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

Chapter 358 A Heavenly Infant Realm True Person Ambushes Su Mo!
Bai Susu's sudden warning message really left Su Mo somewhat puzzled.

Even though Bai Susu was the system's target and a mission had been issued, the problem was that when she left earlier, her favorability rating was still negative. Was she really that kind?
Shouldn't he have killed himself?

Could it be that he's here to repay the kindness of curing her menstrual cramps?
Su Mo really couldn't find anyone to discuss this with!

Bai Susu is a member of the Heavenly Mother Cult, which is a major threat to the Great Wu.

However, since Bai Susu has given a warning, whether it's out of good intentions or a conspiracy, I'll have a chance to see her sooner or later.

We'll see if it's true or not when we check her approval rating.

Su Mo has already achieved the True Core stage and has several magical treasures protecting him, so he is no longer afraid of Bai Susu.

If Bai Susu appears, Su Mo is absolutely confident that he can use his Heavenly Net technique to capture her!
Her strength was similar to Lin Moyin's before, and she only managed to escape from Lin Moyin and Wang Xiu's hands with the help of a magical artifact.

Even though she was already at the Returning to the Origin Realm, Su Mo was not afraid of her at all.

In just six months, she can't possibly reach the Golden Core realm, can she?
Or perhaps, in order to deal with a sorcerer at the Divine Transformation Realm, they would send out a Golden Core True Person?
The fact that a Golden Core assassin came last time was already outrageous.

Su Mo really didn't believe that Golden Core cultivators were really everywhere.

Having figured this out, Su Mo no longer took Bai Susu's warning to heart. Instead, he secretly thought that he should find time to leave the city and lure her out to see what she was up to!

Although helping Xiao Lizhuang cultivate greatly increased her magical power and cultivation level, it also consumed a lot of mental and physical energy, after all, she was hung on him for a whole hour!
Get a good night's sleep and recharge your energy!
The next day, Su Mo woke up feeling refreshed and energetic.

After leisurely eating breakfast, which should strictly be considered lunch, I casually went to Qinghefang Garrison to go on duty.

When we arrived at Qinghefang, we didn't see any shops that dared to close down.

There are also more street vendors.

When Su Mo passed by Ximahe Wharf, he noticed that several hundred people were busy at the wharf, piling up carved stones, seemingly to erect a monument.

Su Mo was somewhat surprised.

It seems that Xiao Yuan and his group are quite efficient; they've already started erecting a monument.

Sure enough, when it comes to matters of personal interest, bureaucratic practices are much less stringent.

It is estimated that Xiao Yuan and others were also trying to save face for the recipients of the donations by informing them early on that this matter needed to be documented with a monument.

Otherwise, on the first visit, they would only be willing to donate a hundred or eighty taels of silver.

Only after learning about the erection of the monument did they turn around and donate several thousand taels of silver; they certainly couldn't save face that way.

They offended them even more severely.

However, this matter had nothing to do with him, so Su Mo was too lazy to care. He had already sent the five thousand taels of silver he had promised the Empress to her.

Upon returning to Qinghefang, they found few Imperial Guards on duty, and Ning Xiaoxiao was nowhere to be seen.

Su Mo's generous reward clearly excited the Jinyiwei guards and clerks of the garrison. Upon seeing Su Mo, they hurriedly bowed respectfully and greeted him.

In addition, there were still quite a few merchants paying their commercial taxes in the front hall.

Su Mo casually inquired about the situation and then returned to the back hall. She had just poured herself a cup of tea and taken a few sips when Zhang Xuzu finally appeared.

The man looked very excited: "Lord Su! The silver has all been given to His Majesty, as well as to the Commandery and the Upper Left Office!"

"His Majesty praised me highly and even invited me to dine in the palace!"

Dining in the palace is an unparalleled honor, representing His Majesty's favor; no wonder Zhang Xuzu was so excited.

However, seeing that Su Mo did not show any shock, Zhang Xuzu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Well, we can't compare to Lord Su's favor with the emperor.

Let alone dining in the palace.

Lord Su even tried spending the night in the palace!
After all, Zhang Xuzu had personally witnessed the Empress waking up at Lord Su's residence!

Zhang Xuzu thought to himself, and then said, "The silver sent to Dong Bao's residence has been returned. They said that although the Dong family is poor, they don't lack these three thousand taels of silver."

He paused, his face darkening: "It seems that fellow is determined to oppose you, sir!"

Su Mo was slightly surprised upon hearing this, and frowned as he said, "Lord Lu has already accepted the money, but Dong Bao hasn't?"

"Do you know anything about him besides his connection to Lord Lu?"

He thought that since he had given Dong Bao a way out, the guy wouldn't dare to confront him directly.

Zhang Xuzu snorted: "That scoundrel Dong Bao has a cousin who is the concubine of Marquis Han Song of Heyuan."

"I guess this guy thinks he has connections with the Marquis of Heyuan, which is why he doesn't take us seriously."

Su Mo was immediately taken aback and lowered his voice to say, "Dong Bao's cousin is the concubine of the Marquis of Heyuan?"

"Does he not know the relationship between Marquis Heyuan and King Rong?"

Dong Bao was a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and even a Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
How dare he get involved in a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Heyuan?
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xuzu said dismissively, "What's so special about this!"

"The ministers and nobles in the capital are just a handful of people. Besides marrying into other noble families and court officials, who else can their children marry?"

"We can't have a grand gate facing a wooden door!"

Zhang Xuzu paused, then continued, "Dong Bao's concubine's older sister, who is also my aunt!"

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

Dong Bao and Duke Ningguo Zhang Lie were actually brothers-in-law?

Is Zhang Xuzu a bit too fierce?
Even the shops owned by their own father, concubine, sister, and husband were confiscated?

Seeing Su Mo's expression, Zhang Xuzu added, "This humble servant has long disliked her. Relying on Father's favor, she's been causing trouble in the inner quarters all day long. It's a good opportunity to teach her a lesson!"

"The powerful and influential people in the capital all have various connections. If you have to be careful about everything, you can forget about getting anything done!"

Hearing Zhang Xuzu's words, Su Mo was speechless.

But it seems normal.

After all, in ancient times, it was possible for siblings to marry.

The circle of powerful and wealthy people in the capital is only so big, and after a long period of intermarriage, all sorts of messy relationships are bound to get involved.

It was only because I was an outlier, suddenly barging into the circle of powerful and influential people in the capital, that I didn't have many connections to speak of.

The Empress's decision to give him a high position might also be based on this consideration.

Su Mo stopped studying this complicated problem and frowned, saying, "Since Dong Bao is so ungrateful, we have no choice but to find a way to get rid of him!"

"What do you think?"

Dong Bao was the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and had a great connection with Lu Su, so he was not someone Su Mo could simply eliminate at will.

If it weren't for the Empress's deep favor and the title of Imperial Tutor,

Su Mo didn't even dare to have this thought.

Zhang Xuzu said in a low voice without hesitation, "The man surnamed Dong is a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet he is so close to the Marquis of Heyuan."

"The Marquis of Heyuan and the King of Rong were once again sharing the same trousers."

"If we can find evidence of Dong Bao's dealings with Prince Rong, we can easily eliminate this man!"

Su Mo shook his head: "Dong Bao is an old member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, how could he easily leave any evidence against him!"

Zhang Xuzu frowned and said, "Then what should we do?"

Su Mo chuckled: "This is no time to rush things. You'd better be careful. You might end up getting something on someone else's hands instead!"

That being said, it's still quite troublesome to have a deputy commander watching over things.

I need to visit You Li and Wei Zhengguang when I have time.

You Li was also a deputy commander, so his relationship with Dong Bao was definitely not good. Probably no one knew Dong Bao's situation better than You Li.

That said, during the Chinese New Year, while everyone else is busy visiting relatives and building relationships, I'm the only one who has to work overtime. It's really tough.

Su Mo thought for a moment and then asked, "What's the situation with the commercial tax?"

Zhang Xuzu smiled smugly: "I've collected over ten thousand taels of silver today."

"But that's about it."

"Apart from Datong Temple, there are only some small shops and storefronts left."

He paused, then said, "Those small shops and storefronts don't pay much tax, and it's not easy to impose fines. I had someone collect ten or eight taels, but it doesn't add up to much."

Upon hearing this, Su Mo frowned immediately: "Small shops are also here to pay fines?"

"According to regulations, they should be exempt from commercial taxes."

Since he was in charge of collecting commercial taxes, Su Mo had naturally checked the relevant regulations.

According to the Great Wu Law, shops with a monthly income of less than thirty taels of silver are exempt from taxation. In fact, most shops in Qinghefang do not meet the tax threshold.

Zhang Xuzu curled his lip: "Aren't they afraid? This humble servant has killed quite a few people!"

"Those big merchants have all paid; how dare they not pay?"

Su Mo frowned: "Laws are laws, and laws cannot be abolished!" "If those merchants can bring their account books, and their monthly income is less than thirty taels, they will all be exempt from commercial taxes."

Zhang Xuzu was immediately taken aback: "What about those that have already been accepted?"

Su Mo said in a deep voice, "Go back!"

Zhang Xuzu hesitated for a moment: "Sir, even if they don't pay commercial taxes, they still need to pay various fees and interest."

"Our Qinghefang Hundred Household Office has been rectifying commercial taxes, and many local thugs and yamen runners who collect fees dare not reach out."

"It's better to let us have this money than let them get it!"

Su Mo thought for a moment: "Then we can't collect it under the guise of commercial tax, it'll easily give people something to talk about!"

"Collect it under the guise of a security fee! Collect 5%!"

Zhang Xuzu chuckled: "What's the difference? Isn't this more than commercial tax?"

Su Mo looked at Zhang Xuzu with a solemn expression: "Of course there's a difference!"

“If we take this money, we are responsible for maintaining public order.”

"If any thugs or government officials cause trouble at our shops in the future, we'll be responsible for dealing with them!"

After a pause, Su Mo continued, "The same applies to shops that pay commercial taxes, but only in cases where they are harassed without cause!"

Zhang Xuzu was slightly taken aback: "Those thugs and hooligans are easy to deal with."

“These fees and interest are the main source of income for the yamen runners. If we don’t let them collect them in Qinghefang, we’re afraid we’ll offend them completely.”

It wasn't that Zhang Xuzu was afraid of the yamen runners.

This is an unspoken rule that has existed for thousands of years, and once it involves unspoken rules, the pressure is immense.

Su Mo smiled and said, "Qinghefang is so big, with tens of thousands of people. How can our Hundred Household Office manage it all?"

"This will certainly require the help of the yamen runners to maintain order."

"We should share the money we collect with them."

"However, since they are taking our money, they must abide by our rules. If they secretly engage in extortion, we cannot cover it up and will deal with them accordingly!"

This was actually a rule established by Su Mo in Changping County.

Now that they've arrived in the capital, their power is even greater, but their mindset remains the same.

It's easy to use and you'll get the hang of it.

Zhang Xuzu thought for a moment, then nodded: "Then let's do as you say, sir."

Su Mo nodded: "Ma Wei and Xiao Xiao have experience in this area. If you have any questions, you can consult them."

Zhang Xuzu quickly smiled and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

Su Mo waved his hand: "Go and do your work. I have other important matters to attend to."

After Zhang Xuzu left, Su Mo took out paper and pen and pondered for a moment.

The person who offended the most was Zhang Xuzu, but as his direct superior, he still had to find a way to put an end to the trouble caused by Zhang Xuzu and others, otherwise who would dare to work with him in the future?

The key point is that, in the imperial court, those officials might still be wary of Zhang Lie and wouldn't directly target Zhang Xuzu.

The blade was obviously aimed at him.

After pondering for a long time, Su Mo wrote down three names on the paper.

Nangong Sheyue, Ye Wenshan, and Princess Baicheng were all considered his staunch supporters in the imperial court.

Su Mo paused, then added Zhang Zong.

Because of Zhang Xuzu, Zhang Zong naturally had no choice but to firmly support him on this matter.

These people should take the opportunity to bring their New Year's greetings and personally visit their homes to offer their New Year's wishes.

Following them are Zhong Yin, Xiao Yuan, Zhang Yu, You Li, and others.

Lu Su and Chu Cheng, both Ministers of Works, could barely be considered half-ministers.

These are all people who can speak for themselves, or at the very least, they will stand idly by.

Princess Jinling is also someone we can try to win over. After all, we've already reached a business agreement, so she has no reason to kick us when we're down.

After pondering for a long time, Su Mo burned the paper.

Finally, he started thinking about the task of earning eight million taels of silver.

This is the real priority.

As long as I can get silver for the Empress, no amount of attack can harm me!
After careful consideration, Su Mo decided to choose bearer bonds.

At least this would prevent those who bought bonds from worrying that the imperial court wouldn't be able to repay the debt and from simply beheading them.

To break through the current situation, "stooing" is unavoidable.

Ling Yanyao alone is definitely not enough.

Su Mo squinted as he pondered.

Suddenly, the Blood Eagle flew in.

Su Mo opened the silk cloth and her face immediately lit up with joy.

The female salt smuggler has finally arrived!
The successor to the militia military training manual has been found!
Lin Moyin wrote that a woman who called herself Shen Qiniang, looking quite disheveled and carrying her battle sword, had come to the outside of Lonely Peak Mountain to ask to see her!
Nothing is more important than strengthening one's own capabilities.

In any case, the affairs of Qinghefang can basically be handed over to Zhang Xuzu.

There's no rush regarding the national debt.

Find a few people to generate buzz before officially releasing the product, and then release it after the Empress offers sweet potatoes as a sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Overjoyed, Su Mo forgot Bai Susu's warning and immediately ordered horses to be brought over, heading straight for the fief.

It was a good opportunity to give the blueprints for the flintlock musket to Ding Bashi and have him make it.

In a secluded house near the road from the capital to Gufeng Mountain.

Chen Hai's expression changed slightly, and then he said to Bai Susu in a deep voice, "That guy surnamed Su has left the city!"

Bai Susu was immediately taken aback: "Su Mo has left the city?"

Chen Hai nodded: "Our family has its own secret methods to detect this person's whereabouts!"

"go!"

"Let's go and meet this kid!"

After saying that, he flashed and appeared outside the house, and then in the blink of an eye, he was a hundred feet away.

Bai Susu couldn't help but curse inwardly!
I had already sent him a warning, yet he still dared to leave the city!

She quickly followed Chen Hai.

Before long, Chen Hai was seen hiding on a small hilltop with an uncertain expression, frowning as he looked towards the official road.

Bai Susu looked in that direction and indeed saw a tall young man riding a fast horse toward them.

Who else could it be but Su Mo?

But Bai Susu was taken aback.

In just a few months, Su Mo has become much more composed than before, and even exudes a faint air of authority!
He gave Bai Susu the feeling of being a high-ranking official in the imperial court!
Bai Susu gritted her teeth in secret. She thought Chen Hai would definitely take action to capture Su Mo immediately, given that such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was coming.

But Chen Hai's brows furrowed even more deeply.

Bai Susu was taken aback, and hesitated for a moment: "Why hasn't Eunuch Chen made a move yet?"

Chen Hai shifted his gaze from Su Mo, squinted at Bai Susu, and then slowly said, "Something's not right!"

Bai Susu couldn't help but feel suspicious. She hadn't noticed anything wrong with it, so she asked, "What's wrong?"

A cold glint flashed in Chen Hai's eyes, and he said coldly, "Something's not right!"

"This man is a favorite minister of the false emperor and the Marquis of Lonely Peak Mountain. He was previously assassinated, and his mansion is protected by the divine senses of three Heavenly Infant True Persons!"

"How could he possibly leave the city alone!"

Bai Susu...

Chen Hai immediately sneered: "Trying to get involved? Trying to lure me out? Do you really think I've wasted these past few decades?"

After saying that, he turned and left without hesitation!
Bai Susu stood alone on the mountaintop, bewildered by the wind...

Su Mo, who was galloping on his horse on the official road, suddenly paused and was surprised to see something green on a mountain not far away.

Affection progress bar?
Where is Bai Susu hiding?
The favorability rating has actually turned positive?

He paused for a moment, then immediately turned around and rode his horse toward the hilltop!

(End of this chapter)