It is widely known that humans are gregarious creatures with a strong tendency to follow the crowd. If the benevolent philanthropist Liu was secretly making a fortune by publishing sensational tabloids, how could Master Qian, Master Zhang, and other local gentry and scholars remain indifferent?
Coincidentally, the benevolent philanthropist Liu was fully aware of his actions and the consequences if the matter were exposed, so he was eager for others to join him.
In the benevolent philanthropist Liu's view, if he acted alone, it would be like a single person trying to kill a large group of people, which was akin to supervising the imperial court. If all the local gentry and scholars across the land did the same, it would indicate that the imperial court was indeed unpopular.
Especially since Master Qian's ancestor was the esteemed Grand Scholar Qian Qianyi, Master Zhang's ancestor was the leader of the Fu Society, Pu, and Master Li's ancestor was the renowned Donglin gentleman Li Sancai from the Great Ming dynasty. Any one of these individuals had a vast network of acquaintances. While their collective strength might not rival that of the benevolent philanthropist Liu during the Great Qing dynasty, it was undoubtedly superior to the benevolent philanthropist Liu's standing in the Great Ming.
Then, the benevolent philanthropist Liu, who was always more stingy than Liu Huaiwen, to the point of washing and then eating a single soybean, unexpectedly took the initiative this time. He dispatched personnel to help Master Qian, Master Zhang, and other local gentry and scholars publish sensational tabloids.
In short, from their very inception, these sensational tabloids in Jiangnan were morally bankrupt and inherently wicked.
What was even more outrageous was that the Great Ming imperial court at the time was busily engaged in a multitude of affairs, including the construction of railways and roads, dredging of rivers, promotion of agriculture, and various other chaotic matters. Simultaneously, they were also busy instigating trouble in countries outside the Great Ming. The energy of intelligence agencies such as the Imperial Guards, the Eastern Depot, and even the Heaven and Earth Society was largely diverted to other areas, leaving them with no time to deal with these sensational tabloids.
Even local government officials were too lazy to bother with them.
In the opinion of the officials, since sensational tabloids were not included in the assessment of the imperial court's examinations, and the censors and the Censorate did not seem to care much about these things, why should they concern themselves with the fate of these publications?
With that time and effort, it would be better to think about how to improve the lives of the common people under their jurisdiction, and how to encourage them to have more children and build more roads.
This was a basic operation in officialdom – normally, if the imperial court and superiors did not pay attention to something, the officials would not pay much attention to it either.
It was like in a certain exceptionally powerful region, where the higher-ups were focused on boasting and achieving merit, and the subordinates naturally followed suit. When it came to disparaging other regions, they were all exceptionally capable. However, when they actually took the examination, their true colors were revealed.
As the saying goes: The furnace exam is closed-book. If one has the ability to score sixty points, they score sixty. Liaodong has the ability to score seventy, and they score eighty. But someone who truly brags about being able to score a hundred, ends up getting a zero on an open-book exam.
This was because the superiors did not care, so the subordinates naturally followed suit.
The fact that local government officials paid little attention to these sensational tabloids resulted in the benevolent philanthropist Liu and other local gentry and scholars suddenly finding another avenue for profit.
After discovering this path to wealth, the benevolent philanthropist Liu even felt a degree of gratitude towards Zhu Jinsong, the ringleader of the rebels. If Zhu Jinsong had not continuously and tirelessly promoted literacy and established community schools since the beginning of his rebellion, where would so many literate people have come from?
With fewer literate people, the demand for sensational tabloids naturally ceased to exist. It was similar to how novels flourished during the Great Ming dynasty because the literacy rate had reached a certain level, and with more literate people, there was demand. During the Great Qing dynasty, only opera flourished because opera was heard and watched, not requiring literacy.
Of course, this gratitude did not mean that the benevolent philanthropist Liu truly appreciated Zhu Jinsong, the ringleader of the rebels. Yes, even though Zhu Jinsong had formally ascended the throne as the Emperor of the Great Ming, the benevolent philanthropist Liu still firmly believed that Zhu Jinsong was a rebel leader.
If it weren't for Zhu Jinsong, why would the benevolent philanthropist Liu be bothering with trivial matters like sensational tabloids?
However, it had to be admitted that the benevolent philanthropist Liu was indeed a capable individual, otherwise, he wouldn't have established a connection with Fuk'anggan, nor would he have thrived during the Great Qing dynasty.
These sensational tabloids, churned out by the benevolent philanthropist Liu, always publicly presented issues from the perspective of the common people. They also offered both criticism and praise for the Great Ming imperial court's policies, with more criticism than praise, substantial criticism and minor praise, heavy criticism and light praise, overt praise and covert criticism.
They had truly mastered the art of feigning loyalty while being disloyal.
Even Master Qian, a descendant of Grand Scholar Qian Qianyi, had to admire the stratagems employed by the benevolent philanthropist Liu.
It was precisely because he had observed these stratagems of the benevolent philanthropist Liu so closely that Master Qian, who wished to expose the benevolent philanthropist Liu, was particularly worried that the benevolent philanthropist Liu might suddenly stab him in the back.
However, the steward Qian, who had been secretly working in the Qian family for over a decade, seemed unconcerned: "My lord, how can our family's reputation be compared to that of Master Liu?"
"Do you not remember, although our ancestor surrendered to the Qing, he also supported the anti-Qing rebels? He provided funds and intelligence, truly being in Cao's camp but with Han's heart."
"If it weren't for this, the imperial court would have already settled accounts with us."
"More importantly, our family has always passed down the tradition of farming and scholarship. Apart from the few extra mu of land we occupy, what else do we have?"
"But the Liu family is different. The benevolent philanthropist Liu established an orphanage and opium dens in Songjiang Prefecture, and Liu Chuanshan offered his daughter to Fuk'anggan for his amusement. Their family has long been aligned with the Jurchens. If it weren't for the fact that the common people considered him, Liu Xin, a great philanthropist and protected him, the authorities would have long ago settled accounts with their family."
At this point, Steward Qian chuckled again and said in a low voice, "Moreover, when I went to the government office today, I reported everything about the Liu family's orphanage and opium dens. I also roughly told the prefectural governor what else I knew. Now..."
Qian Zhili, Master Qian, was stunned and asked, "You told him everything?"
Steward Qian nodded and replied, "Of course. In any case, the responsibility all lies with the Liu family. If I don't shift the blame onto the Liu family first, will I wait for the Liu family to shift the blame onto us first?"
Master Qian frowned, "What blame? How unbecoming!"
After admonishing Steward Qian, Master Qian continued to instruct: "Regardless, caution is the mother of wisdom. Those who need to be monitored must be monitored. Not only must we monitor the movements of their families, but we must also send people to watch the yamen. In case they also send people to the prefectural yamen, we will be able to respond in advance."
Steward Qian thought to himself, 'What response? Just obediently stay at home. After the prefect deals with the benevolent philanthropist Liu, it will naturally be your turn, Master Qian. None of you scoundrels will escape!'
After some thought, Steward Qian still obediently bowed and replied, "Since you have said so, my lord, shall I dispatch people now?"
...
As it turned out, Qian Zhili, Master Qian's worries were not unfounded.
As someone once said, "Like attracts like." The benevolent philanthropist Liu, who associated with Qian Zhili, Master Qian, was naturally no good bird either.
After the ancestral graves of Qian Zhili, Master Qian's family, were dug up, the benevolent philanthropist Liu convened Master Zhang, Master Li, and others at Master Qian's house to discuss the matter. Although the benevolent philanthropist Liu did not speak much during this process, he instinctively felt that something was amiss regarding the digging up of Master Qian and the others' ancestral graves.
Upon rushing home, the benevolent philanthropist Liu summoned Liu Chuanshan and all his confidantes.
The benevolent philanthropist Liu began by saying, "The current atmosphere is unusual. I suspect the imperial court may take severe measures to deal with this matter."
Liu Chuanshan was startled and asked, "Father, have you heard any news?"
The benevolent philanthropist Liu narrowed his eyes and said, "Master Qian's ancestral graves were dug up. Master Li's and Master Zhang's ancestral graves were also dug up. Although our family has not encountered any problems yet, it is because I have acted cautiously and have not given anyone a handle to grasp."
"However, times have changed. During the Great Qing dynasty, even if problems arose, our family could remain unharmed. But now, our greatest support is gone, and Master Zhang and the others know the inside story. If they were to report us first, I'm afraid..."
He paused slightly and continued, "We cannot afford to gamble, nor can we gamble. If we lose, it will be a complete defeat. Our family cannot afford that now."
Liu Chuanshan considered for a moment and said, "What if we report them first?"
The benevolent philanthropist Liu shook his head and said, "Others can report first, but we cannot. Don't forget about the orphanage and the opium dens. Although the authorities did not pursue the matter further, who knows if they have kept a record."
The benevolent philanthropist Liu's second son, Liu Yuanqing, frowned and said, "Father, aren't you being overly worried? You know that our Liu family not only has workshops in Songjiang Prefecture but also in Jiaozhi, Burma, Ryukyu, Japan, and even Lanfang and Old Port. To put it bluntly, the workers who rely on our family for their livelihood number nearly a hundred thousand. Even if the imperial court wanted to move against our family, it wouldn't be that easy, would it?"
"Foolish!" The benevolent philanthropist Liu struck his cane sharply and shouted, "Nearly a hundred thousand? What about the million canal laborers back then? Wasn't the imperial court able to abolish the Grand Canal just like that? What can a mere nearly hundred thousand people count as in the eyes of the current imperial court?"
Liu Yuanqing retorted, "How can our Liu family be compared to those canal laborers? How many goods do our family's workshops produce? How many countries in Europe do we export to?"
"If you really want to talk about it, our Liu family's workshops can be considered global in nature, not just belonging to the Great Ming. Moreover, we are also a face for the Great Ming in Europe. How could the imperial court move against us so easily?"
"Furthermore, the taxes our Liu family pays to the national treasury annually amount to tens of millions, if not more. If the imperial court were to move against our Liu family, where would they find compensation for these tens of millions in taxes?"
The benevolent philanthropist Liu looked at Liu Yuanqing as if he were looking at an idiot, "Global? Who? Our Liu family?"
Shaking his head in disappointment, the benevolent philanthropist Liu couldn't help but ask, "Then why haven't I heard Luo Fangbo say that the Lanfang Company is global?"
Seeing Liu Yuanqing's face turn red with embarrassment, Liu Chuanshan immediately stepped forward to smooth things over, "Father, please calm your anger. Second brother was just anxious and spoke out of turn."
The benevolent philanthropist Liu snorted and did not continue to reprimand Liu Yuanqing, but instead instructed Liu Chuanshan, "You go and pack up the family's gold and silver, choose the easily portable items, and take our family's hereditary servants. First, find a way to sail to Old Port, and then from Old Port, transfer to Europe."
Liu Chuanshan was startled and asked, "Father, isn't this a bit..."
The benevolent philanthropist Liu snorted and retorted, "Isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Before Liu Chuanshan could answer, the benevolent philanthropist Liu answered for himself, "As the saying goes, a clever rabbit has three burrows. If the imperial court truly intends to take severe measures, and Master Zhang and Master Li were to report us first, our Liu family would face the danger of extermination. Sending you to Europe with gold and silver is a precautionary measure. If nothing happens, it is naturally best, but if something does happen, we will not be captured all at once."
Liu Chuanshan shook his head and said, "Now, England and France in Europe are both allies of the Great Ming. If the Great Ming imperial court were to apprehend our Liu family, wouldn't England and France refuse to protect us?"
The benevolent philanthropist Liu said, "England and France naturally will not, but the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottomans will protect us."
Hearing this, Liu Chuanshan's brow furrowed even tighter, "However, the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottomans are in self-preservation now. Even if they can protect us for a while, when England and France join forces with the Great Ming to advance, I'm afraid..."
The benevolent philanthropist Liu sighed with a look of helplessness, "What can be done?"
"In the current situation, we cannot really blame others. We can only blame that fellow surnamed Zhu for his uncompromising methods."
"If we do not rise up in resistance, it will only be a matter of time before we are slowly bled dry. If we rebel immediately, it will play right into the hands of that Zhu brat."
"The only way forward is to drag it out for as long as possible."
At this point, the benevolent philanthropist Liu rallied himself and said, "In addition to our hereditary servants, you should also bring more master craftsmen, especially those who are literate."
"When you reach Europe, find a way to purchase books such as 'Tiangong Kaiwu' (Exploitation of the Works of Nature). Since the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottomans are not strong, let us find a way to make their national strength stronger!"