Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 28 The Wind Rises in Jiangnan
Since there is Gu Qianfan, there must be Zhao Paner. When Jia Jue thought of the fairy sister's beautiful face, he couldn't help but get excited.

I have to admit that Jia Jue really covets the body of the Fairy Sister.

But now is obviously not the time to meet the fairy sister Zhao Niang, Jia Jue then looked at Gu Qianfan and said.

"Gu Qianfan, I've heard of you. You're known as the living devil of the Jinyiwei."

"I hope you won't disappoint me."

After hearing this, Gu Qianfan looked at Jia Jue with a complicated look.

As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Gu Qianfan had long heard of Jia Jue's great name.

Gu Qianfan knew very well that his nickname, the Living Devil, was only earned because of his strict handling of cases.

But compared with the Champion Marquis, Gu Qianfan felt that he was as simple as a rookie.

Jia Jue's methods of dealing with the grassland tribes in the northern border have always been to kill without mercy.

At its peak, the grassland tribe had a population of millions, but now there are less than a million left.

The biggest contributor to this is none other than Jia Jue.

The grassland tribes attacked each other, adhering to the principle of not killing those who were lower than the wheel.

Jia Jue, on the other hand, pioneered the practice of laying the wheels flat, which resulted in no grass growing wherever Jia Jue led his army through.

It is no exaggeration to say that the number of people killed by Guanjun Hou is more than the number of people Gu Qianfan has ever seen.

So even though Jia Jue looked calm and friendly, Gu Qianfan still didn't dare to breathe in front of Jia Jue.

Gu Qianfan said cautiously.

"I am not talented enough to accept your praise, my Lord."

"I have received orders from the Commander, Eunuch Lei, to fully cooperate with the Marquis."

"If you have any instructions, please feel free to give them."

Jia Jue looked at Gu Qianfan, who looked cautious, and said calmly.

"Commander Gu, His Majesty has ordered me to come here. Do you understand what he means?"

Gu Qianfan shook his head and said.

"Your Majesty's thoughts are beyond the reach of this humble official. Please enlighten me, Lord Marquis."

Jia Jue said with a sharp look.

"These salt merchants and officials in Jiangnan have been colluding with each other to embezzle the imperial salt tax for a long time."

"This time, they are inciting the salt officials to use force to resist the imperial court's salt administration rectification."

"This behavior is undoubtedly a challenge to Your Majesty's authority."

"Commander Gu, I want to ask you about the progress of your Jinyiwei investigation into the incident of inciting the salt workers to riot and rebel."

"Have you found out who is behind this?"

Gu Qianfan said after hesitating for a moment.

"My Lord, after receiving the order from Commander Lei, I began a secret investigation in Jiangnan."

"Currently, the people we can identify include the Governor of Jiangsu, the Governor of Zhejiang, the Jiangnan Salt Administration, and the Jiangnan Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner."

"This probably involves nearly a hundred officials, both large and small."

"However, I don't have any solid evidence yet. I hope you can give me some time."

Jia Jue sneered after hearing this.

"I will give you time, how much time do you want?"

"We're still waiting for you to gather solid evidence. Can you guarantee that while you're gathering evidence, those incited salt workers won't riot?"

"Commander Gu, it seems your title of "Living Yama" is really unworthy of the title."

"I really shouldn't have too many expectations of you."

"Forget it, Jinyiwei Commander Gu Qianfan, follow your orders."

Gu Qianfan then knelt on one knee in front of Jia Jue and said.

"The subordinate is here."

Jia Jue said with a stern expression.

"No matter what method you use, within five days, I will see evidence against the officials responsible for this case. Listen carefully, I mean all of them. Do you understand?"

"this,"

Gu Qianfan's face instantly became very conflicted. He naturally understood what Jia Jue meant. He wanted the Jinyiwei to forge evidence.

Logically speaking, the Jinyiwei were good at doing these things.

But in the past, the most the Jinyiwei could do was fabricate evidence against one or two ministers.

But this time, five high-ranking officials above the third rank were involved, and it was certain that once these five people were arrested, a series of incidents would implicate at least a hundred officials.

Such a shocking case will inevitably reach the ears of the emperor and shock the government and the public.

Seeing Gu Qianfan's hesitant look, Jia Jue snorted coldly.

"Why, you can't do it."

"Alright, I don't like to force you. From now on, you are no longer the commander of the Jinyiwei. Until the Jiangnan Salt Administration case is resolved, you will stay on my official ship."

Gu Qianfan hurriedly said after hearing this.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Majesty, please calm down. I am merely trying to impress your courage. I have absolutely no intention of disobeying your orders. I promise to deliver the evidence of these officials' crimes within five days."

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"Very good. I know you have some hidden agenda. You're worried that such a serious case will end with you being used as a scapegoat."

"Don't worry. I have always been clear about rewards and punishments during my military campaigns. As long as you follow my orders honestly, I will ensure your safety and even promote you to a higher rank."

"But if you dare to waver and hesitate, and your majesty grants me the authority to act at my own discretion, I will execute you on the spot."

Gu Qianfan hurriedly lowered his head and said.

"Don't worry, my Lord. I will do my utmost to cooperate with you and will never hold you back."

Jia Jue waved his hand and said.

"That's better. Okay, go back and do your work."

"I obey your orders."

After sending Gu Qianfan away, Jia Jue summoned his trusted generals and ordered them to go to the military camp to mobilize troops and act separately.

After everything was arranged, Jia Jue washed up and went to rest.

The next day, in the Yangzhou Post Station, when Lin Ruhai was processing salt affairs documents, a servant came to the room, knocked on the door and said.

"Master, someone has sent a visiting card, saying that he wants to visit you."

After hearing this, Lin Ruhai thought they were local salt merchants and officials in Yangzhou, and then said impatiently.

"Send them away. Remember, if salt merchants or local officials come to visit you in the future, you will not see them."

As the Imperial Inspector of Salt, these salt merchants and local officials were extremely fawning on Lin Ruhai, using every possible means to curry his favor.

Lin Ruhai knew that Emperor Yongping was determined to rectify the salt affairs, so he naturally would not associate with these people, so he firmly refused.

The servant said hurriedly.

"Master, the people coming here are not Yangzhou local officials or salt merchants. They look like soldiers."

Lin Ruhai was a little curious.

"Show me the visiting card."

"promise."

After the servant came in, he respectfully handed the visiting card to Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai took the visiting card, glanced at it, and then quickly stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "Quick, prepare the car."

Not long after, Lin Ruhai took a carriage straight to the dock.

About a quarter of an hour later, Lin Ruhai was taken to the cabin of the ship docked at the pier.

After seeing Jia Jue sitting in the main seat with an air of dignity, Lin Ruhai bowed and said.

"Your humble servant, Lin Ruhai, the Grand Doctor of the Lantai Temple and the Imperial Censor of Salt, greets the Marquis."

Jia Jue raised his hand slightly and said.

"Master Lin, please excuse yourself and take a seat. You will wait outside. No one is allowed to enter without my order."

"promise."

After the personal guards left, Lin Ruhai looked at Jia Jue and couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

He was considered a young and vigorous official, having become a second-rank official in his thirties. However, looking at the twenty-year-old Marquis Guanjun in front of him, Lin Ruhai felt a little sad that he had wasted his time.

While Lin Ruhai was looking at Jia Jue, Jia Jue was also observing Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai was thin and had a pale complexion. It was obvious that he was in very poor health.

Then Jia Jue smiled and said.

"Lord Lin, while it's important to work on state affairs, you must also take care of your health."

Lin Ruhai said with a wry smile after hearing this.

"The salt administration in Jiangnan is a tangled mess, with numerous factions and intricate connections with the imperial court. Although I consider myself diligent, I am still unable to promote the rectification of the salt administration. I have to trouble the Marquis to come south in person. I am ashamed, ashamed."

Jia Jue said calmly.

"These unscrupulous officials are taking advantage of the fact that Lord Lin is a scholar, so they are setting up obstacles everywhere in an attempt to obstruct the rectification of the salt administration."

"Your Majesty sent me here this time so that I can completely clear away all obstacles for Lord Lin."

"However, my actions may be a bit drastic, and Lord Lin will be needed to clean up the mess afterwards and reorganize the Jiangnan salt administration. We must not allow Jiangnan to be in a salt famine so close to the end of the year."

Hearing Jia Jue's tone, Lin Ruhai said with some fear.

"I wonder how the Marquis intends to clear the obstacles."

Jia Jue said calmly.

"It's simple. When a person dies, he is no longer an obstacle."

Lin Ruhai said in disbelief.

"My Lord, do you know how many officials were involved in the salt case? Do you want all of them..."

Jia Jue nodded and said.

"I have always been resolute and decisive in my actions, and I never drag my feet."

"Rather than being led by the nose by those illegal officials, it is better to sweep them away with lightning speed."

"When Your Majesty sent me south, you gave me the authority to act at my own discretion."

"However, I am only good at handling things with violence. Afterwards, I will need you, Lord Lin, to clean up and maintain this situation."

"So I informed Lord Lin in advance so that he could be mentally prepared."

"There is another thing I would like to warn Lord Lin about."

Lin Ruhai said after hesitating for a moment.

"Please give me your instructions, Lord Marquis."

Jia Jue looked at Lin Ruhai meaningfully and said.

"I know that Lord Lin is the son-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion. I also know that many people in Shendu have close ties with the salt merchants and officials in Jiangnan."

"Lord Lin is a wise man. Don't make the mistake. His Majesty has high expectations of you, otherwise he wouldn't have appointed you as the Imperial Censor of Salt."

"Lord Lin, please do not do anything that would betray the Emperor's grace."

Jia Jue's words instantly made Lin Ruhai break out in a cold sweat.

Jia Jue's words were undoubtedly a blatant warning to Lin Ruhai, telling him not to harbor any luck. If he dared to leak the information, Jia Jue would definitely not mind removing one more salt inspector.

After all, dealing with Lin Ruhai is also within the scope of bargaining.

Lin Ruhai nodded repeatedly and saluted.

"Don't worry, my Lord. I have received Your Majesty's grace and will be loyal to you. I will never waver."

Jia Jue said with a slight smile.

"That's perfect. After all, Lord Lin's abilities are obvious to all, and I admire him very much."

"Okay, Master Lin, you can go back to the post station and continue working."

"When you are needed, I will send someone to notify you."

Lin Ruhai agreed and then left the boat.

At this moment, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Jia Jue was obviously a young man of twenty years old, but the pressure he exerted made Lin Ruhai feel as if he was facing a man-eating tiger. He dared not relax or slack off at all.

Your Majesty has sent such a ruthless and brave general. It seems that he really wants to stir up a big case in Jiangnan and kill everyone to cause chaos.

Soon, five days passed in a flash. During these five days, Gu Qianfan led his Jinyiwei and worked tirelessly day and night to fabricate evidence against those officials.

Five days later in the morning, Gu Qianfan arrived at the official ship where Jia Jue was.

At this time, Gu Qianfan's eyes were full of bloodshot and he looked haggard. He bowed and then forced himself to speak.

"My Lord, I have fulfilled my mission. The evidence against the Governor of Zhejiang, the Governor of Jiangsu, the Salt Commissioner of Jiangnan, the Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, and others has been collected. Please review it, my Lord."

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"I knew that the commander of the Jinyiwei was definitely not a good-for-nothing."

"Very good, I'll give you credit for this."

"Thank you, thank you, my lord."

After saying this, Gu Qianfan fell to the ground with a thud.

Seeing this, the personal guards at the side hurried forward to check, then looked at Jia Jue and said.

"My Lord, Commander Gu must have fainted from overwork."

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"Send him to his room to rest and have him taken good care of."

"I will issue this military order. Order all previously deployed generals to immediately follow the previous plan and take over the government offices involved in the case, arrest the illegal officials, and take over security in the city. Martial law will be declared."

"Until the Salt Administration Case is resolved, anyone who dares to gather people to cause trouble will be killed without mercy."

"I obey."

Following Jia Jue's order, the atmosphere in the entire Jiangnan region suddenly became tense.

At this time, Jia Jue couldn't help but sigh at Emperor Yongping's foresight.

As early as last year, Emperor Yongping replaced the commander-in-chief of the Jiangnan Camp with his own trusted general and began to reorganize the military affairs of the Jiangnan Camp.

From that time on, Emperor Yongping had already begun to plan the rectification of the salt administration in Jiangnan.

Now Jia Jue ordered his men to bring military orders and directly transfer 30,000 troops from the Jiangnan camp.

Ten thousand troops were divided into two groups, heading to Jiangsu and Zhejiang respectively to arrest the governor and officials involved in the case.

The other 20,000 troops were stationed directly in Yangzhou, the salt distribution center, which was also the place with the highest concentration of salt officials and salt dealers.

The salt officials and salt merchants were the main force behind the riots instigated by the Jiangnan officials this time.

Therefore, Jia Jue personally led his army to Yangzhou. As long as there was no chaos in Yangzhou, those corrupt and fat officials in Jiangnan could not cause any trouble at all. Once the army sent by Jia Jue arrived, all that awaited them was the confiscation of property and the extermination of their families.

(End of this chapter)