The Red Mansion

Chapter 212 The Imperial Envoy's Cold Face, Yama's Execution

On the evening of the 20th day of the first lunar month.

The elite troops from Jingkou continued to scatter and raid various parts of Yangzhou like tigers and wolves, creating a grim and murderous atmosphere.

The saltworks were brightly lit. Outside the main gate, more than ten merchants, including Zhuang Shuli and Tang Chengyu, gathered in a group. They were all anxious and kept looking into the gate.

Suddenly, Meng Xiong, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard, walked out of the yamen with his hand on his sword. His towering figure stood on the steps, and his voice boomed like a bell: "The Imperial Envoy has ordered that only Tang Chengyu is present. All the others, please return!"

This statement caused an uproar among the merchants.

Zhuang Shuli's expression changed drastically. He grabbed Tang Chengyu's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Tang, what's the matter?"

Tang Chengyu was completely bewildered. Suppressing his surprise and doubt, he cupped his hands and said, "Please rest assured, everyone. Allow me to go and see the magistrate first, and then we can make a decision."

Meng Xiong said little, leading Tang Chengyu into the Salt Bureau. Along the way, the soldiers of Jingkou were heavily guarded, and the lamplight reflected the cold glint of their swords and spears. Although Tang Chengyu was a seasoned businessman who had seen many storms, his palms were still sweaty and his heart was pounding like a drum.

We arrived at the signing room.

The room was brightly lit by candlelight. Jiang Nian was bent over his desk reading documents when he saw Meng Xiong leading Tang Chengyu in. He put down the documents and Tang Chengyu immediately bowed deeply: "Tang Chengyu greets Lord Jiang."

Jiang Nian smiled slightly and raised her hand in a gesture of support: "Mr. Tang, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

Tang Chengyu dared not sit down, and bowed, saying, "How can a lowly person have a seat before an esteemed person?" Jiang Nian offered him a seat again, and Tang Chengyu finally sat down, leaning against one side of the chair, still not daring to sit down properly.

Jiang Nian turned her gaze slightly and instructed Meng Xiong, "Go outside and keep watch. No one is allowed to enter without permission."

Meng Xiong clasped his hands in agreement, stepped out of the door, and closed it tightly behind him.

Jiang Nian gazed at Tang Chengyu, then suddenly chuckled and said casually, "Master Tang, what brings you here at this hour?"

Tang Chengyu quickly bowed and replied, "Lord Jiang has been working tirelessly day and night to reform the salt administration. Although I am dull-witted, I am willing to do my best if there is anything I can do to help you." As he spoke, his eyes flickered slightly as he secretly observed Jiang Nian's expression.

"He's quite pragmatic!" Jiang Nian thought to herself, then leaned forward slightly and stared at Tang Chengyu, saying, "If the imperial court wanted to establish a chief official position in Yangzhou, to be the head of all the merchants, to oversee salt affairs and mediate disputes, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Chengyu was first taken aback, then his heart began to pound wildly. He thought to himself, "This Lord Jiang summoned me alone and brought up this matter. Could it be that he wants me to take on this chief position?"

Thinking of this, Tang Chengyu felt a surge of heat rush to his head, almost causing him to lose control. Fearing he would lose his composure, he quickly composed himself, cupped his hands in a solemn manner, and said, "Your Excellency is wise! The salt administration in Yangzhou is deeply entrenched and intricate, and it is in dire need of a chief administrator to coordinate it. This proposal benefits the court and puts merchants at ease; it is truly a wise move."

Jiang Nian raised the corners of her mouth slightly and said slowly, "His Majesty has decided to establish this position! Imperial Censor Lin recommended you, saying that you are trustworthy and have a high reputation among salt merchants, and this Imperial Envoy..." He paused slightly, his eyes filled with deep meaning, "...also feels that you are qualified for this position."

Upon hearing this, Tang Chengyu felt as if he had heard heavenly music and could no longer contain himself. He knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "I will never forget Lord Jiang's kindness in helping me! I will definitely do my utmost to serve the court in the future!" After saying this, he kowtowed three times.

He suddenly recalled Jiang Nian's comment on his son Tang Chun's name, saying, "Spring brings sunshine, all things sprout and stir, it is a sign of prosperity." At the time, he thought it was just casual conversation, but now, reflecting on it, he realized it clearly contained a hidden meaning!

Thinking of this, he felt his blood boil and thought to himself, "The prosperity of my Tang family is surely due to this place!"

In Jiang Nian's previous life, the "Chief General" was established as the official title and institutionalized name for the head of the Yangzhou general merchants during the Qianlong era. After its establishment, the "Chief General" represented all the salt merchants in Yangzhou in dealing with the government and assumed primary responsibility, becoming a key tool for the court to "govern commerce through commerce" in Yangzhou.

It wasn't until the Daoguang era, when Tao Shu, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, implemented the "Salt Ticket Law" reform, abolishing the monopoly privileges of salt merchants (the "Gang Law"), that the system of chief general and general merchants disintegrated.

Jiang Nian had considered implementing the "salt ticket law" now, but after careful consideration, he realized that if the "salt ticket law" were implemented now, it would encounter devastating resistance. Daqing was at risk of short-term financial collapse, and Daqing's current administrative management capabilities and social structure were not suitable for the salt ticket law.

Despite his boldness in reform, Emperor Taishun was actually an extremely pragmatic reformer who paid close attention to risk control. The reforms he chose, such as investigating deficits, merging land tax with poll tax, and abolishing the fire tax, were all areas where resistance was relatively controllable, results could be achieved relatively quickly, and the impact on public finances and society was relatively stable.

Faced with the salt administration, a "hornet's nest" involving the most powerful vested interest group in Daqing and concerning the wartime financial lifeline, Emperor Taishun, with his wisdom, would not choose such a radical and comprehensive reform as the salt ticket system.

A more practical approach than that of the Tai Shun dynasty was to partially reform the salt administration system.

……

……

Jiang Nianzheng and Tang Chengyu were having a secret discussion in the signing room when Jia Lian suddenly appeared outside.

Meng Xiong's booming voice rang out: "Second Master Lian, please wait! No one is allowed to enter without permission!"

Jia Lian, dressed in a lake-blue satin robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, put on a warm smile and bowed to Meng Xiong, saying, "Brother Meng, we're family, why be so formal? I have important matters to discuss with my brother-in-law Jiang." With that, he was about to step inside.

Meng Xiong, with his towering frame, stepped in front of Jia Lian, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Please forgive me, Second Master Lian." His large, copper-bell-shaped eyes rolled across Jia Lian's face. "The magistrate is discussing important official business and has been strictly ordered not to disturb him. Second Master Lian, you may wait here."

Jia Lian was taken aback by these words, his Adam's apple bobbing twice, his jaw clenching tightly. Unfortunately, this seemingly invincible Meng Xiong was Jiang Nian's confidant, so he couldn't lash out. He could only force a smile and say, "In that case, I'll wait." With a flick of his sleeve, he strolled to the side, took out his gilded pocket watch, glanced at it, and cursed inwardly, "That Jiang Nian, putting on airs like an imperial envoy!"

This wait lasted for half an hour.

Just as Jia Lian was getting impatient, the door to the signing room creaked open. Tang Chengyu, beaming, stepped out, gave Jia Lian a perfunctory bow, and strode away.

Meng Xiong entered the signing room and came out shortly afterward, his voice booming: "Second Master Lian, please come in."

Inside the signing room, Jiang Nian saw Jia Lian enter and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes.

He knew that ever since Jia Lian arrived in Yangzhou with many servants from the Rongguo Mansion, he had rented an inn in the city to stay in, waiting for Lin Ruhai to pass away so that he could take over the Lin family's property.

He also knew that Jia Lian had been having an affair with one of the beautiful concubines of the merchant Liu Zhongfang these past few days.

Liu Zhongfang was one of the top five merchants in Yangzhou. He originally wanted to curry favor with Jiang Nian, but when he couldn't, he took another approach and started to win over Jia Lian. He thought that Jia Lian was a direct descendant of the Rongguo Mansion and was related to Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai. Moreover, Jia Lian had come to Yangzhou with Jiang Nian and Lin Daiyu. He thought that if he won over Jia Lian, he would be useful.

Liu Zhongfang bribed Jia Lian's servant and learned that Jia Lian was lustful and "only loved what others had." So, Liu Zhongfang, playing to Jia Lian's tastes, had his beautiful concubine, Yu Mei, seduce him. Jiang Nian originally only intended to arrest Shen Chuan'en, the head merchant, but Shen Chuan'en was too cunning and escaped. Coincidentally, Ren Pijiang had seized one of Liu Zhongfang's smuggled salt ships at the dock that day, so Jiang Nian ordered Liu Zhongfang's arrest.

Jiang Nian immediately guessed that Jia Lian must have come to plead for Liu Zhongfang.

Jiang Nian deliberately asked, "Second Brother Lian, what brings you here at this hour?"

Jia Lian smiled broadly: "Brother-in-law, you are quite impressive today! You even transferred Yuan's army from Jingkou to Yangzhou. Such decisiveness truly makes you worthy of being the capable minister appointed by His Majesty." As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the documents on the desk. "However, while official duties are important, you should also take care of your health."

Jiang Nian said calmly, "I'm currently very busy with official duties. If Brother Lian has something important to discuss, please feel free to do so. If it's just casual conversation—" He then gave a half-smile, "How about we talk another day?"

These words were like a bucket of snow water poured over Jia Lian's head. His cheeks tightened, but he forced a smile again: "I shouldn't have bothered my brother-in-law at this time, but... but I heard that my brother-in-law arrested Liu Zhongfang, the head merchant? I have some connections with this man." After speaking, he glanced at Jiang Nian.

"Oh?" Jiang Nian suddenly chuckled, her fingertips tapping on the table. "Liu Zhongfang is a salt merchant from Yangzhou. How could Brother Lian, who is new to the area, have any connection with him?"

Jia Lian's heart skipped a beat when asked the question. Unable to reveal his affair with Liu Zhongfang's concubine, Yu Mei, he could only stammer, "This...it's a long story. I only beg you, brother-in-law, to consider our relationship and forgive Liu Zhongfang." He then took a step forward and lowered his voice, "Liu Zhongfang said that if you forgive him, he's willing to offer you 50,000 taels of silver!"

"Bang!" Jiang Nian suddenly slammed her hand on the table, startling Jia Lian into taking two steps back. "The old lady of the Rong family sent you to Yangzhou to escort Lin Daiyu and serve her uncle, but you have been nowhere to be seen all day. Do you think I don't know that you are having an affair with Liu Zhongfang's concubine named Yumei?"

Jia Lian's face immediately turned purple, and he was secretly annoyed: "The old lady sent me here for the Lin family's property! But you brought this damn miracle doctor! You're my brother-in-law, yet you lecture me like this to my face!"

However, he dared not utter these words aloud, nor did he dare to plead for Liu Zhongfang any further.

Immediately, Jia Lian left the saltworks looking dejected. Instead of returning to the inn he had booked, he took a carriage and headed towards the banks of the Xiao Qinhuai River, arriving at an exquisite residence on the riverbank.

This residence belongs to Liu Zhongfang. In recent days, his beautiful concubine Yumei has been staying here, where she and Jia Lian have been having secret meetings.

A young servant in blue robes peeked out from the doorway. When he saw Jia Lian alight from the carriage, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Second Master Lian, you've finally arrived! Our aunt has been asking about you several times, and she's been waiting anxiously."

Jia Lian stepped into the courtyard and went straight into the inner courtyard. He lifted the soft curtain of the bedroom and was immediately greeted by a sweet fragrance. He saw Yu Mei leaning against the couch, wearing an apricot-red gauze shirt with the collar half open, revealing her snow-white neck. She was lazily picking up a salted peanut and bringing it to her lips.

"My lord!" Yu Mei, seeing Jia Lian enter, quickly dropped the peanut shells and stood up to greet him. "How did things go?"

Jia Lian sat on the couch, grabbed a teacup and gulped down more than half of it before slamming the cup down on the table: "Don't mention it! That Jiang Nian is cold-hearted and heartless. He's my brother-in-law, yet he shows no mercy and refuses to forgive Liu Zhongfang! Your master is probably doomed this time. Knowing my brother-in-law's temperament, he'll most likely confiscate our property!"

Yu Mei turned pale with fright: "Seize...seize the house? If that's the case, won't I be in trouble too?" Before she finished speaking, she slumped into Jia Lian's arms, her slender fingernails digging into Jia Lian's shirt. "If it really comes to this, Second Master, please remember our one night as husband and wife and save me."

Jia Lian took the opportunity to embrace Yu Mei. He didn't know what kind of fragrance she was wearing, but it was sweet and seeped into his bones. He was suddenly emboldened by lust and said, "No matter how stern Jiang Nian is, he still has to give me some face. If it really comes to that, I will protect you."

Yu Mei's ten fingers wrapped around Jia Lian's neck like vines: "Second Master, you must keep your word! I, a person of such ill fate, am entirely counting on your mercy!"

This woman was originally a courtesan from Yangzhou, well-versed in matters of love and romance. In the blink of an eye, she had completely captivated Jia Lian, leaving him only with the regret of not being able to succumb to her charms.

……

……

Two days later, it was the twenty-third day of the first lunar month.

That morning, Yangzhou was shrouded in a misty rain.

The dense raindrops resembled a gray net, dimming the salt commissioner's office.

Suddenly, about two hundred salt merchants and salt producers gathered outside the yamen. At first, they were just whispering among themselves, but gradually they started shouting.

These people are all related to the Shen family, and they were clearly instigated by someone.

At this moment, Zhuang Shuli and several other businessmen were discussing how to counter Jiang Nian at the guild hall. Suddenly, they heard that the Shen family was causing trouble outside the saltworks. Zhuang Shuli sneered, "Since the Shen family has started this, let's all join in the 'show'!"

The merchants instigated their respective salt merchants and salt producers to cause trouble at the salt administration office.

Within an hour, the area outside the saltworks was bustling with noise, a dense crowd of over a thousand people. Some of the bolder ones even picked up stones and threw them at the soldiers.

Inside the yamen, Jiang Nian remained calm and ordered all the chief merchants to come to the salt administration office for a meeting.

Not long after, Zhuang Shuli, Tang Chengyu and eighteen other general merchants gathered in the main hall of the Salt Bureau. Originally, there were twenty general merchants in Yangzhou, but Shen Chuan'en had fled and Liu Zhongfang had been arrested.

Zhuang Shuli and more than ten other merchants, seeing dozens of soldiers standing inside and outside the hall, were initially intimidated, but they forced a show of indignation on their faces.

Zhuang Shuli said sarcastically, "Lord Jiang, what a grand gesture! You've mobilized the Jingkou Army to Yangzhou. Those in the know say it's to reorganize the salt administration, but those who don't might think it's a mutiny!"

Beside him, a merchant named Lu Huanyan immediately chimed in: "Sir, you have already thrown the Lianghuai salt administration into chaos. Now, a thousand people have gathered outside the salt administration to protest. If this continues, the Lianghuai salt administration will be in complete disarray, and the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Jiang Nian sat behind the table, letting the merchants chatter on and on. Once they quieted down, she suddenly sneered, "Have you all finished talking?" Without waiting for a response, she suddenly shouted, "Bring your men to arrest Liu Zhongfang!"

Meng Xiong led in a disheveled, wounded middle-aged man, who was none other than Liu Zhongfang. This Liu Zhongfang, the former dashing businessman, was no longer the elegant man he once was, dressed in fine silks. Upon seeing Jiang Nian, his legs went weak and he knelt on the ground.

Jiang Nian suddenly stood up and walked to Liu Zhongfang's side, saying in a deep voice, "It has now been found that the head merchant Liu Zhongfang has committed numerous serious crimes, including selling smuggled salt, embezzling salt tax, bribing officials, misappropriating salt production, raising a private army, manipulating salt prices, and even hiring murderers. These crimes are intolerable to Heaven!"

After saying this, Jiang Nian suddenly ordered Meng Xiong and his personal guards to pin Liu Zhongfang down. He then drew his sword and stood up. A cold light flashed like a bolt of lightning, and with a muffled thud, Liu Zhongfang's head rolled off the ground, landing right at Zhuang Shuli's feet. This startled the second-largest merchant in Yangzhou, who hurriedly got up to avoid the fall.

"Those causing trouble outside—" Jiang Nian flicked the blood off her knife, her voice as soft as if discussing the day's rain, "Who instigated this? Get out of here immediately! I'll give you two quarters of an hour. During these two quarters of an hour, I'll retreat to the inner quarters and won't inquire who went out to evacuate! After two quarters of an hour, if anyone is still causing trouble outside, I'll arrest them for interrogation! No matter who among you is found to have instigated it..." The tip of her knife tapped the head on the ground, "This is an example! I won't hide it from you anymore, this time I intend to eliminate three major merchant families: the Shen family, the Liu family, and one more. Don't be foolish enough to run into my blade!"

The hall was deathly silent!
Zhuang Shuli stared at Liu Zhongfang's head, his Adam's apple bobbing. His hands clenched involuntarily and trembled. He cursed inwardly, "This Jiang Nian—he's truly audacious! What a living Yama!"

(End of this chapter)