Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Chapter 1494 Scheming Against Shen Wan 3

Zhu Qiwu took out the two items and looked them over.

The county-level governance manual was thicker than he had imagined. It consisted of five volumes, each several hundred pages long, densely packed with writing. It covered everything from how to collect taxes, how to adjudicate cases, how to train troops, how to repair canals, to how to deal with ordinary people and how to handle corrupt officials from above.

The talent file folder is more practical. It's a palm-sized leather wallet containing one hundred blank sheets of paper. Once you've used the talent assessment technology to view someone, their information will be automatically filled into the folder.

Zhu Qiwu carefully put away the two items, put on his clothes, and went out.

The entrance to the examination hall was already packed with people.

All thirty-five people who passed the imperial examination were present.

They stood below the steps of the examination hall, dressed in brand-new blue official robes and wearing black official hats, like a row of newly hatched chicks. Some were nervous, some were excited, and some were secretly observing the people next to them.

When Zhu Qiwu walked over, everyone looked at him.

"Seventh Young Master!" Fang Zijing was the first to greet him, his facial injuries completely healed, and his energy and spirit were ten times greater than yesterday. "We're all here! Not a single one is missing!"

Zhu Qiwu nodded, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces.

Chen Zilong stood at the front, his expression calm, holding a scroll in his hand, which he had started reading at some point.

Lu Wenzhao stood to the side, his folding fan tucked into his sleeve, his face bearing an indescribable expression—a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Zhao Wenbin stood behind Lu Wenzhao, head down, seemingly lost in thought.

He Wenchang stood in the middle of the crowd, carrying a large book box on his back, his eyes shining like stars.

Scholar Sun was also there. He stood at the back, his expression calmer than anyone else's. Almost excessively calm.

Zhu Qiwu's gaze lingered on Sun Xiucai for a moment, then shifted away.

"Is everyone here?"

"Everyone's here!" Fang Zijing said loudly.

"Alright." Zhu Qiwu walked up the steps, facing everyone. "I'll say a few words. After that, you can take your positions."

Everyone fell silent.

"You thirty-five people were selected from five or six hundred applicants. Being selected shows you have ability. But ability doesn't guarantee an official position. Becoming an official is different from taking an exam. An exam tests your writing skills, while becoming an official tests your practical skills."

He took out the county-level governance manual from his pocket and handed it to Fang Zijing.

"Each person will receive a copy of this book. Once you arrive at your post, read the book three times first. After you've finished reading, then begin your work. Don't rush to start a fire; first, make sure you know where the stove is."

Fang Zijing took the book and distributed it to everyone.

Zhu Qiwu then took out the talent file folder and opened it.

"This is called a personnel file. After you take office, you'll have advisors, constables, village heads, and village chiefs under your command. Whether these people are good or bad, capable or uncapable, you'll use this to record it. If you have a clear record, you won't be blind when assigning personnel."

He handed the folder to Chen Zilong.

"Zilong, you're number one. Take this for now. Once you're in your post, make a list of all your subordinates. After you're done, give it to the next person."

Chen Zilong took the folder, flipped through it, and his eyes lit up.

"Young Master Qiwu, this thing... is very useful."

"As long as it works, that's fine," Zhu Qiwu said. "There's one last thing."

Everyone was looking at him.

"The places you're going to are all poor. Poor places have their advantages—the people don't ask for much; give them a bite to eat, and they'll give you their lives. But poor places also have their disadvantages—there are many corrupt officials at the top, few soldiers, and little grain to allocate. You might encounter many difficulties there. If you do, don't be afraid. If you are afraid, go back to farming. If you're not afraid, then fight to the end."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly.

"You are people who passed the special examination. What is the special examination? It's a door that Fourth Brother opened for the people. You are the ones who walked out of that door. Once you've walked out, don't look back. If you look back, that door will close. And once it's closed, it will never open again."

The thirty-five people were completely silent.

Chen Zilong was the first to speak.

"Seventh Prince, I've remembered."

Lu Wenzhao was the second to speak: "I've got it."

Zhao Wenbin, the third: "I've got it."

Then came Fang Zijing, He Wenchang, and so on, and everyone said, "I've got it."

Only Sun Xiucai remained silent. But he nodded.

Looking at them, Zhu Qiwu felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Alright. Let's set off. Xu Da is already waiting outside the city. You will split into five groups of seven, each heading to one of the five counties. Fang Zijing has a list of which counties you will be going to."

Fang Zijing unfolded a piece of paper and began to read out names.

"Group One, Chen Zilong, Lu Wenzhao, and Zhao Wenbin, will go to Shangyuan County. Group Two, Fang Zijing and He Wenchang, will go to Jiangning County. Group Three..."

As the names were read out one by one, the thirty-five people were divided into five groups.

Sun Xiucai was assigned to the third group and sent to Lishui County.

Zhu Qiwu glanced at Sun Xiucai. Sun Xiucai's expression remained calm, but his hand clenched slightly inside his sleeve.

After the division was completed, Xu Da waited outside the city with his troops. Thirty-five men mounted their horses and followed Xu Da out of the south gate of Yingtian Prefecture.

Zhu Qiwu stood at the city gate, watching them walk away one by one.

Tang He stood next to him, holding two sesame seed cakes, and handed one to him.

"Seventeen, do you think they can handle it?"

“It will work.” Zhu Qiwu took the sesame seed cake and took a bite.

"You really trust them that much?"

“It’s not that I believe them,” Zhu Qiwu said, “it’s that I believe in the questions Fourth Brother set. Anyone who can answer those questions well can’t be bad.”

"Too."

As the two were talking, Liu Bowen walked over from behind.

"Young Master Qiwu, there's something I need to tell you."

"Mr. Bowen, what is it?"

Liu Bowen pulled Zhu Qiwei aside and lowered his voice, saying, "After Scholar Sun left, I had someone investigate where he was staying in Yingtian Prefecture. Guess what?"

"What's wrong?"

"The inn he was staying at checked out last night. But it wasn't just him checking out; it was three people. The other two are named Zhou Qi and Wu Dayong. They're both unfamiliar faces; I had someone check, but they couldn't find them."

"Zhou Qi and Wu Dayong?"

"Yes. Neither of these names is recorded in the household register of Yingtian Prefecture. They are either pseudonyms or they came from outside."

Zhu Qiwu opened the talent file folder and turned to the page for Sun Xiucai. It read: Name: Sun Xiucai. Status: Candidate for the special imperial examination. Literary talent: Average. Loyalty: Low. Danger level: High.

Loyalty is low. Danger level is high.

"Mr. Bowen, Scholar Sun is heading to Lishui County. On his way, he will pass through a mountainous area called Luofengpo, which is a good place for an ambush."

Liu Bowen stopped fanning himself.

"You mean, Zou Tianyou will set up an ambush at Luofeng Slope?"

"It's hard to say. But we must be on guard," Zhu Qiwu said. "Mr. Bowen, have Zhou Dexing lead a squad of soldiers to follow the third group from a distance. Don't get close, just keep an eye on them. If Sun Xiucai makes any unusual moves, report back immediately." Liu Bowen nodded and turned to leave.

Zhu Qiwu stood at the city gate, looking at the official road in the distance. The figures of the thirty-five people had become small black dots, slowly disappearing on the horizon.

He finished the sesame seed cake, patted the crumbs off his hands, and turned to walk back.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

Because he saw someone.

The man stood in the shadows of the city gate, dressed in a gray long robe, holding an abacus and moving the beads.

Name: Wu Dayong. Occupation: Businessman. Literary Talent: Average. Martial Arts Skill: Inferior. Loyalty: Superior. Danger Level: Low.

Wu Dayong.

That's the unfamiliar face Liu Bowen mentioned.

This person is extremely loyal and poses little danger. He doesn't seem like a bad person.

Zhu Qiwu walked over.

"Are you Wu Dayong?"

The man looked up; he was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a smile on his face and small but bright eyes.

"My name is Wu Dayong, a grain merchant from Yingtian Prefecture. The name of the Seventh Young Master is renowned far and wide."

Who are you waiting for here?

"I'll be waiting for you," Wu Dayong said. "I have a business deal I'd like to discuss with Young Master Qiwu."

"What kind of business?"

Wu Dayong took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Zhu Qiwu.

Zhu Qiwu took it and saw that it was a grain list. It read: 5,000 shi of rice, 3,000 shi of flour, and 2,000 shi of dry rations, totaling 10,000 shi.

Ten thousand bushels of grain.

"This batch of grain was transported from Huguang. It was originally intended to be sold to Zhang Shicheng. However, General Xu Da intercepted Zhang Shicheng's men on the way. The grain was not delivered, and Zhang Shicheng refused to pay. Now I'm stuck with these 10,000 shi of grain."

So you came to find me?

“Yes,” Wu Dayong said. “Seventh Prince, I know you have a good relationship with His Highness Prince Wu. I won’t ask for a high price for this batch of grain; I’ll sell it to you at 80% of the market price. Ten thousand shi of grain, only eight thousand shi of money.”

Zhu Qiwu looked at Wu Dayong without saying a word.

Talent assessment techniques indicate that this person's loyalty is top-notch. However, top-notch loyalty doesn't mean they are free of malice.

"Wu Dayong, why don't you sell the grain to someone else?"

"Who will I sell it to?" Wu Dayong gave a bitter smile. "Around Yingtian Prefecture, only His Highness Prince Wu's family has grain. Others either don't have any grain or dare not buy it. This batch of grain is sitting in the warehouse, losing money every day. If it sits there for another month, I'll go bankrupt."

Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "I'll take this batch of grain. But there's one condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"You'll sign a long-term grain supply contract with me. From now on, you'll supply grain from Yingtian Prefecture. The price will be 85% of the market price. The contract is for three years."

Wu Dayong's eyes lit up.

"Young Master Qiwu, you're actually helping me!"

“I’m not helping you,” Zhu Qiwu said, “I’m helping my fourth brother. My fourth brother wants to attack Suzhou, and attacking Suzhou requires grain. Your grain is just right. But I won’t just buy it once. After attacking Suzhou, we’ll attack other places, and the grain can’t run out. If you sign a contract with me, the grain will never run out.”

Wu Dayong thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh.

"Sign! Sign it now!"

Zhu Qiwu had someone bring paper and pen, and wrote the contract on the spot. Wu Dayong pressed his fingerprint on it, then left, thanking them profusely.

Tang He watched from the side, looking puzzled.

"Seventy-five, do you trust this Wu Dayong?"

“I believe you,” Zhu Qiwu said. “The art of judging talent doesn’t lie. He’s extremely loyal and poses little danger. He’s an honest businessman, just unlucky to have been tricked by Zhang Shicheng.”

"What about the ten thousand shi of grain he mentioned?"

"The grain is genuine. I had Brother Shanchang verify it. After verification, it was sent directly to the army."

Tang He nodded, then suddenly said something.

"Seven-Five, have you noticed that there are a lot more people coming to Yingtian Prefecture lately?"

"Think about it. Before the imperial examination, only a few outsiders came to Yingtian Prefecture every day. But after the imperial examination, dozens came every day. Some came to take the exam, some came to do business, and some came to seek refuge with Fourth Brother. Today it's Wu Dayong, yesterday it was Lu Wenzhao, the day before yesterday it was Zhao Wenbin... Yingtian Prefecture suddenly became lively."

Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and then smiled.

"A lively atmosphere is good. A lively atmosphere means Fourth Brother's reputation has grown. With greater fame comes more people. With more people, things become easier."

“That’s good, you don’t understand.” Zhu Qiwu patted his shoulder. “Let’s go back. Fourth Brother is waiting for us.”

The two returned to the Wu King's residence.

Inside the council hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was looking at a map. Li Shanchang, Xu Da, and Zhou Dexing were also present.

"Seven Five, you're back?" Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even look up.

"They're back. All thirty-five of them set off."

"Good." Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to a point on the map. "Look here. There were three grain routes from Suzhou to Yingtianfu: the Taihu Lake waterway, the official land route, and a secret route. The secret route was taken by Shen Wansan, the Taihu Lake waterway was blocked by Zhang Shicheng, so only the official land route remains."

Zhu Qiwu went over to take a look. The official land route from Yingtian Prefecture to Suzhou passed through three counties—Shangyuan County, Lishui County, and Jurong County.

"Fourth Brother, do you want to travel by land?"

“I don’t want to. But there’s no other way,” Zhu Yuanzhang said. “Although the official land route is slow, it’s safe. Zhang Shicheng has heavily fortified the Taihu Lake waterway; going by water would be suicide. Going by land, although it will take ten more days, is safer.”

“Ten days is enough,” Zhu Qiwu said. “Fourth Brother, I just signed a contract with a grain merchant named Wu Dayong. He has 10,000 shi of grain, which is already on its way to the army. With this grain, we'll have enough provisions for the attack on Suzhou.”

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and looked at Zhu Qiwu.

"Ten thousand shi?"

"Ten thousand shi (a unit of dry measure). Eighty percent of the market price."

Li Shanchang did some calculations: "Ten thousand shi of grain, at the current market price, would cost eight thousand taels of silver. Eighty percent of that would be six thousand four hundred taels. How much do we have in our private treasury right now?"

"More than twenty thousand taels," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "That's enough."

“It’s enough,” Li Shanchang said, “but attacking Suzhou isn’t something that can be done in a day or two. The provisions, weapons, and pay will add up to at least 50,000 taels. Adding these 6,400 taels to the 20,000 taels, we’re still short by more than 20,000 taels.”

The council chamber fell silent.

Zhu Qiwu thought for a moment and said, "Brother Shanchang, didn't Shen Wansan have another condition? He wants the position of Director of the Tax Bureau of Yingtian Prefecture. Did you give it to him?"

Li Shanchang nodded: "He's been given the position. He took office this morning."

"That's good," Zhu Qiwu said. "Shen Wansan is the richest man in Jiangnan. He controls the taxes of Yingtian Prefecture, which is equivalent to controlling the prefecture's treasury. With the treasury in our hands, why worry about money?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Qiwu and smiled.

"You little rascal, you even managed to outmaneuver Shen Wansan." (End of Chapter)