Chapter 295: Officialdom Struggle

Receiving the official document, Min Kaifeng was completely stunned.

Not long after the Northern Barbarians besieged the city, the military and political power in the city fell into the hands of the army to rescue the throne.

The original city-defending army, after being withdrawn from the city wall, was disarmed.

Each and every one of them started doing coolie work, either reinforcing the city wall or transporting supplies.

Li Mu gave a legitimate reason: to prevent Northern Barbarian spies from coordinating from within and without to capture the city.

Although they were dissatisfied with this act of seizing power, they couldn't stand the reality being too cruel.

Cases of defenders opening the city gates to welcome the "Northern Barbarian King's Army" had occurred more than once in previous battles.

There were complaints in the army; no one could guarantee that the defenders wouldn't be bought by the Northern Barbarians.

By comparison, the army to rescue the throne was much more reliable.

They were all from Liangguang, and the Northern Barbarians' hands couldn't reach that far.

Unfamiliar with the place and people, they had no contact with any forces in the city.

Even if Northern Barbarian spies were hidden in the city, they wouldn't know who to give the money to if they wanted to buy people.

Having transferred the power, the burden on their shoulders was lighter, and there were not so many things to worry about.

Having slept a few peaceful nights, Min Kaifeng felt that such a result was not bad.

The army to rescue the throne was a guest army and would leave after the battle; the loss of power was temporary.

Never did he expect that after only living a comfortable life for more than a month, another change would occur.

He had also heard about corrupt merchants hoarding and driving up prices, causing prices in the city to soar.

However, Min Kaifeng didn't take it to heart; if you can afford grain, eat it; if you can't, starve.

The life and death of ordinary people had nothing to do with him, this Provincial Administration Commissioner; the world never lacked commoners.

The occasional sympathy was also a flash in the pan.

Expecting him to offend the gentry behind the corrupt merchants for the sake of a group of commoners was impossible.

No matter which faction, no matter whether they were clean or not, they were surprisingly consistent on this issue.

Those who weren't ruthless couldn't stand firm in the court.

Meddling in other people's business would lead to losing one's official position at best, and ruin one's reputation and falling into an irreversible situation at worst.

With the arrival of the official document, the situation changed.

When things were hidden in the dark, everyone could pretend not to see them; once the lid was lifted and placed on the table, they couldn't sit idly by.

If not handled properly, it would be burying a mine for oneself.

Political enemies in the court would not give up the opportunity to kick someone when they were down.

The impeachment memorials of the censors would fly into the imperial city like snowflakes.

Handling it was also a big trouble.

Cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents.

With the Northern Barbarians raging, everyone had suffered heavy losses.

Gentry and corrupt merchants all wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to make up for their losses.

Investigating seriously, there were too many people to offend.

Once the backlash came, he, this Provincial Administration Commissioner, simply couldn't cover it.

The black pot couldn't be carried by one person.

Realizing that the situation was not good, Min Kaifeng decisively summoned the officials in the city to visit the bedridden Governor Jia together.

No matter what, Jia Xiaochen was the Shandong Provincial Governor.

Even if he was bedridden and unable to handle government affairs, he had to be brought along.

If problems arose later and the imperial court investigated the responsibility in the future, there would be someone to take the blame.

"Cough, cough...

This old man, this illness... I fear it won't do.

Cough... cough...

I entrust the affairs of the office to all my colleagues to handle on my behalf.

Cough, cough, cough..."

Jia Xiaochen said panting.

Although he didn't know what had happened, years of official experience told him that so many people coming together certainly meant no good.

Being a patient himself, he didn't mind pretending to be more serious.

If the situation continued to deteriorate, he would die of illness on the bed.

The deterioration of the situation in Shandong was his primary responsibility, but this was just a matter of personal ability.

As long as he died, the imperial court wouldn't continue to pursue it.

If he was lucky and the situation reversed, he would work hard to treat the illness.

Fainting in the office earlier was just due to anxiety, not some terminal illness.

The sickly state in front of him was half real illness and half pretense.

"Governor, take care of your health!

The Governor's Office cannot be without you.

You can rest assured about the specific affairs of the office; we will handle them right here.

If there are different opinions, you can put them forward directly; we will take your opinion as the main one!

Governor, you need to rest quietly.

My lords, let's start directly; we cannot delay the Governor's rest time."

Min Kaifeng responded immediately, not giving Jia Xiaochen any chance to refuse.

If it were normal times, they could have fought a battle of words, but now it was different; he was playing the role of a patient.

Arguing strongly at this time would soon expose his pretense of illness.

Then the ability problem would turn into a political stance problem.

To avoid carrying the black pot, Jia Xiaochen chose to faint.

"Governor, Provincial Administration Commissioner, the Prefect's Office just received an official document sent by the army to rescue the throne.

They demand that we severely punish corrupt merchants and pacify the prices in the city as soon as possible.

According to their speculation, these corrupt merchants have colluded with the Northern Barbarians and are deliberately driving up prices in the city to create chaos.

And behind this, it also involves some gentry and incumbent officials.

..."

After Cheng Junfeng finished speaking, the faces of everyone present darkened.

At this moment, he suddenly understood why the Provincial Administration Commissioner dragged them to discuss matters in front of the Governor's sickbed.

The problem pointed out in the official document of the army to rescue the throne was too serious.

Just driving up prices during wartime was a capital offense, and now it involved Northern Barbarian spies.

If they suppressed it and didn't handle it, they would all bear the suspicion of colluding with the Northern Barbarians.

With the territory fallen, the imperial court needed scapegoats to be responsible for this Northern Barbarian invasion.

Their weight was a bit lacking, but as long as their backers in the court were implicated, it would be enough weight.

As long as there was suspicion, they would be targets for all sides.

"Lord Cheng, colluding with the Northern Barbarians is not quite right!

Those merchants, at most, want to seek wealth.

In my humble opinion, it's better to pick out a few ringleaders and impose fines to warn others."

The Jinan Assistant Prefect hurriedly defended.

Deep in his heart, he started cursing.

A group of military generals were also so good at putting labels on people, completely leaving no way for others to live.

Yet he had no choice; having taken people's money, he had to help handle the matter.

Otherwise, having offended the great clans in the city, he, this Assistant Prefect, would be dead.

"Assistant Prefect Zhou's words are not bad; there aren't that many Northern Barbarian spies, just a group of corrupt merchants.

Catching a few to warn others and pacifying the hearts of the people as soon as possible is the best policy.

The news of Nanjing's fall is spreading like wildfire in the court; the office must clarify the rumors as soon as possible!"

The Surveillance Commissioner followed suit.

The soaring prices in the city involved everyone present, more or less.

Letting them handle this matter was destined to be a whitewash.

If it weren't for giving face to the army to rescue the throne, they wouldn't even want to produce scapegoats.

Seeing someone take the lead, a group of officials spoke up one after another to help defend.

"My lords, I fear things are not that simple.

Other problems are easy to talk about, but how to solve the matter of pacifying prices?

You must know that because prices are too high, some people have already taken risks and gone to pick at the city wall's emergency military rations.

Just on the side of the army to rescue the throne, they caught hundreds of people.

Commander Li sentenced them on the spot, all to be exiled and serve in the army.

Including close relatives, a total of over 2,000 people.

Now that they have sent a letter, they want us to give an explanation.

Otherwise, they will handle it on our behalf.

You should be clear about what it means once such a thing happens!"

Provincial Administration Commissioner Min Kaifeng said helplessly.

Summoning everyone over wasn't to watch everyone whitewash.

The main purpose today was to have these people put pressure on the merchants in the city.

The people don't fight with officials.

Even if ordinary merchants had backers, they had to weigh the consequences of offending them.

As long as prices were pacified, the previous problems wouldn't be a big deal.

"They dare!"

"Military generals interfering in government affairs is a capital offense.

Unless the Marquis of Wuyang is crazy, otherwise he..."

Halfway through his words, the Jinan Assistant Prefect immediately realized the seriousness of the problem.

Although the Marquis of Wuyang was the commander of the army to rescue the throne, he was still a civil official.

The one who issued the document was also just his subordinate, clearly giving them face.

If it wasn't handled well, the Marquis of Wuyang would intervene personally and take over all affairs in the city.

The charge of "colluding with the Northern Barbarians" would fall on their heads.

Subsequent affairs would be handled by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

With the current situation, once in the imperial prison, wanting to retreat unscathed was almost impossible.

"Governor, the backgrounds of these merchants in the city are not small.

If we really investigate, I fear we won't be able to hold on either.

It's better to let everyone go to lobby and communicate first; if we can't talk it out, then take extraordinary means."

Cheng Junfeng looked at the sleeping Jia Xiaochen and proposed.

The people who understood immediately reacted.

Since the Governor had fainted and couldn't come out to oppose, then this order was issued by the Governor.

With a scapegoat, even if the person behind the scenes wanted revenge, it would be Governor Jia standing in front.

Seeing everyone unified in their stance, Jia Xiaochen, who realized the situation was not good, hurriedly coughed twice.

"Since there is a result, we won't disturb the Governor's rest!"

After speaking, everyone immediately said goodbye and left, completely ignoring Jia Xiaochen's protest.

Seeing this scene, Jia Xiaochen, who was already full of anger, was so angry that he couldn't speak.

No matter how slow his reaction was, he knew that during his illness, he had been hollowed out by the people below.

These people came to discuss matters, seemingly respecting his opinion, but in reality, they were making him carry the black pot.

Yet he had no way to stop it.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 296 =====

(End of chapter)