(After the 25th, monthly passes will be doubled. Brothers and sisters with passes in hand, please save them for me and砸 at that time. Thank you, and then go eat... Wishing everyone a happy weekend, and oysters for dinner tonight, haha!)

For Fan Xian, what was a pity was that Ming Qingda didn't lose his composure in the face of his sudden, long-hidden strike; and what he admired was naturally for the same reason.

Xia Qifei's true identity is definitely one of the most secretive events in the world. The Ming family has no idea that this Seventh Young Master Ming is still alive. After being rescued by the old chieftain of the Jiangnan Water Camp that year, he actually became the leader of the Jiangnan Water Camp. The Ming family even has some business dealings with the Jiangnan Water Camp. If Ming Qingda had known Xia Qifei's identity earlier, he would have already tried to deal with him.

Today, facing the Seventh Young Master Ming appearing like a ghost, the current master of the Ming family only showed a slight surprise, and then at least recovered his superficial composure. This kind of composure is indeed worthy of being the richest man in Qing, and the head of the Jiangnan clan.

Although the Ming family has deep connections in Kyoto, they couldn't possibly know this. Because even Fan Xian only began to specifically study the Ming family after formulating this year's plan last autumn, and only then did he find this exploitable gap in the iron plate of Jiangnan.

Of course, this is thanks to the information collation, intelligence analysis, and meticulous tracking abilities of Yan Bingyun, the head of the Fourth Division of the Overwatch Council, Little Yan. It was this usually low-key senior official of the Overwatch Council who successfully unearthed Xia Qifei's most secret identity.

If Yan Bingyun hadn't helped Fan Xian take care of the basics in advance, Fan Xian's trip to Jiangnan would definitely not have been so easy and confident.

The Ming family and his party suppressed the shock in their hearts, silently left the gate of the Neiku (Internal Treasury) mansion, walked out of the blocked street, and were picked up by carriages waiting for them, driving towards Ming Garden outside the city. Who knows what chaos Ming Garden will fall into tonight because of the sudden resurrection of the Seventh Young Master Ming, and what kind of response the Ming family will make.

Fan Xian stood at the gate of the mansion, smiling as he watched the Ming family's carriages disappear into the twilight.

The officials behind him and the Jiangnan merchants couldn't help but feel cold in their hearts as they watched this scene, feeling that the smile on the Imperial Envoy's lips was incomparably indifferent and cold-blooded.

Everyone couldn't help but glance at Xia Qifei a few more times, seemingly still unable to connect the bandit leader of the Jiangnan Water Camp with the Seventh Young Master Ming, who had been presumed dead many years ago. They knew that with the Imperial Envoy as their backer, and the legendary will from that year, regarding the Ming family's extremely large fortune, there would be a fight for it in the future. Although the Ming family could completely deny it, things would always become intense.

And what benefits could these Jiangnan merchants get from it?

Xiong Bailing from Lingnan and Sun Jixiang, the old master of Quanzhou, exchanged glances, both thinking in their hearts, should they invite one more person to the gathering at Jiangnan Residence tonight?

It's just that the cards were revealed too suddenly today, and the Jiangnan merchants couldn't make up their minds for a while. Moreover, it would be too rash to reach out to Xia Qifei at this time. Besides, they didn't know what this Seventh Master Ming, surnamed Xia, was thinking.

Fan Xian didn't know what Xia Qifei was thinking. He only knew that in the action manual Yan Bingyun had prepared for him, the Jiangnan trip should be carried out with division and differentiation. To attack the Ming family, they should be gentle with the other merchants. Today, Xia Qifei has grabbed so many bids, and is already faintly forcing the Jiangnan merchants to unite, and tomorrow to compete with the Ming family. And with Xia Qifei's questionable identity, those Jiangnan merchants should also be able to smell the conspiracy and opportunities within.

Risk and opportunity are always twins, and merchants have an innate spirit of adventure.

So Fan Xian gave Xia Qifei a gesture.

Then Xia Qifei walked up to Xiong Bailing and Sun Jixiang with a smile on his face, and whispered a few words while the other party was slightly taken aback. The merchants all laughed softly, as if talking about a very interesting topic, and then everyone dispersed and left this street.

Fan Xian turned around and said a few words to Xue Qing and Eunuch Huang, and glanced at Guo Zheng again, then left first under the protection of the Tiger Guards. When leaving, he glanced back and saw that although Xia Qifei was leaving in a different direction from those merchants, he knew in his heart that there should be a chair for Xia Qifei at the gathering at Jiangnan Residence later.

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The Ming family is suffering losses, and the Ming family is being attacked frantically by Fan Xian, but Eunuch Huang and Guo Zheng, who are the representatives of the Ming family's backer, don't seem to be very excited or concerned. The two smiled and saluted Governor Xue Qing, and whispered a few words.

Xue Qing frowned slightly, shook his head, put his hands behind his back, and left in his official sedan chair.

At this time, only Eunuch Huang and Censor Guo Zheng were left in front of the mansion. They squinted at the sedan chair of the Governor of Jiangnan as it gradually turned the corner, and their faces suddenly turned ugly.

Guo Zheng said coldly: "This governor is too careful in his actions. What's so scary about jointly submitting a letter?"

Eunuch Huang chuckled and said: "Master Guo, how many adults in this world can be as righteous as you? I remember last year, in the Criminal Department's main hall, you were not afraid of the powerful and scrutinized Fan Xian. The palace is very appreciative of this matter."

Guo Zheng laughed self-deprecatingly: "Don't mention that matter."

Eunuch Huang calmed down and said softly: "Xue Qing is always deeply trusted by His Majesty, and in the officialdom, this person is the most slick and elusive... This time, Fan Xian secretly used Xia Qifei to come out and seize the bid. You are the Censor-in-Chief, you can write a letter based on hearsay, but after all, you can't get solid evidence. Xue Qing will definitely not get involved in it. Our family's previous question was just to test his attitude. You also know that the place we are looking at is not in Jiangnan."

Guo Zheng smiled slightly and replied: "That's natural. Officials are not allowed to do business. The court has set this rule for so many years, and which adult has really obeyed it? Even if Xia Qifei is Fan Xian's pawn, if we grab solid evidence and stab it at the imperial court... I'm afraid His Majesty will also laugh it off. He didn't care about it in previous years, and now Fan Xian is in His Majesty's favor, there won't be any problems."

The two looked at each other again, and Guo Zheng continued with a smile: "The affairs of Jiangnan will always end in Kyoto, Eunuch. Where did Fan Xian get so much silver from? Although we can't find out how the silver came to Jiangnan, we can always check the rooms that should have been filled with silver... whether they have been emptied by the Fan family at this time."

Eunuch Huang grinned and said sinisterly: "Those masters in the palace originally thought so. Let the Imperial Envoy mess around in Jiangnan... In a few days, Kyoto will probably start investigating the Ministry of Revenue."

……

……

Fan Xian stood in the study of Hua Garden, leaning forward, watching the small hand on the desk holding a writing brush, seriously writing characters.

Among children of this age, the Third Prince's handwriting is considered quite good, beautiful but not soft, with strong bones and a round exterior, restrained and not exposed, strong and not forceful. Judging people by their characters, Fan Xian knew in his heart that this prince, who always liked to wear a shy smile on his face like himself in the past, was really not a simple character, but after all, he was still young and didn't see many things clearly.

In addition to handling Jiangnan affairs, Fan Xian's most important job was to fulfill the duties of Vice President of the Imperial College, and was responsible for the Third Prince's studies and self-cultivation. Regarding the Third Prince's studies, a few days ago Xue Qing kindly invited famous teachers from Jiangnan to teach the Third Prince, but the Third Prince kicked them out of the door.

After Fan Xian returned to Suzhou, he heard about this and was furious. He led the Third Prince to the Jiangnan Academy to apologize to those gentlemen in person, and kindly invited those gentlemen to re-enter Hua Garden as teachers, and he even locked the Third Prince in the study and beat his palms severely.

The ruler fell on the palm, and the sound was very clear, especially when it fell on the Third Prince's palm, the ruler felt even more arrogant and proud.

By the time Xue Qing heard about this and rushed over, the palm beating was over. The governor looked at the Third Prince, whose eyes were red but still obedient, and was greatly shocked. Although Fan Xian was the imperial teacher appointed by His Majesty, he really dared to beat him... This Little Fan is really bold!

After this incident was publicized, the Jiangnan scholars praised the Imperial Envoy for being the light of the literati. He respected his teachers and valued morality so much that Fan Xian's excellent reputation became even more beautiful.

In fact, what everyone didn't know was that Fan Xian's teaching of the Third Prince had nothing to do with the emperor, but was purely out of a desire not to let down Consort Yi's solemn request.

"Your Highness, that's enough." Fan Xian said softly, looking at the Third Prince who was seriously writing at the desk.

"Teacher, there are still two pages left." The Third Prince looked back in surprise, seemingly not expecting Fan Xian to be so gentle today.

Fan Xian said with a smile: "Your palms still hurt, right? You can make it up tomorrow. Let's rest today and go out to play."

He rubbed the Third Prince's head, a gesture that seemed a little too intimate. Even if he was a teacher, he should be sitting upright and not smiling.

But the Third Prince liked this. Perhaps the children who grew up in the palace were somewhat deficient in contact, both physically and mentally. The little guy smiled and saluted, and ran out of the room so quickly, wondering what fun things were waiting for him in Ming Garden.

Watching the Third Prince's leaving figure, for some reason, Fan Xian felt a little empty in his heart and began to miss his younger brother, who was far away in Shangjing, Northern Qi. Wang Qinian wrote in a letter that Sizhe was recently busy with the help of the Overwatch Council, taking over the Cui family's routes in the north. However, Qiye (Seventh Leaf) was unable to go abroad, and it was indeed a bit hard for him, a young man, to manage such a big matter.

As for the Third Prince's so excitedly leaving, Fan Xian also understood the reason. Because these days he had asked the Third Prince to pester Haitang (Begonia) Duoduo, with the status of a prince, to become a disciple of the Heavenly One Sect. Presumably, Ku He (Bitter Lotus) wouldn't object too much. Even if this matter couldn't be settled in the future, it would still be beneficial for everyone to let the Third Prince learn some Kung Fu from Haitang Duoduo to protect himself, and forcefully create a master-disciple relationship.

There was a knock on the door outside the study. Fan Xian woke up from his thoughts and looked up, only to see Shi Chanli (Historian Elaborate) looking into the garden, but his fingers were subconsciously knocking on the door.

He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Come in, what's so good to look at?"

Shi Chanli stepped into the door with a wry smile and said, "Teacher, only you would dare to let the Third Prince learn martial arts from Begonia Duoduo... After all, she is the Saintess of Northern Qi... If this matter spreads to Kyoto, I'm afraid it will cause a lot of trouble."

"What trouble?" Fan Xian said with a smile, "His Majesty asked me to bring the Third Prince to Jiangnan, so of course I have to teach him with my heart. As for martial arts, Begonia Duoduo is more suitable than me."

The two stopped talking about this topic, and Shi Chanli said with a bitter face: "Yang Jimei came again today and insisted on inviting me to dinner."

Yang Jimei is the largest salt merchant in the Lianghuai area. Hua Garden, where Fan Xian now lives, was given up by this salt merchant. Fan Xian also knew that this salt merchant was Xue Qing's close friend, so he always gave the other party some face. Hearing Shi Chanli say this, he knew that although Yang Jimei hadn't made any profits this year, he had great expectations for the Neiku next year.

He said with a smile: "This garden belongs to his family, and of course we can't refuse him if he wants to come and see it... He knows he can't curry favor with me, so he has to curry favor with you. Just eat it. You will also be doing business in Jiangnan in the future, so it's always good to know more local snakes like this."

"Where is he planning to invite you?" Fan Xian asked.

"Jiangnan Residence."

The most luxurious restaurants in Suzhou City are Jiangnan Residence and Bamboo Garden Hall. When Fan Xian first arrived in Suzhou, Xue Qing and other Jiangnan officials chose Jiangnan Residence to welcome him. Now, the Ming family's Bamboo Garden Hall was bought by the Third Prince, half bought and half scared, and is preparing to be transformed into a branch of Baoyue Tower. If Yang Jimei wants to treat him, he can only go to Jiangnan Residence. Fan Xian thought that he had asked a bit too much.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Today, the Jiangnan merchants are also having a gathering at Jiangnan Residence... The Ming family has to deal with Xia Qifei's affairs today, so they probably won't send anyone to the meeting. Yang Jimei insists on inviting you to dinner today, he must also want to take this opportunity to get in touch with those imperial merchants. This opportunity... give it to Yang Jimei, and take him to the banquet at that time."

Now people in Suzhou City know that Shi Chanli, the manager of Baoyue Tower's branch, is actually Fan Xian's confidant. With Shi Chanli as an intermediary, those imperial merchants will definitely be happy to accept Yang Jimei's arrival. Of course, Fan Xian's idea is not just to repay Yang Jimei and Xue Qing a favor, but also has other arrangements.

"Keep your ears open at the banquet." Fan Xian said: "The Ming family is not there, those imperial merchants will not avoid you, and may deliberately use your ears to tell me their arrangements for tomorrow."

Shi Chanli nodded, but he was still a little nervous in his heart: "Should I pay attention to Xia Qifei?"

Having been with Fan Xian for a long time, Shi Fuzi (Historian Tutor), who only knew how to study the books of sages, has also begun to get used to looking at everything in the world with the eyes of conspiracy theories. This sentence obviously doesn't trust Xia Qifei very much.

Fan Xian laughed and said, "Don't worry, Xia Qifei is a smart man, he won't be stupid enough to betray me at this time, it won't do him any good."

Shi Chanli smiled awkwardly and asked again, "Does Master have anything to tell those Jiangnan imperial merchants?"

"Hmm..." Fan Xian lowered his head and thought for a while, and said, "Just say that this official supports them to let go and do it. Even if they empty everything this year, this official will compensate them next year."

He raised his head and urged: "Of course, you have to modify this sentence, don't say it too bluntly."

Shi Chanli took the order and was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something Yang Jimei had mentioned mysteriously before. After thinking about it, he still opened his mouth and said: "Yang Jimei said before that there is an organization in Jiangnan called Junshan Society (Gentleman Mountain Society), and its strength is somewhat mysterious and unpredictable. Please, Master, keep an eye on it."

Fan Xian thought about it and felt that the name Junshan Society was very unfamiliar. It didn't seem to be recorded in the Overwatch Council's files, so he frowned and said, "Mysterious... doesn't necessarily mean powerful, I know."

……

……

After Shi Chanli left, Fan Xian's brows furrowed even tighter. What does an organization that even he doesn't know about represent? He called out.

Gao Da (Tall Reach), who had been guarding outside the door, strode in. Now Fan Xian is doing less and less things to avoid him. On the one hand, he is deliberately showing sincerity to the person on the dragon chair in Kyoto through the Tiger Guards. On the other hand, he also wants to try the four words "move people with affection" to see if it is possible to really turn these powerful Tiger Guards into real "his own people."

Fan Xian asked Gao Da to call the swordmaster leader of the Sixth Division, and frowned at the subordinate and said, "How many people are there in Suzhou City?"

This was asking about the number of assassins and swordsmen in the Sixth Division. The Tiger Guards transferred by His Majesty only numbered a few people. Some had to stay by Fan Xian's side, and some had to stay behind the Third Prince. This could not be mobilized. And most of the assassins of the Overwatch Council's Sixth Division are now fighting guerrillas all over Jiangnan with the experts sent by Dongyi City under the leadership of Shadow, so the manpower that Fan Xian can mobilize is somewhat insufficient for a while.

"There are still seven people in the Sixth Division... There are quite a few people from the Fourth Division stationed in the Suzhou Patrol Division." The subordinate replied in a deep voice.

Now Wang Qinian, the official head of the Qinian Team, is in Northern Qi, Deng Ziyue is in Kyoto, and Su Wenmao (Su Text Flourish) was left in the three major workshops of the Neiku in northern Fujian by Fan Xian, so this person is currently Fan Xian's most direct subordinate. Coincidentally, this person also came from the Sixth Division, so he is the most skilled in defense work among the Qinian Team.

"Don't mobilize the people from the Fourth Division." Fan Xian said with a sigh: "They are not good at fighting and killing people. If there is any loss, Yan Bingyun will know that I am using his people indiscriminately. With his temperament, I really don't know how he will react. I will be criticized when I return to Kyoto."

Gao Da and the member of the Qinian Team who were listening on the side laughed.

The subordinate asked suspiciously, "Master, is there any action today?"

"Go protect someone." Fan Xian said in a deep voice: "You take those seven swordsmen from the Sixth Division and rush to Jiangnan Residence at this time, find Xia Qifei, and tell him directly that this is the guard I gave him. Also, tell him not to be suspicious. I will take it back immediately after the Neiku bidding is over."

Doubt not the man you employ, employ not the man you doubt. Whether Fan Xian has placed nails by Xia Qifei's side, no one knows, but at least on the surface, except for a few old officials from the Ministry of Revenue, the Overwatch Council did not monitor Xia Qifei's every move. This is the way for the two sides to get along, so Fan Xian decided to transfer people to Xia Qifei's side today, and he always had to explain a word or two.

The subordinate frowned and said, "Master, if all of them are transferred over, what will happen to you and the Third Prince?"

Fan Xian looked at Gao Da and said with a confident smile, "My safety is naturally Gao Da's concern. Your task is to ensure that Xia Qifei himself will not suffer any losses before the Neiku bidding opens."

Gao Da gripped the hilt of his sword and saluted when he heard this.

The subordinate did not continue to ask questions, accepted the order very calmly, and prepared to open the door to make arrangements.

Fan Xian frowned, and suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Be careful."

——————————————————————————

Today, the Ming family's Old Madam seemed to be in a very bad mood. She didn't even touch a single sip of the pigeon soup that was a daily routine, and sent it back to the small kitchen intact. And Master Ming and the young master went straight to the back garden after returning from Suzhou City today, and haven't come out since.

The uncles and nephews of each branch also received orders, with worried faces, walked through the clear corridors and lake pavilions of Ming Garden, rushing to the Old Madam's courtyard. The maids and servants, full of incomprehension, watched the Fourth Master, who only loved to walk birds, the Third Master, who only loved to marry concubines, and the Sixth Master, who only liked to practice wrestling with martial artists, walking hurriedly with unhappy expressions. The Ming family, who were usually very difficult to gather together, were all here at this time, and they couldn't help but wonder what was happening.

For a time, the entire Ming Garden was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and unease.

And the speed of the spread of rumors is always faster than the Qing Kingdom's proud postal system. Before long, all the servants in Ming Garden knew a shocking news. It turned out that in today's Neiku bidding in Suzhou City, a bold enemy had suddenly appeared to confront the Ming family, and that enemy... was actually the Seventh Young Master Ming who was rumored to have died many years ago!

In those years, the Ming family's previous master loved the mother of the Seventh Young Master Ming the most, and in the will, it seemed that most of the property was left to that tragically destined Seventh Young Master Ming.

It's just that so many years have passed, and the Ming family has long become the property of the eldest son. What will happen now that such a person suddenly appears?

"Everyone, calm down."

The Ming family's Old Madam, with a face full of wrinkles, looked indifferently at the Ming family's men in the hall. She felt a great surge of anger in her heart. These men were so flustered when they encountered such a small matter. How could she entrust such a big family business to them with peace of mind after her death!

"Sister, it's no wonder that the children are panicking because of such a sudden rumor."

Sitting next to the Ming family's Old Madam was the concubine of the Ming family's Master. Because she had fawned well on the legal wife, she had lived to this day. She looked at the Ming family's Old Madam's face and said with a trembling voice, "If that... surnamed Xia is really Little Seven, what should we do?"