Chapter 485 : Extravagant

After Prefect Tan raided the Xu family, the people of Xinping City no longer dared to ignore this great lord prefect, who had been restraining himself since taking office. Not to mention the bailiffs and yamen1 attendants, even the low-ranking officials in the yamen1 were courteous when they saw him. What kind of family was the Xu family? In Xinping City, they could be considered one of the very best, a snake in its home territory2, whom these officials usually treated with respect whenever they met them. However, Prefect Tan dared to ask Yun Qing to raid the Xu family clean upside down.

With his subordinates holding him in such awe and reverence, Prefect Tan’s work became much smoother. That day, Prefect Tan was attending to matters at the yamen1 when his steward handed him a notice of visit, saying, “Master, this is from the Eldest Old Master Zhao.”

Prefect Tan replied, “The Zhao family can’t bear it anymore.” When the Xu family was raided, the gold, silver, and jewellery were only small items; the lion’s share was the estates and stores.

Prefect Tan was now very clear about the situation in Xinping City. The land occupied by the Xu family accounted for one-fifth of the entire Xinping City. The total amount of land in Xinping City was only over 130,000, and the Xu family occupied over 20,000 mu3, half of which was high quality. As for the stores, a third of them belonged to the Xu family, a truly wealthy family.

Steward Tan asked, “Master, should we accept it?”

Tan Zhifu answered, “Of course, I have to accept it.” The Zhao family’s position in Xinping City was very special, and with the emergence of another General Zhao, he still had to be cautious. However, Prefect Tan did not go to the tavern as promised but instead invited the Eldest Old Master Zhao to drink in the yamen1.

When Eldest Old Master Zhao returned home from the prefect’s yamen1, Zhao Huan noticed the ugly look on his father’s face and asked, “Father, what’s wrong with you? Could it be that we haven’t come to an agreement?” Most of the Xu family’s estates and stores were of good quality. Therefore, they want to buy them through legal channels. Unfortunately, after half a month, there was still no movement. That was why the Eldest Old Master Zhao couldn’t stand it any longer. In fact, he also knew that this action would attract attention; after all, people also considered their family as rich. However, the Xu family’s properties were excellent, and it would be hard to get another opportunity if they missed it this time. Most importantly, they couldn’t get past the word ‘greed’.

Eldest Old Master Zhao replied, “Han Shi bought all the Xu family’s estates and stores.” Han Shi, you are so quick to lay your hands on them, huh!

Zhao Huan exclaimed, “That would cost at least 300,000 taels of silver, right? Does Han Shi have that much?” It was good that Han Shi had money, but she couldn’t just withdraw one to two hundred thousand taels of silver whenever she wanted.

Eldest Old Master Zhao explained: “Prefect Tan said that Han Shi paid a deposit of 60,000 taels up front, and she will pay off the rest at the end of the year.” If someone else had taken over all of the Xu family’s properties, they certainly wouldn’t have watched in vain and would have done anything to get a cup of the soup4. But this person was Han Shi, and they didn’t dare to act rashly. If they were to mess with Han Shi and draw Yun Qing’s attention to themselves, there was no telling what kind of risk it would be for their family at that time.

Zhao Huan frowned. “Isn’t Han Shi afraid of the Imperial Court’s suspicion if she purchases such a large amount of property like this? Besides, who has ever bought things from the Imperial Court on credit?”

Eldest Old Master Zhao couldn’t help but sigh: “This Han Shi is very ambitious! She even dared to swallow up most of the Xu family’s properties.” Even they, the Zhaos, only wanted to buy the best ones and didn’t dare to purchase so much because it would be too eye-catching.

With this in mind, Eldest Old Master Zhao continued: “Speaking of which, perhaps this is a good thing. With Han Shi leading, our Zhao family is no longer so conspicuous. Only we don’t know what leverage Yun Qing has over Prefect Tan to make him so obedient.” The Zhao family and Yun Qing were allies, and with Yun Qing’s rise to power, the Zhao family could have benefited greatly. As a result, the benefits were not realised, and instead, they lost a lot of blood5.

When Zhao Huan heard this statement, the corner of his mouth twitched as he said: “Father, I also received this news before you returned. Yun Qing did not have any influence on Tan Tuo since he was originally a disciple of the Han family. For Tan Tuo to be the Prefect of Xinping City this time was also because of Duke Han.”

Eldest Old Master Zhao’s eyes widened as he asked, “Are you serious?”

Zhao Huan nodded. “It’s absolutely true. Father, what do you think the Imperial Court intends by letting Tan Tuo go to Xinping City?” Tan Tuo was a member of the Han family and would naturally listen to Yun Qing and the Han Shi. This was the same as saying that Yun Qing had also taken control of Xinping City.

Eldest Old Master Zhao exclaimed, “No wonder Han Shi dared to do this!” Prefect Tan was one of her people, so what else should she worry about? The sky was high, and the Emperor was far away6. The Imperial Court couldn’t control the couple even if they wanted to. It wouldn’t be long before for Xinping City to be under Yun Qing and Han Shi’s rule.

Thinking about it, Eldest Old Master Zhao instructed, “You should immediately send 100,000 taels of silver to Han Shi and tell her that this is this year’s dividend.”

Not expecting his father’s attitude to change so much, Zhao Huan questioned, “Father, what are you doing? Prefect Tan is indeed a member of the Han family, but he is not Han Shi’s disciple.”

Eldest Old Master Zhao countered: “What do you know? They’ve been planning this for a long time; otherwise, a member of the Han family wouldn’t have been appointed Prefect of Xinping City. Send the money quickly, and we will discuss the rest when you return.” Fortunately, the relationship between the two families had always been good, and they had never turned against Han Shi.

Yuxi’s extravagance also worried Tan Zhifu’s trusted steward: “Master, Madam Yun has bought all the Xu family’s properties. Will there be any trouble once the Imperial Court finds out about this?” Only today did Steward Tan learn from Prefect Tan that these properties already had owners.

Prefect Tan replied, “What trouble can there be? It’s not like they were all being given away for free; they were all paid for in silver. But I don’t know when Madam Yun will send over the difference of 100,000 taels of silver.” Also, Yuxi promised Prefect Tan that she would pay every cent of the taxes by then. It was also for this reason that Prefect Tan compromised. Tan Zhifu was very clear that he couldn’t keep these properties. If he didn’t sell them to Yuxi, other people would try to buy them in a thousand ways and a hundred plans7. It would be better to sell them to Yuxi than to let them fall into the hands of squires and merchants.

Chief Steward Tan said: “Master, where did Madam Yun get so much money to buy all these properties? Could it be that she got it from what Yun Qing gained from the raid?” Yun Qing superficially said he would not transport the gold, silver and other valuables back to Yu City but left them at the prefect’s yamen1. However, the Xu family was extremely wealthy. How could they merely have twenty boxes of gold and silver? Yun Qing must have hidden the others and taken them back to Yu City.

Tan Tuo said, “Madam Yun is not that stupid.” He believed his steward when he claimed that Yun Qing might not have handed over all the confiscated gold and silver, but he did not think Han Yuxi would use that money to buy properties. That would have had severe consequences.

Steward Tan had followed Tan Tuo since childhood, so he didn’t have too many scruples when speaking with him. He said, “I am just worried that Madam Yun is acting too recklessly and that it will get Daren8 into trouble.”

Prefect Tan stated, “We are already in the same boat. Whether I get into trouble or not is out of the question.” If Yun Qing and the Han family fell, he wouldn’t have a good time either.

Steward Tan was silent for a while before asking: ” Daren8, do you think the Imperial Court will use these gold, silver and jewellery as military expenses? What if the Imperial Court disagrees?”

Prefect Tan stated: “The Imperial Court will absolutely agree.” The Crown Prince and the important officials of the Imperial Court were no fools. How could they let their military lose its morale over these treasures?

It was a pity that it was not as Prefect Tan had expected this time. Instead of giving the money to the soldiers in Yu City to use, the Crown Prince and the important ministers of the Imperial Court dispatched a group of Imperial Envoys to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Han Jianming told Mr Zhao, “I don’t know if Yuxi can get the letter in time to clear up the mess.” The Imperial Envoys went to Yu City this time, apparently because of the Xu family’s affairs. But in reality, they were going after Yun Qing and Yuxi.

Mr Zhao said, “Si Gunainai9 and Si Guye10 were too hasty. The Xu family are also royal merchants. Even if they raided them just because they said so, how would the Crown Prince and the important ministers in the Imperial Court be willing to let them get away with it?” If this precedent were set, there would be chaos in the future.

Han Jianming said, “Yun Qing must have enough evidence to make such a move. And for him to say that, if Yun Qing hadn’t caught the Xu family off guard and prevented them from making preparations in advance, how else could he wipe them all out?

While talking, he heard Han Gao say from outside, “My Lord, there is a letter from Yucheng.” Han Gao knew that the Lord Duke had been waiting for a letter from Yu City ever since the Xu family had been raided.

When Han Jianming opened the letter, he suddenly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry11. In the letter, Yuxi wanted to borrow 100,000 taels of silver from Han Jianming and didn’t mention anything else. “This girl, if she doesn’t ask me for some people, she’ll ask me for money. At this rate, I’ll soon be her steward.”

Mr Zhao took the letter from Han Jianming, and after reading it, he exclaimed, “Si Gunainai9 has taken over all the Xu family’s estates. Isn’t that such a big deal?” Over 20,000 mu3 of land was swallowed up by Si Gunainai9 in one gulp, and she was not even afraid to fill herself to the bursting point.

Han Jianming said: “It is a big deal, but since Yuxi dares to do it, she’s surely not afraid of being gossiped about.” Yuxi was very cautious. How could she let this matter become her handle12?

Mr Zhao asked, “My Lord, will you lend her the money?”

Han Jianming replied, “Of course, how could I not? I’ll send someone to deliver it to her later.” He was very clear that Yun Qing’s current status was different from before. If Yuxi wanted money, there were other ways and no need to borrow from him. And Yuxi must have a purpose for borrowing money from him this time.

One hundred thousand taels of silver was a significant amount. Although Ye Shi was not in charge of the front yard’s affair, she was well informed and soon learned that Han Jianming would transfer 100,000 taels of silver. Ye Shi politely asked Han Jianming what he would use the money for.

Han Jianming didn’t think there was anything to hide and explained, “Yuxi wants to buy land, but she’s 100,000 taels short, so she wants to borrow that amount from me. So I will send someone to deliver it to her.”

When Ye Shi heard this, she frowned and asked, “How much land is Si Mei13 preparing to buy? Why does she need that much money?” Knowing that Yuxi had bought more than 20,000 mu3 of land, Ye Shi was shocked. “What is she doing buying so much land?”

Han Jianming replied: “Si Mei13 didn’t say anything in the letter, but we’ll know soon enough.” Whatever Yuxi did, it wouldn’t have been without a reason.

Ye Shi had put up with this for so long that she finally couldn’t help herself: “My Lord, you can’t always tolerate Si Mei13 like this, can you? A married daughter is like water being poured out14. There has never been a married daughter who has asked for people and money from her maiden family like Si Mei13.” When her mother-in-law gave Yuxi all her private properties, Ye Shi could only hold her tongue. Now, Yuxi had asked to borrow money again. She unexpectedly asked for a hundred thousand taels of silver, as if having a few thousand wasn’t enough. No matter how rich the Lord Duke was, he couldn’t afford to be squandered by the Fourth Miss.

After hearing these words, Han Jianming’s complexion turned ugly as he questioned, “Is this what you, her saozi15, should say?” If Yuxi knew about this, wouldn’t she feel estranged from them? According to Han Jianming, the more you invest in the early stages, the more lucrative the returns will be.

Ye Shi’s face turned pale as she whispered, “I’m doing this for the sake of this family.” She was worried that Si Gunainai9 would empty the State Duke’s Residence if she continued behaving like this.

Han Jianming said coldly, “I know better than you what to do for this family. If I hear such words again, don’t blame me for not leaving you a face.” With that, he walked out.

Ye Shi was angry and hateful but felt a vague fear in her heart. In the past, even if she did something excessive, the Lord Duke would only give her the cold shoulder for a few days at most but never embarrass her. This time, the Lord Duke had surprisingly spoken such harsh words, and Ye Shi did not think Han Jianming was joking.