Joy of Life: I'm really not a saint

It is also the spiritual sustenance of countless people in Jiangnan and represents the interests of countless wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan!

Fan Xian came to see him with a very obvious intention, which was nothing more than to inform him and get his approval to enter the garden to search and arrest people, and then let him take the blame.

Xue Qing is naturally not afraid of the Ming family. If he really gets angry, ten members of the Ming family cannot resist the soldiers in his hands!

But it's not that simple.

The door of the Ming family was right there, anyone could see it, and anyone with a little status could go in. No matter how Fan Xian had messed with the Ming family in the past two months, it was all based on the rules, and it was just an open embarrassment, and no one could say anything.

The Ming family at most lost some money and face, but their foundation was intact. That's why they didn't cause any trouble. They tolerated Fan Xian in everything, which was considered a compromise.

But once you approve of this matter, its nature will be different.

This means that the two sides have already torn their faces apart and there is no room for easing, and the next step is to fight to the death with all their strength!

Xue Qing's attitude at this time was very clear: if the imperial envoy wanted to search Ming Garden, he could do as he wish, but if he wanted support and cooperation from the Governor's Office, that was absolutely impossible!

"Tell the truth to the Imperial Envoy! You are so young but already in a high position. This time you were ordered to go to Jiangnan as an Imperial Envoy. You are a high-ranking official who is deeply loved by the Emperor. In Kyoto, you are not only loved by His Majesty, but also have the support of President Chen of the Supervisory Council. Even though he is no longer working in the Supervisory Council, you can withdraw, Master Fan. What about me?"

"This Jiangnan mess is like a paste, so I have to clean it up one by one, right?"

At this point, Xue Qing already had a hint of bitterness in his heart, and said in a trance: "Does the Qing Dynasty really want to tear off its dignity and personally take action against a wealthy merchant family?"

Even though this family is considered the richest merchant family in Jiangnan, and even in Qing Kingdom.

It should be noted that the crux of the problem lies here. The Ming family is deeply rooted and has far-reaching influence in the entire Jiangnan region.

Directly or indirectly, they support more than 100,000 people, not only affecting the lives of the people, but also firmly controlling the economy. If things really come to the last step, the Ming family does not need to fight to the death, just provoking those who depend on them and beg for food under them is enough to cause a big chaos!

Fan Xian was not in a hurry at this moment. He picked up a tea bowl and started sipping.

"Since Lord Xue is unwilling to get involved in this mess, I have no choice but to resort to some extraordinary measures!" A stern look flashed across Fan Xian's face, and he had already made up his mind.

Seeing Fan Xian's malicious gaze, Xue Qing subconsciously asked, "What does the Imperial Envoy intend to do?"

"Haha, since I can't enter Ming Garden, then naturally I will ask the people from Ming Garden to go to my place!"

"Your Excellency means to hold a banquet?"

Xue Qing seemed to have thought of something, his tone was a little uncertain, his expression was even darker, and he said: "If it is for the reason of easing relations, maybe."

"Master Xue, did you misunderstand something?"

Fan Xian raised his hand to stop Xue Qing from thinking further, and laughed, with an extremely sinister tone in his voice, "If I want to invite someone, I won't go through so much trouble. I just need to send a letter from the Overwatch Council and invite the old lady to come over for a chat!"

Bullying the Ming family like this? Directly issuing a warrant to arrest them?

How is this different from falling out?

You know, the old lady of the Ming family’s birthday is less than ten days away!

"The old lady of the Ming family?" Xue Qing was numb. This imperial envoy was really insidious. "Are you sure, sir? No matter what, I wish you success!"

This is the way of being an official. Unless he is absolutely sure, he will not let himself go so easily.

Let this young imperial envoy do whatever he wants. Before a big commotion breaks out in Jiangnan, naturally someone with enough authority will come forward to stop it or His Majesty will issue an edict to reprimand him. It is not your turn to worry about it.

Although he would certainly be punished for inaction, rather than causing instability in the entire Jiangnan region, he could still continue to do his job as the governor.

"Does Lord Xue know anything about the Junshan Society?"

Fan Xian asked quite abruptly.

Xue Qing's heart sank, and he told the truth: "I know a little bit."

Fan Xian nodded, and just as he was about to continue asking, a person rushed in from outside the study door.

"Master Tisi, there is good news!"

Xue Qing didn't even raise his eyelids, pretending not to notice this person barging into the Governor's Mansion, without even notifying him.

"explain."

"The accountant of Junshan Society has a letter!"

"Oh?" Fan Xian was shocked. "Are you sure?"

"The news is confirmed, the person is in Mingyuan now!"

Fan Xian laughed and said to Xue Qing, "Master Xue, please come in!"

Chapter 261 Dispatching troops to Mingyuan.

Xue Qing stood up and walked directly to the desk next to Fan Xian and sat down.

He took out the ream of paper and began to write.

This is used to mobilize troops.

Fan Xian appeared beside Xue Qing without knowing when. He stared at the words that quickly appeared on the paper with a smile on his face and said softly, "Master Xue's handwriting is really good."

"Years of hard study and practice are nothing."

After the writing was finished, he called for a servant to pass on the order, then stood up and said, "Compared with the handwriting of Mr. Fan's friend, the Imperial Master of Northern Qi, it is far inferior!"

Fan Xian froze for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile and said, "His handwriting is indeed a bit strange!"

"Master Xue, please don't mention this title of friend again in the future!"

This was a small counterattack by Xue Qing.

Seeing the desired effect, Xue Qing no longer made a fuss about it: "Master Fan, I will accompany you to arrange it!"

Fan Xian did not respond to Xue Qing, but continued with the previous topic.

"Since Lord Xue knows about Junshan Society, maybe we can continue to talk about this topic?"

"This is a huge organization. The reason why it has stood for so long is probably because of its secrecy!" Xue Qing glanced at Fan Xian and said softly, "Since it is a very secretive organization, then naturally I don't know as much as Master Fan, who controls the Supervisory Council."

"The Junshan Society's roots are in Jiangnan. It is a group of powerful people from various countries, who are used to exchange interests and satisfy their 'desires'!"

"Since the Governor says he doesn't know, I'll just believe it for now!"

The smile on Fan Xian's face disappeared, and his voice gradually became colder: "In order to prevent the possibility of Lord Xue leaking the information, Lord Xue is requested to stay in the mansion for the next few days and not do anything else."

"As for the mobilization of troops, you can continue to do so, but please close the perimeter of Suzhou City, especially the area around the eastern dock."

"As for entering Mingyuan to arrest people, let the Overwatch Council's own people do it!"

How big is Mingyuan?

If comfort is not taken into consideration, it would not be difficult for Mingyuan alone to accommodate tens of thousands of people, not to mention the many farmers living in the periphery who are made up of the nephews and their families of the managers.

Xue Qing had been to that garden more than once, so he naturally understood that it would become an indestructible fortress with just a little modification.

He glanced at the person from the Supervisory Council next to Fan Xian, and seeing that there was no reaction on his face, he had some slight guesses.

Xue Qing frowned and asked softly, "My Lord, do you want the Black Cavalry to go deep into this prosperous city in the south of the Yangtze River?"

"It's natural!"

"My life is not comparable to that of the Ming family. If the other party is desperate, it will not be worth it!"

Fan Xian naturally knew that the other party would not dare to act rashly. It was not difficult to enter and exit Ming Garden. He could do it easily before! As long as the Ming family did not intend to rebel now, then whether it was relying on the handwritten letters of the Supervisory Council and the Governor, or forcing their way in by themselves, it would be safe.

But what does Fan Xian want now?

The accountant named Zhou from Junshan Society is naturally the most important target, but the rest are plans to establish authority!

Not only does he want to let the Black Knights into the city, he wants to make a big noise!

As for fortresses and the like, Fan Xian said that he dared to break into the Imperial Palace, so why would he care about the Mingyuan Fortress?

"I feel unwell and I am afraid I am ill, so I will not accompany the Imperial Envoy!"

Xue Qing was silent for a moment, and reluctantly compromised: "Please be cautious, sir, and don't cause too much trouble!"

After saying this, he handed the military token in his hand to Fan Xian.

Fan Xian took it and joked, "Master Xue, are you teaching me how to do things?"

Xue Qing's eyebrows twitched, but he didn't respond.

"Farewell!"

"No delivery!"

After leaving the Governor's Office, Fan Xian got on the carriage.

Looking at the military token in his hand, Fan Xian supported his chin in a daze.

What side of the army are these?

"Sir!" Wang Qinian had jumped onto the carriage at some point and appeared in front of Fan Xian. "Our people have been monitoring Ming Garden from the outside. However, we don't know why this Ming Garden was built. It is really too big. If we want to plow it thoroughly, I'm afraid it will take some time to prepare."

Fan Xian didn't even raise his head when he heard this, and shook the military token in his hand out of boredom.

Wang Qinian is knowledgeable and has even been on several missions with the Black Cavalry.

Looking at the military token in Fan Xian's hand, he was slightly surprised: "Sir, this military token looks unfamiliar. It should not be used to kill the Black Cavalry. Could it be that the Governor-General..."

Seeing Fan Xian nodded, Wang Qinian said anxiously, "My Lord, you are confused!"

"Xue Qinggui is the governor of a province. It's hard to say whether he has any ambiguity with Junshan. If he gives the information away, even if he doesn't do so, the frequent mobilization of the city guards under his command will easily arouse the vigilance of outsiders!"

So they are the city guards?

Fan Xian thought thoughtfully.

"Is Ming Garden really like a fortress?" After seeing the Northern Qi Palace, Fan Xian inexplicably wanted to see Ming Garden, the spiritual symbol of the Jiangnan clan, as soon as possible.

"That's not the case!"

When he said this, Wang Qinian perked up and said in disbelief, "It's a perfect armed fortress. It's really easy to defend but difficult to attack!"

Fan Xian sneered when he heard this.

He snorted and said, "Over the years, the successive governors of Jiangnan Province and the mayors of Suzhou City have never sent any information to Kyoto to explain this matter!"

My own manor was built like a fortress, so it's hard to tell what the other party's intentions are.

Don't think that he doesn't care, that's because it hasn't been modified. Listening to Wang Qinian's narration, Fan Xian sketched out the appearance of the fortress in his mind. If he only relied on the people from the Supervisory Council to attack it, without the help of the Black Cavalry, it would be quite difficult!

One of the three great gardens in the world?

"It will take time to mobilize the city guards and the black cavalry to enter the city, and it will also make a lot of noise. What if the Ming family is alarmed and they kill the accountant Zhou of the Junshan Society? What should we do then?"

Wang Qinian said with some concern.

Fan Xian frowned, this was what made him feel embarrassed.

Now he could only enter the garden to arrest the person, but what would happen after that? How many masters from the Ming family or Junshan would be lying in ambush in the garden? If he could break out with the housekeeper Zhou, it would be fine. He would have enough excuses to attack the Ming family. But what if the other party was determined to kill the housekeeper Zhou even at the cost of his own life?

It's no big deal if you gain nothing, but the rumors from the outside world will make you very passive and embarrassed.

Previously, Fan Xian's various actions against the Ming family had caused rumors to spread throughout Jiangnan: Fan Xian used the Supervisory Council to oppress the Ming family and seize wealth by trickery, aiming at the wealth that was rich enough to rival a country. What's more, some people directly pointed out that this was the intention of the Kyoto court. And now, he has sent troops into the garden, and the secret seizure has been changed to open robbery and murder!

No matter whether the people in Jiangnan are local wealthy businessmen or ordinary people, fishermen or peddlers, unity and xenophobia are just one of their principles.

More than that, they are too rich!

Being richer than other states, they are also worried that one day they will attract the envy of others. After all, wealth should not be flaunted.

Fan Xian's move against the Ming family this time made no sense. People who knew the inside story could understand it as revenge by the descendants of the Ye family. But outsiders naturally only recognized Fan Xian's identity as an imperial envoy, and believed that this was the will of the court, and that it was a cunning and unjustifiable act!

Under such circumstances, people living in Jiangnan are naturally wary of and disgusted with Fan Xian!

Chapter 262: Gathering clues.

"Put the matter of Butler Zhou aside for now, and let the Eighth Division of the Supervisory Council take action to deal with it first and change the public opinion in Jiangnan! The rumors spreading outside are getting more and more bizarre!"

No one knew who came up with the idea for the Ming family, but they showed weakness for two months and created an image of being oppressed by the government. This was a means to tarnish Fan Xian's reputation.

When things develop, Fan Xian will lose his reputation regardless of success or failure, and by then, the people under his command will also be disheartened.

After all, even if the Ming family is gone in Jiangnan, there will still be the next Cui family or Xiong family!

If they help Fan Xian, then they will become the next "Ming Family"! Who would dare to help Fan Xian?

It is not easy to be an imperial merchant these days, especially for the imperial merchant of Qing Kingdom, where the whole family may lose their heads easily!

"There are two goals for this operation." Fan Xian held up two fingers, "The first is to make a big noise, and the second is to kill as few people as possible!"

Although Fan Xian's instructions were contradictory, Wang Qinian understood the deeper meaning behind them.