C665 Speech (1/2)
Gradually, the plaza in front of the Prime Minister's Manor's gate was filled with people. There were ordinary citizens, merchants of the wealthy side, as well as the civil officials of the Ryukyu and the generals of the new army.
In the end, even King Shang Tai walked into the group of people, and there was even a group of foreigners whispering beside him. Not long later, Lin Zhen's classmates and his comrades from the new army also came over. They didn't even dare to try to persuade him otherwise.
Amidst the buzzing sounds of discussion, the Lin Family servants ran over with beds on their backs. Lin Yuanmiao was lying on his bed with his head wrapped in white cloth, kowtowing while sweating profusely.
”Sinner Lin Yuanmiao has failed to live up to the Prime Minister's love. ”I only beg you, Prime Minister, to not implicate my children and to not implore you …” ”Wuu!” Then he burst into tears.
If the Prime Minister was angry, he would definitely die, this was something even children in the Ryukyu understood, and the Prime Minister's anger had been burning for six days already, the officials and generals of the Ryukyu were thoroughly investigated, and Lin Yuanmiao, on his knees in the Prime Minister's Manor, did not receive any forgiveness.
This was the beginning of Xing Da Prison. Could it be that with this seven hundred thousand silver, the entire family would be exterminated?
Xiao Letian's Prime Minister's Manor was actually made from's military camp. The originally exquisite Japanese-style courtyard was preserved, and the military camp at the back went in. The main entrance of the plaza was opened wide, allowing for over a thousand people to gather here.
Just as the Lin father and son duo were kowtowing and discussing amongst themselves, a respectful voice came from the entrance. Everyone knew that the Prime Minister had already come out.
All of them stood up straight to show their respect. When Xiao Letian who was dressed in his military uniform walked out of the door, all of the soldiers present saluted. All of them took off their hats and bowed, while the rest cupped their hands and bowed.
Xiao Letian raised his hand to return the military salute, and then looked at the Lin Family father and son calmly.
”Do you know why I haven't seen you all these days?”
”I know, the Prime Minister is furious, father and son are aware of their crimes …” We are willing to scatter all our wealth to atone for our sins! ” The two of them bowed and didn't dare to get up.
”Wrong, although I am angry, I have not lost my mind. Since you all have repaid the spoils, then there is no reason for you all to die, Ryukyu does not have such a law …” There are a few things I didn't understand when I saw you guys get up, but I understand now! ”
”Why are you embezzling? The money was already enough to make a rich life, why did he still go to the extent of embezzling it? What was the underlying reason? What kind of values underpin your actions? ”
Hearing the series of rhetorical questions, Zai Chun and Shang Tai who were hiding in the crowd became excited, even the civil and military officials became alert. They knew that what the Prime Minister was going to say next would very likely be the outline of the future governance.
”Everything has a source. When the flood comes rolling in, it is always a great achievement not to find a water source and blindly dredge it up. This is also true of the human heart. I just want to ask you, when you were being corrupt, what exactly did you think? ”
”Lin Yuanmiao's tears flowed freely,” I am ashamed of my greed, my heart is disturbed by the white and flowery silver … I, I, I, I have let the prime minister down! ”
”Greed? Could the word 'greedy' really explain everything? I ask you, why don't you take the money from the carpenters, masons, and masons on the site? The fishermen by the sea and the farmers in the fields have money in their hands, so why don't you go for it? ”
Lin Zhen was annoyed, he straightened his waist and said, ”Prime Minister, you cannot insult us. My Lin Family is greedy, but we will not steal food from the common people.
”Ah?” I understand, if the common people don't have enough money, you don't have to be greedy, but if the merchants have more money, you can be greedy? Is that what you're really thinking? ”
This sentence caused the Lin Family to be at a loss for words. The surrounding people also began to whisper to each other. Xiao Letian did not ask anymore questions, and started to answer his own questions.
”It took me six days to sort out the context of the problem, but it's still about our culture. ”We all know that the Ryukyu is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. The concept that only the highest in education and the highest in business has long been deeply imprinted in our hearts …”
Rather than saying that you're greedy, I think it's more like the evil effect of the officialdom. You're still a bureaucrat in essence, and the official in your heart is the highest, while merchants are the lowest. Seeing merchants earn money, your hearts will naturally be unwilling.
”Take a look, a lowly merchant can actually make a million in one go. His family's wealth actually exceeds a first rank official like me?” ”How can we …”
Xiao Letian looked at all the merchants who were watching and shouted, ”Ask about your hearts, and interrogate your own consciences, do you guys have any such thoughts?”
”In your subconscious mind, officials should be noble, merchants should be lowly … ”Therefore, from previous dynasties, you all have suppressed merchants. As long as their wealth shows more than yours, you all will have to resort to underhanded means. You all will have to take away a portion to make up for your loss and unwillingness …”
”Haha …” Why is China unable to industrialise until now? Why can't capitalism sprout? In the final analysis, it is bureaucratic repression of businessmen... ”
Secretary Li's tone shocked everyone present, including Hu Xueyan and the other merchants who had not left. They did not know why, but their eyes suddenly turned red.