Chapter 23: The Experienced Marquis of Wuyang

Directorate of Ceremonial.

Opening the roster data, Zuo Guangen began to check it off. The busier he was, the more energetic he felt. Even if he worked for several hours in a row, he didn't feel the slightest fatigue.

The feeling of mastering the life and death of others was truly wonderful.

The people on the list were all those who had opposed him. Among them, individual outstanding ones had even pointed at his nose and cursed him.

Now, as long as he simply ticked a stroke, he could make these guys lose their heads. If he wasn't relieved, he could also implicate their families.

"This Prime Minister has marked it; hurry up and implement it!"

After speaking, Zuo Guangen put down the pen in his hand, and a victor's smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Godfather, wouldn't it be too cheap for them if you handle it like this?"

The young eunuch who took the roster said indignantly.

When the two sides were fighting most fiercely some days ago, the Pure Stream party members were wishing they could kill them all.

That big battle scared many eunuchs. They were afraid that if they listened to the Pure Stream's words, they would be physically destroyed.

Now that the situation has reversed, the eunuchs who have become winners must definitely take revenge.

The execution list ticked by Zuo Guangen added up to only six civil officials, and they were all marginal figures in the Pure Stream party. Compared with the revenge they expected, it was completely different.

"You know, this Prime Minister is the kindest; I can't bear to see so many people die, so I chose to deal with it lightly.

It's just that the charges they committed are too big; if they are not punished, it will not be enough to appease public anger.

Forget it, this Prime Minister will take on a little more.

Simply show more grace and let them be spared the suffering of family separation.

You guys pick a good place and let them migrate their entire clan there."

After listening to Zuo Guangen's answer, the eunuchs who were originally not relieved instantly beamed with joy.

Killing the enemy can only relieve the anger for a moment.

How can it be as relieving as watching the enemy live in annoyance and regret every day.

The family cultivates them to be officials, wanting them to take the clan to fly high, not to let them take the whole clan to be exiled.

Human nature cannot withstand testing; if it really implicates the whole clan to be exiled.

The elders who once watched them grow up, and the close relatives who played together, will all become enemies overnight.

Living in the scolding of the clansmen every day, it is difficult for the mentality not to collapse.

This kind of spiritual blow is more terrifying than killing a person.

With these living examples, when others want to oppose them, they must carefully think about whether they can bear the consequences of failure.

"Godfather, you are worthy of being someone who can be a prime minister.

Just this belly capacity is enough to support several big ships, far from what that group of pedantic scholars in the court can compare!"

After a series of flattery, the atmosphere in the Directorate of Ceremonial became exceptionally warm.

Marquis of Wuyang's Mansion.

After expounding the plan for raising funds, Li Mu waited quietly for the Marquis of Wuyang's reply.

He hadn't had many contacts with this Regional Commander superior, but he had heard a lot of rumors about this person.

Arrogant, domineering, arbitrary, incompetent, greedy—anyway, they were not good words.

Li Mu didn't know what the Marquis of Wuyang's character was like. However, being able to sit firmly in the position of Regional Commander proved that he was definitely not as useless as the rumors outside.

Not to mention the distant ones, just the several deputies in the Wucheng Military Commission were thinking about pulling him off his horse at any time.

In a place where noble children gathered, background alone was not enough; one must also show sufficient means.

Just like Li Mu himself, after serving as the Nancheng Thousand-Household, everyone was polite on the surface, but they didn't really admire him in their hearts.

No trouble was caused, all because he knew how to behave. After taking office, he didn't toss about at all and didn't harm everyone's interests.

When facing the Eastern Depot agents, maintaining strength, in addition to wanting to save his classmate, was also deliberately showing means in front of his subordinates.

"You kid, you really are restless!

However, since the Eastern Depot borrowed the territory of the Wucheng Military Commission, it is only right and proper for us to share a piece of the pie.

I agreed to this matter.

I won't ask about the specific operation. As long as you don't cause trouble, you can play freely and pay 500,000 taels of silver to me afterwards.

Don't bargain with me; the other several thousand-household offices also have to pay operating expenses.

This money is not taken by me alone; in addition to leaving the yamen's operating expenses, I also have to leave a portion for His Majesty."

The Marquis of Wuyang's reply made Li Mu understand why this person could suppress a group of noble children and sit firmly in the position of Regional Commander.

When making money, knowing to leave a portion for the Emperor first, the favorability would not soar.

Even if trouble was caused, for the sake of money, the Emperor would have to help this good uncle bear a few more points.

"Marquis, it's not that this humble official is shirking.

The criminal officials who entered the prison have all had their homes raided by the Depot and Guard. The money that entered the Eunuch faction's pocket will definitely not be taken out again.

With the style of the Depot and Guard, there will be a lot of torture.

There are few hard bones among the Pure Stream party members; facing the torture in the imperial prison, few can handle it, and the money they hid was also handed over.

It's good enough that the relatives and old friends in the past are willing to spend money to redeem people. If the price is set too high, the deal will fail.

Not to mention that after getting the money, we still have to share a portion with that group of Eastern Depot agents; who knows how much harvest there will be in the end!"

Li Mu couldn't help but complain.

The asking price was really too high; no wonder colleagues had a bad impression of this person. Income is limited, the people above take more, and the people below naturally get less.

If the people were caught by the Wucheng Military Commission, let alone a mere 500,000 taels, even 5 million taels, he would have the confidence to squeeze it out.

But now it's different; the fattest meat was eaten by others. If they get involved, they can drink a sip of soup at most.

"You, you are still too tender.

Even if these criminal officials' family properties were raided and they have no money in their pockets now, don't their relatives, old friends, classmates, and teachers have money?

In order to work for the Pure Stream party, they almost lost their lives. If they are not even willing to pay a ransom, it is too chilling.

If they really don't pay to redeem people, then let them bite a few more in. Working together for a long time, it's impossible not to have any handles on each other.

As far as I know, in addition to the bright industries, these people also occupy a lot of dry shares in secret.

Check it out, the merchants who are close to them. Just go to the door and issue a fine directly; if they are not willing to pay, send them to the imperial prison!"

The method of making money taught by the Marquis of Wuyang opened Li Mu's eyes.

No wonder after these people had an accident, so many people risked offending the Eunuch faction to operate behind the scenes.

The friendship of the past at most played 10% of the role. More was because they were afraid that these people in prison would break the jar and say everything, dragging them into it as well.

The move was indeed a bit damaging, but the one standing in front to take the blame and scolding was the Eunuch faction. As the middleman, the Wucheng Military Commission was just taking their money and doing their things.

"Thank you, Marquis, for your teaching; this humble official understands what to do!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 24 =====