"Rushing river? Yellow River flooding?"

"Get up, you are now the true master of the Ming family. There's no need to be so deferential in front of me."

Fan Xian sized up Ming Qingda with an interested gaze, then picked up the bowl of noodles and slurped them down.

Ming Qingda had secretly come to the Xinfeng Pavilion today, avoiding all eyes and ears, being extremely careful. He was also somewhat nervous, after all, Suzhou City was now filled with a sense of grief and indignation. The entire Ming family, tens of thousands of people, were watching him, their master. If it were known that he was secretly meeting with the Imperial Envoy, he feared he would lose his position as clan leader.

The problem was that after meeting today, Imperial Envoy Fan had remained vague, causing Ming Qingda to feel a strange unease.

Fan Xian put down the bowl, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's not talk about anything else. I'll just ask you, where is that Mr. Zhou you promised me?"

Ming Qingda felt the coldness and coercion in the Imperial Envoy's words. He lowered his head subconsciously and defended himself, "That person... Qingda failed to control him and he left the garden. This is Qingda's mistake. Please punish me, sir."

"Punish you?" Fan Xian chuckled self-deprecatingly. "With this situation you've created, how can I possibly punish you?"

Ming Qingda sighed and said, "Does Your Excellency still not believe in my sincerity, even now?"

Fan Xian shook his head and said, "Last time in the Inner Treasury's mansion, I said, 'Hold the bowl like a dragon offering a pearl, pick up chopsticks like a phoenix nodding its head, eat only eighty percent full, and take away what you can't finish'... Doing things in life is like eating, the posture must be elegant, and you must know moderation."

He stared into Ming Qingda's eyes, "In our agreement, you sold a person to me, acting as an intermediary, but it didn't involve any of the later events... You did this without informing me, and now the situation puts me in a difficult position."

Ming Qingda remained silent for a long while, then said softly, "Things have come to this point. To prevent the Ming family from turning to smoke and ashes in my hands, some people obstructing the path ahead must rest. I believe Your Excellency can understand."

"Understanding is one thing, but you acted without my permission, that's another." Fan Xian reprimanded, "Don't think that by borrowing my subordinates to enter the garden and taking advantage of the situation, you can cover this matter up cleanly. You must know that I have paid a great price in this matter, and now the entire Jiangnan is watching me... Think about how to smooth things over."

Ming Qingda was speechless. After a moment, he said, "This is Qingda's fault. I will find a way."

Fan Xian nodded, not really believing the ruthless old fox in front of him.

Seeing the Imperial Envoy's expression soften slightly, Ming Qingda mustered his courage and said, "Sir... someone in Ming Garden gathered a crowd to attack officials of the Overwatch Council. This matter should be investigated, right?"

Hearing this, Fan Xian couldn't help but laugh. This old Ming man was not only ruthless but also had a thick skin that rivaled his own. He sighed and said, "If outsiders heard this, they would be terrified. The head of the dignified Ming family is actually urging the Overwatch Council to investigate Ming Garden."

Ming Qingda smiled and said, "How else can I make Your Excellency believe in Qingda's sincerity?"

"Don't worry." Fan Xian calmed down. "My position and status are different from yours. You couldn't hand over that Mr. Zhou, but I will still do what I promised you. I will handle Ming Lao Liu. You don't need to worry too much."

"However..." He stared into Ming Qingda's eyes and pressed on, "As I said before, you set me up this time. Now everyone in Jiangnan wants to eat my flesh. You must find a way to deal with this, or you know the consequences."

Ming Qingda bowed sincerely in response and asked cautiously, "What about Lao Si?"

Fan Xian was silent, not answering his question.

Ming Qingda sighed inwardly, knowing that the Imperial Envoy needed to keep a few handles on him in order to confidently let him sit in the position of Ming family head. The Overwatch Council had evidence of Ming Fourth Master's prison break and could throw it out at any time to kill him.

Fan Xian glanced at him with a smile that wasn't a smile, thinking, how could he reveal a pawn like Ming Fourth Master now? If the prison break wasn't investigated, Ming Fourth Master would be useless. If it was investigated, Ming Fourth Master would only die. It would be a pity to let him die like that.

"Now your family's emotions are still agitated. Don't rush to clear out the Old Madam's confidants." Fan Xian instructed, then suddenly smiled, "You are better at this kind of thing than I am. My words are a bit redundant."

Ming Qingda quickly said respectfully, "I rely entirely on the guidance of the Imperial Envoy."

"Don't mention it." Fan Xian's lips curled up, stopping him. "Those last methods are not something I could have come up with."

"Also." Fan Xian said softly, "After things have calmed down, arrange for Xia Qifei to be recognized by the clan."

Ming Qingda suddenly looked up, looking at Fan Xian with complex emotions in his eyes. After a long while, he said quietly, "Your Excellency still doesn't trust me."

"Less of this high-sounding talk." Fan Xian said, "You know, and I know, you don't trust me, and I naturally don't trust you. Xia Qifei is the only person I truly trust. As long as he doesn't participate in Ming Garden's affairs, our agreement is not considered reached."

The wrinkles on Ming Qingda's forehead deepened. He took a deep breath and said, "Qingcheng and I had disagreements when we were young. I fear he hates me to the bone. Fine, I will follow Your Excellency's orders. I am willing to concede. However, the Old Madam has just passed away... This is when the clan's emotions are most agitated. Everyone knows that Qingcheng is Your Excellency's confidant. If he is recognized by the clan, I fear I won't be able to suppress the backlash from tens of thousands of people in the clan."

Fan Xian shook his head and said directly, "What time is it now? The entire Jiangnan hates me. Do you think I still care about the backlash from tens of thousands of people in your clan? You created this situation. It's natural for you to smooth over the clan's backlash. I only demand results. As for the process, that's your concern."

Ming Qingda's expression darkened slightly and said, "This matter... is really somewhat difficult."

"There's nothing difficult about it." Fan Xian looked at him mockingly. "I have always admired your methods. Since the Old Madam has been buried, the Overwatch Council doesn't have the right to examine anything. However, I have been keeping an eye on that grave. It's better for you to be in trouble than for me to be in trouble. If I am really in trouble to the point of being unbearable, then you will be in trouble for the rest of your life."

The Overwatch Council already held enough evidence against Ming Qingda. If Ming Qingda had any more disloyal intentions, before Fan Xian had a bad time, Ming Qingda would definitely be the first one to be torn to pieces. At this point, Ming Qingda naturally knew that his cunning plan, while allowing him to sit in the position of true master of the Ming family, had also put him on a volcano. Especially his last move of hiding it from the Imperial Envoy, while preventing the Overwatch Council from threatening the Ming family any further, had truly angered Fan Xian.

Fan Xian tore off his mask and began to make naked threats.

Faced with this naked threat, Ming Qingda knew that he could only accept it completely. He had done so many rebellious things, but he never expected that it would all benefit the other party in the end. He angrily raised his head, looked at the Imperial Envoy, and said, "Your Excellency, well played."

Fan Xian was not angry at all. He said with a smile, "Old Man Ming likes to plot against people, but now he thinks he's been plotted against by me. Naturally, he's not comfortable. However, don't think of me as too powerful. I really don't have any talent in this area."

His voice turned cold, "Freedom from desires brings firmness. Old Man Ming demands too many things, so naturally, he gives me too many opportunities. As for plotting, I have always believed that intrigue is never as directly terrifying as power. Calculating and calculating, it ends up ruining your life... Old Man Ming, be more honest and sincere in your work in the future."

Ming Qingda fell silent.

"Go back first. There are still many things you need to deal with, such as soothing the clan's resentment towards me." Fan Xian said with a smile, "I will send someone to notify you of any arrangements in the future."

He thought for a moment, and finally instructed, "I know you are very wary of the Junshan Association... However, don't break with them for now. I need your Ming family to still have a position in the Junshan Association."

Ming Qingda knew that there was no other way at this time, so he could only agree for the time being. He stood up and walked downstairs, but his back was slightly hunched, revealing his old age.

……

……

After Ming Qingda left, Deng Ziyue, the head of the Qinian Group of the Overwatch Council, emerged from behind the curtain. The shock on his face couldn't be concealed. It was not until today that he realized that the Director actually had so many secret agreements with the Ming family master in private!

Following Fan Xian's instructions, Deng Ziyue sat down, opened his mouth wide, and remained in a daze for a long time before he could organize his words clearly, "Unbelievable, really unbelievable."

Fan Xian couldn't help but shake his head, "What's so unbelievable? Ming Qingda is a smart man. He knows that this is the court's intention. He doesn't expect to be able to resist the court at all. He only hopes to use a more peaceful method to preserve some livelihood for the tens of thousands of people in the Ming family... And on this point, he has an unbridgeable gap with his mother. In this situation, if he doesn't come to me, who else can he turn to?"

"Of course, I still underestimated him." Fan Xian sighed, "I didn't expect him to play such a trick in the end. In this way, everyone in Jiangnan is watching us, and Xue Qing is also greatly shocked. Regardless of the court's tendencies, it makes it impossible for us to continue to put pressure on the Ming family."

"On the one hand, he colluded with the government to secure his position as the head of the Ming family. On the other hand, he secretly used ruthless methods to stir up the emotions of the people and protect the Ming family's temporary interests. This Ming Qingda really didn't disappoint me."

"It's just... he didn't count on one thing—he used me, and I used him. The problem is that my confidence is much stronger than his, so in the end, he can only be used by me."

"Everyone miscalculated one thing." Fan Xian explained solemnly, "Including what I said to Xue Qing, it was actually all to scare him... You all thought that I could wipe out the Ming family at any time. In fact, this is simply impossible. Therefore, I need to use Ming Qingda."

Deng Ziyue looked at the thoughtful Director in surprise.

Fan Xian closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again and said slowly, "If the Ming family really resists, what can I do? Really send the Black Knights into Suzhou to slaughter the garden? True, if the six branches of the Ming family are wiped out, killing until blood flows like a river and corpses litter the ground, but... what good would that do me?"

He shook his head with a smile, "After a round of rectification, relying on the power of the court, and putting a label of rebellion on Ming Garden, in less than half a year, the entire Jiangnan could be silenced, and no one would dare to say anything. The court smoothly takes over the Ming family's vast assets, and everything is as His Majesty planned."

His face turned cold, "But, what good would that do me?"

Deng Ziyue was silent. The Director repeated "what good would that do me" twice, and subconsciously placed himself in opposition to His Majesty's plan, making him feel a chill in his heart, but he didn't dare to say anything more.

He understood that if he really slaughtered Ming Garden and caused such a terrible storm, although His Majesty would certainly acknowledge the fabricated label of rebellion on the Ming family, in order to appease the people of Jiangnan, the Overwatch Council would definitely be severely punished, and the Director would not have a good ending.

Working for the court, transferring the Ming family to the national treasury, but at the expense of one's own fundamental interests... Fan Xian wouldn't do such a stupid thing.

……

……

"That's why I wanted to find Xia Qifei at the beginning, then Ming Lao Si, and finally Ming Qingda." Fan Xian explained gently, "The situation in Jiangnan seems chaotic, but in fact, it's very clear. Xue Qing is His Majesty's confidant watching from the side, so I can only stir the water even more."

"Taking over the Ming family can only be done peacefully..." Fan Xian lowered his eyes slightly, "If it's done too violently, His Majesty can throw me out at any time. You should understand this principle."

Deng Ziyue felt a great chill in his heart and became even more confused as to why the Director insisted on mentioning His Majesty so many times in front of him, and why the Director wanted to tell him these taboo things. Was this testing him?

"The Old Madam Ming has always been an important figure in the Junshan Association." Fan Xian continued, "As long as she is in power, it will be impossible for me to take over the Ming family peacefully. So her death, although it brought me some trouble, overall... I am willing to accept this result."

Fan Xian looked into Deng Ziyue's eyes and said softly, "You have been by my side all along, so of course you know... I am very difficult."

Deng Ziyue sighed inwardly and bowed silently.

Fan Xian walked to the railing on the top floor of the Xinfeng Pavilion, squinted his eyes, and looked at the people wearing mourning clothes in the streets below, and the incense shops that were working hard in the distance. He knew that the entire Suzhou was busy for the dead old woman, and he didn't know how many powerful figures had gathered here, waiting to pay their respects at the mourning hall.

Deng Ziyue followed behind him, looked at the scene below, sighed, and said, "There are too many ways to deal with the Ming family. The current situation... doesn't seem to be the best."

Fan Xian replied calmly, "So, Ming Qingda's last move set me up... I'll get it back someday."

Today in Jiangnan, the Old Madam Ming died mysteriously, Ming Qingda secretly surrendered to Fan Xian, and the Ming family and the Xinyang faction might still be able to maintain something on the surface, but secretly, it was very different from previous years. And Fan Xian was sitting in Jiangnan, spreading his hands. The Inner Treasury's smuggling business was going to be carried out in a big way, and without the Ming family's restraint, it would be much smoother.

In the final analysis, the price that Fan Xian paid was nothing more than the illusory reputation—and in his view, by forcing the Old Madam Ming to death, the people's hearts were slightly disturbed, and His Majesty would definitely find some reason to issue an edict to reprimand him, and this kind of self-inflicted notoriety was something he was very willing to do.

In fact, there were many inside stories, inside news that affected Fan Xian's decision-making, which he did not tell Deng Ziyue. For example, why he couldn't transfer the Black Knights, and why he was afraid that the Emperor would throw him out.

Fan Xian was very clear in his heart that in the current world, the emergence of such a young and powerful minister like himself, who possessed such great power, was already an anomaly. Although the Emperor still trusted him very much, who knew when the Emperor would suddenly change his mind? Judging from the Emperor's actions over the years, he was a suspicious person, so he had been closely watching him, strictly preventing him from getting involved with the military in any way.

Transfer the Black Knights into Suzhou? Fan Xian smiled self-deprecatingly, knowing with his butt that once such a violent method was used, it would scare many people.

And the recent turmoil in the Ministry of Revenue in the capital made Fan Xian clearly see that before the Emperor had made up his mind to eliminate the Princess Royal's power, he had already begun to be wary of the Fan family's existence. In Kyoto, His Majesty failed to force his father to step down through the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue. Then who knew if the Ming family's affair would escalate and his power would be cut?

The word "power" seemed simple, but it was like a drug. Once you tasted it, it was difficult to get rid of. Although Fan Xian was clear-headed, he was also reluctant to reduce the power in his hands even slightly. On the one hand, he was used to the benefits of power, and on the other hand, for self-preservation and to protect people, he needed the power in his hands.

Retreat to advance, let the reputation be damaged first.

……

……

Deng Ziyue followed him and said in a low voice, "The situation has been a bit tense recently. According to the Eighth Division's opinion, the Director might as well condescend to offer a few sticks of incense."

With Fan Xian's status as the Imperial Envoy, paying respects to the Old Madam Ming would obviously ease the current situation.

However... Fan Xian just shook his head with a cold expression and said, "No need."

Deng Ziyue was slightly stunned, not understanding why.

Fan Xian stretched out his hand and pointed at the sad-looking citizens and common people in the street, and said softly, "In fact, the people's hearts are not terrible. What's terrible are those who stand above all the people and can use the people's hearts... As long as I satisfy those people, what the common people think will not affect the overall situation."