Chapter 205: Methods
As soon as he stepped into the study, Grand Secretary Yu's face darkened.
He reprimanded his son in a low voice, "What is it? Can't even keep your emotions in check?"
Yu Jingxiu remained unperturbed, flashing his father a smile tinged with mystery. "Father, you'd be delighted too if you knew..."
Grand Secretary Yu raised an eyebrow.
Yu Jingxiu continued, "Xiping Marquis sent word—that Zhao Ling used to be involved in salt smuggling..." Before he could finish, his expression had already brightened with excitement.
"Oh?" Grand Secretary Yu's spirits visibly lifted.
Salt smuggling was already a serious crime, let alone a border military officer engaging in it...
"Explain carefully. What exactly happened?"
"Xiping Marquis has been stationed in Liangzhou for generations, hasn't he?" Yu Jingxiu chuckled. "All merchant caravans trading with Persia had to pass through there. Some desperate outlaws, seeing the profits to be made, formed gangs and often robbed those caravans. So Xiping Marquis selected skilled fighters from his garrison to form a cavalry unit, usually tasked with protecting passing caravans. Occasionally, they'd also take on well-paying clients as escorts. Over a year, it added up to a tidy sum."
"After He Fu arrived in Zhangye, he grew envious. He gathered all merchant caravans passing through Jiayuguan and imposed a one-in-twenty tax, with the General Military Headquarters providing armed escort for their safety."
"After all, He Fu was the commanding officer and held the moral high ground. With this arrangement, Xiping Marquis's cavalry unit lost its lucrative business."
"Coincidentally, there was a man surnamed Feng, whose ancestors had been salt smugglers. Over the years, the family business flourished, and by his generation, they had gradually gone legitimate."
"Since this Feng shared the same surname as Xiping Marquis, somehow they claimed kinship and became 'relatives.'"
"Xiping Marquis had a large household to maintain. As times grew tough, he naturally sought other means. His attention turned to this Feng fellow."
"That Feng was no pushover either. He promised that as long as Xiping Marquis sent a capable man to help keep order, he would cover all capital and manpower costs, even pledging to deliver 200,000 taels of silver annually to Xiping Marquis." Yu Jingxiu sneered. "Otherwise, how could Xiping Marquis afford to bribe officials in the capital?"
Grand Secretary Yu nodded, slightly astonished, and mused, "No wonder some risk breaking the law—the profits from salt smuggling are this substantial..."
Yu Jingxiu grinned. "Father, no need to worry. Zhao Ling doesn’t have that kind of money—he only smuggled salt for three years. At the start, he had little capital, relying purely on sheer audacity and generosity. By the third year, he had established himself, only to suddenly quit. Feng Laosan was baffled until he later learned Zhao Ling had voluntarily enlisted in the military..."
Grand Secretary Yu let out a faint, indifferent "Hmm."
But Yu Jingxiu could sense his father's relief.He continued with a smile, "Ever since I introduced Grand Secretary Shen's eldest son to the second son of the Xiping Marquis, He Fu hasn't let go, but he's been much more polite to the Xiping Marquis. This time, when I inquired about Zhao Ling from the Xiping Marquis's second son, he was very enthusiastic. He even asked if I needed help, saying that the Feng family and Zhao Ling were enemies—Feng Laosan's brother was killed by Zhao Ling. Later, when Zhao Ling joined the army and rose through the ranks, the Feng family has been uneasy ever since. He could step in and encourage the Feng family to testify..." At this point, his expression turned serious. "Father, I've heard that salt smugglers are ruthless people who would draw knives over a few taels of silver. Since the Feng family and Zhao Ling are enemies, it must be more than just a simple grudge. Perhaps the Feng family sought ties with the Xiping Marquis to guard against Zhao Ling's retaliation if he ever gained power..."
"Your reasoning makes sense," Grand Secretary Yu nodded. "Send a capable person to meet this Feng Laosan—hearsay is unreliable; seeing is believing. If we are to use him, relying solely on the Xiping Marquis's second son..." He paused. "I fear the influence might not be enough!"
"I thought the same," Yu Jingxiu said, showing hesitation. "However, Zhao Ling is currently in high Imperial favor. A mere accusation of salt smuggling, especially from the past, might not be enough to bring him down—at most, he'd receive a reprimand. Once the Emperor's anger subsides, he might even be reinstated... Instead of alerting the enemy, we should focus our efforts on Feng Laosan..."
Impressed by his son's insight, Grand Secretary Yu's eyes brightened. "Tell me, how would you proceed?"
Yu Jingxiu lowered his voice. "Zhao Ling is currently stationed in Xuanfu, isn't he? From what the Xiping Marquis's second son said, Zhao Ling doesn't have much silver on hand. But as you know, an official's salary..." He smirked. "Once accustomed to fine meats, who could stomach plain vegetables again? Why not have someone vouch for Feng Laosan and mediate peace between him and Zhao Ling? First, it would show Feng Laosan our methods and make him wary. Second, it would give us a chance to drag Zhao Ling into the mire... If successful, we could then accuse him of 'falsely claiming military merits.' With both cases brought against him—given that he was saved by the Emperor and is seen as the Emperor's man—even if not for the crime itself, the Emperor would punish him to save face..."
A slow smile spread across Grand Secretary Yu's stern face. "During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Xiping Marquis will surely send gifts for the occasion. Make sure to entertain his second son well then."
In other words, his father approved of his plan.
This acknowledgment of his abilities filled Yu Jingxiu with joy, which he couldn't hide from his expression.
He clasped his hands and bowed respectfully to his father. "Rest assured, Father. I will ensure no suspicion falls on me."
Grand Secretary Yu said nothing, merely patting his son's shoulder with satisfaction before turning to leave the inner chamber.
Yu Jingxiu returned to his quarters with a smile.
Fan Shi was lazily reclining against a large bolster pillow, watching Mo Zhuan and two maidservants sewing for her unborn child.
Seeing her husband return, she quickly sat up. "You're back!"
"Don't get up!" Yu Jingxiu sat beside her, taking her hand with a smile. "How are you feeling today? All right?"
Fan Shi nodded with a smile.Mo Zhuan replied, "It's all because of Consort Wu. Seeing that the young mistress is pregnant, she’s afraid the young mistress might withhold her share, so she kept pestering the Housekeeper from the sewing room about how her summer clothes should be made. The Housekeeper was utterly confused and thought the young mistress had other instructions, so she came here to ask. The young mistress was peacefully admiring the night pearl you gifted her with me when she had to rush over to Consort Wu’s place again and ended up reprimanding all the maids, wives, and matrons in the courtyard..."
"Enough!" Fan Shi finally spoke up, cutting Mo Zhuan off. "Why must you chatter so much? Managing the inner courtyard is my responsibility. The young master is already busy enough outside, and now that he’s finally home, you bother him with such trivial matters... Do you wish to be reassigned elsewhere?" By the end, her tone had turned sharp.
Mo Zhuan quickly knelt, but her gaze flickered toward Yu Jingxiu. "Young mistress, this servant won’t dare speak out of turn again..."
Yu Jingxiu, seeing Fan Shi’s personal maid seeking his help, felt pleased, thinking it was because Fan Shi was considerate of him. He chuckled, "Alright, alright, such a small matter... I’ve been talking with Father for so long my throat is parched..." The last remark was directed at Fan Shi.
Fan Shi exclaimed, "Ah!" and immediately ordered Mo Zhuan, "Hurry and fetch some tea!"
Mo Zhuan rose with a smile and complied.
Yu Jingxiu then asked, "Did Consort Wu come to you about her clothes? She’s usually so quiet... Could it be the maids or matrons around her stirring trouble?"
Fan Shi froze, then felt a pang of bitterness. Tears welled up as she said, "Do you think I’d wrong her for no reason..." Before she could finish, tears spilled down her cheeks.
"No, no," Yu Jingxiu hastily took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "I was just asking! Don’t misunderstand!"
Fan Shi let him dry her tears and sobbed, "I know Consort Wu is a meek person—otherwise, Mother wouldn’t have chosen her for our household. But people can change..."
Yu Jingxiu frowned slightly, displeased. "Enough, let’s not talk about this anymore..."
Consort Wu was indeed a beauty, but because she had been sent by Madam Yu, Yu Jingxiu disliked her all the more—Fan Shi knew this. Having achieved her goal, she quickly changed the subject when she saw his displeasure. "What were you discussing with Father that left your throat so dry?"
"It was about Zhao Ling..." Yu Jingxiu, naturally unsuspecting of Fan Shi, was still pleased that his father had taken his advice and spoke without thinking. Realizing he might have said too much, he quickly stopped and laughed. "Just some messy external affairs—you wouldn’t understand anyway!"
Fan Shi, bored, smiled and pressed, "Tell me, and I’ll understand! Who is this Zhao Ling?"
"A mere military man," Yu Jingxiu curled his lip dismissively. Spotting Mo Zhuan returning with tea, he took the cup and asked, "Has there been no word from your mother yet?"
Fan Shi was pregnant, and Madam Yu had personally written a letter to Fan Shi’s mother.
"By my calculations, the reply should arrive in the next couple of days..." Fan Shi answered, then suddenly recalled hearing something about battles near Xuanfu. She asked, "Is this Zhao Ling the Xuanfu Regional Commander?""Him, the Xuanfu Commander?" Yu Jingxiu sneered. "He's just cleaning up Mo Yi's mess!"
Fan Shi grew even more curious. "Who is this Mo Yi? Why do you say Zhao Ling is cleaning up his mess?"
"Don't concern yourself with these matters." Yu Jingxiu didn't wish to discuss it, smiling as he picked up a piece of candied winter melon with a toothpick and offered it to Fan Shi's lips. "Your duty now is to focus on your pregnancy. Don't trouble yourself with other affairs!"
Fan Shi ate the sweet with a smile, but her curiosity remained undiminished.
The next day, she sent Mo Zhuan to investigate.
When Mo Zhuan returned, her face was pale.
"Young Mistress," she whispered into Fan Shi's ear, "that Zhao Ling is the Deputy Commander of Xuanfu. Due to his Merit from supporting the emperor, though only twenty-four or twenty-five this year, he's already a third-rank general." She paused before continuing, "I heard his wife... is surnamed Fu."
"Surnamed Fu?" Fan Shi exclaimed in shock. "Are you certain? Who told you this?"
"Everyone outside is talking about it," Mo Zhuan said. "They say Zhao Ling has performed great deeds this time, and that Fu Shi will likely be Bestowed with Imperial Title!"
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Sisters, brothers, it's the end of the month. Please consider voting with your pink ballots... O(∩_∩)O~
PS: "The Little Maid of the Great Ming" Book ID 2432893
Author: Mu Fei
A comedic romance between two double-faced individuals, a tale of espionage and intrigue featuring the Ming Dynasty's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."
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(End of Chapter)
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