Prime Minister

Chapter 265, Section 264: [Thirty Years East of the River]

The following day, in the main hall of the Yangzhou Supervisory Office of the Grand Canal Administration.

As noon approached, sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting long, slanted shadows on the bluestone floor, yet it could not dispel the cold, hard atmosphere that permeated the hall.

The main seat in the hall was empty; the prefect Zhao Cong did not sit there, but stood behind a long table piled with files, seemingly focused on official business.

He was dressed in a blue robe, a fifth-rank official's uniform, and was slightly thin. At this moment, he was looking down, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the corner of a file on the table.

Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen each sat on an official's hat chair. The former wore a dark brown brocade robe with swastika patterns, his beard and hair were neatly combed, and he looked at Zhao Cong with a calm gaze.

The latter was dressed in a moon-white robe with dark cloud patterns, his posture was upright, and his eyes were calm with a restrained sharpness.

Behind each of them stood a seasoned and composed steward, his hands clasped at his sides, silent as shadows.

"Lord Zhao."

Qiao Wangshan's voice broke the silence. He bowed respectfully and said, "I have come here today with Master Shen because of the matter yesterday when your family detained five cargo ships belonging to the Shen and Qiao families. This matter involves many things, and I feel it is necessary to personally plead with you, sir, and earnestly request that you investigate the matter thoroughly and handle it as you see fit."

Zhao Cong then slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen's faces. He forced a formulaic smile, exuding a distant official air: "Elder Qiao, please speak freely."

Qiao Wangshan then said, “Thank you, sir. Yesterday, five cargo ships belonging to the Qiao and Shen families were suddenly detained by your relatives when they entered the port for inspection. The reason given was that they were suspected of tax evasion and smuggling. This matter came suddenly and is quite different from our usual law-abiding behavior. It is truly puzzling and worrying. I wonder if you could give us some instructions so that we can be convinced of the truth and make corrections or appeals in time.”

Zhao Cong's perfunctory smile faded, and he said slowly and deliberately, "Elder Qiao, please calm down. The cargo ships of the Qiao and Shen families have indeed been inspected by my experienced clerks, and there are indeed many suspicious points. This is official business, how can it be neglected because of the identity of the cargo owners? You two are both sensible people, and you should know that this is my duty, and I must be careful."

Qiao Wangshan frowned slightly, but his voice remained steady: "My lord, minor discrepancies in the manifest are common among merchants. As for the claim of smuggling, that's utter nonsense. Since the tax office has already inspected and released the goods, if the transport commissioner has any doubts about the details, he could have verified them on the spot. Why suddenly detain the ship and detain the people, effectively sealing it off? This action not only causes huge losses to our business but also makes other merchants panic. This is hardly the court's intention to encourage trade. I humbly request that, considering this is our first offense and the circumstances are understandable, you allow us to pay the disputed amount. What do you say?"

Zhao Cong shook his head slightly, his tone quite firm: "Elder Qiao, you are mistaken. The Tax Bureau inspects local taxes in Yangzhou, while the Canal Transport Office is specifically responsible for the inspection of the Grand Canal and related taxes. Their responsibilities are clearly distinct and cannot be confused. Your company's goods were found to have problems at the Grand Canal dock. If we were to turn a blind eye simply because of your prominent status, where would that leave the law of the court? The ships and goods have now been sealed, and those involved will not be mistreated. We are just waiting for the case to be investigated. Please go back and wait for the results."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn.

In fact, Qiao and Shen had dealt with Zhao Cong quite a bit before, and their relationship was relatively harmonious. After all, Guangtai and De'an were the leading merchants in Jiangnan, bringing very substantial profits to the canal administration and the canal gangs every year. How could Zhao Cong possibly neglect these two gods of wealth?

In the past, his subordinates would never have targeted the cargo ships of these two companies.

However, after the establishment of the Salt Merchants Association, although the Qiao and Shen families still rented canal boats, it was an indisputable fact that they gradually reduced their reliance on the canal administration. Not to mention that they were also taking the lead in purchasing ships. If these salt merchants were allowed to bring out their fleet, wouldn't that be openly competing with the canal administration for profits?
Based on this, after Song Yi reported the relevant situation to Jiang Jizhou, the governor finally decided to directly target the leading Qiao and Shen families. Yesterday's situation would not be the last time. As long as the Salt Merchants Association did not back down, they would find it difficult to move an inch on the Grand Canal in the future.

Shen Bingwen naturally understood these principles. He looked up at Zhao Cong, his voice low but clear: "Lord Zhao, the inspections by the grain transport authorities should be based on reason, evidence, fairness, and impartiality. The doubts you just mentioned may not stand up to scrutiny upon closer examination. Moreover, in the past few days, the ships of the Shen and Qiao families have been repeatedly subjected to special attention by the grain transport authorities when entering and leaving the docks. The frequency and severity of the inspections far exceed those of other businesses. Is such differential treatment also within the purview of the grain transport authorities?"

Zhao Cong's expression changed slightly, and he was about to argue when a clear voice, tinged with arrogance, suddenly came from the side door: "Master Shen's words sound like accusations that the canal administration is unjust?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man dressed in a magnificent brocade robe strolled in with a gold-flecked folding fan in hand. He was none other than Jiang Fangzheng, the only son of Jiang Jizhou, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner.

Upon seeing Jiang Fangzheng, Zhao Cong's tense back relaxed slightly, and he quickly greeted him with a smile, "Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Fangzheng nodded casually, his gaze sweeping over Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen before finally settling on Shen Bingwen's face, his smile deepening: "I was just taking a short rest in the side hall when I unexpectedly encountered two titans of Yangzhou's business community. Old Master Qiao is in excellent spirits, and Master Shen is as charismatic as ever; it is truly a case of seeing is believing."

Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen remained calm and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Fangzheng returned the greeting, then walked to the table and leaned against the corner, slowly saying, "Lord Zhao, what's going on? Old Master Qiao and Master Shen have come to visit in person. Could it be that there is some great injustice involved?"

Zhao Cong quickly gave a brief recount of the seizure of the ships and cargo, and of course did not forget to emphasize that he and his subordinates had acted in accordance with regulations.

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fangzheng closed his folding fan, lightly tapping his palm. He turned his gaze to Qiao and Shen, and said calmly, "Old Qiao, Master Shen, this is where you are wrong. The inspection of the canal transport is related to national taxes, and Lord Zhao's impartial enforcement of the law is a testament to his dedication to his duty. As leaders of the Salt Merchants Association, you should set an example for the Yangzhou business community. Obeying the law is your duty. When your own cargo ships were found to have problems, instead of reflecting on your own oversights, you questioned the fairness of the canal transport office? Is this the demeanor expected of a respected elder in the business world?" Shen Bingwen met Jiang Fangzheng's gaze and said unhurriedly, "Young Master Jiang is quite right. Obeying the law is indeed the duty of merchants, and Old Qiao and I have never been negligent in this regard. Regarding yesterday's incident, if the canal transport officials had noticed minor discrepancies in the cargo manifest, they could have clarified and paid the difference on the spot. Why go to such lengths to seize the ship and seal the cargo, causing innocent merchants to suffer unjust accusations and unwarranted losses?"

A shadow crossed Jiang Fangzheng's eyes, which then turned into a soft laugh, a laugh that sounded somewhat jarring in the empty main hall: "Hehe, Master Shen, you flatter me. Perhaps in your eyes, the canal administration's actions are discriminatory, but in my view, this is precisely to protect both of your families."

Qiao Wangshan was able to fight Xu Guanlan and Liu Fu for many years, so his composure was naturally remarkable. Therefore, he said calmly, "I would like to hear Young Master Jiang's insightful opinion."

Jiang Fangzheng sat down opposite the two men and said earnestly, “Old Qiao, the Lianghuai Salt Association is currently very powerful, and countless eyes on the Grand Canal are watching you. If the transport commissioner makes an exception for you and lets any oversights go unpunished, what will others think? Will they say that the transport commissioner is unfair in enforcing the law? Will it encourage some people to take shortcuts? At that time, the loss will not only be the goods on your few ships, but also the rules of the canal transport and the dignity of the imperial court. Lord Zhao may seem to have made you suffer a little loss, but in fact he is protecting the reputation of the entire Yangzhou business community. You two are both smart men, can’t you even appreciate this good intention?”

These words, which distort the truth and are disgusting, are presented by someone who pretends to be impartial.

Qiao Wangshan shook his head and said, "Young Master Jiang's words are very insightful, and I have learned a lot. However, the Salt Association was established on the orders of Lord Xue to carry out mutual assistance and benefit in regulating commerce. We have never had any intention of overstepping the bounds, let alone challenging the laws of the court. All we ask for is fair and just treatment. We hope that Young Master Jiang will understand, and we also ask Lord Zhao to be lenient and help us out of this predicament."

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned Xue Huai, because Jiang Fangzheng's expression changed upon hearing this.

He was a guest of honor in all parts of Huaiyang, but he lost face in the Yangzhou government office. To this day, he still hasn't seen Xue Huai. How could the pampered young master Jiang tolerate this?
So he stood up and said quietly, "Old Qiao, you flatter me. I am but a nobody, what right do I have to speak so kindly? Lord Zhao is acting according to the law, why should he be lenient? If suspicious items are let go, and a major problem arises on the canal in the future, will you, Old Qiao, bear the responsibility, or will Master Shen, or perhaps Lord Xue, bear the responsibility for the negligence in the canal transport?"

Shen Bingwen smiled coldly and said solemnly, "Young Master Jiang keeps talking about the law. Fine, then let's just talk about the law! May I ask Lord Zhao, what is the legal basis for the canal administration's detention of ships and goods? What is the time limit for detention? If the inspection results prove that there was no smuggling, but only a slight error, how should the canal administration compensate the Qiao and Shen families for the huge losses caused as a result? Does the 'Canal Law' have any explicit provisions on this? Please enlighten us, Your Excellency!"

Zhao Cong was speechless for a moment when asked the question. Although the "Grain Transport Law" had provisions on inspection and seizure, the specific time limits and compensation details were indeed rather vague, and the grain transport authorities had a great deal of autonomy.

Ordinary small and medium-sized merchants would naturally not have the confidence to challenge the canal administration, but the Qiao and Shen families were ultimately different.

After a brief silence, Zhao Cong replied perfunctorily, "Master Shen, the canal inspection is meant to prevent problems before they arise. Detaining suspicious vessels is to uncover the truth and eliminate potential hazards. If it is ultimately found that there are no problems, I will release the five cargo ships."

Jiang Fangzheng observed the expressions on Qiao and Shen's faces and couldn't help but tease them, "If Master Shen is impatient to wait, he can go to the government office to beat the drum and appeal for justice, and see if Magistrate Xue can overstep his authority to interfere in the canal transport case? Oh... I forgot, the relationship between the Xue and Shen families is extraordinary. Perhaps Magistrate Xue will make an exception and intervene because of our kinship?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

Qiao Wangshan's face was solemn, and a cold glint appeared in his old eyes as he looked at Jiang Fangzheng.

Shen Bingwen also looked at Jiang Fangzheng. He did not lose his composure because of the other party's provocation, but his tone became extremely serious: "Young Master Jiang, my daughter's marriage to Lord Xue is an arranged marriage by our parents and a matchmaker, and it is presented to the Emperor in a dignified manner. As a member of the Governor-General's Office, you should be even more careful in your words and deeds to maintain the dignity of an official. As for matters of the Grand Canal, they will be judged by public principles and national laws. What does it have to do with personal relationships? Young Master, do you not find it beneath your dignity to use such frivolous words to ridicule me?"

Zhao Cong, who was listening from the side, was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Master Shen, please calm down. Young Master Jiang was just joking. Don't take it seriously."

“Master Shen is right to reprimand me; I was just being reckless.”

Jiang Fangzheng bowed to Shen Bingwen, but the smile in his eyes proved that he didn't care whether the other party minded or not. He then said to Zhao Cong, "Lord Zhao, Old Master Qiao and Master Shen just made it very clear that the canal administration should give them a fair explanation. I think you should investigate carefully and thoroughly, and make sure that law-abiding merchants are not wronged, and that lawbreakers are not let off the hook. In short, you must make everyone convinced."

Zhao Cong naturally understood the meaning of those words and immediately agreed.

Qiao Wangshan glanced at the two men and said expressionlessly, "Since this is the response from the Grand Canal Administration, we only hope that the truth of this matter can be revealed as soon as possible, clearing the names of the Shen and Qiao families and bringing true fairness and justice to the Grand Canal!"

After saying that, he and Shen Bingwen stood up, gave each other a perfunctory bow, and turned to leave.

Watching the two figures depart, Zhao Cong approached Jiang Fangzheng and said respectfully with some worry, "Young Master, now that these two have left today, I'm afraid they'll turn around and go to the government office to complain."

"so what?"

Jiang Fangzheng smiled and said leisurely, "Back then, Xue Huai didn't take me seriously, but who knows if the tables will turn? Now it's his turn to come knocking on my door."

He strode away leisurely, a slightly eerie and cold glint flashing in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)