Prime Minister

Chapter 278, Section 277: [Seeking Peace]

On the seventh day of the sixth month of the twentieth year of the Taihe era, in Yangzhou.

As the dispute over salt and grain transport intensified, the struggle between the two sides gradually reached a fever pitch.

The officials of the Grand Canal Transport Office became increasingly harsh on the Qiao and Shen families. Initially, they only inspected the ordinary cargo ships of these two businesses, while allowing their salt-carrying cargo ships to pass directly, so as to prevent them from filing complaints with the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office.

However, as the Lianghuai Salt Association gradually reduced its reliance on the Grand Canal, the salt transport could not obtain boat licenses and had to rent canal boats, causing the most important Huaiyang section of the Grand Canal to become increasingly deserted. The Grand Canal transport authorities had to strengthen their crackdown on the Qiao and Shen families. Even salt transport ships had to undergo extremely strict inspections, and the Grand Canal passage and allocation were restricted to the greatest extent.

As a result, the industries of the De'an and Guangtai ships in various places were greatly affected.

During this period, most of the other goods from both companies were transported by land. For long distances, such as the Shen family's branch in the capital, they relied on inventory and borrowing goods from other companies to operate. The extra expenses alone exceeded the amount they had paid to the canal administration and the canal gang in previous years. However, they were clear about their responsibilities. If even they wavered, the entire salt association would inevitably fall into disarray. Therefore, they persevered by relying on their own resources.

Now even salt transport is restricted by the Grand Canal authorities, and the pressure on both companies has suddenly increased, making them almost grit their teeth and hold on.

Needless to say, the Shen family would persevere no matter how much they lost. However, the Qiao family's performance surprised Xue Huai. Qiao Wangshan had never complained to him, even though the Qiao family's losses were even greater than the Shen family's.

The predicament of the Qiao and Shen families could no longer be concealed, which greatly shocked the members of the Salt Association, as the Grand Canal Administration seemed determined to fight to the bitter end.

From relentlessly suppressing those two companies to unprecedentedly providing relief to low-level clerks and canal workers, the attitude of the canal transport authorities was extremely clear: they were determined to make an example of them and use the fate of the Lianghuai salt merchants to warn other eager merchant groups.

Under the pervasive threats and attempts to win over the Grand Canal authorities, five salt merchants have withdrawn from the Salt Association in the past two weeks. Although these small and medium-sized salt merchants cannot yet influence the overall situation, their clear statements have had a very negative impact within the Salt Association.

At the same time, a wave of doubts about the salt merchants of Lianghuai gradually rose among the people. Even though the people had no goodwill towards the canal transport government, they also disliked those wealthy merchants. If Xue Huai had not investigated and dealt with a number of lawless powerful families last year, there would probably have been a boycott and condemnation of the Lianghuai Salt Association by now.

Upon learning this news, Xue Huai immediately recognized that it was the work of the Canal Gang, as only the Canal Gang could mobilize tens of thousands of members to guide public opinion among the people.

Another piece of evidence is Sang Chengze. This kid seemed to have vanished into thin air. He disappeared completely after leaving Yangzhou. It was obvious that he was imprisoned by his father. This means that the canal gang has made the decision to stand together with the canal transport authorities.

Xue Huai felt a little regretful, but that was all.

He did indeed place high hopes on Sang Chengze, but that was a prelude and plan for the future, not an expectation that Sang Chengze could seize power in the Grand Canal Gang right now. His decision to release Sang Chengze and gain temporary peace in exchange was ultimately just to mislead the people in the Grand Canal Transport Office and make them think that this was his method.

"Sir, here we are."

Jiang Sheng's voice rang out from outside, and Xue Huai snapped out of his reverie and stepped down from the carriage.

Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen also got off their respective carriages and came to Xue Huai's side one after another. The government office standing in front of them was the Yangzhou Supervisory Office of the Grand Canal.

Xue Huai's arrival here today with the two leaders of the Lianghuai Salt Association is undoubtedly sending a signal to the outside world—the Qiao and Shen families have recently been struggling to survive due to the targeting and suppression by the Grand Canal government, and Xue Huai, who is behind the Salt Association, has no choice but to personally step in.

The Imperial Household Department had received the visiting card as early as yesterday, but neither Song Yi, the Councilor of the Water Transport Commissioner who had visited Yangzhou a few days ago, nor Zhao Cong, the Vice Prefect, came out to greet them.

"Lord Xue, I've heard so much about you."

The clerk, Huo Xuande, bowed with a forced smile and said, "This humble servant, Huo Xuande, has come to greet you on the orders of the Councilor."

Xue Huai nodded slightly in greeting.

Huo Xuande stepped aside and said, "Lord Xue, please, the two leaders."

Led by Huo Xuande, Xue Huai and the other two entered the government office. After a short while, they arrived at the main hall, where they met Song Yi, Zhao Cong, and Jiang Fangzheng, the son of the governor-general.

This was the first time Xue Huai and Jiang Fangzheng met.

In fact, according to the rules of officialdom, Jiang Fangzheng, who only held a nominal sixth-rank official title, was not qualified to appear in such an occasion. However, the Lianghuai Salt Commissioner and the Grand Canal Transport Office were now at odds, and Jiang Jizhou did not have the extra energy to discipline his son. As for Song Yi and Zhao Cong, they would not dare to anger Jiang Fangzheng over such a trivial matter.

Today, Xue Huai has come to visit in person. Even if Song Yi doesn't need to lower himself to a lowly position, he should at least have Zhao Cong go out to greet him, as is the proper etiquette in officialdom.

Ultimately, the canal administration did not give Xue Huai the face he deserved, which was naturally the result of Jiang Fangzheng's instigation.

Previously, because of Sang Chengze's arrest, Jiang Fangzheng sent people to the Yangzhou government office to deliver visiting cards for several days in a row. Not to mention being greeted by Xue Huai, he couldn't even step into the government office. Now this is his revenge against Xue Huai.

If Song Yi hadn't repeatedly persuaded him, he wouldn't have even wanted Xue Huai to enter this government office; he would have at least left him hanging for a few days.

Even so, Chiang Fang-cheng had at least managed to vent his anger a little.

He looked over with a hint of anticipation, only to find that Xue Huai seemed not to have noticed him at all, and couldn't help but snort coldly.

"This humble official pays his respects to Your Excellency, Councilor."

Xue Huai bowed to Song Yi, followed closely by Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen. Song Yi naturally heard Jiang Fangzheng's disdainful remarks, but he pretended not to hear them and smiled at Xue Huai, saying, "Prefect Xue, it is an honor to have you here. I am currently discussing confidential matters with Magistrate Zhao, so it is inconvenient for me to welcome you. I hope you understand."

Xue Huai remained calm and replied, "Lord Song, you flatter me."

"Come, everyone, please have a seat. Someone, bring some tea."

Song Yi turned and sat down in the main seat. Xue Huai, Qiao Wangshan, and Shen Bingwen sat in the chairs on the left in order, while Zhao Cong and Jiang Fangzheng sat opposite them.

The servants served fragrant tea and then respectfully withdrew.

Song Yi glanced at the three men on his left and smiled, "Prefect Xue, let me introduce you. This is the son of Minister Jiang, Jiang Fangzheng, the Vice Director of the Imperial Seal Office, courtesy name Duanming."

Xue Huai then looked at Jiang Fangzheng.

The man was about thirty years old and fairly handsome, but his expression was slightly frivolous and arrogant, as if he did not take Yangzhou Tongzhi (the prefectural magistrate) seriously.

Xue Huai smiled faintly and said calmly, "Brother Duanming, I have long admired your name, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved."

"Lord Xue's words are truly moving."

Jiang Fangzheng looked at Xue Huai with a half-smile and said leisurely, "I have requested an audience with you many times before, but you were too busy with official duties to spare even a cup of tea. I was very sorry. Fortunately, I have finally been able to meet you here today. To be honest, you are truly a man of exceptional elegance. I feel ashamed of my own appearance when I see you."

These words were sarcastic and sarcastic. Zhao Cong, sitting next to him, looked down at the ground, while Song Yi, in the main seat, still had a smile on his face, seemingly unaware of the sarcasm in Jiang Fangzheng's words.

"Please forgive me, Brother Duanming."

Xue Huai remained calm and said indifferently, "The reason I declined your invitation earlier was because Sang Chengze, the son of the leader of the Canal Gang, was imprisoned for assaulting someone, and it is said that Brother Duanming has a close relationship with that young master Sang. I thought carefully, and if I had met with Brother Duanming at that time, people might have mistakenly thought that Brother Duanming was abusing his power for personal gain, which would certainly have damaged Minister Jiang's reputation. Therefore, I avoided meeting with Brother Duanming. Of course, it was my fault for not explaining the reason to Brother Duanming."

Jiang Fangzheng's gaze darkened slightly.

Xue Huai's frankness surprised him, and his explanation was barely plausible, giving him a way out in public.

He could certainly choose not to accept this offer, but that would make him seem petty, since Xue Huai was the de facto governor of Yangzhou.

Thinking of this, Jiang Fangzheng said with a slightly aggrieved expression, "Lord Xue is too kind. I have no intention of blaming you."

At this point, Song Yi changed the subject, saying, "Prefect Xue has come to visit in person today. What brings you here?"

Xue Huai looked at him and got straight to the point: "Your Excellency, I have come here to discuss the dispute over the salt and grain transport."

"The Salt and Grain Transport Dispute?"

Song Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and said, "Your words are somewhat puzzling to me. Although the canal administration has been conducting stricter inspections recently, it is only a routine spot check. How can you talk about a struggle? Xue Tongzhi, you and I are both officials appointed by the court, with different duties, but we both serve the court. Even if we have different views on some matters, it does not mean that there is a conflict between us."

"Your words are invaluable, Your Excellency. I will remember them."

Xue Huai calmly replied, "Then let me put it another way. Recently, the Grand Canal Administration may have some misunderstandings about the Lianghuai Salt Association. This is not my place to comment. However, the Lianghuai salt industry was established by my efforts, and the existence of the Salt Association is quite important for the reform of the salt administration. Therefore, I have come here with great humility, and I hope that the Councilor will understand."

"I see."

Song Yi seemed to understand at this moment. He glanced at the silent Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen and slowly said, "The salt administration reform is a major plan that His Majesty attaches great importance to, and it is indeed not something to be taken lightly. However, I still don't quite understand where the misunderstanding between the grain transport office and the Lianghuai Salt Association comes from. I hope you can explain it clearly."

Before Xue Huai could speak, Jiang Fangzheng suddenly chuckled.

Upon seeing this, Song Yi frowned slightly and said, "Duanming."

"Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Jiang Fangzheng said meaningfully, "I just suddenly remembered a few anecdotes and was a little distracted. I did not mean to interrupt your conversation with Lord Xue."

"Oh?"

Song Yi reached out and picked up the teacup, asking with some curiosity, "What's the story behind it?"

Jiang Fangzheng stared intently at Xue Huai opposite him and said with great interest, "One is called 'Bearing Thorns to Plead Guilty,' another is called 'Overestimating One's Abilities,' and yet another is called 'Arrogant at First and Obsequious at Later.' Thinking about it makes one laugh."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall became extremely tense.

(End of this chapter)