"Torrential river water? The Yellow River flooding? "
"Rise. Now you are the true master of the Ming family. You don't have to be so careful in front of me."
Fan Xian used an amused gaze to examine Ming Qingda. He then picked up the bowl of noodles and slurped it down.
Ming Qingda had secretly come to Xinfeng Restaurant and avoided everyone's eyes and ears. He was incomparably careful and nervous. After all, at this moment, an atmosphere of grief and indignation was accumulating in Suzhou. The tens of thousands of people in the Ming family were all looking at him, the master of the family. If people knew that he had secretly come to see the imperial envoy, he would probably not be able to continue being the clan leader.
The problem was, after seeing him today, imperial envoy Fan Xian still refused to give a clear answer. This made Ming Qingda feel a glimmer of strangeness in his heart.
Fan Xian put down the bowl and thought for a bit. "Let's not talk about anything else for now. I only want to ask you, the Mr. Zhou you promised me, where is he now?"
Ming Qingda felt the coldness and coercion in the imperial envoy's words and unconsciously lowered his head to defend himself. "That person … I was unable to control him and let him out of the garden. This was my mistake. Please punish me."
"Punish?" Fan Xian laughed self-mockingly. "Now that you've done this, how can I punish you?"
Ming Qingda sighed and said, "Even now, do you still not believe in my sincerity?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "Last time in the palace treasury courtyard, I had already said it. Hold the bowl like a dragon spitting out pearls, use chopsticks like a phoenix nodding its head, eat until you're 80% full, and if you can't finish, take it away … being a person and doing things is the same as eating. Your posture has to be beautiful, and you have to know your limits."
He stared into Ming Qingda's eyes. "In our agreement, you sold people to me and acted as a mediator, but it did not involve the contents behind … you did not report this matter to me and did it yourself. The present situation puts me in a difficult position."
Ming Qingda was silent for a moment and then quietly said, "Now that things have come to this, in order to prevent the Ming family from turning into smoke and clouds in my hands, some people blocking the front must rest. I trust that you can understand."
"Understanding is one thing, but doing this without my permission is another." "Don't think that by borrowing my subordinates to enter the garden and taking advantage of the situation, you can completely cover up this matter. You have to know that I have paid a great price in this matter. Presently, the entire Jiangnan is watching me … think about how you will cover up this matter."
Ming Qingda was speechless. A moment later, he said, "This is Qingda's fault. I will think of a way."
Fan Xian nodded. In truth, he didn't really trust this ruthless old fox in front of him.
Ming Qingda saw the imperial envoy's expression relax slightly. Only then did he gather his courage and say, "Sir … there were people in Ming Garden surrounding and attacking Overwatch Council officials. This matter should be investigated."
Fan Xian listened to these words and couldn't resist smiling. Not only was this old Ming master ruthless, his skin was also as thick as his own. He sighed and said, "If these words were heard by outsiders, I don't know how scared they would be. The Master of the Ming family is actually urging the Overwatch Council to investigate Ming Garden."
Ming Qingda smiled slightly and said, "If I don't do this, how can I make you believe in my heart?"
"Relax." Fan Xian calmed down. "My identity and position are different from yours. You have no way of handing Sir Zhou to me, but I will still do what I promised you. I will handle Sixth Ming, so don't worry too much."
"However …" He stared into Ming Qingda's eyes and said forcefully, "It's still the same words as before. You tricked me this time. Now, everyone in Jiangnan wants to eat my flesh. You have to think of a way to deal with this matter. Otherwise, you know the consequences."
Ming Qingda bowed sincerely and accepted the order. He then carefully asked, "What about Fourth?"
Fan Xian was silent and did not reply to his question.
Ming Qingda sighed in his heart. He knew that the imperial envoy had to leave a few more weaknesses in his hands before he could be at ease in letting him sit in the position of the master of the Ming family. As for the matter of the Fourth master's prison break, the Overwatch Council had witnesses and could throw them out at any time to beat him to death.
Fan Xian glanced at him with a not-quite-there smile. He thought, How could a chess piece like the Fourth Ming master be taken out now? If he didn't pursue the matter of the prison break, then the Fourth Ming master would be useless. If he did, then the Fourth Ming master would just die. Wouldn't it be a pity to die like this?
"Right now, your family's emotions are still agitated. Don't worry about the matter of cleaning out the old matriarch's trusted aides," Fan Xian warned. He suddenly smiled and said, "You're better at this kind of thing than I am. My words are a bit unnecessary."
Ming Qingda quickly and respectfully said, "It is all thanks to the imperial envoy's guidance along the way."
"Don't say that." The corner of Fan Xian's mouth twitched and he stopped him. "The last powerful move was not something I could think of."
"Also," Fan Xian said quietly. Fan Xian said in a quiet voice, "After the matter has calmed down, you can make arrangements for Xia Qifei to return to his ancestral home."
Ming Qingda abruptly raised his head and looked at Fan Xian with a pair of calm eyes that carried complicated emotions. A moment later, he faintly said, "Sir, you still don't trust me."
"Say less of these pompous words," Fan Xian said. "You know, and I also know. You don't trust me. Naturally, I also don't trust you. Xia Qifei is the one I truly trust. As long as he doesn't enter the Ming Garden to discuss matters, our agreement cannot be considered complete."
The wrinkles on Ming Qingda's forehead appeared to deepen. He took a deep breath and said, "Qingcheng and I had disagreements when he was young. I'm afraid he hates me to the bone. Fine, according to the imperial envoy's orders, I am willing to back down. However, the old matriarch has just passed away … this is a time when emotions are running high. Everyone knows that Qingcheng is your trusted aide. For him to return to his ancestral home, I'm afraid I won't be able to suppress the backlash from the tens of thousands of people in the clan."
Fan Xian shook his head and straightforwardly said, "What time is this? Everyone in Jiangnan hates me. Do you think I care about the backlash from the tens of thousands of people in your clan? This situation was created by you. Naturally, you will have to settle the backlash from the people in the clan. I only want the result. As for the process, that is something you should worry about. "
Ming Qingda's expression darkened slightly and he said, "This matter … is truly difficult."
"There is nothing difficult about it." Fan Xian looked at him mockingly. "I have always admired your methods. Since the old matriarch has already been buried, the Overwatch Council has no right to investigate anything. However, I have always sent people to keep an eye on the grave. Making things difficult for you is better than making things difficult for me. If I am truly troubled to an unbearable point, then you should be troubled for the rest of your life. "
The Overwatch Council already had enough information on Ming Qingda. If Ming Qingda had other thoughts, before Fan Xian's days were good, Ming Qingda would certainly be the first to be cut into pieces. Since things had progressed to this point, Ming Qingda knew that although his shrewd and ruthless plan had allowed him to sit in the position of the true Master of the Ming family, he had also sat on a volcano. In particular, the last move he had hidden from the imperial envoy. Although it made it so that the Overwatch Council could no longer pressure the Ming family, it had truly angered Fan Xian.
Fan Xian tore off all pretenses and began to make naked threats.
Faced with this kind of naked threat, Ming Qingda knew he could only accept it completely. He had done so many treasonous things. He had not expected that in the end, it would all benefit the other party. He raised his head angrily and looked at the imperial envoy. "Sir, good plan."
Fan Xian was not angry at all. He chuckled and said, "The old Ming master likes to scheme against others. Now, he thinks he has been schemed against by me. Naturally, he feels uncomfortable. However, don't think too highly of me. In this area, I truly do not have much talent."
His voice became cold. "One can be strong without desires. The old Ming master has asked for too many things, so naturally, he will give me too many opportunities. As for scheming, I have always thought that such things as schemes are never as terrifying as direct power. After scheming, I have instead ruined your life … old Ming master, in the future, it is best to be more honest and do things more sincerely. "
Ming Qingda fell silent.
"You can go back first. There are still many things I need you to deal with, such as the resentment the people in the clan have toward me that I need you to appease," Fan Xian said with a smile. "If there are any arrangements in the future, I will send someone to let you know."
He thought for a bit and finally warned, "I know you are very afraid of the Junshang Conference … however, for now, don't tear off all pretenses with them. I need the Ming family to still have a position in the Junshang Conference."
Ming Qingda knew there was no other way, he could only agree like this for now. He stood up and walked down the stairs. However, his back was slightly hunched, revealing his old age.
…
…
After Ming Qingda left, the head of the Qinian Unit of the Overwatch Council, Deng Zi Yue, flashed out from behind the curtain. The shock on his face could not be hidden no matter how hard he tried. Only now did he know that the commissioner and the master of the Ming family had made so many secret agreements in private.
Following Fan Xian's orders, he sat down. Deng Zi Yue opened his mouth wide and stared blankly for a while before he organized his words. "Unexpected, truly unexpected."
Fan Xian couldn't resist shaking his head. "What unexpected? Ming Qingda is a clever man. He knows this is the court's intention. He does not hope to be able to oppose the court. He only hopes to use a relatively peaceful method to protect the livelihood of the tens of thousands of people in the Ming family … and on this point, he and his mother have an unbridgeable gap. Under these circumstances, if he doesn't come to find me, who can he find? "
"Of course, I still underestimated him." Fan Xian sighed. "I didn't think he would play such a game in the end. Thus, the Jiangnan people are all watching us. Xue Qing is also greatly shocked. Regardless of which way the court leans, it makes it impossible for us to continue pressuring the Ming family."
"On one hand, he colluded with the government to stabilize his position as the master of the Ming family. On the other hand, he secretly acted ruthlessly to stir up the emotions of the common people and protect the Ming family's temporary interests. This Ming Qingda indeed did not disappoint me. "
"However … he didn't calculate one thing. He used me, and I used him. The problem is, I have much more confidence than he does, so in the end, he can only be used by me."
"Everyone miscalculated one thing," Fan Xian explained seriously. "Including what I said to Xue Qing, it was all to scare him … you all think I can wipe out the Ming family at any time. In reality, this is impossible. That is why I need to use Ming Qingda."
Deng Zi Yue looked in shock at the thoughtful commissioner.
Fan Xian closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. Slowly, he said, "If the Ming family truly rebelled, what could I do? Would I really move the Black Knights into Suzhou to slaughter the garden? Yes, I could wipe out the sixth branch of the Ming family, make the blood flow like a river, and cover the fields with corpses, but … what benefit does this bring me? "
He smiled and shook his head. "After a period of cleansing, relying on the power of the court, and adding the accusation of rebellion to Ming Garden, within half a year, the entire Jiangnan would be as silent as cicadas in winter. No one would dare to say anything. The court would smoothly take over the Ming family's enormous property. Everything would go according to the Emperor's plan. "
His face became cold. "But, what benefit does this bring me?"
Deng Zi Yue was silent. The commissioner had repeated "what benefit does it bring me?" twice and had unconsciously pitted himself against the Emperor's plan. This made his heart feel cold, but he didn't dare say anything.
He understood that if they truly slaughtered Ming Garden and created such a terrifying storm, although the Emperor would certainly admit to framing the Ming family for rebellion, in order to appease the Jiangnan people, the Overwatch Council would certainly be severely punished, and the commissioner would not have a good time.
To work for the court and take the Ming family into the national treasury, yet he had to give up his own benefits … Fan Xian would not do such a stupid thing.
…
…
"This is why, at the beginning, I had to find Xia Qifei, then the Fourth Ming disciple, and finally Ming Qingda," Fan Xian explained in an even voice. "The situation in Jiangnan appears chaotic, but it is actually very clear. Xue Qing is the Emperor's trusted aide, watching from the side. I could only muddy the waters a bit more."
"Taking in the Ming family can only be done peacefully …" Fan Xian slightly lowered his eyelids. "If I do too much, the Emperor could throw me out at any moment. You should understand this."
Deng Zi Yue felt a chill in his heart. He didn't understand why the Commissioner kept referring to himself as "His Majesty" in front of him. He didn't understand why the Commissioner would tell him such taboo matters. Was he testing him?
"The old Ming matriarch has always been an important figure in the Junshang Conference," Fan Xian continued. "As long as she was on the throne, it was impossible for the Ming family to be taken down peacefully by me. Although her death has brought me some trouble, overall … I am willing to accept this result. "
Fan Xian looked into Deng Zi Yue's eyes and quietly said, "You've always been by my side. Of course, you know … it has not been easy for me."
Deng Zi Yue sighed in his heart and bowed without saying anything.
Fan Xian walked to the railing on the top floor of Xinfeng Restaurant. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the people in mourning on the street below and the incense shops working hard in the distance. He knew that all of Suzhou was busy for the old woman who had died. Countless nobles had already gathered here, waiting to go to the mourning hall to pay their respects.
Deng Zi Yue followed behind him and looked at the scene below. He sighed and said, "There are too many ways to deal with the Ming family. The current situation … does not seem to be the best."
Fan Xian calmly replied, "So, Ming Qingda's last move against me … I'll get it back in the future."
In the present Jiangnan, the old Ming matriarch had mysteriously died and Ming Qingda had secretly thrown his lot in with Fan Xian. On the surface, the Ming family and Xinyang might still be able to guarantee something, but in secret, it was very different from previous years. Fan Xian held down the fort in Jiangnan. With both hands open, the palace treasury's smuggling business would be carried out with great fanfare. Without the Ming family holding him back, it would go much more smoothly.
When all was said and done, the price Fan Xian paid was nothing more than the illusory word of reputation. In his view, forcing the old Ming matriarch to death had thrown the hearts of the people into chaos. The Emperor would certainly find some reason to give an edict to reprimand him. He was very happy to bring shame to himself like this.
In reality, there were a lot of inside information that affected Fan Xian's decision-making that he did not tell Deng Zi Yue. For example, why he could not move the Black Knights and why he was afraid the Emperor would throw him out.
Fan Xian knew very well that in the present world, it was already an anomaly for such a young and powerful official like him to appear with such great power. Although the Emperor still trusted him very much, who knew when the Emperor would suddenly change his mind? Judging from the Emperor's actions these years, he was a suspicious person. Thus, he had always watched him strictly to prevent him from getting involved with the military.
Move the Black Knights into the province? Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly. Even if he used his butt to think, he knew how many people would be afraid once such a ruthless method was displayed.
The recent disturbance in the Ministry of Revenue in the capital made Fan Xian even more clearly see that before the Emperor made up his mind to eliminate the Eldest Princess' power, he had already begun to be wary of the existence of the old Fan family. In Jingdou, the Emperor did not use the matter of the Ministry of Revenue's deficit to successfully force his father to step down. Who knew if the Ming family matter would be blown up and he would take away his power?
The word "power" appeared simple, but it was like a drug. Once consumed, it was difficult to get rid of. Although Fan Xian was clear-headed, he could not bear to reduce the power in his hands. For one, he was used to the benefits of power. For another, in order to protect himself and others, he needed the power in his hands.
Taking a step back in order to advance, he would first let his reputation be damaged.
…
…
Deng Zi Yue followed beside him and lowered his voice. "Recently, the situation has been tense. Based on the Eighth Bureau's opinion, perhaps you can condescend to offer a few sticks of incense."
Given Fan Xian's identity as the imperial envoy, if he went to offer sacrifices to the old Ming matriarch, it could clearly ease the present situation.
However, Fan Xian only shook his head with a cold expression and said, "There's no need."
Deng Zi Yue was slightly startled. He didn't understand why.
Fan Xian extended his hand and pointed at the grief-stricken commoners in the street. In a quiet voice, he said, "Actually, the hearts of the people are not scary. What is scary are those who stand above the people and can use the hearts of the people. As long as I can satisfy those people, what the people think will not affect the overall situation."
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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