Chapter 131 – Fishing

The two deputy directors at the Office of Maritime Trade also received news, and both burst out laughing.

Dong Xian chuckled, “See? The Duke of Jing has been confined to his quarters due to the accusations. He was criticized for improper conduct during mourning periods and forming factions for personal gain. What do you still worry about? As the saying goes, reputation brings rewards and punishments, when a person’s virtue doesn’t match their position, they’re bound to fall eventually. And here comes the retribution?”

Xu Tingjie also relaxed somewhat, “I heard that the director goes to the port every day, specifically to investigate opium and tobacco. He ordered no customs clearance documents to be issued temporarily, saying that the court intends to ban it.”

Dong Xian laughed, “He wanted to be impartial and await public denunciation, right? Isn’t this just perfect? Find a merchant you know well, have him write to Li Meiyai, claiming that the Duke of Jing’s heir deliberately delays the customs clearance of cargo ships to extort bribes.”

Xu Tingjie hesitated, “But… he probably hasn’t taken any money.”

Dong Xian said, “If not for money, why would he hold up the clearance? Saying it’s for the country and people, who would believe that? An imperial censor can make accusations based on rumors. His delay of cargo clearance is a fact. With an imperial censor criticizing him with valid reasons, not to mention personal grievances…”

Xu Tingjie wiped the sweat from his forehead uneasily, “But he’s been quite generous and friendly to us these days. Is this really good?”

Dong Xian said, “Then wait for him to slowly examine the accounts, constantly receiving denunciation letters, and then dare not do anything. There won’t even be year-end bonuses. Do you think those barbaric foreigners, the Japanese, are vegetarians? They’re pirates out there! What’s murder and arson to them? Whoever blocks their path to wealth, they’ll do anything!”

Xu Tingjie’s facial muscles twitched slightly as he gritted his teeth, “Fine, I’ll take care of it.”

Dong Xian looked at Xu Tingjie’s pale face and comforted him, “We’re actually doing him a favor. Look, wouldn’t it be better for him to stay at home and enjoy his wealth? Or like other nobles, serve as guards before the throne, or get a title at the Five Directorates of Military Affairs, and soon rise to prominence. Why must he come to our region, and so ostentatiously? Why does he have to act like a clean official? Ha, someone should teach these noble scions that they can’t expect others to recognize their ancestral privilege wherever they go!”

Xu Tingjie was convinced, “Yes, why can’t they just hang around idly in the capital? Why must they come here and cause trouble for everyone?” He thought for a moment and said, “I’ll forge a letter signed by multiple merchants. This way, the law can’t punish the masses, and it will look like public anger. Li Meiyai will certainly seize this opportunity.”

Dong Xian nodded slightly, “Exactly. Public opinion can confirm it all at once. He’s barely been in office for a month and already incurred public wrath. With his father causing trouble in the capital, how could the Emperor not be angry? He’ll definitely be demoted and questioned. But as a noble scion, he’ll only be dismissed and investigated back in the capital. What can happen? In the end, he’ll just pay some salary silver and that’s it. To someone like him, who doesn’t understand the severity of the situation, this is actually for his own good. It will prevent him from offending someone he can’t afford to offend someday.”

Xu Tingjie sighed in relief, “Going back is indeed a good thing for Sir Xu.”

===

Xu Chun had no idea that his actions, as Huo Shiduo had said, had indeed aroused the greed of villains.

He happily read through Jiu Ge’s reply again. Xie Yi’s reply was brief: “Your petition has been approved, but the sea is rough with high winds and fierce pirates. Bullets and cannonballs have no eyes. You shouldn’t risk your life. You should proceed with caution and train Dinghai and others to combat smuggling. Your safety is always in my heart. While traveling the world, exploring the four seas, and making friends with heroes, you must also consider my loneliness. We used to be inseparable, but now I’m alone. You must take care of yourself and stay safe for my peace of mind.”

Xu Chun caressed Xie Yi’s handwriting repeatedly. This was actually Xie Yi’s first reply to him, filling him with joy. Especially looking at the phrase “consider my loneliness,” he felt as if he saw the lonely expression on Jiu Ge’s face.

Jiu Ge, you are at the highest point, I need to look up to you. Xu Chun thought, How can I stand by your side if I don’t have real achievements?

Xu Chun carefully put away the letter and returned to his bedroom to sleep, but saw Qingqian enter with a worried expression, “Sir, while organizing the accounts today, we found an anonymous note on the table.”

Xu Chun picked it up and opened it, reading the few lines written: “Regarding your delay of cargo ship clearance, merchants have already complained to the capital. Beware of villains.”

Xu Chun smiled and asked Qingqian, “Do you know who left it?”

Qingqian replied, “Every day, when we organize the accounts, we leave people inside. When we leave, we lock the door, and the locks are ones we provide ourselves. We truly don’t know when it was placed. It was hidden between the account books.”

Xu Chun said with a smile, “Tomorrow, pretend you didn’t see it. Observe how the other party acts, and leave the room empty.”

Qingqian was somewhat worried, “Prince, the duke has just been impeached. Aren’t you worried? If these merchants really complain to the imperial censors, and the imperial censors submit reports based on rumors, what if the Emperor also removes you from your post?”

Xu Chun beamed, “I was worried they wouldn’t move. Now that they’ve acted, they’re doomed.” With Jiu Ge covering him in the capital, he could investigate who was behind this!”

Qingqian was anxious, but seeing Xu Chun’s confident appearance, she felt slightly relieved. She got up and went back without further ado.

===

At the Censorate.

Li Meiyai had been following the imperial decree to draft laws banning the cultivation, sale, and transportation of opium these past few days. Xie Yi assigned several scholars from the Hanlin Academy and He Zhiqiu from the Ministry of Justice to assist him. He had been extremely busy, but after a few days, a draft was ready. On this day, he just delivered the proposed laws to the palace, and sure enough, he quickly received a summons to meet the Emperor.

He had been entering the palace frequently these days to discuss political affairs with the Emperor, and everyone in the court was watching him. Although he was riding high on success, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The Emperor rarely acted so openly. In terms of controlling people, he usually focused on balance, never allowing any minister to become too powerful.

He became increasingly cautious. When he received the verbal command that day, he was about to enter the palace in his carriage when he was stopped by merchants who handed him a petition.

Li Meiyai opened the petition and was slightly stunned, but he remained polite and asked them to leave their addresses, saying that if necessary, he would visit them for verification. He then stuffed the petition into his sleeve and proceeded to the palace to meet the Emperor.

As he pondered, he felt that something was wrong with the Emperor’s sudden order to impeach the Duke of Jing a few days ago. Seeing this petition directed at the Duke of Jing’s heir, the fog of doubt hanging over him seemed to suddenly be pierced by a ray of light. The Emperor was wise and mighty; could he have been waiting for this petition, to catch the fish in his net?

After all, the Emperor had once, in order to lure out the Prince of Yu behind the death of the regent, ruthlessly demoted himself to guard the city gates! Could he have been used as bait again?

What was the Prince Xu doing at the Office of Maritime Trade in Jinhaiwei? Was he handling some task for the Emperor? How did it attract such a commotion from the merchants, leading to a joint complaint, and so accurately reach him? Was it because he had just impeached the Duke of Jing?

He suddenly thought of the abrupt prohibition of opium, and his mind suddenly became clear. Could this be the purpose?

Facing the vast ocean, fishing for a giant turtle. The Emperor was indeed a master fisherman, planning everything from his headquarters!