The room goes through the late Ming Dynasty, and the back door leads to North America at the beginni

Liu Rui looked at the second memorial, but it was from the Suzhou Prefecture Trial Bureau.

It describes a case.

The Shen's Textile Factory in Suzhou was vandalized and smashed by the people. More than 300 people were involved, most of whom were former workers of the Shen's Textile Factory.

Although no one died in this case, many people were injured, and the five steam spinning machines that Shen had purchased only a few months ago were all damaged, which can be said to be a huge loss.

Although the Judgment Bureau of Suzhou Prefecture tried the persons involved in the case in accordance with the law.

But after all, this was the first time that something like this had happened in Suzhou Prefecture, and it involved many people. Therefore, before announcing the final verdict, the Trial Bureau reported it to the Trial and Punishment Department for instructions.

The advice given by the Trial and Punishment Department is: punish those involved in the case in accordance with the law - the leader will be severely punished, and the follower will be punished lightly.

The reason is that there are too many offenders, and it turns out that most of them are laid-off workers of the Shen family. They started the riot because they lost their jobs, which is pitiful.

Of course, whether the punishment is severe or lenient, it is all within the existing laws and regulations and cannot be violated.

Seeing this memorial, Liu Rui couldn't help but frown deeply.

Although he studied at the Royal School, he was not indifferent to worldly affairs - there was a course at the Royal School called "Current Affairs Politics", which specialized in commenting on current affairs.

In the past few years, with the introduction of steam spinning machines, steam looms and other machines into private workshops, it has really had a considerable impact on society.

Two or three years ago, there were reports in some official and private newspapers and periodicals that workers lost their jobs after their employers installed steam machines, so they gathered to cause trouble. (The plot of the newspaper will not be written in detail from the front, only from the side.)
However, in the past, most of them were "little things", and at most, dozens of people were injured in the conflict.

This is the first time that something like the Suzhou Shen's Textile Factory caused such a big fuss.

Not to mention the more than 300 people involved, five steam spinning machines were also damaged.

Liu Rui once followed Liu Sheng to inspect the Nanjing Machinery Bureau.

As far as he knows, although some steam machines in Dawei are now allowed for commercial use and introduced to the private sector, most of them are expensive.

And it cannot be bought with money. You must apply first and pass the qualification review before you can be allowed to buy.

Take steam spinning machines as an example. Each one costs tens of thousands of silver dollars!
It is indeed tragic that Shen suffered such a heavy loss.

But Liu Rui attended the Royal School for more than ten years, and was taught by the words and deeds of the Red Lady and Liu Sheng (the influence of the Red Lady was greater), so he was more emotionally inclined to the common people.

He glanced at the dragon chair and saw that Liu Sheng was handling the memorial, so he didn't disturb him.

"Mr. Sun." He greeted Sun Chengen softly.

Sun Chengen came to his case.

Liu Rui read the memorial to Sun Chengen and said, "I remember that the Ministry of Industry of the Imperial Court issued relevant documents requiring factories that use steam machinery to properly resettle laid-off workers. Right?"

Sun Chengen nodded, "The Ministry of Industry has issued such documents."

Liu Ruidao: "If this case was caused by Shen's improper placement of laid-off workers, is the trial conducted by the Suzhou Trial Bureau inappropriate?"

"This..." Sun Chengen hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say.

He was from Suzhou. Although he didn't know the whole story, he could guess something. But that's why he didn't say much.

After all, he is a secretary, not a cabinet minister. His daily work is mainly to assist the emperor in handling government affairs, rather than to dictate various government affairs.

When Liu Rui saw that Sun Chengen was silent, he couldn't help frowning, but he didn't press for it.

He said: "Send someone to the Government Affairs Council to retrieve detailed files on the case. In addition, let someone search for the intelligence recently submitted by the Suzhou Prefecture's Embroidery Guard to see if there is anything related to this matter."

These are what the Secretariat should do.

Therefore, Sun Chengen immediately agreed and assigned manpower to do it.

Half an hour later, Liu Rui's frown deepened.

Shen’s resettlement method for laid-off workers is to “subsidize three months’ salary.”

A few years ago, Mr. Shen's arrangement would have been extremely benevolent to laid-off workers.

Because in three months, these workers can find another workshop to work, get wages, and continue to support their family's life. However, most of the textile factories (large workshops) in Suzhou now use steam machines or water-powered textile machines, and the demand for workers has decreased for a while.

Therefore, many workers like Shen still have not found new jobs three months after they were laid off.

These workers negotiated with Shen several times to no avail, so they broke out and smashed Shen's textile factory.

As for the intelligence recently submitted by Suzhou Xiuyiwei, there are two pieces of information related to this matter.

First, when laid-off workers smashed up Shen's textile factory, it seemed that their competitors were secretly fueling the fire, or even guiding it artificially.

Secondly, Shen had many private contacts with several judges in charge of the case at the Suzhou Trial Bureau. It is still unclear whether the relevant judges have accepted bribes. Xiuyiwei is still conducting a secret investigation.

Knowing this, Liu Rui suddenly felt that neither Shen nor the common people who smashed the factory were good people.

Shen's placement of laid-off workers did not comply with the changes of the times, did not fulfill his responsibilities, and was even suspected of bribing officials.

As for the people who participated in the trouble, most of them were probably forced to make a living, but the leader was suspected of taking advantage of the public for personal gain.

Those who secretly add fuel to the flames are plotting to cause social unrest, which is a heinous crime!

Thinking of this, Liu Rui immediately picked up the memorial and explained his analysis and judgment to Liu Sheng.

After hearing this, Liu Sheng looked calm and seemed not to be angry at all. He asked calmly: "How do you think this matter should be handled?"

Liu Ruidao: "My son thinks that the Ministry of Punishment and the Supervisory Office should send people to form an investigation team to jointly investigate this matter."

"Let's see if there are any business rivals of Shen's family who are adding fuel to the flames. If so, we will punish them severely in accordance with the law to serve as a warning to others."

"It also depends on whether Shen bribed officials to influence the Suzhou Trial Bureau's decision on this case. If so, the relevant personnel will be severely punished!"

Liu Sheng nodded, "Your handling method is generally okay. In addition, after the matter is found out, it is best to mobilize official and private newspapers and periodicals to discuss such matters."

"Why do things like this happen? Is it caused by the introduction of steam machines to the people? How can we solve or even prevent such things from happening?"

After hearing Liu Sheng's words, Liu Rui couldn't help but think deeply.

Liu Sheng added: "With the rapid development of science and technology, such turmoil caused by the drastic changes in the times will continue to occur in the future."

"If you take the position of Emperor Father, you will have to be prepared to experience such things in the next few decades."

"What you need to remember is that no matter how the times change and are turbulent, as long as we grasp the core of putting the people first, strengthening the country and enriching the people, this great country will not collapse."

Liu Rui cupped his hands and said solemnly: "My son, please remember this!"

"Continue working on the memorial."

"Yes."

After a conversation, the father and son continued to deal with state affairs.

It has to be said that although Liu Rui was slow in handling government affairs, he finally shared some work with Liu Sheng.

Later, when Liu Rui becomes more proficient in handling government affairs, he will definitely be able to share more.

But Liu Sheng was not prepared to give Liu Rui too much time to adapt.

He plans to wait until next year to choose a suitable time to pass the throne to Liu Rui.

He abdicated and became the Supreme Emperor.

Afterwards, he would go to Tian'an Mansion, and while preparing for the expedition to Dachu, he would also follow the situation of Liu Rui and Nanjing through telegrams.

This time may last about a year.

During this period, even if Liu Rui encountered any difficulties in state affairs or even caused some troubles, he could help solve them.

In the future, even if he goes to Dachu with the expedition fleet, he will still be able to keep in touch with Liu Rui via telegram, and he will also have a certain degree of control and influence over Dachu. (End of chapter)