Jiajing glanced over it a few times and understood everything. He snorted, "I thought it was a big deal? Yan Shifan has lost his mind, resorting to such a despicable tactic. Tax evasion? Hmph, who are they trying to intimidate?"
Lu Fang knew that the more Jiajing feigned nonchalance, the angrier he truly was. Normally, the Emperor wouldn't even bother to inquire about such matters, let alone review them personally.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry... This servant speculates that if Yan Shifan's disciples are causing trouble, what about Grand Secretary Xu and Tan Lun? And Hu Zongxian, as the Governor, can he hide forever?"
"Hmph."
Jiajing rose, a surge of anger churning within him—
Is this defiance against me? Intimidating my son?
What are Yan Song and Yan Shifan trying to do? How has Jiangnan become so rotten?
As he thought, Jiajing's concern for Zhu Mo grew—
Tax evasion, this is a vicious move!
Can Mo bear it?
Does he have a solution?
After a long period of thought, looking at the starlight on the cold autumn night, he finally sighed, "Lu Fang, Zhu Mo is likely to face a hurdle this time...?"
Lu Fang replied, "Who can say otherwise? These Jiangnan officials are utterly outrageous. A strategy that benefits the country and the people is being turned into tax evasion? This is simply preposterous..."
"Indeed, preposterous, preposterous...?"
Jiajing murmured repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, Lu Fang knew he was extremely worried. He quickly said, "Your Majesty, this servant believes that an urgent dispatch should be sent to Jiangnan with a secret edict, appointing Tan Lun as the acting Disaster Relief Envoy. This way, young Master Zhu will have a way to step down... being roasted on a fire is no pleasant experience..."
Jiajing felt a wave of indignation and worry—
If Tan Lun were to handle it, Zhu Mo could naturally retreat, but then he would have no credit to his name...
Alas,
A young man is still a young man; he needs tempering.
But there's no need to fear. Mo is still young, only eighteen or nineteen. There are many years ahead, and he will surely grow... With this thought, his heart eased somewhat, and he said,
"If the matter cannot be accomplished, then so be it. It can be done later, perhaps in a few years... Inform Xu Kai and the others to write to Tan Lun. If it fails, Zhu Mo's reputation must not be tarnished. Let Tan Lun bear this burden..."
"Your servant obeys your command."
"Also, the secret report from Jiangnan will arrive in three days. You must not conceal it again..."
"..."
...
At the same time,
Officials at the Yan Mansion were also in discussion.
Yan Shifan, after reading Zheng Bichang's secret report, couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying,
"This Old Zheng, I knew he was talented the first time I met him! And now, tax evasion? What a brilliant idea! Hahaha... That brat Zhu Mo, what rotten luck did he have to write a pretentious essay and actually get the better of us? This time, we'll make him fall, fall so he can never recover!"
Hahaha,
Yan Maoqing, Luo Longwen, Gao Hanwen, and others also burst into laughter.
They had been lying low for a long time, preparing for this counterattack. Zheng Bichang and He Maocai, who had maintained a tight grip on the Jiangnan officialdom, had mobilized them instantly, delivering a warning to the Qingliu faction.
The failure of this matter was now a foregone conclusion. Based on their experience, even they themselves would be helpless against such widespread resistance.
In the final analysis, even the Yan family, facing such a situation, could only retreat and seek revenge later. A direct confrontation was impossible; it would only invite trouble and lead to more losses than gains.
Yan Shifan pondered for a moment, feeling that everything was foolproof, and said,
"Old Luo, write a letter now and tell Zheng Bichang and He Maocai to continue! Inform them that the Qingliu faction has united against us, and we cannot show leniency. If that Zhu Mo is sensible, so be it. If he's not, tell them to crush him to death, ruin his reputation, and ensure he's never employed again! If you succeed, tell them to come to the capital. I will personally toast them!"
"Understood, Young Grand Secretary! I understand!"
"Also, tell Hu Zongxian to be clear-headed! Don't dwell on his bad reputation. If he doesn't want to work for the Yan family anymore, he should say so early!"
"As you command..."
...
Zhu Mo and Xiaoxiao Sheng talked for a long time in the temple. They left only when the moon was high and bright. Not long after arriving at the post station, Zhu Qi returned with Wu Ming.
Zhu Qi's face was beaming with joy, "Young Master, we caught him! Young Master was correct. That Southeast Asian merchant was indeed colluding... No! He himself is a pirate!"
Huh?
Zhu Mo was also greatly surprised—
A pirate himself? This is beyond expectations...
Wu Ming said with a smile, "Young Master, the fake Southeast Asian merchant was originally a pirate named Watanabe Jushi Lang, a ronin from the Satsuma Domain... Wu Liang has captured him and also obtained this—"
He handed Zhu Mo a letter, which read—
[Lord He Maocai: Eleven ships of grain have been received, and the silver notes have been deposited at Wanyong Bank. This is the deposit stub. Jushi Lang expresses his gratitude.]
Before Zhu Mo could finish reading, Xiaoxiao Sheng exclaimed,
"Young Master, he is indeed a pirate! Young Master, please look, the character 'wei' he wrote is a fake character used by pirates. This is absolutely correct. He Maocai is truly colluding with pirates!"
Zhu Mo thought: This is perfect! With such solid evidence, no one can deny it.
He immediately asked, "Where is the person being held?"
Wu Ming replied, "He is temporarily held at Guanyin Temple. Young Master, rest assured, that is the imperial prison of the Jiangnan Embroidered Uniform Guard, so it is foolproof."
"Hmm, keep a close watch!"
Having said that, Zhu Mo carefully examined the handwriting again and was finally relieved, confirming it was not forged.
At this moment,
Xiaoxiao Sheng suddenly said, "Young Master, regarding the strategy, when will you summon these Jiangnan officials again?"
Zhu Mo paced a few steps and said, "No rush for now. Let the bullets fly a little longer..."
Bullets?
What nonsense?
Xiaoxiao Sheng, Zhu Qi, and Wu Ming exchanged confused glances.
...
The next day,
Zhu Mo, accompanied by Xiaoxiao Sheng and Zhu Qi, began visiting merchants. Meanwhile, Wu Ming and Wu Liang continued their investigation, hoping to uncover more clues.
At this time,
The Jiangnan officials still maintained an air of utmost respect, with throngs of people surrounding Zhu Mo. Over twenty of them escorted him to Wenmiao Street, the heart of Hangzhou's silk industry.
Many prominent figures in the silk industry immediately came to greet them. The scene was exceptionally lively.
However, those in the know could see—
These dozens of officials, led by Governor Zheng Bichang and Surveillance Commissioner He Maocai, appeared enthusiastic and respectful on the surface, but in reality, they were all waiting to see Zhu Mo make a fool of himself!
The merchants also understood this clearly, their faces grinning, but their hearts filled with pity for Zhu Mo.
Unlike those from the Yan family, the merchants also wished for the downfall of the oppressive Yan family. However, after twenty years of seeing those who opposed the Yan family meet bad ends, who dared to harbor any illusions?
Ultimately, every merchant understood how much money Yan Shifan and Yan Maoqing had siphoned off over the years, and how many prominent families they had ruined. The common people could still cry out in grievance, but these magnates had to swallow their broken teeth and blood, not daring to utter a single complaint.
Therefore, everyone played along, but their thoughts were united in their conjecture:
This legendary Young Master Zhu would likely fall in Jiangnan this time.