Third, release a batch of rioters first.
On this matter, Yin Zhengmao had tried to dissuade him, but could not persuade Hai Rui. The two hundred or so people who had followed and clamored but had not been at the forefront were all released, but they were not allowed to leave the village and were to await further trial at any time.
Hai Rui had expected that after doing these things, the situation would surely calm down, but to his great surprise—
The situation not only did not subside, but further escalated. Because the villagers were thoroughly enraged and were completely opposed to the gentry. Whether in the county town or in the villages, people glared at each other on the roads.
The villagers all said: when gods fight, mortals suffer; someone was deliberately harming the people of Nanxun to death. The people of Nanxun had all become scapegoats for Zhu Mo...
The gentry, on the other hand, firmly insisted that the rioters were instigated to cause trouble in Huzhou and must be suppressed. Otherwise, they would not cooperate with whatever Hai Rui did.
As a result,
The two sides were like fire and water, and Hai Rui was caught in the middle.
The common people did indeed trust Hai Rui, knowing full well that everything he did in Chun'an was to protect the people. However, on this matter, the people of Nanxun would not listen to his advice.
Hai Rui was also utterly bewildered?
Logically speaking, did the people not know what kind of person Hai Rui was? It was impossible to doubt him! Why did they not stand with Hai Rui this time? Instead, whenever Zhu Mo was mentioned, the people showed unwavering trust. Why was that?
After much thought,
Hai Rui felt that this was the crux of the problem—
The people of Nanxun were used for a grand scheme for no reason, essentially becoming scapegoats for officials and gentry opposing Zhu Mo, thus erupting in unprecedented indignation. Moreover, six people had already died, and the wounds could no longer be healed. The people believed that Hai Rui could not solve this matter, only Zhu Mo could, or rather, they also realized that their fate was actually tied to Zhu Mo.
"Alas..."
Hai Rui sat upright in the main hall and sighed a long sigh, truly not knowing how this matter would end.
And at this moment,
The personal guards suddenly came to report—
"Master Hai, it's bad news. Hundreds of scholars are causing trouble at the prefectural yamen, demanding severe punishment for Lord Yin..."
"What?"
"Scholars?"
"Severe punishment for Yin Zhengmao?"
"This...? Impossible!"
Hai Rui was greatly shocked—
Severe punishment for Yin Zhengmao?
Who is this?
With such a loud voice?
Hurrying out, he saw three scholars leading the way, followed by over a hundred xiucai. Among the three leading figures, the one in the center held a book in his hand—
The Great Ming Code
And the two on either side each held a pair of couplets, which read—
"Cruel officials kill the people, spreading rumors to deceive the masses, we implore you to strictly adhere to the Great Ming Code and severely punish Yin Zhengmao;
Benevolent officials reform the laws, benefiting all four classes of people, we hope to follow the heavenly heart and vindicate the scholar Zhu."
And at this time,
More and more common people were also watching from the side. Although they remained silent, their eyes were full of expectation. The scene exuded a strong atmosphere of grief and indignation.
Hai Rui gazed intently and found that the person leading the way, holding the Great Ming Code, was in his thirties, with an extraordinary spirit and a detached demeanor. The two beside him were also handsome and refined, their eyes filled with determination. The Confucian scholars behind them, unknown who they were, all remained silent, each holding a copy of the Great Ming Code in their hands.
"Great Ming Code, Great Ming Code..."
Hai Rui muttered to himself, thinking: You are holding the Great Ming Code, this is the best approach. It shows that these three scholars are not simple. I wonder who they are?
You must know that
Hai Rui had always cherished the common people the most and respected those who pleaded for them. He immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply to the three, and said sternly:
"You three have traveled a thousand miles to plead for the people. Hai Rui admires you greatly, but I do not know your esteemed names or your arguments? I, Hai Rui, wish to report to the provincial government and the Grand Secretariat?"
The three knew that this person was Hai Rui and naturally admired him greatly. They immediately returned the bow deeply. The one in the center said, "My name is He Xinyin, the one on the left is Yan Shannong, and the one on the right is Luo Rufang. Lord Hai is the foremost incorruptible official of this dynasty. Please accept our bow."
The three simultaneously bent down and bowed to Hai Rui again.
Upon hearing He Xinyin, Hai Rui immediately remembered. These three were all disciples of Wang Gen, but they had also formed their own school. For many years, they had practiced diligently and established the Juhe Hall in Jiangxi, practicing the great Way. They were very famous in the officialdom and academic circles of the Great Ming. However, like Hai Rui, despite their great fame, they were not accepted by the mainstream and had always remained among the common people.
And at this time,
Seeing so many students following, he feared being accused of rebellion again and asked,
"Mr. He, these youngsters are...?"
You must know that
He Xinyin was a remarkable person of this era, who had dispersed his vast family fortune to pursue the great Way. Naturally, he possessed great charisma. These students were not brought from Jiangxi, but were scholars from various counties in Jiangnan, some poor, some wealthy, and some from gentry families, but all submitted to He Xinyin. Upon hearing that Mr. He had come to Jiangnan to save the people, they immediately responded to the call and spontaneously gathered at the Huzhou prefectural yamen.
He Xinyin smiled and said, "Lord Hai, they are all dissatisfied with Yin Zhengmao's unjust killing of the common people and have come here voluntarily. They are all ordinary scholars from various counties in Jiangnan."
Oh, oh,
Hai Rui could not help but be greatly surprised—
Such a thing?
These people only seemed to have the qualification of xiucai, with no power or influence, and yet they ran to contend with the followers of the old man with the high bun? If I, Hai Rui, were not here today to preside, would Yin Zhengmao not have arrested you? Then you would all be labeled as rebels, and even beheaded...
He clicked his tongue in amazement, carefully observing everyone. Indeed, they were all from good families, and there was not a single one with a bad disposition.
His heart ached, and he was filled with emotion, sighing, "I am ashamed. You are so eager for justice and do not hesitate to risk your lives. I, Hai, am ashamed of myself..."
He was indeed moved: he was recommended by Zhang Juzheng, Xu Jie, and Prince Yu. Facing this shocking case, he was also restricted. Yet, these unarmed scholars had all come, truly not knowing the meaning of death...
He Xinyin, Yan Shannong, and Luo Rufang exchanged glances, with a single thought in their minds: they had heard that Hai Rui was an upright official before, and seeing him today, he was even better than the rumors. He was truly a father to the common people...
He Xinyin, being knowledgeable and experienced, had already anticipated that Hai Rui was a like-minded person and spoke directly:
"Lord Hai, we have come this time to vindicate Young Master Zhu Mo and to fight for the true learning of the world. We absolutely cannot allow false learning to occupy the imperial court, nor can we allow Zhu Mo, who sincerely serves the people, to be unjustly accused! Lord Hai, we have already jointly submitted a memorial to the imperial court, demanding the severe punishment of the cruel official Yin Zhengmao who killed the people! We all know that you are a parental official who governs for the people. This time, we are here to support you!"
Seeing the seal of the Minister of War hanging from his waist, the three were even more overjoyed.
He Xinyin added, "Lord Hai, may I ask Lord Yin Zhengmao to come out and meet us?"
The three had already planned: this time they wanted to create momentum, to express the anger of the commoners, and it would be best to directly inform Yin Zhengmao that such malicious tricks would surely be disdained by the world and hated by all the common people.