The Internal Treasury Transportation Division of Qing Kingdom was the most famous independent kingdom within the nation's borders. Although the officials were dispatched from the capital, Kyoto, its location in Jiangnan and the many internal temptations meant that officials of all ranks, no matter where they came from, would eventually be assimilated into this vast and alluring golden nest. Perhaps the officials from the Supervisory Council were somewhat better, but the officials within the Transportation Division had long become pillars of this independent kingdom. No one wanted even the slightest change to occur within the Internal Treasury.

Even though His Majesty had issued an edict transferring the Internal Treasury from the hands of the Princess of Xinyang to Fan Tisi's care, these Internal Treasury officials, despite being confidants of the Princess for over a decade, were not particularly wary of Fan Xian's arrival. They thought that as long as they performed the superficial duties well, the Little Lord Fan would not move the foundation of the Internal Treasury. They assumed that such games of 'a new emperor, a new court' would not be staged.

What was the foundation of the Internal Treasury? It wasn't the mountains of gold and silver, nor the toiling workers, nor the peripheral merchants, but the senior artisans and treasurers of the Three Workshops.

The Internal Treasury's Three Workshops were scattered among the various states of Jiangnan. Workshop A was responsible for producing glass products, precision-demanding handicrafts, porcelain goods, extremely expensive perfumes, repeatedly distilled famous spirits, and much more… Glass products, for example, could be extended into countless commodities, which could be collectively named luxury goods manufacturers.

Workshop B was responsible for mass-producing cotton cloth, gauze, researching rice seeds, creating good steel, and major production... a collection of primary and secondary industries, mainly producing necessities.

Workshop C, however, was the most heavily guarded of the Three Workshops. It was responsible for producing ships and advanced military equipment needed by the military, such as the lightweight repeating crossbows currently equipped by the Black Riders. Further afield, the Supervisory Council's Third Bureau and the Internal Treasury's research departments were constantly researching gunpowder. However, since the Ye family opened their workshop, gunpowder research seemed to have taken a wrong turn, so that the Supervisory Council could only use a cart of gunpowder as a cannon and had not invented thermal weapons. It was unknown whether the citizens of Qing Kingdom lacked intelligence or whether that woman surnamed Ye had played some trick.

The Three Workshops were just a general term. The related products were countless, scattered like stars across northern Fujian, constantly producing goods, which were then picked up by private merchants and distributed to Northern Qi, Eastern Yi, small vassal states, and the barbarian kingdoms beyond the ocean, greedily and violently seizing the world's money and food, while also spreading a better quality of life and more luxurious enjoyment to the entire world.

After the Ye family was incorporated into the Internal Treasury, although various industries suffered a great impact, the legacy remained. Moreover, the treasurers at all levels truly demonstrated considerable wisdom, developing and expanding the Ye family's industries. This curve peaked seventeen years ago, when the entire Qing Kingdom's fiscal revenue saw fully forty percent originate from the Internal Treasury. Only in recent years had this number slightly declined, but it was still the largest source of revenue for Qing Kingdom. To borrow a common phrase from a certain life, the Internal Treasury was the engine that drove Qing Kingdom forward.

Because treasurers, such insignificant officials, played a very important role in the Internal Treasury's production, and because the Princess was a woman who relied on conspiracies to get ahead, neither skilled nor inclined to use a broadsword for management, various circumstances had combined over the years to make the treasurers the most unique group of bureaucrats in Qing Kingdom.

The lowest-level workers in the Internal Treasury didn't earn much money. Even the officials in charge of management weren't particularly arrogant. Only the treasurers, in addition to their generous salaries, enjoyed various kinds of allowances and bonuses. This was undoubtedly the result of the Princess raising wolves with high salaries, and it was also related to the chaotic management of the court in recent years.

The treasurers in the Internal Treasury Transportation Division were somewhat like local emperors. Although they weren't particularly arrogant on the surface, they secretly pocketed money, exploited workers, and scattered the money they obtained through peripheral money houses in all directions. They had already acquired a lot of land in the surrounding large states. As for how many unspeakable means they used in the process, it was unknown. In addition, these treasurers also engaged in bullying lower-level workers and preying on women in the Internal Treasury.

The more senior treasurers paid some attention to their reputation, but the mid-level treasurers in their thirties were blatantly shameless. One treasurer that Fan Xian investigated at night had twelve concubines! And how did those concubines, who were only twenty years old, come about... who could say for sure? It was only known that workers caused trouble every year, and the number of complaints was countless. However, because the Internal Treasury was special, these aggrieved plaintiffs often couldn't leave the Internal Treasury at all. Even if they managed to reach Suzhou City, they were always fobbed off by the court.

Offending good people was a small matter, but offending a treasurer was a big deal. This was the consensus of officials in Jiangnan Road.

So when the new Internal Treasury Transportation Commissioner, Imperial Envoy Fan Xian, arrived at the Yamen in northern Fujian, those lower-level workers and people who harbored deep hatred for the treasurers no longer went to beat the drums to appeal, but coldly watched the gate of the Yamen, a glimmer of hidden fire flashing in their eyes.

…

…

A flash of fire, a burst of firecrackers, and amidst the red shavings flying all over the sky, the front gate of the Internal Treasury Transportation Division Yamen in northern Fujian slowly opened. Dozens of officials in formal attire filed in, separating into two rows in the slightly smoky air, respectfully saluting the young official in the middle.

Producing the imperial decree, displaying the clear sword, making clear the identity of the imperial envoy, stating clearly the management rules, Fan Xian looked at these subordinates below the hall, pressed his hands down, and said, "Be seated."

"Thank you, sir, for the seat." The Internal Treasury officials adjusted their clothing and sat down. There were not enough seats in the Yamen, so some lower-ranking officials stood at the rear. Everyone looked at the gentle smile on Little Lord Fan's face, and their hearts settled slightly. Moreover, they did not see the Kyoto officials from the Supervisory Council, who were like wolves and tigers. The brains, which had been slightly wary, relaxed.

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked down. He easily found the targets he wanted to use to establish his authority among the officials.

About five or six people, three of whom had dark complexions, wearing casual clothes, with belts tightened around their waists, sat there extremely respectfully. These three were obviously not officials, but they sat among the officials. Moreover, from their appearance, they were obviously people who often frequented workshops, which made them somewhat conspicuous.

Fan Xian was especially sharp-eyed and saw a trace of nonchalance and contempt for him in their seemingly respectful manner. It was a manifestation of extreme confidence - he smiled slightly. As someone as calculating and ruthless as him, he would not be angered by the other party's expression. However, since the other party had been raised by the Princess for so many years, he had to knock on them in order to fully control the Internal Treasury.

Putting those three aside, he spoke to the officials about the court's intentions. He also chatted with the military representative sitting on his far right. This military official was a distant relative of the Ye family. Although the Ye family seemed to have been forced to the Second Prince's side by His Majesty, due to the existence of that wonderful person, Ye Ling'er, Fan Xian's relationship with the Ye family was still passable. Therefore, the Ye family general was also particularly respectful to Fan Xian, presumably because his family in the capital had given some instructions.

When the official business was almost done, Fan Xian suddenly became quiet and took a sip from his teacup.

There was no custom of serving tea to signal departure in Qing Kingdom. The officials knew that Lord Fan must have something important to say and fell silent. Everyone already knew that Little Lord Fan's inaugural speech on the banks of the river, in the bamboo shed at the Suzhou Wharf, had shocked the entire Jiangnan Road's officials. They were inevitably curious about what he would say today.

"The Internal Treasury is truly a very peculiar place."

Fan Xian said with a smile.

The officials also smiled in response. The Deputy Commissioner chimed in, "It's a desolate place, with only the sounds of hammering and banging. Although it's annoying, it's unique."

Fan Xian also laughed, "This official thinks the reason it's peculiar is because... this time, upon imperial orders to travel south, every time I pass through a place, whenever I open the Yamen and reveal my identity, there are always local aggrieved parties beating the drums to appeal, saying that the local officials have committed many illegal acts... I didn't expect that today, half a day after opening the Yamen, in such a large place, there isn't even a single citizen who has submitted a petition."

The officials were stunned and muttered to themselves, "You've been traveling south incognito all along. What kind of appeals could there be!" But since Fan Xian said this, there must be something more to come. They couldn't help but be on their guard.

Fan Xian's words were of course nonsense, just an introduction: "This official is greatly pleased. Under the governance of you colleagues, the Internal Treasury is actually a picture of clarity, with no illegal acts at all. It's truly rare."

The officials' faces turned hot, and they repeatedly said they didn't dare, didn't dare.

Fan Xian didn't scowl, but said with a smile, "But there's another question. I don't know if there really aren't any problems with the Internal Treasury, or... some officials' authority is too great, so that even if the people and workers have grievances, they don't dare to tell this official?"

These words were too uncouth. It was a blatant move to accuse people of crimes. Regardless of their faction, all the officials were local Internal Treasury officials. Their hearts trembled, and they felt a bit of resentment. They thought, "Even if you want to burn three fires, you can't use such an absurd method, right?" Led by the Deputy Commissioner, the officials came forward one after another and said loudly, "Sir, there is absolutely no such thing, absolutely no such thing."

Fan Xian lowered his head and gently rubbed the sleeve newly sewn by Sisi with his fingers, and asked, "Absolutely no what thing? This official has heard that the Three Workshops have owed the workers a lot of wages over the years. There was even a major incident before the New Year. Is there such a thing?"

The officials were stunned. Before the New Year, due to the treasurers' excessive exploitation, the workers of the Three Workshops did cause an incident, and two people died. This matter had been concealed by the officials of the Transportation Division. They didn't expect the news to reach the capital! But since Lord Fan had already spoken it out, he must have received confirmed news. It was difficult to hide it any longer.

The Deputy Commissioner quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "The capital reflux was a bit slower before the New Year, and the wages were paid three days late. As a result, those troublemakers took the opportunity to cause trouble, causing the Three Workshops to stop work for a day, bringing irreparable losses to the court. Therefore, after discussion by the Transportation Division, we asked General Ye to suppress it a bit. Fortunately, not too many lives were lost. Thinking that it was already near the end of the year and that the adult was about to arrive, we were not in a hurry to report it."

In fact, it wasn't that the wages were paid late. Accurately speaking, the treasurers had skimmed too much off the wages that were paid out. With accumulated anger, public resentment gradually arose, and the workers caused trouble. The officials of the Transportation Division didn't want to offend the treasurers, nor did they want to take out public money to make up the deficit, so they turned a deaf ear. It wasn't until the matter grew larger that they dispatched troops to suppress it.

Fan Xian turned around and said a few words softly to General Ye. The general's face showed embarrassment, and he responded softly, presumably playing an inglorious role in this matter.

Fan Xian frowned slightly and gently tapped the table beside him, and said, "Everyone, this Internal Treasury, to put it bluntly, is a trading house, but it's His Majesty's trading house, our Great Qing Dynasty's trading house. Since it's a place that makes things, the most important thing is the people who make things... Year after year, delaying the workers' wages, who would be willing to work for you? Even if they work, how would they be willing to put their heart into it? In the end, isn't it the court that suffers?"

The officials repeatedly agreed, and they all vowed that they would strictly act in accordance with the Internal Treasury regulations in the future, and there would never be any more cases of delayed wages. As for what would happen in the future, that was a matter for the treasurers to deal with Little Lord Fan. These officials only wanted to muddle through this scene as quickly as possible.

However, the faces of the three dark-skinned people who were not wearing official uniforms but were sitting in chairs looked a little ugly.

"You're all talking nonsense." Fan Xian shook his head and sighed, "Of course, there can't be any more delays in the future, but what about the arrears from before?"

The main hall of the Yamen immediately fell into a deathly silence.

Under the officials' alarm and fear, they dared not say more. The Internal Treasury had tens of thousands of workers. Adding in food, housing, drinking water, clothing, and a series of logistics, the number of people reached a terrifying level. The wages set by the court for the workers of the Three Workshops were extremely generous, and skimming from them had become one of the biggest sources of wealth for the Internal Treasury officials. If Fan Xian really wanted these officials to return all the deductions from previous years, it would be a considerable sum.

And these officials knew in their hearts that they themselves, constrained by the Qing law and the Supervisory Council's supervision, had never dared to eat openly. They only received some small tributes from the treasurers after they had finished eating. Lord Fan was targeting, I'm afraid, still those treasurers.

So the officials' eyes, intentionally or unintentionally, swept over those three people.

Fan Xian acted as if he hadn't noticed the undercurrents in the hall, and said in a gentle voice, "The court can't shortchange its citizens. The arrears from previous years must be gradually made up, but the matter is a bit complicated. It certainly can't be rushed."

Can't be rushed... The officials' hearts relaxed again, but they were frightened by the words that followed!

"Three days." Fan Xian smiled and held out three fingers, looking at the officials and saying, "I'll give you three days to fill in all the accounts and make up for the wages owed to the workers. Remember... use the interest rate of Taiping Qianzhuang as the standard." (Taiping Qianzhuang = Taiping Bank)

"Three days later, if there are still workers coming to this official to say that they haven't received their wages." Fan Xian said, "Or if my subordinates from the Supervisory Council find out... I'm sorry, everyone, this official is going to show a bit of ruthlessness."

Although he was smiling, the officials already felt a cold taste spreading around.

…

…

The three brothers, who had been sitting quietly as if nothing had happened, finally couldn't sit still. They stood up with humble expressions and said, "Sir, this humble official has something to report."

"Speak," Fan Xian looked at him with interest.

"There may be cases of delayed wages, but the amount is not large, and it's often because the accounts are not smooth." The man said with a chuckle, "Sir, you've come from Kyoto and may not be clear about the power of these local troublemakers. Those people bring their families to work, and it's clear that only one person is working in the workshop, but he insists on reporting three people. It's not that we're delaying wages, it's that they want to swindle the court's money."

"Oh?" Fan Xian made a sound of surprise, "There's such a trick?"

"Yes, sir." The man clearly didn't see the sarcasm in Fan Xian's words, and said with great joy, "Sir, those workers are cunning and sly. Relying on the court's compassion for the people, they dare to ask for exorbitant prices. If some requirements can't be met, they will become passive and slack off. There are even some worse fellows who dare to tamper with the procedures. Over the years, I don't know how much money has been lost to the court."

This person was doing his best to smear the workers, still thinking that no matter how good Lord Fan's reputation was, he was still an official after all. How could he sit on the workers' side? The so-called "ass determines the head," there's no need to worry that you won't stand on the right team.

But Fan Xian was sneering in his heart. These words... pushed all the despicable things he often did onto the workers. But he looked displeased and sighed, "Ah, I didn't expect His Majesty to be so benevolent, and these people are still so ungrateful."

The man said with a smile, "That's indeed the case. As for the delay in wages, after this humble official returns, I will definitely investigate it carefully. However, those troublemaking workers can't be let off lightly. Sir, don't be deceived by the words of these treacherous people. Those people are extremely cunning and are really not anything good."

Fan Xian looked at this person and suddenly frowned, "May I ask who you are, sir?"

The Deputy Commissioner quickly introduced on the side, "This is the chief official of Workshop A, Lord Xiao."

"Lord Xiao?" Fan Xian seemed a little surprised, "The chief official of Workshop A? The head of the treasurers?"

The chief officer of the Three Workshops surnamed Xiao quickly bowed and said, "That is indeed this humble official."

Fan Xian stared at him for a long time, and suddenly opened his mouth and said, "You are just a mere chief official, just a small treasurer. The court has given you a non-ranking grade, and you don't even have an official position. How dare you call yourself... 'this humble official' in front of this official?"

Everyone was stunned.

His voice suddenly turned cold: "You keep saying 'this humble official'... What kind of official are you? This is the first time this Yamen has opened its doors today. You, a mere chief official, are not waiting outside the Yamen to be summoned. How dare you enter the hall so presumptuously and even sit among the court officials. Really... What audacity! May I ask, what kind of muddled-headed, audacious thing are you?"

…

…

Huh?

The hall was quiet for a long time. It wasn't until after a long time that the officials heard clearly that Lord Fan... was scolding people?

Suddenly, the hall exploded with noise. This was too much! Since the Internal Treasury was classified as the imperial family's property, this was the first time someone had pointed at the chief officer of the Three Workshops and cursed him! Even when the Princess first took over the Internal Treasury, when she first came to the Yamen in northern Fujian, she was very gentle to these three chief officers of the Three Workshops. How dare this Lord Fan curse them so fiercely right off the bat?

The chief officer of Workshop A, Lord Xiao, was also stunned on the spot. He didn't expect that even if Lord Fan didn't win him over, he would be so disrespectful to him and scold him so fiercely! He snorted, and his face suddenly turned ugly. But facing a dignified "imperial prince," he didn't dare to say anything. He sullenly cupped his hands and was about to return to his seat and be a silent bodhisattva.

"Take away his seat." Fan Xian narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowed into a very attractive small circle, and said in a gentle voice, "In front of this official, he has no seat."

"Lord Fan!" The chief officer was furious. Before his buttocks touched the seat, he straightened up again, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart, and said, "Don't push people too far."

Fan Xian completely ignored this person, sipping tea and chatting casually with General Ye and the Deputy Commissioner beside him, whose faces were embarrassed.

While speaking, the Supervisory Council officials beside him had already gone down and pushed Lord Xiao aside, taking away his seat. In this way, things were really big. Not only did the officials below come forward one after another to plead for mercy, but even General Ye lowered his voice and said in Fan Xian's ear, "Young Master Fan, leave them some face."

"Leave them some face?" Fan Xian said with a smile, "Today is specially for slapping their faces."

General Ye was stifled and dared not continue speaking.

Since the Internal Treasury opened the Yamen, the chief officers of the Three Workshops had had their own seats in the Yamen, with a special status. No one had ever humiliated their existence in this way. Seeing the chief officer of Workshop A being humiliated at this time, the other two chief officers of the workshops finally couldn't sit still. They stood up and stood beside Lord Xiao, saying to Fan Xian at the head of the hall in a cold voice, "Since the adult thinks there are no seats for us in the Yamen, why not take them all away... Anyway, the Three Workshops are just some lowly people."

It wasn't a fit of pique, but using the Three Workshops to pressure him.

Fan Xian raised his head, looked at the three chief officers standing in a row in front of him, and said with a smile, "Of course, they should all be taken away. Did you think you could still have your seats? The Three Workshops are certainly not all lowly people, but since you all admit it yourselves, this official will believe it."

"Sir!"

The chief officers of the Three Workshops didn't expect Fan Xian to press on step by step, not leaving themselves a way out in his words. Only then did they know that the other party wasn't just trying to establish his authority, but was going to kill them all. But... what confidence did you, Fan Xian, have? Did you really want to watch the Three Workshops collapse?

The tone of the Three Workshops' chief officers' reply again became fierce: "Sir, I don't know what offense the Three Workshops have committed?"

"Exploiting wages, bullying men and women, using skills to threaten the court, disrespecting this official, and of course..." Fan Xian stared at the three and said, "The ones you have offended are not this official, but the workers of the Three Workshops, and the court and the people of the world who support you."

"If you want to add a crime, you can always find an excuse." The three chief officers said angrily, "Sir, you have just arrived at the Transportation Division, and you are acting so recklessly. Is there really no rules in my Great Qing Dynasty?"

"Rules? This official is the rule."

Fan Xian smiled and thought to himself, of course, he didn't say these words out loud. He just thought that when Fan Laoer was running rampant in Kyoto, his favorite thing to shout was this ruthless remark. It seems that being an official is the same as being a hoodlum. When encountering an unclear and chaotic situation, using some brute force is always feasible. (Fan Laoer = Fan Xian's second brother)

"Come, someone, these three are roaring in the Yamen. Drag them down and give them ten strokes of the board first."

Fan Xian gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table, ignoring the words of pleading from the officials below, laughing to himself that he was just able to endure hardship and be domineering, but he couldn't stand the trouble. Where would he be willing to waste words with these people?