Chapter 352: Shandong Must Not Fall into Chaos

Xu Guangqi thought for a moment, then stepped forward and asked, "What about the officials at all levels in Shandong?"

This matter was also critical—if mishandled, problems would arise. The whole of Shandong was now like a powder keg, with people preparing to rebel. If things were pushed too fiercely at this time, trouble would very likely erupt, and that would only make things far worse.

Under such circumstances, Xu Guangqi's concern was entirely warranted.

Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Zhang Weixian and said, "Duke of Ying, I now place the military authority of Shandong in your hands. All troops in Shandong shall be under your command. Is there any problem with that?"

"I have also brought quite a number of men from the Staff Office this time. Make good use of them. Though these men are young, they are all highly capable—let them do their work well. If anyone rebels, I will need them to suppress the revolt."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty—your servant will surely appoint people according to their abilities." Zhang Weixian said hurriedly.

In truth, Zhang Weixian had already assessed those men His Majesty cared about. After a period of observation, he held them in high regard.

The men of the Staff Office could truly be said to possess both courage and cunning. Even someone like Liu Xian, who could not fight, was an expert at quietly devising strategies behind the scenes. And men like Lu Xiangsheng and Cao Wenzhao were absolutely accomplished in both letters and arms. How could Zhang Weixian not give them important posts?

Add to that men like Sun Chuanting, and Zhang Weixian was very confident. Even if someone rebelled, he had faith that he could lead this group to suppress the revolt.

Besides, this time what was to be punished were the civil officials throughout Shandong—these men had been reselling grain illegally, and it had nothing to do with the local military officers.

The local military officers would not get involved, much less rebel. Who would rebel for no reason? That was a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire household.

So Zhang Weixian was very confident.

Hearing Zhang Weixian's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded, then turned to look at Xu Guangqi and said directly, "Any official involved in the illegal resale of grain shall be severely punished without mercy. As for the other officials, a small punishment will serve as a warning to all."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Guangqi hastily replied, "Your servant will immediately return and arrange the personnel."

Since His Majesty had already spoken such words, Xu Guangqi understood in his heart. Even if someone truly rebelled, even if troops had to be used to suppress the revolt, His Majesty was determined to deal with these people.

At this point, anything more he said would be meaningless. So Xu Guangqi prepared not to say anything further—after withdrawing, he would do his utmost to handle matters well, and that would be enough.

"You may go." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

"Your servants take their leave." Xu Guangqi and the others hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

After watching Xu Guangqi and the others leave, Zhu Youxiao let out a soft sigh, turned to look at Chen Hong, and said directly, "Have Chen Sihai come here."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong hurriedly acknowledged, then turned and walked out.

Before long, Chen Sihai was summoned in.

Chen Sihai had been very busy during this period—punishing various officials, touring the regions to investigate and adjudicate cases, redressing all manner of grievances, putting on quite a performance as an itinerant inspector. Chen Sihai had earned widespread praise wherever he went, and his work had been extremely effective, doing much to enhance Zhu Youxiao's reputation.

So Zhu Youxiao felt that this system might be worth maintaining over the long term—periodically sending people down to conduct inspections, to probe the conditions of the people, to redress wrongful convictions for the common folk, and to polish his own good name.

Of course, these men might very well collude with the officials, so oversight was also needed. One could arrange for men from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, and one could also arrange for the Imperial Household Department to supervise. In any case, if this system proved effective, it would certainly be worth promoting—far better than the current state of affairs.

When Chen Sihai walked in, he appeared utterly exhausted, with the look of a man who had traveled far and wide.

Glancing at Chen Sihai, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, signaling that he could dispense with formalities.

But Chen Sihai still bowed respectfully, clearly maintaining in his heart the attitude that propriety could never be abandoned.

"There is a matter I wish to entrust to you." Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Sihai and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Sihai hastily acknowledged. "Whatever Your Majesty commands, your servant will obey."

"I want you to go to Jinan. The situation there should be very complicated by now—one could even say the people are anxious and fearful. It may very well be dangerous. I want you to go. Do you dare?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Sihai and spoke slowly.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty—your servant fears nothing." Chen Sihai said with a resolute expression. "All under heaven is the king's land; all who dwell upon it are the king's subjects. There is nowhere your servant does not dare to go."

"Good." Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction, his tone carrying approval as he said, "You are very good."

"For this journey to Jinan, I do not ask you to do much—you only need to accomplish a few things. First, investigate the collusion between the several officials of Jinan Prefecture and the Kong Mansion and the Lu Prince's Mansion. Second, stabilize the situation in Jinan—Jinan must not fall into chaos. In general, those are the two matters. If you can accomplish both well, you will have fulfilled my commission."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty—your servant will surely handle it well." Chen Sihai bowed and said.

Zhu Youxiao slowly walked down and came directly before Chen Sihai, saying, "Jinan Prefecture is now fraught with peril, and danger is likely. I will send men to protect you. If matters become impossible, preserving your life comes first—do you understand?"

Chen Sihai nodded and said with gratitude, "Your Majesty's care for your servant is profound. Your servant understands in his heart and will certainly not disappoint the trust Your Majesty has placed in him."

Though his mouth said such things, Chen Sihai's heart thought quite differently.

In Chen Sihai's heart, he was firmly resolved to accomplish this matter well. As for what His Majesty said about preserving his life first if things went badly—he had never even considered it. His Majesty trusted him deeply and had entrusted him with such an important task. If he failed to handle it well, how could he face His Majesty?

Preserve his own life when danger arose? That was not what he should do. Even if he had to lose his life in the city of Jinan, he would still accomplish the task.

Of course, in front of His Majesty, such words did not need to be spoken.

So Chen Sihai said nothing more, but his heart was extremely resolute. He then said, "If Your Majesty has no further instructions, your servant will return to make preparations. I will set out at dawn tomorrow."

"Good, go back and prepare." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

After Chen Sihai left, Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Chen Hong and said, "Have Qi Yuangong arrange a squad to protect him. Tell Qi Yuangong that he must bring him back alive. Judging by his demeanor, my words never sank in at all. If there is real danger, he will likely not spare his own life. Though his conduct pleases me—he is very loyal—I need him alive. Those corrupt officials in Jinan City are not worth him trading his life for."

Chen Hong hastily acknowledged, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will surely make proper arrangements."

Seeing how his master arranged things, showing such concern for Chen Sihai, Chen Hong understood in his heart that his master truly cherished this Lord Chen dearly. If he were to die in Jinan City, he estimated that few officials high or low in Jinan would survive.

To avoid such a tragedy, he had better speak thoroughly with Qi Yuangong.

So Chen Hong walked out with light steps, pondering how to go about it.

At the same time, Xu Guangqi and the others had each returned to their own quarters.

Zhang Weixian summoned all the men of the Staff Office and began arranging personnel and allocating manpower, preparing to take over the entire military force of Shandong and achieve a tight, impenetrable defense.

Xu Guangqi and Huang Kezuan went directly to the encampment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, mobilizing the many officials from the Six Ministries who had accompanied them this time, preparing to take over at any moment for the officials who had been arrested.

The cases had to be broken, the people had to be arrested, but Shandong must not fall into chaos—all work had to proceed in an orderly and stable manner, and absolutely no disturbances could be allowed.

Xu Xianchun had not expected Xu Guangqi and Huang Kezuan to come, but since the two carried His Majesty's imperial edict, he naturally dared not show any negligence and hurried out to greet them.

"Your subordinates pay respects to Grand Secretary Xu and Grand Secretary Huang." Xu Xianchun said with a brilliant smile on his face.

Xu Guangqi nodded. This matter was under his authority, so he had to appear in person.

Glancing at Xu Xianchun, Xu Guangqi said expressionlessly, "Take me to see Kong Shangsheng."

As for Xu Xianchun, Xu Guangqi harbored suspicion in his heart—he did not trust this ruthless Guard Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This man would do absolutely anything for fame, for profit, for power.

The entire affair could not afford the slightest error, so Xu Guangqi decided to first meet Kong Shangsheng. If matters were as Kong Shangsheng had confessed, then there was nothing more to be said.

"Yes, Grand Secretary Xu, this way please." Xu Xianchun's expression showed no change at all—his face still bore that brilliant smile as he made a gesture of invitation in front.

In his heart, he was not worried in the least. Everything had already been prepared, and he was not afraid of anyone snatching it away.

Kong Shangsheng and Kong Shangli could no longer possibly retract their confessions at this point. Having come this far, the two of them could only follow the path to the very end.

Soon, Xu Guangqi met with Kong Shangsheng.

Although he had received simple medical treatment, Kong Shangsheng remained utterly listless. After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had subjected him to torture, and on top of that, Xu Xianchun had delivered a devastating verbal assault—his spirit simply could not recover.

Xu Guangqi furrowed his brow.

So the Embroidered Uniform Guard had indeed resorted to torture. Under such torments, very few people could hold out.

Xu Guangqi's suspicions were thus aroused regarding Xu Xianchun's testimony.

He walked over to Kong Shangsheng's side and said, "I am Xu Guangqi, Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat and Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. His Majesty has entrusted your case to me this time. This is your confession."

"Now I ask you—regarding this confession, do you have anything else to say? If you have something to say now, you may speak freely before me."

Xu Guangqi's tone was gentle, his gaze sincere, as he strove to lessen Kong Shangsheng's fear.