Prime Minister

Chapter 267, Section 266: [Releasing the Tiger Back to the Mountain]

"Want to hear the truth or lies?"

Xue Huai was naturally not easily intimidated by this young girl, and calmly threw the question back at her.

Shen Qingluan laughed and said, "Of course it's the truth!"

"If I were to tell the truth..."

Xue Huai led her by the hand and said as they walked, "Doctor Xu is exceptionally beautiful and has an otherworldly air about her, like a plum blossom in the snow, aloof and self-admiring. There are few in Yangzhou who can match her. However, in my opinion, none of the myriad beauties and charms in this world can compare to Qingluan, who lives in Shen Garden."

"They just know how to coax me."

Shen Qingluan gave a light reproach, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

The two arrived at Xue Huai's study. Shen Qingluan went straight to the large desk and sat down. She didn't touch the files or books on the desk, but instead imitated Xue Huai's usual demeanor when he sat there handling official business.

Xue Huai couldn't help but chuckle and personally poured her a cup of tea, placing it beside her.

"Brother Huai".

Shen Qingluan accepted the tea and thanked them, then said, "My father and Old Master Qiao went to the Grand Canal Supervisory Hall today. That Magistrate Zhao kept talking in official jargon, and that Governor-General Jiang was making sarcastic remarks on the side. In the end, my father and Old Master Qiao had to return empty-handed."

"Not expected."

Xue Huai sat on a rattan chair to the side and said calmly, "The reason why the Grand Canal Administration is targeting your two families is simply to make an example of them and to divide the salt merchants. As long as these big merchants lose their composure, the Grand Canal Administration and the Grand Canal Gang can take advantage of the situation. At that time, the Salt Merchants Association, which has not yet established a solid foundation, is very likely to become an empty shell."

A look of worry appeared on Shen Qingluan's face as she nodded and said, "Yes, some people within the Salt Association have begun to waver. For the past two weeks, the Grand Canal Administration has clearly been targeting Guangtai and De'an, yet they've been surrounding Elder Qiao and my father every day, their words full of probing. Some have even subtly suggested that the Salt Association might have taken too big a step, which is why the Grand Canal Administration is retaliating like this. Although they don't dare to openly say they'll disband the Salt Association, their intentions are clearly that they're afraid."

Xue Huai listened quietly, his face showing no surprise or anger, only a deep calm.

Shen Qingluan said with a hint of anger, "These people are really... When the Salt Association was established, how many benefits did you, Brother Huai, secure for them, saving them so much trouble and exploitation? Now that they've encountered a little trouble, they want to back down. They've completely forgotten how Xu Guanlan exploited them back then, and they've forgotten that if it weren't for the Salt Association's organization and coordination, they would still have to pay a large sum of money to the Canal Gang and have to be subservient to them!"

Looking at her angry expression, Xue Huai couldn't help but smile and say, "These fools dare to anger Miss Qingluan; they certainly need to be taught a lesson."

"Eh?"

Shen Qingluan was taken aback, then scolded, "Brother Huai, I'm talking to you about something important!"

"Okay, okay, let's get down to business."

Xue Huai coaxed her and slowly said, "Actually, when we were setting up the Salt Association last year, I had already anticipated that it would cause a strong backlash from the Grand Canal authorities and the Grand Canal gangs. After all, it would greatly reduce their income and shake their authority on the Grand Canal."

Shen Qingluan, understanding the implied meaning from the melody, quickly asked, "So Brother Huai already has a plan?"

“Zhao Cong and his ilk are nothing to fear. I can deal with them at any time. However, this game has only just begun. Jiang Jizhou is still firmly in the Governor’s Office. He has only sent out a sub-prefect to put pressure on me, so I cannot touch him for the time being, lest I alert him.”

Looking into the girl's concerned eyes, Xue Huai said gently, "Go back and tell Uncle Shen that there is no need to conceal the current situation of Guangtai Company, and that we should not have a direct conflict with the people from the Grand Canal. No matter what tricks they use, Guangtai Company should endure it for the time being. Also, have Uncle tell the core members of the Salt Merchants Association that I will be going to Xiuyuan in three days, and I will give everyone a clear answer then."

Shen Qingluan nodded in agreement.

After chatting for a while longer, Shen Qingluan got up to take her leave, and Xue Huai personally saw her off.

As they were about to part, Shen Qingluan suddenly stopped and whispered, "Brother Huai, what do you think of Sister Zhiwei—"

Before she could finish speaking, Xue Huai raised his hand and gently stroked the tip of her pert nose, teasingly saying, "You can think about these things after you're married. It's too much of a good wife to be thinking like this now."

Shen Qingluan blushed deeply and snorted, "I didn't even think about it!"

He then hastily boarded the carriage.

Xue Huai watched the carriage disappear with a smile, but the smile quickly faded the moment the carriage vanished completely. He said indifferently, "Jiang Sheng, call Sang Chengze to see me."

Jiang Sheng, standing to the side and behind, solemnly replied, "Yes!"

……

About an incense stick later, Sang Chengze, the third young master of the Canal Gang, entered Xue Huai's study.

He looked at Xue Huai, who was sitting behind the desk, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Xue Huai put down the dossier in his hand, slightly raised his chin to gesture for him to sit down, and then asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"

Sang Chengze was at a loss for words.

For more than a month, he followed Xue Huai, observing him handle those tedious and boring official duties, doing what he could, and listening to Xue Huai's teachings in his spare time. A door slowly opened before him, allowing him to see a novel and vast world.

After a moment, Sang Chengze cautiously said, "Your Excellency, I have recently benefited greatly. In the past, I only knew how to indulge in debauchery and squander money, but now I realize that behind every penny are the livelihoods of countless people, the laws and regulations, and the hearts of the people."

"It's already quite remarkable that you can understand this."

Xue Huai spoke calmly, then continued, "The time you've spent in the government office, though not what your father and brothers expected, has helped you shed some of your frivolous airs and gained a more grounded and steady demeanor, which is very good." Sang Chengze finally heard genuine praise from Xue Huai, and his heart trembled. He bowed and said, "It is all thanks to your kindness, sir. I... Chengze, will always remember it."

For the first time, he clearly stated his name in front of Xue Huai, no longer using those humble appellations, as if confirming a new identity.

"Just remember it."

Xue Huai did not correct his self-reference, and then said meaningfully, "Do you know what your Brother Jiang, Zhao Cong, the Yangzhou Prefect of the Grand Canal, and some people from your Grand Canal Gang have been doing lately?"

Sang Chengze was not oblivious to what was happening around him, especially since he spent all his time with Xue Huai, who hadn't deliberately kept anything from him that wasn't exactly a secret. So he nodded and said, "I've heard a little about it. I heard that the Supervising Bureau is being particularly strict with the merchant ships of the Qiao and Shen families. The other day they even seized several ships, the Guangtai and De'an."

Xue Huai remained calm and said, "It's not that the investigation is strict, it's that they are deliberately making things difficult for us, using every means possible. And this is just the beginning. Their targeting will continue for some time until the salt merchants completely bow down and submit."

Sang Chengze knew perfectly well the reason for this matter; the dispute over salt and grain transport was not a matter of pride, but a naked struggle for interests.

Looking at his silent face, Xue Huai said succinctly, "Chengze, what you learn from books is never enough. It's time to take the first real step."

Sang Chengze's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness welling up inside him: "Sir, what do you mean?"

"Go back to the canal gang."

Xue Huai said without room for doubt, "But we're not going back to the main headquarters in Huai'an; we're going to the branch headquarters in Yangzhou first."

"The Yangzhou branch?"

Sang Chengze was somewhat surprised.

"Correct."

Xue Huai nodded slightly and said expectantly, "I hope you can completely calm down the Yangzhou branch of the Canal Gang. At least for the next month or two, the Canal Gang members should not provoke any disputes and should stay away from this murky water as much as possible."

Sang Chengze took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Don't worry, sir, I will handle this matter well. I am close to Wang Kui, the leader of the Yangzhou branch, and I am confident that I can persuade him."

"Of course I believe you can do it."

Xue Huai paused briefly, then slowly said, "There's one more thing, which might be a bit difficult."

Sang Chengze replied without hesitation, "Please give your orders, sir."

He is currently in a state of high spirits and has unwavering faith in the blueprint drawn up by Xue Huai, so he is not afraid of any difficulties at all.

Seeing this, Xue Huai smiled and said, "Keeping the Yangzhou branch out of the salt and grain transport dispute is only a temporary solution. If the grain transport gang really wants to clear its name, it must change your father's mind."

Upon hearing this, Sang Chengze's expression became slightly awkward.

Despite his confident and assertive words in front of Xue Huai, he naturally lacked confidence when it came to persuading his father, who had been in charge of the canal gang for many years.

But he didn't want to disappoint Xue Huai, so he gritted his teeth and said, "I will do my best to make this happen."

"Don't be so nervous."

Xue Huai patiently persuaded him, "If you set your sights on the entire Canal Gang from the beginning, your father will definitely ignore your unrealistic ideas. Therefore, you might as well take a step back and let your father and brother hand over the Yangzhou branch to you. As for the reason... just say that because of your mischief in Yangzhou this time, it has brought a bad influence to the Canal Gang, so you want to make amends and ask them to give you a chance to make amends."

Sang Chengze's eyes lit up.

His previous image as a spoiled brat was too deeply ingrained in people's minds. If he were to constantly talk about the century-old cause of the Grand Canal Gang, his father and brothers would definitely think he was being ridiculous. But if he followed the strategy provided by Xue Huai...

"Thank you for your advice, sir!"

Sang Chengze bowed deeply.

"Go."

Xue Huai stood up, walked to Sang Chengze, patted his shoulder lightly, and smiled, "Whether you pester me relentlessly or beg me persistently, as long as you can return to Yangzhou to take charge of the branch, even if it's just a temporary expedient, I can help you make a name for yourself. When you return to Huai'an with this impressive report card, you'll have more weight in your words before your father, brothers, and the elders of the Canal Gang."

"Yes!"

Unable to hide his excitement, Sang Chengze said loudly, "Please wait for Chengze's good news, sir!"

Xue Huai praised, "Good."

Sang Chengze strode away, and Xue Huai watched his departing figure before slowly walking to the window and placing his right hand on the windowsill.

He certainly wouldn't place all his hopes on the hothead Sang Chengze. This move was partly to temper Sang Chengze, and partly to give the other side a false impression, making them mistakenly believe that this was his response.

Especially that young master Jiang from the Governor's Office.

Xue Huai narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered to himself, "Jiang Fangzheng...who exactly are you?"

(End of this chapter)