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Chapter 214:
Chapter 214:
Chapter 214:
Chapter 214
In the dead of night, at the base of Mount Zhongnan, nearly a hundred miles away from Changan, there stood a factory. The loud noises emanating from it occasionally started the nearby birds and sparrows. Lu Yang surveyed the factory from a high vantage point in a pavilion halfway up the mountain. He served as the chief overseer of all the factories the Lu clan of Fanyang in Changan owned.
Lu Yang's ancestors had served the Lu clan as commoners, but by his grandfather's time, they had been acknowledged and bestowed with the Lu surname by the family's leader. For three generations, they had faithfully acted as stewards of the Lu clan, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the Fanyang Lu clan.
The forge at the foot of Mount Zhongnan was the Lu clan's largest industry in Changan, and Lu Yang was typically stationed here. The night was dark, and the factory at the foot of the mountain was brightly illuminated. Observing this scene, a smile couldn't help but appear on Lu Yang's face. Just over a dozen days ago, the collapse of the forging factory by the Qu Factory River had allegedly caused quite a commotion. Crown Prince Yongle had displayed hostility towards the influential families, and according to the circulating rumors, he was planning to take action against the factories.
At that time, Lu Yang had been frightened. As the chief overseer of the Fanyang Lu clan's holdings in Changan, he couldn't escape blame for that incident. Subsequently, Crown Prince Yongle used this as a pretext to issue regulations for the restructuring of factories.
Lu Yang had feared the worst, but his family head summoned him and not only restrained from punishing him and encouraged him. Following the incident, Lu Yang learned that the Five Clans and Seven Aristocratic Families had united and were preparing to resist the regulations imposed by Crown Prince Yongle. The complexities of power struggles among high-ranking figures were beyond Lu Yang's comprehension. However, spending his days in the factory, he had grasped some of the trade tricks.
Crown Prince Yongle aims to limit the working hours of the factories, allowing them to operate for only four hours a day and requiring a two-day break every five days. Numerous regulations had been put in place, but none had been successfully enforced thus far. As someone in charge, Lu Yang naturally understood the reasons behind this. The factories didn't compel workers to work a specific number of hours, it was all voluntary labor. Others couldn't meddle in that. The Lu clan wasn't violating the regulations. Hadn't they seen him, a steward, coming up the mountain so late at night just to enjoy the breeze? He simply didn't want to provide anyone with ammunition to claim that he was supervising within the factory.
Evidently, in this struggle between the influential families and Crown Prince Yongle, the latter had lost. Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh. Crown Prince Yongle, of course, was aware of that. In fact, in the Great Tang, hardly anyone didn't recognize his name. Even his current position as the overseer of this prosperous Changan factory under the Lu clan, which made even a fellow Lu clan steward envious, had been granted by Crown Prince Yongle.
It was said that Crown Prince Yongle was like a star descending from the heavens, yet how was it that he couldn't grasp even the simplest of truths? Even the Emperor had to make concessions when dealing with the influential families. Could Crown Prince Yongle truly dare to provoke them? Wasn't he merely throwing an egg at a rock? Reflecting on these thoughts, Lu Yang couldn't help but chuckle. “Great reputation often accompanies empty talents...”
Suddenly, his ears perked up, and he abruptly stood up, looking down towards the mountain's base. Bathed in moonlight, he spotted a group of dozens of riders galloping towards the forging factory. “What's happening?” A jolt ran through Lu Yang's heart. The land within a five-li radius around the factory had all been purchased by the Lu clan. Ordinary people would be warned and prevented from getting close to the outer perimeter, but these individuals could approach without hindrance. Their identities were undoubtedly extraordinary. Something was missed...Lu Yang hurriedly made his way to the factory. Midway there, the noise from the factory suddenly stopped. Although the building had the capacity for several hundred people, it was now quiet, completely devoid of any sound.
This unsettling scene sent chills down Lu Yang's spine, so he quickened his pace to a jog. Fifteen minutes later, he finally reached the factory's entrance. As he looked up, he saw dozens of well-armored soldiers standing before the gate.
Approaching them, they simultaneously turned their heads towards him and gave him a stern glance. The way they stared at him, like he were a doomed man, sent a shiver down Lu Yang's spine. Oddly, the slightly exaggerated white horse standing among them lowered its head, and its eyes displayed remarkable human-like emotions as it curiously observed him.
This horse… A deep chill ran through Lu Yang. Who in all of Changan didn't know that Crown Prince Yongle possessed a divine steed named White Dragon, the White Dragon? Such an extraordinary horse was likely unparalleled in the entire world. Was Crown Prince Yongle present?
Lu Yang felt shock and trepidation as he cautiously entered the factory. At this moment, all the machinery had come to a halt, and the workers stood in their positions, heads bowed, too afraid to utter a word.
A tall figure with his back turned to Lu Yang and stood silently. “Lu Yang, a humble individual, pays respects to Your Highness!” Lu Yang bowed to the figure.
Soon after, he saw that legendary figure turn his head, and his gaze swept back and forth over Lu Yang. Instantly, Lu Yang felt a cold sweat forming on his back. Although he had somewhat underestimated Su Li when they were on the mountain, facing Su Li in person brought forth immense pressure similar to a mountain's weight.
“I've issued a decree prohibiting nighttime work. Why are you still working at this hour?” Su Li's tone was calm as he inquired.
Upon hearing Su Li's question, Lu Yang's nervousness waned. After all, he was a steward groomed by an influential family. He quickly composed himself, considering his response.
“Your Highness, I have already posted the decree throughout the factory. I even had someone read it aloud to ensure everyone understood. However, the workers couldn't shake off their guilty conscience and were afraid we might suffer losses. So, they voluntarily chose to work overtime, and we couldn’t stop them…”
Su Li nodded and turned to look at the group of workers trembling like quails. “Is what he said true?”
Immediately, a foreman arranged by Lu Yang stepped forward, eager to comply. “Your Highness, what Master Lu said is entirely true.”
“Yes, we workers are used to idleness, and the kind family provides us with meals. Now that our working hours have been reduced, yet we still receive the same pay as before, we feel guilty.”
“At this hour, what else would we do at home? It’s better to work here and treat it as post-meal entertainment.”
A bunch of foremen were eager to explain, one after another. Seeing this scene, a hint of disdain curled up at the corner of Lu Yang's mouth. At this moment, he truly had no fear. Even if Crown Prince Yongle was imposing and mighty, could he force the workers to go home when they were willingly working overtime? Moreover, behind him stood the Lu clan of Fanyang. Lu Yang's confidence grew stronger.
When he looked at Su Li's back, a trace of pity welled up within him. It would have been so much better to be a good prince. Why would he want to be an enemy of the influential families…
After this incident, Crown Prince Yongle's reputation would probably decline dramatically! Following this thought, Lu Yang's heart began to stir with excitement. Perhaps he would be the first to make Crown Prince Yongle face a setback since he rose to prominence. Having such an achievement, this lifetime wouldn't be lived in vain!
However, just as he was lost in his daydream, a cold light suddenly flashed in his eyes. Then, Lu Yang realized that his line of sight was rising higher and higher. Subsequently, a sharp pain shot through his neck.
“I...” Before his consciousness could fade entirely, Lu Yang felt his face slam heavily onto the ground. A headless body sprayed blood like a fountain before collapsing backward.