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Chapter 512: Evil always arises when one is brave

Until this time, the emperor's intention was fully revealed. Taking Guangdong and Fujian, which are relatively backward and remote, as a pilot project, no matter whether it succeeds or fails, it will not attract too strong opposition. When the New Deal becomes a climate, then turn around and head north, skipping South Zhili and Zhejiang and heading towards the capital and Shandong.

At this time, the emperor wanted people, money, political achievements, and experience. In addition, the navy and army were all stationed near the capital, which was almost like fighting at home, taking advantage of the right time, place, and people. Even if there is still a lot of opposition in the court, it is just a small drop of water that can shake a tree and cannot shake the New Deal in the slightest.

If there is no major accident, Zhili and Shandong will also be occupied by the New Deal in three to five years. By then, South Zhili and Zhejiang will have no choice but to bow their heads and admit defeat, no matter how hard they defend themselves.

After all, it cannot be completely self-sufficient. Many raw materials come from the north, and many products have to be sold overseas through Guangzhou and Fuzhou. Faced with the two-sided attack, I dare not say all, but there will definitely be some businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang who will choose to follow the trend and change course, and then the Thousand Miles Embankment will be destroyed by ant nests.

"There is no way to avoid it, so we can only attack it head-on. Although the new policy is coming fiercely, it is not without its flaws." Lu Maolong nodded vigorously, agreeing with Tu Benzhen's long-term analysis. Then the black face pulled, and two words were squeezed out from between the teeth.

"...Brother Leng Chen, does he have any countermeasures?"

Yang Dezhou was deeply resentful of the New Deal and strongly agreed with Lu Maolong's attitude. The Yang family in Jingchuan and the Lu family in Yuehu have not only been friends for generations, but have also been married. Their relationship can no longer be described as good or bad. They belong to a community of interests in which both prosper and suffer. No matter what problems they face, they must be consistent with the outside world.

"What's the solution..." Lu Maolong did not answer directly, but turned his attention to Zhang Bangren and Tu Benjiu.

"Brother Leng Chen, it doesn't matter. The four families of Yang, Lu, Zhang and Tu have already joined forces and want to advance and retreat together." Tu Benjun was the first to express his attitude. The Tu family and the Lu family were also in-laws, and they couldn't hide away even if they wanted to.

"My little brother means the same thing!" Zhang Bangren hesitated for a moment, but soon figured it out. Although the Zhang family only has the closest relationship with the Tu family, they have cooperated with the Lu family and the Yang family for many years in the business of smuggling goods overseas. They are also grasshoppers on the same rope.

"Actually, the method is very simple...please take a look!" Lu Maolong was very satisfied with the attitude of the other three families. This is right. We share the blessings and the hardships. But instead of answering the question, he raised his hand and dipped his hand in the water in the tea cup and wrote three lines on the stone table.

"Gather the people, destroy the mines, kill the mine supervisors..." The three of them had to stand up and watch, and then read it out in unison. Some people seemed to understand it completely, with blazing fire in their eyes, while others didn't quite understand, with confused expressions on their faces.

"Yes, mines and factories all require skilled craftsmen to work. If we can force these people back and make them fearful, no matter how big the factory is, it will be nothing more than a pile of stables and cattle pens.

As long as this works in one or two places, people everywhere will soon follow suit. By then the factory cannot be preserved, and the New Deal will become a piece of paper, self-defeating! "

Lu Maolong's method is indeed very simple. He creates rumors to incite people to go to the factory to cause trouble, causing losses to people and property, and then spreads the story of the incident to confuse right and wrong. Basically, he wins.

This method is not an invention. It has existed for at least hundreds of years in southern Zhili and Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. Whenever the emperor wanted to intervene in some industries monopolized by bureaucrats and gentry, inexplicable civil riots would occur everywhere. At this time, the local government and even the health office would unanimously place the responsibility on the targeted party, such as the mine supervisor, the weaving bureau, the municipal shipping department, the town guard, etc. Even if they sent imperial envoys to verify, what they heard and saw would not be the same. It's all the same scenario.

As long as this flame is ignited, it will harm the countryside at least, and corrupt the state capital at worst. No matter whether the emperor dispatched troops to suppress it or not, it could not change the fact. For a long period of time, the common people have become unable to talk about it, let alone actively participate in it, and even dare not get involved.

Not to mention, Emperor Wanli raised a large number of eunuchs to supervise weaving, maritime trade, mining and other industries in various places, which seriously infringed on the interests of the bureaucratic gentry group. As a result, over the past few decades, various places have experienced conflicts caused by guards, mine supervisors, and manufacturing bureaus. Riots and riots occurred one after another.

At the same time, there were representatives of the bureaucrats and gentry in the court who jointly exerted pressure, which made Emperor Wanli very anxious. He had to choose to compromise and retreat to the harem to watch the great things but could not grasp them.

"...But how should the navy and army respond?"

This time Lu Maolong wanted to use this ancestral trick to compete with the New Deal. Neither Yang Dezhou nor Zhang Bangren had any objections, but Tu Benjiu had some doubts. He had served in the court for many years, and his understanding of Emperor Jingyang was much deeper than that of local officials and gentry.

It’s still unclear what the Army’s quality is, but the Navy’s reputation has long been heard. Outside the Chaoyang Gate, tens of thousands of Jurchen elites were beaten by the emperor at the first sight. They abandoned their armor and fled. On the surface, the eunuchs, sea households and Jin Yiwei were loyal, but in fact they still relied on the sharp artillery of the navy.

The power of big families in southern Zhili and Zhejiang is very strong, and they can even influence the court to confuse right and wrong, and essentially control most of the local guards to collaborate with others. But if it encounters the navy, it will definitely be vulnerable.

The ultimate goal of everyone is to seize power and seek wealth. We do not have the idea or strength of warlords to separate themselves. Once faced with the ferocious navy, there is a high probability that they will be scattered. If that time comes, not only will power be lost, but also power will be lost. Even his family property and his life could not be saved.

"Uncle Tian is overly worried. The navy and army combined are less than 30,000 men. There is still the capital to defend, so it is impossible to move south in a big way. If there are less people coming, what's the use?"

Yang Dezhou immediately gave an answer. He didn't know what the Army was like, but the Navy was indeed worth worrying about. However, no matter how powerful the army is, it must have a large number and be supplied by local logistics in order to pose a real threat. The local gentry has the right location and advantages, and there is still a chance to deal with a small navy.

"Qizhuang, don't underestimate the enemy. The reason why Hunjun has been given the upper hand over the years is because he underestimated the enemy again and again. We must not make the same mistake again. Shutian, are the Fan family still in your house?"

But Lu Maolong didn't think Tu Benzhen's worries were unfounded. After many failures, no matter how stupid a person is, he will grow wiser. This time, in order to be sure, an additional layer of insurance will be added.

"...The Fan family left two stewards. They may have obtained those things from the south and are sending people to negotiate." Although he didn't quite understand what this matter had to do with the Fan family, Tu Benzhen still explained the whole story.

(End of this chapter)