Chapter 122: The Huiyun Shipping Company

The Grain Transport Administration's Governor-General a few months ago was Li Sancai, a giant of the Donglin Faction who had controlled grain transport for over a decade. Naturally, every aspect of the grain transport system had been thoroughly infiltrated by the Donglin Faction, to the point where they almost completely controlled it.

The Donglin Faction's control of grain transport brought them the greatest profits, but that didn't mean they were the only ones nervous. Merchants traveling north and south, anyone who depended on grain transport, were all extremely tense.

A rather imposing teahouse.

At the eastern table, a group of people dressed in seemingly luxurious clothing gathered around the table, speaking in low, worried voices.

"Have you heard? The Ministry of Works is really getting serious this time!"

"This time the Ministry of Works is investigating grain transport approvals and vessels by imperial decree. It won't be easy to fob them off."

"Now at the capital's docks and relay stations, Ministry of Works personnel are everywhere. If any approval document is incorrect, they immediately seize the people and goods — no vessel is allowed to leave port!"

"I've had several boats seized too. I begged many people to intercede, but it was useless. The Ministry of Works people said that if the fines aren't paid in full and new approvals obtained within the deadline, the vessels will be confiscated."

At the western table sat another group, though judging by their clothing, they appeared to be a mix of officials and commoners.

"Did you know? I heard this Vice Minister Zhou has only just taken up his post at the Ministry of Works — he doesn't even know everyone's faces yet. He doesn't really have much power."

"Are you saying Minister Zhong is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

"If you ask me, definitely not. Minister Zhong has always advocated non-interference. It's more likely Vice Minister Wang is the one behind this."

"Now that you mention it, that does fit Lord Wang's style. I'm afraid this won't end well."

"Actually, I'm not too bad off — I don't have many boats. But I've had quite a lot of goods seized. I don't know if I can redeem them."

The group discussed among themselves, but after all, they were merely private merchants with limited influence. Against the Ministry of Works' thunderous crackdown, they had no power to resist whatsoever.

At this moment, at **'s residence, a gathering of Donglin Faction members involved in grain transport all looked at ** with worried expressions.

"Your Excellency, we must think of a solution. Grain transport is right before us — if the Ministry of Works keeps this up, something major will happen."

"Indeed. If the south's grain can't be shipped up, not only will the capital be affected — Liaodong and the Nine Border Garrisons will all fall into chaos."

"Your Excellency, we can't wait any longer. Once the Ministry of Works fully spreads its net, it won't be so easy to wrap things up."

Officials large and small from the Six Ministries, Nine Chief Ministers, and various other offices all treated ** as an emotional dumping ground, pouring out their grievances in one torrent.

**'s expression was grim as well. The Chu faction's move had indeed caught him off guard. Ministry of Works Minister Zhong Yuzheng was known for his integrity, and Wang Shunding could be counted as a Donglin man. If this hadn't been brought directly before the throne, they would have had plenty of room to maneuver.

But now that the imperial decree had been issued openly, the Ministry of Works could not delay or drag its feet, which had led to the current situation.

Wang Ji sat at **'s lower left, listening to the crowd's clamor. Finding a gap, he said to ** in a grave tone, "Your Excellency, this matter truly cannot be delayed, but neither can we act rashly. Otherwise, the Chu faction will surely bite down madly."

** kept a stern face throughout, suppressed anger hidden beneath his aged features, yet sparks flickered in his eyes.

The group seized the opportunity to heap more curses on the Chu faction, but their focus remained on grain transport, continuously urging ** to find a way to make the Ministry of Works stop and restore grain transport to normal.

A clerk from the Grain Transport Administration looked up at **, and seeing that he remained silent for a long time, gritted his teeth and said, "Your Excellency, I heard that Guan Yingzhen has already contacted many people and is preparing to submit a memorial to the Emperor, asking the Ministry of Revenue to audit all past grain and money transactions in grain transport. If the Ministry of Revenue really starts investigating, even if nothing is found, grain transport won't settle back to normal in just ten days or half a month!"

The moment these words were spoken, everyone's face changed.

** slammed the table and roared angrily: "The Chu faction ruins the state and harms the people — they deserve death! It's all my fault for being soft-hearted. I should have driven them all out of the court long ago!"

Seeing ** enraged, the others stopped their clamoring and all looked at **, waiting for his solution.

**'s expression turned cold and remote. Looking at the faces of this group, he felt secretly annoyed — of course he knew how deeply they were entangled in grain transport — but he also knew he could only settle accounts after the harvest. He pondered for a moment, then looked at Wang Ji and said: "Guan Yingzhen's son is also implicated with the Shen family. We didn't pursue it deeply last time. Go back and look into it — plug Guan Yingzhen's mouth."

Everyone's hearts lifted at this, and they thought to themselves: not bad for an old Censor — this move strikes a fatal blow.

Wang Ji nodded in agreement, then asked, "Then what should we do about the Ministry of Works?"

** stood up, a chill on his face, and said: "I'll go see Zhong Shulian!"

Zhong Yuzheng, courtesy name Shulian.

"Excellent, excellent! With Your Excellency personally stepping in, Zhong Shulian will have to show some respect!"

"We're saved now. Grain transport won't be delayed for too long."

"Exactly. We can all breathe a sigh of relief."

A group of upright officials who served the state and the people watched with reverent gazes as ** went to visit Zhong's residence to inquire after his illness.

Zhu Xu loved nothing more than a lively scene, but his identity prevented him from joining in. He could only listen on the side while sighing inwardly.

The carriage swayed along as Zhu Xu listened to Cao Wenzhao's report, nodding from time to time.

Cao Wenzhao sat at Zhu Xu's left, saying excitedly, "Your Highness, it's exactly as you predicted. Zhou Yingqiu truly has skill — his moves are really quite substantial."

Zhu Xu smiled as he waved his fan, saying, "Just watch. I estimate that before long, that Minister Zhong will resign and return to his hometown."

Cao Wenzhao was startled and said, "Your Highness, can Zhou Yingqiu really bring Minister Zhong down?"

Zhu Xu smiled without answering. Every effect has its cause. Since Zhou Yingqiu had stirred up such a huge affair, someone would have to take the blame. If it wasn't Zhou Yingqiu himself, then by process of elimination, Zhong Yuzheng was the most suitable candidate.

Soon, Zhu Xu appeared in a side room in the rear courtyard of Zhou Jianyu's silk shop.

"Your humble subject pays respects to His Highness Prince Hui!" Shen Aonan, dressed in plain clothes, knelt and bowed to Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu gave him a once-over and said, "Have you thought it through?"

Shen Aonan straightened up, looked at Zhu Xu with a grave expression, and said: "Your humble subject has thought it through. I want to rebuild my Shen family!"

Zhu Xu nodded with satisfaction and smiled: "Good. This prince will give you your chance!"

Having said this, he turned to look at Zhou Jianyu: "The task I gave you — how is it progressing?"

Zhou Jianyu, his face brimming with excitement, hurried over and said: "Reporting to Your Highness, I've recently made contact with quite a few people, all interested in jointly establishing a grain transport trading company. I've already purchased over twenty vessels. As soon as we have the approval documents from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, we can begin shipping immediately!"

Zhu Xu nodded slightly and said: "Mm. The company will be called the Huiyun Shipping Company — I've already sent someone to handle what you mentioned. We don't have enough vessels yet. Grain transport won't recover for ten days or half a month. You must seize this opportunity to expand the shipping company. Making money is important, but growing bigger is more important. Understand?"

"Yes, your humble servant understands!" Zhou Jianyu and Shen Aonan said almost simultaneously.

Zhu Xu looked at these two men — they had influence and connection networks in the south. As long as they operated well, combined with the obstacles he had placed before the Grain Transport Governor-General's office, seizing a share of the grain transport market in a short time should be no problem.

Zhu Xu calculated for a moment, then said: "Remember — accept both large and small business. Build up your reputation first. I'll give you a small booklet; when the time comes, look through it and see what can be used. Study it carefully."

Zhou Jianyu was well aware of Zhu Xu's habits, and upon hearing this immediately said: "Rest assured, Your Highness. Your humble servant will never disappoint Your Highness!"

Zhou Jianyu was indeed extremely excited. Previously, because Wei Liangqing managed the Huitong Trading Company, he had been anxious for quite a while, fearing that his abilities were lacking and that His Highness Prince Hui thought little of him. This time, being able to get a foothold in grain transport filled him with fervent determination to accomplish something and prove his abilities to His Highness Prince Hui!