Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 774: All parties are planning, railway? Canal transport? (Subscribe!!)
Zhu Biao stared at Wang Tiechui at the steps, weighing the matter quickly in his mind.

He was born a craftsman, had no background, had practical experience, and was knowledgeable about Western artifacts - he was simply a tailor-made candidate for the Railway Bureau.

What’s even more interesting is that Ouyang Lun always regarded himself as a “recommender” rather than directly in power, thus avoiding suspicion while maintaining control behind the scenes.

"In my opinion," Zhu Biao said slowly, "Wang Tiechui will temporarily serve as the general manager of the Railway Bureau, with a probation period of three months."

He looked at Li Shanchang and said, "If the Duke of Korea feels that this person is not competent, he can recommend another capable person in three months."

The three words "probation period" were like a soft nail, making Li Shanchang want to vomit blood but having no place to exert his strength.

Huang Zicheng looked even more dejected, knowing that the "copywriting" opportunity he had worked so hard to earn had become a laughing stock in front of Wang Tiechui.

When leaving the court, Ouyang Lun deliberately fell behind a few steps. After the crowd dispersed, he took out a booklet from his sleeve and stuffed it into Wang Tiechui's hand: "It contains the maintenance points of steam locomotives. Remember to check the boiler in person on the 7th and 23rd of every month." Wang Tiechui took it with trembling hands and whispered: "Don't worry, Prince Consort. You saved my life from the Jinyiwei prison. I will repay you with my death."

Zhu Biao had a panoramic view of all this from his position on the dragon throne.

He suddenly remembered what Ouyang Lun said last night, "Even the emperor would be afraid." Now he understood the deep meaning - if the railway bureau was handed over to the Huaixi Party, the imperial power would be eroded; if it was handed over to the son-in-law, he would be suspected by his father. Only by pushing a "craftsman" out can a delicate balance be found between the imperial power, the power of the prime minister, and the reformists.

At the end of the Mao hour, Zhu Biao was reviewing memorials in the Wenhua Hall when he suddenly received a secret report from a young eunuch: "Your Majesty, three grain transport merchants came to the Hanguo Palace this morning, and they carried in boxes that were three feet high." He put down his cinnabar pen and sneered - Li Shanchang was indeed not giving up and wanted to use the power of merchants to turn the tables.

"Pass the imperial edict," Zhu Biao said calmly, "instruct Wang Tiechui, the general manager of the Railway Bureau, to draft the 'Detailed Rules for the Fair Dispatch of Official and Civilian Goods' within three days and present it to the Emperor Retired for his review." He deliberately emphasized the three words "Emperor Retired", and a sharp light flashed in his eyes - his father hated corruption the most. If Li Shanchang dared to smuggle private goods among official goods, this would be a good opportunity to crack down on the Huaixi Party.

Outside the window, the spring sun is warm.

Zhu Biao looked at the "Management Regulations" copied by Ouyang Lun on the desk, and suddenly remembered the rain in the clan house last night. At that time, he was hit by the jade pillow and saw stars, but he felt much more relaxed than now. The difficulty of being an emperor is that you always have to walk in checks and balances. Even when hiring a craftsman, you have to consider people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, the Prince Consort requests an audience." The eunuch's announcement interrupted his thoughts.

Zhu Biao chuckled and said, "Please invite him in. Oh, and make me some new Biluochun tea. I'm afraid my brother-in-law didn't sleep well last night."

There were footsteps outside the palace, and Ouyang Lun's voice was somewhat teasing: "Your Majesty's move of 'ruling the country by a craftsman' today is likely to keep all the civil and military officials awake."

"The one who can't sleep should be Li Shanchang." Zhu Biao motioned him to sit down, "But can the Wang Tiechui you recommended really keep the situation under control?"

Ouyang Lun took a sip of tea and looked at the pine trees outside the window. "It doesn't matter if we can't suppress it. Three months later, when the railway is fully operational, we will know what the people want. By then, even gods won't be able to change the situation."

"Be careful of Li Shanchang's desperate actions." Zhu Biao whispered, "Recently, the Jinyiwei received a secret report that the Huaixi Party has secretly contacted many people."

Ouyang Lun paused on the teacup, his eyes suddenly turned cold: "If they dare to trade the safety of the country, I will let them know what it means to 'a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind'."

Zhu Biao put down the teacup, with a look of anticipation in his eyes: "Brother-in-law, how was my performance in the court today?"

Ouyang Lun took a sip of tea slowly and said calmly, "It's just average."

Zhu Biao was speechless, and his hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air. He was the emperor, but he was evaluated as "average"?
"I think it's pretty good." Zhu Biao was a little unwilling, "Wasn't that 'trial period' trick speechless to Li Shanchang?"

Ouyang Lun looked up at him with a bit of helplessness in his eyes: "Your Majesty, do you know that Li Shanchang summoned the grain transport merchants immediately after retiring from the court? This shows that he doesn't take your 'probationary period' plan seriously at all."

Zhu Biao's face changed slightly and his fingers tapped the table unconsciously.

"Furthermore," Ouyang Lun continued, "in front of the entire court, you asked Wang Tiechui to draft the details within three days, and specifically emphasized that it should be presented to the emperor for review - this is equivalent to telling everyone that you are not confident in Li Shanchang."

Zhu Biao frowned: "What's wrong with this?"

"We'll alert the enemy." Ouyang Lun shook his head. "If I were Your Majesty, I would let Li Shanchang be proud for a few days, wait for him to let down his guard and reveal his true colors, and then take him down in one fell swoop."

Zhu Biao was speechless, but he had to admit in his heart that Ouyang Lun was right. He took a sip of tea with a bit of depression, and the hot tea made him frown.

"Then in your opinion, how should I remedy the situation now?" Zhu Biao asked with some reluctance in his tone.

Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed with a smile: "It's not difficult. Your Majesty can summon Li Shanchang to discuss matters alone tomorrow, praise him, and then hint that you want someone he recommends to take over the grain transport."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Luring the snake out of its hole?"

"That's right." Ouyang Lun nodded. "If Li Shanchang really had collusion with the canal merchants, he would be eager to push his own people to the top. By then..."

"Then I will suddenly check the canal transport accounts!" Zhu Biao said excitedly, but then he became a little disappointed, "Why didn't I think of these methods?"

Ouyang Lun chuckled: "Your Majesty is very busy, so it is inevitable that there will be omissions. I am just a bystander."

Zhu Biao stared at Ouyang Lun for a long while, and suddenly sighed: "Sometimes I really doubt whether you are the emperor or I am the emperor."

"Your Majesty, be careful with your words." Ouyang Lun's expression became serious. "If this kind of words were heard by the emperor,

Zhu Biao waved his hand: "I just said it casually." He looked at the darkening sky outside the window and whispered: "In fact, I know that if you are not interested in this, this dragon throne..."

"Your Majesty!" Ouyang Lun stood up suddenly, knocking his teacup over on the table, and said righteously, "All I want in this life is to assist a wise ruler and create a prosperous era. You must never mention this again!"

"If your majesty says this again, I will have no choice but to resign!"

Zhu Biao was stunned at first when he saw his intense reaction, and then he laughed: "Okay, okay, I made a mistake."

He personally replaced Ouyang Lun with a new cup of tea, and said in a more relaxed tone: "Speaking of which, I have read my brother-in-law's book "Management Regulations", which is indeed ingenious. Why don't you come and tell me in detail tomorrow?"

Ouyang Lun's expression eased slightly, and he sat down again: "I will obey your order. However..." A sly look flashed in his eyes, "Your Majesty must promise me one thing."

"Oh?" Zhu Biao raised his eyebrows, "Tell me about it."

"Tomorrow morning, no matter what Li Shanchang says, Your Majesty must pretend to agree with him."

Zhu Biao understood and nodded with a smile: "That's easy. I want to see what you are up to." Zhu Biao watched Ouyang Lun sit down again, and suddenly remembered something, and said with a smile: "By the way, my brother-in-law came to see me today, it can't be just to comment on my performance in government affairs, right? But what's the important matter?"

Ouyang Lun's expression calmed down a little after hearing this. He took out a secret letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, I do have something to report."

Zhu Biao took the secret letter, unfolded it and looked at it, his brows gradually frowned: "This is..."

Ouyang Lun whispered, "Someone sent me some news that the Huaixi Party has been in close contact with several major salt merchants in Jiangnan recently. Li Wentai, the nephew of Li Shanchang, secretly accepted a 'tribute' of 200,000 taels of silver from a Yangzhou salt merchant last month. In return, the Huaixi Party is preparing to open the door to convenience for the salt merchants in the new policy of grain transport."

"Your Majesty, I originally didn't want to get involved in this matter, but this matter involves people's livelihood, and salt cannot be tampered with!"

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with coldness: "How dare you!" He slammed the secret letter shut and sneered: "I knew that Li Shanchang would not be willing to let Wang Tiechui, a craftsman, take away the fat piece of meat of the Railway Bureau. It turns out that he is planning to take over the grain transport!"

Ouyang Lun nodded slightly: "What's more troublesome is that there seems to be the shadow of Prince Yan's Mansion behind these salt merchants."

"Prince of Yan?" Zhu Biao's expression suddenly froze, "My fourth brother is also involved?"

Ouyang Lun did not answer directly, but took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Your Majesty, do you still remember that last year the Prince of Yan submitted a petition requesting to increase the salt permit in Beiping? At that time, it was rejected by the Ministry of Revenue on the grounds that 'the salt permit has a quota and cannot be changed lightly'."

Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you saying that Fourth Brother wants to use the Huaixi Party to bypass the court and directly control the salt profits in Jiangnan?"

"I dare not speak nonsense." Ouyang Lun put down the teacup, his eyes calm, "but the benefits of salt and iron have been the lifeblood of the country since ancient times. If someone wants to take advantage of the new policy to fish in troubled waters..."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered, "Good, very good! I want to see what kind of trouble they can come up with!" He looked at Ouyang Lun, "Does my brother-in-law have any countermeasures?"

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly and said, "I suggest that Your Majesty should take advantage of the situation."

"oh?"

"Doesn't the Huaixi Party want to get involved in the grain transport? Then your majesty, give them this opportunity." Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed with a sharpness, "Tomorrow morning, your majesty can announce in public that because the railway construction is imminent and the grain transport affairs are heavy, Li Shanchang is specially ordered to recommend capable officials to assist in the grain transport. Once their people take office, I have a way to expose their true colors."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You are trying to trick me into falling into a trap."

Ouyang Lun said calmly: "I just think that instead of letting them do small things in the dark, it is better to lead them out into the open and catch them all in one fell swoop."

Zhu Biao stared at Ouyang Lun for a long while, and suddenly sighed: "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, sometimes I am really glad that you are not my enemy."

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly: "I will always be your Majesty's subject."

Zhu Biao laughed and patted his shoulder: "Okay! Then tomorrow morning, I will play this drama with them!"

At the Hanguo Mansion, the night rain has just stopped.

Li Shanchang stood in front of the study window with his hands behind his back, looking at the rain dripping from the eaves, his face as gloomy as water.

Behind him, the Huaixi Party's confidants - Huang Zicheng, the Minister of Rites, Chen Ning, the Director of the Ministry of Revenue, Tu Jie, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and others - all held their breath and dared not speak rashly.

"Duke," Huang Zicheng finally broke the silence and whispered, "In the court today, His Majesty's 'probation period' was clearly intended to destroy our layout in the Railway Bureau!"

Li Shanchang sneered, "A craftsman is qualified to be in charge of the Railway Bureau?" He turned around and glanced at everyone, "What do you think, why did His Majesty suddenly use Wang Tiechui?"

Tu Jie pondered and said, "I heard that Wang Tiechui was recommended by the Prince Consort Ouyang Lun. I'm afraid the Prince Consort is behind this."

"Ouyang Lun?" Li Shanchang's eyes flashed with a sinister look. "This man appears humble, but in fact he is very scheming. He pushed a craftsman out, which not only does not offend His Majesty, but also allows him to actually control the Railway Bureau. What a good move to retreat in order to advance!"

Chen Ning said anxiously: "Duke, the railway is a national treasure. If Ouyang Lun's people really control it, the Huaixi lineage may have no place to stand in the future!"

Li Shanchang walked to the desk and tapped his fingers on the table. "Why are you in such a hurry? The Railway Bureau is just an empty shell. The real lifeblood is the grain transport." His eyes flashed. "Today, His Majesty asked Wang Tiechui to draft the 'Detailed Rules for Dispatching Official and Civilian Goods'. Do you know the deep meaning of it?"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Huang Zicheng asked tentatively, "Does the Duke mean that His Majesty wants to check the accounts of the grain transport?"

"That's right." Li Shanchang sneered, "Your Majesty is taking this opportunity to hit us. Unfortunately." He suddenly lowered his voice, "I have already expected this. The two hundred thousand taels collected by Jingtai have been exchanged for salt permits and distributed among thirty-six business names. Even if Your Majesty wants to investigate, he will find nothing."

Tu Jie was worried: "Duke, I heard that the King of Yan

"Be careful what you say!" Li Shanchang interrupted sharply, and looked out the window vigilantly. After confirming that there was no one around, he whispered, "The matter of the Prince of Yan ends here. Remember, we are only exchanging salt permits with the Prince of Yan's Palace."

Huang Zicheng understood and changed the subject, saying, "Duke, I think the most urgent task is to seize the initiative in the grain transport. Since the Railway Bureau cannot be taken over for the time being, it is better to concentrate on controlling the grain transport office."

Li Shanchang stroked his beard and pondered: "What Weiyong said is very true. Tomorrow morning, if His Majesty asks about the selection of grain transport personnel." He swept his eyes over the crowd and finally stopped at Chen Ning. "Master Chen, you have been in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and are familiar with the allocation of money and grain. You will come forward."

"Remember not to expose yourself. You are my last spy in the Ministry of Revenue!"

Chen Ning was overjoyed and bowed immediately: "I will definitely live up to the Duke's trust!"

Just then, the housekeeper hurried in and whispered something in his ear.

Li Shanchang's expression changed slightly and he waved his hand to signal everyone to leave.

When he was the only one left in the study, a middle-aged scholar in a gray robe came out from behind the screen.

"Mr. Zhang," Li Shanchang said solemnly, "is there any new news from the King of Yan?"

The gray-robed scholar, Zhang Wen, the counselor of the Prince of Yan's palace, smiled slightly: "The prince asked me to tell him that as long as the Duke can ensure that 30% of the salt tax in Jiangnan goes through the trade route of Beiping this year, the prince is willing to give him 20% of the profit from the Liaodong horse market."

Li Shanchang's pupils shrank slightly. "Twenty percent? The King of Yan is really generous!"

(End of this chapter)