Prime Minister

Chapter 162, Page 161: [Countermeasures]

When Tan Mingguang produced the warrant from Shi Daoan, the Jiangsu Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, Liu Rang, Zheng Xuan, and the others gave up their struggle.

After several months of refinement and adjustments by Xue Huai, the power structure of the Yangzhou government has undergone significant changes. With the defection of veteran clerks such as Wang Gui, Kong Li, and Hao Shifang, and the punishment of some officials, represented by the former clerk Hu Quan, Liu Rang's influence over the government has been greatly reduced.

Especially now that Tan Mingguang is clearly on Xue Huai's side, the two of them are jointly controlling the government, and no one else can cause any trouble.

The heads of the three shifts of yamen runners were all new people, all of whom were young people who had previously followed Xue Huai on his inspection tours and had performed outstandingly. Their respect for Xue Huai was even greater than that for Tan Mingguang.

Xue Huai instructed Qi Qingshi and Cen Fu to lead the yamen runners to invite Liu Rang and the others to the side room that had been arranged in the second hall. He also ordered Hao Shifang, an official from the Department of Criminal Justice, to lead people to conduct a preliminary inquiry.

The hall quieted down. Tan Mingguang, sitting on the left, sighed deeply when he saw that there was no one else around.

Xue Huai personally poured tea for him and smiled, "Why is Your Excellency sighing?"

“My dear brother, I’m not afraid to admit it, but I was really on edge.”

Tan Mingguang took the teacup and said with emotion, "But then again, it feels so good to tear off the mask of civility and stop having to swallow your anger and smile. After decades of being an official, I can only truly understand the meaning of 'satisfaction' today."

He had been cautious and meticulous throughout his journey, always on guard for the sake of his official robes, fearing that he might make a single wrong step. The bitterness he endured was truly indescribable.

Fearing that he might go from one extreme to another, Xue Huai couldn't help but remind him, "Your Excellency, the game is still in its middle stages, and we are far from the endgame. We cannot be careless."

“I understand.”

Tan Mingguang nodded and looked at Xue Huai, saying, "Now that Liu Fu's two sons are trapped in the government office, as are Zheng Xuan and others, the local powerful families must be getting restless. What do you plan to do next?"

Xue Huai pondered for a moment and said, "In my humble opinion, the government should immediately make these two matters public, highlighting the identities of the brothers Liu Rang and Liu Mou, and clearly informing the local officials and gentry that they have one last chance. Anyone who has violated the law in the past will be treated leniently by the government as long as they voluntarily surrender, confess, and report others by name."

Tan Mingguang smiled knowingly and nodded in approval, saying, "Brilliant!"

This is a strategy of suppression and division, focusing firepower on the Liu clan while giving other major clans a chance to admit their mistakes and save themselves, thus preventing them from sticking together tightly.

Under normal circumstances, those powerful families would certainly not easily admit their guilt. After all, this is putting their heads under the knife of the government, and they will no longer be able to act as recklessly as before. Those lords obviously do not want to live such a life of constant fear.

However, since Xue Huai decisively took down the Liu brothers, no one could guarantee that the Liu family would not be destroyed as a result. If Xue Huai really found enough evidence to deal with the Liu family from these two brothers, and they insisted on sticking with the Liu family, would Xue Huai let them go afterward?
This is a very simple, overt strategy, yet it strikes right at the heart of people's hearts.

Tan Mingguang considered it carefully for a moment, and finding no loopholes, he smiled and said, "Brother, could you tell me the truth? Besides Provincial Judge Shi and General Wu, what other help do you have in Jiangnan?"

These words were somewhat abrupt, but they were also Tan Mingguang's way of expressing his attitude to Xue Huai.

Now that the two are on the same boat, Tan Mingguang's composure is clearly due to his firm resolve.

Xue Huai said leisurely, "Your Excellency, I have already revealed all my cards. I have used all the incense and favors left by my late father. From now on, I can only rely on my own efforts. I hope Your Excellency can give me your full assistance."

Tan Mingguang naturally didn't believe it, but he didn't press the matter further; some things need to be left unsaid.

He pondered to himself that Wu Changling, the Grand Canal Transport Commander, and Shi Daoan, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, must be the legacy left by Xue Mingzhang to Xue Huai. However, this young Assistant Magistrate also had a mentor who was hailed as the leader of the Qingliu faction.

Now that Shen Wang is the Minister of Works, after decades in office, does he not have many trustworthy colleagues?
Tan Mingguang suddenly realized that he had underestimated Xue Huai's connections, but he wondered which high-ranking official in Jiangnan was on good terms with Shen Wang. At the same time, he had more confidence in the struggle to clean up the corrupt practices of officials and merchants in Yangzhou.

Just over half an hour later, notices from the Yangzhou government office began to be posted throughout the city.

The news that Liu Mou had been imprisoned in a death row cell had already spread. Now, the announcement that Liu Rang and a group of other government officials had been suspended from their duties for investigation due to their crimes was like a thunderclap in spring, quickly stirring up a huge uproar.

Even when Xue Mingzhang was in charge of Yangzhou, he never directly targeted the Liu family, the head of the four prominent families in Yangzhou, like this. Moreover, Xue Huai's first move was aimed at prominent family members like Liu Rang and Liu Mou.

The salt merchants of Lianghuai were immediately thrown into chaos. Even if they had a lot of courage, they wouldn't dare to go outside the government office to petition anymore—Xue Huai had investigated Liu Rang without hesitation, so why would he greet them with a smile?
Some were frantic with worry about the treasury, some were concerned that their past illegal activities would be investigated by the authorities, some secretly cursed the Liu family for asking for trouble by provoking Xue Huai, and others quietly harbored different thoughts.

The schemes devised by Xu Guanlan and Liu Fu against Xue Huai quickly failed, and the salt merchants of Lianghuai were now incapable of working together to create obstacles for Xue Huai.

The people naturally applauded the government's decision.

The local powerful clans, led by the Liu family, committed countless evils. This was because they had powerful backers in the government and were mostly involved in industries such as salt production and water transport, which were crucial to the foundation of the Great Yan Kingdom. Not to mention ordinary people, even middle-class families with some wealth dared not provoke these powerful clans.

Even when the other party is riding on their heads, they can only swallow their anger.

Xue Huai's deeds of inspecting various places and redressing grievances for the people have gradually spread. Now, not long after returning to the prefectural city, he began to investigate corrupt officials in the government and directly dealt with Liu Mou, this troublemaker. His reputation in the community is unparalleled, and his name as a just and upright official is widely known.

If he could truly eradicate the Liu family, a powerful clan that preys on the people of Lianghuai, and restore peace and order to the world, he would surely be able to achieve the same level of fame as Xue Mingzhang in his time.

However, some people simply cannot stand by and watch this happen.

That night, inside the Salt Transport Office, which resembled a military fortress, the East Garden was brightly lit.

"My lord, you must save us!"

Zheng Boyan was overcome with tears, his former composure completely gone.

Bai Xiu and Ge Huaicheng were in no better shape, and even Liu Fu, who was usually calm and composed, had a solemn expression.

Wang Shilin did not come tonight.

Although Xu Guanlan had Liu Fu warn Wang Shilin, and Wang Shilin assured Liu Fu that he would never side with Xue Huai, Liu Fu clearly could no longer trust him. After all, Wang Gui was said to be doing quite well in Xinghua County, and the Wang family's attitude was far too ambiguous. Liu Fu could not possibly bring him to a place like this tonight.

Sitting in the main seat, Xu Guanlan frowned, looking at the four wealthy salt merchants who had rushed over overnight to ask for help, feeling irritated and disgusted.

If he had a choice, he would rather cooperate with Xue Huai and directly raid the homes of these four people. The silver seized would not only cover the cost of a house-recognition ceremony, but would be more than enough for him to return to the central government without any hindrance. However, he could not do that.

Reputation was secondary; he believed that as long as he remained the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, a steady stream of salt merchants would flock to his command.

The problem is that he has been too deeply involved with Liu Fu and others over the years, and it is no longer possible to sever ties.

He held the lifeblood of these major salt merchants in his hands, while they also had leverage over him that could ruin his reputation. The two were now bound together by a fate of life and death.

"Alright, what kind of behavior is it to cry and whine at your age?"

Xu Guanlan raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. After everyone quieted down, he looked at Liu Fu and asked, "Your two sons will be fine for now. Xue Huai doesn't have the power to decide their fate directly. But let me ask you, will they directly implicate the Liu family?"

In just a few days, Liu Fu's signs of aging became increasingly apparent. Suppressing his anxiety and bitterness, he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Your Excellency, my son Liu Mou is unaware of the family's true situation, and Xue Huai will not be able to get anything out of him. As for Liu Rang, he is over forty years old and has been navigating the officialdom for many years; he will certainly not be intimidated by Xue Huai. Please rest assured, Your Excellency, as long as the Liu family remains intact, I guarantee that my son will not speak nonsense."

Xu Guanlan cursed the old man inwardly. Liu Fu's words were actually a reminder that the Liu family and he, the salt commissioner, were in the same boat. If the Liu family and the other families could not escape Xue Huai's ruthless hands this time, then Xu Guanlan would not be spared either.

Now is not the time for infighting. Xu Guanlan suppressed his displeasure and said coldly, "Gentlemen, I know you all have your own unique abilities. Stop hiding them and make sure to put pressure on Xue Huai through your own channels as soon as possible. If he continues to investigate like this, I will be powerless to protect your businesses."

This was a frank and open statement. Liu Fu nodded and said, "The Transport Commissioner is right. I have already sent someone to Suzhou Prefecture to ask the Governor to take some time to inspect Yangzhou."

The Jiangsu governor, Chen Yan, was his greatest reliance. He had previously sent Liu Rang to Suzhou Prefecture, but Chen Yan seemed to be tied up with important official business. Apart from giving Tan Mingguang a few words of advice, he did not come to Yangzhou in person.

Liu Fu dared not delay any longer, fearing that before Chen Yan arrived, Xue Huai would have already devoured the Liu family alive.

Zheng Boyan and others also quickly expressed their opinions.

Xu Guanlan nodded slightly, then said, "Since Xue Huai is determined to sabotage the salt administration of Lianghuai, I will no longer be polite to him. Chen Lun."

Chen Lun respectfully replied, "Your humble servant is here!"

Xu Guanlan revealed a hint of murderous intent as he said, "The day after tomorrow morning, muster the salt soldiers, seal off the Shen family's warehouse in the suburbs, and find the smuggled salt that the Shen family is hiding. Go ahead and do it. I will personally meet with Shen Bingwen at that time."

Chen Lun solemnly replied, "This subordinate obeys!"

Xu Guanlan then looked at Lou Shizong and said, "You stay here and oversee the salt administration. Don't let anyone break in."

Lou Shizong replied, "Yes, sir."

Xu Guanlan slowly stood up and calmly looked at everyone, saying, "The more critical the moment, the more important it is not to lose our composure. Xue Huai only has a few trump cards left, and now he has even used his previously hidden connection as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, which shows that he has reached a dead end. Now it's a contest of who has the calmest mind and the most ruthless heart!"

Everyone said in unison, "We will follow your teachings, sir!"

After the salt merchants bowed and took their leave, Lou Shizong approached and whispered, "Sir, there is one more thing."

"What's the matter?"

"What about Lord Huang..."

The "Lord Huang" mentioned by Lou Shizong refers to Huang Chong, a fourth-rank official in the Salt Transport Bureau. Over the years, due to Xu Guanlan's deliberate exclusion, Huang Chong has become a marginal figure in the Salt Transport Bureau.

"Ignore that idiot."

A cold glint flashed in Xu Guanlan's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "I want to see how Xue Huai will react when the Shen family's mansion is about to collapse!"

(End of this chapter)