"To bring Great Prosperity under thorough governance and give the imperial capital of Great Ming more of the grandeur befitting the Celestial Empire, we must govern commerce and govern the people. Some time ago, I led you in collecting sanitation fees. The merchants responded enthusiastically and paid voluntarily, filling the coffers of our Great Prosperity yamen.
"Now that we have collected their silver, we must do the work. I have heard that local thugs have been running rampant through the neighborhoods, leaving merchants unable to conduct business in peace and ordinary people unable to shop without worry. Worse still, there are villains who steal and snatch children for caisheng zhege—maiming them for profit. They are utterly deranged, devoid of all human conscience, and their crimes are unforgivable.
"Some break into homes to steal. Some rob people in broad daylight. Some molest respectable young women in the streets. Others gather gangs of thugs to bully people and prevent them from doing business. All such matters disgrace our great empire. If the barbarian states see this, they will think that Great Ming, a dignified land of rites and propriety, is filled with criminals who run wild above the law.
"Starting today, post notices inviting the people to bring their complaints before us, and I will see justice done for them. You all know the street thugs too. This time, wipe them out in one sweep. Whoever dares tip them off or release anyone without authorization will be expelled from the county yamen. If you want to be hooligans and care so much about that bullshit brotherhood, then go be hooligans. Don't stay in the yamen and offend my eyes.
"Keep watch over one another. Anyone who knows and fails to report it will share the guilt. If even one such case is