Looking north towards the rivers and mountains

Chapter 367 Public Opinion Can Melt Metal

After arriving at the dock, Fei Xiong first talked for a long time with Daruhuachibuhua and the prefect Liu Yexian.

The two prefectural officials were of the fourth rank, while Fei Xiong was of the third rank. However, the canal transport office relied heavily on the local authorities, so the two sides still communicated on an equal footing. Therefore, although Fei Xiong was very unhappy, he suppressed his displeasure and asked politely, "In matters of repelling bandits, the prefectural government, the general administration, and the military government should take the lead. The canal transport office has neither money nor soldiers, so what use is it to you to invite me here?"

"This year, Lord Fei has been appointed to govern Taicang, overseeing both near and far. Shao Shuyi is still a registered seafarer from Chongming Island in Kunshan. It is only right that we invite Lord Fei here." Bu Hua said with a smile, "Perhaps he can persuade him to change his mind and serve the court."

Fei Xiong was helpless. Theoretically, that was the case, but he couldn't control Shao Shuyi because Shao had considerable military power and was not bound by anyone. This was also the main reason why Fei Xiong had been willing to take Shao Shuyi on a business trip to make money before.

Therefore, he could only make an excuse, saying, "Lord Bu Hua, you are mistaken. Although Shao Shuyi is a seafarer, he has been unregulated for many years. He owns more than ten ships, but has never transported grain. Now he has recruited many fugitive seafarers and set up camp at Matuosha. The grain transport office has no way to deal with him."

Upon hearing this, Prefect Liu Yexian immediately said, "Lord Fei, if Shao Shuyi continues like this, sooner or later the transport office will have no seafarers to use, and the canal transport will be impossible. Now that Lord Maishu Ding has taken office, perhaps we can tell him about the situation and find an opportunity to rectify it properly in the future."

Fei Xiong was surprised to hear this.

He was just saying that he didn't want himself or the government to be openly associated with Shao Shuyi in the US. What do you mean by that? Do you have a grudge against Shao Shuyi?

"Yesen!" Bu Hua said, somewhat displeased, "The bigger picture! The bigger picture comes first!"

Seeing Bu Hua say this, Liu Yexian could only smile awkwardly and say no more.

The bigger picture? My bigger picture is my life and fortune.

What does the imperial court have to do with me? What does the world have to do with me? A bunch of people are just talking without any sense of the consequences.

"Master Fei." Fei Xiong of Buhua Chao cupped his hands and said, "I have invited you here today because there is an important matter that only you can handle."

Fei Xiong felt a bad feeling and patiently said, "Please speak, Mr. Bu Hua."

"Shao Shuyi is in the water fortress, and his whereabouts are uncertain. The wealthy merchants in the prefecture have raised some provisions and intend to ask him to garrison Liujiagang to guard against bandits," Bu Hua said. "Furthermore, he may have some misunderstandings about the imperial court and always feels that someone wants to harm him."

If, in the event of being misled by treacherous people, he were to rebel in anger and plunder Liujiagang, that would be disastrous. I have heard that Mr. Fei and Shao Shuyi have a past relationship; if you have the time, you might offer some words of advice to Shao Shuyi to strengthen his resolve.”

After saying that, he looked at Fei Xiong expectantly.

For some reason, Fei Xiong felt a sudden surge of anger.

One by one, day after day, they're all trying to link my daughter to Shao Shuyi, aren't they? Over the past year, he's heard rumors from time to time, and when he occasionally chats with relatives and friends about their children's marriages, he also hears the name Shao Shuyi, which really bothers him.

If there were no suitable candidates, that would be fine, but recently he has taken a fancy to Tao Zongyi, an official in Songjiang Prefecture.

Nine-tenths (Tao Zongyi) was related to his family and knew them well.

His father, Tao Mingyuan (Tao Yu), was a renowned scholar, known by the pen names Xiaoao Shanren and Baiyun Manshi. He served as a county magistrate in several different places. His uncle, Tao Fuchu, was a professor of Confucianism in Taizhou. The whole family were Confucian households.

Ninety percent of his studies were conducted under Qian Bi and Qian Boquan, who were both provincial graduates and instructors in Songjiang Prefecture. Although he worked for the government, he did not neglect his studies. This year, he was aiming for the Hangzhou provincial examination. If he succeeded, he could marry Qian Bi. Even if he failed, he could still marry Qian Boquan.

Wouldn't such a person be the perfect son-in-law?

Putting aside his social status, would someone like Shao Shuyi be willing to become a live-in son-in-law? If he's unwilling to marry into the family, does that mean he should marry off his daughter?

His eldest daughter has already married out of the family, his second daughter has also married out of the family, and his third daughter is still young. As the saying goes, the longer the night lasts, the more things may happen. If something unexpected happens, wouldn't Fei Xiong have no descendants? How could he face his ancestors then?

Fei Xiong had already figured it out: his second daughter was destined to marry into the family, and no amount of pleading on her behalf would work.

But now there's a "minor" problem. The saying "public opinion can melt metal" is no joke.

Recently, he held a banquet and invited young scholars from Songjiang, Suzhou and Jiaxing. Some people were jealous of Tao Zongyi's favor with him and deliberately brought up the matter of Shao Shuyi marrying Yuanzhen. Jiucheng was young and proud and could not stand being provoked. He immediately said that he was determined to write books and establish his theories and was not considering marriage for the time being.

This shocked and angered Fei Xiong, who had to try to persuade Shao Shuyi in private, but Shao Shuyi simply wouldn't listen. He seemed to disdain competing with someone like Shao Shuyi and didn't want to get involved with him.

By this time, the rumors circulating in the officialdom of Jiangsu and Zhejiang were becoming more and more widespread and outrageous. Moreover, it seemed that it was not just in the officialdom anymore; even scholarly families with some literary reputation had heard about it to some extent, which made Fei Xiong even more annoyed.

Therefore, he immediately said curtly, "I don't know him well. You should find someone else."

Bu Hua was taken aback, but after a moment's thought, he understood somewhat. He then changed his tone, saying, "Master Fei, it's nothing more than empty pleasantries; why take it to heart? Besides, even if you don't consider yourself, please, Master Fei, consider the interests of the Grand Canal Administration..."

"Considering the hundreds of thousands of people in Kunshan Prefecture, if something were to happen, resulting in widespread death and destruction, it would also damage your reputation, wouldn't it?"

That's a bit harsh, and it's practically using the entire population of Kunshan to morally blackmail them. You want fame? Well, now we'll use your fame to shut you down.

Not helping with such a small favor might seem selfish to some scholars who frequently write poems and essays to express the hardships of the people.

Furthermore, you are, after all, the Deputy Commander of the Grain Transport Commissioner, and Shao Shuyi is undermining the Commissioner's authority. In just the last two days, many seafarers have flocked there. If we don't stop him, what will happen to next year's Spring Festival travel rush? Can you bear the responsibility? Will Mai Shuding have a problem with you when he comes? These are all things we need to consider.

Sure enough, after thinking for a while, Fei Xiong's expression softened somewhat, but he was still a little annoyed. He said, "The Grand Canal Administration has a Darughachi, a commander of ten thousand, and three deputy commanders of ten thousand. Everything is piled on my shoulders, 'Lord Fei.'" Bu Hua immediately said, "I'll take the initiative. Next year, the seafarers of Kunshan Prefecture will be exempt from miscellaneous corvée labor for a year, so they can catch their breath. How about that?"

Fei Xiong stared wide-eyed at Bu Hua.

With an honest and simple expression, Bu Hua explained, "Next year, the state will need to repair the post roads and dredge the canals. It's quite a lot of work. I'll select other households to serve so that the seafarers can focus on transporting grain. In this way, they will surely be grateful to Lord Fei."

The implication was that if you didn't agree, next year, in addition to transporting grain, the seafarers would also have to endure heavy labor. Wouldn't they curse you behind your back while they were working themselves to the bone?

Fei Xiong was the deputy commander of the grain transport office. He could disregard the opinions of civilian households, military households, and artisan households, but the opinions of the ship owners were not uncommon and carried considerable weight.

After a moment of tension, his expression finally softened, and he stopped objecting.

Seeing that there was something going on, Bu Hua immediately went over and whispered, "Master Fei, there is one more thing after you go over there."

The wealthy people of the state raised a sum of money and grain —

Fei Xiong listened silently for a long time before taking his leave.

******

On the 17th, another small boat swayed and drifted to the vicinity of the flat-bottomed ship.

After some commotion, Fei Xiong boarded the large cargo ship.

"Master Fei." Shao Shuyi, having changed into a "classic" royal blue suit, stood on the deck and bowed respectfully.

"Xiao Hu, you—sigh!" Fei Xiong stepped forward and helped Shao Shuyi up.

Shao Shuyi said with a smile, "Tea and refreshments have been prepared in the cabin. Please sit down and let's talk, Mr. Fei."

Fei Xiong nodded, signaling his two attendants to stay outside the cabin, while he and Shao Shuyi went inside and sat down.

"Please have some tea, Mr. Fei," Shao Shuyi said, personally serving a bowl of Dragon and Phoenix Tea.

Fei Xiong, of course, was a connoisseur, and was slightly surprised to see this tea.

"Your style is something that even the most wealthy and powerful people can't match," he remarked.

"It was a gift from someone else," Shao Shuyi said. "I usually wouldn't drink it myself, but when Fei Gong comes, I get to have a bowl or two."

"Quite a few people have sent you gifts," Fei Xiong said, taking a sip of his tea. "Today, I've been entrusted by Buhua, the Darughachi of Kunshan Prefecture, to send you two thousand ingots of paper money and fifteen hundred shi of grain. Would you like to accept them?"

"That's all?" Shao Shuyi was taken aback.

"That many every month," Fei Xiong added.

"Oh? You're quite generous." Shao Shuyi became interested and laughed, "As the saying goes, one shouldn't accept a reward without merit. What would I do if I didn't spend money?"

"Don't you know what you're doing?" Fei Xiong glared at him and said, "I'm telling you to behave yourself and guard Liujiagang properly, so that Fang Guozhen doesn't really rush over and burn down their docks, warehouses, inns, and houses."

Shao Shuyi remained noncommittal, only asking, "Does Master Fei want me to do this?"

Fei Xiong frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I'll listen to Mr. Fei," Shao Shuyi said sincerely. "I said before that if you need anything, just let me know, and that still stands."

Fei Xiong remained silent for a moment, his expression becoming serious, and said, "Since you put it that way, I'll say a few more words."

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Fei."

"Now that Fang Guozhen has rebelled and defeated the imperial army, eastern Zhejiang will surely be in ruins, and western Zhejiang will also be in great danger." Fei Xiong carefully considered his words and said, "If you are perceptive, you should take this opportunity to make a good impression on the provincial governor and try to change their opinion of you, so that they know that you have repented and reformed. Then the road ahead will be easier."

At this point, he glanced at Shao Shuyi and said, "Whether provincial officials believe you privately is one thing, whether they are willing to believe you publicly is another. If the times require them to believe you, then they will. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I understand." Shao Shuyi nodded slightly.

"Since you understand this, let me add one more thing," Fei Xiong continued. "Those officials in the province only serve three-year terms. After their first term, they don't even know if they can continue to serve a second term. So they don't consider things after three years. If their term is less than a year, they don't even consider things after a year. You don't need to keep pleasing someone; waiting until they leave office is also a way."

"The barbarians have only just arrived this year, which is indeed difficult, but it's not without a solution. First, guard Liujiagang well and don't cause trouble. In a few days, I'll introduce you to the Grand Canal Commissioner, Maishuding. He's a follower of Empress Bayan Khutugh, and doesn't get along well with the Second Empress, Wanzhe Khutugh. If you gain his favor, wouldn't that open up another avenue? As long as Maishuding is willing to speak on your behalf, fewer officials in the Jiangzhe region will be willing to persecute you. Do you understand?"

After listening, Shao Shuyi stood up, bowed, and said, "I am deeply enlightened by Master Fei's guidance."

Fei Xiong waved his hand and said, "Let's get things done properly first. If you're not satisfied with the money and supplies, we can negotiate. I reckon they've embezzled quite a bit."

"Okay." Shao Shuyi nodded repeatedly, looking obedient.

Upon seeing this, Fei Xiong felt much better, but then he was somewhat stunned.

His words and actions just now seemed a little off, not like his usual behavior; there was something indescribable about it. Could it be that he was ultimately influenced by something? Or, though he wouldn't admit it, had he accepted this person to some extent?

Those bastards!

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