Zhu Mo had arranged for his friend Wang Yong from the Hanlin Academy to go through the procedures at the Directorate of Transmission yesterday morning and submit the money to the imperial court. It took several trips back and forth, and just as he finished and returned to the Hanlin Academy, an imperial decree arrived.
Before he could even take a sip of tea, he was suddenly given the position of Deputy Commissioner for Disaster Relief in XuanDa. Although his subordinate Liang Menglong would be the one going, and he was only responsible for overall coordination, he still felt a bit displeased.
I have too many things to do. If I'm called for every incident, won't I become a firefighting captain? How can I then accomplish the great task of revitalizing the Great Ming?
Furthermore,
The money has already been submitted. What else can be done? The court should spend this money. Do I have to distribute it?
But then he thought—
The common people are innocent. Just like the disaster victims in Jiangnan, delaying by even a day could lead to tragedy… Without someone like Hai Rui, the disaster victims would suffer immensely…
"Sigh… It's good that I'm in charge. If others were in charge, they would embezzle, and the money might not even reach the local areas before being siphoned off!"
With this thought,
He immediately summoned Liang Menglong and, in his capacity as the concurrent Commissioner for Disaster Relief in Jiangnan and XuanDa, drafted a set of regulations that took into account the schemes of corrupt officials, aiming to ensure the silver truly reached the common people.
This busyness lasted until noon.
Zhu Mo took Liang Menglong to the Grand Secretariat and presented the regulations to Xu Jie, saying:
"Elder Xu, for this disaster relief, I want the Embroidered Uniform Guard to accompany and supervise. This way, the local officials will not dare to be corrupt… Additionally, allocate one million taels first. If it's not enough later, I'll go to Jiangnan and get more."
"What? One million taels? Isn't that too much? In past disaster relief efforts, even when four or five provinces suffered simultaneously, they never allocated so much… Young Master Zhu, can it be reduced a bit? And is the Embroidered Uniform Guard really necessary?"
Xu Jie said, thinking to himself: This young man is too extravagant! With such a wave of his hand, one million taels are gone! The court needs money for disaster relief, but what about other matters?
Zhu Mo smiled and said, "Then how about eight hundred thousand taels…"
"This…?! Sigh…"
Although Xu Jie was only the second Grand Secretary, all the dirty and arduous work in the court was handled by them, the upright scholars. Yan Song and others only enjoyed the good life, leaving troublesome matters to the upright scholars.
At this moment, he thought that this young man was currently favored by the Emperor, and he couldn't afford to offend him. He immediately forced a smile and said, "Eight hundred thousand it is… The disaster victims in XuanDa are fortunate to have Young Master Zhu… Hahaha…"
"Also, Elder Xu, you should request an imperial decree for Liang Menglong in your draft proposal. Otherwise, if he goes to that fierce place like XuanDa, he will definitely be unable to move freely!"
Xu Jie laughed heartily and said, "Good, good! Whatever Young Master says goes, alright? Hahaha…"
He, Xu Jie, was not foolish. Based on his thirty years of experience, he had recently noticed some clues. He hadn't believed them before, but in the past two days, they became clear in his mind—
The money was just submitted, and the imperial decree arrived…
Isn't that strange?
Everything that this young man did in Jiangnan, wasn't it all courting disaster?
But why was he unharmed?
Also,
Why did the Embroidered Uniform Guard always help him?
The most mysterious were the two followers from Chaotian Temple by his side. Who knew who they were? What kind of place was Chaotian Temple?
Having been in the capital for over twenty years, how could Xu Jie not understand?
Therefore,
Xu Jie hurriedly wrote the draft proposal, affixed his seal, sent someone to the Directorate of Ceremonial, and personally escorted Zhu Mo and Liang Menglong out. He laughed heartily at Liang Menglong and patted his shoulder, saying, "Qianji, do a good job! You've suffered a lot in these past few years, haven't you? Endure a little longer, and there will always be light at the end of the tunnel!"
Liang Menglong was overjoyed upon hearing this, thinking: When do you, Xu Jie, ever pay attention to me? Today, you're suddenly so amiable… Hehe, as Grand Tutor Yue said, Young Master Zhu is truly remarkable. Even Elder Xu has to show him respect. If I can get through this, I might truly make a breakthrough…
He immediately kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Xu!"
…
It was already getting dark after seeing Liang Menglong off.
Zhu Mo had been busy all day and found the trivial matters in the court incredibly annoying. After a whole day of toiling, he had only accomplished one simple task. How could it compare to the satisfaction of handling his own affairs?
If he didn't have such strong feelings for the Great Ming, he really wouldn't want to do it…
Unknowingly, he had returned to the street corner outside the small courtyard.
At this moment,
Zhu Qi suddenly rushed out from somewhere in the darkness and whispered, "Young Master, something's happened!"
"Damn, you scared me! Old Seven, why did you appear like a ghost?!"
Zhu Mo patted his shoulder and continued, "Old Seven, don't be flustered by anything you encounter… Come on, you've arrived at a good time. Come with me to eat grilled fish!"
"Young Master, it's a major incident! Do you know? The day after tomorrow is the day for collecting deposits for Jinling Ji, but many customers don't want to place orders anymore! Do you know why? Someone is spreading rumors!"
"What rumors? Who?!"
Zhu Mo immediately felt annoyed—
I'm just making money, legally and legitimately. Who have I offended now?
"Young Master, I've already asked my friends in the Eastern Depot to investigate. It's the Young Grand Secretary! The Young Grand Secretary is also involved in smuggling salt! Young Master, you don't know this yet?"
What?
Yan Shifan is also a salt smuggler? Is this guy my competitor?
He immediately lowered his face and calmly said:
"Are you sure?"
"Sure! Young Master, Yan Shifan didn't used to smuggle salt. It was Gao Hanwen! After Gao Hanwen joined the Yan family, he brought the private salt business from Jiangnan to the capital! Yesterday, the news of you collecting deposits at Jinling Ji spread, and Gao Hanwen and Yan Shifan, fearing their business would collapse, spread rumors that your salt is fake, claiming it's sea sand soaked in saltwater… Damn it! Moreover, they have issued a strict order to the merchants: whoever buys Zhu Mo's salt is against the Yan family!"
Damn it~~~
Yan Shifan, you son of a bitch!
Can saltwater really soak sea sand white?
Are the people in the capital all brainless?
This time, Zhu Mo was truly angered, but he immediately calmed down. After careful consideration, he had a plan. He immediately asked:
"Old Seven, go immediately and find out who they are. Their names and surnames, where their hideout is, and if it's a major merchant firm from Jiangnan. Damn it, if you dare to cross me, you're cutting off my rear. Then I'll raid your hometown!"
Zhu Qi nodded and said, "Young Master, don't worry. I can't say for other places, but on the ground of this capital, I don't believe I can't find out about this matter!"
"Good, tell them to investigate. You first go find Liang Menglong and tell him to leave a day later…"
…
Meanwhile,
In Yan Shifan's eastern courtyard,
Gao Hanwen, Yan Maoqing, Luo Longwen, and Yan Shifan were gathered around a brazier, eating hot pot.
Yan Shifan's expression had softened considerably. He proactively served Gao Hanwen a dish and said, "Moqing, our Yan family was defeated by that Zhu Mo this time, but fortunately, you are intelligent and ended up turning the tables for me… Eat, eat more!"
Gao Hanwen smiled and said, "Thank you, Young Grand Secretary. My uncle's letter has explained everything. Zhu Mo that kid set up a salt field in Jiangnan, and the salt merchants in Jiangnan are all indignant. This time, under my uncle's persuasion, everyone is listening to the Grand Secretary and the Young Grand Secretary. Whatever the Young Grand Secretary says, the Jiangnan salt merchants will do! Last night, I personally visited several major merchant guilds in the capital. Relying on the Young Grand Secretary's prestige and my uncle's connections, they all agreed on a united front, claiming Zhu Mo's salt is sand soaked in seawater, and also promised not to buy Zhu Mo's salt. Anyone who buys it is against all of us!"
"Good! Hahahaha… Well done! We must make that Zhu Mo kid starve! Haha, Moqing, you are truly a lucky general! Come, come, eat more!"
Yan Shifan personally stirred the meat and placed it in Gao Hanwen's bowl.
Yan Maoqing and Luo Longwen looked on with envy and jealousy. They had followed the Yan family for decades, but had they ever received such treatment?