Prime Minister

Chapter 293, Section 292: [The last mile is the hardest.]

While Jiang Jizhou was deeply worried about his career and the fate of the Jiang family, the main hall of Xiuyuan Garden was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and joy.

Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen were able to remain calm, but more than ten big merchants, including Wang Shilin, Huang Dezhong, and Xu Deshun, were already overjoyed. This was because the salt and grain transport agreement had been written down and stamped with the seal of the imperial envoy representing the emperor on his southern tour, so no one dared to raise any objections.

Two years ago, these wealthy salt merchants wouldn't have dared to even dream of such a thing. Even though they were rich and each had powerful connections and influence in the government, their strength was insignificant compared to the behemoth that was the Grand Canal system. Moreover, the merchants were scattered and unable to form a cohesive force.

Until that Assistant Magistrate appeared.

The salt merchants looked at Xue Huai, who was sitting in the main seat, and their eyes showed undisguised awe and respect.

Without Xue Huai, they would still be subservient to the tyranny of powerful families like Xu Guanlan and Liu Zheng, and apart from the Qiao and Shen families, the others would only be left with scraps.

Without Xue Huai, they would never have been able to challenge the Grand Canal Commissioner's office to the face and achieve such remarkable results. They would no longer have to pay numerous gifts and tributes, greatly reducing their burden. Most importantly, they would no longer have to worry about the oppression and bullying that might occur on the Grand Canal at any time.

From then on, any business that was a member of the Lianghuai Salt Association could conduct business openly and honestly in various places.

These are all benefits that Xue Huai brought to them.

Looking at Xue Huai's young and handsome face, some people couldn't help but have some thoughts. Although the position of Madam Xue had been taken by the Shen family, Lord Xue, being an only son, would definitely need to take a few concubines. Their own daughter was excellent in both appearance and temperament. They wondered if it was possible to send her to the Xue family.

"Everyone."

Xue Huai looked around at everyone and said slowly, "The dispute over salt and grain transport has finally been resolved, and everyone can now focus on their business. During this time, the vast majority of people have been able to maintain a spirit of unity and mutual assistance, especially Elder Qiao and Master Shen, who are exemplary salt merchants of Lianghuai and truly deserve the title of head of the Salt Association."

Everyone praised them, while Qiao Wangshan and Shen Bingwen smiled modestly.

Xue Huai raised his hand and gestured, suppressing his smile, and said, "When the Salt Association was first established, I said that this place could provide you with shelter from the wind and rain, allowing everyone to conduct business honestly in a relatively fair environment. I also said that rights and obligations are two sides of the same coin. No one can enjoy the convenience brought by the Salt Association without bearing their due obligations. The reason I did not intervene in the early stages was because I hoped that you would all dare to take responsibility."

Upon hearing this, some people appeared calm, while others seemed slightly embarrassed.

Xue Huai took in everyone's reactions without specifically naming anyone, and instead said, "The Salt Association has made a good start, and I imagine you are all eager to make great strides. But before that, I need to clarify a few things with you."

He glanced to the side, and Qiao Wangshan immediately stood up and beckoned to the corner. More than ten servants came forward with books in their hands, and each merchant received a copy.

Qiao Wangshan explained, “Gentlemen, this is the detailed charter of the Lianghuai Salt Association that I and Master Shen discussed and drafted. It has been approved by Transport Commissioner Huang and Assistant Magistrate Xue. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions, please raise them on the spot.”

This concerned the vital interests of all members, so the salt merchants dared not take it lightly and immediately read it carefully.

The first part of the charter is the general provisions, which clearly states that the salt association is named the Lianghuai Salt Merchants Association, established in accordance with the "Great Yan Code - Market Laws", and is subject to the triple supervision of the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office, the Salt Law Commissioner and the Yangzhou Prefectural Government. The association's purpose is to regulate the industry, stabilize market prices, provide mutual assistance and relief, and jointly uphold the new law.

The second part is the rights that members can enjoy, including business protection, industry bargaining, mutual aid and relief, etc.

The third part consists of the obligations that member businesses need to fulfill, including compliance with regulations, labor protection, market order, and so on.

The fourth part is the supervision and inspection system, including the salt association's self-inspection, the government's verification, the salt transport bureau's annual review, as well as the membership admission system and the system for punishing illegal acts.

The final part is the supplementary provisions, which include some precautionary instructions.

The salt merchants read the document very carefully, and their mood became more and more relaxed. The document paid great attention to details, and after reading it through, the rights and obligations of the salt association members were relatively fair. More importantly, they still had a high degree of autonomy in their business operations, and the government's power was limited to supervision and inspection, unlike before when it could easily extort and demand bribes.

After Xue Huai and the others finished reading, he calmly asked, "Do any of you have any questions?"

After a brief silence, Wang Shilin stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble citizen humbly requests Your Excellency's guidance: If the Salt Association's goods are harassed and extorted by local brokers in Suzhou and Hangzhou, can the Salt Association provide assistance?"

Xue Huai nodded and said, "That's fine. The manager of the merchant can report to the local government for handling based on the salt association's token. If the government refuses to take responsibility, the Salt Transport Office and the Yangzhou Prefectural Government will issue a document to inquire, and if necessary, file a lawsuit with the three judicial departments!"

Everyone felt reassured.

At this moment, Xu Deshun noticed the look Qiao Wangshan was giving him, and understanding the implication, he stood up and respectfully said to Xue Huai, "Your Excellency, if the head of the Salt Association abuses his power for personal gain, such as by forcibly suppressing prices or engaging in malicious competition, how should we file a complaint?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn. Many people looked at Xu Deshun with admiration and worry, thinking to themselves that this old guy was incredibly bold to dare to ask such a sharp question to his face.

Under the tense gaze of everyone, Xue Huai smiled and said, "First, inform the Salt Association's supervisory group about this matter; second, file a direct complaint with the prefectural government's criminal division; third, report it to the Lianghuai Salt Transport Bureau. Even if some leader of the association manages to bribe the Lianghuai Salt Transport Bureau and the Yangzhou prefectural government in the future, you can still appeal to the Salt Commissioner. If even the Salt Commissioner has become corrupt and degenerate, then come to me." In fact, what he said was unlikely to happen, because after the salt administration reform, the Salt Transport Bureau and the Salt Commissioner belonged to different systems. The former was under the jurisdiction of the central cabinet, while the latter was controlled by the emperor's trusted advisors, naturally creating a conflict of interest.

However, judging from the reactions of the salt merchants present, they clearly trusted Xue Huai's promise more.

With Wang Shilin and Xu Deshun leading the way, the other salt merchants also eagerly joined in, and Xue Huai, Qiao Wangshan, and Shen Bingwen patiently and meticulously answered their questions.

After a short while, the hall finally quieted down. Xue Huai looked around at everyone and said loudly, "Gentlemen, this charter is both your talisman and your constraint. With the right to enjoy various conveniences, you must bear the corresponding responsibilities. I hereby solemnly warn you that those who are protected by the Salt Association should act as merchants to benefit the people. If there are any disloyal, unjust, unkind, or lawless individuals, they are traitors to the Salt Association, enemies of the merchants of Lianghuai, and enemies of mine to the death!"

He paused slightly, looked at the solemn-faced salt merchants, and said, "I hope you will remember that the government is your backing, but also your sword to prevent you from crossing the line. You shall decide your own course of action!"

Everyone stood up and responded in unison and loudly, "We will remember Your Excellency's teachings!"

……

Two days later, in the inner hall of the Yangzhou government office.

Fan Dongyang took the initiative to visit, bringing with him the latest news from Huai'an City in the north.

Even before Sang Chengze presented the evidence, Ye Qing had already personally taken charge of Huai'an City, arranging for his elite subordinates to closely monitor suspects such as Chen Bao and Dong Dachang. As soon as Fan Dongyang's order was given, he immediately led his men in a surprise attack to capture them.

Although Chen Bao was the law enforcement elder of the Canal Gang, and Huai'an was the location of the Canal Gang's headquarters, these outlaw heroes ultimately dared not openly resist when surrounded by the Jing'an Division, the Imperial Envoy's personal guards, and the Huai'an Guards.

Ultimately, with the exception of a very few who escaped, all of Chen Bao's faction of the Canal Gang were captured.

However, problems arose during the arrest of Dong Dachang.

Dong Dachang was Jiang Fangzheng's sworn brother. Although he had many hangers-on, he was certainly no match for the law enforcement elders of the Canal Gang. However, Ye Qing was always cautious and still arranged a group of skilled men near Dong's residence. But when they rushed into Dong's residence, they found that Dong Dachang had committed suicide by poisoning himself without warning, leaving behind a seemingly legitimate suicide note in which he took all the blame.

Fan Dongyang took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then looked at Xue Huai sitting opposite him and asked, "What do you think?"

Xue Huai pondered and said, "If Governor Jiang had known beforehand, he would have dealt with the threat of Dong Dachang in advance. Therefore, this matter should be the work of the heretical cult. They did this not only to help Governor Jiang kill and silence witnesses, but also to reassure other officials and gentry who have been corrupted by the heretical cult. If they directly drag Governor Jiang down with them, the others will definitely be terrified and try to protect themselves."

"Yes, judging from this incident, the mastermind behind the Xuan Yuan Sect is very rational."

Fan Dongyang nodded and said, "Now that Jimintang has been investigated and dealt with, the Caoya and Caobang will also be thoroughly investigated. The Demon Sect has suffered a great loss of strength and will surely be dormant for a period of time. It will be difficult to eradicate them completely."

Xue Huai agreed, but a strange feeling lingered in his heart: the Xuan Yuan Sect might not be so peaceful.

Fan Dongyang, unsuspecting, said approvingly, "Governor Jiang is currently preoccupied with his own affairs, and the salt and grain transport dispute has been resolved. I will truthfully report your suggestions to His Majesty. Considering the whole story of this incident, you have made a great contribution, and you are likely to be promoted."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Excellency."

Xue Huai smiled slightly, then changed the subject, saying, "I was fortunate enough to succeed this time thanks to the assistance of the Chief Censor. In fact, I am already satisfied that the salt and grain transport dispute has been resolved, and I dare not hope for anything else."

"Oh?"

Fan Dongyang sensed that Jing Che hadn't finished speaking, so he asked meaningfully, "Does Jing Che not think the reform of the canal transport system can be successful?"

"This humble official dares not speak presumptuously."

Xue Huai lowered his eyelids slightly and said calmly and frankly, "This matter is of great importance. Even if we argue fiercely in Jiangnan, whether it can be carried out does not depend on how many problems the canal administration has or how many corrupt officials have been caught. In the end, it depends on how the officials in the court decide."

He had one more thing he didn't say: the key to whether the canal transport system could be reformed lay with His Majesty in the palace.

Fan Dongyang understood the deeper meaning behind his words and couldn't help but sigh softly.

The two looked at each other without saying a word, falling into a long silence.

(End of this chapter)