310 Peace Envoy

  "Sister Hu knew this, why didn't she stop Cui Shangshu earlier?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Peng Jingrong knew she had misspoken. It was one thing to argue and compete, but to detain the Minister of War's boat without reason would be truly unbecoming.

  "Chui Chengxiu, if he didn't yield the way, I would have dared to capsize his official boat, letting him fall into the water and catch a cold for a while, which would have won some time for Director Yuan. But this guy is also clever, able to bend and stretch, and actually retreated, leaving me with pent-up anger." Hu Yimin still had some lingering resentment thinking about what happened earlier.

  Since we can't stop him, why provoke an enemy? I've heard that Cui Shangshu is a vengeful person who will settle scores no matter what. Even if Risun Chang has a big name, it can't afford to make enemies everywhere." Peng Jingrong was worried about Hu Da Zhanggui.

  "My father taught me from a young age that when running a money house, everything can be lost except for two things: reputation and face. Reputation goes without saying, but face is a big deal. Every aspect of life, from food to clothing to housing, cannot be inferior to others. As long as we don't overstep the imperial family's boundaries or disrupt social norms, we must strive to be the best. Why? Because we are the owners of a money house, and we are the wealthiest merchants in the world. Those wealthy salt merchants and mine owners who are envied by the common people can only feel inferior in front of our Hu family. This is why the common people believe in us and dare to deposit their silver into our bank.

  That's why I made up my mind today to make Cui Chengxiu give way to me. On one hand, it's to help General Yuan; on the other hand, it's for the face of Rishengchang. The ship owners present will naturally spread the story of how the Minister of War is no match for Rishengchang, and the common people will trust us even more. Because we are more powerful than the Ministry of War, like the sun in the sky, what other bank can be safer or more trustworthy? As for making enemies, Cui Chengxiu is a person of Huang Jinrong's, and Rishengchang has such a close relationship with the Empress Dowager that it's not necessary to make enemies - we are already natural opponents."

  So that's the reason. This logic is quite similar to the style of Western wealthy people in the 21st century. Those rich people, regardless of whether their funds are tight or not, will still buy the most fashionable and luxurious yachts and private jets, just to prove their strength to banks and the world. Otherwise, banks won't lend them money, and business partners will doubt their ability to turn over funds. Liu Ziguang really has some admiration for Hu Xueyan, the father of Miss Hu.

  While they were chatting, breakfast was already finished. Several people left the dining hall and returned to the main hall. A servant handed over a letter: "A confidential letter from Beijing sent by express boat, please take a look at it, Master."

  Hu Yimin didn't avoid the crowd, took out a letter paper, put on silver-rimmed crystal glasses and read it line by line. It turned out that Hu Dazhang was nearsighted. Liu Ziguang was puzzled, how could a nearsighted person's eyes be so bright and spirited.

  Hui Yimeng finished reading the letter and stood up saying: "There's something urgent in the capital, I have to rush back immediately, so I won't be staying for lunch."

  The three of them also knew the score and said that it had been a long time since they entered the capital, their hearts were like arrows returning to their bows, so they didn't dare linger on the road for too long, let's just part ways here.

  As Liu Ziguang was about to board the ship, he suddenly turned his head and said to Hu Dazhang, who had come to see him off: "Milk is really delicious, can you send me a bucket?"

  Hu Yimin smiled and said, "What's difficult about this? I'll have the servants arrange it later. By the way, your Fēng Hào (Feng Number) is all over the place, if there's any news about the four stolen calligraphy paintings from the imperial palace, don't report to the officials, notify me first, I'll take care of buying them back. Those few calligraphy paintings that the Empress Dowager has, I've been eyeing them for a long time, but she won't give them to me even when I ask her."

  Liu Ziguang felt a pang of guilt and didn't dare to look into Hu Yimin's eyes, vaguely replying: "Thank you, Big Boss's wife, I've taken note of the matter about the calligraphy and painting." The group disembarked and boarded their own ship, returning home.

  What a big shopkeeper's milk, that is cow's milk. Hu Yimin's face turned red and she waved goodbye. A black-and-white spotted Western dairy cow was wrapped in canvas around its belly, hung from the crane on the cargo ship, put onto a small boat, and then lifted up by the crane on this side of the iron factory ship to be taken away. Good fellow, the Rishengchang company is really generous, directly sending over a head of cattle.

  Bid farewell to the Tie Da Yu boat, enter the canal waterway, the paddle steamer burned enough steam to surpass the slow-moving barge and head straight for Xuzhou Prefecture. Liu Ziguang sat in the cabin, deep in thought, if Yuan Chonghuan was really going to be questioned by the imperial court, would he be tortured to death like in history? If so, should he rescue him before things got worse?

  "Yuan Chonghuan must die!" In the cabin of the Ministry of War's official boat, a middle-aged man wearing a square scarf and a long scholar's robe spoke resolutely to Minister Choi Cheon-soo, his tone leaving no room for doubt, unlike the usual demeanor of an aide making suggestions to a superior.

  "Can Mr. Fan really represent the meaning of the North?" Cui Chengxiu said calmly, picking up his teacup and blowing on it.

  "The great Qing country's Taifu and Taisi have all come to your ship, what is there not to trust? Moreover, there is also the wise prince's handwritten letter, Prince Wang's character is not unknown to you, that is a promise! As long as you behead Yuan Chonghuan on the battlefield, avenging the wise prince's brother's death, our country will definitely retreat to the north of the Yellow River in Jinan. This great military achievement is yours alone, Crui gentleman. Not fighting and making the enemy surrender is the first principle of war, your country's court will certainly praise you highly, promoting you to a Taishi position or granting you a marquis title are not impossible." Mr. Fan's words were very persuasive.

  Choi Seung-soo's mustache was trembling slightly, and he quickly took a sip of tea to cover up his excitement. This wasn't the first time he had heard Mr. Fan say this, but every time he heard it, he couldn't help but feel excited. The temptation of this plan was just too great.

  Besides Yuan Chonghuan, he not only obtained the command of the elite Xuzhou army but also got rid of his old rival. What if the army and civilians retaliated? No need to worry, under the wise command of Cui Shangshu, the Qing army led by Dorgon would definitely retreat without a fight according to the secret agreement, and the Ming army could quickly recover Tai'an and Jinan, pushing the front line to the banks of the Yellow River. Such an unprecedented military achievement in ten years would make everyone ecstatic, who would still care about that dead guy Yuan Chonghuan? There was also another unknown point, which was that several million taels of silver from the northern border would all fall into Cui Shangshu's private pocket.

  "The great Qing and Ming are brotherly nations, why bother with war? Since the king's emergence, he has been resentful of the emperor's unauthorized southern expedition. The sycophants who misled the emperor have already been beheaded by the king. Now it's up to your country. If you behead the warmonger Yuan Chonghuan, our two nations can coexist peacefully and enjoy eternal peace." Mr. Fan suddenly stood up, his hands behind his back, his eyes gazing out the window revealing a sincere longing for a peaceful life.

  "In the peaceful North under the great Qing, men plowed and women wove, singing and dancing in harmony, everyone lived a happy life of abundance and peace. But because of a small handful of warmongers seeking personal gain, the land of Qi and Lu was filled with sorrow, people were displaced, and every day was uncertain. As I look at my hometown in Shandong, seeing it suffer from war, my heart bleeds, Ah, Lord Cui! The responsibility to end this war lies on our shoulders. Once that Guangdong barbarian Yuan Chonghuan dies, the king's wish will be fulfilled, and we can also justify ourselves to those ministers at home. Without losing a single soldier or spending a single penny, we can restore peace, why not do it?"

  "Yes, Yuan Chonghuan must die!" Cui Shangshu was moved by the beautiful scene depicted by Mr. Fan, and he firmly slapped the table, making up his mind.

  "Mr. Fan, rest assured, I am the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Hall, Minister of War, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies, with the Imperial Sword in hand. That rebel Yuan will definitely not escape my grasp. One general's achievement is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers; to promote his own family's status and wealth, he would sacrifice countless lives of soldiers and put the people of Shandong in a desperate situation. Such a selfish and cruel person, I will certainly not let him off lightly. Executing him would be too light a punishment; I haven't even begun to settle accounts with him for all the northern supplies he has embezzled." Cui Chengxiu said indignantly, slamming his teacup on the table to express his anger.

  "Wen Cheng replaces Shandong's millions of fathers and elders, and the Qing Dynasty's tens of thousands of soldiers thank Mr. Cui!" Mr. Fan lifted his long shirt to cover his head and bowed.

  "Hurry up and get up, it's not good to be late!" Cui Chengxiu hastily supported him, feeling pleased in his heart. Fan Wencheng was the Taifu and Taizi Taishi of the Qing Dynasty, with a higher official rank than him. Such a person actually bowed down to him, showing how high his prestige had risen. At the same time, he also admired Fan Wencheng's courage, for the sake of peace talks, such a high-ranking official still risked danger alone, infiltrating the enemy country, truly admirable.

  "For the sake of peace, to make it clear that there will be no more war, even if it's not just one Yuan Wenzong, but ten or a hundred, this official will have them beheaded!" Cui Shangshu helped Fan Wencong up, gazing into his eyes, saying each word slowly.

  "Good, Lord Choi is indeed a true hero. This is a small token from King Injo, please accept it with a smile." Fan Wen-cheng gently placed a gift receipt into Choi's hand.

  "How can we let the king spend so much money?" Cui Chengxiu took over the gift list and casually stuffed it into his sleeve.

  "Director Choi is so pleased, and I have another small gift for you." Fan Wencheng smiled slyly.

  "Mr. Fan also has a gift, and even if the official had a big heart, he wouldn't dare to decline it." Cui Chengxiu said hypocritically, thinking that the gifts sent by Emperor Ruizong must be some common treasures like gold, jade, and pearls. But this Fan Wencong is a refined person, his gift must be extraordinary. Secretary Cui's eyes widened in anticipation of what unusual gift it might be.

  Fan Wen Cheng laughed and said: "Director Cui was humiliated by that Huang Mao's servant girl from Ri Sheng Chang this morning, can't he just let it go?"

  Choi Seung-soo's eyes lit up, "Sir, do you have a good plan to help me get revenge?" This Fan Wen-cheng was the first wise advisor of the Manchu dynasty. With his clever plans, he would definitely make Hu Jia's daughter suffer greatly.

  "Fan Mou has a plan that can make Ri Sheng Chang suffer heavy losses, and even possibly collapse. But we need Cui Shangshu to cooperate with us in the capital." Fan Wencheng said confidently.

  "Ri Xiangchang's power in the capital is not as great as Hefei, but it cannot be underestimated. Mr. Fan may not know that Hu Jiaoyue's mother is the current Empress Dowager's younger sister. Although she was expelled from the Li family early on for following a poor scholar named Hu Xiangyang, the Empress Dowager has only this one sister and they are very close. The Empress Dowager dotes on Yuezhen excessively, so she has the nickname 'Dry Princess'. If not for her being several years older, it's possible that the Empress Dowager would have arranged for the Emperor to marry Yuezhen as his Empress." Cui Chengxiu said worriedly.

  "It doesn't matter, Fan's plan is doomed to fail, even if a god were to descend from heaven. According to my intelligence, Daye Chang has recently paid a large sum of silver to the Ministry of War, and there can't be much silver left in their Beijing branch. Your Excellency can order hundreds of people to take silver notes to the money exchange to exchange for cash, which is a perfectly legitimate act. Fan's underlings will spread rumors in the tea houses and wine shops of Beijing that Daye Chang is short on silver and facing bankruptcy. Who in this rich city doesn't have a few silver notes? The rumor will spread quickly, and with the crowds gathering at Daye Chang's door, even false rumors will become true. They won't be able to mobilize their silver reserves in time and will have to close their doors, which will lead to civil unrest. When that happens, not even the Empress Dowager can help them. This is the first option. Alternatively, if we were to transport silver from Hefei, our military authorities could send someone to intercept it halfway and hide the silver until the storm passes, then hand it over to Your Excellency for disposal. If we transport silver from Hefei, we can also send people to queue up in Hefei to exchange for cash, so that Daye Chang will be unable to cope with both ends. This is the second option. The business world is like a battlefield, and if Daye Chang cannot survive this disaster, it may truly go bankrupt."

  Indeed a good plan, with each step well thought out, and most importantly, there's hardly any risk involved. All I need to do is send someone to queue up for the silver exchange, and leave the rest of the messy work to Fan Wencheng's people. A faint smile appeared on Cui Chengxiu's lips, "As you've said, sir. Your gift is something that I, Cui, have always been fond of. Thank you."

  Choi Seung-soo bowed to Fan Wen-cheng, and the two of them smiled at each other with unspoken understanding. Their eyes sparkled with a longing for peace and mutual trust.

  After discussing the military affairs, Fan Wencheng stood up and returned to his own cabin. A white-clad guard followed closely behind him. Fan Wencheng suddenly thought of something and turned back to pat the guard's shoulder: "Qingfeng, after this great achievement is completed, I can give you a few days off to deal with your personal matters, and my guards can also be entrusted to you for deployment. However, before that, absolutely do not act rashly and ruin everything."

  The white-clad guard took a deep breath, the slash from Li Guo's knife at the city gate had left a deep scar on his chest. The subsequent cavalry charge almost killed him among the horses, but fortunately, he survived by hiding under a dead horse. However, when he returned, his position as Military Commander was gone, and he could only start over as a guard. His strong desire for revenge made him gladly accept the task of escorting Fan Wen to the south for secret talks, as it would give him an opportunity to take revenge. "Don't worry, sir, Song knows what's at stake and won't seek personal revenge before the big plan is accomplished."

  It turned out to be Liu Ziguang's old acquaintance, the Wudang young hero Song Qingfeng who had narrowly escaped death.

  Who dares to say that the great fusion of the Chinese nation is a unified ethnic group? Don't blame me for being impolite. Traitors like Fan Wen Cheng must die miserably!