Life has to continue. I will not say much in the book about praying for the people in the disaster area. Thank you, everyone.
…
…
He continued, "As the master of the Ming family, naturally, I have to cooperate with the court in handling the case. As for any of the children in the family who have done illegal things, I have to hand them all over."
"Lanshi!" Ming Qingda stood up in fear.
"Correct, Ming Lanshi has already been summoned to the yamen of the Suzhou government to explain the illicit salt matter." Xia Qifei stared into Ming Qingda's eyes. "As for the matter of someone pretending to be a pirate, I trust it will be clear before long."
Ming Qingda took a few breaths and said, "Do you know that if this continues, the Ming family will truly be finished? Even if mother and I have once mistreated you, you are, after all, father's youngest son, and your surname is Ming! Are you going to watch as the Ming family is destroyed in your hands? "
He roared.
…
…
"Relax." Fan Xian raised his eyelids slightly and said, "The court has no interest in business. I also understand that if the government interferes too much in this kind of business, it will only turn a golden basin into a toilet bowl. Last year, I already admonished the Emperor. The court will not directly interfere with Ming Garden. Ming Garden will still be the Ming family's Ming Garden. However, this Ming Garden will be much more obedient."
He spread out his hands and calmly said, "I will have the palace treasury transport company cooperate fully with the Ming family. In less than a year, you will certainly see a prosperous, no! An even more prosperous Ming family! "
Ming Qingda trembled and sat down weakly.
In this incident that had lasted for an entire year, the Qing Kingdom's officials, or more accurately, Fan Xian, had successfully gained control of the Ming family. Most importantly, the change of ownership of Ming Garden did not have much of the shadow of the government. Xia Qifei was the seventh son of the Ming family. It was perfectly justifiable for him to enter Ming Garden. Furthermore, all of his methods were business tricks. It would be much easier for the people of Jiangnan to accept.
At least, there would not be many scholars and gentry marching through the Suzhou government saying that the Overwatch Council had forcefully seized the people's property. The people's property was still the people's property. However, the owner of this property was now Xia Qifei, a secret official of the Overwatch Council.
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "During this year, both you and I have not been comfortable. Now that there is a conclusion, both you and I can be considered free."
"Although milord is a person who likes to humiliate others, I'm sure that you're not here just to show off your achievements." Ming Qingda interrupted his words and stared into his eyes. "Presumably, you will slowly use these people to prop me up, but you … can't tie me up in the garden. I can always go out."
"That is what I wanted to say." Fan Xian enunciated each word clearly. "You cannot leave the garden."
Ming Qingda smiled coldly and said, "Based on what?"
"I am here by imperial edict to investigate the case of the Jiaozhou Navy's rebellion. Master Ming is a witness involved in the case. If you don't want to be accused of fleeing from punishment as soon as you leave the garden, you can leave."
The Jiaozhou Navy case had long been finished. Fan Xian was just looking for an excuse. Ming Qingda smiled coldly and said, "Who are you trying to fool with these words?"
"There's also the attack on Zhaoshang money house and the assassination of Xia Qifei." Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "In the past, the old Ming master's hands stretched too far. There were too many loopholes to grab."
Ming Qingda smiled in his anger and looked at Fan Xian with great interest. "If you really wanted to investigate these cases, you could have investigated them before. Why did you have to wait until now?"
"Because you were the Master of the Ming family in the past. If I investigated you, it would make the entire court think that the Overwatch Council was persecuting merchants and scheming to steal wealth," Fan Xian said with a smile. "Now that you don't have this identity, it's much easier."
"You seem to have missed out on one reason," Ming Qingda replied coldly.
"Yes." Fan Xian sighed. "The Eldest Princess can't help you now. When I do things, I truly have no inhibitions and live happily."
He glanced at the woman behind Ming Qingda.
Ming Qingda's brows were furrowed deeply and he said, "This is also what I didn't understand earlier. If you were sure that Jingdou couldn't help me, you could directly use these methods to destroy the Ming family … why go through so many circles?"
"I said before, I want a complete Ming family," Fan Xian said. "In the past, if I had used these thunderous methods, you, as the Master of the Ming family, could have moved the entire Ming family against the court. You could even have thrown Jiangnan into chaos … but now, you don't have this identity. The words you say also don't have this kind of power."
"Identity doesn't seem important," Fan Xian said seriously. "In reality, it is the most important thing."
He smiled slightly and said, "I have to admit, your identity as a merchant is far inferior to mine. No matter what, you cannot resist the anger of the court. However, you used all your methods, silently endured your grievances, and forcefully delayed me for a year … it is truly admirable. "
Ming Qingda smiled slightly and said, "At least I am still the master of the Ming family. You won't let me out of the garden. Presumably, you are worried about me staying in the garden like this. How are you going to deal with me? Presumably, given your methods, you won't kill me in the heart of the storm and become the subject of gossip. "
"You're wrong again," Fan Xian said seriously. "I admire you, but your identity is not as good as mine. Even if you die now, you won't be able to raise much of a storm."
"Of course," he said warmly. He advised warmly, "A bad life is better than a good death. I advise you to stay in Ming Garden for a few more days to recover."
As he spoke, Xia Qifei's face carried a complicated expression. He took out a piece of white cloth from his clothes and gently placed it on the desk in front of Ming Qingda.
Once the white cloth appeared, Ming Qingda's expression did not change, but the concubine behind him was so scared that her teeth chattered loudly.
"I'll leave the white cloth here. When you have the courage to use death to oppose me, please take it and use it yourself." Fan Xian gazed at Ming Qingda and said, "But, I know you don't have the courage to commit suicide, so you will continue to live according to my wishes until I no longer need you to live … a person who strangled his own mother must understand the fear of death very well. He must be very afraid of going to the underworld to see that old woman after death."
"It's best if you don't die because it will be very difficult for Ming Lanshi to come out of prison. If you die, the shares in your hands will be transferred to that baby who is not even two years old." Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, "You know, for a child to have so much money … it is not a good thing."
After saying this, he turned and left the study. Behind him, Xia Qifei carefully closed the study door without leaving a crack. The study once again sank into darkness.
Ming Qingda stared at the white cloth on the desk and was silent and speechless. After a long time, he slowly said, "What a vicious wolf cub …"
— — —
The Ming Garden's defenses had already been emptied and replaced by the Overwatch Council. This beautiful garden sank into a quiet and uneasy atmosphere. Strangers could be seen everywhere. Now that Xia Qifei was in charge and he had Ming Garden make changes, not many people in the clan dared to oppose his orders.
"Ming Garden's private soldiers have already been disarmed by the provincial soldiers Sir Xue Qing sent." After Xia Qifei received the news, he immediately went to Fan Xian's ear and said, "Ming Qingda's power has already been emptied."
"Are there any problems?"
"Over 40 people died."
"Remember Sir Xue's favor." Fan Xian lowered his head and was silent for a moment. Shortly after, he raised his face and smiled. "The Ming family is finally yours. How does it feel to have revenge?"
Xia Qifei lowered his head and respectfully said, "The Ming family is yours."
Fan Xian shook his head in disapproval. Xia Qifei quickly explained, "What I mean is, the Ming family is the court's."
Fan Xian turned his head and glared at him. "The Ming family is yours, so it is yours. When did it become the court's or mine? Do you think everything I said to Ming Qingda in the study was a lie? Don't worry … the court has no interest in the Ming family. What they want is for the Ming family to be obedient. "
Xia Qifei was stifled and didn't know what to say. The court had spent so much money to bring the Ming family under complete control. Was it going to be so easily handed over to him to manage?
Fan Xian sighed and explained, "When standing in a different position, the things one thinks about are also different. Who is the Emperor? The Emperor is the ruler of the world. The people of the Qing Kingdom are all his people. Since it is so, what his people have is the same as what he has. As long as this person manages this matter well … and can bring benefits to the people and the court, it is fine. If the court truly took the Ming family into their hands, what would the merchants in Lingnan and Quanzhou think? Given the pedantic faces of the court officials, who would have the ability to manage such a large family business well? So, don't worry. "
Xia Qifei tasted bitterness in his mouth. He suddenly thought, The Emperor is the master of the world, so he doesn't care about the people's business. But, what about Sir Fan junior? Why is he willing to not benefit from the Ming family?
Fan Xian's words interrupted his thoughts. "I asked you earlier, how does it feel to have revenge?"
Xia Qifei shook his head in a daze. "Walking in Ming Garden as the Master, I don't feel anything … because this garden is very unfamiliar. I always thought that after growing up here when I was young, if I came back and regained power, I would be very happy. But for some reason, I just can't feel too happy."
"That's how it is for revenge." Fan Xian paused for a moment and then said, "Once a great hatred is avenged, you will feel that things are very boring."
Xia Qifei suddenly thought of something and carefully asked, "Actually, my thoughts are similar to Ming Qingda's. Looking at what happened today, and looking at your arrangements this year, it seems you have been too careful."
"Peaceful evolution has always been a long process," Fan Xian smiled and said. "Stability is more important than everything. A peaceful transition is the right path … I am only running errands for the Emperor. The Emperor has requested that there be no bloodshed, so I can only do so …"
He then smiled bitterly and said, "Besides, in the past, Ming Qingda had the help of the Eldest Princess and princes, as well as the support of the military. How could I be as impudent as I am now?"
Speaking of the Eldest Princess, Xia Qifei furrowed his brows and asked, "What exactly do we do with that percentage of shares?"
"Wipe it all off. In any case, it's just some things on paper and no real goods," Fan Xian instructed. "Make a chart. I'm going to send it into the Palace."
Xia Qifei suddenly smiled bitterly. "This time, we've offended the Eldest Princess badly … I wonder how that noble will retaliate."
Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything. In his heart, he was thinking that he had already offended the Eldest Princess to the extreme. As for retaliating … that noble did not have the time to think about such things.
He waved his hand at Xia Qifei. These two illegitimate children began to wander through the Ming Garden, which had changed owners. Along the way, they quietly talked about the latter part of the story and admired the beautiful scenery of one of the three famous gardens in the world. Both the environment and the soul became wonderful.
… …
In the depths of the Royal Palace in Jingdou, a certain rumor had begun to spread a month ago. As long as it was a place where nobles gathered, the servants who served them always liked to gossip, tell old stories, and talk about the dark gossip of the nobles. However, this rumor was truly too shocking. It only circulated for two days before it silently disappeared without a trace.
This was because this rumor truly did not have a head or tail. No one knew where it had come from and there was no evidence. Furthermore, although the eunuchs and serving girls had cheap mouths, it did not mean they were brainless. They knew that if it continued to spread and reached the ears of the nobles, then their little lives would certainly be gone.
Rumors and gossip were a necessary ingredient in the life of the Royal Palace. Most of them would disappear into people's memories. No matter how sensational a topic was, without a follow-up explosion, it could not maintain its freshness for too long.
The number one topic of the year in the Royal Palace also naturally disappeared like this. However, some people did not forget, particularly the most suspicious and sensitive people. On a certain night, they were still discussing this topic.
Eunuch Yao quietly said, "The little bastards' mouths are all very cheap. I know what to do."
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