Others did not know how he had been promoted so quickly, but Feng Jinxu understood that Xiao Tingyi must have pulled strings behind the scenes to reward him for the intelligence he brought back from Jinling City.
The clear distinction between rewards and punishments indeed made those who followed him more loyal.
He himself had also made all the preparations, just waiting for the date of his appointment.
In the Eastern Capital, everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion. However, miles away, Liang Quanbin, who had recently arrived in Jinling City, was now facing a thorny issue.
"Sir, the Zhu family is here to request an audience again. Are we still not seeing them?"
The speaker was the housekeeper who had accompanied Liang Quanbin to his post. He asked with a frown.
Ever since the second day after their arrival in Jinling City, the Zhu family had come to pay their respects daily. However, Liang Quanbin had not taken them seriously at all. The reason was that before he even entered Jinling City, he had learned a secret.
Chi, Min, Cao, Zhu – the four great families of Jinling City. He had heard of their formidable reputations long before he arrived and had initially intended not to offend any of them.
Who would have thought that the Cao family would risk their lives to seek an audience on his way here?
They had clearly explained how the Zhu family had conspired to murder the previous Cao Sidu.
He still remembered the bloodshot eyes of the Cao family head, who had wished he could eat their flesh and drink their blood when speaking of the Zhu family!
"Do not see them. I am not here to preside over such murder cases. The Cao family must have bullied the Zhu family many times before. The two families already have a deep-seated hatred. Now that Cao Sidu is gone, they want to use me, the new official, to retaliate. The Cao family's calculations are indeed clever."
"Sir, since you know that the Cao family has ulterior motives, why not see the Zhu family and hear their defense?"
Liang Quanbin smiled, appearing shrewd and calculating.
"What is there to defend? If Cao Sidu was not killed by the Zhu family, would the Cao family believe it? But if Cao Sidu was indeed killed by the Zhu family, could the Cao family do anything? They cannot take down the Zhu family in one fell swoop, yet they want to use me to disgust the Zhu family. The Cao family head is dreaming. I will not clash with the Zhu family."
The housekeeper was puzzled, not understanding Liang Quanbin's intentions.
Unexpectedly, he heard Liang Quanbin continue, "First, let the Zhu family believe that I have been persuaded by the Cao family, and that is why I am not seeing them. The Cao family will surely prepare generous gifts to thank me. This is the first point. The Zhu family, unwilling to live as they did before, will naturally find ways to seek an audience with me. By then, the gifts for the meeting will not be meager. This is the second point. When both families have something they want from me, it will be easier for me to control them, won't it? This is the third point."
So that was it. The housekeeper had been by Liang Quanbin's side for over twenty years and was a loyal subordinate. Therefore, he was not afraid of leakage, so he explained the matter to the housekeeper.
"Your methods are excellent! In this way, Jinling City can be gradually brought under your control."
"Don't think too highly of it. The Chi and Min families are not easy to deal with. The Chi family is powerful, and the Min family holds authority. The Cao and Zhu families cannot compare to them. We must proceed cautiously."
After speaking, he put down his teacup, looked at the sky outside, whispered a few words to the housekeeper, and then, with a smile, watched him go out to speak with the visitors from the Zhu family.
In the grand Canal Transport Supervision Office, many things were left behind by the former Cao Sidu.
It would be foolish to believe that a family's tragic demise was not orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.
Having sat in the Dali Temple for many years, he still possessed some investigative skills. Therefore, he did not believe that the matter was as simple as it appeared, that the Zhu family had indeed attacked the Cao Sidu.
Thus, everything would be put on hold for now, awaiting his thorough investigation and decision.
In the Zhu family, Zhu Xiaoxian, who was to be married in less than two months, was currently throwing a tantrum.
The head of the Zhu family glanced at the gift intended for the Canal Transport Supervision Office, which had been returned untouched. Without even lifting his eyes, he said,
"Not seeing us again?"
"Not seeing us! This Sidu Liang is indeed upright and incorruptible. He said he does not accept rewards without merit and blocked me at the door."
Zhu Hong, the head of the Zhu family, looked at his younger brother, Zhu Tu, and asked calmly.
"What do you think, second brother?"
Although these two brothers of the Zhu family were born of the same mother, they looked completely different.
Zhu Hong was plump, with a round face, and appeared somewhat benevolent.
Zhu Tu, on the other hand, was extremely thin, with little flesh on his face. His entire demeanor exuded shrewdness and calculation, especially his upturned, triangular eyes, which seemed to look at everyone as if intending to bring them to ruin.
For many years, the two Zhu brothers had worked together harmoniously. One served in the Canal Transport Office for profit, while the other helped to conceal and handle embezzled official grain from the outside. Their coordination was extremely well-executed.
Even the people from the Prince Ding's mansion had not been able to uncover their accounts, which showed Zhu Tu's capabilities.
Therefore, when Zhu Hong asked for his opinion, Zhu Xiaoxian looked at his second uncle respectfully, eager to hear his wise counsel.
Zhu Tu pondered for a moment and then slowly spoke.
"The world bustles, all for gain. There is no deal that cannot be struck in this world, only insufficient wealth. I suspect this new Sidu Liang wants to control us and the Cao family. Merely offering superficial gifts may not be enough to open his door. If we were to offer thirty percent of the official grain, perhaps your position as an official could even be advanced by one or two ranks."
Zhu Tu was indeed sharp-eyed, having discerned Liang Quanbin's intentions.
Having been in business for so many years, his judgment of people was naturally not poor!
Upon hearing his words, Zhu Xiaoxian became somewhat displeased.
"Thirty percent! The rainfall this year has been incessant. It's uncertain if the official grain will even reach half of what it was in previous years. If we add another thirty percent, won't we have to fill the deficit ourselves?"
Zhu Hong smiled. His son was still too young and impetuous.
"You still don't understand that saying, 'If you don't risk the cub, you won't catch the wolf.' If thirty percent of the official grain can secure an opportunity for both your father and me to advance, it's a worthwhile transaction."
Zhu Tu also chuckled alongside him. Elder brother was indeed elder brother; he understood his thoughts immediately!
Zhu Hong's words were like a sudden enlightenment for Zhu Xiaoxian. He thought that he was about to marry the legitimate daughter of the fifth branch of the Chi family. If his official position could also advance, wouldn't it be a double blessing? At this thought, he finally understood.
He then cupped his fists and said, "Father and second uncle, please rest assured. I will handle this matter. The batch of official grain I have stockpiled has not yet been sold, so I might as well give it to Sidu Liang. Trading it for a year's profit is indeed a good deal."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Hong was relieved. "You will be married soon. You must handle this matter properly, do you understand?"
"Father, please rest assured! Your son will do his best."
After watching Zhu Xiaoxian withdraw, Zhu Hong looked at his second brother, Zhu Tu. "I wonder what the noble one will do when they know about this matter?"