What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 331 Su Mo is ruthless! He beheads the emperor's trusted confidant!

Upon hearing Cao Feng's words, Zhang Xuzu's eyes lit up immediately: "That's right!"

"That son of a bitch Han Yu has really screwed me over. I'll make him pay this time!"

Not only did Cao Feng hate Han Yu to the bone, but Zhang Xuzu felt the same way, and even more so!
Cutting off someone's livelihood is tantamount to killing their parents!
If it weren't for that scoundrel Han Yu.

Zhang Xuzu's soap business is already making a fortune, so why would he have to use his profits to drive up the price of oils and make things more difficult for himself?
In the past, everyone was a son of a high-ranking official. Although Zhang Xuzu's status was more prestigious than Han Yu's, there was really nothing that could be done about him.

Unless parents are involved!

However, the Rong King behind the Han family is also not someone to be trifled with.

Although Zhang Zong was also furious, he really couldn't take action.

If anyone wants to challenge Prince Rong, they'll need Duke Ningguo, Zhang Lie, to personally intervene.

But things are different now!
Han Yu was still a young master, while Zhang Xuzu and Cao Feng were already centurions and probationary centurions in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

A powerful young master in a government office is a completely different concept from one who has no power!

Ma Wei was truly speechless at this point.

No matter how you look at it, neither my superiors nor my colleagues seem reliable.

The boss of the boss's boss, having just gained power, wants to target the saint's own uncle; this is truly outrageous.

His immediate superior was not much worse than Commander Su.

Lord Kawahara was no ordinary man.

At the founding of the country, it was Lord Kawara who came.

However, since the title was not hereditary, it was reduced from a duke to a marquis when it was passed down to the current Marquis of Kawara.

Although a marquis is not as powerful as a duke, the Han family's strength is undoubtedly still exceptionally formidable.

In Ma Wei's eyes, the Marquis of Heyuan was no different from the Duke of Ningguo or the Duke of Anguo.

They're the kind of people who could crush him with a flick of their fingers!
Ma Wei looked at Su Mo with awe.

He finally had a general understanding of what level of high-level game Su Mo was playing.

They always referred to themselves as "Lord Marquis," "Duke," and "Sage."

The highest level of existence in the Great Wu Dynasty!
When gods fight, he, a mere mortal, is caught in the middle and is destined to be shattered to pieces!
Of course, if you're lucky, you can soar to great heights!
Ma Wei took a deep breath and subconsciously looked at Ning Xiaoxiao!

Of all the high-ranking guards of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office, this seemingly most unreliable young girl was actually the most reliable!
At this moment, he remained calm and collected, seemingly lost in thought!
I don't know if he's just thick-skinned or if he has the same unfathomable background as Zhang Xuzu and Cao Feng, which gives him the right to participate in such a high-level game!

Ma Wei really didn't know what to say!
It seems like I'm the only normal person in the entire Qinghefang Hundred Household Office!
Do not!
The more he thinks about it, the more convinced he becomes.

The former Changping County Hundred Household Office was also malfunctioning!

Otherwise, how could Lord Lin, who held the high position of Right Commander of the Five Core Institutes, have emerged from this position?

Another promotion speed, comparable to a saint's illegitimate son, a strongman and servant!
Su Mo, on the other hand, greatly admired Zhang Xuzu and Cao Feng's vengeful nature.

Although he himself was a moral exemplar and always preferred to win people over with virtue.

He coughed twice: "In that case, everyone, let's split up and get started!"

"Zhang Baihu, go to the tax office and retrieve the commercial tax files!"

"Commander Cao, Commander Ma, you two, seize the account books of the Han family's shops!"

"Commander Ning, you will be in charge of the shops under the name of the Duke of Anguo's mansion!"

After assigning the tasks, Su Mo added, "I will be stationed at headquarters for the next few days. If there is any trouble, please notify me immediately!"

Ning Xiaoxiao finally came to her senses.

She never expected that Su Mo would assign her such an important task as soon as she arrived at the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office.

Ning Xiaoxiao is really not afraid of Zhang Shouning.

After all, she knew very well that she and Su Mo were bound together by fate, so there was no point in being afraid.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "If the Duke of Anguo's men forbid me from seizing the account books, what should I do?"

Su Mo coldly said, "Resisting the Embroidered Uniform Guard is tantamount to rebellion!"

"If three warnings fail to heed my warning, then I'll kill you!"

Upon hearing this, even Zhang Xuzu was secretly startled and exclaimed, "Killed?"

A murderous glint flashed in Su Mo's eyes: "That's right!"

"Anyone who dares to defy the law will be killed without mercy!"

Time is of the essence. If we don't take swift and decisive measures, how can we collect 500,000 taels of silver within ten days?
He asked the Empress for permission to kill people, not to scare others.

Unless blood is actually drawn, how could those merchants, who aren't afraid until a knife is held to their throats, be willing to pay their back taxes?

Zhang Xu, Cao Feng, and Ma Wei's expressions changed simultaneously.

Only Ning Xiaoxiao nodded seriously: "This subordinate understands!"

"If he ignores the warning after three warnings, he may be killed!"

Despite her young age, she appeared extremely afraid of Su Mo, acting like a timid little girl.

In fact, she had been working as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Lin Moyin for many years.

Influenced by her ruthless senior sister, Ning Xiaoxiao was by no means a soft-hearted or weak woman.

Don't forget the ruthlessness she displayed when she and Su Mo ambushed and killed the Azure Dragon Taoist!

She personally cut off the head of the Azure Dragon Taoist.

In the battle of Longmen Cave, more than 20 members of the Heavenly Mother Cult died at her hands!

However, despite Ning Xiaoxiao's suggestion, Su Mo frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "Never mind, I'll go myself!"

Zhang Shouning was too powerful, and Su Mo had personally witnessed the arrogance and domineering behavior of the servants in the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

Back then, even he, dressed in tiger-patterned clothing, dared to brandish his sword at her. Su Mo was genuinely afraid that Ning Xiaoxiao wouldn't be able to withstand him.

The threat of rebellion might frighten many people, but it certainly wouldn't include the Duke of Anguo.

The power of the Empress Dowager, including that of the Duke of Anguo and other relatives of the Empress Dowager, originated from the Empress herself.

No one believed that Zhang Shouning would rebel against the Empress!
After receiving Su Mo's order, the group naturally led their captains, lieutenants, and recruited Imperial Guards to quickly begin their operation.

The strongmen of Qinghefang Hundred Households were mostly selected from among the refugees and had little connection with the major powers in the capital.

In addition, some of them were Zhang family's elite guards.

On the other side of Lone Peak Mountain, Su Mo also selected several salt merchants and warriors who had seen bloodshed to fill the positions of centurions!

Make sure they follow orders!

……

The Tax Bureau, unable to collect taxes, was naturally marginalized among the many departments of the Ministry of Revenue.

The fact that the tax commissioner was a ninth-rank official also proves that the tax commission had little presence.

In fact, the size of a government office can give a rough idea of ​​the authority of the relevant department.

The tax office was not much different from a dilapidated thatched hut.

It's not an exaggeration to say that the roof is drafty on all four sides and has no tiles; it's more accurate to say that it's drafty on three sides, and on rainy days, the roof can leak like a waterfall.

Last time, Bai Yujing and Yanyulou voluntarily paid over a thousand taels of silver in commercial taxes, which alarmed the Ministry of Revenue. One can imagine how much commercial tax the Tax Bureau can collect in a year.

The imperial court takes a year-end holiday, and the tax office is no exception.

The entire tax office was now left with only two listless old servants and an old clerk.

Even the warehouse ambassador, who was supposed to be on duty, quietly slipped away and no one cared.

Everyone knows that the tax office's warehouse is so empty that rats could starve to death; it makes no difference whether you look at it or not.

The sudden appearance of Imperial Guards in blue robes, with straight swords at their waists, stormed into the tax office, naturally causing the two guards to tremble with fear...

Zhang Xuzu didn't waste any more words with the old clerk.

He tossed out the ivory token and straight knife, and the old clerk, trembling, handed over the tax book...

Then he looked at Zhang Xuzu with an extremely strange expression.

Having worked in the tax bureau for over thirty years, this was the first time he had ever seen the Embroidered Uniform Guard come to audit the tax bureau's accounts...

He secretly wondered if these Imperial Guards were desperate for money.
They actually think the Tax Bureau is a place where they can make money off others?
Of course, no matter what, it won't affect him. If he really gets into trouble, it's the tax commissioner's problem.

He knew that the tax commissioner had embezzled at least seventeen or eighteen taels of silver this year.

Well... it's mainly thanks to the contributions of Baiyujing and Yanyulou.

In previous years, even if someone wanted to embezzle a few taels of silver, it would be very difficult to keep the accounts!
It wasn't that the ambassador dared to embezzle the commercial taxes from Baiyujing and Yanyulou, which were registered with the Ministry of Revenue. It was simply that after the money was handed over, the officials in the Ministry of Revenue were in a great mood and didn't bother to argue with the tax authorities about other minor matters.

Seeing the tax book, which was less than three feet thick in total, Zhang Xuzu was speechless.

According to the Great Martial Law, there must be more than three to five thousand merchants in the capital who need to pay commercial taxes.

So, after a whole year, this is all the tax revenue we've received?

After glancing through the tax records, Zhang Xuzu was speechless.

Apart from Baiyujing and Yanyulou at the very front, the rest were a long row of one or two taels of silver, some in smaller denominations and some in larger ones, looking quite respectable.

Further down the line, there are taxes of thirty or fifty coins.

Over the course of the year, apart from Su Mo's two restaurants, the entire capital city only collected less than 880 taels of commercial tax. Zhang Xuzu searched for a long time but could not find any tax payment records for Qianse Pavilion and Fuyu Tower under the name of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

The Han family's Sihai Money Shop and Biyao Tower also have no tax payment records.

With a dark expression, he held the knife to the old clerk's neck: "Speak!"

"Why are there no records of Qianse Pavilion, Fuyu Tower, Sihai Money Shop, etc. paying commercial taxes?"

Where is the real source of tax revenue?

"Dare to deceive me, and I'll chop off your dog's head!"

The old clerk was terrified and bewildered, then cried out loudly, "Your Honor, please see the truth! How dare I, a lowly man, commit such a fraud!"

"This is the real tax record!"

"I've worked in the tax office for thirty years and I've never seen those fancy ships and gambling dens in Qinghefang pay commercial taxes..."

Zhang Xuzu...

What else can he do?

They packed up the tax books and took them directly back to the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office.

Leave the brain-teasing stuff to Su Shangguan.

They have a saint protecting them, so they can do whatever they want. I should just obediently follow Lord Su's orders.

……

The imperial court may take a year off, but brothels and gambling dens will certainly not close down.

On the contrary, this is the most profitable time of the year.

The candidates who came to the capital from all over the country to participate in the spring imperial examinations would never be stingy with their money, and would chat and discuss knowledge with their fellow candidates!
In addition, one must also visit one's parents, relatives, classmates, or literary figures.

The places for exchanging knowledge and deepening friendships were either restaurants or brothels.

Of course, in many cases, these two types of places can actually be combined.

Brothels are ideal places for gatherings, where one can eat and drink, compose poems, and enjoy various entertainment programs.

If you are not satisfied with the food at the brothel, but are willing to pay, then...

The brothel can also buy delicacies for him from the recently famous Baiyujing and Yanyulou!

Last night, on the Xima River, the Xiaolanting Pavilion, the most prestigious of the pavilions, once again invited Gu Yunshu, a master sword dancer known for her graceful movements and swift swordplay, to perform on the Xiaolanting Pavilion.

Countless princes, noblemen, scholars, and gentlemen came upon hearing the news.

Even though a long time has passed, it still amazes and evokes fond memories for many.

Early in the morning, the banks of the Xima River, which had been quiet for only two hours, began to bustle and clamor again.

Countless peddlers and laborers appeared on the riverbank.

The guests who had spent the night on the pleasure boat also got up to admire the beautiful sunrise over the Xima River and then revisited their lessons with the singing girls and courtesans.

Suddenly, everyone saw something in surprise.

Several small boats sped toward a magnificent, multi-story ship in the river.

On the small boat were dozens of men dressed as imperial guards.

The government officials on the large ships were terrified and scrambled to find places to hide or hurriedly found small boats to escape!

Those princes, noblemen, and wealthy gentlemen, who held no official positions, were less fearful than the officials.

While casting disdainful and disgusted glances at the court's lackeys, they also became suspicious.

Although the Thousand Colors Pavilion is not as famous as the Little Orchid Pavilion, most people know that it is an asset of the Duke of Anguo's mansion!

Other ships generally keep their backers secret and avoid making them public.

Only Qianse Pavilion is extremely arrogant, constantly bringing up Zhang Shouning's name, making it difficult for others not to know about Qianse Pavilion's background.

Why did the Embroidered Uniform Guard come looking for the Thousand Colors Pavilion?
They look like they're only at the level of a hundred households, but have they got some nerve, daring to harass the Thousand Colors Pavilion?

It would be more likely if the five core institutes with a thousand households came in person!

Su Mo personally led more than thirty Imperial Guards, boarding a small boat and storming the Thousand Colors Pavilion ship.

Seeing that quite a few people were sticking their heads out of the various private rooms to watch the commotion, Su Mo's face suddenly darkened, and he coldly swept his gaze over them: "Qinghefang Hundred Household Office is handling matters. Those who are not involved should quickly move aside and not cause trouble!"

The people on the ship were stunned upon hearing this.

Qinghefang Hundred Household Office?

When did such a centurion's office appear in the capital?

Qinghefang has never had a Hundred-Household Office.

Su Mo didn't bother with these guys. Seeing that several guards from the Chaoshan ship were rapidly approaching him, he coldly shouted, "Where is the ship's manager?"

Qianselou, seeing that the Imperial Guards were about to appear, naturally made preparations in advance.

As Su Mo finished speaking, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, who looked quite wealthy, walked out.

He showed no sign of fear whatsoever.

He first sized up Su Mo and Ning Xiaoxiao behind Su Mo with a dark expression, then his face darkened and he snorted coldly: "How dare you!"

"How dare you lead a crowd to harass my warship! Don't you know this is Duke Anguo's business? Those who know what's good for them will leave at once..."

Before he could even utter the word "go," a dark shadow flashed before his eyes, followed by an excruciating pain in his cheek, and he was sent flying!
Several back molars were ejected along with a spray of blood.

Su Mo withdrew his hand and said expressionlessly, "Take it down!"

Several imperial guards quickly stepped forward and used ox-tendon ropes to tightly bind the man in the brocade robe.

Seeing that he was still struggling, she started cursing even more.

A salt merchant from Chenjia Village, a member of the Imperial Guard, stepped forward with a sinister grin, and skillfully grabbed his arms, twisting and pulling them off.

Then I grabbed his chin and snapped it.

The whole world went silent!
Su Mo cast an admiring glance at him!
The old generals are still the most reliable.

No wonder the powerful clans, noble families, and even high-ranking generals here all liked to keep personal guards and servants.

The servants and guards only obeyed their master's orders, and would follow him even if he rebelled.

The passengers on the cruise ship who had been peering out to watch the commotion were immediately dumbfounded and stared blankly at Su Mo.

Many timid people quickly retreated and shut the doors and windows tightly!

They're not stupid!
The ship's manager had already invoked the name of the Duke of Anguo, but what he received in return was a powerful and heavy blow!
Clearly, they've come for Duke Anguo!
Regardless of the background of this Imperial Guard, just the fact that he dared to oppose the Duke of Anguo tells you that he is no ordinary person.

Although Su Mo has a prestigious reputation, he mainly circulates among the upper echelons of society. Moreover, he is a low-key person who rarely goes out, so not many people have actually seen his face.

Those who were able to meet Su Mo were unlikely to spend the night on the ship.

The Great Law stipulates that officials are prohibited from soliciting prostitutes!

Even if there were high-ranking officials on the ship, given the situation, they wouldn't be able to reveal their identities to come and watch the spectacle.

The guards of Qianse Pavilion were immediately stunned by Su Mo's palm strike.

He looked at Su Mo in a daze, then at the second steward who was trapped like a dumpling, and for a moment, he didn't know whether to go or not.

After all, the enemy's Jinyiwei official uniforms, especially the flying fish robe of the leading commander, were extremely intimidating.

Su Mo glanced at them coldly again, snorted, and said to Ning Xiaoxiao, "Commander Ning, go and seal the ship's ledgers immediately!"

"If there is any resistance, shoot to death without mercy!"

As he finished speaking, a sharp shout suddenly rang out: "How dare you, you dog!"

Su Mo raised his hand expressionlessly.

A streak of cold light shot out like lightning.

The people on the ship, and even those watching from nearby ships, were utterly shocked to see a burst of blood erupt...

Su Mo retracted the sword embryo.

He spoke softly to the head on the ground, "Tell me, do you think I dare?"

"Hmm...you should say you dare."

After speaking, Su Mo looked up and found that only the ship's guards, who were dumbfounded, remained on the ship.

You can't see a single customer!

There was no way around it; the Embroidered Uniform Guard was just too ruthless!

The one who was killed was not only the head steward of Qianse Pavilion, but also a trusted steward of the Duke of Anguo's mansion!

The Imperial Guards can kill without hesitation; who wouldn't be afraid?
Don't risk your life just to watch the excitement!
Despite how much the sons of noble families and scholars usually look down on the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they still show disdain when the Embroidered Uniform Guard is mentioned.

But once they get serious, even a high-ranking official of the third rank in the imperial court will tremble, let alone those commoners who have no official rank or title!
Ning Xiaoxiao led the Imperial Guards quickly toward the accounting counter on the ship.

Not a single guard on the warship dared to stop them!
Su Mo snorted coldly again, glanced at them expressionlessly, and then strode away!

At the counter, the shopkeeper was still confused about what was happening outside. He was about to order the guards to step forward and stop them, but a group of Imperial Guards had already brandished their straight swords and started smashing them over his head and face!

The whole nest of bears!
With a ruthless person like Su Mo protecting us, what is there to be afraid of?

The emperor's brother-in-law's men will be attacked without hesitation!

(End of this chapter)