What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 330 The first strike after landing: slay the Empress!
Qinghefang was one of the most prosperous neighborhoods in the capital, especially the area along the Xima River, where every inch of land was incredibly valuable.

On the riverbank, a two-courtyard house, barely half an acre in size, cost more than three thousand taels of silver to buy.

In front of the house, there was only a very simple plaque.

Qinghefang Hundred-Household Office!

However, at this moment, no one would realize it.

This unassuming house will one day become the most terrifying and dreadful department in the Great Wu.

It was a force that countless merchants, wealthy households, and even civil and military officials feared and trembled at the mere mention of it.

Su Mo was speechless when he saw the incredibly rudimentary headquarters of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office.

This display is even less impressive than that of the Baihu Office in Changping County.

However, we can't ask too much of Zhang Xuzu in such a rush.

After all, the funds for the Hundred Household Office were limited.

Lu Su was quite generous, allocating a full five thousand taels of silver.

But for a newly established garrison, especially one in the capital, it was truly a drop in the ocean and of little use.

Moreover, this five thousand taels of silver was a one-time grant.

From then on, the monthly military pay allocation would be only three hundred taels of silver—normally it should be six hundred taels, but by convention, half of the pay for the garrison troops would be paid.

There wasn't even enough money to pay the salaries of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) officers in the garrisons, let alone funds for other operations like war.

Lu Su wasn't specifically making things difficult for Su Mo and Zhang Xuzu.

Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard was poor.

However, it is the same as other 100-household and 1000-household offices.

The Qinghefang Hundred Household Office also had the right to raise its own funds.

How much you can raise depends on your own abilities.

In fact, almost all Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) followed this model.

The imperial court turned a blind eye to this; as long as it wasn't too excessive, no one would interfere.

The imperial court was poor and did not have enough funds to allocate to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was an extremely expensive department that needed to hire countless peripheral personnel to collect intelligence and so on. Without money, it simply could not operate.

Su Mo hired the outer guards of the Left Guard to deliver food. Apart from the fact that the guards were not considered regular members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, this was also one of the ways the Left Guard solved its funding problems.

If a court official forbids the strongmen from delivering takeout, that's fine.

Whoever proposes it can make up the difference in the military pay of the garrison.

Otherwise, the guards of the Left Guard would have a word with them.

Cao Feng and other trial centurions, along with their generals and lieutenants, were all summoned to the garrison headquarters.

Ning Xiaoxiao was originally at Lonely Peak Mountain, but Su Mo specially sent someone out of the city to summon her back.

The main hall, which was less than 100 square meters, was crammed with three trial centurions, nine generals, and twenty-seven junior officers.

Everyone looked on with suspicion.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Cao Feng snorted in annoyance.

Why are you looking at me like that!

"I also don't know why Commander Zhang suddenly summoned us here!"

He and Zhang Xuzu were very familiar with each other, but Zhang Xuzu hadn't told him about the problem, and they suddenly gathered today!

He was naturally very angry.

With great difficulty, he managed to obtain his father's approval by using the pretext of establishing a garrison in the capital, thus avoiding the need to return to his fiefdom for the New Year.

I had hoped to have a good time for a few days and experience the lively atmosphere of celebrating the New Year in Beijing.

Who knew I'd be summoned here so early on the 29th of the lunar year!

Just as Cao Feng was feeling down, he was suddenly surprised to see Su Mo and Zhang Xuzu coming out from the back room!
Cao Feng, the legitimate son of a feudal lord, has few people he can truly respect.

Su Mo happens to be one of them!

His eyelids twitched.

Surprisingly, Su Mo was wearing a flying fish robe with dragon patterns and a fishtail design!
This isn't something you can wear on every occasion!

Clearly, something important is happening today!

Ning Xiaoxiao is no longer as frightened as before when she sees Su Mo, especially after being called over by her master and given some private instructions, she has completely resigned herself to her fate.

Ma Wei looked at Su Mo, who was dressed in a flying fish robe and looked majestic, with an extremely complicated expression!
Half a year ago, Su Mo was just a minor officer in the Changping County Hundred Household Office!

He was already a trial centurion at that time!

Now their status and position have been completely reversed.

Ma Wei considers himself to have a sharp eye.

He recognized Su Mo's extraordinary talent from the start, and thus spared no expense in bribing Su Mo with gifts.

After all, their powerful backer is Lin Moyin, a high-ranking military officer.

But Ma Wei really couldn't imagine that this junior officer, who had only been in the capital for a little over half a year, had ended up in such a state.

If it weren't for Chu Jianghe personally finding him after he received the transfer order from the Southern Garrison Command in the capital, congratulating him, and pointing out the key to his transfer to the capital, Ma Wei would still be in the dark and completely clueless.

God knows why he was suddenly promoted.

I have no background or connections in Shenjing!
Although it was a lateral transfer, could a trial centurion from a local garrison be compared to a trial centurion from a garrison in the capital?

Su Mo glanced at the crowd and, seeing their varied expressions, said without further ado, "I am Su Mo, the commander of the Left Office."

"This is Zhang Xuzu, the centurion of the Qinghefang Centurion Office!"

"From now on, all matters concerning the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office will be under the full control of Hundred Household Zhang! Hundred Household Zhang will only be responsible to me!"

Ma Wei was startled again!
Before going to the capital, Chu Jianghe clearly told him that Su Mo was a centurion of the Shangzuo Garrison, in charge of the artisan soldiers' camp.

How come he's suddenly become a trial commander?
Is getting promoted really that easy?
Lady Lin is truly exceptional in her love for her man!

Ma Wei was incredibly envious of Su Mo!

Even though Lin Moyin is already the Right Commander of the Thousand Household, the resistance and difficulty that Su Mo, a young man with little experience, would face in being promoted to the Left Commander of the Thousand Household would be enormous!
Lord Lin must have paid an extremely high price!

I'm afraid it would cost several thousand taels of silver alone!
Ma Wei was envious, shocked, and amazed.

On the contrary, the generals and junior officers remained indifferent.

Anyone who's ever been in the capital knows that Lord Su is a favorite of the Emperor!

The Wang family has suffered repeated setbacks under Lord Su!

It's normal for Lord Su to keep getting promoted.

Su Mo then added, "Everyone here is a talent I have high hopes for. There are veterans from the local garrisons, sons of noble families, and candidates who have stood out in this year's Immortal Martial Arts Tournament!"

"Perhaps some of you here are unaware of the importance of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office."

"I will only say one thing here."

"The Qinghefang Hundred Household Office, in matters concerning official seals, acts independently without going through the Three Judicial Offices!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Wei's expression changed drastically. He swallowed hard and stared at Su Mo with disbelief in his eyes!

As a veteran of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Ma Wei naturally knew the weight of Su Mo's words!
Without going through the three judicial authorities!
Act independently!

Isn't this just half of the Northern Garrison Command?
What exactly happened?

Isn't it said that His Majesty is wary of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is constantly reducing its power?
Why would they set up such a bizarre Hundred-Household Office?

Ma Wei didn't think that without His Majesty's approval, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Commandery had the authority to establish an independent guard post within the Three Judicial Offices!

The sons of noble families that Zhang Xuzu brought in, who were all from the ranks of generals and junior officers, did not react much better than Ma Wei.

On the contrary, the junior officers who had come from the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Trial and were specially recruited by Su Mo looked at each other in bewilderment.

For a moment, I couldn't figure out just how much weight Su Mo's words carried!

Su Mo took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I say this so that you all know the importance of the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office!"

"Of course, correspondingly, the tasks shouldered by the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office are also extremely heavy!"

As he spoke, Su Mo swept his cold gaze across everyone present, paused for a moment, and then said in a chilling tone, "I have summoned you all today to announce an important mission!"

"Order all merchants in Qinghefang to pay their due commercial taxes!"

"and!"

"Collect all taxes evaded over the years!"

Upon hearing this, even Cao Feng gasped, his face showing shock.

He originally thought that the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office was a place that collected protection fees from merchants and ships.

Who knew it was a commercial tax!

Protection fees and commercial taxes are two completely different things!
Merchants may pay protection money, but they will never honestly pay commercial taxes!

The junior officer who had passed the Immortal Martial Arts Grand Trial was just as shocked as Cao Feng.

Besides considering their abilities, Su Mo's assessment of their backgrounds was also a major factor in their ability to directly obtain the rank of junior officer.

They may be newbies in officialdom, but the people or factions behind them are definitely not newbies.

They also knew what collecting taxes from merchants meant!
Don't underestimate the fact that merchants have little political standing.

But many of those wealthy merchants were extremely rich, with substantial financial resources, and they were all backed by government officials.

Throughout the entire Great Wu Dynasty, few merchants honestly paid their commercial taxes, and no one dared to investigate them. The Qinghefang Hundred Household Office was responsible for collecting commercial taxes.

It's basically like using the power of a single household to challenge the unspoken rules of the Great Wu, and to challenge countless merchants and their powerful backers!

Wouldn't he die without a burial place?
Seeing the fear on everyone's faces, Su Mo calmly said without expression, "Judging from your expressions, you must know what this means!"

"I will not force you."

"If anyone feels they are not up to the task of guarding the garrison, they may leave now. I guarantee I will not hold it against you and will send you back to the Southern Garrison Command for other assignments!"

"Anyone still here after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn must obey the orders of this official and Commander Zhang without any compromise, or they will be subject to military law without mercy!"

After speaking, Su Mo ignored everyone's reactions, asked Zhang Xuzu to burn an incense stick, and then turned and walked back into the inner hall.

As soon as he turned the doorway, he heard whispers in his ears.

After an incense stick had burned, Su Mo returned to the main hall.

As he expected, there were noticeably fewer people in the main hall.

However, Cao Feng, Ma Wei, and Ning Xiaoxiao, the three trial centurions, all remained in the hall.

Zhang Xuzu, looking somewhat displeased, handed over the list: "Reporting to Lord Su, three captains and seven junior captains have requested to be transferred from the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office. This is their list!"

Su Mo took the list, glanced at it, and then smiled, "Only ten people left, which is much better than I expected."

Zhang Xuzu's expression turned even uglier.

Damn it! Of the ten people who left, seven were sons of noble families he had recommended!

I was blind and misjudged people!

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes: "Lord Su, this kind of two-faced scoundrel..."

Su Mo waved his hand: "A person cannot stand without integrity. I said I wouldn't argue with them, and I won't!"

"Everyone has their own aspirations!"

"I will personally deliver this list to Commander Lu Su so that Lord Lu can assign them positions accordingly."

Zhang Xuzu...

Ma Wei...

Cao Feng...

Su Mo put the list into his sleeve, then said to the crowd, "I am very pleased that you all have chosen to stay!"

"But they are just merchants, nothing to be afraid of."

"I can assure you all that you are free to do as you please. Those who dare to resist taxes and are stubborn and unyielding, even if you cannot persuade them, may be killed!"

"As long as there is a legitimate reason, I will take responsibility for any matter, no matter how serious!"

Ma Wei felt that Su Mo's tone was a bit too much.

Behind the big merchants of Qinghefang, there are probably many officials in the imperial court!
It's estimated that they all include high-ranking officials of the third rank or above!
Su Mo is only a fifth-rank trial commander. Can he bear the pressure from the powerful figures in the court?
However, the thought of the phrase "independent three judicial departments" made Ma Wei hesitate again.

How could an ordinary commander-in-chief control such a garrison that is comparable to the Northern Garrison Command?

He was increasingly confused about Su Mo's background and origins.

Anyway, it won't be as simple as it seems on the surface.

To be honest, Ma Wei was genuinely afraid.

Commercial taxes cannot be collected at will.

If even the imperial tax bureau couldn't collect the taxes, how could the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which had no tax collection authority, possibly collect them?
But Ma Wei was not willing to give up!

Having finally been transferred from the countryside to the capital, how could he be willing to leave in disgrace?
Su Mo won't mind?

Only a child would believe that!

Just as Ma Wei was thinking with mixed feelings, he suddenly heard Su Mo say, "Since everyone knows that the garrison needs to collect commercial taxes and that time is of the essence..."

"If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please feel free to speak them now. I hope you will all speak freely."

"If it works, I will record a merit for it!"

Ma Wei's heart skipped a beat, and then he heard Su Mo say with a serious expression: "In the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office, all promotions and appointments will not be based on background or connections, but only on military merit!"

Those who make contributions will be rewarded!

"As long as he does his job diligently, I will not only guarantee his promotion, but also his wealth!"

"If anyone feels that their merits have been embezzled by their superiors, they may come directly to me and speak with me. I will certainly uphold justice!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Wei's eyes suddenly lit up.

The same applies to the captains and junior officers!

Why did they stay in Qinghefang?
Isn't it all for the sake of getting promoted?

Those who dare to stay here are all quite bold. They are not afraid of doing things, but they are afraid that after they do something, the credit will be taken by their superiors!

Ma Wei hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, stood up, and cupped his hands to Su Mo, saying, "May I ask, Lord Su, is what you say true?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "I am an old acquaintance of Commander Ma."

"Commander Ma should know what kind of person I am!"

He paused slightly, then said solemnly, "If I have uttered even the slightest falsehood, may I be condemned by both gods and men!"

Ma Wei took a deep breath!

Su Mo's character is truly impeccable.

Last time I gave him a gift, he really spoke up for me.

The fact that I was specially transferred from Changping County to Shenjing must also be thanks to that golden Buddha!

In addition, when Su Mo was a junior officer, he really gave a lot of benefits to the captains and strongmen under his command!

It's worth risking your life for a superior like that!

Ma Wei thought for a moment, then said solemnly, "In my opinion, the collection of commercial taxes from merchants cannot be bypassed by the Tax Bureau!"

"Sir, you may send someone to the Tax Bureau to request access to the details of the commercial taxes paid by the merchants of Qinghefang!"

"In addition, immediately send people to the shops to seal up the account books and not give the merchants time to falsify them."

Su Mo's eyes lit up: "Go on!"

Ma Wei responded, "Qinghefang Garrison lacks sufficient strongmen to carry out a large-scale blockade operation. Therefore, we should select a typical case to make an example of them."

Su Mo secretly sighed, "What Commander Ma said is absolutely right!"

His gaze fell on Zhang Xuzu: "Zhang, you are in charge of reviewing the tax details of the merchants in the Tax Bureau!"

Zhang Xuzu nodded and said, "This subordinate obeys!"

After a slight pause, he continued, "According to my investigation, there are over seven hundred large-scale merchants in Qinghefang, including thirty-one large and small pleasure boats, sixteen brothels, and dozens of gambling dens, restaurants, and seven money shops!"

"The most serious tax evaders are ship owners, gambling dens, and money shops..."

Su Mo sighed inwardly.

Hearing Zhang Xuzu's words, one can tell how developed Qinghefang's commerce is!
Su Mo certainly didn't care about those small vendors.

It can be managed in the same way as the two cities in Changping County.

The things that truly bring in big money are those that Zhang Xuzu specifically mentioned.

He thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "I've heard that the Fuyu Tower and the Qianse Pavilion's ships are both properties of the Duke of Anguo's mansion?"

Zhang Xuzu's heart skipped a beat, but he replied without hesitation, "The case files I reviewed from the Upper Left Office do indeed record it this way."

Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "Alright!"

"You should focus your investigation on the tax situation of Fuyulou and Qiansege!"

"The Duke of Anguo's mansion should be of sufficient importance."

Ma Wei stared at Su Mo in disbelief.

Did you hear it correctly?

Su Mo is actually going to target the Duke of Anguo's mansion?

Isn't Duke Anguo the emperor's brother-in-law?
His Majesty's own maternal uncle!
Investigating Duke Anguo is tantamount to investigating a sage, isn't it?

The sage's personal guards went to investigate the sage?
Ma Wei felt like his brain wasn't working properly!

I suddenly regret staying...

Su Mo thought for a moment and then said, "However, investigating only these two families seems to make it appear that I have personal motives and am specifically targeting Duke Anguo!"

Zhang Xuzu...

You're clearly targeting Zhang Shouning!
Su Mo looked at Zhang Xuzu and said, "Zhang Baihu, you can pick one or two more to investigate."

"Hmm, does Commander Cao have any sworn enemies... cough cough, if there are any suitable targets for investigation, feel free to suggest them, and we can investigate them together!"

Unlike the bewildered Ma Wei, Cao Feng knew about Su Mo's relationship with the Empress, as well as the grudges between Su Mo and Zhang Shouning.

A real man should act swiftly and decisively, seeking justice and revenge.

Otherwise, why would Cao Feng admire Su Mo the most?
He would look down on Su Mo even if he didn't investigate Zhang Shouning!

He thought for a moment, then chuckled, "Reporting to Lord Su, this humble servant does indeed have a list here..."

"This humble servant has long disliked Han Yu from the Marquis of Heyuan's family..."

(End of this chapter)