Qing Yao

Chapter 381 A Good Couple
In theory, Zhao An's behavior was not that of a rogue, but rather a clever use of the rules, since the "negotiation silver" was originally intended to be paid in advance for the purpose of negotiating a reduced sentence.

It is wrong of me to break the law knowingly, but can I prepay another 5,000 taels for the fine?
You might not be able to do it, but I can!

Why did he first inform the Ministry of War, the Grand Council, and the Grand Secretary? It was simply to remind the assembled Anhui Green Standard Army generals that he had powerful connections.

The person actually in charge of the deliberation of the criminal silver, He Zhongtang, probably won't stand up for you bunch of soldiers, so you all better behave yourselves.

The saying "a higher rank can crush a lower rank" is no joke, unless you bunch of soldiers dare to mutiny.

But this was exactly what Zhao An wanted.

If the Green Standard Army in Huainan really dares to cause trouble, the governor will immediately suppress them. Killing them all at once would actually save a lot of trouble.

Clearly, the Green Standard Army generals in the tent didn't have the guts to do that.

The benefits of taking a few heads were immediate. The subsequent battle plan and mobilization meeting went very smoothly. Under Zhao An's command, the army and local forces quickly began to take action, and a secret siege against the salt bandits was launched.

In Anqing, the provincial capital, although the governor's office and the provincial governor's office were both without their masters, the officials who remained did not dare to slack off. Zhao An's policy of revitalizing the province through industry and commerce did not stop because of his departure, and military provisions and equipment procured by Anqing Prefecture and the Salt Commissioner's Office were continuously transported to Fengyang.

Anqing is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Compared with land transportation, water transportation is obviously the focus of development. After all, the carrying capacity of a cargo ship is equivalent to that of a hundred horse-drawn carriages, and the labor and costs are much less.

The original wharf had been expanded once during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. After more than a hundred years, the old wharf could no longer handle the current cargo throughput. Therefore, Song Jiawen, the prefect of Anqing, organized people to renovate and expand the wharf once again.

Part of the expansion funds came from private merchants, who were rewarded with a portion of the dock area to set up warehouses after its completion.

It's like a fixed warehouse transit station, which can save merchants a lot of transportation costs.

This is also Zhao An's idea of ​​introducing a large amount of private funds for local development—if the government has no money but wants to get things done, it will naturally "raise funds" from wealthy people in the private sector.

Some unscrupulous officials would directly ask government staff and students to donate money voluntarily, or even forcibly impose donations on the people.

They promised dividends after a certain number of years, but when the year came, the booklet turned out to be worthless and unredeemable.

Zhao An was not an unethical official and did not want to deceive the people, so vigorously attracting private investment became his first choice.

As the saying goes, if you want to get rich, build roads first.

Roads are not only the foundation for people to become rich, but they also enable troops scattered across various regions to quickly assemble.

Zhao An plans to widen and renovate all the roads in Anhui Province next year. This is a huge project, and it is conservatively estimated that it will require about two million taels of silver.

The Anhui provincial treasury certainly couldn't afford this amount, so Zhao An planned to sell the "toll collection rights" of some roads to private merchants, thereby firmly binding the local Anhui merchants and even the Jiangzhe financial groups to himself.

Although this approach will increase freight costs, it is an excellent way for Anhui, which lacks funds, to develop rapidly.

Jiangsu Governor Fu Song was having a great time selling off his official properties, and as the "instigator," Zhao An would certainly follow suit.

If it weren't for the fact that the customs duties from Wuhu Customs were directly transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, he would have sold or rented out this lucrative customs post that earned 400,000 taels of silver a year.

Due to the large-scale renovation of Anqing Wharf, the wharf is currently very crowded, but also full of vitality.

The docks were crowded with cargo boats, passenger boats, and rafts, and the porters carrying loads, the vendors hawking their wares, and the travelers coming and going created a vivid picture of everyday life.

At first glance, it looks like a huge, bustling construction site.

In fact, it was a large construction site.

Across the Yangtze River is the famous Chijiadu Ferry, where a large number of merchants and travelers come to Anqing by passenger boat every day, making the ferry business extremely good.

As soon as a ferry from the south bank docked, the vendors on the shore eagerly began hawking their wares: some selling tea eggs, some selling flatbread, and some selling fried dough sticks.
They also loudly asked the passengers on the ship if anyone needed to work.

The vendors were quickly stunned by what they saw. The people on the boat were not guests from the south bank, but a group of Manchu soldiers in gleaming armor.

Not only were there Manchu soldiers, but also tall horses!

The captain of the ship, Ba Liu, glanced at the vendors on the shore who were trying to sell their wares, and the vendors were so frightened that they retreated one after another.

"Go ashore!"

Eighty-six waved and disembarked first, then turned to look at the river behind him—Madam Zhao, whom he was to protect, was on the boat behind him.

After more than thirty Manchu soldiers disembarked from the ship, they voluntarily went back to help the servants of Lord Zhao's household pull the carriage.

The news of the arrival of the Eight Banners soldiers at the dock spread instantly, causing a sensation at the dock like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Eight Banners soldiers!
Ordinary people watched the spectacle with amusement, but the merchants who traveled all over the country were all very puzzled.

It is extremely rare for a fully-organized Eight Banners cavalry unit to appear in a remote area like Anqing when there is no war.

It should be noted that Anhui was not only a "low-lying area" for the appointment of banner officials, but also a province without any Eight Banners garrisons.

What were the Eight Banners soldiers doing in Anqing?
No one knew, except that the group of Eight Banner soldiers escorted several horse-drawn carriages to the provincial capital.

Judging from the appearance, there must be someone of extremely high status inside the carriage, otherwise how could it be escorted by Eight Banner soldiers?

Under the watchful eyes of countless people filled with astonishment and awe, Ba Liu led his men to escort the convoy straight through the dock and sped along the official road toward Anqing City without stopping, leaving behind a cacophony of whispers and speculations among the merchants and common people.

Old Song, the director of the provincial administration office, who had already received the news, was waiting outside the government office with his subordinates. However, Old Song had no idea that General Jiangning had sent troops to escort his wife and her entourage. So when a group of Eight Banner soldiers on horseback suddenly appeared in his sight, his heart trembled for no reason. He almost thought that the court had discovered the existence of the "small loan gang" and sent Eight Banner soldiers to arrest them.

Only when he discovered that Li Lin, whom he had sent to fetch his wife, was at the front of the procession did he breathe a sigh of relief, and then curiously watched the approaching Eight Banners soldiers on horseback.

The staff of the provincial government office were also puzzled, but dared not speculate wildly in front of Lao Song.

"Shut up!"

Upon reaching Old Song and the others, Eighty-Six reined in his horse and stopped abruptly. He then dismounted and ignored Old Song, who was all smiles and wanted to "talk" to him. Instead, he strode to a seemingly ordinary but exquisitely crafted blue-canopied carriage behind him, bowed slightly, and said in fluent Jiangning dialect, "Madam, we've arrived!"

Why isn't "86" a Beijing dialect word?

It's because their ancestors were stationed in Jiangning for over a hundred years, and their accents were long assimilated by the locals. Manchus and Han Chinese did not intermarry, but Manchus could marry Han women and have Han fathers-in-law and brothers-in-law, while Han men could not marry Manchu women.

"Thank you for your help, Eighth Master."

As the carriage curtain was lifted, Wanqing, holding her son, and Chunlan, holding her daughter, appeared in everyone's sight. The coachman promptly lowered the step stool, and Wanqing nodded slightly before calmly and slowly getting out of the carriage.

"lady!"

Old Song quickly stepped forward and bowed, while nodding to Chunlan, the young lady behind Wanqing.

It was Old Song who took Zhao An to the countryside to pick up the young lady; how could he not recognize her?

The young lady was certainly grateful to "Director Song," who was both her matchmaker and a benefactor. Although she didn't speak while standing behind Wanqing, her eyes were filled with gratitude.

"Madam, your timing is truly unfortunate. Lord Zhao..."

Old Song briefly recounted how Zhao An led his troops to Fengyang to suppress bandits.

"Uncle Song,"

Wanqing felt a little disappointed that her husband was not here, but she quickly recovered and politely bowed to Old Song. Then her gaze fell on the face of Eighty-Six, who had escorted her all the way. With a perfectly timed smile, she said softly, "I was able to arrive safely thanks to the careful protection of Eighth Lord and all the soldiers. I thank you all again."

Eighty-six hurriedly said, "Madam, there's no need for that. It's my good fortune to be able to escort you."

Old Song was completely bewildered. A Zuo Ling was a fourth-rank official, and even the prefect would address him with respect. Although Wan Qing was the wife of Zhao An, the Anhui Provincial Governor, it was unreasonable for her to expect such servility from a Zuo Ling of the Eight Banners, especially since he had escorted her all the way from Jiangning.

Old Song, still puzzled, heard Wanqing say to the captain, "Lord Ba, you have had a long journey. I should invite you all to the yamen to rest and have a cup of hot tea, but my husband is not here. Given your special status, if we were to enter the yamen in a grand manner, it might attract unnecessary gossip and disappoint the general's consideration for my husband and me."

Wanqing controlled the volume perfectly, and the provincial officials around her, who were listening intently, could hear her clearly.

"Compassion?"

Old Song's eyelids twitched: How much face must General Jiangning have to be so considerate?

It is truly puzzling when Zhao An had any dealings with General Jiang Ning, and what kind of relationship they had formed.

"What you say is absolutely right, Madam. I was ordered to escort you safely to your destination and should have returned to Jiangning immediately. However, the General has other important matters to discuss with Lord Zhao. Since Lord Zhao has gone to Fengyang, I should also head there."

The important matter mentioned by Ba Liu was that Zhao An had previously written a letter to General Yongqing of Jiangning to discuss the establishment of a temporary ordnance repair shop in Anqing.

"You must be tired from your journey, sir. I'll make the arrangements here."

Old Song quickly summoned two subordinates and instructed them to take the Eight Banners soldiers to rest and eat.

Eighty-six clasped his hands and said, "Madam, then this humble general will go ahead first."

Wanqing nodded slightly, and after the Eighty-Six and the others had gone, she sighed to Old Song as if she were not paying attention and said, "General is indeed concerned about the young master. He was afraid that something might happen to us on the way, so he specially sent Eighth Master to lead troops to escort us here."

After speaking, he glanced at the group of provincial officials without making a sound.

Wanqing was, after all, the eldest granddaughter of the county magistrate. Although young, she knew that people in officialdom were best at figuring out their superiors' intentions and were also the most likely to follow the crowd.

My husband, Zhao An, has a shallow foundation in Anhui. Although he has ruthless methods to rise to a high position, he needs greater support to truly gain a foothold in Anhui and make these deeply entrenched local officials feel awe rather than just fear.

What power could be more intimidating than the rumors of imperial lineage?
There's no need for her to say anything about this.

What was the status of General Jiangning?

That was a high-ranking Manchu official who guarded the southeast and was favored by the emperor!

Why would such a person show such concern for the family of a Han Chinese provincial governor for no apparent reason, to the point of having to use the Eight Banners troops to escort them across provincial borders?
In the minds of the staff present, the fact that General Jiangning specially dispatched Eight Banners soldiers to escort him proved one thing—that Lord Zhao really was of royal blood, the current emperor's bloodline who had been lost among the common people, and a prince who could not be openly acknowledged!
Madam Zhao is not the wife of a provincial governor, but clearly the emperor's daughter-in-law and the prince's consort!
Otherwise, how can one explain this treatment, which is completely beyond the norm and almost at the level of a prince!
Wanqing knew when to stop and didn't say anything more, but she politely said to Old Song, "Uncle Song, the backyard of the yamen must have been tidied up. I'll go in and settle in first. It's windy outside, so you and the other officials should also go back to avoid catching a cold."

After saying this, Chunlan, who was holding her daughter, walked gracefully towards the backyard of the provincial governor's office, surrounded by servants and maids.

The group quickly disappeared into the back hall, but the area in front of the screen wall remained silent.

The officials of the provincial governor's office looked at each other in disbelief. After a long while, someone lowered their voice and whispered to Old Song, who was about to return to work, "Lord Song, there are rumors circulating that Lord Zhao is indeed..."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Song glared at him and shouted, "All of you shut your mouths tight! If anyone dares to gossip outside, I'll smash your rice bowls!"

The subordinate, startled, quickly nodded, and none of the others dared to say another word.

But you can't hide fire with paper!
The news that the Eight Banners soldiers were escorting Lord Zhao and his family spread like wildfire throughout Anqing.

The speculation that had been circulating privately but no one dared to confirm publicly was now burning like wildfire in the hearts of every official.

Lord Zhao is the Emperor's illegitimate son!

It can't be wrong, absolutely right!
The atmosphere in Anqing's officialdom changed completely at this moment.

Previously, some people might have been secretly observing, or even preparing to kick Zhao An when he was down after his bandit suppression efforts failed. Now, however, they have all restrained their thoughts and become unusually obedient.

The efficiency of sending provisions and supplies to the front lines of the bandit suppression campaign suddenly improved, and there was no longer any disobedience to the various instructions issued by the provincial governor's office; even the local gentry who had previously been critical of some of Zhao An's radical policies suddenly became taciturn.

The officials left behind in the provincial government office stood even straighter in front of outsiders, and spoke louder when doing things.

The entire officialdom in Anhui was operating rapidly under a strange and oppressive consensus.

The news from Anqing and the changes in officialdom were relayed to Zhao An by Lao Song in the form of a briefing. At that time, Zhao An was in front of a map, deducing the next military action.

After reading the "briefing" sent by Lao Song, Zhao An was silent for a moment, then grinned and said, "Wanqing, you little brat, you actually know how to take advantage of others. We two are truly a pair of cunning and treacherous lovers."

However, I also feel a lot of pressure.

Having a wife who is too smart is actually not a good thing.

(End of this chapter)