Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Chapter 1015

But Gong Honghai did not give up. He turned around and ran to Zhang Hai and shouted.

"Sir, since I haven't committed any crime, why are you arresting me, a member of the Gong family? Is there no law in the Ming Dynasty?"

"Who says there is no law? I follow the law."

Zhang Hai responded with a faint smile, and then continued:

"The imperial court is currently constructing roads in Jiangnan, but due to a lack of manpower, the project has come to a halt. According to the law, we are now conscripting eligible civilians to perform labor service."

"Corvée?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Honghai looked at Zhang Hai with a look of astonishment on his face.

Serving corvée, what does this have to do with the Gong family? What an unfamiliar term!

From the founding of the Ming Dynasty to the present, no one in the Gong family has ever performed corvee labor.

But now, this person came to their house and asked these descendants of their family to perform labor service. Isn't this like asking for their lives?

These younger generations in the family grew up in luxury, so how could they do hard labor like those lowly peasants?

No, this is absolutely not possible. If I really go, I will be laughed to death by others.

After making up his mind, Gong Honghai looked at Zhang Hai with a firm gaze and said bluntly:

"Sir, the general law allows for the use of silver in lieu of corvée labor. My Gong family paid the money to exempt these younger generations from corvée labor."

"Silver in lieu of service?"

Zhang Hai glanced at Gong Honghai sideways, and then said something that made Gong Honghai's head smoke.

"It's too late now. I just asked you if you wanted to pay, and you didn't answer me, so I assumed you didn't want to pay."

Just this one sentence made Gong Honghai's head smoke. He had never heard Zhang Hai mention paying the money.

Even the matter of performing corvee labor was only just mentioned, and it was only after he repeatedly asked about it.

So after Zhang Hai finished speaking, Gong Honghai immediately denied it.

"But, but I have never heard you ask about this matter, so how can I answer you?"

"Didn't you hear that? That's not right! I just said that!"

As he spoke, Zhang Hai turned his head and glanced to both sides of his left, then asked directly.

"Did you hear me just now asking him if he wanted to pay money in lieu of labor service?"

The yamen runners were not fools, so they naturally knew what to do at this time. As soon as Zhang Hai finished speaking, they responded.

"I heard it. Your Excellency just made it very clear whether we should pay silver to offset the corvée labor, but Boss Gong didn't answer."

"Yes, that's right. I heard it too. The adult's voice was very clear, and he asked twice."

"What do you mean two times? It's clearly three times. The adults have confirmed it again and again, but Boss Gong just won't answer. I don't know what he's thinking."

A dozen or so yamen runners echoed in his voice, and Gong Honghai finally understood.

It's obvious that this person is here to cause trouble. If you want to resolve the issue of corvée labor, you have to deal with this person first.

So after a brief silence, Gong Honghai bowed slightly and lowered his voice.

"Sir, is there any misunderstanding here? Why don't we move to the back hall..."

Gong Honghai's original intention was to solve the problem using conventional methods. After all, there is nothing in this world that cannot be solved by money.

However, before he could finish his words, Zhang Hai waved his hand to interrupt him and asked:

"You want to bribe me?"

"Ah! Um... No, that's not it. I just wanted to have some peace and quiet in the back room, so I discussed with you about using silver in lieu of labor service."

"It's fine if it's not a bribe, but your hearing problems are your business. I've asked repeatedly, and it's too late to ask for money now!"

Zhang Hai responded casually, not wanting to waste any more words with him, and turned around to take his men away.

But who knew that as soon as he turned around, Gong Honghai ran in front of him again, blocking his way, and it seemed that he wanted to struggle again.

But Zhang Hai didn't have the time to spare. He reached out and grabbed Gong Honghai's collar, ready to throw him aside.

However, Zhang Hai never expected that this casual grab would allow him to discover something more interesting.

Then, under everyone's gaze, Zhang Hai's face darkened and he shouted loudly.

"Gong Honghai, you are so brave!!"

Until now, Gong Honghai still didn't know what happened. He just thought that Zhang Hai was angry because he was blocking the way.

So while he was still able to speak, he quickly started to explain.

"Sir, sir, my son is still young and has never done any physical work. I'm afraid this will cost him half his life!"

"Besides, there was never a designated candidate for the corvée labor. We only said that my Gong family is willing to provide someone to replace my son to perform the corvée labor."

Gong Honghai wanted to do his best to save his son, or at least his legitimate son, but all he got in response was a sneer.

"Gong Honghai, this isn't a matter of corvée labor anymore. Now, you're the one committing the crime!"

Just when Gong Honghai was confused and didn't know what was going on, Zhang Hai suddenly grabbed his clothes and pulled them hard.

Tear~!

When Gong Honghai's outer clothes were torn, the inner clothes he was wearing were finally exposed.

The inner garment was made of pure white silk and had complicated patterns embroidered on it with gold thread, which was a big problem.

At the same time, when Zhang Hai tore off his coat, Gong Honghai's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He finally remembered now that he had been in a hurry and had not been able to change his inner clothes back to normal material.

Now that it was laid out in front of everyone, he finally understood why Zhang Hai had just said that he was the one who committed the crime.

In an instant, boundless fear overwhelmed his consciousness, and he became as stiff as a piece of wood.

But Zhang Hai would not stay in a daze. He immediately gave orders to the yamen runners around him.

"Everyone, listen up! Search all bedrooms in the Gong family immediately to see if there are any other unauthorized clothing!"

Upon hearing Zhang Hai's order, the yamen runners immediately released the younger generations of the Gong family and rushed straight into the backyard.

Less than five minutes later, the bailiffs came back, each holding a few pieces of luxurious clothes.

The most important thing is that these clothes are all made of silk and come in all colors and patterns.

Seeing these things, Zhang Hai's smile became even wider. He stared at Gong Honghai and said coldly:

"According to the Ming Dynasty etiquette and laws, common people are not allowed to wear gold embroidery, brocade, silk, or satin as clothing. Gong Honghai, you are so bold!"

"Arrest all members of the Gong family and bring them back to the government office. Anyone who dares to resist will be punished even more severely!"

Afterwards, not long after, Gong Honghai and his family were arrested and escorted to the prefectural government office!