and part comes from the money Chen Boying earns from his own workshops. Whether it's public or private, Chen Ying won't fall for their tricks.

"What should we do then?" someone asked.

Wang Wende gritted his teeth: "We'll go ourselves. He wants to talk, right? Let's talk to him. Whatever conditions he wants, we'll give him. As long as we can get Jiang Chun out, anything is negotiable."