Chapter 107

(Thanks to the twenty Qing Shan brothers for the explosive update and flower shower, today I added an extra chapter, thanks thanks, really let the little struggling author be very surprised, teary-eyed……)

"Reply to Yang Xingmi." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) said to Wang Tian, "Just say, his goodwill, our Wang Family gratefully accepts. Our Wang Family also has no intention of being his enemy, and is willing to share Jiangnan with him."

"Besides, we will send him a return gift."

"What to send?"

"Send him a hundred talents from our academy who have just graduated, skilled in bookkeeping, arithmetic, and warehouse management." Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s mouth corner curled with an inexplicable smile.

Wang Tian was stunned for a moment, then his eyes burst with admiration.

"Head of Family... impressive! Truly impressive!"

He instantly understood Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s intention.

Sending people?

This isn't sending people at all!

This is clearly planting our own nails in Yang Xingmi's territory!

These "talents", although merely low-level clerks, but they master the Wang Family's exclusive, advanced management knowledge and technology.

Once they enter Yang Xingmi's system, they will quickly permeate every corner of his rule.

Yang Xingmi will surely be wary of them, but they will manage his grain, taxes, and armaments with greater efficiency; I don't believe Yang Xingmi won't be moved—every rising hero will be confident in his own charm.

By then, on the surface they will be serving Yang Xingmi.

But in reality, they are using the Wang Family's standards to remake Yang Xingmi's state.

When the time comes, if the Wang Family truly wants to act against Yang Xingmi, only a single order is needed, and the entire economy of Southern Wu could instantly collapse!

This is a bloodless cultural and institutional "invasion"!

"Go ahead." Wang Po (Wang Xiu) waved his hand, "Besides, tell our troops that Xuan Prefecture is just the beginning. The next targets are Run, Chang, and Suzhou... the entire Jiangnan East Circuit, I want them all!"

"Having those places in their hands is useless compared to being under our Wang Family's rule!"

As expected, the wheels of history precisely rolled over Zhu Yougui, that short-lived emperor.

912 AD, winter.

Zhu Youzhen in Luoyang allied with the Weibo military governor Yang Shihou, launched a coup, and his great army marched straight toward Bianliang.

Zhu Yougui's Imperial Guards defected in battle. Abandoned by all, Zhu Yougui drew his sword and killed himself in the palace.

Zhu Youzhen, amid cries of "cheers", ascended the throne of Later Liang, historically known as the Last Emperor of Liang.

After ascending the throne, he immediately issued an edict to hold a grand funeral for his "tragically deceased" father Emperor Zhu Wen, and announced to the world, enumerating Zhu Yougui's heinous crimes of patricide and usurpation, shaping himself into a "restoring order and avenging his father" filial son and virtuous descendant.

For a time, the court of Later Liang seemed to truly have a hint of clarity.

And just as Zhu Youzhen had just steadied himself on the dragon throne, feeling proud and satisfied.

A congratulatory gift from Jiangnan, sent via eight-hundred-li express, arrived at his desk.

"Yangzhou Wang Clan, Head of Family Wang Po, congratulates Your Majesty on ascending the great throne. Grateful for Your Majesty's service to the nation in eliminating traitors and restoring order, we specially present twenty thousand shi of grain and three hundred thousand strings of cash to fund the army, as a token of the hearts of Jiangnan's myriad people."

When Zhu Youzhen saw this gift list, he could hardly believe his eyes.

Twenty thousand shi of grain! Three hundred thousand strings of cash!

What does this mean?

This is almost equivalent to half a year's fiscal revenue of his Later Liang Court!

How can this Wang Family, tucked away in Jiangnan, be so wealthy? So... aware of the times?

"Hahaha!" Zhu Youzhen burst into loud laughter in the Golden Hall, passing the memorial to the nearby Jing Xiang and the assembled ministers.

"All you beloved ministers, look! Look! What is a loyal subject? This is a loyal subject!"

"Back when my second brother was on the throne, this Wang Family certainly didn't speak ill of him behind his back; now that I have ascended the throne, they immediately sent such a generous gift! Clearly, this Wang Family also understands reason and knows heaven's mandate."

Zhu Youzhen's face was full of pride.

He felt that the Wang Family had been cowed by his aura as the "True Son of Heaven" and his kingly might, so they hurriedly offered tribute and submitted to seek self-preservation.

However, Chancellor Jing Xiang, upon seeing this gift list, furrowed his brow ever so slightly.

He always felt something was off about this.

Would the Wang Family really be so kind-hearted? So fearful of trouble?

He recalled how the Wang Family had, without bloodshed, unified all the great clans of Jiangnan back then. He also recalled how the Wang Family, through a single public opinion campaign, had made that incomparable former emperor Zhu Wen jump in rage, yet be powerless.

This Wang Family, this Wang Po, is certainly no simple figure.

When things go against the norm, there must be something uncanny.

Their sending such a generous gift surely hides a deeper purpose behind it.

"Your Majesty," Jing Xiang stepped forward, bowed, and said, "The Wang Family's move appears to be out of fear of Your Majesty's heavenly might, proactively seeking goodwill. But in my view, their intentions cannot be ignored."

"Oh?" Zhu Youzhen's smile faded a bit, "Esteemed Minister Jing, how do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, the Wang Family has long held sway over Jiangnan for generations. Their family foundation and elite troops are already far beyond that of an ordinary regional power. Though they now nominally serve as ministers of Great Liang, they are in fact the masters of Jiangnan. This time they present generous gifts merely to numb Your Majesty, to let you relax your guard against them, so they can continue to grow strong in Jiangnan."

"In my opinion, we should……"

"Enough!" Zhu Youzhen impatiently cut him off.

What he hated most was Jing Xiang's habit of always pouring cold water on him.

"Esteemed Minister Jing, I know you are mature and prudent, but you are being overly cautious." Zhu Youzhen's tone carried a hint of displeasure, "Even if the Wang Family is strong, they are merely a local landlord in the southeast corner. How many guns could they have? How many men?"

"I now command a million-strong army of Zhongyuan! To the north, the Jin Prince Li Cunxu is a grave threat I must deal with. I have no leisure to quarrel with these Jiangnan landlords."

"Since they are willing to spend money to buy peace, I will grant them that peace!"

"Besides," a glint of greed flashed in Zhu Youzhen's eyes, "they sent twenty thousand shi of grain and three hundred thousand strings of cash! With these provisions, I can perfectly expand my army, forge weapons, and fight Li Cunxu to the death!"

"As for the Wang Family..." Zhu Youzhen gave a cold chuckle, "Let them remain wealthy landlords for a few more years. Once I have dealt with Li Cunxu and freed my hands, the entirety of Jiangnan—people and wealth alike—will surely be in my pocket."

Zhu Youzhen's words were spoken with lofty ambition.

The attendants' sycophant ministers immediately echoed his words like a mountain-shouting, sea-roaring chorus.

Your Majesty is wise!

Your Majesty has lofty vision and far-sight; we cannot match it.

Jing Xiang watched this scene of ruler-minister harmony, and could only sigh helplessly.

He knew the emperor would no longer heed his advice.

Arrogance and conceit have clouded his vision.

He could only silently pray in his heart, hoping the Wang family just wanted to be a wealthy landlord.

……

Zhu Youzhen immediately ordered the dispatch of an Imperial Commissioner bearing his commendatory imperial edict and rewards, heading to Yangzhou to pacify the Wang family.

The selection of this Imperial Commissioner is also quite interesting.

Zhu Youzhen sent not a senior court official but a favored eunuch named Zhao Yan from his inner palace.

This Zhao Yan is sly and deceitful, adept at reading superior intentions and throwing his weight around.

Zhu Youzhen sent him not only to announce the edict but also for another purpose.

That is, to investigate the Wang family's true state.

And, while at it, extort a bit more.

In his view, since the Wang family is so wealthy and so eager to avoid trouble, asking for a bit more, they surely wouldn't dare refuse.