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

Chapter 320: Concealing the truth
The news that the Emperor was about to return to the capital was like a young lady in her boudoir accidentally throwing a small pebble into a quiet pond on a spring day. The water surface only showed a few faint ripples before dissipating.

But underwater, the koi and other fish were startled and thrown into disarray, each pondering their own thoughts.

Ever since the emperor set off from Nanjing and headed north, his accompanying iron cavalry, each with their gleaming armor and imposing stature, stirred up a trail of dust wherever they went. Their menacing aura was so palpable that even a three-year-old child would know to keep their distance.

However, some people with ulterior motives see more than just this outward appearance of power.

Especially in the beautiful Jiangnan region, those gentry and gentlemen whose ancestors had accumulated virtue for generations, whose families owned several acres of idle land, and who had recently escaped the emperor's wrath by sheer luck, all had their eyes like fireflies on a summer night, secretly sensing something unusual.

On this journey north, whenever the imperial carriage passed through a bustling town with an official post station, a troop of soldiers would arrive at full speed before the bright yellow dragon flag could even be seen.

These soldiers didn't enter the city to disturb the people, nor did they make a fuss about it. They went straight to the post station. When they arrived, they didn't say much and quickly dismissed the postmaster and the postmen. From then on, the post station that used to welcome officials and send off guests was locked up and the guards changed. It became a small camp that looked ordinary from the outside but was filled with the menacing presence of swords and spears inside.

The sound of the wind, like willow catkins in the wind, drifted and floated, somehow reaching the depths of those ornately decorated mansions, and into the ears of the gentlemen who were sitting in their back gardens listening to music and sipping fragrant tea.

Many people, upon hearing this, felt as if they were cats smelling fish. Their faces remained impassive, but when no one was watching, a subtle smile crept onto their lips. Their expressions were a mixture of disdain and smug satisfaction, as if they had seen through something.

"Ha, our emperor slaughtered countless people in Jiangnan, his grandeur was truly rare even among emperors throughout history. But in the end, he's not some golden Arhat in a temple after all. Look at him, isn't he afraid of death too?"

Such thoughts are like the moss growing in the shady corner of a wall during the plum rain season, unknowingly spreading in the hearts of many people.

They thought, "That's true. In this Jiangnan region, how many families of gentry have been wiped out by him?"

The number of scholars offended was countless!

Now that he is about to abandon the Jiangnan region, which he himself has hailed as the birthplace of his dynasty, and return to Beijing, a city thousands of miles away where people's hearts are even more unpredictable, how could he not feel uneasy?

Along the way, they turned every post station into their own backyard. Wasn't that because they were afraid?

What if some fearless hero jumps out on the road, like Jing Ke or Zhuan Zhu, and suddenly reveals his true colors?
Thinking this way, a morbid sense of pleasure arose in my heart.

However, such pleasure can only be imagined in one's own mind, a mere fleeting craving.

Even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to utter a single word of this.

Is the Jiangnan region of today the same as it was a few months ago?

The emperor's prestige was forged with bloody heads, piles of silver, and a new musket that only recognized the emperor and not anyone else, one penny at a time!

At this point, who would dare to provoke the tiger? Wouldn't that be like thinking their own neck is too stiff and wanting to test how sharp the new army's sword is?

Therefore, one must naturally put on a show of respect for others.

On the day the imperial carriage slowly left Nanjing, the banks of the Qinhuai River were covered with a dense crowd of people kneeling down. Officials, gentry, elders, peddlers and laborers alike kowtowed repeatedly, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" in a voice that shook the heavens and the earth.

Those faces were filled with trepidation and reverence, and heart-wrenching reluctance. It was as if the emperor's departure would take away all the spirit of Jiangnan with him.

Zhu Youjian sat comfortably in his spacious imperial carriage, coldly observing the faces outside, some real and some fake, through a hazy, bright yellow gauze curtain.

Jiangnan, the region most loyal to the Ming emperors?
He thought to himself silently, feeling as if he had eaten an unripe green plum, the sourness spreading from the back of his tongue all the way to his heart.

This gentle and wealthy land indeed gave him the capital to turn his life around, providing him with a lever to shake up this great empire.

But he knew better than anyone how many seeds of hatred were buried beneath this lush, beautiful soil, and how many venomous snakes, their tongues flicking, were lurking, waiting for the right moment to pounce and bite him back.

loyal?

If there is anything in this world that can truly be relied upon, it is only himself and the knife handle he holds tightly in his hand!
The imperial carriage rumbled along, not taking the shortcut of the Grand Canal, but instead meandering eastward along the river, making a detour towards Songjiang Prefecture.

To outsiders, this small bend in the road seemed like a whim of the emperor, wanting to see what the Ming Dynasty's treasury looked like.

But when this news reached the ears of Wei Zhongxian, an old man with graying temples but still a strong body and bright eyes, in the Songjiang Prefecture government office, his eyes, which were usually half-open and half-closed as if they had no interest in anything, suddenly flashed with two blazing lights.

Wei Zhongxian knew exactly what was going on.

Back then, Wei Zhongxian was incredibly powerful, and every official in the court was trembling with fear in his presence.
Once fallen from grace, if not for Your Majesty's benevolence, I fear I would already be a handful of dust in the wilderness.

Although the rank is not the same as it was back then, the importance of this job is greater than ever before.

This place was designated by the emperor himself as the "Directly Governed Prefecture," a window through which the Ming Dynasty opened its eyes to the vast ocean, and the head through which countless riches would flow into the national treasury in the future!

Wei Zhongxian felt a surge of heat in his heart.

He has experienced many ups and downs in his life, and he has seen all kinds of human relationships. He knows best the meaning of the phrase "the wrath of Heaven is unpredictable".

His Majesty is returning to the capital, and is extremely busy with military and national affairs. Yet he was willing to detour hundreds of miles for a disgraced official like him.

This gesture brought him more comfort than any reward of gold or silver, or any prestigious official position.

Immediately, he led all the officials, big and small, from the government office to greet him ten miles outside the city.

When he saw the bright yellow ceremonial guard escorting the imperial carriage slowly approaching from afar, Wei Zhongxian did not hesitate for a moment. He lifted his brand-new scarlet official robe, knelt down straight, and respectfully kowtowed three times.

He performed these movements with effortless grace, without the slightest strain.

"This old servant, Wei Zhongxian, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's arrival! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

With a rustling sound, the beaded curtain of the imperial carriage was gently lifted by a strong hand, revealing the emperor's young yet imposing face. He looked at Wei Zhongxian, who was kneeling on the ground like a stone, and said calmly, "Get up and answer."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's body twitched slightly, and he shakily got up, but his waist remained hunched, like a fully drawn bow.

Zhu Youjian did not linger outside the city, but only allowed Wei Zhongxian to accompany him into the city.

Throughout the journey, he sat in the carriage, looking at the street scenes of Songjiang Prefecture through the window screen.

The streets were wider and smoother than elsewhere, with shops lining both sides and a constant flow of vehicles and pedestrians, yet there was no congestion.

On the distant dock, masts stood like a forest, sails blocked out the sun, and countless workers were shouting slogans as they carried boxes of goods up and down, creating a busy and prosperous scene, yet one that was also well-organized.

He looked at it and nodded secretly, feeling seven or eight parts satisfied with Wei Zhongxian's job.

Upon arriving at the government office, after dismissing all other people, only the emperor and his minister remained in the warm pavilion. Zhu Youjian then offered them seats.

Wei Zhongxian thanked the emperor, but only dared to sit on the edge of the embroidered stool with only half of his buttocks on it, his whole body still leaning forward, as if he were about to spring up at any moment to receive the imperial decree.

Looking at his cautious demeanor, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

The person before me certainly has unique skills when it comes to understanding people's hearts and to loyalty and methods in carrying out tasks.

“Old Wei,” Zhu Youjian addressed him in a very intimate manner, as if they were not a subject and ruler, “I have seen the state of Songjiang Prefecture on my journey here, and you have done a good job.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's aged body trembled violently, and tears welled up in his old eyes.

He hurriedly rose from his seat and knelt down again, his voice choked with emotion: "It is all thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune! This old servant... this old servant was merely acting on orders, and dared not slacken in the slightest. I was only afraid that I would fail to do well and thus betray Your Majesty's grace."

"I believe you." Zhu Youjian's voice was calm, but these three words were more comforting and pleasing to Wei Zhongxian than any beautiful words in the world.

"This Songjiang Prefecture is a crucial piece in my future national policy. Overseas business and merchant taxes will be the foundation of our Great Ming's treasury. I won't elaborate on its importance; you should have a good idea of ​​it."

He paused slightly, glanced around, and then changed the subject: "However, the intricacies here are not the same as the tasks you handled in the palace and the capital. Although you understand political maneuvering and are good at overall planning, when it comes to the science of business and the principles of investigating things and acquiring knowledge, you are ultimately an outsider. I left Hou Xun and Yang Sichang, those capable people who are good at financial management and mathematics, to you. Do you understand my good intentions?"

Wei Zhongxian quickly kowtowed and said, "This old servant understands! Your Majesty is wise and farsighted, far surpassing my own abilities! Lord Hou and Lord Yang are pillars of the court, and I will certainly treat them as honored guests, listen to their advice in all matters, and never dare to presume to act as a superior and do anything despicable like ostracizing the virtuous and capable! This old servant will definitely... will definitely make Songjiang Prefecture the way Your Majesty envisions it!"

His words were sincere and heartfelt.

How could he not understand?

His Majesty's words were both a warning and a suggestion.

If Songjiang Prefecture cannot be like a treasure trove, continuously producing silver for the emperor, and cannot become a bridgehead for the Ming Dynasty to observe the world and suppress the four seas, then Wei Zhongxian would be the greatest sinner in the world.

"Good that you understand." Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and said no more.

"After I returned to the capital, the affairs there were even more chaotic and troublesome than those in Jiangnan. I'm entrusting Songjiang Prefecture entirely to you. Remember this well: what I want is not just a wealthy Songjiang, but an obedient, reliable Songjiang that can continuously supply me with bloodlines!"

"This old servant obeys! Even if it costs me my life, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!" Wei Zhongxian's voice was filled with a fierce determination.

The meeting between the emperor and his ministers was conducted without much formality and quickly came to an end.

Zhu Youjian did not linger in Songjiang Prefecture. The next day, while it was still light, the imperial carriage set off again and continued northward.

Wei Zhongxian, accompanied by his officials, escorted the banner to the ten-mile-long pavilion outside the city. With his old eyes fixed on the bright yellow banner as it gradually disappeared into the morning mist, eventually becoming an almost invisible dot on the horizon, he slowly straightened his bowed back.

Seeing the apparent joy on Wei Zhongxian's face, Li Chaoqin quickly approached, his face beaming like a blooming bun: "Congratulations, Grand Eunuch! Look, His Majesty's return to the capital is such an important event, yet he still made a special detour to see you. It's clear that your position in His Majesty's heart is truly extraordinary, something no one else can compare to!"

Despite the flattery, Wei Zhongxian showed little smile. He simply squinted his narrow eyes and stared at the empty end of the official road, remaining silent for a long time.

Seeing his expression, Li Chaoqin felt a little uneasy, wondering what he had said wrong that had offended him, and his smile froze.

After an unknown amount of time, Wei Zhongxian slowly turned around, and a glint of cunning, even more shrewd than a fox, flashed in his seemingly cloudy old eyes.

He looked at Li Chaoqin and suddenly asked, "Chaoqin, let me ask you, have you figured out anything? Is there anything different about His Majesty's return to the capital this time compared to before?"

Li Chaoqin was taken aback upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "Is my godfather testing me?"

He used all the cleverness in his head, carefully reviewing the Emperor's entourage, the accompanying soldiers, and his conversation with the old ancestor, but he still couldn't figure it out.

He could only be cautious and bowed as he replied, "In response to Your Excellency, I am truly blind and have not noticed anything significantly different. I only feel... I only feel that His Majesty's imposing presence is even greater than when he first arrived in Jiangnan, making one afraid to even glance at him..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian shook his head noncommittally, his expression a mixture of disappointment and helplessness, as if he were looking at a clueless child.

He extended his withered, claw-like fingers and pointed vaguely in the direction of the official post station they had passed on their way here. His voice was extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing something, and he asked softly:

"You really didn't see it?"

"What... do you see?" Li Chaoqin was even more confused and had no idea what to do.

Wei Zhongxian let out a long sigh, the sound so soft it seemed to dissipate in the wind:

"Didn't you see the people and horses in that post station? After the Emperor left... did they move their lodgings?"

(End of this chapter)