The Qing national treasury transport company was the most famous independent kingdom within its borders. Although the officials were all sent from Jingdou, because they were far away in Jiangnan and there were too many temptations within, no matter what rank an official came from outside, in the end, they would all be assimilated by this enormous and alluring golden nest. Perhaps the officials of the Overwatch Council were better, but the officials within the transport company had long become one of the pillars of this independent kingdom. No one wanted any change to happen to the palace treasury.
Even though the Emperor had given an edict for the palace treasury to be transferred from the Eldest Princess of Xinyang to Commissioner Fan, although these palace treasury officials had been the Eldest Princess' trusted aides for over a dozen years, they were not afraid of Fan Xian's arrival. They thought that as long as they did their superficial work well, presumably Sir Fan junior would not touch the foundation of the palace treasury. The trick of changing the Emperor and changing the court officials would not play out.
What was the foundation of the palace treasury? It was not the mountains of gold and silver, not the laboring workers, not the merchants on the outside, but the high-level craftsmen and treasurers of the three large workshops.
The three large workshops of the palace treasury were spread across the various provinces of Jiangnan. The first workshop was responsible for producing glass products, handicrafts that required high precision, porcelain goods, extremely expensive perfume, famous spirits that had been steamed over and over again, and many more. Things like glass products could be expanded into countless products. In short, they could be called luxury goods producers.
The second workshop was responsible for producing large amounts of cotton cloth, gauze, researching rice seeds, forging good steel, and major production. The combination of the first and second industries was mainly producing daily necessities.
The third workshop was the most heavily guarded of the three workshops. It was responsible for producing ships and advanced military equipment that the military needed. For example, the lightweight repeating crossbows that the Black Knights were currently equipped with were provided by this workshop. Further away, the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council and the research department of the palace treasury were still endlessly developing gunpowder. However, ever since the Ye family had opened the workshop, the development of gunpowder seemed to have gone down a wrong path. At present, the Overwatch Council could only use a cart of gunpowder as cannon and had not invented firearms. No one knew if it was because the people of the Qing Kingdom were not smart enough or if that Ye woman had done something bad in the past.
The three large workshops were just a rough description. There were countless related products scattered densely across North Min, producing goods endlessly. Then, they were picked up by private merchants and distributed to Northern Qi, Dongyi, small vassal states, and wild kingdoms beyond the ocean. They greedily and violently seized the money and food of the entire world. At the same time, they spread a better quality of life and more luxurious enjoyment to the entire world.
After the Ye family was taken into the palace treasury, although the various industries were greatly impacted, their legacy remained. Furthermore, the various levels of treasurers had brought out a great deal of wisdom to bring the Ye family's industries to greater heights. This curve reached its peak 17 years ago. Of the entire Qing Kingdom's financial income, 40% came from the palace treasury. It was only in recent years that this number had declined slightly. However, it was still the Qing Kingdom's largest source of financial income. To borrow a common phrase from a certain world, the palace treasury was the engine of desire that pushed the Qing Kingdom forward.
It was precisely because the treasurers, an unranked official, had a very important effect on the palace treasury's production. Additionally, the Eldest Princess herself was a woman who traveled the world by scheming. She was not good at using a mountain-splitting knife to carry out management. Thus, over the years, all kinds of situations had overlapped and made the treasurers the most special group of officials in the Qing Kingdom.
The lowest level of workers in the palace treasury did not earn much money. Even the officials responsible for management were not very arrogant. Only the treasurers, other than a generous salary, enjoyed all kinds of allowances and various bonuses. It had to be said that this was the result of the Eldest Princess raising wolves with high salaries. It also had to do with the chaotic management of the court these years.
In the palace treasury transport company, the treasurers were truly like local tyrants. Although they did not appear arrogant on the surface, they secretly took money, exploited workers, and scattered the money they obtained through the money houses on the periphery into the wilderness. They had already taken up a lot of land in the surrounding provinces. As for how many shameful methods they had used, no one knew. Additionally, these treasurers in the palace treasury bullied the lower level workers and took advantage of men and women.
The higher ranking treasurers paid attention to their face, but the middle-ranked 30 year old treasurers were naked and shameless. One of the treasurers Fan Xian found in the middle of the night had 12 concubines at home. As for how those 20 year old concubines came about … who could say? They only knew that every year, there would be workers making trouble. As for those who complained, they could not be counted. However, the palace treasury was special. Often, the victims of these complaints could not leave the palace treasury. Even if they were lucky enough to make it to Suzhou, they would always be fooled by the court.
Offending good people was a small matter, but offending the treasurers was a big matter. This was the consensus of the Jiangnan Road officials.
Thus, after the new head of the palace treasury transport company, the imperial envoy Fan Xian, arrived at the North Min yamen, the lower level workers and commoners who held a bone-deep hatred for the treasurers no longer beat the drums and cried out their grievances. Instead, they looked coldly at the door of the yamen. A glimmer of dark fire flashed through their eyes.
…
…
The moment the fire appeared, the sound of firecrackers rang out, and red confetti filled the air. The front door of the North Min palace treasury transport company yamen slowly opened. Dozens of officials dressed in formal robes filed in amidst the slightly smoky smell. They split into two rows and bowed respectfully to the young official in the middle.
Fan Xian brought out the imperial edict, brought out the sword, showed his identity as the imperial envoy, and explained the rules of management. He looked at his subordinates below and pressed his hands together. "Sit."
"Thank you for the seat." The officials of the palace treasury tidied up their clothing and sat down. There were not enough seats in the yamen, so some of the lower-level officials stood at the back. Everyone looked at the warm smile on Sir Fan junior's face and felt slightly reassured. Furthermore, they did not see the Overwatch Council's wolf-like Jingdou officials. Their slightly wary minds immediately relaxed.
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked down. Very easily, he found his target among the crowd of officials.
There were about five or six people. There were three people with dark complexions. They wore normal clothes with belts tied tightly around their waists. They sat there respectfully. It was clear that these three people did not have official positions, yet they sat among the crowd of officials. Furthermore, from their appearance, it was clear that they often went in and out of the workshops. It was a bit of an eyesore.
Fan Xian's eyes were particularly sharp. He saw a glimmer of indifference and disdain toward him in their seemingly respectful and cautious manner. It was an expression of great confidence. He smiled slightly. Someone as calm and sinister as him would not be angered by the other party's expression. However, since the other party had been raised by the Eldest Princess for so many years, and he wanted to completely control the palace treasury, he had to knock them down a peg or two.
He first put aside the three people and told the officials about the court's intentions. He then chatted a bit with the military representative sitting to his right. This military official was a distant relative of the Ye family. Although the Ye family seemed to have been forced to the Second Prince's side by the Emperor, due to the existence of Ye Ling'er, the relationship between Fan Xian and the Ye family was still passable. Thus, the Ye family general was particularly respectful toward Fan Xian. Presumably, the family in the capital had given him some orders.
After all the official matters had been said, Fan Xian suddenly quieted down. He raised his teacup and took a sip.
The Qing Kingdom did not have the custom of serving tea to send off guests. The officials knew that Sir Fan must have something important to say, so they all quieted down. Everyone already knew that Sir Fan junior's inaugural speech in the bamboo sheds at the Suzhou docks beside the river had already shocked all of the Jiangnan Road officials. They couldn't help but be curious about his words today.
"The palace treasury is truly a strange place."
Fan Xian said with a smile.
The officials also smiled along. The deputy added, "In the wilderness, there is only knocking and banging. Although it is annoying, it is different."
Fan Xian also smiled. "I thought the reason it was strange was because … on this trip south by imperial edict, every time I opened the yamen and revealed my identity, there would always be a local victim who would beat the drum and cry out their grievances, saying that the local officials had done many illegal things … I didn't expect that after opening the yamen for half a day, in such a large place, there would not be a single commoner who would submit a petition."
The officials paused and silently cursed, You've been stealthily heading south, what kind of grievances are there? But for Fan Xian to say this, there must be something else. They couldn't help but feel their hearts rise.
Of course, Fan Xian's words were nonsense. It was just a prelude. "I am greatly gratified that under the governance of my colleagues, the palace treasury is clean and tidy. There is no illegal activity. It is truly rare."
The officials' faces heated up. They repeatedly said they didn't dare to.
Fan Xian's face did not darken. He only smiled and said, "But, there is another question. I don't know if there is truly nothing wrong with the palace treasury, or … some officials have too much authority, so even if the commoners and workers have complaints in their hearts, they don't dare to say it to me?"
These words were too careless. It was an undisguised attempt to frame someone for a crime. Regardless of faction, the officials were all local officials of the palace treasury. Their hearts froze and a glimmer of disgust grew in them. They thought, Even if you want to burn three fires, you can't use such an absurd method. With the deputy in the lead, the officials all stepped out and said in a loud voice, "Sir, there is no such thing, there is no such thing."
Fan Xian lowered his head. His fingers gently rubbed the cuffs Sisi had just sewn and asked, "There is no such thing? I heard that these years, the three large workshops owe their workers a great deal of wages. Last year, there was even a major incident. Is there such a thing? "
The officials paused. Last year, because the treasurers had exploited them too harshly, the workers of the three large workshops had indeed caused a commotion and two people had died. This matter had long been hidden by the officials of the transport company. Unexpectedly, the news had traveled to Jingdou. Since Sir Fan had already said it, then he must have received accurate information. It would be difficult to hide it.
The deputy quickly went forward and smiled apologetically. "Before the year, the return of funds was a bit slow. The wages were only paid three days late. In the end, those unruly people took the opportunity to cause trouble and caused the three large workshops to stop work for a day. It brought irreparable damage to the court. Thus, after the transport company discussed it, we asked General Ye to suppress it. Fortunately, not too many lives were lost. Thinking that it was close to the end of the year and you would be arriving soon, there was no rush to report it."
In reality, it was not that the wages had been paid late. More accurately, it was that the treasurers had taken too much of the wages they had given out. Under the accumulated anger, the public's anger gradually rose, and the workers began to make trouble. The officials of the transport company did not want to offend the treasurers, nor did they want to take out public silver to make up for the debt. Thus, they pretended to be deaf and dumb. Only when the matter grew did they mobilize troops to suppress it.
Fan Xian turned around and quietly said a few words to General Ye. The general's face revealed an awkward expression and quietly responded. Presumably, the role he played in this matter was not honorable.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and gently knocked on the table beside him. "Everyone, to put it bluntly, this palace treasury is a business. However, it is the Emperor's business and the Qing court's business. Since it does business, then the most important thing is the people who do it. Year after year, delaying the workers' wages. Who would be willing to work for you? Even if they did work, how could they be willing to put their heart into it? In the end, isn't it still the court that loses out? "
The officials repeatedly voiced their agreement. They all said that in the future, they would strictly follow the rules of the palace treasury and that there would be no more delaying of wages. As for what would happen in the future, that was for the treasurers to deal with Sir Fan junior. These officials only hoped to quickly deceive the scene in front of them.
However, the expressions of the three dark-skinned figures sitting in the chairs without official robes became somewhat ugly.
"Just talking nonsense." Fan Xian shook his head and sighed. "Naturally, we won't be delaying in the future. Then what about those we owed in the past?"
The main hall of the yamen immediately sank into a death-like silence.
In their fear, the officials did not say anything more. There were tens of thousands of palace treasury workers. Adding on food, lodging, water, clothing, and a series of other logistics, the number of people reached a terrifying level. The court set generous wages for the workers of the three workshops. Drawing water from them had become one of the biggest sources of wealth for the palace treasury officials. If Fan Xian really wanted these officials to spit out all of the deductions from the past few years, it would be a large sum.
These officials knew in their hearts that they were hindered by the Qing law and the Overwatch Council's investigation, so they never dared to eat openly. It was only a small gift from the treasurers after they had eaten. Sir Fan was probably targeting those treasurers.
Thus, the gazes of the officials swept, intentionally or unintentionally, across the three of them.
It was as if Fan Xian did not sense the turbulence in the dark. In an even voice, he said, "The court cannot owe its people. The debts from the past few years will have to be gradually made up. However, the matter is complicated and cannot be rushed."
Cannot be rushed … the hearts of the officials once again relaxed, but they were greatly frightened by what he said next.
"Three days." Fan Xian smiled slightly and extended three fingers. Gazing at the officials, he said, "I give you all three days to fill in all of the debts for me. Make up all of the wages owed to the workers below. Remember, use the interest from Taiping money house as the basis."
"After three days, if there are still workers who come to me and say they have not received their wages," Fan Xian said. Fan Xian said, "Or perhaps my subordinates in the Overwatch Council have found out … Sorry, everyone, I will have to show some ruthlessness."
Although he was smiling, the officials could already feel a chill beginning to spread around them.
…
…
The three brothers who had been sitting calmly finally could not sit still. With humble expressions, they stood up and said, "Sir, I have something to report."
"Speak." Fan Xian glanced at him with great interest.
"There may be cases of delayed wages, but the amount is not large. Furthermore, it is often because the accounts are not going smoothly." The person chuckled. "Sir, you have come from far away in Jingdou. Perhaps you do not know how powerful the unruly people in these places are. Those people bring their families to work. It is clearly one person working in the workshop, but he has to report three people. It is not that we have delayed wages, it is that they want to swindle the court of silver."
"Oh?" Fan Xian made a sound of surprise. "There is such a trick?"
"Yes." The person clearly did not see the sarcasm in Fan Xian's words. Overjoyed, he said, "Sir, those workers are sly and cunning. Relying on the fact that the court cares for the people, they dare to make exorbitant demands. If there are any demands that cannot be met, they will slack off. There are even worse fellows who dare to tamper with the process. These years, who knows how much silver the court has lost."
This person poured dirty water on the workers. No matter how good Commissioner Fan's reputation was, he was still an official. How could he sit on the side of the workers? As the saying goes, one's position determines one's position. There was no need to worry about not standing on the side of the workers.
Fan Xian laughed coldly in his heart. These words … pushed all of his frequent crimes onto the workers. But his expression was not happy. He sighed. "Ah, I did not expect the Emperor to be so benevolent, and yet these people are still so unsatisfied."
The person smiled apologetically. "It is indeed so. When I return, I will investigate the matter of delayed wages. But those workers who have caused trouble cannot be easily forgiven. Sir, do not be fooled by the words of these scoundrels. Those people are sly and cunning, and they are truly not good people."
Fan Xian looked at this person and suddenly furrowed his brows. "May I ask who you are?"
At the side, the deputy quickly made an introduction. "This is the master of the first workshop, Sir Xiao."
"Sir Xiao?" Fan Xian seemed a little surprised. "Master of the first workshop? The head of the treasurers? "
The master of the three workshops, surnamed Xiao, quickly bowed. "That is me."
Fan Xian stared at him for a moment and suddenly opened his mouth. "You are a mere master, nothing more than a little treasurer. The court has given you an unranked rank. You don't even have an official position. How dare you call yourself … a lowly official in front of me?"
Everyone was startled.
His voice suddenly became cold. "You keep calling yourself a lowly official … what kind of official are you? This is the first time the yamen has opened its doors. You, a mere master, are not waiting outside to be summoned. Instead, you dare to barge into the hall and sit among the court officials. How dare you! Dare I ask, what kind of bastard and daring thing are you? "
…
…
Hmm?
The hall was silent for a long time. It was not until a long time later that the officials heard clearly that Sir Fan was cursing.
Immediately, the hall exploded with a roar. How could this be? Ever since the palace treasury had been returned to the royal family, this was the first time someone had pointed at the faces of the masters of the three workshops and cursed. Even the Eldest Princess, who had come to the North Min yamen for the first time after taking over the palace treasury, was very gentle toward the three masters of the three workshops. How could Sir Fan dare to curse them?
The master of the first workshop, Sir Xiao, was also stunned. He had not thought that even if Sir Fan did not want to win him over, he would not give him face and curse him so fiercely. He gave a muffled grunt and his expression immediately became ugly. However, facing a proper "prince," he did not dare to say anything. He resentfully raised his hands in a salute and returned to his seat to be a quiet bodhisattva.
"Remove his seat." Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows into a beautiful little circle. In an even voice, he said, "There is no seat for him in front of me."
"Sir Fan!" The master flew into a rage. Before his buttocks had even touched the seat, he straightened his body again. Forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart, he said, "Don't go too far."
Fan Xian completely ignored this person. He drank his tea and chatted with the awkward-looking General Ye and the deputy beside him.
As they spoke, the Overwatch Council officials beside him had already gone down. They pushed Sir Xiao to the side and removed his seat. Thus, the matter became serious. Not only did the officials below all come out to plead for leniency, even General Ye lowered his voice and said by Fan Xian's ear, "Young master Fan, leave them some face."
"Leave them some face?" Fan Xian smiled and said. "Today, I have come especially to rip their faces off."
General Ye was stupefied and didn't continue to speak.
Ever since the opening of the palace treasury yamen, the masters of the three workshops all had their own seats in the yamen. Their positions were special, and no one had ever humiliated their existence like this. Seeing the master of the first workshop being humiliated, the other two masters of the third workshop could no longer sit still. They rose to stand beside Sir Xiao and said to Fan Xian in a cold voice, "Since you think there is no place for us in the yamen, why don't we remove it together … in any case, the three workshops are nothing more than lowly people."
They were not acting out of spite. They were using the three workshops to pressure others.
Fan Xian raised his head and looked at the three masters standing in a row in front of him. He smiled slightly and said, "Of course, we will remove it together. Do you think there will still be a place for you? Of course, the three workshops are not all lowly people, but since you have all admitted it, I will believe you. "
"Sir!"
The masters of the three workshops had not expected Fan Xian to press forward step by step. His words did not leave any room for retreat. Only now did they know that he was not only trying to establish his might, he was trying to kill them all. But … what confidence did Fan Xian have? Did he really want to see the three workshops collapse?
The tone of the masters of the three workshops once again became ruthless. "Sir, how have the three workshops offended you?"
"Exploiting wages, bullying men and women, using skills to threaten the court, disrespecting me, of course …" Fan Xian stared at the three of them and said, "You have not offended me. You have offended the workers in the three workshops, as well as the court and the people who support you."
"If you wish to incriminate someone, you can always find a pretext," the three masters said angrily. The three masters said angrily, "Sir, you have just come to the Transport Company, yet you act so recklessly. Does the Qing court really not have any rules?"
"Rules? I am the rules, "Fan Xian thought with a smile.
Of course, he didn't say these words out loud. He just remembered that when Second Fan had run amok in Jingdou, his favorite thing to say was these ruthless words. It looked like being an official was the same as being a thug. When encountering a chaotic situation where the situation was unclear, it was always possible to use some brutal techniques.
"Someone, these three people are making a ruckus in the hall. Drag them out and give them 10 strokes of the paddle first."
Fan Xian gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table and ignored the pleading words of the officials below. He smiled and thought that he was suffering and tyrannical, but he was impatient. How could he waste his breath on these people?
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