Huangming

Chapter 318 Heavy Responsibilities on Their Shoulders, Each with Their Own Secrets
"What are your thoughts on cleaning up the canal these past few months?"

Zhu Youxiao did not rush to assign him a new task. Instead, he leaned back on his throne and looked at him calmly, as if examining a sharp weapon that had not been honed for a long time.

Yang Lian lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before speaking in a solemn tone: "Your Majesty, the corruption in the Grand Canal has penetrated to the bone marrow. From the grain deliveries by farmers in the south, to the exploitation and extortion by officials along the route, and then to the embezzlement in the granaries of the capital, each link is interconnected, forming an airtight network of corruption."

He paused, his voice tinged with helplessness: "Although I have investigated and punished many corrupt officials in the past few months, I have also discovered that the deep-seated problems of the canal transport system cannot be eradicated simply by severe punishment. Millions of canal workers, from the chief transport officers to the boatmen and porters, have relied on the canal transport for generations, and many of them rely on 'gray income' to support their families. If we use a radical approach to cut it off, it is not necessarily the interests of high-ranking officials that will be harmed first, but rather these low-level canal workers who will lose their livelihoods first."

Upon hearing this, a somber silence crossed Zhu Youxiao's face.

He was well aware that what Yang Lian said was true.

The Grand Canal was a lucrative business, with high-ranking officials and nobles taking the lion's share, but through layers of exploitation, it did indeed feed millions of mouths.

These people either smuggled goods on grain ships or took kickbacks at the docks. Although it was not a legitimate way of life, it was a "way of life" passed down from their ancestors.

If the reforms are too radical, they could cut off these people's livelihoods all at once...

Zhu Youxiao's gaze fell on the secret report on the table concerning the "White Lotus Sect's activities along the Grand Canal," and his eyes grew increasingly cold.

Most of these canal workers were impoverished commoners who already harbored deep resentment towards the imperial court. Once they lost their livelihoods, and were further incited by the White Lotus Sect's heretical doctrines of "equalizing wealth and status," they would likely rise up in rebellion immediately.

The Grand Canal connects the north and south. If something goes wrong, grain supplies from the south will not be able to reach the capital, and military pay from the north will not be able to reach Liaodong. The very foundation of the Ming Dynasty could be shaken.

"you're right."

Zhu Youxiao spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of deliberation.

"Reform is like controlling water; it's better to dredge than to block. If we force reforms without considering the livelihoods of the grassroots, we risk breaching the dam before we can control the water."

He looked at Yang Lian with a hint of approval in his eyes: "You were able to see this layer, which means that these past few months of transporting goods along the canal have not been in vain. It seems that sending you to the canal for training was indeed the right decision."

Yang Lian was shocked; it turned out that His Majesty had a deeper meaning all along.

He bowed and said, "I dare not take credit, but only after seeing it with my own eyes did I realize that the difficulty of reform far exceeds my imagination."

"It's only because it's difficult that we do it."

Zhu Youxiao stood up and walked to Yang Lian.

"But how to do it is a skill. You need to eradicate the cancer of corruption without causing millions of canal workers to lose their jobs. That's what you need to figure out next."

Yang Lian suddenly looked up, a flash of understanding in his eyes.

His Majesty is formally handing over the responsibility of reforming the Grand Canal to him.

He took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, his tone as firm as iron: "Your subject obeys the decree!"
"Solving the long-standing problems of the canal transport system is not something that can be done overnight; it requires a long-term plan."

"However, based on your investigation over the past few months, I think it should be no problem to keep the canal transport system running smoothly for two or three years."

At this point, he turned around, his gaze falling on Yang Lian, and finally got to the point:

"The obstruction of the Grand Canal has indeed been alleviated a lot. The price of grain in the capital is 50% lower than at this time last year, and people can afford to buy rice. This is a real and tangible result that no one can deny."

He paused slightly, his tone becoming increasingly serious: "But there are still some problems that, instead of being resolved, have worsened, becoming a poisonous thorn stuck in the body of the Ming Dynasty."

Yang Lian felt a chill run down her spine and immediately understood.

The emperor is going to assign him a new job.

Judging from his tone, this task must be more troublesome and challenging than reorganizing the canal transport system.

But instead of backing down, he felt a surge of eager anticipation.

He's already overcome the quagmire of canal transport, so what obstacle can't he get through?
"His Majesty."

Yang Lian stepped forward, her back ramrod straight.

"No matter how difficult the task, I will accept it! As long as it is for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, I will not hesitate to die for it!"

"it is good!"

A glint of light flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes. He was very satisfied with his decisiveness and said loudly, "What I want you to solve is the military pay system of the nine border regions!"

"Military pay for the Nine Garrisons?"

Yang Lian looked up abruptly, a flash of shock crossing his eyes, which quickly turned into a solemn expression.

Although he was on the canal, he also heard about the problems of the border troops.

Embezzlement of military pay was rampant, with some soldiers going a whole year without seeing a single tael of silver; it was common for rations to be mixed with sand and for armor to be tattered; it was an open secret that officers falsely reported troop numbers and embezzled military pay.

The disastrous defeat at the Battle of Sarhu was due not only to strategic errors, but also to the deep-seated problems within the border troops.

This military pay system involves not only money and provisions, but also a group of generals spread across the nine border regions, forming a deeply entrenched network of interests that is even more complex than the waters of the Grand Canal.

"Exactly."

Zhu Youxiao walked to the desk and pointed to a roster submitted by the border troops.

"Look at this Xuanfu military register. There are 50,000 soldiers on the register, but less than 20,000 are actually capable of fighting. The remaining 20,000 slots have all become the officers' 'money bags.' When the military pay is distributed, it is skimmed off layer by layer, and only 30% reaches the soldiers. Can such an army fight a war?"

His voice suddenly rose: "We have just won a victory in Liaodong, but if the other important towns along the nine borders are still in this state, what will the Ming Dynasty use to stop them if the Jurchens make a comeback or the Mongols march south?"

Yang Lian looked at the densely packed "empty spots" on the roster and felt a chill run down her spine.

He took a deep breath and kowtowed heavily: "Your Majesty understands! Your Majesty wants me to go to the nine border regions to investigate military pay, rectify official corruption, and restore order to the border troops!"

"Not only that."

Zhu Youxiao helped him up, his gaze intense.

"I want you to establish a new military pay system. From the Ministry of Revenue's allocation of funds to the distribution of military pay, every penny must have a destination. Every soldier must be registered with their real name. Anyone who dares to embezzle or misappropriate funds will have their head chopped off!"

This is not just an investigation, but a complete overhaul.

Looking at the determination in the emperor's eyes, Yang Lian felt no more hesitation.

He knew that this mission was like walking a tightrope with his head in his hands, but if he succeeded, it would be a great achievement to rebuild the Ming Dynasty's border army.

"My lord, take the order!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, yet remained exceptionally firm.

"Your Majesty, I will not fail in my mission. Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will clarify the military pay for the nine border regions and train a capable army!"

Zhu Youxiao looked at his dark but resolute face and nodded in satisfaction.

Yang Lian's iron-fisted approach and prudence in the Grand Canal transport were precisely the qualities most needed to reorganize the Nine Garrisons.

You can rest assured that you've entrusted this responsibility to him.

However, as Zhu Youxiao gazed into Yang Lian's resolute eyes, a hint of worry flickered in his heart:
Will he be able to return alive from this trip to the border regions?
He was all too aware of the dangers Yang Lian was facing on this trip.

The rectification of the canal transport system only affected the interests of civil officials and canal merchants, and at most resulted in open and covert attacks.

It could reorganize the military pay in the nine border regions, but that would shake the very foundation of the army.

Those officers had been exploiting the system for years by falsely reporting troop numbers and embezzling military pay, and had long considered these illicit gains as their own.

The military, being a violent institution wielding weapons, is capable of anything when it gets truly desperate.

At that time, any "bandit raid," "Jiangnu cavalry raid," or even "accidental death" could cause an imperial envoy to disappear from the borderlands under mysterious circumstances.

There are just too many reasons to want him dead.

Zhu Youxiao withdrew his gaze and added in a solemn tone, "The Nine Borders are treacherous, and your journey will be fraught with peril. I will give you ten days to prepare. Food, guards, documents... whatever you need, just ask me, and I will do my utmost to meet your needs."

Once again, His Majesty offered such unwavering support. Yang Lian felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears. He bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! I will immediately return to my residence to study the old records of the Nine Garrisons' military registers and salaries. If there is any need for these documents, I will certainly not conceal them. I assure Your Majesty that I will handle this matter perfectly and will never fail to live up to Your Majesty's grace!"

With the emperor's trust and reliance on him so much, if he couldn't even handle this small task, how could Yang Lian have the face to stand between heaven and earth?

Even in death, I would have no face to see Your Majesty.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, his eyes filled with expectation: "Do a good job, I believe in you."

He then gave him a few more detailed instructions, telling him to be careful and to contact the secret police stationed on the border if anything happened, and never to go into danger alone.

Yang Lian noted everything down, kowtowed again, and then turned to leave.

As Yang Lian walked out of the Qianqing Palace, he looked up at the glazed tiles on the palace wall, which shimmered in the sunlight, his eyes burning with a fierce drive.

He clenched his fists.

This journey to the nine border regions is a bloody path for His Majesty, even if it means sacrificing himself. He will not rest until the corrupt military pay system is completely eradicated!
Inside the East Warm Pavilion, Zhu Youxiao gazed at the receding figure outside the window and slowly tightened his grip on the vermilion brush.

Yang Lian's blade has been honed to a sharp enough edge; now, it remains to be seen whether he can withstand the raging storms from all sides.

And what he, as the emperor, could do was become his strongest supporter.

Just as Yang Lian's figure disappeared at the end of the palace road, Zhu Youxiao began to review memorials.

Wei Chao stepped forward lightly, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Xianyong, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, is already waiting in the Nine Ministers' Office. Shall we summon him?"

Zhang Xianyong?
Zhu Youxiao paused on the imperial desk, recalling the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain who defied the imperial decree yet managed to quickly raise 400,000 taels of silver and warships. A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes: "Oh? You've come at the right time. Let's meet him."

This Celestial Master Zhang had previously defied the imperial decree and refused to come to the capital, which offended the emperor and should have been severely punished according to the law.

But he was quite sensible. He not only quickly offered 400,000 taels of silver, but also gathered more than ten warships. His "sincerity" was not insignificant.

Since he was willing to humble himself and atone for his sins, Zhu Youxiao didn't mind giving him a way out.

Moreover, he had other uses for keeping Zhang Xianyong around.

Before long, Zhang Xianyong, dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, was led to the East Warm Pavilion.

His robes were embroidered with intricate cloud patterns and Bagua designs. Although they were washed clean, they still showed signs of the wear and tear from his journey.

As soon as Zhang Xianyong entered the hall, he knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed tightly to the ground, his voice deliberately lowered with respect: "Your subject Zhang Xianyong pays his respects to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youxiao sat upright on the throne, his gaze sweeping over him indifferently, and waved his hand: "Rise. Zhang Tianshi, there's no need for such formalities."

After Zhang Xianyong bowed and stood still, Zhu Youxiao slowly spoke, his tone seemingly praising but not praising: "The Celestial Master's Mansion is indeed full of hidden talents. Master Zhang is especially capable. In just over a month, he was able to raise 400,000 taels of silver and more than ten warships. He is truly very generous."

These words sound like praise, but they are actually barbed.

Zhang Xianyong was astute as he was, and immediately understood the implied meaning. Beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, and he hurriedly bowed and explained, "Your Majesty is wise! This 400,000 taels is by no means my private property. In fact, I sold several shops and estates of the Celestial Master's Mansion in Jiangnan and mobilized my disciples to donate in order to barely raise the money. As for those warships, I obtained them through the favors of the old naval forces in Jiangnan and by soliciting donations from various sources. It is not because I have any extraordinary abilities."

What he said was half true and half false.

The Celestial Master's Mansion has been operating in Jiangnan for hundreds of years, with shops and estates all over Suzhou and Hangzhou. Its disciples and former officials have even infiltrated the officialdom. They could easily come up with 400,000 taels, or even a million taels, but they just don't want to empty their coffers all at once.

As Zhu Youxiao listened to his explanation, a faint, mocking smile appeared on his lips.

If the Celestial Master's Mansion were truly as impoverished as he described, how could it have become a clandestine "broker" in the Jiangnan officialdom, commanding respect even from salt merchants?

However, there's no need to spell these things out.

What he wanted was not to expose Zhang Xianyong's family background, but to make this Zhang Tianshi work for him.

"That's fine."

Zhu Youxiao's tone softened.

"It is commendable that you have this intention. As for disobeying the imperial decree, I will not pursue the matter."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianyong felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately kowtowed again: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could never repay Your Majesty's grace of sparing my life!"

"Get up."

Zhu Youxiao looked at him, then changed the subject.

"I know that the Celestial Master's Mansion has deep roots in Jiangnan, with disciples and former officials all over the place. Right now, I am about to implement new policies and clean up the long-standing problems with the salt tax in Jiangnan, and I am in dire need of someone familiar with the local situation to help me..."

Zhang Xianyong's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood the emperor's intention.

This is to allow him to use the power of the Celestial Master's Mansion to pave the way for the new policies.

Although he was unwilling to get involved in the court disputes, he dared not refuse now that the emperor had the upper hand.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!"

Zhang Xianyong bowed and replied, his tone becoming increasingly respectful.

"The collusion between salt merchants and local officials in Jiangnan has been a long-standing problem. I still have some influence in Jiangnan, and I am willing to assist Your Majesty in investigating the salt tax and showing absolutely no leniency!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded in satisfaction.

That's the attitude he wants.

The influence of the Celestial Master's Mansion can be used to restrain the deeply entrenched forces in Jiangnan, echoing Yang Lian's actions in the Nine Border Regions.

However, Zhu Youxiao was able to fully trust Yang Lian when he went to the Nine Garrisons to reorganize the military pay.

This man has a reputation for integrity and has already shown a do-or-die determination in the Grand Canal transport, so he will not easily back down.

Would Zhang Xianyong really be willing to risk his life to investigate salt taxes and clean up the officialdom in Jiangnan, thus infiltrating the court's influence into that deeply entrenched and prosperous land?

Zhu Youxiao held the teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm rim of the cup, his gaze growing somber.

The network of interests involved in the salt tax in Jiangnan was even more complex than that of the military pay in the Nine Border Regions.

Salt merchants colluded with local officials, and were backed by princes, nobles, and political factions, forming a deeply entrenched network that lasted for over a century.

If Zhang Xianyong were to actually take action, it would be tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

At best, the Celestial Master's Mansion's shops and land in Jiangnan would be harassed and retaliated against; at worst, it could lead to their deaths.

More importantly, if this matter is handled carelessly, the foundation of the Celestial Master's Mansion, which has been passed down for hundreds of years, could be destroyed in an instant.

As the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, how could Zhang Xianyong not understand the implications?
His statement in the warm pavilion earlier, "I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse," sounded sincere, but it may not have been from the bottom of his heart.

After all, verbal compliance is easy, but to actually stake on the century-old legacy of the entire clan is something he'd have to think twice about.

Zhu Youxiao put down his teacup, the bottom of which collided with the imperial desk, making a soft sound.

He wasn't comfortable with Zhang Xianyong's verbal promise.

This Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain needs an even tighter rope tied around his neck:
Make him submit a pledge of allegiance.

The so-called pledge of allegiance was to make him sever his ties with the old forces in Jiangnan and do something that would let everyone know that he had completely sided with the imperial court.

For example, they could expose a corrupt salt merchant who had long-standing ties with the Celestial Master's Mansion, or reveal a local official who was secretly colluding with the salt gang.

Only in this way can he be left with no way out and have no choice but to follow the court wholeheartedly.

This will also make those hesitant forces in Jiangnan realize that the Celestial Master's Mansion is no longer someone they can win over.

Zhang Xianyong, would you be willing to be my dog?

(End of this chapter)