16

As Emperor Yuhong Guang sat in his palace, contemplating while holding a report in his hand, Lord Dun, Yuhong Yang, his younger brother stood below, accompanied by Prime Minister Wang Qing and Minister of Revenue Qian Dayou. The room was silent, with none daring to speak. Finally, unable to endure the quiet any longer, Yuhong Guang spoke:

"What are your opinions about Zhao Hai's report?"

Yuhong Yang replied with a smile:

"I think it's not Zhao Hai's idea because he doesn't have that kind of mind. His thoughts are solely focused on military strategy. It couldn't be Xu Xing's idea either because he's not well-versed in this auction matter. It must be the idea from those young advisers."

Yuhong Guang chuckled and added:

"Indeed, the one who drafted this report must be that old fellow, Xu Xing and it undoubtedly reflects his thoughts. But who can explain to me about this auction? What is this?"

Qian Dayou explained the basic knowledge about the auction to everyone present and Yuhong Guang said:

"It seems that this auction is viable, considering that even Xu Xing has accepted this new concept."

Wang Qing teased:

"If he were willing, the position of Prime Minister wouldn't be mine."

Yuhong Guang remarked:

"Blame it on Xuan, he pestered Xu Xing since childhood and always wanted him as his tutor. Even Yuhong Xun couldn't get any attention because Xun also wanted Xu Xing to be his tutor but Xuan rejected his younger brother directly so until now, Xun still harbors resentment. Nevertheless, Zhao Hai is quite capable and he managed to extract Xu Xing from Xuan."

They exchanged knowing smiles, except for the Minister of Revenue, who lacked the qualifications and experience to participate in this conversation.

Yuhong Yang suggested:

"Your Majesty, I think you must have formed your own opinion. Why don't you share it with us to enlighten us?"

Yuhong Guang said:

"I want to hear your thoughts first. My brother, you go ahead."

Yuhong Yang said:

"I think the idea is excellent. The key lies in who will be assigned to handle this matter. Moreover, it's a lucrative position. If the wrong person is chosen, the gains may not outweigh the losses."

Yuhong Guang asked:

"Qian Dayou, do you have any suitable candidates?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Xie Guansan and Shen Lijing. Both of them have the most experience in the Ministry of Revenue."

Yuhong Guang concluded:

"Xie Guansan and Shen Lijing. Hmm, I see. You may go for now. Let me ponder on it a bit more."

After Qian Dayou left, Yuhong Guang glanced at the remaining two and required:

"What are your thoughts?"

Wang Qing suggested:

"Your Majesty, the two individuals recommended by Qian Dayou are the suitable and usually diligent in their duties. However, as Lord Dun mentioned, this is a lucrative position and it's a distant place with our capital. Yes, it is far away from Jingdu. In case the appointed person has some dishonest intentions, they might turn a good opportunity into a bad one. Therefore, my suggestion is to have someone supervise this auction discreetly."

Yuhong Yang added:

"As the saying goes: 'Trust those you employ and don't employ those you distrust.' Apart from the key figures, the crucial point is to select competent persons for the tasks below. Let those employees monitor those officials and those officials control those employees. If there's nothing amiss, it's fine. But in case of any issues, we will be informed here."

Yuhong Guang inquired:

"What If those below are afraid to report?"

Yuhong Yang continued:

"Your Majesty, isn't some of Zhao Hai's garrison still in Nanyue Kingdom? As long as there's a slight hint of something amiss, we can thoroughly investigate. Give this authorization to Zhao Hai."

Yuhong Guang decided:

"Yes, let's go with that plan. Let Xie Guansan handle it. He's an honest man."

In Liao Yunxi's home, who is an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works, a young eunuch sat on a chair and handed a note to Liao Yunxi. The note was scribbled with "Xie Guansan".

Liao Yunxi inquired:

"Why is Xie Guansan, not Shen Lijing? Mr. Fu, is this information reliable? "

Eunuch Fu said:

"Absolutely reliable. When my master received the message, he was so angry that he dropped a small jasper bowl and even didn't have his dinner. He sent me to inquire whether there is any room for negotiation or not and let you have to do something for this."

"Mr. Fu, you couldn't come to ask me what to do. I'm an unimportant official in the Ministry of Works under the fourth prince, Yuhong Lun, not the Ministry of Revenue. It took a lot of effort just to get Qian Dayou to mention Shen Lijing to the Emperor."

"Come on, it's because Shen Lijing did well in the Ministry of Revenue so that he was recommended by Mr. Qian, not your work."

"Oh, my god! Mr. Fu, you can't burn the bridge after crossing the river. Initially, Qian Dayou reported both Wan Qianbai and Xie Guansan. There was no mention of Shen Lijing. If it weren't for my friend who whispered to Qian Dayou, Wan Qianbai wouldn't have been removed."

"Is it useful? Our person must take this position. Don't you know how lucrative this opportunity is? The masters are in need of money."

"So we can ..."

Liao Yunxi didn't finish his words but made a killing motion with his hand. The young eunuch suggested after thinking for a moment:

"Killing an official is no trivial matter. You'll implicate everyone. Killing is not an option. Find a way to prevent him from going."

Liao Yunxi lowered his head, pondering for a long time before suddenly saying:

"I have got it. Xie Guansan has en elderly mother at home and her health has always been poor. If we stir up some trouble for him, make the old lady suffer a sudden illness or die of fright then Xie Guansan will have to observe mourning rites for at least a year. That way, Shen Lijing can smoothly take over, right?"

Eunuch Fu cautioned:

"How cruel you are! Good idea. I'll leave this matter to you. Just make sure it doesn't implicate my master."

"Please don't worry, Mr. Fu. But I can't handle it. Actually, it's a simple matter. Just find someone with kung fu to go into Xie's home one night, preferably go into the old lady's room with a sword or knife, wave it in front of her and take something as if it is a thief breaking in. She won't think of other places or people. So, Mr. Fu, we need your expertise for this. I simply can't find someone like that."

"Alright, I'll go back and talk to my master."

After saying this, the young eunuch stood up and was ready to leave but Liao Yunxi stopped him and said:

"Mr. Fu, here's a gift of tea for you."

Liao handed a tea canister to the young eunuch. Opening the canister, the young eunuch Fu pulled out some money and glanced at them. He smiled and said:

"Get it!"

Sure enough, not long after there was a burglary at Xie Guansan's home and his elderly mother passed away due to the shock. Xie Guansan had no choice but to observe mourning rites for a year. Shen Lijing smoothly set off for Nanyue Kingdom.

Yuhong Yang remarked to Wang Qing:

"It's quite a coincidence. How did a thief happen to target Xie's home, scaring his old mother to death?"

Wang Qing smiled and replied:

"What do you want to say?"

"Nothing, just think it is strange. Let's go."

Wang Qing accompanied Yuhong Yang as they walked, casually asking:

"So, who didn't want Xie Guansan to go to Nanyue or who really wanted to go to Nanyue?"

"Shen Lijing doesn't have this ability to do this."

"Indeed. Let us wait and see what is going on. Does your person have been on the way to Nanyue?"

"Lord Dun, please don't say it like that. They're not my person, His Majesty's."

"It is all the same. You're the best lapdog His Majesty has."

Wang Qing stopped and glanced at Yuhong Yang, who returned the look with a playful smile. Yuhong Yang said:

"Well, well, I admit it I am too."

Wang Qing sighed and said:

"Back in the day, the four of us accompanying His Majesty's journey to the throne was no easy feat. Although His Majesty was the Crown Prince at that time, he faced oppression and exclusion from the faction led by the fourth prince, Yuhong Chen. The former Emperor, who was in confused state because of illness, even attempted to depose the Crown Prince and pass the throne to Yuhong Chen. As His Majesty's younger brother, you wholeheartedly assisted your elder brother, the Crown Prince, and contacted the royal family and aristocrats secretly. Collaborated with Lai Shangde, the Minister in the Ministry of Revenue, the father of the Crown Prince's wife's, I was along with other ministers to help the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, Zhao Hai firmly controlled the military, preventing Yuhong Chen's conspiracy from succeeding. He had to resort to rebellion and forced entry into the palace but ultimately, he failed and lost his life."

Yuhong Yang sighed and replied:

"You're right. It was truly perilous at that time. We never expected them to concoct a scheme involving the princess, my younger sister, being humiliated by the Huichun people, diverting Zhao Hai's attention. If Zhao Hai hadn't turned the tables, we would probably have turned into ashes by now."

Wang Qing said:

"It was just a delay so it resulted in the princess being humiliated among Huichun people for over a year, enduring a lot of suffering. But I never understood why Lai Shangde would instigate the former Emperor to let princess got married with Khan in Huichun Tribe. Later I realized it was all due to the scheming of the Crown Prince's wife, Lai Shangde's daughter, who wanted this marriage to destroy the princess. Lai Shangde used his power for his daughter's revenge. I never expected Lai Shangde to go to such lengths. It's precisely because of this that His Majesty has been reluctant to promote the Lai family. Except for Lai Shangde rising to the position of the Prime Minister, the others in this family didn't get any higher position."

Yuhong Yang was defending his brother, the Emperor, and said:

"You can't say that His Majesty doesn't promote their family. It also depends on their family members being competent. They were all playboys and wastrels, indulging in vices. Although His Majesty overlooked it out of respect for the died Queen, their arrogance finally led to public outrage, resulting in the expulsion of the entire family from the capital. Isn't the fifth prince, Yuhong Zhen, who followed them, now accomplished thanks to that?"

Mr. Wang changed the topic:

"Oh, isn't Viscount Yuhong Ye stationed in the northern troop?"

"That kid has been asking to go to Zhao Hai's troop but Zhao Hai won't take him. He's afraid this kid will keep running to Liangzhou city for the Eldest Prince, Yuhong Xuan. So Yuhong Ye went to General Qi Hui and is stationed in Yanzhou city."

Wang Qing smiled and said:

"This must have given Qi Hui quite a headache. As you know Yanzhou and Liangzhou aren't far apart. Is this the Viscount's own scheme to visit the Eldest Prince very often?"

Yuhong Yang chuckled and said:

"He does have this scheme but both Zhao Hai and Qi Hui made it clear that if they find out he's causing trouble, military law will be enforced. So, he's a bit scared and obediently stays in Yanzhou."

"Zhao Wei is also grown up now. Last time I met him, he told me he wants to go to DuanZhou."

"He has already left. You also attended his son's one month celebration, otherwise his mother, Princess Yun, would never have let him go to Duanzhou."