Zhu Youjian, however, was somewhat unconvinced.
“Master Gao, there’s something wrong with what you’re saying.”
In recent months, Zhu Youjian has had everything go smoothly.
With Wei Zhongxian dead, the Donglin Party was finished.
Although there is no clear evidence, it is highly likely that Huang Taiji, the chieftain of the Jurchens in Liaodong, was also killed by Li Zicheng with a cannon shot.
The disaster situation in Shaanxi and Gansu was alleviated to a great extent by recruiting able-bodied men from the local area for disaster relief.
Seeing that the gentry of Jiangnan were about to be dealt with, he couldn't help but feel a little smug.
"Could it be that those gentry are planning a rebellion?"
“Without the support of the local people, the gentry are like trees without roots.”
"Isn't this exactly what you said, Master Gao? They're doomed once they lose that mass base!"
Gao Qingyun was actually quite happy after hearing this.
"Haha, it seems that even though you don't usually come to class, you still know quite a bit about what I'm talking about."
He nodded repeatedly at Zhu Youjian, first praising him.
The tone changed completely when he heard Zhu Youjian's laughter.
“But Xiao Zhu, have you forgotten that the influence of the gentry in Jiangnan is not limited to Jiangnan?”
Zhu Youjian frowned: "You mean the Donglin Party? They've been around for a long time..."
Gao Qingyun waved his hand to interrupt.
"I'm not talking about the Donglin Party, I'm talking about the Grand Canal!"
He simply turned around and shouted into the classroom behind him, "Someone, bring me my atlas!"
Several students immediately stood up. They weren't enthusiastic about class, but they were very energetic when it came to doing these chores.
In the end, Zhang Xianzhong was the fastest and managed to grab the so-called atlas.
This atlas was purchased by Zhu Youjian from "town" at Gao Qingyun's request.
Since Zhu Youjian couldn't buy maps from later generations, he simply had craftsmen draw a miniature version of the Complete Map of the World, according to the scale.
Since Gao Qingyun couldn't see it anyway, they just let it slide.
Gao Qingyun told Zhang Xianzhong to open the atlas, turn to the page on the Grand Canal, and then casually said:
"Little Zhu, have you ever heard the saying that the livelihood of millions of canal workers depends on them?"
Zhu Youjian shook his head thoughtfully: "This... I haven't heard of it."
Zhang Xianzhong, who was standing nearby, seized the opportunity to interject.
"Sir, what is this 'million-dollar canal worker'? Does it refer to a canal worker named Zhang, who is worth a million?"
Gao Qingyun slapped his head in an annoyed tone.
"If you don't understand, don't interrupt!"
He then explained to Zhu Youjian:
“The capital of the Ming Dynasty was located in Beizhili, and grain had to be transported from Jiangnan every year.”
“The people of Jiangnan contribute thirty shi of grain. Ten shi are transported to the capital. Ten shi cover the cost. The remaining ten shi go to the canal workers and the canal transport office.”
"Those who live near the mountains live off the mountains, and those who live near the water live off the water. The Grand Canal naturally provided for hundreds of thousands of canal workers."
Zhu Youjian nodded to himself, making a mental note of it, and then pressed for an answer:
"But if the Ming Dynasty only targets the gentry in Jiangnan, why are the grain transport workers causing trouble?"
Gao Qingyun sighed softly.
"Little Zhu, do you really not understand?"
Zhu Youjian was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and pondered for a while before finally realizing the truth.
"I... cough cough, I understand!"
He clapped his hands and said, "Since the canal workers rely on the Grand Canal for their livelihood, they naturally have intricate connections with the gentry of Jiangnan."
"If the gentry instigate unrest among the grain transport workers while deliberately delaying the transport of grain, leaving the workers without food."
"They're definitely going to jump out!"
Gao Qingyun smiled and said, "It seems you reacted quite quickly, Xiao Zhu."
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Xiao Zhu, I understand what you mean by asking me these questions."
Zhu Youjian was startled:
"Could it be that Master Gao already knows that this is the Ming Dynasty?"
He broke out in a cold sweat, unsure of what to do.
Then Zhu Youjian spoke up: "You're going to take action against some people in Dahe Village, so you want to learn some lessons from the history of the Ming Dynasty, right?"
Zhu Youjian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Master Gao, you are right, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
He exchanged a few more pleasantries with Gao Qingyun before hurriedly leaving.
After leaving Taiye Pond, Zhu Youjian immediately ordered: "Someone, quickly send an imperial edict to Jiangnan, telling them to be very careful of any trouble caused by the grain transport work!"
A few days later, the imperial edict arrived in Jiangnan.
After receiving the imperial edict, Li Ruolian showed a hesitant expression.
He turned to look at Zhou Yanru and asked hesitantly, "His Majesty's decree means that we should send tens of thousands of troops to assist in the defense of both sides of the canal."
"To prevent the canal workers from causing trouble."
"However... if we do that, our arrangements in Jinling will not be completed."
A few days ago, Zhou Yanru's words alienated the local people and gentry of Nanjing.
But he also knew that the gentry had been entrenched in the southeast for many years and had too much influence in the hearts of the people.
Even if he offers benefits in advance, the people will at most remain neutral.
As for the small landlords who were close to the gentry, and the minor officials at all levels, they would certainly still side with the gentry.
If we were to arrest the gentry and then plunder them on a large scale, we would still need troops to support us.
They brought 70,000 to 80,000 people from Jiangnan, but that probably won't be enough.
If half of the people were to be sent to the canal, it would be even more insufficient.
Li Ruolian frowned and asked, "What exactly should we do?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanru instinctively wanted to hear Zheng Chenggong's meaning, but he quickly realized what was going on.
It seems that Zheng Chenggong's father came by boat, so he ran over to greet him.
Zhou Yanru was slightly disappointed: "This kid certainly knows how to pick his time... Wait, when did I become so dependent on him?"
He was startled, and then realized that he actually wanted to hear Zheng Chenggong's opinion in the face of the emperor's decree.
Zhou Yanru shook his head slightly: "It seems that I've become a bit indecisive after spending so much time with that child."
He raised his head and said to Li Ruolian, "We must still listen to His Majesty."
"We will do exactly what the imperial edict says."
Li Ruolian looked visibly disappointed after hearing this.
"Isn't this a bad idea?"
Zhou Yanru guessed his thoughts and knew that Li Ruolian must think that if they split up their forces now, the matter in Jinling could only be put on hold.
If it gets delayed for several days and other unforeseen events occur, that would be bad.
He smiled and said, "General Li, you're mistaken. Since it's the Emperor's decree, it's naturally far-sighted. How could it be bad?"
He started by making a grand entrance, then whispered to Li Ruolian:
"Haven't you heard the old saying, 'If you don't follow the master's orders, you'll work yourself to death for nothing'?"
"We will follow the imperial decree, and even if problems arise, we will not be held responsible."
"However, if we disobey the imperial edict, even if we deal with all the gentry in Jiangnan, we will be in deep trouble if His Majesty holds us accountable afterward."
Upon hearing this, Li Ruolian immediately realized that something was amiss.
As a subject, how can one only think of oneself?
But just as he was about to retort, he stopped.
He thought to himself, "When I first led troops out of the pass, I also had doubts about the emperor's decree, but afterward, I realized that His Majesty was right."
"so……"
After hesitating for a moment, Li Ruolian had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"In that case, let's split up."
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