LiQing

Li Qing traveled back to the early Ming Dynasty. By a stroke of fate, he became a disciple of Zhang Latta and had been living an easy life. In the 15th year of Hongwu's reign, Empress Ma was seriously ill. By a strange twist of fate, Li Qing became the attending doctor. From then on, Li Qing embarked on his journey in the Ming Dynasty.
 
He had experienced the bloodshed in the Hongwu period and had been involved in the cruel war of the Jingnan Campaign. He had witnessed the grandeur of all nations paying tribute during the Yongle period and the prosperity of the Renxuan Reign. He had served as a member of the Jinyiwei and had also become a cabinet minister. He had fought against the Tartar and Oirat tribes and had also battled against Japanese pirates. He was a close friend of Wang Yangming and had also frequented brothels with Tang Bohu... He was a man forgotten by the long river of time.

The Stories of Mine in the Ming Dynasty of China in 1368

Li Qing motioned for Liu Qiang to sit and poured him water. *"Speak slowly."*

Liu drained the cup, wiping his mouth. *"Ouyang Lun exploits his imperial ties to buy tea at half the market price, ruining farmers. Many starved. Then he smuggles it beyond the borders for massive profits!"*

*"And local officials ignored this?"*

*"They knew!"* Liu grimaced. *"But who dares challenge the Emperor's own son-in-law? Princess Anqing is His Majesty's blood!"*

Li Qing's fists clenched. *"Farmers petitioned?"*

*"Those who tried were beaten or jailed. Silence followed fear."*

Rage simmered beneath Li Qing's calm. This wasn't his modern world of laws. *"Continue."*

*"Ouyang's caravans—dozens of wagons—storm checkpoints untaxed. Guards who resist? Beaten to death. Over a dozen corpses. Provincial officers seethe but stay mute."*

*"Oppressing peasants, murdering officials, smuggling—any one warrants execution. Why no reports?"*

Liu gave him a sidelong glance. *"Surely you don't believe 'the Emperor's kin face commoner's justice'?"*

*"We uncovered this quickly because his crimes are too vast to hide,"* Liu said. *"But with the Emperor's bond… Who'd make his daughter a widow?"*

Princesses couldn't remarry under rigid Neo-Confucian codes—a royal face-saving edict crueler than any law.

*"The penalty for private tea trade?"* Li Qing asked coldly.

*"Extermination of nine lineages—regardless of quantity."*

*"Tea's more vital than salt or iron,"* Liu explained. *"It's our leash on northern tribes. They need it to survive—nutrition, meat tenderizing. We trade it for their horses. Ouyang arms potential rebels!"*

Understanding dawned. Tea wasn't a luxury—it was geopolitical currency. Ouyang's treason transcended greed.

*"With such scale, he's died ten times over,"* Li Qing hissed. *Any ruler would execute this—especially Zhu Yuanzhang.*

*"Should we inform Commander Mao?"* Liu hesitated.

Liu produced witness testimonies. *"Farmers, tax officers. Raid his estates tomorrow, and mountains of proof will bury him."*

*"Good. I'll report to Commander Mao at dawn. Watch Ouyang's mansion tonight—alert me if he stirs."*

**Next Morning, Zhenfusi Headquarters**

Commander Mao Xiang paled reviewing the documents. *"Madness. Even for royalty…"*

*"Your orders, Commander?"* Li Qing pressed.

Mao summoned all senior officers. When assembled, he tossed the evidence on the table. *"We petition the Emperor together."*

Deputy Commander Zhang Heng broke the silence. *"Li Qianhu's… enthusiasm risks us all. Ouyang represents the imperial kin network. Attack him, and we declare war on every princess's husband."*

Li Qing countered, *"Concealing this is treason. Would you rather face the Emperor's wrath?"*

Advisor Liu Ming intervened. *"Drag Sichuan officials into this. Let them share blame. When Ouyang falls, their negligence becomes complicity. They'll beg to stand with us."*

Mao nodded slowly. *"Zhang Jing, take men to Sichuan—"*

A panting Liu Qiang burst in. *"Commander! Ouyang Lun… He's entered the palace with Princess Anqing!"*

Li Qing's jaw tightened. The prey had fled to the lion's den—and the lion adored his cub.

*"Mobilize now,"* Mao ordered. *"Before they sway the Emperor."*

As officers scattered, Li Qing gripped his sword hilt. Today would test whether justice could pierce the heart of power itself.

Chapter 33: The Crimes of Ouyang Lun