Chapter 735: Is There Anywhere I Can Be of Service?

The next day, Pan Yun went to the other side of Mount Sanqing to see people off.

Song Dalin hid over six hundred brothers inside a cave.

Some had returned home briefly; others had headed toward their homes, then slipped back once they felt no one was watching them, hiding in the cave these past two days.

Wang Cong's registrar had also arrived.

He was surnamed Ding, had traveled with Wang Cong for years as a merchant, and stayed behind at the end of last year to manage a general store in Guangxin Prefecture.

His monthly profit exceeded twenty taels, earning Wang Cong over two hundred taels of silver annually.

He had little money on hand—not enough to buy goods, let alone transport so many people to Quanzhou.

Pan Yun looked at Seeing Miao Zhen.

Seeing Miao Zhen and Tao Yanbai brought in a chest, opened it, revealing neatly stacked silver ingots.

Ding Guanshi and Song Dalin both widened their eyes.

Pan Yun said: "This is money for you to buy goods. Ding Guanshi, you're familiar with this—take them to purchase cloth, books, tea, and porcelain, then deliver everything to Quanzhou Port."

Ding Guanshi hesitated: "The quality of cloth and tea varies greatly in price—what quality does Little Master want?"

Pan Yun: "Buy a few bolts of brightly colored, high-quality cloth; all the rest should be medium or lower grade. Do the same for tea and porcelain."

That pile of silver will buy a lot.

Ding Guanshi instantly understood, bowed deeply: "I'll go at once."

Pan Yun pointed to Song Dalin and Wang Xiaojing: "These six hundred and forty-eight brothers are under their command. If you have any issues, find them—they're now Wang Cong's men, just like your former shop assistants. Consult them on any matter."

Ding Guanshi acknowledged.

Pan Yun handed Song Dalin a bundle: "These are your service contracts and travel permits."

Song Dalin opened them.

He couldn't read, so he looked to Wang Xiaojing.

Wang Xiaojing explained: "These are active contracts, stating we work for the Wang Shi trading house, our monthly pay, and the travel permits are proof we're traveling with the trading house."

Song Dalin: "Our real names?"

Wang Xiaojing flipped through several pages and nodded: "Real names. Even the addresses match."

Song Dalin stared at Pan Yun in shock: "How in just a few days did you get real travel permits? Is the magistrate of Yushan County an idiot?"

Pan Yun smiled: "The trading house enlisted friends from the Wu Lin Alliance to arrange this. With so many of you, half the permits were processed in Guangxin Prefecture through Wu Lin Alliance contacts, the other half through acquaintances in the county office. Don't worry—it's all legal. You're free to leave."

Song Dalin: "Even Yu Qingtian agreed?"

"Yu Qingtian has left."

When the tiger's away, the monkeys rule.

As soon as Yu Qian departed, Cai Cheng received word—he was safe.

Because he succeeded in recruiting rebels, despite past misdeeds, he had earned merit to offset his faults.

Had Yu Qian not scathingly denounced him in his memorial, he might have used connections to retain his post.

Still, better to have kept his life, especially after seeing Song Zhang, the Fujian Provincial Finance Commissioner, being escorted back to the capital.

Cai Cheng wasn't escorted—he was dismissed on the spot and sent home.

Wu the secretary decided to take this year's imperial examination and was packing his bags.

The new magistrate hadn't arrived; the old one was leaving. Yushan County was now run by the county lieutenant and the registrar.

Both men's ancestors were natives of Yushan County; they'd served under Ming Ren for years. Now that Cai Cheng was gone, they immediately reinstated Ming Ren's old regulations and resumed all previous procedures.

Yushan County's affairs gradually returned to normal.

The people didn't need their oversight—after several rounds of disaster relief grain distribution, they had already reorganized the fields. Though they ate little each day, they didn't starve, and life returned to order.

Pan Yun sent someone to the county office to obtain travel permits. The county lieutenant merely glanced at the list, confirmed these people were bound for Quanzhou and possibly overseas, and promptly issued them.

He was grateful to Pan Yun and trusted her—so long as these former rebels caused no trouble within the Great Ming Realm, let them go.

Better to send these troublemakers to Wa Country than keep them in Yushan County.

The county lieutenant didn't care whether they were smuggling themselves out or breaking laws—his permits clearly stated Quanzhou as the destination, not Wa Country.

The county lieutenant stamped the permits vigorously, then added: "Luckily you only brought three hundred. If you'd brought one more, I wouldn't have dared stamp them—each year, the county office has a fixed quota for travel permits."

Pan Yun knew this was for security control, especially now during this critical period—Fujian's rebellion was raging, and population movement into Fujian had to be tightly restricted.

By giving them both the service contracts and travel permits, Pan Yun gave them assurance: should they ever wish to leave, these contracts weren't chains—they could simply take them and walk away with Song Dalin.

The brothers, upon seeing this, grew even more respectful and willing to stay.

If she gave them their service contracts, how could she possibly be deceiving them?

Once they reached Wa Country, they'd surely find plenty of silver.

Just after Pan Yun saw Song Dalin and the others off, news reached Yu Qian in Fujian, not two days later.

He still worried about Yushan County, so he left two Embroidered Uniform Guards to monitor the county's situation.

"You say they've been buying cloth, tea, and porcelain along the way, heading toward Fujian?"

"Yes. We disguised ourselves and spoke with them. They said they're now shop assistants for the Wang Shi trading house, escorting goods to Quanzhou Port."

Yu Qian burst out laughing: "Quanzhou Port?"

"Yes," the Embroidered Uniform Guard carefully observed Yu Qian's expression, then said gravely: "My lord, do they intend to go overseas?"

Yu Qian lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, then asked: "Is that bad?"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard: …

It wasn't necessarily bad, but…

"Smuggling is illegal, and they're all unruly commoners."

Yu Qian: "That's precisely why she chose them."

Yu Qian's eyes gleamed—he understood something, clenched his fist, and couldn't help pounding his thigh in admiration: "Brilliant~~"

The Brocade Uniform Guard:... the Brocade Uniform Guard looked at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan was speechless, yet raised his head to look upward.

Yu Qian sighed: "No wonder Xue Shao can't speak three sentences without mentioning Pan Yun. Indeed fascinating—alas, why didn't she tell me outright back then? Such a brilliant method—why go through the Wu Lin Alliance? It only enriched corrupt officials..."

It would've been better to find him directly—it would've saved a fortune.

Lu Yuan spoke softly: "Perhaps because my lord Yu is known as Yu the Just—who could have guessed my lord Yu wouldn't oppose this?"

Yu Qian said: "Japan's wolves have hungry hearts; we must not show them mercy. Several officials in court are too lenient, thinking only of governing with benevolence and righteousness—but benevolence and righteousness work only on gentlemen and commoners, not on wolves."

Yu Qian stroked his beard: "Xue Shao's proposal is sound. For Japan, we must appoint a manager who prioritizes the greater good and isn't bound by petty concerns. The few proposed by court are unfit."

Lu Yuan: "Does my lord Yu think Xue Censor is suitable?"

Yu Qian glanced at him, half-smiling: "His talent, ability, and methods are all suitable—but his status is insufficient. The Emperor won't lower his dignity to recruit talent. No matter how suitable, if he can't command respect, all his strengths become weaknesses—utterly unsuitable."

Yu Qian softened his tone, solemnly: "Yet such a man, even if unusable now, must be preserved alive—otherwise, it will be a loss to the Great Ming."

Lu Yuan fell into thought.

Not long after, Xue Shao, who had been imprisoned, was released.

His hair was disheveled, he wore only his undergarment, his ankle chains and wrist fetters had just been removed—he looked worn and ragged. As he stepped out of the prison, the sunlight above blazed like gold raining down; he squinted upward, golden light slanting across his vision.

Xi Jin had already prepared mugwort water. Seeing his young master emerge, he rushed forward with a wooden basin, splashing water onto him in handfuls: "Drops of pure spring arrive, filth and impurity vanish entirely, evil qi is utterly extinguished, righteous qi endures forever..."

Xue Shao waited until he finished chanting, then patted the water off his body and asked: "Why was I suddenly released?"

Xi Jin: "You want to go back to prison?"

Xue Shao smiled: "I thought I'd be locked up at least until next year, until the sea ban matter settled. Has there been a conclusion on Japan's silver mines?"

Xi Jin: "I inquired. Court rumors are chaotic—I don't know which incident stirred the Emperor's heart, but suddenly his conscience returned and he ordered your release."

Xue Shao fastened his robe, took the outer garment Xi Jin offered, and put it on, smiling: "Tell me everything."

Xi Jin: "General Liu, sent to Fujian to suppress the rebels, suffered a crushing defeat, and several men died. The rebel leaders Deng Maoqi and Ye Zongliu have joined forces, gathering over eighty thousand civilians, capturing ten cities. They've also heard rumors of Japan's silver mines and are now sending troops toward Quanzhou Port."

This he hadn't anticipated. Xue Shao felt uneasy: "Who leaked this news to them?"

As he walked with Xi Jin, he glanced around, lowering his voice: "Pan Yun?"

"I haven't received word, but rebel forces have appeared in Yushan County too. Rumor says Daoist Pan returned to Yushan to assist my lord Yu and the county magistrate in pacifying the rebels—considered one of the few good tidings in Jiangnan."

Xue Shao paused slightly: "Where did you hear this? From the Wu Lin Alliance? The Celestial Masters' Mansion? Or from Inspector Yin?"

Xi Jin looked confused: "None of those. I heard it at court—it's spread everywhere. Everyone says Daoist Pan is a fine Daoist, and the court ought to reward her."

Xue Shao fell silent.

Xi Jin: "My lord Yu submitted three memorials praising Daoist Pan. By the way, the Emperor ordered the reconstruction of Quanzhou's Maritime Trade Office and appointed Cao Jixiang to manage it, with imperial clan assistance."

Xue Shao stopped walking: "Cao Jixiang? Then who attends the Emperor now?"

Xi Jin leaned close and whispered: "It's said Wang Zhen proposed it—he assigned the eunuch Mao Gui to replace Cao Jixiang."

Xue Shao lowered his gaze.

Xi Jin fretted, whispering: "For eunuchs, isn't being near the Emperor the path to advancement? Isn't Cao Jixiang Wang Zhen's ally? Why does it seem like they're about to fight?"

Xue Shao asked: "Who went south with Cao Jixiang to Quanzhou?"

Xi Jin scratched his head: "It seems a eunuch named Wang Changsui went with them, along with a Ministry of Revenue official named Chen Guan."

Xue Shao: "They've sealed it tight."

"Huh?" Xi Jin looked puzzled.

"For eunuchs, being near the Emperor is indeed vital—but Cao Jixiang is different," Xue Shao said. "Cao Jixiang knows warfare—he commanded several campaigns. His ability surpasses many generals in the Ministry of War. He is upright and incorruptible. Sending him to Quanzhou is perfect to counter Japan."

Xi Jin's eyes lit up: "Then isn't that good?"

"But Wang Changsui and Chen Guan are both Wang Zhen's men," Xue Shao said. "Cao Jixiang does rely on Wang Zhen, but he isn't fully aligned with him. Since the Xue Pan case was overturned, a rift has formed between the Emperor and Wang Zhen. Though only half a year has passed, upon returning to Jingcheng, I could feel it—the Emperor now relies more heavily on Cao Jixiang than before."

"Clearly, Wang Zhen is anxious. He's pushed Cao Jixiang out of the capital, yet can't resist giving him this juicy slice of Japan's silver mines—but he won't give it all. So he sent Wang Changsui and Chen Guan along—trying to have both pots."

Xi Jin: "Then what do we..."

"We?" Xue Shao tapped his forehead, smiling. "We're the fish caught in the crossfire, the pieces idly picked up—only because we're still useful, none of the factions dare let me die. I should thank my lord Yu for pleading for me, and Daoist Pan for her foresight."

Xi Jin was baffled: "Huh?"

Xue Shao smiled: "If Pan Yun hadn't spread word of Japan's silver mines the moment she landed, how would rebels bent on rebellion have learned of it? Someone must've whispered in Deng Maoqi's ear, pushing him to strike Quanzhou—forcing the court to decide quickly."

Wang Zhen, Cao Jixiang, southern and northern eunuchs, noble clans, and Jiangnan officials backed by Jiangnan magnates formed a pot of boiling oil. Now, Pan Yun—a spark—leapt into it, and Yu Qian stirred the fire. The oil exploded instantly; the Emperor, clutching the pot, had no choice but to decide immediately.

Xue Shao slipped out through the crack.

Indeed, as soon as Xue Shao returned to the inn, Cao Qin, Cao Jixiang's adopted son, arrived: "My father says that when you served as an official, you were a good one; as a man, you are righteous. You shouldn't waste away in prison. Before leaving the capital, he spoke many kind words for you before the Emperor..."

Xue Shao looked deeply grateful, then asked: "Is there any way I may serve my lord Cao?"

Naturally, there was. Cao Qin indicated Cao Jixiang wished to learn more about Japan and the silver mines. Of course, if Xue Shao were willing to travel personally to Quanzhou for a face-to-face meeting with Cao Jixiang, that would be even better.

By the way, Xue Shao has already been dismissed from office and will soon be expelled from Jingcheng—he is now a free man.

He is now, like his uncle Xue Xuan, forbidden to enter Jingcheng without imperial decree.

In short, Cao Jixiang wants to hire Xue Shao as his advisor.

Previously, Xue Shao would never have agreed—he enjoyed his freedom too much. If he couldn't be an official, he'd simply continue traveling the world.

But thinking of Pan Yun's three ships still adrift at sea, he paused, then nodded in agreement.

Cao Qin beamed, bowing: "In two days, I'll wait for you outside the city."

Xue Shao: "I've been dismissed from office. 'Shao' is my given name—call me 'Wen Shao,' Young Master Cao."

Cao Qin smiled and agreed.

No sooner had Cao Qin left than a Ministry of Revenue official came to visit. He sat down and sighed: "Prime Minister Yang and Grand Secretary Chen have traveled tirelessly, finally persuading the Emperor to release you. The sea ban has long been in place, and many in court believe it should be lifted..."

Xue Shao looked deeply moved, then asked: "Is there any way I may serve Prime Minister Yang and Grand Secretary Chen?" (End of chapter)