Li Xinge Strikes Back

"Old Jiang, I have the following arrangements. Write them down."

"Yes, Lord."

Elder Jiang respectfully acknowledged.

Li Xinge narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "First, immediately make and distribute copies of the joint petition. In particular, make sure the great clans of the eight southern provinces learn how lightly the court treats local public opinion!"

"Second, send an order to the River Transport Department of Yang Province. Starting today, Yang Province's river transport will impose an additional thirty percent 'bandit suppression tax.' All vessels heading north will be charged double."

"Third, inform the governors of the other six provinces that if His Majesty can shelve a memorial representing the will of our people in Yang Province today, he can use the same method against them tomorrow. This strikes at the very roots of our great clans. We southern clans must unite. If one province's memorial is shelved, the other six provinces will immediately stop paying their annual tributes! Have you written it all down?"

"I have," Elder Jiang replied.

He added a word of flattery: "Lord, you are brilliant. These three moves strike straight at that man's vital points."

"Have someone carry it out."

Li Xinge spoke indifferently.

"Yes, Lord."

Li Xinge's counterattack was like three sharp blades, stabbing straight into the heart of the court.

The first blade was the blade of public opinion.

With the Li Family pushing it forward, copies of the joint petition—signed by every great clan and sect in Yang Province and recommending Li Xinge as Governor of Yang Province—spread throughout the realm.

It ruthlessly exposed the court's contempt for and disregard of local public opinion.

"Public opinion in Yang Province is raging, yet the court actually turns a blind eye, shelving the memorial without issuing it. No wonder the hearts of everyone under