Prime Minister

Chapter 146, 145 [Piercing the Heart] (Bonus chapter for Alliance Leader Hanyan Muyu Zuihua Nian)

When the sun is three poles high.

On the west side of Xinghua County, hundreds of salt soldiers moved steadily forward, at a slow pace.

Although Chen Lun had never been to the Nine Borders to fight on the battlefield, he had at least read a few military books and had a basic understanding of military tactics. He knew that soldiers should not move too fast before battle, otherwise they would exhaust their strength on the way and run out of energy before even encountering the enemy.

The closer Chen Lun got to the county town, the more serious his expression became. The town seemed very peaceful, with not a sound to be heard, and none of the scouts he had sent out had reported back. This deepened his doubts and vigilance.

A moment later, the view outside the city suddenly opened up, and Chen Lun's pupils contracted sharply.

In the distance, hundreds of soldiers were lined up in formation, waiting.

"The transport army?"

Chen Lun was completely baffled. How could soldiers from the Grand Canal Transport Office be here?
He recalled what he had seen in Qingshan Town that day. Even Zhao Cong, that smiling tiger, had been humiliated by Xue Huai, so the canal transport office wanted to cause trouble for Xue Huai.

But I heard that Governor-General Jiang Jizhou and General Wu Changling are at odds. How could the grain transport army help people like Zhao Cong do such a thing?
Furthermore, how could the grain transport army know about the plans of the Salt Transport Bureau and several powerful clans?
Chen Lun ordered the team to halt their advance, then led a few trusted confidants and countless questions forward.

On the other side, Yu Chengguang went to meet them alone.

"So it was Commander Yu."

Chen Lun asked in a seemingly friendly tone, "What brings you here, sir?"

"Shouldn't I be asking Vice Envoy Chen that question?"

Yu Chengguang looked at the menacing salt soldiers not far away and said leisurely, "Even if Vice Envoy Chen wants to arrest salt smugglers, having so many people is a bit too much of a fuss."

Chen Lun almost blurted out that he was going to quell a civil unrest, but thankfully he realized his mistake in time and replied evasively, "I am on official business as ordered by the Transport Commissioner and just happen to be passing through this place. What important business do you have, Commander? Are you also just passing through?"

"I wasn't just passing by."

Yu Chengguang's smile was slightly strange as he slowly said, "This matter is a long story. In short, Magistrate Xue of Yangzhou asked General Wu for help, and then I, Yu, led my troops to Xinghua County on the orders of the General to assist Magistrate Xue in thoroughly investigating the local corrupt officials and those wicked gentry."

Chen Lun's expression froze.

Upon seeing this, Yu Chengguang asked with concern, "Vice Envoy Chen doesn't look well. Are you perhaps unwell?"

"It doesn't matter."

Chen Lun glanced at the canal soldiers standing guard behind the other party and forced a smile, saying, "Commander Yu, I need to pass through Xinghua County. Please have your men make way for me."

"This is not okay."

Yu Chengguang said with a forced smile, "Before I left, the General instructed me to follow the orders of Magistrate Xue. Just now, a large group of people rushed into the city to seek justice from Magistrate Xue. He managed to calm them down with great difficulty and specifically ordered me to implement martial law. For the next two days, no unauthorized persons are allowed to enter the city. Vice Envoy Chen, please don't make things difficult for me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lun's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Commander Yu, do you really intend to stop me?"

The region of Yangzhou is a complex mix of powerful forces. Just as the Yangzhou government has no jurisdiction over the Salt Transport Office and the Grand Canal Transport Office, the Grand Canal Army, the Salt Soldiers, and the Yangzhou Garrison are also independent of each other. In terms of authority, none of them can do anything to the other, and often it comes down to who has the stronger fist.

Yu Chengguang remained nonchalant, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said, "If Vice Envoy Chen insists on bringing troops into the city, then please show me the official document from the Salt Transport Office."

"you!"

Chen Lun said with slight anger, "How can the secrets of the salt administration be shown to outsiders? Do you think I can see Commander Yu's transfer order?"

"Why not?"

Yu Chengguang immediately took out a transfer order issued by the Grand Canal Transport Commander from his pocket, handed it directly to Chen Lun, and said with a smile, "Please take a look, Vice Envoy Chen."

Chen Lun ultimately did not accept it. The man opposite him was a trusted and fierce general under Wu Changling. To resort to violence in front of him would obviously be to humiliate himself, and reasoning with him would not work either.

Just as he hesitated, Yu Chengguang suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Vice Envoy Chen, Xue Tongzhi guessed that the salt soldiers would come. He asked me to tell you that Luo Tong and the others have already confessed everything."

Chen Lun's hands clenched unconsciously, and a surge of negative emotions rose within him.

In fact, when Yu Chengguang revealed his intentions, he had already sensed that the change in the situation was extremely unfavorable to his side. Now, whether Yu Chengguang was testing or mocking him, he could at least confirm that Xue Huai had taken control of the county town.

This judgment made Chen Lun's vision go black. He tried his best to control himself and slowly said, "I don't understand what Commander Yu is trying to say."

"Don't you understand?"

Yu Chengguang laughed and said, "Then pretend I didn't say anything. By the way, where is Vice Envoy Chen's official document?"

"No need for that, I will find another way."

Chen Lun couldn't stand it for a second longer and stormed off.

Looking at his slightly disheveled and hurried back, Yu Chengguang revealed a mocking expression and spat on the ground.

"Pah! Coward!"

……

Within the county town.

With the reassurance of the officials and the guidance of the elite canal troops, the seven or eight hundred people who had gathered there finally calmed down. They dispersed according to their respective groups and sat on the ground to wait for their leaders.

In the open space in front of the compound, more than ten representatives of the people were very excited after listening to Shen Qingluan's detailed account.

According to Shen Qingluan's plan, once the flooding problem in Xinghua County is initially resolved, Guangtai will set up various businesses here, including farming, fishing, weaving, and salt industry byproducts. It will also take advantage of Xinghua County's location in the central area of ​​Huaiyang to establish a transshipment warehouse for goods between the north and south.

In short, as long as the government provides sufficient assistance, Guangtai Ship can obtain considerable profits without much investment. This is the government's reward for their support in flood control.

The local people will naturally benefit from this; it's a win-win-win plan.

After receiving promises from Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan, and with Xue Huai explicitly stating that he would not pursue their reckless actions today, the heavy weight in their hearts was lifted. They felt nothing but admiration for Xue Huai and immediately patted their chests to guarantee that they would follow his instructions.

Xue Huai smiled and said, "Then please go and explain things to your fellow villagers and take them all back. Tomorrow or the day after, I will send people to invite the village heads, grain chiefs, and household heads of each township to discuss the details."

"Yes, my lord."

Everyone bowed respectfully and took their leave, then eagerly went to share the good news with their companions.

The room fell silent. Shen Qingluan put her hands behind her back, turned her head and asked, "Brother Huai, how did I do?"

"You explained it very well, clearly and simply, so that everyone can understand it." Xue Huai praised, "No wonder you have become quite famous in the Jiangnan business community these past two years."

Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "In the end, it was Brother Huai who gave me the idea."

When the two had stayed in Taixing County, they had discussed the current situation in Xinghua County several times. Xue Huai pointed out a vague direction to Shen Qingluan, which was to have Guangtai Ship support Xinghua County, and then Guangtai Ship could use the geographical advantages of Xinghua County to carry out a deeper layout.

He only gave a general framework; the specific procedures were devised by Shen Qingluan herself, and the perfection of the results surprised him somewhat.

At this moment, he couldn't help but think further ahead. It was the early 15th century, and if the course of Western history hadn't changed much, the Renaissance would have lasted for nearly a century.

He knew that the soil beneath his feet did not have similar conditions, and forcibly transplanting a certain ideology would only backfire. But since he had come to this world, he had to do something; he couldn't just do it for the sake of promotion and advancement.

The road ahead will inevitably be fraught with difficulties and obstacles, but as long as he does his best, he can at least have a clear conscience.

"Brother Huai?"

Seeing Xue Huai staring at her, Shen Qingluan felt both shy and a little excited.

Xue Huai snapped out of his reverie and said apologetically, "I was lost in thought. Qingluan, I have to go see Luo Tong now. We'll talk later."

Shen Qingluan nodded and said, "Okay, Brother Huai, you go and attend to your business. I can take care of myself."

Xue Huai suppressed his previous thoughts. There were some things he could do with the help of the Shen family's Guangtai Company, but he had to overcome one obstacle after another in his career. Only by gaining enough power could he gradually and steadily realize his ambitions.

He strode into the courtyard and, led by Jiang Sheng, entered a side room.

Luo Tong, the magistrate of Xinghua County, was imprisoned here.

Upon seeing Xue Huai enter, Luo Tong exclaimed, "Lord Xue, I am a seventh-rank county magistrate. You have no right to treat me like this!"

According to the official system of the Great Yan Dynasty, only the Ministry of Personnel could decide the fate of a county magistrate. Although the Ministry of Personnel would not usually reject the petition of a provincial administration commissioner, they still held this power.

Xue Huai walked to the table and sat down, pinching his brow as he calmly asked, "Luo Tong, are you really planning to resist to the bitter end?"

Luo Tong immediately deflated.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before saying in a hoarse voice, "This humble official does not understand what you mean by that, sir."

"You can continue to play dumb."

Xue Huai picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup, and slowly said, "According to the evidence I currently have, it is an indisputable fact that you colluded with county officials to incite a popular uprising. I don't even need to investigate your past acts of corruption and abuse of power; this alone is enough to make your head roll."

Luo Tong pursed his lips tightly, refusing to utter a single word.

Xue Huai was not in a hurry and continued, "Aren't you curious about something? Since I discovered your conspiracy long ago, why didn't I arrest you sooner, instead of letting you pretend to comply while secretly weaving your scheme?"

Luo Tong's eyelids twitched slightly. This was indeed the crux of the matter he couldn't understand, so he asked, "Lord Xue, aren't you trying to show off your abilities and skills?"

"Ah."

Xue Huai chuckled, stroking the teacup in his hand, and said, "If that's truly your thought, I'd suspect that the years of greed have clouded your judgment. The reason I've let you run around like this is, of course, to get you to hand over the evidence with both hands, thus avoiding wasting time and energy on verbal sparring with you. Secondly, I want you to experience a less common form of punishment. Given the current irrefutable evidence of your corruption, incitement of a popular uprising, and dereliction of duty, with multiple crimes combined, how do you think the three judicial authorities will ultimately sentence you?"

Luo Tong instantly thought of something extremely terrifying, and his face turned deathly pale.

Xue Huai leaned forward slightly, looking into Luo Tong's eyes, and said softly, "You should have heard of the death by a thousand cuts, right? Don't worry, from now on I will have people guarding you every step of the way, and I will make sure you live until that time."

Luo Tong felt as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant, and his body trembled uncontrollably with fear.

Now he knows he has no good end, but faced with the choice between a fatal blow and being torn to pieces, anyone who isn't insane knows which to choose.

"Lord Xue... Lord Xue..."

Luo Tong's legs went weak and he knelt on the ground, his eyes reddening as he pleaded, "Please, have mercy!"

Xue Huai sat quietly until Luo Tong was in tears, then he said in a measured tone, "What do you intend to do?"

Luo Tong nodded hurriedly and said, "Please, Your Excellency, have mercy!"

"Then confess all the people behind you and hand over all the clues you have, and I will consider it a meritorious service for you to atone for your crimes."

A smile appeared on Xue Huai's face as he slowly said, "If you can assist me in cleaning up the corrupt practices in Yangzhou's officialdom, perhaps you will still have a chance to save your head."

Luo Tong swallowed hard. Why was he taking such a risk? It was because he was worried about Xue Huai's retribution that he boarded those people's pirate ship.

"This humble official is willing!"

After a brief hesitation, Luo Tong's face showed a resolute expression.

Xue Huai nodded, stood up and said, "Prepare writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones and food for Magistrate Luo, and take good care of him."

The guard at the door replied, "Yes, sir!"

As he was leaving, Xue Huai suddenly looked at Luo Tong and said, "I hope you understand that the one who most wants you to die suddenly is not me, but those hiding behind the scenes."

Luo Tong was speechless.

After Xue Huai left, Luo Tong struggled to his feet, glanced at the three burly men staring intently at him inside the room, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

He walked slowly to the table, looked at the paper and pen on it, and took a deep breath.

He sat down, picked up his brush, and began to write furiously.

A sinister smile spread across Luo Tong's face, and a thought began to grow wildly in his mind.

Rather than be torn to pieces alone, let's all go to the execution ground together!

……

……

(Three chapters today, 9-1, 8 chapters still owed~)

(End of this chapter)