Dugong

Chapter 82 Hengchang Trading Company
Back to the Imperial Stables.

Before Li Ping'an could even settle into his seat, Eunuch Xia brought over a stack of official documents that needed to be processed.

For example, the purchase of horse harnesses and fodder was previously handled by Qing Si Trading Company, but now we need to find new suppliers as soon as possible to avoid a supply disruption.

For example, when it comes to personnel transfers, if a few new eunuchs are assigned to the Inner Palace Office, the specific tasks they will be assigned must be approved in writing by Li Ping'an.

The duties of a superintendent are very busy; it's not enough to just sit in an official chair and show off one's power.

Li Ping'an didn't find it annoying at all; on the contrary, he enjoyed the feeling of approving official documents. Every word he wrote could determine someone's future and livelihood. This kind of power was like that of a god who controlled destiny.

"What is the background of Hengchang Trading Company? They only applied for their business license at the Beijing government office a few days ago, yet they passed the first two rounds of review?"

Li Ping'an demanded an explanation, saying that the business must have been established by some official from the Imperial Horse Administration, yet they didn't inform him or specify how much of a share they were entitled to.

Eunuch Xia bowed and said, "Your Excellency, Hengchang Trading Company is run by merchants from Hengyang, and the Li family holds a significant share of the business."

"The Li family?"

Li Ping'an was slightly taken aback and subconsciously thought it was a prominent family with the surname Li. But when he saw that Eunuch Xia was staring straight at him, he suddenly realized and nodded.

"Ahem, when we select suppliers, we can't rely on seniority or the time they opened. This has nothing to do with the quality of the fodder!"

"What you say makes sense."

Eunuch Xia understood immediately. Eunuch An wanted Hengchang Trading Company to supply fodder. The profit margin couldn't compare to buying and selling imperial horses, but it was simpler and more stable.

About half an hour.

After Li Ping'an finished approving all the official documents, he was about to ask Eunuch Xia about the business when he saw Eunuch Hai enter with the imperial edict. He quickly stepped forward and knelt to greet him.

After reading the imperial edict, Eunuch Hai handed over the seal of the Deputy Commander of the Beijing Garrison and said with a smile.

"Eunuch An, congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you for making the trip, Eunuch Hai."

As Li Ping'an accepted the official seal, he handed over the silver notes and asked in a low voice, "Please advise me, Eunuch Hai, on how to proceed with my mission to the Beijing Garrison?"

Hai Gonggong asked meaningfully, "An Gonggong, whose Beijing Garrison do you think it is?"

"Of course, it's His Majesty's Beijing Garrison!"

……

Soon.

The news of Li Ping'an's promotion caused an uproar among the officials in the court.

Although there were precedents of eunuchs holding official positions in the Dayong Dynasty, such as salt commissioners and mining commissioners in various regions, no eunuch ever held a military post. Instead, they were in charge of the important task of supplying provisions and pay.

The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War repeatedly impeached His Majesty, requesting that he rescind his decree.

Emperor Yongning asked only one question: "The capital garrison has been in arrears with its pay for a long time, and the morale of the troops is wavering. Mutiny is imminent. Do any of you ministers have a good plan?"

The newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Cui, said that the national treasury still had surplus silver, so the payment of officials' salaries could be delayed.

The opposition from the officials grew even stronger. If Minister Cui hadn't been an elder of His Majesty's maternal family, he would probably have been beaten up in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

……

Snake Coil Mountain.

It is located at the border of two prefectures, bordering the coastal area to the east and Lingnan to the west.

This day.

Dozens or even hundreds of prisoners trudged along the narrow, rugged mountain path, their escorting officers cursing and lashing out with whips to urge them to hurry on.

Most of these prisoners are surnamed He, and they are He Yong and his relatives involved in the embezzlement case.

He Yong, who was at the very front, was over fifty years old. He had enjoyed wealth and luxury for many years and was fat and obese. He wore a heavy shackle around his neck and had his feet chained.

Behind him was a limping boy, pale-faced and terrified, with several bloody whip marks on his body.

"Grandpa, will we survive if we go to Lingnan?"

More than twenty members of their clan had died on the way to exile from the capital, either from beatings or illness, including He Yong's eldest son.

"Hao'er, hang in there! When we get to the border, Grandpa will have a plan!"

He Yong had long anticipated the Imperial Horse Administration's potential betrayal and had buried a considerable amount of gold and silver treasures in advance. Once the officials and supervisors in Lingnan were less vigilant, he could seize the opportunity to dig them up and make a comeback.

Thinking of the concubines forced into the brothel, He Yong's eyes were filled with hatred and resentment. "As long as I have money, I won't have trouble bribing officials. I will definitely go back and take revenge, and I'll make those spineless eunuchs pay..."

At this moment.

Long howls echoed from the forests on both sides, rising and falling in a continuous stream.

The constable was quite experienced. He circulated his inner energy and said loudly, "Which hero are you? I am escorting a wanted criminal of the imperial court. I have no silver or valuables on me."

The long howl in the mountains ceased abruptly, and the messenger had just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a hail of arrows raining down from the sky.

"Archer!"

The constable cried out in horror, abandoning his duty of escorting prisoners, and used his light-footed skills to turn and run away.

He escaped during the escort. According to the law, he would be punished the same as the criminal. However, exile is better than death. Besides, with his martial arts skills, he could live a carefree life in the martial world.

The officials scattered and fled, but the prisoners in shackles and chains could not escape.

A volley of arrows rained down, instantly felling half of them, their screams and wails filling the air.

Then, a hundred or eighty masked swordsmen rushed out of the mountains and forests, each wielding a green sword. No matter how the old and weak members of the He family cried and begged for mercy, they each stabbed the neck and heart twice.

The method was clean and efficient, clearly indicating that the person was used to this kind of shady dealings.

Seeing his clansmen almost all dead or wounded, He Yong shouted loudly, "Hero, spare our lives! I have 50,000 taels of silver hidden in my possession. I am willing to buy the lives of my entire family!"

The words fell.

A figure leaped across the treetops, waving to stop the swordsman from killing them. The voice was unpredictable, making it impossible to discern the person's age.

"I'm paying people to solve their problems, but your price puts me in a difficult position!"

"And there's more..."

He Yong wasn't afraid that the other party would be desperate for money; he was only afraid that they wouldn't even be willing to talk. Money could be earned back, but if the whole family was wiped out, everything would be lost.

……

Imperial Horse Stables.

Duty room.

Li Ping'an was looking through the roster of military officers in the capital garrison, which Prince Cheng had sent to him a few days ago.

The roster contains detailed information about the military officers, such as their age, place of origin, background, and relationships with relatives and friends. For those with high martial arts skills, their strength and techniques are also indicated.

“Since the founding of the dynasty, the Prince Cheng’s mansion has been relied upon by His Majesty in every dynasty. His ability to understand the Emperor’s intentions far surpasses that of other nobles!”

Li Ping'an would mark any military officer with the surname "Zhang" or related to the surname "Zhang" with an X.

After flipping through the entire book, it was found that 30% of the military officers had crossed out their relationships with the government. This only included those with official connections, not those who had secretly defected to the government.

"No wonder His Majesty didn't just take down the Prince of Zhenbei directly; it would truly affect the stability of the nation..."

Li Ping'an muttered to himself, pondering how to purge the military officers of the capital garrison without causing trouble, while also promoting soldiers with clean backgrounds.

At this time.

Xiao Yuzi bowed as he entered and reported, "Godfather, Magistrate Qian has sent a letter."

Li Ping'an nodded slightly: "What do you mean?"

Xiao Yuzi whispered, "When the officials escorting the prisoners passed through the border between Lingnan and Donghai prefectures, they were robbed by mountain bandits. The entire He family was wiped out, with not a single survivor!"

Li Ping'an sighed, "Alas, we were kind-hearted and spared their lives, but fate is cruel."

After Xiao Yuzi and his godfather finished their compassionate lament, they pulled out a bundle from their bosom: "Prefect Qian has sent fifty thousand taels of silver notes, saying that the He family has been hoarding valuables."

Li Ping'an looked surprised and raised an eyebrow to ask.

"Who did it?"

"Prefect Qian said it was Master Li of Hidden Sword Manor, a renowned swordsman in Lingnan!"

“The master is so meticulous and thoughtful in his work. Our family needs such talent. Ask Master Li if he has any sons who are willing to serve in the Beijing Garrison.”

"Upon enlisting, one is first appointed as a squad leader. After three to five years of training and accumulating several merits, one can be promoted to captain or instructor!"

(End of this chapter)