The battles in politics and business often had a common point. Every time it looked like they were at the end of the line, it was as if there was a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. Just as the oil was cooking the fire, who knew that it would instantly turn into a cold autumn.
Xinyang and the Eastern Palace thought they had a clear grasp of the Ministry of Revenue's battle in Jingdou and had grasped the Fan family's biggest weakness. They arrogantly and eerily took action, wanting to have the Fan family's circumference insignia change owners. Who would have thought that in the end, it would be the complete opposite and they would lose a large amount of power for no reason?
Going back to Jiangnan, Fan Xian held the imperial envoy Ming Jian in his hand, cleared out the palace treasury, took control of the transport company, and, through Xia Qifei, forced the Ming family's money to tighten. Then, through that lawsuit, he successfully plunged the Ming family into chaos. Then, through the enormous Overwatch Council's help, he made things difficult for the Ming family everywhere under heaven. His manner was overbearing, as if he could crush the Ming family into a pile of powder at any moment.
At such a moment, who would have thought that so many shocking things would happen?
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…
"My people want to enter the Garden." Fan Xian slapped the table. His eyes were like hooks as he looked coldly at the person in front of him. Enunciating each word, he said, "Sir Xue, I have already waited 10 days. I will not wait any longer today."
The person sitting beside him was the most powerful person in Jiangnan, Governor Xue Qing of Jiangnan Road. The place the two of them were having their secret discussion was in the study of the governor's manor.
The accounts master of the Junshang Conference, who was also the Ming family's housekeeper, Zhou, had already been discovered by the Overwatch Council and was currently hiding in the Ming Garden. Regardless of whether it was for the assassination attempt at Jiangnan Restaurant or Fan Xian's strong interest in the Junshang Conference, the Overwatch Council had enough reason to kill their way into the Ming Garden and drag out that person.
However, it was, after all, the Ming Garden, one of the three great gardens in the world. It represented the interests of countless people in Jiangnan, countless people's lives, and countless people's hopes.
Even if Fan Xian wanted to send people into the Ming Garden to search, he had no choice. He had to first go to the Jiangnan governor's manor to communicate with Xue Qing. As long as Xue Qing was willing to nod, Fan Xian did not care much about the Ming family or the Jiangnan aristocracy.
It was a pity that time was pressing, so he could not send Da Bao to Wuzhou first. Naturally, he would not be able to clearly find out what Xue Qing's bottom line was from his father-in-law's mouth.
Fan Xian could only go straight to the governor's manor and make this seemingly shocking suggestion.
Xue Qing's attitude was clear.
Xue Qing's attitude. Yes.
Did. wanted the governor's manor to send people to the investigation? No way.
The Jiangnan governor was not afraid of offending the Ming family, but he knew how ruthless it was. The Ming Garden was like a door. In the first few months, he and Fan Xian had been tidying up the Ming family's property outside the door and tormenting the Ming family's spirit. They had not touched the Ming family's foundation. Thus, the other party had blindly retreated, endured, and appeared weak. Once the people of the government stepped into the Ming family's high threshold …
The proper court of the Qing Kingdom did not care about overthrowing a wealthy merchant family, even if this family was the wealthiest in the Qing Kingdom. The problem was, the Ming family directly and indirectly supported hundreds of thousands of people and affected the lives of most of the common people in Jiangnan. The Ming family did not even need to fight back. As long as this situation came out, the stability of all of Jiangnan would become a major problem.
Governor Xue Qing looked coldly at the young man beside him. He thought to himself, You are the imperial envoy. When the time comes and Jiangnan becomes a mess, you can just pat your butt and leave. After you return to the capital, there is still the Emperor, Director Chen, and Minister Fan to support you. But what about me? Will I have to throw all the mess after this onto myself?
If Jiangnan is not stable, how can I continue as governor?
Thus, after Fan Xian politely came to the governor's manor to discuss matters, Xue Qing firmly refused the request of both sides to cooperate in investigating the case. His words were very clear. Since it was that mysterious Junshang Conference, since it was a problem the Overwatch Council had found from the beginning, and since it did not involve local government, it was fine for his people to help the Overwatch Council clean up on the outside. However, he was not willing to directly enter Ming Garden and cause trouble.
This was the way of being an official. Xue Qing knew that Fan Xian was not certain of the trouble that could arise from searching Ming Garden, which was why he was dragging him down with him. How could he just obediently go down?
It had already been delayed for 10 days, and Xue Qing was still not willing to relent. Fan Xian's heart began to gradually become angry.
After leaving the governor's yamen, Fan Xian climbed into the carriage. He furrowed his brows and supported his chin with his hand. He began to stare blankly.
Deng Zi Yue glanced at Fan Xian and quietly said, "We have people watching the Ming Garden the entire time. I heard that the Fourth Ming master hasn't suffered much in the Suzhou government. If we want to enter Ming Garden to capture people, we can do it ourselves … actually, we don't necessarily need the governor's manor's help. I'm just afraid we will lose some people."
Naturally, Ming Garden had its own thugs and even powerful private military forces. Fan Xian had once glanced at the garden from a distance and knew that with some slight modifications, the garden could become a sturdy castle. If the Overwatch Council wanted to forcefully attack it without the help of the Black Knights, it would be a difficult matter.
If Xue Qing did not nod, the Black Knights would not be able to enter deep into the bustling city of Jiangnan.
"Entering the garden is not difficult." Fan Xian smiled bitterly and shook his head. "As long as the Ming family is not prepared to rebel, the Overwatch Council can take my personal letter and enter the garden to search. Would they dare to stop us?"
"What castle and military forces? It's all fake. The old Ming matriarch wouldn't dare to move a single person."
His face gradually became cold. "But, if we want to enter Ming Garden to capture people, there are two problems. First, we don't know how many aces there are in the Junshang Conference. If that housekeeper Zhou, who knows the inside story of the Junshang Conference, has not been silenced, will those aces protect him from Suzhou? Second, we can't make too much of a ruckus. The Ming family has already shown weakness for a few months. The atmosphere of sorrow is incomparably thick, particularly after the Fourth Ming master was captured and brought into the Suzhou government. The Suzhou government has not been released, and the rumors outside are becoming more and more bizarre … "
Deng Zi Yue listened quietly to the side. He knew what the commissioner was worried about. Presently, all of Jiangnan was saying that the Overwatch Council, under Fan Xian's command, was bullying the Ming family with the intention of taking over their property. It was about to evolve into a story of murder and theft.
One had to have a good reason for going against the Ming family. However, the court's reason for dealing with the Ming family had never been straightened out. Thus, in Jiangnan, from the gentry to the common people, they all began to stare at Fan Xian with wary and disgusted gazes. The reputation Fan Xian had built in Jingdou for two years had already been greatly polluted.
"Ming Qingda is a smart person," Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said. "This move of retreating in order to advance is indeed beautiful. It looks like they are only retreating, but we are still pressing forward step by step. In the eyes of the common people, their emotions will always be biased. Furthermore, the Ming family has deep roots in Jiangnan. Their ability to mobilize public opinion is much stronger than our own Eighth Bureau."
Ever since they knew that housekeeper Zhou was hiding in Ming Garden, the Overwatch Council palace treasury transport company's attacks on the Ming family became more and more ferocious. The Ming family's property was endlessly harassed and gradually looked like the sun was setting in the west. It looked incomparably pitiful.
"Public opinion is a very important matter. Reputation is also very important," Fan Xian sighed. "If we continue to suppress the Ming family like this, not only will the common people be disgusted with me, even the royal merchants that Xia Qifei is in contact with will probably grow wary of the court. No one knows whether or not they will become the second Ming family."
"What gives me the biggest headache is …" He shook his head. "Right now, we are not clear about the situation in the capital. I don't know if, if we make too big of a move, too many people will die, and too much criticism will be stirred up. Will it give the people in the capital an excuse to move me back?"
With the situation in Jiangnan still unsettled, Fan Xian did not want to return to the capital, particularly since he would be held back by the women in the Palace. It was not a situation he could accept.
When the carriage arrived at Hua Garden, he said a few words to the Third Prince and the others. Then, he brought Deng Zi Yue and a few trusted aides into the study. He spread out a map on the large desk and began to think deeply.
Fan Xian thought for a while and then used his finger to point at a certain city on the map. In a quiet voice, he asked, "Has the news from Quanzhou come back?"
The home of the concubine of the direct heir of the Ming family, Ming Lanshi, was in a village next to Quanzhou. The Overwatch Council had already investigated that the brother of the concubine had been on the East Sea the entire time. He was responsible for the Ming family's pirate business and robbing their own merchant ships. The head of the pirates had already been silenced by the military people the Ming family had colluded with. The concubine had also disappeared. In the words of the Ming family, she had gone home to visit relatives.
Of course, the Overwatch Council knew this was a lie. But, who could expose this lie?
"That concubine did not return to the village," a member of the Qinian Unit reported. A member of the Qinian Unit reported, "We didn't find any traces of bandits along the way. They were probably killed in Suzhou."
Fan Xian nodded. This was something he had long expected, so he was not surprised. Straightforwardly, he asked, "What is important is that since that village was the pirate's home, there must have been people who followed him onto the island to become bandits. Those relatives must have some understanding of this matter. Since the Ming family had bathed that island in blood, those villagers would not foolishly stand on the side of the Ming family. "
A glimmer of shame flashed across the face of the member of the Qinian Unit. "That village is already empty."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows tightly. The village was empty? There was no need to ask for a reason. Since it was empty, it could not be separated from those dirty tricks.
"What about the families here?" His finger was still pointing directly at Quanzhou. Furrowing his brows, he asked, "The officials of the shipping department were killed by those pirates. When did those families come to the Suzhou government to report?"
Another member of the Qinian Unit replied in a heavy voice, "Most of those families have already returned to the mainland. Only a few are still in Quanzhou. However, the people of the Fourth Bureau went to ask probingly. Those families received a large sum of compensation. Their desire to pursue the pirates has faded. What is important is … the Ming family has indeed treated them well. They do not believe the Ming family would collude with the pirates."
Fan Xian was startled. Shortly after, he said with slight mockery, "Of course not collusion. The Ming family is the pirates."
Immediately after, he asked a few more about the previous arrangements of the Fourth Bureau and received not very good answers. Only now did he know that after he cut down the Cui family in Jingdou and during the days when Yan Bingyun was plotting against the Ming family, the Ming family had already made sufficient preparations. They did not leave behind too many loopholes.
Fan Xian sat down on the slightly cold chair. In his hands, he held a bowl of warm tea as his thoughts wandered.
His subordinate looked at the commissioner in silence, not knowing what to say.
It looked like it would be difficult to bring down the Ming family in a short amount of time if he took the open and aboveboard path. However, he had to use the Overwatch Council's dirty methods. After all, Jiangnan was not other places. He had to worry about the reaction of the people. If it really caused the entire population to take to the streets for a walk, it would be difficult for the Overwatch Council to clean up.
Thinking of this, Fan Xian began to feel angry at Xue Qing's indecisiveness. If the Jiangnan governor appeared and he followed from behind, one in the light and one in the dark, one red face and one white face, perhaps this matter would be much simpler.
However, Fan Xian did not feel too defeated. He knew that in the battle between the court and the Ming family, the Ming family could forever only stand on the passive defensive side. Fan Xian had plenty of time to slowly play with the Ming family. The reason he was in a hurry to enter Ming Garden was because he wanted to clearly investigate the role of the Junshang Conference.
In the battle with the Ming family, he could endlessly try to bring them down. Even if he did not succeed once, he could try again after resting for a while. But, the Ming family could not. This large family could not be defeated even once. Once they were defeated, they would be wiped out.
"Get ready." Fan Xian lowered his eyelids slightly and said, "Get ready to enter the garden to capture people at any time."
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…
Deng Zi Yue hesitated for a moment and then said, "Not waiting for Governor Xue to make his stance clear?"
Fan Xian smiled coldly and said, "When I do things, I never like to follow in other people's footsteps. I've waited for 10 days and given Xue Qing enough face. If I act now, he can't blame me for being ruthless."
"What about the Jiangnan people's discussion?"
"Discussion? They say I'm bullying the Ming family? I'll go in gently and gently. I won't hit a single person and won't kill a single person. How am I bullying them? " A glimmer of a smile appeared on Fan Xian's face. "Besides, I've thought it through. Something like reputation, once it's ruined in Jiangnan, I'll slowly pick it back up in the future."
…
Fan Xian waited for 10 days not because he did not have the confidence to enter Ming Garden and capture housekeeper Zhou. It was not purely because he had misgivings about discussion or because he wanted to wait for Xue Qing to make his stance clear. More importantly, he was waiting for news from Jingdou.
After the palace treasury bidding, he knew clearly that the Eldest Princess' faction in Jingdou would launch an attack on the Ministry of Revenue. He was waiting for the result of this matter.
The matter was in Jiangnan, but the commander was in Jingdou. As long as the situation in Jingdou was unclear, it would be difficult for Fan Xian to act in Jiangnan.
The next day, birds cried out from the willow branches. Three fast horses charged into Suzhou under the cover of dawn. The bailiffs guarding the city only knew that the people coming were secret agents of the Overwatch Council and did not dare to stop them.
The sound of hooves thundered as they charged outside Suzhou's Hua Garden. Someone had long led the three riders into the garden.
This was the Overwatch Council's fastest way to send news. It was many times faster than the Qing court's courier service.
Fan Xian held the Council report Mu Tie had sent from the capital and was slightly happy. He knew that the result of the matter was as he had guessed. The Ministry of Revenue was fine, and the Eldest Princess' side had suffered a great loss.
However, as intelligent as he was, he could clearly see that the Emperor wanted to use the opportunity to have the old Fan family in Jingdou leave the stage. His slightly happy face immediately darkened.
However, he didn't have time to think about his father's matter. Fan Xian shook his head and said to the Overwatch Council official beside him who had been receiving orders the entire time, "Enter Ming Garden and arrest them."
The Overwatch Council official accepted the order and left. For a moment, a number of officials came out from the yamen all around Suzhou. The hooves of horses shattered the silence of the morning. Outside the city, 40 or so Overwatch Council officials rode openly and directly toward Ming Garden under Deng Zi Yue's lead.
"Be careful," Fan Xian turned his head and warmly said. "No one knows who else the Junshang Conference has left in Jiangnan."
Lady Haitang's two hands were in the large pockets of her flowery clothing. She tilted her head and smiled.
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Early in the morning outside Suzhou, after the early birds chirped once, they returned to the trees to sleep. It was quiet all around the road, particularly around the beautiful and spacious Ming Garden. One could only hear the faint sound of water being poured and washing coming from inside. Everything was the same as any other day.
Suddenly, dozens of riders came galloping along the road. The people on the horses were all wearing the robes of the Overwatch Council.
Following the arrival of these dozens of riders outside the Ming Garden, the secret agents of the Overwatch Council who were responsible for monitoring the surroundings of the Ming Garden also appeared from the trees and behind the mountain. Some of them merged into their colleagues who had come to inspect the garden, while some of the spies disappeared without a trace.
Deng Zi Yue's serious face sank as he rode his horse to the front gate of Ming Garden. He flipped down from his horse. His subordinates behind him also dismounted in unison.
At this moment, Ming Garden was as quiet as a shy virgin. However, Deng Zi Yue could clearly see that on the inner side of the low perimeter wall, there was a metallic light shining with a soul-devouring light. On the high ground to the left, he could see longbows and crossbows.
The other party was already waiting in formation. If they fired in unison, not a single one of these dozens of Overwatch Council officials would be able to return alive.
However, Deng Zi Yue's expression did not change because he believed in the commissioner's judgment. Although the Ming family were bandits in their bones, they would not be stupid enough to initiate a firefight when faced with the Overwatch Council.
As expected, the front gate of Ming Garden was slowly pulled open. The young master of the Ming family, Ming Lanshi, whose eyes were slightly red and who seemed to have not slept all night, stood respectfully by the gate. He spread out his right hand and said, "Everyone, please."
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My condition this week has not been right. My writing has been rather rough. There was a chapter at the beginning that I was not very satisfied with. Everyone knows that I am a person who is easily affected by emotions. My apologies. The day before yesterday, I received news that a cousin of mine passed away. She was not more than 40 years old. I have a feeling that life is impermanent and do not need consolation. Perhaps it is relief.
If you want to know what happened after, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. There are more chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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