I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 205 is a very big deal.

Huang Maoguan entered the main hall and said to himself, "Still the same old story? Apart from you, everyone in the main hall, the right hall, the junior officials, the assistant officials, and the clerks have all taken sick leave or personal leave?"

Fang Youshan smiled but didn't say anything.

Huang Maoguan asked, "Do you have any matters to report today?"

Fang Youshan cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the magistrate, I have something to report. Last winter, a plague broke out in Nanjing. Many soldiers and civilians died."

"But many soldiers died, and the guards and battalions did not report it. They simply treated the dead as empty quotas to be used for their own purposes."

"The practice of embezzling quotas must not be allowed to continue!"

"Therefore, I request that the commander of this department order a strict investigation into the number of soldiers who died of illness in the Nanjing army, and that the rations and pay of the soldiers who died of illness be suspended."

Fang Youshan's request was in accordance with the law. Huang Maoguan immediately granted his request.

But laws are ultimately influenced by human sentiment.

For example, in the Zhenwu Battalion, more than 300 people died in a major epidemic last year. The military pay of these 300 people was not divided among the officers. Instead, it was used as a slush fund within the battalion and distributed monthly to the families of the deceased as compensation.

The soldiers died without fighting, and the compensation provided by the court was far too little. It was a drop in the ocean for the survival of orphans and widows.

Receiving a monthly stipend is different. For orphans and widows, it is a long-term, stable, and considerable income, enough for them to live on.

Huang Maoguan was diligent and honest, but he lacked flexibility.

Sometimes flexibility is a double-edged sword. The collapse of a system stems from the word "flexibility." The rigidity of a system, on the other hand, stems from the word "inflexibility."

Huang Maoguan said, "Since you reported this matter, you are in charge of handling it. Alas, all my subordinates have become hands-off, and you are the only person I can rely on."

Fang Youshan cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trust, Minister Huang. I will do my best to handle this matter well."

Huang Maoguan added, "The soldiers' rations and pay for this month must be distributed as soon as possible. Don't delay, lest something bad happens."

Indeed, the distribution of rations and pay was also handled by Fang Youshan, the Assistant Director of the Treasury.

Meanwhile, Lin Shisan's task of finding Luo Longwen's helpers in Nanjing will require some effort.

Lin Shisan had sent out almost all his spies, secretly keeping a close eye on the Huizhou Merchants' Guild Hall, watching to see which nobles or high-ranking officials from Nanjing would enter the hall to meet Luo Longwen.

However, there was no news for three consecutive days.

Lin Shisan was getting anxious. If he couldn't find Luo Longwen's allies, he couldn't nip the mutiny in the bud.

That day, he sat in the main room with a worried expression.

Sun Yue walked in: "Master."

Lin Shisan glared at him: "Is your house arrest over?"

Sun Yue knelt down before Lin Shisan with a "plop": "It's over. Master, my bad habit is all because of my mouth! All the mistakes are my fault."

“I hired a fortune teller to write a banner and hang it in my home. The banner reads: ‘Illness enters through the mouth, and disaster comes from the mouth.’”

"From now on, I will always remind myself of this."

Lin Shisan said, "Alright, get up. The most important thing for us secret agents is to keep our mouths shut and be as tight as iron bolts."

"Some information, once leaked, can lead to death!"

Sun Yue nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes. Whatever Master says is like a priceless piece of wisdom."

Sun Yue has been following Lin Shisan for so long, but he hasn't learned anything else. He's picked up about 70-80% of Lin Shisan's silver tongue.

Just then, Uncle Zhang walked in.

Lin Shisan asked, "Did you find it?"

Zhang Bo shook his head slightly: "Doctor Luo stays inside the Huizhou Merchants' Guild Hall, never stepping out of the main gate or the inner gate. No local Nanjing nobles or officials have come to visit him."

"This kind of investigation probably won't work."

Lin Shisan nodded: "Yes, we need to think of another way."

Sun Yue poured Lin Shisan a cup of tea. Lin Shisan took a sip and asked Uncle Zhang, "Oh, by the way, has Shen Weijing returned to Hangzhou?"

Zhang Bo replied, "He left yesterday evening. If Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang were Hu Zongxian's right and left hands in the fight against the Japanese pirates, then Shen Weijing was Hu Zongxian's eyes and ears in the fight against the Japanese pirates."

"Minister Hu cannot do without him."

Lin Shisan nodded. Speaking of Shen Weijing, a sudden inspiration struck him.

Lin Shisan said, "When we were searching for the Japanese pirates' hideout on the Qinhuai River before, Master Shao had not yet shown up, and we had no clue at the time."

"Shen Weijing suggested a method, which is the investigation method."

"Although the investigation method is a clumsy approach, it is a practical and effective way to achieve results."

Zhang Bodao: "You mean, we should use the investigation method to find Luo Langzhong's allies?"

Lin Shisan nodded: "Let's first compile a list of all the nobles and officials in Nanjing. Let's find all the Yan faction officials on the list first."

"When Lao Luo was drunk, he said that the man had the ability to help him force the Zhenwu Camp to rebel."

“A person with this ability must be someone who holds real power and is in charge of the Zhenwu Camp’s affairs.”

Zhang Bo said, "The key to this matter is to pick out all the Yan faction officials from the list. You've only been in Nanjing for a few months, and you haven't figured out the Nanjing officialdom yet."

"You need to find someone familiar with the Nanjing officialdom to help you."

Lin Shisan said, "That's right. I've thought of someone. Although this person isn't an official, he's very well-connected in official circles."

Uncle Zhang blurted out, "You're right."

Lin Shisan chimed in, "That's right, it's Master Shao. To put it nicely, he's a chivalrous hero; to put it bluntly, he's just a broker in the officialdom."

"He must have dealt with many officials from all walks of life. If he can help me, investigating the nobles and officials in Nanjing will be a piece of cake."

"He should still be in Nanjing. Send someone to find him immediately."

Master Shao is indeed in Nanjing. He's been busy with something lately.

The eldest son of the Minister of Works in Nanjing took a fancy to a girl named Yuemei and wanted to take her as his concubine.

Unfortunately, Yue Mei's madam had just received 10,000 taels of silver from the heir of the Earl of Guang'en to redeem her from prostitution. The heir of the Earl of Guang'en was also waiting to take Yue Mei as his mistress, so that he could have her whenever he wanted.

The two refused to give in to each other, almost becoming enemies.

These past few days, Master Shao has been busy mediating and resolving conflicts.

As the sun rose high in the sky, a spring breeze caressed the ancient city of Nanjing.

Lin Shisan arrived at a large mansion on the outskirts of Nanjing in a small sedan chair.

This mansion belongs to Master Shao. Master Shao owns twelve such luxurious residences throughout Jiangnan, demonstrating his immense wealth.

After the announcement was made, Lin Shisan met the chivalrous Shao Fang in the back garden of the mansion.

Shao Fang smiled and said, "Commander Lin, you are a rare guest indeed!"

Lin Shisan cupped his hands in thanks: "You helped me last time, doing the imperial court a great favor. I haven't had a chance to come and express my gratitude in person yet. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Shao Fang poured Lin Shisan a cup of tea with great courtesy: "Commander Lin, what are you saying? When did you ever owe me anything?"

"I helped you find the Japanese pirates' intelligence network. You repaid the favor that very night."

"You saved Yu Jiaohong's father. You also got my friend's batch of smuggled salt back from Eunuch Yang."

"I have settled things with Commander Lin."

Shao Fang's ability to navigate the Jiangnan officialdom so smoothly despite being a commoner is undoubtedly due to his skill.

Knowing how to get along with people is one of his skills.

His discovery of the Japanese pirate hideout for Lin Shisan was a major event. Hong Jie'er's father and the smuggled salt were minor matters.

These two seemingly insignificant matters became a golden opportunity for him to save face for Lin Shisan. Otherwise, how awkward would it be for the emperor's favorite, a commander of the Imperial Guard, to owe a favor to a wandering swordsman?

Lin Shisan gave an awkward smile: "Alright. Let's call it even. Today I need your help again." Shao Fang said: "Being able to serve Commander Lin is a blessing I've accumulated over three lifetimes. How can you say I'm 'begging'?"

"Being able to do something for you is the greatest blessing I could ever have, my ancestors' graves must be emitting auspicious smoke!"

In a sense, Shao Fang and Lin Shisan are the same kind of people.

Shao Fang's shamelessness was quite reminiscent of Lin Shisan.

Lin Shisan laughed and said, "Please don't say that. We're friends. From now on, you can call me Brother Lin, and I'll call you Brother Shao, how about that?"

Shao Fang repeatedly said, "How could I possibly presume to do this?"

Uncle Zhang coughed lightly, reminding Lin Shisan to get down to business and not waste time on insincere pleasantries.

Lin Shisan understood: "Brother Shao, I have a difficult matter to ask you to handle. Please take a look."

Lin Shisan took out a list of Nanjing nobles, civil and military officials from his pocket.

This list was copied by Lin Shisan from the archives of the Northern Garrison and brought to Jiangnan.

Master Shao took the list and flipped through it, waiting for Lin Shisan to speak.

Lin Shisan asked, "Can you pick out those who have close ties with Grand Secretary Yan's household?"

Master Shao frowned: "I will do my best to do anything else you ask. But this is different."

“It’s very unethical to expose someone’s secrets. Especially when it’s about exposing the secrets of all the nobles and officials in Nanjing?”

As he said this, Master Shao looked at Uncle Zhang and Sun Yue.

Lin Shisan understood: "You may all leave now."

Master Shao also dismissed all the beautiful maids and handsome servants.

Lin Shisan said, "Brother Shao, I'm a straightforward person, please don't take offense. I know you're a businessman at heart. Doing business is all about equal exchange."

"If you do me this favor, I won't let you work for nothing."

Master Shao nodded: "Yes. Commander Lin has put it this way, so I won't hold back anymore."

"I don't need your help right now. But I need your help for a long time to come."

Lin Shisan said, "Please speak freely."

Master Shao said, "Before I expose others' secrets, I'll reveal mine to you first. I am a man of Gao Gong, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"In the future, if Minister Gao encounters any trouble in court, please lend him a helping hand."

Master Shao is very good at choosing a backer.

To be honest, the officials he dealt with were of higher rank and had far more power than Gao Gong, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

But Shao Daxia did not hesitate to join Gao Gong.

What he valued was the identity of Teacher Gao Gongnaiyu.

When Emperor Jiajing dies, Prince Yu will ascend the throne as the sole heir apparent. Gao Gong will surely rise to prominence, wield immense power, have the authority of the emperor, and command the wrath of the world.

Lin Shisan hesitated.

Shao Fang should have a nickname, "Shao the Insightful".

Having seen countless people, he could see through their worries at a glance.

Shao Fang said, "Commander Lin, rest assured. If Minister Gao does something that violates the law, is detrimental to the country, or harms the people, you are free to refuse to help him."

"If what Minister Gao is doing is to uphold the law and benefit the country, the people, and the nation, please step in to help."

Lin Shisan thought for a moment and agreed: "Okay. Let's do as you say and make a vow with a high five."

Years later, Gao Gong did something earth-shattering that benefited the country, the people, and the nation—he brought down Xu Jie, the biggest corrupt official of the Jiaqing and Longqing reigns.

Of course, these are all things to be discussed later.

Lin Shisan and Shao Daxia made a vow by high-fiving.

Without hesitation, Master Shao picked up his pen and pointed out thirty-two officials from Yan's faction and six nobles who had close ties with Yan's family in the list.

Lin Shisan then asked, "Which of these people hold real power?"

Shao Daxia then selected thirteen officials from the Yan faction and three nobles.

Lin Shisan asked again, "Among these people, which ones have any overlap with the Zhenwu Battalion in terms of their official authority?"

Master Shao helped Lin Shisan with the selection once again.

This time, only three names remained.

Marquis of Linhuai, Li Tingzhu; Earl of Chengyi, Liu Shiyan; and Assistant Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing, Fang Youshan.

Lin Shisan gazed at the three names, pondering: Li Tingzhu and Liu Shiyan were both loyal and valiant generals who had fought against the Japanese pirates. Li Tingzhu was known for his virtue, and Liu Shiyan for his bravery.

How could those two possibly force the Zhenwu Battalion to rebel? You must know, if the Zhenwu Battalion were to mutiny, these two Nanjing garrison commanders would be in deep trouble!

The answer is obvious. The person who helped Luo Longwen force Zhenwu to rebel was most likely this man named Fang Youshan.

Lin Shisan asked, "What matters does this Deputy Secretary Fang Youshan oversee in the Ministry of Revenue have to do with the Zhenwu Camp?"

Shao Daxia's answer greatly shocked Lin Shisan: "Reporting to Commander Lin, Deputy Commander Fang is in charge of distributing the rations and pay to the various camps in Nanjing."

Lin Shisan was almost certain that Fang Youshan was the person he was looking for.

Lin Shisan bowed to Brother Shao and said, "Brother Shao, thank you."

Master Shao cupped his hands in greeting: "Please, Commander Lin, do not forget our agreement today."

After leaving the Shao residence and the outskirts of the city, Lin Shisan headed straight for the Ministry of Revenue's office in the city.

Upon entering the government office, Lin Shisan hurriedly sought out Huang Maoguan.

He recounted the events to Huang Maoguan, then asked, "Minister Huang, where is Fang Youshan?"

Huang Maoguan replied, "He's been going to distribute pay to the various camps these past few days. Today should be his turn to go to Zhenwu Camp."

Lin Shisan slapped his thigh: "Oh no! This is bad! I'm going to Zhenwu Camp right now."

Meanwhile, on the military review platform at the Zhenwu Camp training ground, Fang Youshan and Liao Jie, the guerrilla general in charge of the camp, sat facing each other.

A large wooden box was placed next to Fang Youshan.

Liao Jie asked cautiously, "Is this time the full salary paid?"

Fang Youshan nodded: "That's natural."

Liao Jie breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. The brothers have been in low spirits lately. If their pay is delayed, it will cause a lot of trouble."

Fang Youshan said, "I know why they're upset. It's nothing more than the matter of stopping the rations and pay for the soldiers who died from illness."

“Alas! I have earnestly advised Minister Huang Mao on this matter. The soldiers have died of illness, and their families are in dire need. They are all relying on this meager rations to survive.”

"If we cut off their food and supplies, wouldn't that cut off the livelihoods of orphans and widows?"

"But Minister Huang won't listen to me! No matter how I try to persuade him, it's no use. You know, a higher rank can have a huge impact. Besides, he's seven ranks higher than me!"

Liao Jie said, "I have tried my best to appease the brothers, and they will not cause trouble because of this. What I am most worried about these days is the military pay. If the military pay is delayed, no matter how capable I am, I cannot control them."

The soldiers of Zhenwu Battalion gradually gathered at the drill ground.

Fang Youshan walked to the large wooden box and announced loudly, "The military pay for the Zhenwu Battalion under the Nanjing Central Military Governor's Office in April of the 39th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty is hereby issued!"

After saying that, Fang Youshan opened the large wooden box.

The large wooden box contained not silver or copper coins, but paper money!

(End of this chapter)