Chapter 47: The Scheme of the King of Yan

  Jiangpu County remained as calm as usual, but after a power struggle between the county magistrate and the county lieutenant, people had already acknowledged this fact in their hearts. Whether they were willing or not, officials with status and position in the city, including local gentry, began to change their allegiance, either directly or indirectly, by showing deference to Cao Yi through various means. The usually quiet Jiangpu government office was suddenly bustling with activity, as people from various families flocked there, holding visiting cards or carrying gift boxes, waiting in line to be received by Cao Yi. In contrast, the county yamen and the residence of Magistrate Huang, which were once crowded with carriages and horses, had become desolate and quiet.

  This is the way of the world, and the cold warmth and heat are an inevitable process. "The golden forest and jade trees sing in the morning, the Qinhuai River pavilion flowers bloom early, who knows that it will easily melt like ice."

  Xiao Fan should be triumphant, as the recent change in Jiangpu's government was entirely his doing. He is the mastermind behind the scenes, and no one in Jiangpu knows that everything was orchestrated by a merchant's son-in-law - except for Cao Yi. Both Cao Yi and Huang Zhixian have become tools for Xiao Fan to use to his advantage. The first test of his power has been successful: he has defeated his enemies, promoted his allies, and benefited the merchants who supported him. Everything is going according to plan.

  But Xiao Fan couldn't feel proud at all now.

  When one wave subsides, another rises.

  He found himself in trouble again, and this time it was a big one.

  Thinking of himself slapping the second emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty on the forehead countless times, Xiao Fan couldn't help but break out in cold sweat all over his body.

  This behavior is more serious than touching a tiger's butt, and what I took was a real dragon head...

  Xiao Fan had always been puzzled as to why, when Zhu Yunwen's guards rushed over, he didn't let the guards chop him down, but instead blocked them. Later, after calming down, Xiao Fan figured it out, and it was related to Zhu Yunwen's personality.

  Historically, Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen was an emperor who was so kind and gentle that he was almost weak. It was precisely this weakness and simplicity of character that led to the loss of his throne and being overthrown by his uncle. In connection with this, it is only normal that he did not immediately kill himself. He was a truly benevolent emperor, in whose eyes, he was just an ordinary citizen who didn't know his own identity. He wouldn't hold grudges against himself for such trivial matters.

  Xiao Fan was very fortunate, luckily that day he didn't meet the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, otherwise if he had also patted him on the forehead a few times, with Old Zhu's cruel and bloodthirsty temperament...

  Despite this, Xiao Fan still worried for several days, afraid that the Crown Prince would return to the capital and regret letting him off so easily, sending someone to find him in the rear camp. History is just history, who knows what kind of person Zhu Yunwen really was?

  Tossing and turning, unable to sleep at night, Xiao Fan had been worried for several days before finally deciding to come find Cao Yi to discuss the matter. He only knew him among the officials, perhaps he could get a general idea of the Crown Prince's pulse.

  A crowd of people gathered in front of the official residence, some carrying gift boxes and others holding visiting cards. Cao Yi's old family servant stood at the gate with a poker face, blocking everyone from entering. The people who came to pay their respects and offer gifts did not dare show any displeasure, still smiling and speaking softly to the old servant, asking him to let them in.

  Xiao Fan understood at a glance that this was another play of bribery, with the bribers being shameless and the bribed being dignified. After all, Emperor Hongwu hated corrupt officials, and if Cao Yi really accepted gifts from others without hesitation, he would likely be impeached by the Ministry of Justice soon. It's easy to imagine what would happen to Cao Yi in the end. On the contrary, by openly and grandly blocking the bribers at the door, outsiders would think that this county magistrate was honest and upright, giving people a good impression of being a clean official.

  Xiao Fan nodded secretly, Cao Yi was a clever person, and he hadn't become arrogant after initially gaining power in Jiangpu, it wasn't in vain that he had helped him push his way up.

  Xiao Fan walked to the gate of the government inn, and the old servant from his hometown saw him. Seeing that he came with empty hands, a glimmer appeared in the old servant's eyes, and a hint of smile even broke out on his usually expressionless face.

  Xiao Fan bowed slightly and said: "A humble commoner wishes to see County Magistrate, I hope the old gentleman can help pass on a message."

  The old servant stepped aside and said in a warm voice, "The master has already given orders that if Young Master Xiao comes to the door, he can go straight in without needing to be announced. Please, Young Master Xiao, enter."

  Xiao Fan smiled, rubbing his nose, and met the envious and jealous glances of those who came to pay their respects or send gifts outside. With a swing of his sleeves, he stepped across the threshold of the government hostel.

  The people who were blocked outside loudly questioned the old family servant.

  "Who is this guy? How come he can go in and we can't?"

  The old servant nodded and said: "He is Xiao Fan, the young master of the Xiao family. He's a close friend of our master, so he can certainly come in."

  Everyone was speechless, Xiao Fan, this name has been on everyone's lips in Jiangpu recently. The two giants in the county government are at odds with each other, and isn't it all because of him? Throughout the entire Jiangpu, who is more qualified to enter than him?

  Xiao Fan entered the government inn and arrived at the courtyard outside Cao Yi's chamber. He saw Cao Yi sitting under an old locust tree, reading a book at a stone table in the yard.

  Xiao Fan's eyes widened in surprise.

  This was the first time he found Cao Yi holding a book instead of a wine cup, which was really surprising! Originally, Cao Yi had been an image of a rough and impulsive warrior in his mind, at most adding a few points of cleverness. But this time, Cao Yi made him look at him with new eyes. Three days without seeing each other, he was no longer the same Wu Xiaoming. It seems that power is the best catalyst for men to make progress and strive upwards. Cao Yi, who had just taken control of Jiangpu, now knew that he needed to learn and make progress too, which was a good phenomenon.

  Xiao Fanxin smiled with relief, took two steps forward and bowed: "A humble commoner has seen Lord Cao, Lord Cao holds an official position but does not forget to study diligently, truly a model for us..."

  Cao Yi raised his head, and a smile broke out on his rough and rugged face: "So it's Xiao Fan, haha, I thought it was someone else..."

  He waved the book in his hand, Cao Yi's eyes were filled with expectation: "...... come find me for a drink?"

  Xiao Fan's smile froze: "......No."

  "What's the point of you coming to find me if you're not going to drink?"

  Xiao Fan sighed, Cao Yi was still Cao Yi, holding a book and looking like a glutton...

  "Sir, you... cough, weren't you reading a book?"

  Cao Yi's expression changed slightly, and he looked at the book in his hand with an unnatural expression. He chuckled and said, "This... cough, not bad, I am indeed reading a book..."

  Xiao Fan leaned forward and took a look, then exclaimed in surprise: "Huh? Sir, the book in your hand..."

  "What's wrong?"

  "It's all over."

  "What? Really?" Cao Yi glanced at it, then casually tossed the book with "The Commentary of Zuo" printed on it in his hand. With a whooshing sound, the book drew a mournful arc and disappeared without a trace.

  Xiao Fan's head was full of black lines: "………"

  "What's that... I, the official, heard footsteps and thought someone was coming to see me, so I just grabbed this book to put on a show. Actually, I wasn't reading it in the first place, the sight of books gives me a headache..."

  "What were you doing just now?"

  Cao Yi smiled slyly and suddenly pulled out a jar of wine from under the stone table, along with a roasted chicken wrapped in oiled paper.

  Xiao Fan was deeply impressed at once.

  The wine was already on the table, and Xiao Fan couldn't refuse anymore, so he had no choice but to drink with Cao Yi, taking turns in drinking.

  Fortunately, after getting to know each other for a long time, Xiao Fan knew that the county magistrate, who was originally a military general, didn't have any official airs about him and truly regarded him as a friend. So Xiao Fan also didn't need to pretend to be a humble commoner, frightening himself with his own servile demeanor. The two sat facing each other, drinking wine and chatting like old friends.

  "How is the progress of the county's affairs after the adults took over?"

  Cao Yi smiled and said, "Not bad, very smooth. Thanks to the chief clerk, Li Dian Shi and others are all very cooperative. Now, the county's household registration, thief capture, agriculture, taxation, water conservancy and other matters, they no longer enter the three halls to present to Huang Rui De, but directly report to me, and I will make the decision. The political affairs of Jiangpu are all in my hands..."

  "Congratulations, sir, on getting what you wanted. However, Huang Zhixian is still the nominal county magistrate, and documents from the Tianfu government, new policies from the imperial court, and annual evaluations of officials by the Ministry of Personnel must all go through him first. You can't be complacent now, it's best to think of a way to squeeze him out, so that you can fully assume the title of county magistrate and realize your ambitions."

  "Haha, I naturally understand these things. Don't be fooled, as long as I actually grasp the political affairs of Jiangpu, upstairs... " Cao Yi mysteriously pointed upwards and whispered: "...upstairs will naturally have someone to help me out, don't worry, Huang Zhixian won't be able to stir up trouble in Jiangpu for a few more days."

  Xiao Fan's heart tightened, and Cao Yi's "above" referred to someone other than Prince Yan.

  Why is the King of Yan so concerned about the power of Jiangpu County? What is his ultimate goal? Jiangpu County is only a short distance from the capital, and can be said to be the last line of defense on the west side of the capital. Is the King of Yan now preparing to usurp the throne? If the King of Yan leads his army south, and the officials and soldiers of the various guards resist, the defensive barrier on the west side of the capital suddenly loses its effectiveness, and falls into the hands of the King of Yan...

  Let's extend this idea a bit further. The world is vast, from north to south, how many cities have been infiltrated by the King of Yan in this way?

  Xiao Fan sighed inwardly, Zhu Yunwen, ah Zhu Yunwen, compared to your imperial uncle, you are really too tender...

  Xiao Fan did not expect that his accidental plan would indirectly help the King of Yan, leading to a change in the ruler of Jiangpu. This was an unexpected outcome, and whether it was right or wrong, even Xiao Fan himself did not know.

  Cao Yi spoke with great enthusiasm for a long time, and seeing Xiao Fan remain silent, he asked: "By the way, what did you come to find me for today?"

  Xiao Fan sighed and said: "I have troubles..."

  Cao Yi's face suddenly showed a look of realization: "Missing women?"

  "But... Ah! No, no..." Xiao Fan hastily shook his head in denial.

  Cao Yi's expression was like that of a knowing older brother: "I've also been through what you're going through at your age, thinking about women is just thinking about women, it's not something to be ashamed of. Ah, I heard you lived with Chen Si Liu for four years, but that fat Chen guy dragged things out and didn't let you marry his daughter. What does that Chen guy mean? Do you want me to give him a good scolding?"

  "Ah, no need, no need. Chen Si Liu did mention something about getting married, but I turned him down..."

  Cao Yi thought for a moment, nodded and said: "It's better to break off the engagement. The Chen family is a merchant family, you are their son-in-law, if you really marry their daughter, you will completely become a member of a merchant family. In our dynasty, there is a rule that merchants cannot hold official positions. If you become a merchant, you won't be able to become an official in the future. Xiao brother, you are a talented person and will surely make a name for yourself in the future. Don't let the Chen family block your way!"

  Xiao Fan was deeply moved. These were truly the words of a friend who thought and planned for him, showing a deep understanding from the inside out.

  "Thank you, sir, for your valuable advice..."

  "Alright, stop calling me a big man one by one. I'm older than you, call me Big Brother Cao instead." Cao Yi said with a hearty laugh.

  "Cao Dage..." Xiao Fanping calmed down and said: "Actually, I came to find you today, not because of the Chen family, but..."

  "What is it?"

  "Cough, but I seem to have gotten into trouble again..." Xiao Fan said with embarrassment.

  Cao Yi's eyes widened: "You've gotten into trouble again?! Damn it! I didn't think that beneath your gentle and refined appearance, you're actually a troublemaker! Tell me, who have you offended this time? The chief clerk? The historian? Or is it still that old scoundrel Huang Rui De? Don't worry, I can help you resolve it..."

  Xiao Fang's face turned bright red as he wiped away the sweat and said: "This time, I've gotten into quite a bit of trouble..."

  Cao Yileng exclaimed: "Bigger than Huang Zhixian? Good heavens! Who did you offend? Was it the Prefect of the Capital?"

  "Just a little bit more..."

  "Chancellor in the morning?" Cao Yi's tone changed slightly.

  "Cough, just a little more..."

  "Six Ministries' Minister?"

  Xiao Fan's face almost hid under the table: "...just a little bit bigger."

  Cao Yi's face turned green with rage, and he shouted: "A bit bigger, a bit bigger! Are you blowing pig bubbles? You're even bigger than the six senior officials, who did you offend?"

  Xiao Fan blinked his eyes innocently and looked at Cao Yi, saying in a very naive tone: "I accidentally slapped someone a few times, and later I accidentally discovered that the person I slapped was the current Crown Prince..."

  Cao Yi looked up at the sky and was speechless: "………"