Therefore, Hai Rui's article only clarified the view of righteousness and interests that he expressed to Zhao Hao that day, and clearly expressed his clear attitude of protecting industry and commerce, announcing that he would only crack down on those parasites who seized power by trickery and sucked the blood of the people.

Compared with Li Zhi's brilliant article, this one is not as sharp and does not have such a high theoretical level.

But its effect is ten or even a hundred times greater than that of Li Zhi's article.

This was written by Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian. He clearly expressed to the 20 million people in Jiangnan that he did not hate the rich, especially advocated getting rich through hard work, and did not oppose getting rich through industry and commerce. He announced his clear position of protecting legal income and encouraging industry and commerce!

Li Zhi knew that once this article was published, the rumors of "anti-rich" surrounding Hai Rui would be self-defeating, and the people in Jiangnan would soon calm down.

Now he was completely convinced. The two had similar views, but it was also because of this that their talents were clearly different.

He felt that he was just a big shot who was afraid that his tone was not high enough, but Hai Gong was able to look at the overall situation, calm people's hearts, correct the root cause, and lay the tone for governance.

It's my fault that I am just a teacher while others can become the governor of Yingtian.

Li Zhi no longer had any intention of competing with Hai Rui. He put down the article, bowed to accept the instruction, and prepared to leave.

Hai Rui glanced at him and asked calmly, "Are you Li Zhuowu?"

"It is me." Li Zhi did not expect that the new governor knew him. "Does the chancellor know me?"

"Li Jiaoshou is a well-known figure in Suzhou City. It's hard not to know him." Hai Rui said with a half-smile, "Whether your opinions are right or wrong, there is a very serious problem."

"Please give me some advice, Minister Zhong." Li Zhi immediately entered cockfighting mode, ready to have a good debate with Hai Rui.

"After all, you only have your own opinion. How can we allow the government academy to become a one-man show for you?" But Hai Rui suggested: "Why not follow the example of Mr. Anding back then and invite more famous scholars from all over the country to come and debate together?"

Li Zhi was so smart that he could not fail to hear that Hai Rui was trying to protect himself. A rabbit would be very conspicuous if it appeared on the street, but it would be less conspicuous if it hid in the woods.

It is indeed a good idea to improve one's theories and further enhance one's reputation through debate.

"I obey your command. Even if we cannot have a hundred schools of thought contend, we can always find seven or eight." Li Zhi bowed again, with more sincerity than before.

This is like receiving the king's order and talking nonsense...

Hai Rui glanced at Cai Guoxi, who had been standing on the other side of the case. "Does Magistrate Cai think that makes sense?"

"That makes a lot of sense." Cai Guoxi said with admiration, "The chancellor has a broad vision and his words are as valuable as gold. In this way, Suzhou's culture and education will surely be revitalized. It's true that there was Mr. Fan in ancient times and there is Mr. Hai now!"

"Stop flattering us." Hai Rui said sternly, "How about we use this topic for the first debate?"

Cai Guoxi had just sat beside Li Zhi and read Hai Rui's article. Although he found that he had strayed from the topic, he was still in a good mood.

Because Hai Rui clearly stated that he would not be hostile to the rich, nor would he attack industry and commerce. This was perfect for Suzhou Prefecture, which was the richest city in the world and based on industry and commerce.

Since he had guessed Hai Rui's intention, Magistrate Cai naturally nodded and said, "This is a good topic, and it is especially appropriate to discuss in Jiangnan. It can also help to guide the gentry and the people and correct their minds."

As Prefect Cai spoke, he glanced at Hai Rui's face. Seeing that he looked approving, he suggested:

"Why not select a few of the best articles from today's articles, compile them into a collection, print a batch, and send them to the officials and gentry of each prefecture for their understanding, so that everyone can participate and have more meaningful things to say."

Hai Rui nodded and said, "Prefect Cai is magistrate and has a broad mind. I'll do as you say."

After a pause, he finally smiled and said, "But let the governor's office print it, so that the various prefectures can pay more attention to it."

"Yes." Prefect Cai and Assistant Minister Niu responded quickly.

~~

Although Hai Rui did not set a deadline, Niu Chenshi took the initiative to put pressure on himself and completed the woodblock printing and binding in just three days. After asking Hai Zhongcheng to review it, he immediately sent the booklet to all the prefectures and counties under his jurisdiction.

After reading this, the governors of prefectures and counties finally felt less panicked. This was because it showed at least three things. First, Lord Hai could sense everyone's concerns and was willing to comfort them.

Second, Hai Rui expressed his support for industry and commerce. This is also the most important point. After all, there is no region in the entire Ming Dynasty that is as small in land and densely populated as Jiangnan, and highly dependent on industry and commerce. If the governor governs according to the strategy of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce in other places, it will definitely be a disaster for the prefectures and states.

Third, Hai Gong is not as extremely stubborn and extremely hostile to the rich as the legend says. This is a timely reassurance for the wealthy class.

However, Hai Rui did not compromise on his demands on officials. The "Regulations for Governors and Governors-General" forced officials to become ascetics with him, woo woo...

Not surprisingly, this pamphlet, entitled "On the Desires of the Rich and Noble," was soon placed in front of the wealthy families and wealthy businessmen in various prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River.

After reading the first article, the wealthy gentlemen who lived in mansions with blackened doors, wore patched robes, and ate porridge with pickles, all shed tears of gratitude.

"We have wronged Lord Hai..."

"Mr. Hai is so kind and righteous!"

"I'm so stupid, really. I finally managed to book a private room at Weijixian but I didn't go to eat..."

The rich gentlemen were all moved to tears of gratitude, like fat pigs thanking the butcher for not killing them.

"Someone, take out the pig food on the table, and throw away all the junk in the house!" The old man, who had been suppressed for too long, immediately became arrogant. "Take out my Hailong hat and Foxcrown coat. I won't pretend anymore. I am a fucking rich man!"

"Hurry up and book a table at Weijixian. We need to celebrate tonight!"

"Go to Chenxiang Street and ask if Miss Zheng and the others have returned. I need to have sex tonight!"

The wealthy people who had been dormant for almost a month came out and started revenge consumption.

Suzhou got the news first, and all the entertainment venues outside the Changmen Gate reopened almost that same day. Big Teapot ran around the city with fragrant invitations, inviting patrons to come and have fun.

In fact, most of the girls have not returned yet, and the madam is eager to go into battle herself.

But there is no way. The economic situation this year is too bad. If we don’t work harder, we won’t be able to make it through the end of the year.

Within a few days, the city of Nanjing also received the news.

Wei Ji Xian was packed again on the same day, with reservations waiting for a table extending to a month later.

The riverside towers on the Qinhuai River also lit up with beautiful lights one after another.

Amid the lights and the sound of oars, the pleasure boats on the river resumed business, and the city of Jinling returned to its former life of feasting and revelry.

It's like a sudden spring breeze, thousands of pear trees are in bloom...

ps. The third update. I would also like to clarify that Li Zhi’s economic thought is not something I made up, it is indeed something from the Adam Smith school. And I am not a liberal, but for the Ming Dynasty at that time, Li Zhi was indeed very valuable.