"Second, prohibit the private sale of prohibited drugs; opium is a toxic substance from foreign barbarians. Those who consume it become emaciated and unproductive. From today, each customs office shall strictly inspect foreign ships for concealed goods. Any found will be incinerated immediately, and any sellers, regardless of being Han or barbarian, will be treated as 'undermining the state'. The ringleader will be executed by dismemberment, and buyers will be exiled three thousand li..."
The decrees were listed clearly, with harsh penalties.
The seals of the Imperial Supervision Office and the Five Cities Military and Horse Department were all freshly stamped in vermilion.
So that's why...
Li Yan understood the moment he saw it.
It appears the court was thoroughly provoked by the incident at Jinmen Pier.
The civil laws are severe, but the struggles within the court are likely even fiercer.
