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Suning's three major moves in Jiangnan, while shocking the officialdom, also affected the interests of countless people.

The reform of the canal transport and salt administration was like taking away the gold and silver mountains that many people depended on for their livelihood.

After the initial panic subsided, an undercurrent began to stir.

Since direct confrontation is unacceptable, then the "soft knife" that has been prevalent in officialdom for thousands of years...

Personal connections and bribery became their most readily available weapons.

This tactic has proven effective time and again. If money can't pry, then try using your beauty; one of these methods is bound to succeed.

The first to act were some wealthy businessmen with a keen sense of smell.

They dared not go directly to the gate of the governor's office, so they took a roundabout route.

That day, Su Ning was handling official business in his study when Zhao Wenhua, the head of the office, came in carrying an exquisite wooden box with a strange expression: "Sir, this was sent by the owner of the 'Fu Rui Xiang' silk shop in Yangzhou. He said that in gratitude for your efforts in regulating the market and ensuring smooth trade routes, he is presenting ten bolts of newly produced Yun brocade from Jiangning for your 'tailoring and appreciation'."

Suning didn't even look up: "Register and put into storage."

Zhao Wenhua hesitated and said, "Sir, it seems that this 'Fu Rui Xiang' is connected to the eunuch in charge of the Nanjing garrison..."

"Follow the rules." Su Ning said calmly.

The next day, the steward of Shen Wantong, a wealthy salt merchant from Nanjing, came to see him and presented him with a set of purple clay teaware, saying that it was a genuine piece by Shi Dabin, "as a token of respect."

Then, a retired scholar sent over an antique inkstone, and a garrison commander sent over several boxes of "local specialties"...

The gifts, whether small or large, come in all shapes and sizes, all under the guise of "respect" or "traditional gifts," making it difficult to refuse them directly.

Suning's attitude toward this was surprisingly "understanding".

He neither refused nor rejected any offerings, but for each one he accepted, he would have his most trusted clerk record in detail: who sent it, when it was sent, what it contained, and its value.

All the gifts were left untouched, labeled, and stored in a specially reserved empty room in the back office.

This undercurrent reached its climax around the time of Suning's rumored "birthday".

All parties felt they had finally found a legitimate breakthrough.

A few days before the birthday celebration, carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream through the side gate of the governor's office.

The prefects and magistrates under Yingtian Prefecture, the officials in charge of the seals of various government offices, the prominent gentry and wealthy merchants of Jiangnan, and even some military officers of the garrisons who held real power, all sent people or came in person.

The gifts given also suddenly became more expensive.

No longer were they hidden away as rustic trinkets, but rather real gold and silver, rare treasures.

The prefect of Jiangning sent a "Longevity God Offering Peaches" made of pure gold, weighing twenty taels.

The adopted son of the Suzhou textile commissioner personally escorted two boxes of Suzhou embroidery, one of which contained a silver note worth five thousand taels.

A commander in charge of dispatching grain transport boats delivered a large blue-and-white porcelain vase, said to be from the imperial kiln of the previous dynasty, its belly stuffed with gleaming gold ingots.

Even more extreme, some offer land deeds or shares in shops directly...

The trusted clerk in charge of the registration was trembling, and whispered to Su Ning, "Sir, this... this amount is too large, perhaps..."

Suning remained expressionless and uttered only two words: "Remember."

He even "kindly" received several representatives who brought gifts, exchanged a few pleasantries, and expressed his "satisfaction" with the gifts.

This behavior has led many to speculate that this seemingly stern Governor Su has ultimately succumbed to the temptations of the world.

In an instant, some secretly mocked, some breathed a sigh of relief, and some prepared to increase their investment.

……

However, just when everyone thought Suning had joined forces with them, a swift and decisive operation was launched.

On the third night after the birthday celebration, the backyard of the governor's office was brightly lit.

Ten large camphor wood chests were carried out, each containing all the received gifts, gold, and silver items, neatly categorized and labeled with detailed tags that matched the register perfectly.

The other two boxes contained the original register and copies thereof.

A special convoy of elite guards brought by Suning from Beijing quietly drove out of Nanjing and headed straight for the capital.

The leader of the group was Suning's most trusted head servant, who was carrying a secret memorial that Suning had written to Emperor Longqing.

In his memorial, Su Ning did not offer much self-defense, but calmly stated: "Since assuming office in Yingtian and reforming the salt transport system, I have been involved in matters of interest, and gifts from various parties have arrived, some as tests, some as bribes, and some as attempts to establish connections. I know that refusing them would show weakness and make it difficult to trace their source; accepting them would violate the law and betray Your Majesty's grace. Therefore, I have devised a method to accept all gifts without hesitation, thus exposing their true nature. All the gifts and valuables have been meticulously recorded, down to the smallest detail. I have now compiled a list of all the bribes and gifts, sealed it, and transported it to the capital for Your Majesty's perusal. This is not due to my incorruptibility, but rather to the overwhelming power of Your Majesty, which has exposed all evildoers. Your Majesty can clearly see who offered the bribes, the amount, and their motives. While in Jiangnan, I will continue to uphold justice and enforce the law, and I humbly await Your Majesty's judgment."

When the ten large chests and thick ledgers were placed before Emperor Longqing and Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, even the seasoned Feng Bao couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Looking at the dazzling array of valuables and the shocking list, the Longqing Emperor remained silent for a long time before suddenly laughing: "Well done, Su Ning! What a 'welcome-all' attitude! He's sent me a 'pledge of allegiance' from the officials and gentry of Jiangnan! This gift is far too heavy!"

The emperor did not immediately react, but instead locked the list and account books in the inner palace as top secret.

However, his next few decrees sent chills down the spines of those involved in Jiangnan and even the capital: several officials on the list who had been most vocal and had offered the largest bribes were either transferred to sinecure positions or forced to retire for various seemingly unrelated reasons.

The prefect of Jiangning who presented the golden birthday gift was arrested and brought to the capital by the Censorate on charges of "embezzlement and dereliction of duty".

The well-informed officials and gentry of Jiangnan finally woke up from their dream!
They were not only handing over money, but also their own incriminating evidence against Su Ning and the emperor!
For a time, those who had given the most lavish gifts were filled with anxiety, fearing that the Imperial Guards would come knocking at their door at any moment.

The governor's office became deserted again, but this time, what hung over Nanjing was a deeper sense of awe.

Everyone understood that this Governor Su was unconventional; his "greed" was poison disguised as honey, a trap to lure people in.

He not only wanted to be incorruptible himself, but also used this almost humiliating method to force the entire Jiangnan officialdom to act within the rules he set.

Su Ning stood at the study window, listening calmly to the faint sound of the night watchman's drum in the distance.

He knew that after this ordeal, he had finally established himself in Jiangnan.

Now is the time to truly implement the new policies.

The lists locked in the emperor's inner palace would become a sword hanging over the heads of officials and gentry in Jiangnan, ensuring that his decrees could be implemented more smoothly. This move of "turning bribes into a sword" was truly ingenious.

……

As night deepened, candlelight flickered in the back study of the Yingtian Governor's Office.

After finishing the last official document regarding the reform of the grain transport system, Su Ning put down his pen and rubbed his throbbing temples.

He strolled to the window, gazing at the ever-burning lights of Nanjing. His thoughts drifted back to several years ago, to the moment when he had just transmigrated to this world, filled with both fear and ambition.

At that time, he was still an insignificant nobody, possessing the enormous advantages of modern knowledge and his personal industrial space, but without any protection from power.

Initially, Suning wanted to try to create more delicate soaps and more vibrant dyes, but it anticipated that it would encounter covetousness and suppression.

At that time, local officials, wealthy merchants, and even government clerks will all be like sharks smelling blood.

Needless to say, your hard-earned little workshop will be swallowed up and left with nothing in the blink of an eye.

"Without power or influence, resorting to tricks and gimmicks is a path to disaster!" That was a lesson he learned at a terrible cost.

Therefore, Suning chose to lie low.

Instead, they turned their attention to an industry that was relatively far removed from the political vortex and could quickly accumulate capital—cosmetics.

He found his honest and kind cousin, Zhou Zhengjie, and entrusted him with the "Sinking Fish and Falling Goose" series of rouges that he had made by optimizing the formula and purifying the fragrance in industrial space. He also set strict rules: he would only provide the core products and business strategies, and would remain behind the scenes and never show his face; all matters in front of the public would be handled by Zhou Zhengjie.

Under Suning's remote guidance and Zhou Zhengjie's meticulous management, "Sinking Fish and Falling Geese" quickly became a sensation among Beijing's wealthy women with its unparalleled quality, generating a flood of profits.

More importantly, through cleverly binding interests, a network of relationships, though not illustrious, was gradually woven behind the rouge shop, allowing it to expand steadily until it spread throughout the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty, becoming the prototype of a huge commercial empire and providing Suning with a continuous stream of funds.

Now, times have changed.

He was no longer a nobody who could be easily manipulated, but a powerful official of the fourth rank, in charge of the Jiangnan region!

His mentor and father-in-law, Xu Jie, was the Grand Secretary of the current government, wielding immense power.

Although his father-in-law, Xu Pan, was a good-for-nothing playboy, the Xu family name alone was enough to intimidate many petty people in the Jiangnan region.

Power ultimately became the strongest shield for his business blueprint.

Several months ago, he had already written a letter, secretly ordering his cousin Zhou Zhengjie to go south to Nanjing.

At that moment, the hidden door to the study opened slightly, and Zhou Zhengjie, looking travel-worn but full of energy, walked in, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Your Excellency!" Even though no one was around, Zhou Zhengjie remained respectful.

"Cousin, there are no outsiders here," Su Ning said with a smile, helping him up. "How are the preparations going?"

Zhou Zhengjie lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming: "Anbang, I have completely understood the 'supermarket' design you drew! The shops and warehouses on the most prosperous Qinhuai River in Nanjing have been taken over and are being renovated according to your requirements. It is magnificent! The shelves and traffic flow are exactly as you described."

Suning nodded in satisfaction: "Regarding the supply, are the 'rare items' I provided sufficient?"

He was referring, of course, to various light industrial products from industrial spaces: glass mirrors, refined white sugar, unprecedented spices, high-quality steel needles, brightly colored and fade-resistant fabrics, hardware, and daily necessities...

"Enough! Absolutely enough!" Zhou Zhengjie exclaimed excitedly. "Those glass mirrors alone have caused a sensation throughout the city, with countless people holding silver to place orders! And those spices and sugar are of far superior quality to the tribute items! These alone are enough to make the 'Supply and Marketing Cooperative' an instant success!"

"Have you decided on the name for the supermarket?" Suning asked.

"It's decided, let's call it 'Da Ming Supermarket,' it's easy to pronounce and suits your status as governor," Zhou Zhengjie replied. "However, Anbang, the fresh produce, rice, flour, and cooking oil... if we source them all locally, the costs will be exorbitant, and we'll be easily controlled by others. The 'maritime trade' route you mentioned in your letter..."

Su Ning walked to the map of the Ming Dynasty and pointed towards the South China Sea: "That's right. I have already contacted maritime merchants traveling between Luzon (the Philippines) and Siam (Thailand) through channels. Rice there is harvested three times a year, and the price is less than half that of Jiangnan; tropical fruits, precious timber, and spices are even more inexpensive and of high quality. I have ordered the formation of a fleet to purchase 'treasures from the South Seas' under the guise of buying them, but in reality, to transport back large quantities of basic supplies such as grain and oil. These goods will serve as the cornerstone for the 'Ming Supply and Marketing Cooperative' to attract customers at low prices and stabilize people's livelihoods."

He turned around, his gaze sharp: "We want the people of Nanjing to be able to buy better rice and more oil with less money! This is not just a business, but also a political achievement to stabilize public sentiment and curb prices! I want to see who dares to cause trouble in the rice market then!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

……

Several months later, Daming Supermarket grandly opened in Nanjing.

The scene was so spectacular that the streets were practically deserted.

When have the citizens ever seen such a bright and spacious shop with such a wide variety of goods and such freedom of shopping?

From inexpensive Nanyang rice to dazzling crystal mirrors; from everyday necessities like needles and thread to exquisitely packaged high-end cosmetics that are said to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky... everything is available, with clearly marked prices.

What's even more astonishing is that on the opening day, the governor of Yingtian, Su Ning, personally attended the event. Although he did not cut the ribbon, he was surrounded by many officials and gentry and toured the place.

He picked up a glass mirror and smiled at the prefect of Jiangning beside him, saying, "This thing is so clear that it can straighten one's clothes. Officials should also constantly reflect on themselves and keep their minds as clear as a mirror."

He then walked to the rice section, grabbed a handful of plump Siamese rice, and loudly proclaimed to the onlookers: "This rice is inexpensive. I opened this shop for two reasons: to make things convenient for the people and to stabilize market prices. If any unscrupulous merchants dare to hoard and speculate on rice prices, you may come to the governor's office to file a complaint, and I will certainly stand up for you!"

These words caused a stir in the entire room!

The fact that the governor personally endorsed a shop and linked it to the government's policies of "stabilizing prices" and "making things convenient for the people" is quite intriguing.

Astute people have realized that the owner behind this "Daming Supermarket" is likely closely connected to Governor Su, perhaps even...

Inside the accounting office, Zhou Zhengjie watched the money pouring in like water, his hands trembling with excitement.

Suning, meanwhile, calmly reviewed the initial accounts, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

He knew that the success of "Daming Supermarket" meant more than just a huge commercial success.

It is also a signal, announcing that Suning finally has the ability and strength to begin using economic means that transcend this era to influence and transform the world.

This supermarket is another cornerstone of his business empire, as well as a testing ground and source of funding for his future deeper reforms.

After years of forbearance and scheming, he finally unleashed an explosive burst of power once he reached a certain level.

The industrial and commercial landscape of the Ming Dynasty, and even its far-reaching social structure, will be quietly changed because of this store called Ming Supermarket.

...(End of chapter)