Chapter 574

Hú Bùwéi and his wife were terrified hearing this; Jī Fēihuā was so bold as to utter such treasonous words. Yet he wasn't wrong: in the current emperor's eyes, Hú Bùwéi is merely a minister loyal to the retired emperor.

Jī Fēihuā said: "The emperor discovered that most of the key figures involved in the Chǔ Yuánhǎi case years ago are now dead, and Chǔ Yuánhǎi's relatives and friends have also largely been killed. While killing the Chǔ family's kin might be understandable, those who handled the Chǔ Yuánhǎi case were meritorious officials, yet it's unclear why they too suffered misfortune."

Hú Bùwéi gave a bitter smile: "I don't really know what happened back then."

Jī Fēihuā said: "When Chǔ Yuánhǎi served as Minister of Revenue, the state of Dàkāng had four great merchant clans: Xú, Jiǎ, Zhōu, and Wǔ, of which the Xú family was the foremost."

Xú Fèngyí's expression shifted slightly; she hadn't expected Jī Fēihuā to suddenly turn the conversation to her natal family.

Jī Fēihuā continued: "The Xú family's business was vast—silk, porcelain, medicinal herbs—but what truly propelled their rise was securing the exclusive rights to operate the Jiangnan salt transport."

Xú Fèngyí replied: "What you speak of, Commander, are old matters from thirty years ago; the court had already revoked the Xú family's salt‑trade privileges."

Jī Fēihuā said: "We certainly know that it was the Minister of Revenue, Chǔ Yuánhǎi, who advocated revoking the Xú family's operating rights. From then on, the Xú family's business in Dàkāng plummeted. The old matriarch decisively changed strategy, severing all ties with the court, shifting focus overseas, building a fleet, sailing far afield, and establishing trade with the Southeast Asian nations. It was precisely this move that saved the Xú family from ruin in the Chǔ Yuánhǎi affair, while the other three great clans, being more or less entangled with the Revenue Ministry's business, were ultimately confiscated and exterminated."

Hú Bùwéi sighed: "Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; some things are simply unforeseeable. Had it not been for Chǔ Yuánhǎi's personal grudge against the Xú family, they likely would have suffered disaster back then."

Jī Fēihuā smiled: "Everyone says Chǔ Yuánhǎi bore a grudge against the Xú family, but what exactly was that grudge? Sir Hú, could you tell me?"

Xú Fèngyí quickly answered: "Commander, you probably have the wrong person—thirty years ago I wasn't even married to him, nor did I know him, so how could he know these things?" After a pause she added: "In truth, I don't know whether the Xú family truly had any personal feud with Chǔ Yuánhǎi; my mother never mentioned it. I've only heard that our business grew so large it aroused envy, and many ambitious merchants sought to replace us. Somehow they persuaded this Chǔ official to petition the emperor to prematurely revoke our trading rights."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Hearing you say that, I now have a somewhat clearer picture."

Hú Bùwéi said: "That turned out well; without that event, the Xú family might have been swept up in that undeserved calamity."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Since then the Xú family has kept a low profile. Some say they've declined; others say they merely tempered their edge. Over these years, through overseas trade, their wealth has steadily accumulated—so much that they could rival a nation."

Hú Bùwéi chuckled: "Commander, you overestimate the Xú family. The old matriarch withdrew from public life eighteen years ago, enjoying her retirement. One need only check the ships entering and leaving Jīnlíng port to see clearly how the Xú family's business has fared these years."

Xú Fèngyí said: "You're flattering the Xú family, Commander."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Indeed, the Xú family has done well these years; whenever Dàkāng faced war, they donated large sums of silver and gold—this is also why Sir Hú's affairs haven't implicated the Xú family. Speaking of the old matriarch, I hear her last voyage was nineteen years ago, just seven days after the Chǔ Yuánhǎi incident—whether that's coincidence, I wonder."

A flicker of alarm crossed Xú Fèngyí's eyes; even she wasn't clear on this matter, yet Jī Fēihuā knows it and speaks with such certainty, as if it truly happened.

Hú Bùwéi said: "Commander, if you have something on your mind, please speak plainly."

Jī Fēihuā smiled: "Speaking too plainly about baseless rumors isn't wise, but there's another gossip circulating: that Chǔ Yuánhǎi was actually an orphan adopted in childhood by the old matriarch of the Xú family."

Xú Fèngyí firmly replied: "Commander, it's better not to indulge in such groundless talk. Our Hú family has fallen to this state; since I married into the Hú household, I am a Hú, and I know nothing of the Xú family's affairs. If you truly wish to learn what happened back then, you should ask the old matriarch herself. In fact, we have long since severed ties with the Xú family."

Jī Fēihuā nodded: "I really would like to see the old matriarch in person."

Hú Bùwéi felt a heavy weight in his heart; Jī Fēihuā's visit today was surely no coincidence—perhaps he harbors designs on the Xú family. He warned himself inwardly, then spoke softly: "The accounts of the Revenue Ministry have largely been handed over by me. I ask myself whether I have ever embezzled even a single coin of Dàkāng during my tenure; when I first took office as Minister of Revenue, I organized the records and left them untouched, everything is documented and verifiable. If you doubt me, Commander, feel free to inspect them yourself."

Jī Fēihuā said: "I'm not skilled at auditing; if I had to sift through those mountain‑high accounts, I'd probably cough up blood within three days." He lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and continued: "The Hú family has rendered meritorious service to the state; the emperor once granted them a red‑inscribed iron charter, proof of their contributions to Dàkāng. Likewise, the Xú family's loyalty is widely known—fifteen years ago, during the Eastern Sea King's rebellion, they donated substantial silver."

Hú Bùwéi and his wife felt uneasy; Jī Fēihuā's revisiting of old matters today left them wondering what his angle was. Hú Bùwéi said: "Serving Dàkāng with loyalty is a minister's duty."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Sir Hú isn't greatly at fault; his error lies in directing all his loyalty toward the retired emperor, which has displeased the current emperor."

Sweat soaked Hú Bùwéi's back; Jī Fēihuā's arrogance was evident—he dared speak such words, and as people say, he wields overwhelming influence, even making the emperor wary of him. Indeed, that seems true. Hú Bùwéi, trembling with fear, said: "If the emperor has punished me, it shows I have fallen short of his trust; my present predicament is entirely my own fault. I harbor only gratitude toward the emperor, no resentment whatsoever."

Jī Fēihuā's eyes glimmered: "If the emperor were to hear your heartfelt words, he might be moved and perhaps pardon your guilt—unfortunately, he harbors some doubts about you."

Cold sweat beaded on Hú Bùwéi's forehead: "If the emperor doubts me, this guilty official would rather die to prove my loyalty."

Jī Fēihuā sighed: "Never utter that word lightly; even if you don't think of yourself, consider Lord Hú's father. I have promised him I will look after you, and naturally I will keep you safe."

Hú Bùwéi regarded Jī Fēihuā's words with skepticism—what sort of man is he? Ruthless and decisive, his relationship with Hú Xiǎotiān is merely mutual exploitation; there can be no genuine affection, so Jī Fēihuā's remarks are mere pretense. Nevertheless, Hú Bùwéi put on a show of deep gratitude: "Thank you for your patronage, Commander. We are both at the age of knowing our fate; all we wish is for our son to be safe, nothing more."

Jī Fēihuā said: "You needn't worry; Hú Xiǎotiān is clever, quick‑witted, and exceptionally resourceful—wherever he goes, he can protect himself."

Hú Bùwéi nodded, relieved, and found himself agreeing with Jī Fēihuā's comment.

Jī Fēihuā added: "Since you, Sir Hú, have come to terms with your fate, why not share your view on Dàkāng's future prospects?"

Hú Bùwéi gave a bitter smile: "You've posed a tough question, Commander; as one under sentence, I dare not presume to discuss state affairs."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Dàkāng's economy is mired in a quagmire; lately natural disasters have been relentless and uprisings erupt everywhere. As an official of Dàkāng, Sir Hú, surely you wish to contribute to the nation?"

Hú Bùwéi replied: "I'm old; my energy and strength can no longer keep up—I have the will but not the means."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Lately there's a rumor that the retired emperor possesses a secret underground vault, said to hold wealth several times that of the state treasury."

Hú Bùwéi said: "In my over ten years in office, I have never heard of such a thing."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Perhaps you, Sir Hú, are unaware, but your predecessor might well know of it. The emperor believes it likely that Chǔ Yuánhǎi built this secret vault for him, and that is also why Chǔ fell from grace."

Hú Bùwéi sighed: "I truly don't know what happened back then, so I dare not speculate."

Jī Fēihuā nodded slowly and said to Xú Fèngyí: "Madam Hú, I have a task I'd like to entrust to you."

Xú Fèngyí replied: "Please, Commander, just give the order."

Jī Fēihuā said: "Madam, there's no need for formality with me; I regard young Tiān as a brother, and you and your husband may treat me as a younger relative—no need to observe strict etiquette in private."

Xú Fèngyí bowed her head: "I dare not!"

Jī Fēihuā produced a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Xú Fèngyí, saying: "I have written a letter to the old matriarch; I trouble you, Madam Hú, to make a trip to Jīnlíng and deliver it to her in person."

Xú Fèngyí felt uneasy, unsure of Jī Fēihuā's intent, and wondering how she could leave the capital in her current position—was he plotting to entrap her natal family?

Jī Fēihuā smiled: "Madam, there's no need to overthink; just prepare these two days, and I will send an escort to accompany you to Jīnlíng the day after tomorrow."

Xú Fèngyí glanced at Hú Bùwéi, naturally seeking his opinion. Hú Bùwéi certainly sensed something amiss, but since Jī Fēihuā had decided, they could not change it—only comply. After many years of marriage, a single glance conveyed their understanding; Xú Fèngyí took the letter and said: "Yes!"

Jī Fēihuā rose to leave, then added: "By the way, Sir Hú, the palace is currently sorting accounts; I have mentioned to the emperor that you might assist there temporarily—what do you think?"

Hú Bùwéi respectfully replied: "I will follow your arrangements, Commander."

Jī Fēihuā gave a slight, smiling nod.

Having left the Shuiǐng'er hutong, Hé Rènxīng waited by his carriage, quietly anticipating his arrival. When Jī Fēihuā reached the carriage, he did not rush off, but lowered his voice to Hé Rènxīng: "Madam Xú will go to her natal home in Jīnlíng the day after tomorrow; I would like you to personally escort her on this journey."

Hé Rènxīng replied: "Yes!"

Jī Fēihuā asked: "Are the preparations for the northern front complete?"

"The preparations are ready."

Ji Feihua smiled and said: "I don't know what kind of surprise there will be." (To be continued~^~)