When the court's decree first went out, no one took it seriously. After all, no change would come that quickly.
But after Luo Xin decided to make examples of offenders and executed two wealthy merchants in succession for trying to force purchases and sales with debased coins, the whole realm felt the court's resolve.
Some tried to hold the common people hostage to pressure the court, using covert threats and intimidation to create the appearance that the people were accepting the coins willingly.
But the Luo Clan had never been one to let itself be held hostage. Luo Xin forced the people to stand on his side. When hearing cases, he asked only twice, and anyone who shielded the offenders was treated as an accomplice.
Whether they had been threatened or not, anyone who still shielded the offenders the second time was exiled straight to Lingnan.
Not daring to resist alone was perfectly normal. Luo Xin said he understood.
But when the court had already come to uphold justice for them, still not daring to resist was inexcusable.
All Xia absolutely could not let obedient subjects become the majority!
People had to dare to resist, have the courage to resist, and become skilled at resisting. Only then could they increase their value as people worth winning over and force their rulers to improve their treatment.
Rather than being on the verge of starvation and still having people say, "The people of this land are the most simple and honest. As long as they have a mouthful of food, they won't rebel."
That had never been a virtue. It was servility sunk deep into the marrow.
Luo Xin's ruthless measures instantly cowed many who had been itching to act.
Worse still, Luo Xin was, in a sense, a lone minister. Lü