Chapter 529: Huang Changzong Is in Trouble

Once this matter was settled, Zhu Youxiao stopped paying much attention to it. He turned and saw Wei Changsheng beside him, and asked, "What about that Cao Bang of the Cao family?"

"Your Majesty, he is a man very skilled at doing business." Wei Changsheng thought for a moment, then said, "This Cao Bang counts as a man of considerable standing among the Huizhou merchants, and his family's assets are very substantial."

"In recent years, the salt merchants of Lianghuai have risen to prominence, and their family has also engaged in these matters. They count as major merchants and have considerable face in official circles. Cao Bian, the Minister of Works in Nanjing, is in fact Cao Bang's uncle."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded, not finding anything particularly surprising about it.

This was very normal. In the Great Ming, families with high officials in them would more or less have some properties, though what those properties were varied.

Most of them went in for land, since it meant no taxes — they made money through tax evasion and avoidance. They also accepted a great deal of donated land. Quite a few families held over ten thousand mu, and some even had several hundred thousand. It was just that few families had as much as the Kong family; that was their standard playbook.

It was also perfectly normal for them to open shops in the cities and sell things. Dabbling in brothels, gambling dens, and pleasure houses was nothing strange either.

Though their mouths were full of benevolence, righteousness, and morality — full of "the Master said" and "the Book says," full of classical doctrine — in their bellies it was all business.

Especially in an industry like salt, if you wanted to scale up, you could not do it without official backing.

On this point, Zhu Youxiao had deep personal insight.

Never mind this era — in later ages it was the same. There were many industries that people outside the official sphere simply could not enter, no matter how much they wanted to.

And it was no surprise that the Cao family had people in officialdom; every other family had people too. So it was no surprise either that these people grew ever more reckless, daring to take any money, not only refusing to pay taxes but daring to do any kind of business, with nothing but money in their hearts.

But this was hardly strange either — even in that later age, there were plenty of such people.

Zhu Youxiao said, "Arrest the Cao family too."

Isn't this a bit hasty?

The people around him exchanged glances, but no one said a word — their expressions had already betrayed them.

In fact, they felt that His Majesty's action was somewhat inappropriate. After all, this endless round of arrests might make things even worse.

But none of these people dared to remonstrate, given their positions. They were not civil officials — they were either eunuchs, members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or from the Imperial Household Department. All of them were the Emperor's personal retainers, so naturally they did not need to worry about anything else when handling matters.

The Emperor had spoken, so they would do it.

Xu Xianchun said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will make arrangements immediately."

However, at this moment, one person stepped forward — and that person was Huang Changzong.

Glancing at Zhu Youxiao, Huang Changzong said cautiously, "Your Majesty, before coming here, Cao Bang had already sent someone to deliver a letter to your servant, hoping to meet with me."

Hearing this, everyone's gaze converged on Huang Changzong.

Even Zhu Youxiao looked over at Huang Changzong, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

In truth, speaking up at this moment was a very unwise choice, since the Emperor had already made his judgment and decision. Under such circumstances, doing nothing and simply obeying was the best course.

But Huang Changzong had chosen to speak — which was, in effect, a form of pleading on someone's behalf.

Zhu Youxiao asked, "What's this? Taken their bribes? Or have some business dealings with them, and now they've got a hold over you?"

Hearing this, Huang Changzong fell to his knees with a thud.

"Your Majesty, your servant has absolutely done nothing to betray you! It's just that the Imperial Household Department has some business dealings with Cao Bang, and we are fairly well acquainted. Your servant thought he could be of use." Huang Changzong kowtowed as he spoke, then said, "I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

"Is that so? Then let's hear it." Zhu Youxiao said in a noncommittal tone.

"Your Majesty, besides the salt business, Cao Bang also engages in overseas trade. Moreover, this man has considerable foresight and knows how to get things done. Your servant thought that if he could be put to use for Your Majesty, he would certainly be able to help Your Majesty accomplish many things." Huang Changzong said somewhat nervously.

"From what you say, he's quite the talent." Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Then go meet him. Arrange the location at Lichun Court."

Zhu Youxiao turned to Wei Changsheng and said, "Prepare Room Number One, Heaven tier, for their meeting."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Changsheng acknowledged, casting a somewhat sympathetic glance at Huang Changzong.

Though he did not know why Huang Changzong was doing this, in Wei Changsheng's view, Huang Changzong was probably going to dig his own grave this time. If that Cao fellow did not say anything good, then no one would be able to save him.

Sweat was now appearing on Huang Changzong's forehead. He did not know how things would turn out, and could only hope that Cao Bang would not do anything rash.

"Alright, go make your arrangements." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.

The assembled men dared not delay and quickly withdrew.

In fact, they were quite busy — since Zhu Youxiao had already delegated matters, each of them had his own tasks to handle and could not afford any mistakes.

As they left, they all glanced at Huang Changzong, their gazes filled with sympathy.

Huang Changzong felt helpless too. At this point, he could only place his hopes on Cao Bang knowing how to handle things. If Cao Bang botched this, then he himself would probably be finished as well.

At this moment, Cao Bang was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth ceaselessly in the room.

Just then, a man in his fifties ran in — from his dress, one could tell at a glance he was a steward.

Compared to an ordinary person's build, he appeared somewhat portly. Most notably, his eyes were somewhat narrow and long, giving one an immediate impression of fierceness — especially his upturned brows, which made him look like someone not to be trifled with.

He was panting heavily now, clearly having run in some haste, his breath unable to keep up.

His face was somewhat pale, as if he had received some fright.

Upon seeing Cao Bang, the steward hurriedly said, "Master, this is bad!"

"What's happened?" Cao Bang looked at him and asked hurriedly.

"Master, the Ye family's people have been arrested!" The steward said hastily, "News just came in — the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already made their move, going straight to the Ye residence with their men. Ye Chi has been arrested now, and all of the family's properties have been sealed up."

Hearing this, Cao Bang's body swayed, and he collapsed heavily into a chair.

Cao Bang's face was pale, his forehead covered in sweat, and in his heart he was shouting — it's over!

The Ye family was finished, just like that?

They had all been together just moments ago. Though the Ye family had handled things shabbily, saying nothing at all, no one had wanted the Ye family to end up like this.

Steadying his emotions, Cao Bang hurriedly asked, "Do you know the reason?"

"Not yet. The Embroidered Uniform Guard hasn't announced any charges, and the yamen is now closed. According to rumors, the Prefect of Yangzhou has already been arrested, and the various yamen in the region have been taken over by some people. No one dares to interfere with anything — the Embroidered Uniform Guard is now doing whatever it pleases without restraint."

"Why? Why is this happening?" Cao Bang sat in the chair and lamented with difficulty.

Finally, he raised his head helplessly and looked at the steward, asking, "Any news? Any word from Huang Changzong?"

Now Cao Bang could only place his hopes on Huang Changzong — there was truly no other way.

As a man of real power within the Imperial Household Department, Huang Changzong had always enjoyed a good reputation, and they had done no small amount of business together over the years.

Especially after the incident in the northwest, their connections with Jiangnan had multiplied. For Jiangnan goods to be sold to the northwest, they all had to go through the Imperial Household Department — otherwise they could never reach Zhangjiakou. And naturally, Huang Changzong's standing had risen accordingly.

After the Han family's troubles, besides seeking news from the Ye family, Cao Bang's other thought was Huang Changzong of the Imperial Household Department.

But when the Ye family members met with him, they said nothing at all — not only said nothing, but even put on airs and played their little tricks. Yet it was still useless; the man was still arrested.

So Cao Bang was anxious now too, figuring that the tricks he himself had played were probably useless as well. He was afraid of being arrested.

All that remained was Huang Changzong of the Imperial Household Department who could help — at least to find out what was going on! Only by knowing what was happening could one counter each move as it came; if one knew nothing at all, what could be done?

As for the steward saying the yamen had been taken over by others — that was perfectly normal. Cao Bang had already guessed that the Emperor should have come to Yangzhou. Wherever the Emperor was, others naturally had no room to stretch out their hands, not even daring to show their heads; with the Emperor backing them, the Embroidered Uniform Guard naturally acted with reckless abandon.

Now that Yangzhou city was sealed off, there was nothing anyone could do.

The steward glanced at Cao Bang, shook his head, and said: "No news yet for the time being."

Although Huang Changzong wanted to see Cao Bang, he had been far too busy these past few days, occupied daily with taking over the Han family's properties.

The Imperial Household Department also had many matters to handle, so it was unlikely Huang Changzong could come to see Cao Bang. If not for today's affair, Huang Changzong wouldn't even have thought of Cao Bang.

Just at this moment, someone suddenly ran in from outside, whispered a few words into the steward's ear, and handed a document to him.

The steward immediately grew excited, a smile spreading across his face. He turned to look at Cao Bang and said: "Master, this is an invitation just delivered by someone outside — sent by Lord Huang of the Imperial Household Department. He wishes to invite you to a meeting, with the location set at Lichun Court."

Upon hearing this, Cao Bang also stood up, a smile instantly appearing on his face.

Huang Changzong meeting him at a time like this meant he was willing to help.

This was truly good news for him.

As if he had encountered his savior, Cao Bang hastily replied with great joy: "Prepare a gift, a generous one. Bring the men — we're heading to Lichun Court!"