The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

The message was relayed back to "Hidden Abode" at top speed.

Su Che is listening to Pang Xiaopan's report on the recent progress of the commercial network deployment.

Grey Falcon rushed in and gave a brief account of the situation in the court.

"Jianghuai Circuit, Salt Administration." Su Che put down the account book in his hand, walked to the map of Jiangqiong hanging on the wall, and pointed to the wealthy area along the southeast coast marked with many complex symbols. "Indeed, it's a tough nut to crack. The First Prince, the Third Prince, local powerful families, salt gangs, smugglers... they're all deeply entrenched. Princess, you'll face no shortage of open and covert attacks on your journey."

"Sir, should we send more men?" Grey Falcon asked. "Fifty palace guards... I'm afraid..."

"The palace guards are good for show; they might be able to handle ordinary petty thieves, but they're no match for the local bullies." Su Che shook his head. "Where is Zhao Jianing?"

"As instructed by you, Commander Zhao has set off from Blackwater Town with twenty of his most elite men. They have split into smaller groups and are heading south in batches. They are expected to meet at the designated location outside Jiangning City, the capital of Jianghuai Road, in five days," Grey Falcon replied.

"Twenty men, plus the princess's fifty guards, should be enough to handle the situation. But the key isn't in a direct confrontation." Su Che turned to Pang Xiaopan, "Xiaopan, you mentioned before, how's our business in Jianghuai Road going?"

Pang Xiaopan quickly replied, "According to your plan, 'Huitong Trading Company' has already established branches in major cities such as Jiangning, Yangzhou, and Suzhou, mainly dealing in grain and cloth. It has also secretly acquired several inconspicuous warehouses and carriage shops."

Taking advantage of his business trip, he gained a superficial understanding of the salt administration in the Jianghuai region. The government-controlled salt was held by a few large salt merchants, who were backed by high-ranking local officials such as the Jiangning Provincial Governor and the Transport Commissioner, and might even have connections with certain dignitaries in the capital.

The smuggled salt trade was largely controlled by several shipping guilds and underworld forces, who also colluded with the government, frequently clashing with each other. Salt prices were exorbitant, and the quality was poor, causing immense suffering for the people, while salt tax revenue consistently resulted in deficits.

"Can you access the salt tax accounts?" Su Che asked.

"The official accounts are all in the Transport Commissioner's office, which is difficult to access. But we can start with the accounts of downstream salt merchants, salt shops, and even the smuggling accounts of the Grand Canal gangs. By following the clues, we might find a loophole. However, it will take time and is very easy to alert the enemy," Pang Xiaopan said.

"Time waits for no one. The princess's envoy and his retinue will arrive soon, and they will surely be prepared."

Su Che pondered for a moment, "Alright, Xiao Pan, you set off immediately, under the pretext of inspecting the business and expanding operations, and head to Jiangning first."

Using all our hidden networks and sparing no expense, we bribe key officials, accountants, and even disgruntled concubines and servants among the salt merchants. I want to know the most shady things, accounts, and people involved in the Jianghuai salt trade.

The key points are how salt taxes were intercepted and embezzled at each level, how official and smuggled salt were colluded, and... the role of the Crown Prince's men in all of this.

"Yes! I'll go prepare right away!" Pang Xiaopan solemnly replied.

"Grey Falcon, you will accompany the princess's entourage, ostensibly as her bodyguard, but secretly responsible for liaising with Zhao Jianing and Pang Xiaopan, and monitoring the interior of the entourage to prevent infiltration. The princess's safety is paramount."

"clear!"

Su Che walked back to the table, spread out paper and pen, and began to write rapidly.

He was writing a long letter to Yun Jin under the identity of "Su Zhe".

The letter provided a detailed analysis of the potential loopholes in the Jianghuai salt administration, listed the possible countermeasures the other party might take, and offered corresponding strategies for each.

The core message can be summarized in just sixteen characters: "Hold high the royal banner, proceed steadily and surely, seize the key points, and strike with lightning speed."

He emphasized that it is essential to keep a low profile in the early stages, listen and observe more, and even accept some "reasonable" banquets and "gifts" to lull the opponent into a false sense of security.

At the same time, they secretly collected evidence, especially conclusive evidence involving salt tax evasion, collusion between officials and businessmen, and the exploitation of the people.

Once the chain of evidence was initially established and the time was ripe, they launched a sudden attack using the "Imperial Sword" and the royal decree as their guarantee, aiming to eliminate the ringleader in one fell swoop, quickly control the situation, and use some of the confiscated money and grain to stabilize salt prices, provide relief to the poor, and win over the hearts of the people.

After finishing the letter, he sealed it with sealing wax and handed it to Grey Falcon: "This letter must be delivered to the princess personally. After reading it, burn it immediately."

"yes!"

"Tell the princess," Su Che instructed finally, his gaze calm and unfathomable, "that she is not only an imperial envoy on this trip, but also the 'blade to break the deadlock'."

The corruption in the salt administration was a chronic problem for Jiang Qiong, but also an opportunity for her. Severing this chain of vested interests would not only establish her authority, gain merit, and win the hearts of the people, but also cripple the Crown Prince, allowing her to truly establish herself in the court.

I will be at Lin Yuan, securing her rear and preparing... to receive the 'gift' she sends back.

The gray falcon nodded emphatically and left to carry out its orders.

Su Che stood alone by the window, gazing southeast. The autumn rain had just stopped, and a corner of the sky revealed a pale blue hue.

He knew this would be a tough battle.

For the first time, Yun Jin will be separated from his direct protection and face the infighting and bloodshed of officialdom alone.

This is a test, and also a transformation she must undergo.

"The salt administration of Jianghuai..." he murmured to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the window frame, "I hope this fire can burn brightly enough, and cleanly enough."

……

Ten days later, in Jiangning City, the capital of Jianghuai Circuit.

Before the imperial envoy's procession even entered the city, news of the "Third Princess's Salt Inspection on Behalf of the Emperor" had spread like wildfire throughout official circles and the marketplace.

Some were terrified, some sneered, and some watched and waited.

A secret banquet is underway in a private room on the top floor of "Zui Xian Lou," the most luxurious restaurant in Jiangning City.

The person in the main seat was Liu Wenyuan, the Provincial Governor of Jiangning, a middle-aged official with a pale face, a slight beard, and a glint in his eyes.

Accompanying him were Zhou Kang, the Salt Commissioner, the Prefect of Jiangning, and several of the largest local salt merchants, all dressed in fine clothes and exuding an extraordinary air, but with a hint of solemnity between their brows.

"Lord Liu, this princess is not here with good intentions," a salt merchant surnamed Wang said worriedly. "I've heard she's known in the capital for her 'reformist' spirit. Now, carrying a royal decree and an imperial sword, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Salt Commissioner Zhou Kang snorted coldly. As a follower of the First Prince, he had more confidence.

"What does a young girl with yellow hair know about salt affairs, having lived in the deep palace for so long? It's just that His Majesty was fooled by her few big words and sent her out to gain some prestige and reputation."

All we need to do is treat her with utmost respect, provide her with the best food and drink, prepare a generous 'trip package,' show her what we want her to see, and let her hear what we want her to hear. Once she's had her fill of fun, she'll naturally return to Beijing.

Could it be that she really dares to threaten the very foundation of our Jianghuai salt administration?

Liu Wenyuan sipped his tea slowly and deliberately, without even raising his eyelids: "What Lord Zhou said is common sense. But this princess may not play by the rules. I have read her 'Ten Memorials,' and although her views on salt administration are somewhat immature, they hit the nail on the head. There must be a master guiding her behind the scenes. We must be on guard."

He put down his teacup and glanced at everyone: "Give the order to all salt fields, salt warehouses, and customs offices to make their accounts look good. Make up for what needs to be made up and hide what needs to be hidden. Those who have gone too far should tone it down recently."

When the princess inquires, one should respond with the prepared explanation. As for the "procedures"... they must be prepared, and prepared skillfully, leaving no trace.

"If she accepts, we'll be on the same path; if she doesn't..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "Then we must let her know just how deep and murky the waters of the Jianghuai Road are."

"Then... what if she really wants to check the accounts and inspect the salt fields?" the prefect asked.

"Let her check, let her see," Liu Wenyuan said calmly. "The saltworks has already prepared a 'model,' clean and tidy, with clear accounts. She can look at it for as long as she wants."

As for those places one shouldn't see... the roads are treacherous, salt smugglers are rampant, and if we happen to alarm the imperial envoy, there's nothing we can do about it.

Everyone understood immediately, and relaxed yet slightly sinister smiles appeared on their faces.

"Also," Liu Wenyuan added, "send people to keep a close eye on everyone the princess brought, especially the palace maid named Qingdai and the new accountant. See who they've been in contact with and where they've gone. Report immediately if anything unusual happens!"

"yes!"

A "welcome ceremony" targeting Imperial Envoy Yun Jin, employing both soft and hard tactics, was quietly arranged under the shadow of Jiangning City.

They wanted to trap the princess in a brocade cage and amidst layers of mist.

However, what they didn't know was that three days before Yun Jin's entourage arrived, a chubby herbal medicine merchant named "Third Master Pang" had already checked into an inconspicuous inn in the west of Jiangning City with several of his assistants.

He began frequenting the marketplace under the guise of "purchasing medicinal herbs and negotiating business," coming into contact with seemingly insignificant people.

Furthermore, a group of twenty "caravan guards," weathered yet with eyes as sharp as wolves, quietly moved into a secluded farm outside the city that had already been bought by the "Huitong Trading Company."

An invisible net unfolds simultaneously in the sunlight and shadows of Jianghuai Road.

On one side is a deeply entrenched interest group that has been entrenched in this area for decades.

On the other side is a young princess wielding the sword of imperial power, determined to break the deadlock, and behind her, a master strategist hidden in the shadows.

The first spark of the salt administration is about to be ignited.

The fuse might be hidden in a seemingly unrelated private salt ledger, a resentful fugitive salt farmer, or an old salt tax record that doesn't match up.

A storm is quietly gathering over Jiangning City.