Chapter 491: Do You Have the Resolve?

If this opportunity can be used to investigate the Jiangnan bureaucracy and restore Jiangnan to a clear sky, the death of one or two innocent people is worth it.

Before Xue Shao left, Xue Xuan told him: "Act as the situation demands; if the Emperor has that resolve, I am willing to re-enter the Imperial Prison and die, just to carve a path for Your Majesty."

Xue Xuan laughed as he spoke: "If my death can cure the imperial court's deep-seated illness, it is worth more than a hundred years of my life."

Xue Shao: "You are willing to die, but my lord Pan may not be willing, and his family certainly do not wish to see their kin die—we cannot decide others' lives."

"Indeed," Xue Xuan sighed: "They still lack courage—they pick the softest persimmons to squeeze. If I were left in the Imperial Prison and Pan Hong were released, that would be better."

The more Xue Xuan thought about it, the more he felt staying in the Imperial Prison was better: "If today's poison had been meant for me, I would be dead already; then the scholars of Hedong and Hexi would be stirred, and they would surely seek justice for me—allowing the Emperor to seize this chance to strike at the Jiangnan bureaucracy…"

Xue Shao stared blankly and quickly interrupted him: "Second Uncle, if you were in the Imperial Prison, neither Wang Zhen nor the Pure Stream faction would dare poison you."

Xue Xuan's eyes rolled: "They won't poison me, but the Emperor could… oh, the Emperor isn't that kind of man—but I am. If I'm certain the Emperor has resolve, I'll poison myself immediately and give him the perfect excuse."

Xue Shao turned and walked away, heading to the palace, too tired to listen to his nonsense.

Xue Xuan began pondering alone: what other way could he get into the Imperial Prison and replace Pan Hong?

Today was a day off, so Xue Shao shouldn't have entered the palace.

But recently his relationship with the Emperor had improved, and since he was still tasked with teaching the Emperor, he could enter the palace even on days off.

Zhu Qizhen was boredly playing archery with his younger brother Zhu Qiyu when he heard Xue Shao had arrived; he immediately dropped his bow and pulled Zhu Qiyu to find him.

Upon meeting, he asked: "Have there been any amusing events outside the palace lately?"

Xue Shao thought for a moment, then shook his head: "No amusing events."

Zhu Qizhen didn't believe him: "Then no fresh gossip in teahouses or taverns? Isn't it said these places have fresh gossip every day?"

Xue Shao said: "These past few days, the most discussed topic outside the palace is how Wang Zhangyin was granted a python robe and restored to imperial favor."

He added: "This is something Your Majesty did; both court and realm have spoken of it at length—it's no longer remarkable to you."

Zhu Qizhen frowned, displeased: "So even you, Xue Qing, think I made a mistake?"

Xue Shao shook his head: "Your Majesty certainly has affection for Wang Zhangyin, but on matters of state, you've never been foolish—you simply can't bear to replace a blade you've used for so long."

"Besides, sharpening a new blade takes considerable time; it's perfectly natural you're unwilling to switch now."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes lit up brightly; he grabbed Xue Shao's hand: "Only you, Xue Qing, truly understand me."

He felt he'd found a kindred spirit and decided to take him to the center of the lake for an open talk: "This place is too crowded and noisy—let's go to the lake's center, where we can speak freely."

Turning, he saw Zhu Qiyu standing behind him and pulled him along: "Come, Brother Yu, let's go together."

Zhu Qiyu grinned and followed happily.

Zhu Qizhen took only Cao Jixiang and a few trusted attendants onto the boat; Zhu Qiyu brought no one at all.

In the center of the lake stood a small island with an open pavilion, Zhu Qizhen's favorite spot for secret talks—no one could usually eavesdrop.

If words spoken on the island leaked, tracing the source would be easy. From years of experience, Zhu Qizhen knew nothing discussed on the island had ever been leaked.

Zhu Qizhen leaned against the railing, feeling the spring breeze, and plucked a tender green willow branch, swinging it idly: "Do I not know that Master Wang abuses my authority to bully others? But there are even more despicable men in the court—I must use Master Wang to control them, so I must tolerate him."

Xue Shao merely smiled; the fact that Zhu Qizhen still called Wang Zhen "Master" told him that getting the Emperor to act against Wang Zhen was still a long, difficult road.

Since Wang Zhen couldn't be dealt with, then deal with Jiangnan's deep-rooted corruption.

Xue Shao brought up Jiangnan himself: "The people's burdens are increasingly heavy. Though Your Majesty has issued several edicts to reduce taxes, in reality, their taxes haven't decreased—they've grown."

He sighed: "Your Majesty believes reducing taxes is an act of a wise ruler, but the people don't know—or if they do, when they actually pay, their taxes grow heavier each year. If this continues, public resentment will boil over, and opportunists will incite unrest, spawning many rebels."

Zhu Qizhen yanked hard, snapping the willow branch, his face cold: "I know—that's why I must keep Master Wang…"

"Your Majesty, using factional strife to seize power is the worst strategy," Xue Shao said, troubled: "You are the sovereign of all people, the Son of Heaven, the paternal ruler—you should not cultivate factions or join factional struggles. You must eradicate them. All officials, civil and military, serve you and the people of the realm."

Zhu Qizhen sprang to his feet, pacing: "Do I want to cultivate factions? Isn't it forced upon me? I've assumed personal rule, yet you yourself asked: why do my edicts to reduce taxes result in heavier burdens?"

"Because the decrees are never enforced!"

Zhu Qizhen grew angrier: "Formerly, Prime Minister Yang told me imperial authority couldn't reach the countryside—but now it doesn't even reach the counties, prefectures, or provinces!"

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"I ask you: in the Eight Prefectures of Jiangnan, who are they really listening to?"

Xue Shao stared intently at him: "Does Your Majesty have the resolve to eradicate this deep-rooted corruption?"

"I do!" Zhu Qizhen looked back at him, eyes bright: "Do you have a strategy?"

"If Your Majesty has resolve, then don't look back—press forward bravely," Xue Shao said: "You've begun well. Since you've mentioned Jiangnan's silver mines, start with the silver mines."

"I've heard the family of Salt Transport Commissioner Jiang has privately mined silver. Start with him—it will let you investigate not only Jiangnan's silver mines but also delve into Jiangnan's salt taxes," Xue Shao's eyes grew brighter: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan's salt taxes—this time, the account books submitted by Minister Wang of the Censorate covered only Fuzhou's five years, with deficits exceeding eighty thousand taels. Jiangnan's salt taxes will be even greater—certainly not less!"

Zhu Qizhen opened his mouth: "Start with Minister Jiang?"

Xue Shao nodded: "Yes."

After a moment of thought, he added: "Besides Minister Jiang, there is Prime Minister Yang."

Zhu Qizhen stared at him, wide-eyed: "Xue Qing, your uncle's release from prison was thanks to Prime Minister Yang, and he's always been upright and impartial—what could you possibly find against him?"

Xue Shao's face turned grave: "Prime Minister Yang is indeed upright and impartial—but his family are not all the same."

"Your Majesty, if I ignore my uncle's lawbreaking because Prime Minister Yang helped him, isn't that forming a faction?" Xue Shao said: "According to my knowledge, Prime Minister Yang's eldest son, Yang Ji, has a terrible reputation in the countryside, yet no word has ever reached Prime Minister Yang's ears—have you ever wondered why?"

Zhu Qizhen pondered: "They're flattering Prime Minister Yang, using him, gathering leverage over him."

Xue Shao nodded: "I don't know what crimes Yang Ji has committed, but even passing through Jiangnan, I've heard his bad reputation—so his offenses must be serious. If Your Majesty wishes to cleanse Jiangnan's bureaucracy, Prime Minister Yang is a chasm you must cross."

"Prime Minister Yang is upright—he won't do anything wrong himself—but he's from Ji'an. As long as he remains in the Grand Secretariat, Jiangnan's Pure Stream faction will see him as their leader, and with Yang Ji's leverage in hand, he has no choice."

Good night

(End of Chapter)