Zhu Mo felt a sense of calm after making a significant decision.
For the past few days, while practicing calligraphy, he had reviewed the matter from beginning to end and felt confident that nothing untoward would happen in Jiangnan.
In his last letter, Zhang Juzheng mentioned that the deposit of one million *pi* had been received, and it was South Sea merchants who actively sought them out despite the risks. This showed that external parties were closely observing the situation in the Great Ming. In the past, when they traded with the Maritime Trade Bureau and the Directorate of Weaving, officials in Jiangnan, from governors to judicial commissioners and below, were all rapacious. However, the Yan family's power was immense, and the foreign merchants had no recourse.
This time, their proactive approach was significant, indicating that merchants from the West and South Seas were very optimistic about their endeavors in Jiangnan. They would also take corresponding measures to expand their operations accordingly.
Now, a significant portion of the gentry in Jiangnan had shifted their support. With the help of three or four newly recommended talented individuals, the workaholic Zhang Juzheng should perform even better, and good news should continue to arrive. Perhaps within a month, there would be further developments from Western merchants.
As for Xuan Da, Liang Menglong was also very capable. It was merely a disaster. If eighty thousand taels of silver and the Imperial Mandate Flag could not resolve it, then he could only blame the incompetent people he employed.
Upon further consideration, he increasingly felt the need for humility and caution, and absolutely must not underestimate the energy of Yan Song and his son! After all, they had been a faction for over twenty years. Any carelessness would lead to the undoing of all their efforts. To truly move against the Yan family, it would have to wait until the Japanese pirates were eliminated. If they moved against people like Zheng Bichang now, it would undoubtedly force the Yan family to take unexpected actions, putting them in a passive position.
Therefore, the primary task at hand was to proceed steadily, establish a firm foothold, and at the same time, identify a group of trustworthy confidants. Otherwise, everyone in sight would be either from the Yan faction or the Qingliu faction. When disagreements inevitably arose in the future, they would have no one to rely on.
Before that, there were many things to do. The most important, of course, was to supply silk. After receiving the large amount of cash payment in spring, they could strengthen their military preparedness and try to develop a few new firearm models. When the time was ripe, they could sweep away the Japanese pirates. Once the sea routes were clear, they would also need to import a large amount of grain to further drive down grain prices in the Great Ming. If they could halve the price, it would free up more manpower, allowing them to enter industries such as porcelain, tea, and metallurgy in the future. In this way, all industries would flourish, and the hearts and minds of the people would surely turn around.
For now, he might as well rest for a few more days, and then head to Jiangnan to properly establish the salt fields.
With everything settled, his mind and body relaxed, and he idled at home like a contented fish for several days.
...
At noon that day,
Xiao Xiao Sheng had already sent someone to deliver the manuscript. Zhu Mo had only read a few dozen pages before he couldn't help but laugh out loud by himself. Just then, there was a knocking sound at the door, and it was Zhu Qi, looking flustered.
"Young Master, Liang Menglong has suddenly returned, bringing two military officials. He says there's something extremely important and urgent..."
Oh?
Extremely important and urgent?
What could it be?
Why had Liang Menglong returned quietly instead of being in Xuan Da for disaster relief?
And bringing two military officials? Could something have happened in Xuan Da?
Zhu Mo had no time to think further. He said, "Go, take them to the small courtyard where I used to live. Don't let anyone see. I'll be there shortly..."
He did not want too many people to know about his humble residence as a civilian minister. After hastily preparing his horse, he arrived at his old residence in the street behind the Hanlin Academy half an hour later.
He saw Liang Menglong wearing a bamboo hat and plain clothes, anxiously rubbing his hands. The two military officials also looked like ants on a hot pan, pacing restlessly in the small courtyard.
The two military officials were also not wearing armor, but dressed in simple blue cloth. As soon as Zhu Mo pushed the door open and entered, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects, but did not bow.
Just as Liang Menglong was about to speak, he seemed to alert himself. He grabbed Zhu Mo's hands and lowered his voice, saying, "Young Master, it's so good to find you! I, I... alas... something major has happened in Xuan Da. I only discovered it in the past few days..."
He suddenly stopped, looked around again to confirm no one was eavesdropping, and then continued, "Young Master Zhu, this tall, thin one is Li Wenjin, the current Commander of Xuan Da. The dark-faced one is Ma Fang, currently a Brigadier General..."
"Greetings, Young Master Zhu!"
"My pleasure~"
Zhu Mo found the two to have extraordinary bearing but looked dejected, which surprised him.
Liang Menglong calmed himself for a moment and continued:
"Young Master, something major has happened in Xuan Da! A month ago, the Tatars invaded during a blizzard and almost took Xuan Fu, then they besieged Datong for more than ten days, but the court had no idea! No one reported it. The Governor-General of Xuan Da, Ge Jin, concealed everything. They conspired together to hide it from the court...
When I went to provide disaster relief, I discovered that most of the casualties among the disaster victims were killed by the Tatars. Very few died from the blizzard. Many houses were burned down, and there were refugees everywhere! But no one dared to speak up!
A few days ago, these two found me late at night and explained the truth... After much deliberation, I decided to come to you first. What should be the next step? Should we report it to the court immediately? Young Master Zhu, you must decide..."
The more Zhu Mo listened, the more his heart sank.
Tatar invasion?
So it wasn't a snow disaster, but a military disaster.
It must be the Yan family causing trouble again.
Zhu Mo was much calmer now than before. With a thought, his panic vanished, and he carefully observed the two military officials.
Li Wenjin? Never heard of him... Ma Fang, however, he had some impression of. He seemed to be a fierce general in Xuan Da, but his reputation wasn't widely known.
These two, one a Commander and the other a Brigadier General, were already high-ranking officials. Why did they still look so dejected? Was there truly some hidden reason?
These two, though their faces were kind and their bearing unusual, and they remained silent, indicating their extreme caution, should not be lying.
Looking at Liang Menglong again, he felt that this person wasn't joking. Moreover, he had been through a lot over the years, endured much hardship, and possessed talent, so he wouldn't be deceived, right? This year, he was following me, Zhu Mo, along with Zhang Juzheng. He wouldn't betray me so quickly to trick me, would he?
It must be known that,
He had read many books about the Great Ming and knew that the Nine Garrisons often concealed or exaggerated military intelligence, sometimes to evade responsibility, sometimes to claim extra pay. In short, there were many tricks, and it was difficult to judge immediately.
What if they were people from the Yan family? What if they were here to set a trap for me?
No,
He could not express his opinion rashly. He must first probe them.
His mind raced, and he thought of a clever plan.
A tactical provocation.
...
But he did not know that while Zhu Mo was observing them, the shock these two felt was a hundred times greater than Zhu Mo's!
Since Zhu Mo entered the room, their eyes had not blinked once!
The person before them seemed like a ghost to them!
Because,
Wasn't this person the nephew of their sworn elder brother, Yu Dayou? His appearance was so similar to their deceased sworn sister! Especially the slight, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of his mouth beneath his cold expression, it was as if they were cast from the same mold!
"So, what Brother Yu said in his letter was true..."
This,
Was the biggest and most terrifying secret in the world today!