Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 284 Calling one’s job title while working
The summer heat in Songjiang Prefecture in June is completely different from that in Nanjing.

The summer heat of Nanjing carries the grandeur of its former imperial capital, heavy and oppressive, making people feel weak and listless.

The summer heat in Songjiang Prefecture was a mixture of the salty smell of the sea and the restlessness brought by thousands of merchant ships. It was the kind of sweltering heat that permeated one's very bones, even when immersed in water.

The port of Huating County is filled with masts and oars, and bustling with people.

Countless porters, their backs bare and dark, carried exotic goods from the West, East, and South Seas. Wherever their sweat flowed, it left fleeting wet streaks on the bluestone slabs of the dock.

The newly established Maritime Trade Office was bustling with activity, with merchants and brokers from various countries coming and going in an endless stream. The unique aroma, a blend of gold, silver, and spices, had become an invisible signboard for Songjiang Prefecture.

However, just two streets away from this bustling area, in a secluded mansion, there was a suffocating silence so profound that you could hear a pin drop.

The house was not large, but it was extremely elegant.

An old locust tree shaded half the courtyard, and the sound of cicadas was isolated by the layers of green leaves, making it seem distant and indistinct.

The indoor lighting was somewhat dim, which just right dispelled the summer's dappled sunlight.

Wei Zhongxian was sitting in a rosewood armchair, holding a new porcelain teacup in his hand.

The cup contained Da Hong Pao tea, freshly delivered from Wuyishan this year. The tea liquor was bright orange-yellow and exuded a rich orchid fragrance. He brought the teacup to his nose, closed his eyes, and took a light sniff, his expression as leisurely as a wealthy old man who had long since retired to his hometown.

However, the complex light in his occasionally open eyes, a blend of scrutiny and weariness, was as sharp as a hawk's, easily piercing through the deepest disguises in people's hearts.

Below him, Li Chaoqin, the chief executioner of the Eastern Depot, stood with his hands at his sides.

His posture remained as upright as ever, and his attitude was extremely respectful, but his slightly trembling fingertips and the fine beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his inner unease.

Li Chaoqin had been standing here for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

If Wei Zhongxian didn't speak, he dared not move, not even to adjust the rhythm of his breathing.

Finally, Wei Zhongxian gently placed the teacup on the table, making a soft "tap" sound that was as clear as a clap of thunder in the quiet room.

"Chaoqin," Wei Zhongxian's voice was indifferent, with a hint of the hoarseness typical of an old man, "has anything new happened at the Maritime Trade Office these past few days?"

The question seemed like casual conversation, but Li Chaoqin dared not be negligent in the slightest.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Replying to my godfather, since its establishment, the Songjiang Maritime Trade Office has operated entirely according to the new laws decreed by His Majesty. Customs duties are settled daily, and tax rates are clearly categorized. Merchant ships of all sizes from Westerners, Japanese, and even Southeast Asian countries comply with these regulations. Occasionally, some lawbreakers attempt to bribe their way out of smuggling by following old practices, but they are all apprehended on the spot by the Imperial Guards of the Garrison Command, without any leniency.”

He paused, then his tone revealed a hint of genuine admiration: "Your Majesty's grand plan to open the seas is truly a stroke of genius. In just a few months, the tax revenue collected from Songjiang alone has already exceeded the total tax revenue of all the provinces in Jiangnan for half a year last year!"

More importantly, the imperial court has established rules, thus placing trade routes under its control. In the long run, the wealth of our Great Ming treasury will far surpass that of any previous dynasty! I believe that your presence in Songjiang, Father, is a testament to His Majesty's trust and confidence. With you, such a powerful figure, here, those with ulterior motives will not be able to stir up even the slightest ripple.”

Every word of this reply hit the mark; it was a subordinate reporting to his superior, an adopted son praising his adoptive father, and a eunuch eulogizing to the emperor.

The entire process is meticulous and flawless, a testament to the expertise honed by seasoned veterans of the power arena.

Li Chaoqin felt somewhat relieved, thinking he could earn a smile of approval from Wei Zhongxian.

However, what he received in return was a cold snort.

"Humph."

Wei Zhongxian didn't even lift his eyelids, but his voice suddenly turned cold, like icicles in the twelfth lunar month, "We are discussing state affairs, and the person sitting opposite you is the Grand Master of Ceremonial. Do I need to teach you this rule?"

Li Chaoqin's heart skipped a beat. He reacted instantly, bowing again with a hint of fear in his voice: "Yes! Your subordinate misspoke! ...Reporting to the Grand Eunuch, what I just said was from the bottom of my heart!"

Wei Zhongxian then slowly opened his eyes and looked at him.

“You only see the surface,” he said, picking up his teacup and gently blowing away the foam. His movements were slow and deliberate, but his words were sharp as a drawn blade. “Do you think that the Emperor sent me to Songjiang Prefecture to ‘oversee the army’ just because he can’t do without my old tricks and insists that I come in person to keep order?”

Li Chaoqin dared not answer, but simply lowered his head even further.

Wei Zhongxian continued speaking to himself. His voice was not loud, but it seemed to have a magical power to see through the ways of the world, echoing in the small hall.

"Our family is nothing more than a flag."

He stretched out a withered finger and pointed in the air. “An old flag with a skull and crossbones painted on it. His Majesty planted it here to let those deeply rooted gentry, nobles, and those wealthy merchants in Jiangnan who think they can call the shots in the local area see clearly—even I, Wei Zhongxian, can only obediently follow orders. What are you all?”

"This is to use the prestige of the old regime to establish the laws of the new dynasty, to deter villains and prevent those filthy and despicable people from acting rashly. This is called 'killing the chicken to warn the monkey,' except that our chicken is a bit old and fierce, and therefore more useful."

Upon hearing this, Li Chaoqin felt a chill run through his body; he had never thought of it from this perspective before.

He only thought it was the emperor's favor and reliance on Wei Zhongxian, but he did not expect that it was such a ruthless imperial scheme behind it.

Wei Zhongxian's tone suddenly shifted, like a gazelle hanging its horns, leaving no trace.

"Take a look to the south. Qin Liangyu, a female general, is in charge of military affairs in the south and controls troops in several provinces. She is unparalleled in loyalty and bravery, but what is her background? She is the chieftain of Shizhu! All her soldiers are her own men."

She had no connection whatsoever with any civil official group or military faction in the court. The Emperor entrusted her with military power; who could possibly win her over? She was like a nail, firmly anchored in the south of the Ming Dynasty, and she also quelled the arrogance of those fierce and unruly generals.

"Look at the Southern Zhili region after it was split up. Who took office as governor, provincial treasurer, provincial judge, and military commander? Look at those names, aren't they all young people or new faces in the officialdom? They don't have a deep-rooted network of relationships, nor do they have any ties with the old powers. Their loyalty to the Emperor is like a blank sheet of paper, which the Emperor can draw the most magnificent picture on."

Wei Zhongxian put down his teacup and stared intently at Li Chaoqin.

"Do you understand now, Chao Qin? His Majesty is playing a grand game! He's using the old guard to establish his authority, the newcomers to take power, and a female general with no factions to keep the army in check!"

The old guard is the weapon, used to break the deadlock; the newcomers are the foundation, used to build; and Qin Liangyu is the ballast, stabilizing the ship! These three form a mutually supporting balance, while the Emperor himself sits high above, holding the strings that move all the pieces. This is true balance!

Wei Zhongxian's words were like a wake-up call. Li Chaoqin felt as if all the fog in front of him had dissipated, and his mind was clear and bright. All the confusion in the past vanished at this moment.

He finally understood why the emperor would entrust important responsibilities to someone like Zheng Zhilong, who came from a pirate background.

A deep-seated awe made Li Chaoqin feel cold all over, and he even became unsteady on his feet.

He once thought he knew the young emperor well enough, but only now did he realize that what he had seen was merely a tiny ripple on a vast ocean.

Seeing Li Chaoqin's deathly pale face, Wei Zhongxian knew that this drastic measure had been the right one.

He abruptly changed the subject, this time with a stern rebuke. Just as Li Chaoqin was deeply shaken and speechless for a long time, Wei Zhongxian let out a long sigh.

That sigh seemed to drain all his energy and spirit.

That domineering, arrogance vanished instantly, replaced by an indescribable sense of desolation and loneliness.

“I have seen all the salt cases you investigated in Jiangnan,” Wei Zhongxian said slowly as he walked back to his desk, his voice filled with deep weariness. “You followed the clues from the salt merchants’ bad accounts and finally found the thread of the Grand Canal transport. Very good, even better than I expected.”

Li Chaoqin felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that his months of hard work had finally earned him some praise. He bowed his head and said, "It is all thanks to the Grand Eunuch's presence that I was able to act freely in Jiangnan."

“This is your achievement, no need to be modest.” Wei Zhongxian waved his hand, then changed the subject, staring at him intently, “But have you thought about how to hand over this credit to His Majesty?”

Li Chaoqin was startled and looked up.

He thought that by sealing the case file according to procedure and sending it back to Nanjing through the Eastern Depot's channels, he would have completed his mission.

Wei Zhongxian saw through his thoughts and sneered, "Foolish!"

Before Li Chaoqin could answer, Wei Zhongxian pushed a blank preface to the table, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"You shall set off for Nanjing immediately. Do not go through the Eastern Depot; go directly to the Emperor! Tell him that there is a shocking secret behind the salt case, and that you cannot plead your case without an audience with the Emperor!"

Li Chaoqin's breathing became rapid instantly.

Wei Zhongxian wanted him to bypass all the formalities and turn this merit into a stepping stone for Li Chaoqin's advancement, so that he could stand in front of the emperor and report this major case that could shake the court and the country word by word!
The difference in significance between them is like heaven and earth!

"Grand Eunuch..." Li Chaoqin's voice was somewhat hoarse, "This matter involves a wide range of issues, and the grain transport system is even more intricately intertwined. I'm afraid Chaoqin alone cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility. Such an monumental achievement should be personally reported to His Majesty by you to settle the matter..."

"Does our merit need to be added to this list?" Wei Zhongxian interrupted him, laughing self-deprecatingly. "This merit is merely icing on the cake for us. But for you, it's a stepping stone to success! What we want is not for His Majesty to bestow more praise upon us, but for His Majesty to see with his own eyes just how capable and talented Li Chaoqin, whom he has chosen, truly is!"

He paused, a rare complex emotion, a mixture of sadness and sincerity, flashing in his eyes.

"Therefore, you must go, and only you can go."

"You are a close advisor personally appointed by the Emperor. Your personal investigation and presentation of the case are irrefutable proof of your unwavering loyalty to the Emperor!"

Li Chaoqin looked up in shock. This time, he was not shocked by who got the credit, but by Wei Zhongxian's heartfelt support and guidance!

"Therefore, you must go, and only you can go."

Wei Zhongxian looked at him quietly.

“I’m getting old, Chaoqin.”

"It's true that His Majesty still trusts me. This trust was earned with my life, and it was also forged through your shared hardships with me. But... no one can truly live to be nine thousand years old."

"Nine Thousand Years..."

These three words were once the respectful title people used for Wei Zhongxian when he was at the height of his power, but now, when he uttered them himself, they only brought endless self-mockery and sorrow.

"I know my own body. How many more years can I last? Three years? Or five? This Eastern Depot, this inner workings, are the assets I've built up with my life's blood and sweat. If you can't take charge of them on your own, they'll change hands in the future!"

At this moment, Wei Zhongxian's thoughts seemed to transcend time.

The darkest and loneliest years flashed before his eyes.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; when a drum breaks, everyone beats it.

His godson sons, who used to call him "Grandpa Nine Thousand Years Old," have all turned against him and distanced themselves from him, fearing that they might be implicated.

The once bustling Wei mansion has become deserted and as cold as an ice cellar.

In that desperate situation where everyone turned against him, only Li Chaoqin, the young man he had casually promoted from among tens of thousands of eunuchs simply because of his "clean eyes," remained loyal and devoted to him.

He remembered that during those most difficult nights, it was Li Chaoqin who silently stood guard outside his door, shielding him from all prying eyes; when he was demoted by the emperor, disheartened and unable to eat, it was Li Chaoqin who knelt on the ground holding a bowl of cold porridge for an hour until he was willing to open his mouth.

This loyalty forged in adversity, this steadfast commitment when everyone else chose to abandon him, is the source of his willingness to share everything he has learned today.

He had possessed power, status, and money, but in the end, the only thing that could bring a sliver of warmth to this heartless old eunuch was this "loyalty" that was untainted by any self-interest.

He finally came to a profound understanding of the current emperor.

While it is easy to find capable ministers and officials in a high position, a loyal heart that remains unchanged under any circumstances is the true cornerstone that supports power!

Li Chaoqin raised his head, looking at Wei Zhongxian with teary eyes.

He saw expectation and entrustment in those aged eyes.

He finally understood all of Wei Zhongxian's good intentions.

Li Chaoqin no longer declined.

He wiped away his tears with his sleeve, solemnly knelt and crawled forward, holding up the few thin, yet incredibly heavy sheets of paper in his hands.

Then, he performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows before Wei Zhongxian.

"Your son... Chaoqin... will obey... Father's command!"

Wei Zhongxian closed his eyes, a relieved yet weary smile on his face.

"Go."

Half an hour later, a fast boat flying the flag of the Zhenfu Division quietly sailed away from the port of Songjiang Prefecture under the cover of night.

Li Chaoqin stood at the bow of the boat, the river wind whipping his robes into the air.

The June wind, which should have been warm, now carried a chilling clarity as it blew across his face!

(End of this chapter)