RPAGF Chapter 28 Arresting the Rumor Mongers
Chapter 28 Arresting the Rumor Mongers
Meanwhile, inside the Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Mu, father and sons, reunited.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang's face no longer showed the thunderous rage he had displayed in the Fengtian Hall; instead, it displayed a deeper, colder ruthlessness.
He held in his hand a freshly printed sheet of paper, the ink still wet, which was a sample copy of the first issue of the "Da Ming Daily".
"We've said it before, this newspaper will let the whole world hear our voice."
Zhu Yuanzhang's knuckles tapped the table.
"The first batch of newspapers was printed this morning. Let's change our minds and put the news of debunking the rumors about Wanyan on the front page!"
He looked at Zhu Mu, his gaze sharp:
"Let's use the title: 'A match made in heaven, how can it be slandered by petty villains; the nation's heir, how can he be swayed by rumors.'"
"Write down exactly what Liu Bowen and Li Shanchang said in court! Add a comment saying, 'Anyone who dares to criticize the imperial family or undermine the foundation of the state with talk of ghosts and gods shall be punished for treason, and their entire family shall be held accountable!'"
"We want all the people of Yingtian Prefecture, and even the whole world, to see how the Zhu family protects its daughter-in-law!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
Zhu Mu responded in a deep voice. He knew that his father was giving Liu Wanyan and the Liu family the strongest support in the most direct and grand way.
"Simply debunking rumors isn't enough."
Zhu Yuanzhang abruptly changed the subject, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
"Those who fan the flames behind the scenes and spread rumors on the streets must not be let off the hook!"
He picked up a troop mobilization token from the imperial desk and handed it to Zhu Mu:
"Mu'er, go to the Ministry of Justice now and select a squad of elite imperial guards. We'll also give you a written order that they will be completely under your command."
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice became cold and clear:
"Take this force and raid all the teahouses, taverns, and storytelling stalls in Yingtian Prefecture that are spreading rumors and causing trouble! Arrest every single one of the ringleaders and troublemakers, and throw them all into the Ministry of Justice's prison to await their fate!"
"At the same time, the public should be informed that those who did not participate in spreading the message are innocent and have nothing to worry about!"
He looked at his son and emphasized, word by word:
"This matter requires your personal attention!"
Zhu Biao added from the side:
"Father is right. Second brother, you are Wanyan's fiancé. Your personal leadership in the arrest represents not only the Ministry of Justice's authority but also the imperial family's stance!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, a hint of warmth appearing on his face:
"Mu'er, after you've dealt with these dirty matters, go straight to the Liu family. Go see Wanyan and check on her. The young girl must be upset to hear such foul language."
"You do what a fiancé should do, comfort her, let her know that with us, with your older brother, with you, the sky won't fall."
"Your subject understands!"
Zhu Mu accepted the token and the edict, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
He bowed deeply to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, then turned and strode out of the Wenhua Hall.
……
Yingtian Prefecture, south of the city.
This is the area where ordinary people are most concentrated, with numerous entertainment venues, taverns, and teahouses. It is where news spreads the fastest and where rumors and gossip thrive.
The usually bustling Baiwei Teahouse was especially lively today, with a storyteller with a pointed face and monkey-like cheeks spouting spittle as he recounted an exciting part of the tale:
"...Speaking of this Miss Liu, her fate is incredibly strong! It's said she's a descendant of the White Tiger Star from heaven, specifically destined to bring misfortune to dragon princes! How precious is His Highness the Prince of Chu? If he were to marry her, alas, the foundation of the nation would be shaken, the foundation of the nation would be shaken!"
The audience below the hall was filled with surprise and doubt, and they discussed among themselves, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
Just then, with a loud crash, the heavy wooden door of the teahouse was kicked open from the outside!
The blinding sunlight flooded into the dimly lit teahouse, accompanied by the rhythmic, resounding clatter of armor.
Dozens of Imperial Guards from the Ministry of Justice, dressed in flying fish robes and with embroidered spring knives at their waists, rushed in like wolves and tigers, instantly taking control of all the exits.
The cold blade gleamed with a menacing light, and the entire teahouse fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
The diners were terrified and huddled in a corner, trembling with fear.
Surrounded by a group of imperial guards, a handsome young man dressed in a black prince's robe, with a face as cold as ice, slowly entered.
He wore a precious sword bestowed by the emperor at his waist and held a bright yellow edict in his hand; he was none other than Zhu Mu, the Prince of Chu.
His gaze did not fall on the terrified people, but instead locked onto the storyteller on the stage, whose face had already turned deathly pale.
Arrest him.
Zhu Mu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Two guards immediately pounced on the platform like eagles, tied the storyteller's hands behind his back, and forced him to kneel on the ground.
"Your Highness...Your Highness, spare me! I...I was just talking nonsense to make a living!"
The storyteller was so frightened that tears streamed down his face, and he kowtowed desperately.
Zhu Mu walked up to him, looked down at him, and coldly asked:
"Just trying to make a living? Using my marriage and the royal family's reputation to do that? Who gave you the audacity? Who taught you to say such a thing?"
The man trembled violently and stammered, unable to speak.
Zhu Mu ignored him and turned to face all the trembling people in the teahouse.
His gaze swept over everyone, and those he looked at all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Fellow villagers, there is no need to panic."
Unexpectedly, Zhu Mu's voice softened and clearly resonated throughout the teahouse.
"I have come today on the orders of my father, the Emperor, to arrest those treacherous villains who deliberately fabricate and maliciously spread rumors, intending to slander the royal family and undermine the foundation of the nation! Just like this thing on the stage!"
He pointed to the storyteller at his feet.
"I know that many of you are just following the crowd and repeating what others say. The court will not hold you accountable for this."
These words immediately eased the tense atmosphere considerably.
Zhu Mu's voice rang out again, carrying a solemn promise:
"Our Great Ming Dynasty governs by law! My father said that the law is a public instrument for all under heaven. Today, we are only arresting the ringleaders and accomplices. Anyone who did not actively spread the word will not be implicated. There is no need for anyone to worry about being unjustly implicated!"
He paused, his gaze sharpening, his tone becoming firm and resolute:
"The laws of the Ming Dynasty are strict and the rewards and punishments are just! I hereby assure you all that even as a prince of the current dynasty, I will never knowingly break the law, abuse my power, or implicate the innocent!"
Having said that, he didn't linger and gave an order to the commander of the elite guards behind him:
"Take this man to the Ministry of Justice prison and interrogate him thoroughly! The rest of you, follow me to the next location!"
"Yes, sir!"
The imperial guards, escorting the storyteller who was as limp as mud, retreated like a receding tide.
Inside the teahouse, the survivors looked at each other in dismay. After a long while, someone finally let out a long sigh and slumped into a chair.
They were no longer discussing the vague rumors, but rather His Highness the King of Chu's promise: "Even if I were the King of Chu, I would never break the law."
These words are more powerful than any words of refutation.
In the following hour, Zhu Mu led his elite cavalry, sweeping through several areas in the south of the city where rumors had been concentrated with overwhelming force.
Whether they were eloquent storytellers or so-called "well-informed people" stirring up trouble at the dinner table, all the core disseminators who had been pre-selected by the Embroidered Uniform Guard were arrested.
The action was precise, swift, and decisive.
Focus on the core issues, without disturbing the people.
Wherever Zhu Mu went, he would reiterate his words of "no collective punishment, and handling matters according to the law".
Soon, the entire population of Yingtian Prefecture knew:
His Highness the Prince of Chu personally intervened to dispel the rumors surrounding his fiancée, but the royal family adheres to the law and does not indiscriminately kill innocent people!
What could have been a massive crackdown that caused widespread panic was, under Zhu Mu’s deliberate guidance, transformed into a public declaration that demonstrated the imperial court’s stance and the law of the court.
The rumors were nipped in the bud, and the people were reassured.
As dusk approached, the hustle and bustle of Yingtian Prefecture gradually subsided.
Zhu Mu handed over the subsequent interrogation matters to the Ministry of Justice, then mounted his horse and rode off towards the Liu residence in the east of the city.