Prime Minister

Chapter 256, Page 255: [The Value of Ideals]

Sang Chengze was in a very peculiar emotional state.

First of all, he was really confused. At first, he thought that Xue Huai was furious because he had injured Qiao Wenxuan, or that he wanted to use this incident to suppress the Canal Gang so that the Lianghuai Salt Industry Association could develop more smoothly. This was the most likely possibility that Sang Chengze could think of with his limited knowledge.

But things took a completely unexpected turn.

Xue Huai did mention the potentially disastrous consequences of his reckless actions, as well as the various illegal activities the Canal Gang had committed in the past. However, he then subtly shifted his tone, portraying Sang Chengze as a major figure who would save the Canal Gang.

Sang Chengze was filled with endless fear and unease.

He was just a spoiled brat, good at seeking pleasure but completely clueless about doing serious business. He had neither the ambition nor the ability to achieve the accomplishments Xue Huai described.

Will his name, Sang Chengze, be left on the Grand Canal?

Upon closer reflection, this seemed to be even more exciting than drinking and cuddling with girls in a brothel, but the problem was that he had no idea how to do it.

And even if he were willing to do so, would his father, brothers, and the elders in the gang be willing to give him this opportunity?
Such thoughts converged and intertwined in Sang Chengze's mind, making his head, which remained brand new even after twenty years, feel both aches and itch.

"Pour Young Master Sang a cup of tea."

Xue Huai naturally knew the impact of his words on Sang Chengze, so he gave an order to the person next to him. Jiang Sheng quickly brought a teapot and two cups and poured a cup of hot tea for each of them.

Wisps of steam rose before his eyes. Sang Chengze held the teacup in both hands, slowly took a sip of hot tea, and his thoughts finally calmed down a bit.

He put down his teacup, looked across at the person opposite him, and said sincerely, "Lord Xue, I still don't understand why you chose me."

It's not surprising that you have such doubts.

Xue Huai calmly said, "Logically speaking, a spoiled brat like you who only knows how to cause trouble and has no real talent is really not worth my time and energy. I should give you a beating and then kick you out of Yangzhou. As for the conflict between the Lianghuai salt merchants and the canal gang, it seems too unrealistic to place my hopes on you."

Sang Chengze's face turned red. The most unpleasant thing to hear in this world is indeed the truth.

Xue Huai also picked up his teacup and took a sip. He knew that he had already given enough of a warning, so he calmly said, "Of course you're not entirely useless. Through this incident, I've discovered that you have a few good points."

Sang Chengze looked at him with anticipation.

"Although it was too reckless of you to injure Qiao Wenxuan, your starting point was for the sake of the Canal Gang. This shows that you still have some conscience, know where everything you have comes from, and are willing to pay the price to protect the interests of the Canal Gang. You are better than those who only talk the talk."

Xue Huai scrutinized his expression and said bluntly, "No need to guess, I'm talking about Jiang Fangzheng."

Sang Chengze sighed softly.

Through Xue Huai's analysis, he realized that Jiang Fangzheng was indeed using him. Although he did not know why Jiang Fangzheng did this, the almost perfect Brother Jiang in his heart had ultimately disappointed him.

Secondly, you are very filial.

Xue Huai put down his teacup and smiled, "I wasn't trying to scare you just now. Some things in this world are far more important than a thousand pounds. If your reckless actions were investigated, it wouldn't be impossible for you to be exiled three thousand miles away. Although you were very scared, you ultimately took responsibility on your own and didn't implicate your father or the canal gang. This shows that your filial piety is very pure. In my opinion, a person's ability can be cultivated, but if they are corrupted from the root, the stronger their ability, the more terrifying they become."

Sang Chengze nodded knowingly, and said with a complicated expression, "Lord Xue, this humble subject really has no ability."

"It's no secret."

Xue Huai made a joke, then his smile faded as he said, “You are Sang Shichang’s son, which means you have the possibility of taking over the Grand Canal Gang. Although the possibility seems very small now, it’s enough. The biggest difference between you and your two older brothers is that they were trapped in the quagmire of the Grand Canal Gang very early on, and their ideas and temperaments have been assimilated by others. Unless they experience a heart-wrenching setback, it will be difficult for them to change. You, on the other hand, benefited from your past life of debauchery. Although you have picked up some bad habits, you are still a blank slate.”

Sang Chengze touched his nose somewhat awkwardly. He understood the deeper meaning behind Xue Huai's words: he didn't have a deep connection with the core of the Canal Gang, and he didn't have the same emotional baggage as his two older brothers, making him more receptive to new ideas and things.

"The last point, and the most important one."

Xue Huai smiled meaningfully and said, "You are now in my hands."

Sang Chengze gave a wry smile. This Lord Xue was quite interesting; he spoke so directly, yet Sang Chengze couldn't deny it.

If he hadn't been imprisoned for the fight, hadn't suffered the torment of endless darkness in prison, and hadn't been frightened by the consequences Xue Huai mentioned, Sang Chengze felt he wouldn't have been so easily persuaded.

Some things can only be known as right or wrong through personal experience, and only then can one understand the horror of having one's fate in the hands of others.

Thinking of this, Sang Chengze asked curiously, "Lord Xue, in your opinion, what changes should the Grand Canal Gang make to satisfy the imperial court?"

Xue Huai succinctly stated, "Cutting flesh and bleeding." Sang Chengze understood the cruelty behind those four words and fell silent.

In fact, he knew in his heart that the Grand Canal Gang was indeed too powerful to be controlled. As long as the Grand Canal Gang did not cross the line, the imperial court would not take any major action. However, this did not mean that the officials in the court could not see the hidden dangers. It was just that because the Grand Canal Gang was the foundation of the Grand Canal transport, no one dared to touch this lid easily.

If the Grand Canal Gang wants to enjoy another century in peace and stability, the best strategy is to actively clean up its own problems. However, the difficulty of this task is self-evident, and just thinking about it makes Sang Chengze's scalp tingle.

Sang Chengze couldn't help but sigh, "Lord Xue, please forgive my impertinence, but even if my father had such an idea, it would be very difficult to accomplish this."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "I understand, so I never thought of changing your father's deeply ingrained ideas."

The topic came back again.

A surge of fervor welled up in Sang Chengze's heart.

Although reality is cruel, if he can accomplish the feat that his father could not, then who in the country will dare to say that Young Master Sang is a good-for-nothing good-for-nothing?
Xue Huai knew he was already interested, so he went along with it and said, "From the day I entered officialdom, I have always believed that anything is possible with human effort. Last year, when I faced those corrupt officials and local powerful families, I never wavered. Although you are not a member of the officialdom, you can also find meaning in your life. For example, you can revitalize the century-old canal gang in your hands, and ensure that people will still be talking about your deeds thousands of years from now. Do you think that is powerful and domineering enough?"

Sang Chengze couldn't help but swallow.

The scene depicted by Xue Huai appeared before his eyes: thousands of members of the Canal Gang cheered his name, and he became a great figure like his father—no, if he could truly lead the Canal Gang to a new life, he would definitely be of a higher status than his father, and even the officials would not dare to show him the slightest disrespect.

"Then... what should this commoner do?"

Unbeknownst to him, Sang Chengze had developed a certain level of trust in Xue Huai. After all, in his view, as a rising star in the officialdom, there was no need for the other party to play tricks on or deceive a playboy like him; it would be pointless.

Xue Huai said calmly, “The Canal Gang must change. It must transform from a gang that reveres violence into an organization that provides professional services, similar to a trading company. You can utilize the wharves, manpower, and influence throughout the canal to provide merchants and the public with safer, more convenient, and more standardized services, charging reasonable fees in return, instead of resorting to extortion and market manipulation. Simply put, integrate into the new order of the future, rather than be eliminated by it.”

Sang Chengze listened with a sense of understanding but not quite. With his current knowledge and abilities, it was obviously difficult for him to grasp Xue Huai's plan in a short period of time.

Xue Huai also knew this, and smiled and said, "You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. If you really want to make something of yourself, there is no need to rush. Moreover, I can help you gradually gain more influence within the Canal Gang."

Sang Chengze took a deep breath, stood up and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir!"

Xue Huai nodded and said, "But before that, you have to do three things for me to show me your sincerity."

Sang Chengze said, "Please speak, sir."

"First, your good brother instigated you to cause trouble in Yangzhou this time, not to fight for the interests of the canal gang, and certainly not to mediate the salt transport dispute. So you have to find a way to help me figure out his real purpose."

"Second, you should go to the Qiao family in person and apologize to Qiao Wangshan in public. If you can get Qiao Lao's forgiveness, I will temporarily record the three hundred lashes."

"Third, you must not act rashly before I give you clear instructions. First, you must honestly learn what I teach you."

Xue Huai finished speaking point by point, and Sang Chengze remained silent throughout. Finally, he lowered his head slightly and said, "This humble subject has remembered."

"so be it."

Xue Huai stood up and said calmly, "I will have someone change you to a clean cell. I imagine your father already knows about your situation and will most likely ask the Grand Canal Administration to mediate. Once the people from Huai'an arrive, I will release you."

"Thank you, sir."

Sang Chengze knew perfectly well that Xue Huai made this arrangement not because he was afraid of the pressure from the canal administration, but because of today's conversation, or more precisely, because of his decision.

This gave rise to an inopportune thought in him, and after a moment's hesitation, he mustered his courage and asked, "Lord Xue, aren't you worried that I might change my mind after leaving the government office?"

"You are quite frank."

Xue Huai looked at this playboy of the same age as him and laughed, "So what if you go back on your word? At most, it only wastes a little of my time. What I've lost is nothing. What I told you before wasn't a secret. Even if you told your father everything, it wouldn't matter."

Sang Chengze was taken aback.

Xue Huai raised his hand and gently patted his shoulder, saying leisurely, "Whether you want to be one of the countless useless idiots in this world, or the one and only Sang Chengze, the decision is in your own hands. I have many choices, but you... you only have this one chance to change your destiny in this life."

After saying that, he walked away, and Jiang Sheng and the others followed.

Sang Chengze stood there in a daze, and only after Xue Huai's figure had long since disappeared did he seem to come back to his senses and bow deeply towards the door.

(End of this chapter)