Chapter 85 Breakthrough

“We are equals and I have no authority to interfere with you. I only hope that Lord Song will act wisely,” the Salt Transport Commissioner said, his resentment showing plainly in his blunt words.

“Lord Zhu, you and I have worked together in Yangzhou for two years. Surely you know my character. I would never take action unless I was at least eighty percent certain—”

“Eighty percent certainty is enough for you to act? Do you realize that if the salt trade descends into chaos, the entire population of Yangzhou—”

“But Liang does not consist only of Yangzhou’s people. There are the citizens of other provinces and counties as well. The Two Huai salt tax accounts for a quarter of our national treasury’s income. If we do not sever the hand stealing from the tax, what future does Liang have? What hope do the people have? I know you care for Yangzhou, Lord Zhu, but in times like these, the greater good must come first.”

“Sir, the evidence is here!” Gan Sui arrived on horseback. “According to the account books, five million bushels of salt were transported last year, but only eight hundred thousand were taxed by the court. The discrepancy is enormous; it must be thoroughly investigated.” He handed the accounts to the Salt Transport Commissioner.

The Commissioner scanned the records quickly. “I will personally mobilize the troops and surround the mansions of those unscrupulous merchants.”

The commotion that night was immense. Many townsfolk hid behind their windows, watching furtively, aware that the sky over Yangzhou was about to change. The entire patrol battalion marched in step, dividing to encircle various mansions. Gan Sui, Song Mingyuan, and the Salt Transport Commissioner hurried to President Liu’s residence. Gan Sui rode fast, an uneasy premonition gnawing at him—it might already be too late. From the moment their sudden confrontation began, it was as if someone in the shadows watched them, always one step ahead. No matter how quickly they moved, others had prepared countermeasures.

Sure enough, when they arrived, the house was filled with wailing; President Liu had hanged himself, leaving behind a final letter.

In his letter, he admitted he had no way out, and that he took his own life in hopes his family might be punished more leniently. All illicit salt permits, he said, originated from the Salt Transport Commissioner.

That night, sleep was impossible. Gan Sui, Song Mingyuan, and the Commissioner reconciled the accounts through the night and discovered the missing salt tax amounted to tens of millions of taels. Coupled with Liu’s final words, the Commissioner felt the world spin before collapsing among the stacks of account books. Such a vast deficit could only be paid with one’s head.

The salt merchants were confined to their homes, wailing half the night, each scrambling to protect themselves. One after another, they claimed to be innocent, forced into illicit salt trade by the pressure from the Commissioner and President Liu.

After fainting that night, the Salt Transport Commissioner awoke in a haze. Hearing the merchants’ wild accusations made his face flush with rage, yet he could not utter a word in defense. The truth was, he and Liu Youcai had been close; he had indeed failed to detect the massive flow of illicit salt. As for his claim that the permits did not originate from him and he was uninvolved in the trade, few would find it believable.

Such is the way of officialdom: one misstep leads to another, and there is no turning back. The Commissioner’s wife tried to press for her daughter’s marriage to the Wen family’s nephew, but they replied that their son was ill and did not wish to delay the girl. At first, she thought it an excuse, but after consulting a renowned physician, the diagnosis was indeed grave.

Still unwilling to give up, the Commissioner’s wife thought that even if her daughter were to marry and become a widow, it would be better than being implicated and exiled a thousand miles away with the family. But the Wen family would not consent.

News of the salt case quickly reached the capital. The Emperor was furious and dispatched the newly promoted Minister of Justice, Li Jing, to investigate, along with Lin Tianyu wielding the Imperial Sword of Authority, empowered to execute corrupt officials on the spot.

An edict was issued to open new civil service examinations. In such times, the empire never lacked ambitious men seeking office; like cutting chives, a gust of wind brings fresh growth. The Minister of Personnel was so busy his feet barely touched the ground, and he still had to deal with suddenly enthusiastic colleagues—a most exhausting endeavor. Equally weary was Lord Wen. Normally skeptical of gods and Buddha, he suddenly felt compelled to visit a temple and cast the divination sticks.

Since the year before last, nothing had gone his way. Usable pawns grew scarce, and though he had made a considerable profit last year, this year he suffered a harsh setback.

“Lord, someone from Second Master’s residence is here.”

Lord Wen deeply disliked his younger brother, finding him cowardly and greedy, and planned to dismiss him. But before he could act, his brother burst in. “Elder Brother, Elder Brother… what happened? How could Yu’er lose his life?”

“Must you shout so? Are you afraid others won’t hear? Yu’er got what he deserved—he was cautious, but not cautious enough. If he’d taken better care, Song Mingyuan wouldn’t have found leverage against him. I warned him not to provoke the Song family, but he refused to listen. Now look… this outcome is his own fault.”

“But he was your nephew!”

“If someone harms our family, even if he were my own son, I’d take action. Don’t come to me with your troubles. You have another son, don’t you? Tiandong has a steadfast nature and keen mind. With proper guidance, he’ll be a valuable asset—much better than Yuqing.”

“What do you mean? Must I lose one son and sacrifice another? Besides, you know Tiandong’s health. Without good medicine, how could he have survived this long? Please, Elder Brother, pity me—let my only son live like any ordinary child, marry, have children, and enjoy his life.”

“As a descendant of the Wen family, what right does he have to live like a commoner? Not to mention, the money spent on his illness could float a boat. If he were born to ordinary parents, would he have survived? Brother, don’t be so shortsighted. Times have changed; the Emperor’s grip tightens daily. If we don’t unite, we’ll be destroyed as a whole.”

“I advised you years ago to leave a margin in all things. If only we had…”

“My mistake was being too merciful. Had I eliminated Lin Tianyu outright, the Lin family would never have risen again.”

“You tried, but Lin Tianyu’s fate was not to die. If you ask me, we should follow the example of the Kong family from years ago—withdraw from court, keep our lives…”

“Don’t utter such cowardly words! What have I worked for all my life, if not to advance the Wen family’s legacy? If I retreat now, we’ll be powerless, mere fish on the chopping block. There is still the Noble Consort and Second Prince in the palace—the outcome is far from decided!”

Second Master Wen tried in vain to persuade his brother, finally rising to leave. At the door he said, “You insist on your course, but as a brother I must consider the family’s future. In a few days I’ll submit a memorial to the Emperor, requesting leave to mourn our mother. At least I’ll leave a root for the Wen family.”

“As you wish, but don’t regret it later!”

Without another word, Second Master Wen walked out.

Lord Wen could scarcely believe that after decades of careful maneuvering, Qi Nanxing was slowly devouring everything he’d built. He calmed himself and took stock of his available pawns. Among the six ministries, he’d lost the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War. He never held the Ministry of Justice, Personnel, or Revenue tightly; now only the Ministry of Works remained in his hand. But in the palace… yes, he still had hidden pieces there. He could not lose.

The imperial edict arrived faster than the imperial envoy. Soon, the once powerful Salt Transport Commissioner’s family in Yangzhou was reduced to prisoners, awaiting sentence when the envoy arrived. Ironically, the Commissioner’s wife, whom the Lady of the Weaving Bureau had always deemed vulgar, now found herself receiving the latter’s help. Though she’d never liked her, the Lady of the Weaving Bureau worked tirelessly to secure a clean cell for her family. Gan Sui, too, respected his old superior and ordered the jailer not to mistreat them.

Still, compared to their previous life, these days were worlds apart. On her second visit to deliver provisions, the Lady of the Weaving Bureau noticed that the Commissioner’s wife’s hair had begun to turn gray, and her heart ached. “Don’t lose hope. No sentence has been passed yet. There may still be a chance. My husband and Lord Gan are both working for your release.”

The Salt Transport Commissioner suddenly smiled. “This case is unlike any before. The Emperor wants to shake up the bureaucracy in the Two Huai and make an example of the salt merchants. It is my own careless conduct that has brought suffering to my wife and daughter.”

“How can you say such things? We are family. Poor Lianyun…”

“Speaking of which, my father has a pupil, from a modest background but upright in character and learned. If you don’t mind, I could speak to him. At least you could weather the current hardship. Once the edict is issued, there will be no room for change.”

“Kong Sister, are you serious? At this point, family background is irrelevant, so long as…”

“I will never marry,” Zhu Lianyun declared firmly. “If my parents can suffer, how can I alone enjoy comfort? If you force me, I’d rather throw myself against the prison wall now.”

“You wretched child…” Lady Zhu had not expected her daughter’s fierce resolve and could only say, “We appreciate Kong Sister’s kindness. Since things are as they are, our family will accept whatever fate comes.”

Lady Kong sighed deeply, reminding Lianyun to seek her out if she changed her mind, then left the prison.

With the Salt Transport Commissioner imprisoned, the court nearly exploded. His post was a lucrative one. In these times, a little caution could mean great merit and a grand reward. All sides vied for the position. Qi Nanxing watched from his throne as they argued themselves hoarse, finally deciding to have the Lady of the Weaving Bureau and the Yangzhou Prefect jointly manage salt affairs.

The ministers exchanged glances, then knelt, shouting praises for the Emperor’s wisdom.

“Look at their pale faces—it’s truly satisfying,” Anzi remarked in the inner palace as he perused memorials with Qi Nanxing. He had not yet formally attended court, only listened in the side hall, observing the officials’ demeanor. Over the past months, he had learned much.

“These useless officials care for nothing but power. Just wait—I will deal with them one by one.”

“Uncle must be almost to Yangzhou by now. I envy him!”

“No matter. Wait another year or so; when Yangzhou stabilizes, I’ll have Gan Sui’s family return. I heard you’ve prepared plenty for the two children.”

Lin Tianyu complained—he was sent to wield the sword and execute wrongdoers, not to hand out gifts, yet he carried toys for children, feeling it hardly suited his image.

“My sister wrote that my nephew and niece have started to talk and walk. They must be playing with toys. If other children have them, so should they.”

“Children grow fast. Next time you see them, they may be running everywhere.”

“I truly do miss them.” Anzi looked up at the sky above the palace, longing for his family.