376-379
Chapter 376: Killing Yuan Jingmeng To Swap Blood
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the dark, the unlucky calls of birds rang out. The clouds parted, and the moon shone out. Occasional black shadows flitted across the tips of trees.
"Up the mountain," Fan Xian said to Deng Zi Yue as he and Gao Da returned to the carriage. "Go quietly."
Deng Zi Yue nodded and gently moved the reigns. The horse with the bite pulled the carriage and rounded the deathly silent courtyard toward the back of the city. Behind the courtyard was a mountain, hidden in the darkness. With spring trees blocking, if anyone was looking down from there, they wouldn't be able to discover the group.
In the carriage, Fan Xian silently took off his gloves. They were as thin as a layer of skin. He used the gloves to carefully wipe the blood off the soft sword and confirmed there was no trace of blood left. He then sheathed the sword once more around his waist and flicked his index finger firmly. Some powder flicked onto the gloves. With a swoosh, they went up in flames.
Gao Da glanced at him, took out a metal bucket from under the chair, and placed it in front of him. Fan Xian threw the burning gloves into the metal bucket. He watched the gradually shrinking flame with narrowed eyes. The fire in his eyes also gradually went out. Before too long, the carriage had driven up the mountain.
Below, the courtyard was still silent. The people inside were either dead or fainted, so they could not make any noise. No one knew that homicides had taken place inside, so no one would come to look.
Who knew what Fan Xian was preparing to see as he remained behind on the mountain?
Deng Zi Yue gently stroked the horse's back. He entered the carriage and silently sat down.
Fan Xian lifted a corner of the curtain and gazed downward. After looking for a while, there was still no change.
"It will probably be some time before the other party discovers this." Deng Zi Yue looked at the sky and thought it should be exactly midnight. He advised Fan Xian, "It won't be this early."
Fan Xian smiled and knew that he was indeed a bit anxious. He quietly said something to Gao Da and then leaned against the back of his chair, closed his eyes, and rested.
Gao Da lifted out a rug and covered him with it. Gradually, his slightly cold body warmed up. Fan Xian felt drowsiness overcome him in the warmth and fell into a deep sleep.
…
…
After an indeterminable amount of time, Fan Xian opened his eyes and made a noise.
Deng Zi Yue lifted the curtain and gazed downward. He lowered his voice and said, "They're here."
Fan Xian lifted the rug and placed his head near the window. He narrowed his eyes as he looked down. He saw that outside of Yuan Meng's hidden manor suddenly came a person. He gently knocked on the door with great familiarity. The rhythm of the knocks clearly hid some kind of secret signal. It looked like he was the middleman responsible for the communication between the Jiangnan powers and Yuan Meng.
He wore simple cotton clothes, and his face was normal. He knocked on the manor door for a while and found that no one answered him. He seemed to be a bit surprised and nervous, and immediately retreated into the darkness.
Fan Xian, who was monitoring from the mountain, was not anxious, he knew this person would come back.
As expected, the person did not go far. In a moment, there was an extra head above the northwest corner of the wall that sneakily looked out. It was that person looking into the garden to see what had happened.
He summoned the courage and jumped into the garden. The three people on the mountain were no longer able to see what he saw in the garden, they only heard a very stifled cry. It should be that he had finally found the tragic scene of the large number of bodies and puddles of blood in the garden.
The manor door was immediately pushed open and a man rushed into the darkness with his head lowered. He was probably going to his master to report.
…
…
Fan Xian stretched in the carriage and yawned. It was only now that he noticed that the edges of the sky had gradually become white. He couldn't resist smiling. "The day is almost here. If the other party wants to hide this matter, they will have to act quickly."
Deng Zi Yue nodded. "Each manor has people watching. There will be a report tomorrow on who receives the message tonight."
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Have a guess. Who exactly do you think will manage the funeral matters for Master Yuan today?"
Deng Zi Yue gave a pained smile and said, "The Suzhou government…will certainly send people here. Sir, I can keep an eye on things here. You should go back to the manor and rest."
Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything. Yuan Meng's death startled the Jiangnan official who was secretly protecting her. The murder was done at night, and the peeping came in the morning. Whichever official could know of Yuan Meng's death within such a short time and hurried here to manage the funeral matters…of course, was the official who played a dishonorable role in this matter.
This morning they should be able to find out just which people in Jiangnan Road were the Eldest Princess' trusted aides.
Fan Xian also had no other choice. The Overwatch Council did not have enough people in Jiangnan, so it was impossible for them to place a fatal spy in every manor. They could only use the method of splitting up the monitoring and use the killing of Yuan Meng to investigate.
…
…
The Suzhou Zhizhou had been busy every day listening to Song Shiren and Chen Bochang debate in court. Not only did he neglect his official duties, his spirit had also been greatly drained. Every night, he fell into a deep sleep. He even rarely was intimate with his favorite third concubine. When he was called out from his bed early this morning, his mood was angry.
After he had heard the message, it was like a basin of cold water had been poured over his head. All of his anger disappeared without a trace in an instant. Shock and deep worry surged in his mind.
Yuan Meng was dead? This had happened too suddenly. How would he explain this to the Second Prince, the Crown Prince, and…the Eldest Princess?
As he anxiously pulled on his clothing, he ordered someone to send the advisor in the manor to him. When the advisor arrived, the Zhizhou was already dressed. With a trace of resentment, he said, "Why did you come so slowly? Yuan Meng is dead!"
All the advisors were trusted aides to these old officials and hid nothing from each other. Of course, this advisor also knew of Yuan Meng and gave a pained smile. "It is what it is. Since the imperial envoy had come to Suzhou, and yet Master Yuan still refused to leave, the final result was certain death."
The Zhizhou furrowed his brows and said, "She was hidden so secretively…do you mean that it was the Overwatch Council that had acted?"
"Other than the Overwatch Council, which other power in Jiangnan could kill Yuan Meng without a sound?" the advisor analyzed. "You must not panic right now. In any case, Yuan Meng has already died. It is impossible for the Overwatch Council to find out our connection to her…if you react badly right now, it will actually cause the Overwatch Council to discover your connection to this matter."
The advisor's considerations were indeed sufficiently prudent.
The Zhizhou thought for a bit and then furrowed his brows. "But…it seems a bit strange. If it was the imperial envoy who acted, why did he kill Yuan Meng instead of having her captured? If the imperial envoy wanted to use the Ministry of Justice's wanted posters to move me, he should not have dealt with it like this."
The advisor had also not understood this point. "Yuan Meng was someone close to the Second Prince and the Crown Prince, although the Ministry of Justice has put out wanted posters, no official under heaven dared to brave the danger of offending the noblemen in Jingdou to bring her to justice. You don't need to be overly worried. Everyone knew of this. As for why the Overwatch Council didn't capture her alive…I think perhaps Master Yuan knew she couldn't endure the Overwatch Council's punishment and so committed suicide."
"We need to go see." The Zhizhou made up his mind. "We need to at least know some details."
The advisor resolutely and decisively advised against it. "Sir, you cannot go."
"Hmm?" The Zhizhou furrowed his brows. "Why? Naturally, I will not go in an official capacity. It is almost daybreak. If it is not quickly tidied up and words gets out…the Ministry of Justice in Jingdou is sure to have things to say, and the Overwatch Council will use this as an excuse to show off. How will our little Suzhou government answer the Emperor's questions?"
"If the Overwatch Council wanted to use this as an excuse to show off, they would not have this made this into a dead problem," the advisor reminded him. "Who knows how many eyes are watching right now over there? You definitely cannot go. As for the funeral arrangements, I will go later in disguise with a few trusted aides."
The Zizhou thought and knew it was indeed better this way and allowed the suggestion. This official and advisor thought they had responded prudently enough, but they never thought that when the advisor disguised himself as Chen Qiyuan and slipped out of the manor, a spy hidden in the alley outside of the Suzhou yamen had seen this scene clearly.
When the Suzhou government advisor arrived at the outside perimeter of the Yuan Meng's secret residence in a curtained sedan chair, he found that there were already some strange people on the streets. His heart clenched. He lifted the curtain to see before he felt at ease. He furrowed his brows at a man in a cloth shirt who had hurried over to the sedan chair and said, "What exactly happened? How did the people just die like this?"
That cloth-clothed man was the Suzhou thousandman and one of the officials roused from his bed today by the news of Yuan Meng's death. He was originally meant to be stationed outside of the city. Since his manor was inside the city, he was actually the first to get here. Hearing the advisor's question, this thousandman said in bad temper, "You ask me? Who am I going to ask?"
The advisor was startled and came down from the sedan chair. The two looked at each other's clothing and couldn't stop themselves sighing and smiled bitterly. A proper official and advisor were both forced to dress in the clothing of commoners.
"Are the streets clean?" the advisor asked carefully as he slightly turned his face and hid his appearance.
The thousandman said, "Relax, my subordinates have already cleaned up. There shouldn't be anyone watching nearby."
The advisor nodded and walked shoulder to shoulder with the thousandman toward the manor.
When they entered the yard and saw the tragic sight of corpses covering the ground, the advisor couldn't help throwing up. He covered his mouth and nose and said, "Where is Yuan Meng's body?"
"In the room?"
The advisor forced down his revulsion and fear, and walked into the room to have a look. He saw Yuan Meng's state of death with her eyes wide open. He went forward to confirm that she had died before the advisor felt himself relax a little. He sighed and said, "I really don't know how we are going to explain this to the capital."
"We'll clean up and then worry," the thousandman said with hatred. "Daybreak is about to arrive. If we let people see this, it will probably spread immediately through Suzhou, and then what will we do?"
"No one came from the Ming family?"
"Those unscrupulous businessmen…they're afraid the imperial envoy is watching in the shadows and refuse to show their face."
…
…
The two walked out of the manor and ran into a few people who had arrived later. A number of people grouped together and spoke with serious expressions. They felt that this should be the work of the Overwatch Council, but it also shouldn't be the Overwatch Council who did it. The discussion went back and forth and twisted this way and that, yet they still did not know how to deal with this.
"The wounds on the body had been ruined, although we can tell it should belong to a sword. It is difficult to discover the style of the sword. We only know that one person acted and, of course, it was an ace," a figure who looked like an expert in criminal law said in a deep voice. "If it was the Overwatch Council killing people, why hide it?"
In the end, it was still the advisor of the Suzhou Zhizhou who made the decision and said coldly, "It is better if this case is not solved. All of us need to retreat and have our subordinates clean this all up. If the Overwatch Council does not bother with it, then bury this matter. If the Overwatch Council truly had us followed…in any case, don't let it drag us down. When they ask questions, just say we received a report and so came to see the situation."
The thousandman spat and cursed, "I'm a martial general, how could I be here looking at the case?"
The advisor rolled his eyes and him and said, "Who asked you to come in such a rush?"
There was nothing to fight about. The people began to split off to their tasks. Those responsible for cleanup went and cleaned up. Those responsible for burying the bodies went and buried the bodies. Those responsible for going home to write up documents went to write documents. As for whether this matter would be reported, that would have to wait to see the news from the imperial envoy.
As these people were busy, they did not discover on the mountain in the distance there was a completely black carriage that slowly drove away like a specter.
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…
The people were killed by Fan Xian, but it was these officials of Jiangnan Road who were burying them. However, he definitely didn't have thoughts to take advantage of them. As for the wounds on the bodies being treated by him again, it was because he didn't want the Sigu sword's wounds to get out. Since it was impossible to frame Dongyi, there was no need to brave this danger. Most importantly, he couldn't let the Emperor in the Palace know that he could use the Sigu sword. Otherwise, the Emperor would certainly think of the assassin at the Hanging Temple and the younger brother of Sigu Jian. The Overwatch Council would bring a terrifying result.
The carriage moved slowly. Fan Xian smiled coldly in the carriage and said, "One Yuan Meng has died, and the officials of the Jiangnan Road are shocked to this extent…are these all dogs raised by the Eldest Princess?"
Deng Zi Yue glanced at Gao Da and guessed that the commissioner wanted to borrow Gao Da's ears to complain to the Emperor in the Palace. He smiled and replied, "The Eldest Princess was in Jiangnan for a long time, of course, she would have some trusted aides."
"Did you see clearly everyone who had come today?"
"Some of the faces were unfamiliar. Since these people all came from their manors, I'm sure the spies should have seen clearly. We will have confirmed information in a moment," Deng Zi Yue sighed and said. "Only the Ming family is ruthless. They know this matter should not be touched and are refusing to come out."
Fan Xian also felt it was unfortunate. He originally thought that even if he couldn't use the Yuan Meng matter to scoop out a piece of flesh from the Ming family, at least it would make them feel bad.
In a moment, the carriage arrived at Hua Garden. Fan Xian felt a bit tired and waved his hand to have the others go rest while he returned to the back residence.
Sisi was lying on the table waiting for him to come back. Seeing him enter the room, she quickly poured hot water for him to soak his feet.
She knew that the young master did not want too many people to know of tonight's event. So, it was not suitable for her to order the serving girls to bring hot food. Thus, she personally went to fetch the swallow's nest that had been kept warm in water and served it for him to eat.
Fan Xian drank all of the porridge in one go with satisfaction and soaked his feet. He then laid on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
He did not wake from this sleep until the afternoon. He didn't know what changes Yuan Meng's death had brought to Suzhou within this one day. He also did not care much.
Knowing he was awake after Sisi's announcement, Deng Zi Yue walked in looking somewhat haggard. He handed the file in his hand to Fan Xian.
He took it over and had a look. On it was recorded all the yamens in Suzhou that had strange movements early in themorning. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes and sighed. "These officials in the city are all enemies. Are they going to let me live? They've certainly managed to stay calm after Yuan Meng's death."
Deng Zi Yue smiled bitterly and said, "The officials are stuck in the middle. They don't have it easy either."
Fan Xian shook his head and smiled coldly. "Since we have the list, the lives will be even more difficult in the future. Send the list back to Jingdou and have the Second Bureau begin to investigate old files. For the people we want to move, we have to dig out their dirty pasts, even…if they took a dozen liang of silver a dozen years ago, I want it dug out."
Deng Zi Yue knew that in the process of Fan Xian deciding to move the Ming family, along the way he was going to move these officials a little. He didn't dare make a loud noise and quietly acknowledged the order.
Fan Xian read until the end and the fire in his eyes gradually grew. He threw the file down on the table with anger and cursed in a low voice, "As expected…as expected Xue Qing also knew of this matter. This man certainly had fun swinging on the wall!"
For Fan Xian, any information the Jiangnan officialdom revealed because of Yuan Jingmeng's murder would not surprise him.
The Eldest Princess had done business with the Ming family in Jiangnan for a long time, so, of course, most of the people in the officialdom of this area belonged to them.
Given the power and position in Fan Xian's hands, he did not worry much about facing this kind of opposition. What he needed to know clearly was where the Jiangnan governor Xue Qing was going to stand on this matter.
Xue Qing was a borderland official. Even with Fan Xian's imperial envoy identity, there was little he could do about him. Furthermore, the governor controlled the civil administration and military affairs. The power he could control in his hands was too powerful. If even he stood against Fan Xian, the forces against Fan Xian defeating the Ming family became unusually powerful.
Deng Zi Yue saw his slightly angry expression. He carefully and comfortingly said, "The governor's manor also received the message, but they haven't made any noises or any kind of reaction. Sir, the other party is, after all, the governor of a road. If the officials below have connections to the capital and Yuan Meng wanted to hide in Jiangnan, this matter could not have been hidden from him. However, he does not wish to offend you, and he certainly does not wish to offend the princes in the capital. This matter cannot explain anything. Governor Xue Qing should still be waiting.
Fan Xian muttered to himself and found his reactions did seem to be a bit over the top. Perhaps the tension hidden below the disorganization of these few days had made him overly sensitive. He couldn't help smiling self-deprecatingly and said, "Thank you for your kind words, however…go make the arrangements still. The day after tomorrow, I…will go once more to visit Xue Qing."
Deng Zi Yue was startled, and it seemed like he wanted to say something.
Fan Xian glanced at him and smiled. "If you have an idea, just say it. Why are you being like a girl in front of me?"
Deng Zi Yue smiled and said, "I don't think you should go visit Sir Xue Qing in a rush."
"Oh? Why is that?" Fan Xian asked.
Deng Zi Yue replied, "After all, right now the governor is still in the center. If you go visit, given your personality, I'm afraid you immediately force the governor to pick a side…what if the governor doesn't do as you want, then what? In my opinion, it is best to let Governor Xue Qing maintain his stance of watching the game. We will continue to do what we are doing. We will continue to pressure the Ming family. Every day that the governor doesn't make up his mind is another day where there is none to contend with you. Then, we will have more time to do what we need to do."
He continued, "You want the governor to make up his mind, but in reality, the longer it takes for the governor to make up his mind, the better it is for us."
Fan Xian furrowed his brow and said, "Right now we are just gently knocking against the Ming family. Xue Qing can continue to watch the show. If later in the year I strike hard, Xue Qing won't be able to keep watching the show. At that time, he will have to pick a side…I am not completely confident."
Deng Zi Yue thought about it and smiled. "I think it we should at least wait until you've been to Wuzhou."
Fan Xian understood his meaning. Xue Qing was the previous Prime Minister Lin Ruofu's favorite student back in the day, and Lin Ruofu was Dabao and Wan'er'sf father, his father-in-law. Even if Xue Qing didn't need to support him for his father-in-law's sake, his father-in-law was certain to know about Xue Qing's bottom line.
"Makes sense." Fan Xian immediately felt a large weight lifted off his chest. He laughed loudly and said, "He'll make our victory more likely. Although that old father-in-law of mine is almost rusting, his weight is still significant."
Deng Zi Yue chuckled.
Fan Xian saw Deng Zi Yue's exhausted expression and asked curiously, "You didn't sleep this morning?"
Deng Zi Yue respectfully replied, "I had to confirm these reports so it took some time."
Fan Xian wanted to urge him to relax a bit, but thinking of his previous behavior, it seemed like he didn't have much of a stance to persuade the other. He couldn't resist smiling and suddenly thought of another matter. He asked, "Zi Yue, before you entered the Qinian Unit…you were in the Second Bureau, right?"
Deng Zi Yue glanced at him in astonishment and nodded. He didn't know why the commissioner was suddenly asking this question.
"Wang Qinian will return at the end of summer." Fan Xian gazed at him and smiled. "The Council is preparing to have him take over the First Bureau, thus Shangjing in Northern Qi needs someone who can control the situation. You've been with me for almost two years and have seen some things…do you have the daring to go to the North?"
Chapter 377: Fishing
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Deng Zi Yue thought for a moment and clearly understood the commissioner's words.
The so-called leader of Northern Qi was indeed a dangerous position, however, it was also the most important segment in the Overwatch Council's foreign battle lines. All those who returned from this role had been placed in important positions—there was little need to bring up the predecessor Yan Bingyun, who had become the leader of the Fourth Bureau at such a young age. Everyone knew that once Director Chen retired and Sir Fan junior took the role of director, Xiao Yan could have an even more important assignment.
Wang Qinian was Deng Zi Yue's previous superior, whom he had been very familiar with. After being cooped up in the Council 10 years, the moment Wang Qinian met Fan Xian he was sent to Northern Qi. After Wang Qinian returned, it was certain he would become the new leader of the First Bureau.
The trip to Northern Qi was dangerous, but it was the gild on a political platform.
The commissioner asking whether or not he wanted to go to Northern Qi was because he was getting ready to promote him. Furthermore, he had heard that the old leader of the Second Bureau was getting old and preparing to retire…he himself had also started out in the Second Bureau.
Deng Zi Yue was endlessly excited and knelt in front of Fan Xian. In a serious voice, he said, "It is all up to Sir's arrangements."
Fan Xian smiled and didn't continue to say anything. the Jiangnan matter made him feel more and more that although the Emperor had great trust in him, he still absolutely blocked any connection between him and the military. As for when he handled matters, the unconditional power he had in his hands was actually still limited. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so afraid of Jiangnan governor Xue Qing's existence.
The one that sat in the dragon chair didn't really trust his true sons, much less Fan Xian. He knew that it was already good the Emperor allowed him to hold such great power, but he also knew the Emperor would not let him expand his power. Since the paths going out were difficult, Fan Xian had to ensure that he held whatever power he had more firmly in his hands.
For example, the Overwatch Council. After Cheng Pingoing's era, the Overwatch Council had swapped out the old blood and replaced it with fresh blood loyal to Fan Xian.
…
…
Deng Zi Yue reported to him other movements the Overwatch Council had recently taken. All were still targeted towards the Ming family. Although the Overwatch Council's governance specializing in surveillance did not have the direct authority to interfere in non-governmental powers, what the world lacked least was reasons from governmental bodies. The Overwatch Council had completed preparations for the early stage. At any time, they could do as Fan Xian ordered and stick their hands into Jiangnan affairs. From the palace treasury to Suzhou to the docks, from the camps to the treasury, they could apply pressure on the Ming family from all directions.
This was lll that Fan Xian could do. Since they couldn't find concrete evidence for the Ming family's crimes, then they couldn't use public power to proceed with their bullying. Jiangnan Road officials were all watching him…right now, the Overwatch Council's job was to, through the harassment of the Ming family's trade route as well as the palace treasury transport company's meddling with their goods, further compress the Ming family's income. Sinking the family's flow of silver into a state of desperate lacking was the only way they could force the Ming family to continue transferring large amounts of silver.
And, the trap was actually hidden in the transferring of silver.
"How long has it been since the island has sent any messages?" Fan Xian furrowed his head. The island matter that was sufficient to crush the Ming family had suddenly sunk into silence.
Deng Zi Yue heard Fan Xian's worry. He also had some misgivings. He reported, "The Quanzhou branch also felt that the matter was strange and has sent someone onto the island. There will probably be information coming back the day after tomorrow."
Jiangnan was very large. It took too long for information to travel from an island in the East Sea to Suzhou. Fan Xian knew that he could only wait for now.
After Deng Zi Yue left, only then did Fan Xian feel a bit tired. He stretched and went out of his room to take a walk around Hua Garden.
Although it was Yang Jimei's grand garden, it was not much stained with a salt merchants' wealthy and noble air or the arrogance of private salt peddlers. Rather, it was invariably refined and elegant. It was not the same as other manor gardens' shallow flowing waters, green rock gardens, layers of mountain ranges, and corridors and pavilions. Through the clever arrangements of the original designer, it showed a different kind of life force. The entire garden seemed alive, enveloping gently and lightly around those in the garden like Jiangnan's green mountains and the blue waters of West Lake.
This kind of clever arrangement that so united man and heaven was, without a doubt, most appreciated by a direct descendant of the Tianyi Dao, Haitang. In the days they had been in Suzhou, she spent most of her time in the garden quietly thinking and did not go out to seek the elegant Jiangnan people.
When Fan Xian saw the floral clothing beside the little lake, he did not feel surprised at all.
"Such a thing as fishing does not seem appropriate for you."
He walked to the side of the lake and sat down, sitting slightly higher up on the bank than Haitang. There was about half a meter of distance between them. From this angle, he could just see Haitang's steady shoulder and the flowery cloth wrapped around her head. Beside her was placed a normal, yellow straw hat.
Hiatang didn't turn her head and replied evenly, "Why is it not appropriate?"
The bamboo rod in her hands did not move at all. Only the tip bobbed up and down like it was giving greeting to the fish in the water and had no other intentions.
Fan Xian smiled and randomly wiped the moss on his hands beside him. "Fishing is also killing. I'll teach you a method where you don't need fish bait and your heart is the hook."
In the novels he had read in his previous life, they said that profound people loved to play these kinds of games. Unexpectedly, Haitang still did not turn her head and was not moved. Rather she laughed mockingly. "How boring. If you don't use bait, do you not want to catch anything? Heart hook…since what is needed is temperament, once your heart is a hook, naturally it is hooked. As for whether or not it could be pulled up, what is the difference?"
Fan Xian was angry and bitter. He just wanted to chat, so why bring out such a ridiculous conversation?
Haitang turned her head to glance at him and smiled. "I know you're mind hasn't been peaceful these days. Why not sit with me? Fishing is very good for calming the mind."
Fan Xian shook his head and smiled. "A gentleman stays away from the kitchen, needless to say, fishing and hunting too."
Haitang couldn't resist rolling her eyes at him and shook her head. "Hypocrite."
Fan Xian chuckled and moved forward a little. However, his butt slipped and he almost slid into the lake. It made him flail his arms and legs, and give out a cry.
Beside the lake there were rocks but no trees or grass. Other than Haitang, there was no one to help, so he grabbed Haitang's shoulder with both hands. Haitang's shoulder shook and shook his hand. She then turned her hand around and wrapped it around his wrist, helping him steady his balance. She smiled slightly and said, "Not only are you a hypocrite, even your acting is so fake, much too insincere…how could there be a ninth-level ace who could not even sit steadily?"
Fan Xian looked at the sky and sighed. "No one understands me, and Duoduo also does not trust me. How will I live?"
Haitang flipped her wrist and had him sit next to her. She took out another fishing rod and shoved it into his hands. "Since you want to fish, then you must have patience. Don't be in a rush."
Her words carried two meanings. Fan Xian knew very well that she was not talking about picking up girls, but rather about the problem of defeating the situation in Jiangnan. He took out an earthworm from the little mud can beside him and hung it on the fish hook. Throwing it into the water, he scattered some crumbs that Duoduo had prepared into the water to lure the fish.
The lakeside suddenly became calm.
A moment later, Fan Xian's light voice broke the rare moment of rapport. "I have patience and am not in a rush. The Jiangnan situation is not difficult to control. The plan has already been set. I will confidently take each step. The problem is that Jiangnan is watching Jingdou and I have no control over what will happen in Jingdou. Matters over there might develop in the direction I want, or it could suddenly explode into a huge matter that no one has time to react to."
"A huge matter?"
"Exactly." Fan Xian did not continue to say anything. He only said, with a trace of misgiving and a thread of true admiration, "You know I am the commissioner of the Qing Kingdom Overwatch Council, then you must also know who the true boss of the Overwatch Council is."
"North Xiao En, South Pingping[JW1] ." Haitang's smile carried a trace of bitterness. "That Director Chen has killed countless of our Northern Qi people. How could we not remember him?"
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Each serves their own master, and each has their own desires. The two sides were enemies at the time, so such mutual killing was natural. I only want you to know that this old man is one of two people in the entire world that I cannot understand completely."
"Two people?" Haitang curiously twisted her head to look at him.
"Correct." Fan Xian's expression was cautious as he said, "Even if it is my Emperor or your Emperor, I can still guess some of their thoughts and positions. Because they sit on the dragon chair, they are certain to think of matters relating to this dragon chair. But Chen Pingping is not the same. The so-called absence of desire makes him vast. The man is about to die, and his words…are not to be mulled over. There is no way for me to understand what this old man wants to do or what he is doing. Given his current position, there is no need at all for him to be involved in the fight for the throne. No matter who becomes Emperor, they will have to provide well for him…and he has been so calm this entire time, it also does not align with how he has done things for his whole life."
Chen Pingping was one of the most famous schemers of his day. With this kind of person, it was fine if they didn't act, but once they did, everything was turned on its head.
Haitang thought for a moment then quietly said, "If it weren't for the fact you didn't avoid me and explained to me the connection between your mother and Director Chen, I would definitely have seen this matter in a different way. Including everyone in the world, I'm afraid they will all think that Chen Pingping only cares about you because of the order of the Qing Emperor."
"Correct."
"Yet through what you have told me in the past, I seem to be able to see an unfortunate possibility," Haitang smiled self-deprecatingly and said. "You want to help the Third Prince take the throne, but does Chen Pingping…want to help you?"
"It is too difficult." Fan Xian furrowed his brows. "There are problems with my birth. If those nobles in the Palace are not completely swept away, there is no way for me to enter the Palace…besides, who knows who was behind the incident back then. I will eventually find the truth about this matter, only I cannot rush right now. As for what you said about the director's intention…"
He smiled slightly and shook his head. "Being the Emperor is not like being a commissioner. If he doesn't let me know, he would definitely not dare to undertake such a big matter alone."
Haitang sank into thought. A moment later she shook her head and sighed. "I don't understand, so I won't think of it for now."
"Jiangnan is only a small fry; the capital is the big fish." Fan Xian's eyes were calm. He stared at the two slightly bobbing thin lines. It was a long time before he said, "Fishing…I am still worried. Am I bringing up the fish or am I being dragged by the fish into the water without being able to climb back out again?"
Hiatang smiled. "You got your feet wet by the lake long ago, you can't not step into the water now."
Fan Xian smiled bitterly and said, "You're right. Only there is a feeling of uncertainty. I don't like the feeling of not having control of these matters in my hands."
"No one, not even the ruler of a country…can control everything," Haitang said lightly. "We can only try our best to grasp the big picture that is already enough."
"You said just then, there are two people you are unable to understand completely. One is Chen Pingping, who is the other?" Haitang was very interested in this question. She knew that Fan Xian had great confidence in his ability to understand people clearly. He was even able to understand some of the Qing Emperor's thoughts, yet now he admitted himself that there were people he could not see through. She very much wanted to know who the second person was.
"My father." Fan Xian smiled slightly. "Actually…he is like Chen Pingping. They are both very powerful figures, however, Chen Pingping has always moved up and down on the surface while my father has always stayed below. Although I am his son, I am not sure of his true thoughts."
Fan Xian treated both Chen Pingping and Fan Jian like fathers. He trusted and did not doubt them. After his mother died 14 years ago, revenge and washing away the blood of the empress's family engulfed him. While the streets of Jingdou ran red with blood that night, the love and protection these two father figures had shown him during his process of maturation made Fan Xian admire them with gratitude.
The strangest thing was it was these two who closest to him that he could not understand completely.
"Ah, so all this time you haven't been worried about Jiangnan but about Jingdou," Haitang smiled slightly and said. "With these two unfathomable people behind you, you indeed have nothing much to worry about in the Jiangnan matter."
"I am a whetstone the Emperor has given to those brothers to use," Fan Xian replied. "This Jiangnan matter, the Eldest Princess, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince…are they not whetstones father and Chen Pingping have given me to use? The elders all have high hopes for me. I am very gratified."
The word "gratified" was said with great anger.
The two fishing lines were still steadily sunken into the soft surface of the water. There was not one tremble caused by a wrist. Haitang glanced at him and said, "It looks like you indeed do not need to use the fishing line to train your temperament."
Fan Xian said, "I have always been determined and calm, and not easily wound up by external things."
For Fan Xian to speak of his own merits was not awkwardly touting his own horn, rather, it was an excellent attitude of self-analysis.
"How old exactly are you right now?" Haitang asked. She could not understand how such a young person who held such great power in their hands could deal with many diverse affairs yet still maintain such a calm state of mind.
Fan Xian came back at her very quickly and asked in return, "How old are you this year?"
Haitang pursed her lips. Her eyes were bright. Her expression had been softened by the blue lake in front of her, but she did not want to answer this question.
Fan Xian huffed and said, "I turned 18 on January 8th."
Haitang shook her head and mocked, "Looking at how you usually act, if you said 80, no one would believe you."
…
…
Elders had experienced the spring winds, summer rains, autumn frosts, and winter snows. They had long seen all there was in the world, so they could use that pair of slightly indifferent eyes to see through everything in this world.
Only because they had experienced it all, could they view it lightly and use the calmest state of mind to use the most ruthless of methods to face those seemingly strange and complicated situations. A necessity of being a schemer was to have limited desires. Thus, there is less to be used by enemies. Since ancient times, the most famous schemers had always been old men, old women, or eunuchs.
Young people had bloodlust. For example, the Second Prince, the Crown Prince, and even the Eldest Princess, thus, will always at some point make an unwise decision.
On the the other hand, when someone like Fan Xian, who had experiences from two lives—although he had been given a sorrowful 80 years old label by Haitang—did things he, indeed had the patience of an old man. While using Xia Qifei to fight the family property case against the Ming family, all other areas of the Overwatch Council remained silent until the waves of that case were just about to disappear. That was when the Overwatch Council attacked.
In a flash, many Jiangnan Road officials were politely invited to the Inspection Division the Fourth Bureau had stationed in Jiangnan Road to have tea.
Everyone knew the Overwatch Council's tea was authentic Longjing, and the scent of tea permeated everywhere. However, no officials wanted to go drink tea.
Although for Governor Xue Qing's sake, few of the Jiangnan Road officials were captured. In the process of chatting and drinking tea, the Overwatch Council would occasionally talk of some old matter that still made the officials incomparably panicked. After they returned to their manors, they began to think, with a headache, of their future prospects and personal safety. For those relevant, the officials who received reminders noticed that they could no longer protect the Ming family so obviously.
On the other side, the Overwatch Council began to cause problems for the Ming family business. Although they could not directly capture people and goods, under the pretense of searching for spies from Dongyi, in a day, the Ming family store began to be searched by the government and the Ming family's caravans and ships suddenly began to have problems in their shipping process.
Although they only found the Ming family guilty of small crimes like taking along personal goods, they did not find anything extremely incriminating about the Ming family. However, this continuous harassment successfully slowed down the Ming family's enormous industry system.
In business, what was important was the speed in which goods could be sent out, exchanged for silver, and then brought back. It was like a neverending great river. The Overwatch Council was like sand that was slowly being sunk into the river. Once the speed of the river slowed, the mud and sand would accumulate. The once clear water would become muddy and not be able to flow as well.
This move of the Overwatch Council used the least amount of manpower and attracted the least amount of discussion, yet the results it achieved were good. After the Ming family had paid out the enormous sum for the palace treasury bid, it was the first time in many years they felt strapped for cash. With the harassment by the Overwatch Council, the cash flow became even tighter. They were forced to begin transferring silver from Taiping money house. At the same time, Ming Qingda had also begun secretly having Zhaoshang money house sign over bank drafts.
[JW1]"北肖恩,南萍萍" It is unclear how the cardinal directions relate to the their names. Previously they have only been Chen Pingping and Xiao En.
Chapter 378: Behind The Ming Family's Tragedy
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Over many years, the Ming family multiplied and grew in the Jiangnan region. After decades and multiple generations of being carefully operated and bold expansions, it finally became one of the leading large families. They eventually made a connection with the Eldest Princess. After they became royal merchants of the palace treasury, the Ming family's reach became longer and deeper through the never-ending stream of silver the palace treasury goods brought in. Not only did they have countless industries in Suzhou and Hangzhou, they directly controlled large amounts of ships, caravans, and stores.
Family members also controlled many business that were unremarkable but deeply connected to the Jiangnan people's lives, such as grain, oil, food, and brothels. So much so, someone once said that as long as Jiangnan people open their door, they will certainly have dealings with the Ming family's industry.
In such a large family, the factions within it were unusually complicated. However, the group that wielded the highest power were still the six sons of the two wives from the main Ming family. The other, more distant relatives, were only responsible for managing business in the middle to low levels.
When the old Ming matriarch alone held the power of the family, she understood the dangers of division within the family clan. The first arrangement she made was that other than the one branch of the heir, Ming Qingda, the other five Ming descendants would only receive dividends. They would have no power to make any arrangements or suggestions in the enormous Ming family industry and were strictly prohibited from participating in the family business.
This arrangement was, without a doubt, a wise one. Using this strong method ensured that at least the Ming family remained, on the surface, united and cooperated. It did not develop the same problems as other families. The Ming family presented a united front to the outside world.
Although they could not participate in the family business, it was impossible for the other five masters to simply hide their money under their beds and wait for it to birth little money chicks. They would take it to invest outside of the family business and did a lot of business in Jiangnan.
The Ming family used this kind of method to, step by step, stretch their hands further and thinner. In the end, the business of these branches still clung onto the larger family branch. If the Ming family fell, then the businesses of those five masters would also have problems. Thus, they had to use the power in their hands to protect the main branch.
In Fan Xian's eyes, these businesses that did not belong to the Ming family in name, were still named Ming. So, the Overwatch Council began to treat them all equally and also harassed these businesses.
With this, the five masters could not stand it anymore, thinking, They didn't receive much good from the family, yet they were also implicated. Business was becoming more and more difficult to do. What was to be done?
…
…
"Open your dog eyes and see. It is the Fourth master in front of you!"
The Fourth master of the Ming family was born of the concubine, so his position in the family was not high to begin with. Thus, he had always liked to walk birds to avoid offending the old matriarch and his eldest brother. Every year, he depended on the dividends to do business. He had opened a fruit and vegetable business and did some of the businesses that the collective had missed. His days passed quite happily.
However, he recently could not be happy no matter what. The trading company came to check every single da, and his business appeared to be crumbling. Although these were not overly important consequences, a negative trend could clearly be seen. The officials that usually bowed and scraped before him rarely wanted to drink tea with him now.
He understood. The officials had been scared by the Overwatch Council.
No matter what, it was not up to these people to promote him. A trace of fierceness flashed across the Fourth master's face, and he slapped the other man across the face. The southern barbarian that was slapped spun three times on the spot. A red handprint appeared on his face and a trickle of blood leaked out from the side of his mouth.
The Fourth master of the Ming family was the largest fruit seller in Suzhou. It looked unremarkable, but it monopolized 30 percent of the melon and fruit business in Jiangnan. He even single-handedly managed the matters of sending tribute to the Palace. It would not be a problem to call him King of the Melons. Furthermore, he used the Ming family's reputation to start his own guild and managed the entirety of the Jiangnan fruit market. In all these years, he had never had any powerful figures who dared to come into his territory and pick his fruits to eat.
In the past few days, there was suddenly a merchant from Lingnan who jumped over the Ming family's agreement with the Xiong family and directly sold fruit in Suzhou without first going through the Fourth master's hands.
Lingnan's temperatures were warm, and their fruits beautiful. Once the problem of long-distance shipping was solved, there was great profit to be made. If this merchant knew the rules and had come to visit the Fourth master after arriving in Suzhou, perhaps the Fourth master would have nodded his head and given him a share to work with. However, this merchant either didn't know the rules or had something else to rely on. He used the fact that he had plentiful goods and cheap prices to forcefully pull down the fruit prices in Suzhou, and even Jiangnan, by 20 percent in 10 days. This merchant's business had also rapidly expanded.
The Fourth master's face was full of a sinister smile as he looked at the Lingnan merchant he had smacked to the ground. He chuckled and said, "Does everyone now dare to climb on top of the Ming family? A mere southern barbarian…where did you get such daring?"
He knew that when his family's business had begun to be pressured by the Overwatch Council, no matter how effective the council really was, news spread and a trend was set. Countless merchant powers that had previously been suppressed by the Ming family began to stir. They all wanted to use this opportunity while the Ming family was hard-pressed to obtain some benefits.
However, the Fourth master could do absolutely nothing to the imperial envoy Fan. He didn't even have time to be afraid. But, how could he let a southern barbarian interfere on his own territory?
"Use the stick to teach him a lesson." The Fourth master looked at the Lingnan fruit merchant lying on the ground crying and begging for mercy. A trace of despicableness flashed by the corner of his mouth.
Once his words landed, a terrible cry began to ring out from the yard. The Fourth master's subordinate used a wooden stick and ruthlessly brought it down on the Lingnan fruit merchant's body. Each hit sounded with a smack. Who knew how many of the poor merchant's bones were broken. The terrible cries gradually became lower. His whole body was covered in blood, and he fainted from the beating.
The trusted aide from the account house on the side saw this bloody scene and felt his heart stutter. He moved closer and said, "Fourth master, this person…should belong to the Xiong family."
"I know," The Fourth master said sternly. "Xiong Bailing, that old bastard, wanted to use this fruit merchant to test the waters. If I don't hit back, he'll think he can actually take advantage of the Ming family."
The master of accounts gave a pained smile and said, "Fourth master, at this time, you can't bring more trouble for the family."
The Fourth master thought of something and his expression darkened. "The old matriarch has already begun to suspect me. If I don't show some rashness right now, what I can do?"
Countless complicated feelings also welled up in the account master's heart. He had no idea what to say.
The Fourth master rose from his chair and gazed at the blood-covered Lingnan merchant on the ground. In a dark voice he said, "It's not that I won't allow you to do business, but doing business is not bullying others. You cannot bully me."
The Lingnan merchant had awoken. Hearing these words, he was scared deeply and quickly nodded his head for all he was worth.
"Pay 10,000 liang of silver and bring the price back up. We will compete fairly." The Fourth master chuckled, which was incomparably sinister. "You don't bully me, and I will not bully you."
After he finished bringing the person under control, the Fourth master called for people to drag him out. He gazed at the puddle of blood on the ground and spat. He gritted his teeth and cursed, "I can't do anything about Fan Xian bullying me, but who the f*ck do the Xiong family think they are?"
Returning to his room, the Fourth master cleaned his hands and rolled up his sleeves. He took down a birdcage from the corridor on the side and began to tease it. Although his mouth was whistling, his eyes were very far away.
The accounts master followed timidly behind him and said in a low voice, "Fourth master, you're saying…the old matriarch knows of your meeting with Xia Qifei?"
The Fourth master's body froze. He suddenly cursed in great anger, "It was all your stupid idea! Something about having a foot in each boat. The Seventh master was fortunate to not die and would certainly have good fortune later. He also had the imperial envoy's support, and the property would eventually be taken by him…you had me go meet with him and take the opportunity to speak first! F*ck! The next day I was called in by the old matriarch and scolded. I almost didn't make it out alive!"
He was unbelievably angry. After he finally managed to calm the emotions in his chest, he coldly said, "The Overwatch Council has been targeting our family. If I didn't act savagely today, what would the old matriarch and eldest brother think of me?"
After being cursed at by his master, the accounts master didn't make a lot of noise. He tearfully said, "But when Master Xia wanted to see you that day, you couldn't not go. Fourth master…you really don't want to listen to Master Xia's words?"
"Seventh brother, seventh brother…" The Fourth master felt very strange when he thought of the younger brother that had suddenly appeared. Concerning the matter of Xia Qifei's mother being harmed by the old matriarch, he had heard rumors. He and his mother were perfectly clean, so he did not fear the other party like the heir did. Thinking of the words Xia Qifei had brought from the imperial envoy that day, a mysterious light flashed through his eyes and disappeared. He sighed helplessly and said, "I'm afraid of the imperial envoy, but I am more afraid of the old matriarch…besides, right now the Ming family is still our family's Ming family. If I really listened to you and joined hands with Xia Qifei, with such a terrifying imperial envoy watching at the back, the Ming family will…become the court's Ming family."
The Fourth master smiled wretchedly. "No matter how tyrannical the heir is, we have been brothers all these years. In the end, my name is still Ming."
The accounts master did not keep trying to persuade him.
…
…
The Fourth master had formally rejected Fan Xian's kindness that had been made through Xia Qifei. The imperial envoy's reaction was very quickly brought to the large manor the Fourth master had bought in the south part of Suzhou.
The Suzhou government's bailiffs pushed open the door and entered. Under the close watch of the Ming family thugs, they shakily came to the main hall. They brought out the lawsuit and requested that the Fourth master follow them back to the Suzhou government to stand trial.
"Stand trial?" The Fourth master had never expected there to be a day he could be captured and asked to stand trial. He shouted at the bailiff sternly, "Are you out of your mind? Who reported me? For what?"
The bailiff had no choice. In normal circumstances, he would not dare to offend a genuine Fourth master of the Ming family. He wished he could kneel on the floor and lick the Ming master's boots. He gave a pained smile and gestured with his eyes at the Fourth master, indicating that there was someone behind him. Then he lowered his voice and implored, "It's a Lingnan merchant. He reported that the Fourth master forcefully dominated the market, hurt people, and committed violent crimes."
The Fourth master was startled and furrowed his brows. He had not expected the Lingnan merchant would actually report him. He further did not expect that the Suzhou government would accept this case. For many years the Ming family had held a special position in Jiangnan. The Suzhou government had such a close connection to the Ming family, so how could they accept that Lingnan merchant's suit? Although the Overwatch Council had been obstructing the Ming family, they could not directly interfere with local government affairs or public affairs. The Overwatch Council could not take the lead on this kind of criminal law case. Previously when they acted violently, they had no need to worry.
This time the Suzhou government actually sent someone.
His gaze passed over the head of the bailiff. He saw an unfamiliar court official standing behind a few other officials. Looking at his official's robes, his ranking was not very high. It did not look like the apparel of the court system. His eyes narrowed, and soon he guessed the other party's identity. Apparently, from when the Lingnan merchant entered the yard, all of this had been watched by an Overwatch Council official. No wonder the other party reacted so quickly.
The Fourth master's eyelid twitched. He knew he had miscalculated one thing. Although the Overwatch Council could not directly question him, they could keep an eye on the government's actions. If they ignored and did not question him, the Overwatch Council would probably capture government officials to take back and question. With such a strong deterrent, no wonder the Suzhou government dared to capture him today.
He laughed coldly and gazed at that bailiff. "What if I don't go?"
The bailiff was about to cry from anxiety and implored, "Fourth master should at least give the Zhizhou some face."
The Ming family servants all began to make a din and surrounded the bailiffs in the middle with wooden sticks in their hands. Their cold gazes stared, intentionally or otherwise, at the Overwatch Council official at the back of the group.
That Overwatch Council official smiled slightly and said, "My good fellow officials, what are you going to do? It seems they're…preparing to rebel here."
Beating up an official. Not obeying court orders. What difference was that to rebellion?
Hearing these words, the government officials knew that they had to take him back today. Otherwise, the Zhizhou would not be able to report back to the Overwatch Council. The Lingnan merchant's wretched report had been witnessed by many in the public court, furthermore, people from Hua Garden also had arrived. They were drinking tea in the tea shop across from the public court. No action would be able to escape the imperial envoy's eyes.
The official set his heart and gazed at the Fourth master. "Fourth master, please!"
He used is eyes to continuously gesture and make him understand that today was not the same as the past. Sometimes one had to be amenable. As for after he was brought to the Suzhou Government, there were naturally other opportunities to change things around.
The Fourth master slightly lowered his head. After muttering to himself, he forced down the anger in his heart. He knew what the situation was like today and nodded his head.
That official let out a big breath and sighed. "Fourth master is having pity on me."
The young Overwatch Council official of the Fourth Bureau in the back watched this scene with a cold smile.
The accounts master moved closer to the Fourth master's side and said worriedly, "Fourth master, what do we do?"
The Fourth master laughed sinisterly and smashed the birdcage in his hand on the ground. The smashed birdcage broke. Bird feathers flew chaotically, and bird blood sprayed everywhere. He smiled icily, "If I must go I will go. All these years, I've only ever had tea in the back garden of the Suzhou government building, yet I've never had the luck to see the true appearance of Suzhou's prison. Today, I will go to broaden my horizons."
He lowered his voice again and said hurriedly, "Immediately send a message back to Ming Garden and have eldest brother bail me out…don't worry, the old matriarch will trust me more because of this."
Having finished giving out orders, the Fourth Ming master, for the first time in his life, was taken by officials to the Suzhou government's prison.
…
…
"Looks like fourth brother has no other intentions." After the news got back to the Ming Garden, Ming Qingda sent people out to open up channels while he went to the quiet little yard his mother lived in to report the matter. "I'll go now to bring him back. Although he hurt a Lingnan merchant and the Suzhou government took him in under pressure from the Overwatch Council, the matter was not that big after all. There shouldn't be any later consequences. Sir Fan junior has no way of using this matter to finish him off."
The old Ming matriarch sat in her chair deep in thought. Her old, sunken eyes were closed. She seemed to be thinking about some problem. She still had not replied to Ming Qingda's words.
He felt a little strange. A chill suddenly surged up a moment later.
The old matriarch slowly opened her slightly listless eyes and said, "The Ming family is still being rocked by storms. Fourth first met with Xia Qifei in secret; that is disloyal. Later, he acted rashly and impetuously, making the family worry for him; that his unfilial. Such a disloyal and filial child. What is the point of bailing him out?"
After Ming Qingda was silent, his sorrow returned. The Ming family's response to Fan Xian's aggression was to move forward by retreating, playing on sorrowful emotions was why he had knelt in the palace treasury, and had his later illness. Now that the Overwatch Council was pushing aggressively, the Ming family faltered and indeed appeared very pitiable. Yet, the old matriarch intended, it seemed, to slice a deep cut into her own family.
He sucked in a deep breath and said calmly, "Currently, the situation is still within our control. Sir Fan junior can only walk the outer boundaries and can't truly get hold of something to use against us. At this time, the sacrifice does not need to be so big…after all, he is of Ming blood."
The old Ming matriarch looked at him coldly and without emotion. "The imperial envoy will push more and more ruthlessly. We will have to eventually sacrifice someone we can give up in exchange for the sympathies of the Jiangnan people and support of the gentry under heaven. Since Fourth has been taken into prison, isn't this the best opportunity? If the people were to know that the imperial envoy, for the purpose of obtaining silver and wealth, forced a Ming master to death, the court would be shocked. We would obtain many benefits and time…this deal is worth it."
Ming Qingda's expression did not change. He thought for a moment then said, "As mother wishes."
He understood that Fourth brother was, after all, the son of the concubine. In his mother's eyes, he was dispensable.
The old Ming matriarch gazed at him icily and said, "How is the silver flow in the family? Why are you often going to Zhaoshang money house to transfer money?"
Ming Qingda smiled coldly in his heart. The seal of Taiping money house is always in your hands. If I wanted to truly have the Ming family in my hands, how can I succeed if I don't think of other paths? He thought like this, but his mouth explained it in a few warm sentences.
The old Ming matriarch nodded. "However, Fourth might not be enough to make all of the hearts of the people under heaven lean toward us…Qingda, you have to be prepared. Perhaps you will be forced to leave the position of the Master of the Ming family so that the people under heaven can see the wretched situation of our Ming family."
Ming Qingda was startled. He bowed deeply and backed out of the yard.
Outside of the yard, he smiled at his son Ming Lanshi, who had been waiting the whole time. "Did you hear it? I've said before…her favorite is your sixth uncle."
Chapter 379: Whose Navy?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fan Xian did not know what was happening internally in the Ming family. For him, the they were a rock. He had put pressure on it, but, for now, he couldn't crush it. He had patience. Fishing could not be rushed.
He was at the Suzhou branch of the Baoyue Brothel. The business was going well. The girls were were all busy welcoming guests. Few people noticed the male owner and female shopkeeper respectfully escorting a figure quietly to the top floor.
Pushing open the window to gaze out, he saw many workers in the back beside the small lake, digging in the mud. The money and labor required to expand the lake was not a small sum. He couldn't resist sighing and asked, "It is necessary?"
Shi Chanli smiled slightly and said, "Following your instruction, we sent the branch's plan and layout urgently to the North. The reply came the day before yesterday. What the Second young master means is that the lake is too small and the land is not open enough. The guests who come will feel that it is narrow and cramped. We might as well put in the effort and extend the lake forward by a few hundred meters."
Fan Xian gave a pained smile. It looked like Sizhe far away in Northern Qi still thought about the Baoyue Brothel often. It required an enormous sum of money. Sizhe only had to say a word, while he had to mobilize many hands to make it.
"This noise and smell won't it interfere with the business?"
"We've surrounded it with cloth. The guests in the building don't usually notice that side. Although the business at the moment is good, we can only dig out the lake right now…otherwise, when spring is in full swing and summer is approaching, that is the best time for business. At that time, it would not be convenient to dig it."
Fan Xian nodded and didn't say anything. He trusted his brother's eye for business. He had come to Baoyu Brothel today mostly to find information. He looked at the file his subordinate had delivered and furrowed his brows. "Where did that housekeeper of the Ming family escape to?"
The Ming family housekeeper had the same surname as the housekeeper Fan Xian had hit as a child in Danzhou, both were surnamed Zhou. This person was not very simple. All these years, he had been the old matriarch's trusted aide and was responsible for managing the accounts of the mysterious Junshang Conference. After Xia Qifei had almost been assassinated outside the Jiangnan Restaurant by the Junshang Conference, the Overwatch Council had begun to secretly investigate the whereabouts of that housekeeper and prepared to secretly capture him. They wanted to obtain important information from him.
The Zhou housekeeper seemed to have completely disappeared within a day. He no longer appeared at any of the Ming family industries. They didn't know if the Jiangnan Road officials were hiding him or something else. Even with the Overwatch Council's methods, they still had not found a trace of his whereabouts.
Deng Zi Yue walked in from outside of the room and reported to Fan Xian the matter of the Fourth Ming master being captured by the Suzhou government. Hearing him asking about the whereabouts of housekeeper Zhou, he couldn't help furrowing his forehead. This matter was his responsibility, and there had not been any progress after all these days. He felt very ashamed.
He furrowed his brows and shook his head. A moment later he said, "If he hasn't already been silenced by the Ming family, then…"
"It is very likely that he is just casually hiding in the Ming Garden." Fan Xian knew that if they really wanted to hide the accounts master, the Ming Garden would be the most dangerous but also the safest method. He couldn't resist laughing and said, "Are we really going to go into the Ming Garden to grab him?"
Deng Zi Yue gave a pained smile. "Without solid evidence, how can we go into Ming Garden to grab him? The other party is an inherited count and, furthermore, if this matter becomes too serious, the governor would certainly be forced to put pressure on you."
Fan Xian sighed and felt this matter was already becoming unamusing. He waved his hand and said, "If we break in and fail to catch him, it will be difficult to explain it to the governor. If we can confirm that he is in there, we could try being savage this once."
"We just can't confirmk," Deng Zi Yue said helplessly.
The two were just chatting when an Overwatch Council spy suddenly knocked carefully on the door. Deng Zi Yue glanced at Fan Xian and walked out the door to say a few quiet words. His face immediately became serious. He said a few more words in a low voice and quickly turned around. He came close to Fan Xian's ear and said, "There is news from the island."
Fan Xian's spirit was startled. That pirate dock had been silent for so long, he almost thought that he wouldn't be able to use that little island to defeat the Ming family. Hearing this news now, he said with great joy and interest, "Speak."
Deng Zi Yue glanced at him again and carefully said, "The people on the island…are all dead. Everyone is dead."
…
…
With a bang, Fan Xian expressionlessly slammed his palm against the table beside him. The table didn't shatter, and the tea bowls didn't break, but this one palm clearly demonstrated his anger and discontent. The Ming family really acts ruthlessly and cleanly. He furrowed his brows and asked, "What about our person?"
The Overwatch Council had a spy on the island. Fan Xian was worried about his life.
Deng Zi Yue said, "He was lucky and survived. When the Quanzhou side got to the island, they just happened to pick him up."
Fan Xian's expression was slightly heav. "What is his name?"
"Qing Wa."
"Where is he?"
"Just arrived in Suzhou. He is recovering in the secret residence."
"Let's go."
…
…
Qing Wa thought he was dreaming, that he had been dreaming for days. After the island had been circled and annihilated by the soldiers, only he survived. Encircled by carnivorous birds in the sky and bodies on the ground, he tried to find the escape path that his captain had once left behind. He went to the hidden crescent to find a boat to sail.
However, he didn't expect that the Ming family's silencing had been done so absolutely. All the boats on the island had been destroyed, even the pirate captains quick three-masted ships had been sunk to the bottom of the water.
Looking at the sails that had changed color with the sinking, Qing Wa felt hopeless. The island was isolated. If the Quanzhou side found that things had changed and braved the danger to send someone else to the island, it would still take a lot of time. Could he survive on this island by himself with no water or food?
The spies of the Second and Fourth Bureaus received strict outdoor survival and intelligence gathering training when they first entered. It was fortunate he had the skill at hand, as he, Qing Wa, managed to survive on the island by himself.
There was no water on the island, fortunately, it rained. There were no wild animals on the island, but there were bodies…and the birds that ate the bodies. There were fish and clams in the ocean, so he survived with determination and nausea.
Finally, his colleagues from Quanzhou braved the danger and once more came to the island. The extremely weak Qing Wa was finally lifted onto a boat. He could also finally have a good sleep.
In his dreams, he thought about those birds that he ate and that there might be rotting human flesh in their stomachs…Qing Wa still couldn't help having nightmares.
He slept for a long time, from Quanzhou to Suzhou. Once he woke up, he found an extra young and delicate official standing in front of him looking at him with admiration and tenderness.
The Overwatch Council official beside him reminded him, "It's the commissioner."
The commissioner? Qing Wa was startled and fought to get up to pay his respects.
Fan Xian quickly stopped him from getting up. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at this Qing Kingdom version of Robinson Crusoe and a sigh of admiration rose in his heart. Political battles were not taking another to dinner, it was a game of life and death. However, whenever a sacrifice was necessary, it was actually that of the lower officials.
Fan Xian took out a pill and fed it to him, then he used a golden needle to help him circulate his blood. He carefully treated him for a long while before confirming that it would not leave too many residual effects. When the other party had sufficient attention to speak, he began to ask questions.
In their conversation, Fan Xian obtained a lot of useful information, which Qing Wa never had time to send back to the mainland. For example, the pirate captain was connected to Ming Lanshi's concubine.
He coldly said, "No wonder that concubine suddenly went back home to visit family, she's probably long sunk into the river to feed tortoises…if one marries a bastard,[JW1] the only end is tortoise food. She was pitiful. Zi Yue, immediately send someone to that concubine's family home to check. I want to see how Ming Lanshi is going to explain this."
Qing Wa had also managed, against all odds, to save a letter. This was solid evidence. Even though the Ming family could still deny it, they could still use it to make a fuss.
"As for the soldiers on the island, do you have any thoughts?"
Fan Xian stared at Qing Wa's eyes as he asked. Although he knew the man had barely managed to survive on the island, had endured a long distance journey right after getting back to land, and was already extremely weak, he couldn't help it. He had to know. This truth was stuck like a thorn in his heart, and it made him anxious.
That group of sailors were clearly sent by the Ming family, so they were also sent by the Eldest Princess. Fan Xian very much wanted to know who in the army was standing on the Eldest Princess' side. He thought the Emperor would also be interested in this matter.
It could not have been Yan Xiaoyi. Even though Yan Xiaoyi was the Viceroy who had come out of Qing Kingdom's Southern battles and was a powerful ninth-level superior official, his military power had always been tightly watched by the Overwatch Council. Fan Xian knew that Yan Xiaoyi did not have this kind of naval power.
"Back in the day, the Quanzhou sailors were the court's strongest power on the water," Deng Zi Yue glanced at Fan Xian and said gently. "However, after the Ye family incident, to clean out the Ye family's influence in the Quanzhou navy, the court split the Quanzhou navy into three. Now, the Jiangnan navy's nominal leading yamen is in Shazhou. You should have met the official from Shazhou. To go from Shazhou through the ocean to the island to kill people…the distance is too far. Furthermore, the trip is made on Yangtze River and is easy to reveal traces of themselves. I think it should be them."
Fan Xian nodded. His emotions stayed completely steady at the mention of the Ye family. He turned his head to look at Qing Wa.
White bubbles formed at the corner of Qing Wa's mouth. He was thinking hard about the soldiers that had come that night. He knew this matter was very important. It could help the Council determine which power dared to act in collusion with the pirates.
He opened his mouth with great difficulty and said, "When the soldiers came onto the island, it was just before dusk. There are a lot of reefs around the island, yet they could still force their way onto the island despite the dim lighting. They should be professional sailors rather than land soldiers who had borrowed boats…I once saw clearly one of the soldier's face, looking at his facial structure it should be someone from the North."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows, "Could it be Dongyi's navy?"
Qing Wa shook his head with difficult and reported, "They spoke occasionally. It wasn't a Dongyi accent."
Fan Xian gazed at Deng Zi Yue. They saw the unease in each other's hearts. The Qing Kingdom had three great navies. In the North was the Jiaozhou navy, stationed near Shangdong Road, and it was very powerful. If the other party was a competent and capable person on the Eldest Princess' side, then the Eldest Princess' control and power in the army was much more powerful than what he and others had imagined.
Since the Emperor refused to let him have a thread of military power and always appeared to be very confident and mysterious, Fan Xian was certain that the majority of the Qing Kingdom's military power was held in the Emperor's hands. It was under this premise that Fan Xian could do things with relative confidence. Now, he had suddenly discovered that his estimation of the Eldest Princess and the princes' power had suddenly advanced by leaps and bounds. How could Fan Xian not be vigilant?
The Ye family would gradually fall toward the Second Prince, and the North fighting Viceroy Yan Xiaoyi now had another navy.
"Who does the Jiaozhou navy belong to?" Fan Xian asked with furrowed brows.
Deng Zi Yue lowered his voice and said, "The local commander sailor is a full first-level genera. He does not need to listen to Yan Xiaoyi's orders. He's never seemed to have any leanings, after all, he was born to the Qin family, but his relationship with Ye Zhong and them is not bad."
Fan Xian gently curled his fists and shook his head. He didn't say anything more. Looking at the exhausted Qing Wa on the bed, a light smile rose to his face and he said, "Recover well. After you've recovered, come and work for me."
He very much admired this young Overwatch Council official who was able to go undercover on a pirate island and successfully survive in the end. This kind of talent should become his trusted aide.
Qing Wa was surprised. He hadn't expected that after his narrow escape, he would be able to run into such good luck. For a moment he froze on the bed and didn't know what to say. It was not until Fan Xian had led the people of the Qinian Unit out of the room and the official of the inspection division of the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council stationed in Quanzhou laughed and congratulated him that he finally woke from his daze. He knew he had finally made it…he had finally woken from his nightmares.
Fan Xian was a bit angry. All the news today had been bad. It looked like he had to quickly send the council report back to Jingdou to have the old cripple be more attentive and not always stay in the Chen Garden looking at beautiful girls. Your successor has run into problems, surely you have to solve them?
"Sir, good news."
Just as Fan Xian was silently cursing his bad luck, Deng Zi Yue, forcefully suppressing his joy, respectfully reported.
"What news?"
"That accounts master of the Junshang Conference…we have his whereabouts."
"Where?"
"Sir is wise. The information has been confirmed. That person is in…the Ming Garden."
Fan Xian sighed. "Finally there is something to do."
[JW1] Tortoise and bastard/cuckold are the same words in Chinese, so Fan Xian is making a pun