There should be nothing.

Chapter 35 Strategy, Strategy

Zhu Mo had his own calculations in mind—

To truly shock the officials in Jiangnan, he needed a thunderous approach, a lightning strike to settle everything in one go. Otherwise, if they united, becoming an unyielding bloc, the matters of establishing banks and issuing public bonds would still fall through.

And to achieve the effect of catching them off guard, he had to first lull the enemy into a false sense of security, letting them become complacent, believing they had him cornered, before striking decisively.

To that end,

Zhu Mo chatted and laughed with officials and merchants along the way, his attitude towards subscribing to the anti-Japanese public bonds also softened. Zheng Bichang and He Maocai were naturally overjoyed.

Now, arriving at Hangzhou's largest silk merchant house, Tiantang Ji, Zhu Mo naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to put on a show.

He picked up a bolt of silk, adopting a thoughtful expression, and said, "Gentlemen, fundamentally, I am here in Jiangnan for disaster relief. Whether it's state-run banks or public bonds, they are all methods of raising funds. As long as you have good methods, I naturally have no reason to object. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if they had found a treasure—

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Precisely!"

"Young Master Zhu truly understands the situation and sees through everything!"

"Young Master Zhu is elegant and refined, different from ordinary scholars! The rumors are indeed unreliable!"

"If Young Master Zhu had said this earlier, we would have shown our respect sooner!"

"Ah, we've said it all along, Young Master Zhu is one of us!"

"The Cabinet sent Young Master Zhu to Jiangnan, naturally for everyone's benefit!"

"This is the reality, there's nothing that can be done!"

"We hope Young Master Zhu can report the true situation of Jiangnan!"

"For disaster relief, we will naturally bear the responsibility, won't we?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!"

"Young Master Zhu need not worry, the prominent families of Jiangnan all support the court!"

"Indeed! We support Young Master Zhu's disaster relief efforts!"

"..."

A cacophony of voices erupted, and everyone was pleasantly surprised.

Zheng Bichang and He Maocai exchanged glances, already understanding: Zhu Mo had been frightened by the scale of the tax resistance and had given up. To report back to the court, he would have to listen to them...

At this thought,

Zheng Bichang said obsequiously, "Young Master Zhu, we will discuss the strategy again tomorrow. We will definitely come up with a proper method that will allow you to report back to the court while also letting everyone get by. You can rest assured!"

Zhu Mo then joked, "No more tax resistance?"

"No more resistance! No more resistance!"

"What tax resistance? Everyone is just reporting the reality!"

"Young Master Zhu is reasonable. Even if we Jiangnan colleagues are more ignorant, we wouldn't oppose you!"

Seeing the stark contrast between their current respectful demeanor and their aggressive stance on that other day, Zhu Mo felt a surge of anger—

These people were all cunning villains. Despite their current obsequiousness, they had ulterior motives. Tomorrow, when they discussed again, they would present a compromise that forced his acceptance. Then he would be unable to report back to the court and would instead face impeachment from Yan Shifan.

Thinking of this,

Zhu Mo smiled and said, "Very well, we will discuss again tomorrow morning. I entrust this matter to all of you!"

"Absolutely no problem!"

"Young Master Zhu, rest assured!"

"..."

...

Meanwhile,

In the backyard of the Governor-General's mansion, Hu Zongxian, Tan Lun, and Qi Jiguang were also perplexed—

What exactly was Zhu Mo up to?

Even Hu Zongxian was a bit confused, murmuring, "What is Young Master Zhu trying to do? Is he really giving up?"

Tan Lun said with a wry smile, "Brother Ruzhen, it's a great thing to serve the country and the people, but how many people truly care when it comes to doing it? Wasn't Yan Song once full of passion? And now... It's understandable if Young Master Zhu, being young, retreats when things become difficult..."

Qi Jiguang shared the same view and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

However,

If things went awry, someone would have to take the blame!

Hu Zongxian felt a sense of unease and said, "Have you considered that even if things are ruined like this, what if they tarnish Young Master Zhu's reputation and implicate the court? The court made such a grand announcement to start, and now it's going to end in disgrace? We, being in Jiangnan, if we do nothing, how will the court view us?"

At these words, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang immediately thought of the arrogant and domineering Yan Shifan, a sense of fear arose, and the atmosphere became suddenly oppressive...

Tan Lun thought: If Prince Yu mistakenly believed that he wasn't helping Zhu Mo, it would be truly terrible... This time, even if he had to risk his official hat, he had to step forward and shield Zhu Mo...

Hu Zongxian and Qi Jiguang were even more troubled. Helping was not right, and not helping was also not right. They had been cornered by these corrupt officials in Jiangnan.

Hu Zongxian finally made up his mind. Even if it meant offending the Yan family, he had to ensure Zhu Mo left safely. At worst, he could claim a barbarian invasion and use it as an opportunity to escort Zhu Mo away.

...

The next morning,

Zhu Mo arrived at the Governor's yamen early. Officials were already seated in the spacious hall. Xiao Xiao Sheng followed closely behind, and Zhu Qi stayed by his side. Yet, the atmosphere was not tense or oppressive; all the officials were engaged in pleasant conversation, filled with amiability.

They had received confirmation from Zheng Bichang—

Once Zhu Mo compromised today and accepted Minister He's proposal, they could then, under Zhu Mo's name, make a fortune, and subsequently pin a large, black pot on Zhu Mo, forcing him to carry it back to the capital in disgrace.

Moreover,

This was the intention of the Junior Grand Secretary!

Now,

Zhu Mo had entered the fray. Thinking of a disaster turning into a business opportunity, how could they not be beaming with joy?

Zhu Mo, as usual, took his seat at the head of the right side and said,

"Minister Zheng, without further ado, please present your plan. Everyone can discuss it, pass it quickly, and then proceed with the disaster relief arrangements... What do you all think?"

"Good!"

With a bang!

Zheng Bichang struck the gavel and said, "Minister He, please show everyone the plan."

After a short while, a servant handed each person a sheet of paper detailing the disaster relief and anti-Japanese fundraising strategy drafted by He Maocai.

Zhu Mo knew without even looking—

The first article was, as expected, a tax increase, applied to all but the two disaster-stricken counties;

The second article was to apprehend smugglers and crack down on and extort small and medium-sized merchants;

The third article was for the eight largest banks in Hangzhou to jointly establish the Da Ming Official Bank of Jiangnan, and then issue anti-Japanese donations. Families above the modest level in Jiangnan were required to donate five taels of silver per household.

What?

Impressive?

Haha!

Zhu Mo laughed instead of getting angry!

He had seen shameless people, but never so shamelessly brazen!

This was nothing short of robbing money! And doing it under his name to exploit the common people and merchants!

Among the eight banks, there was definitely He Maocai's Wanyong Bank, possibly another belonging to Zheng Bichang, and other officials, big and small, must have had shares... This was simply treating him like a child!

But Zhu Mo was not in a hurry to get angry. He casually placed the plan on the coffee table, smiling at everyone, wanting to see their next performance.

At the same time,

He beckoned and whispered to Zhu Qi,

"Wu Ming and Wu Liang can get to work now..."

...

Seeing that Zhu Mo did not object, the officials in the hall were naturally overjoyed.

Zheng Bichang said with a smile, "Gentlemen, since Young Master Zhu has no objections, we should work at full speed... Do you all understand?"

"Your subordinates all understand!"

Zheng Bichang then smiled at Zhu Mo and said, "Young Master Zhu, since you have no objections to the plan, shall we pass it?"

Zhu Mo coughed and also smiled,

"Minister Zheng, Minister He, and all my Jiangnan colleagues... I have something to show you all..."

"Zhu Qi, bring it here!"

Everyone looked towards the back hall and saw a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant walking out. It was Wu Ming.