Chapter Thirty: Righteous Spirit

Meanwhile, at the residence of Wang Zhengzhi, the chief of Great Shiyong Ward in the Western City, Wang Zhengzhi and Nan Yunji were deep in conversation. “That Qin Xia is indeed cunning. He toyed with the clerks of the capital, running circles around them, and gave those from Zhejiang a harsh lesson. But, in the face of absolute strength, no amount of scheming is of any use.”

“Both Fu Shuxun and Qin Xia are outsiders in the capital,” Nan Yunji replied, seated in Wang Zhengzhi’s study. “Though they possess skill, they lack the deep-rooted power needed to wield influence here.” He felt a flicker of uncertainty within. Recently, Chen Gaowen had been visiting Nan Yunji’s residence frequently, and for the past two days, Fu Shuxun had summoned him to his own home more than once.

“That is precisely it: the heavens favor me, the land favors me. With the likes of Chen and Fei supporting me, and colleagues such as Yunji lending their aid, the harmony of men is also mine. With all advantages—heaven, earth, and people—gathered here, how can Fu Shuxun hope to triumph?” Wang Zhengzhi laughed heartily.

Those present, guests and several department clerks, joined in laughter, their faces relaxing.

It was not just Nan Yunji; the other officials of the Ministry of Revenue had been busy, moving between various factions in these recent days.

When Fu Shuxun tried to pressure Wang Zhengzhi by targeting the ministry’s mid-level officials, he was unaware that officials like Nan Yunji had already been won over, one after another, by Chen Gaowen, Fei Jizong, and their clerks.

Thus, under Chen Gaowen’s persuasion and after receiving Wang Zhengzhi’s olive branch, Nan Yunji only struggled symbolically for two days before arriving at Wang Zhengzhi’s residence.

Wang Zhengzhi nodded slowly and smiled at Nan Yunji. “You are absolutely right, Yunji. Tomorrow is the day we submit our memorial to His Majesty regarding the provisions for the capital garrison. Let’s see how Fu Shuxun explains himself to the Emperor when he cannot produce the funds! This great achievement will be yours, Yunji!”

Nan Yunji offered modest words, his expression gradually growing more natural.

During negotiations with Chen Gaowen, Wang Zhengzhi had managed to extract four hundred thousand taels of silver and one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of raw grain from the clerks of the Ministry of Revenue. Of course, these funds and provisions weren’t the clerks’ own, but had been intercepted during normal tax collection and distribution, cut off and hidden away.

When the four hundred thousand taels of converted silver and one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain finally reached Wang Zhengzhi, he shared out ten thousand taels of converted silver with Nan Yunji.

Thinking of the hot silver, Nan Yunji’s previously unsettled mind gradually calmed.

“Rest assured, Elder Wang… There will be no issue with the memorial on the capital garrison’s provisions being submitted to the ministry,” Nan Yunji said firmly.

Chen Gaowen listened quietly from the corner, and at some point slipped away unnoticed.

“What of Fu Shuxun’s side?” Returning to the Qixia Cottage in the Zhejiang Guild Hall, where everyone gathered, Fu Shuxun met Fei Jizong, who had just come from Nanxun Ward.

Fei Jizong’s expression was sour; he snorted, “What else? A stone in the privy—filthy and stubborn. He doesn’t care at all for a mere ninth-rank scribe like me. What of Qin Xia? If nothing else, we could unleash our strongest move.”

“A high official like the Grand Minister of Agriculture will never admit defeat,” Chen Gaowen replied with a smile. “Forget about Fu Shuxun. The critical point lies with Qin Xia—he truly cannot find even a single accountant, has barely prepared for a month, and now won’t even show his face. He’s at his wits’ end. Our last resort need not be deployed; it’s too ruthless and carries heavy backlash. Better to be cautious, since victory is already in our hands! Tomorrow, we’ll see how Fu Shuxun explains himself to the Emperor!”

“Master Inspector is wise—such a brilliant plan has left Fu Shuxun utterly helpless.”

“And that Qin Xia, I cannot wait to see him staring at the ledgers, desperate and forlorn—what a sight that will be!”

“It seems it won’t be long before we clear this hurdle, and even drive those local capital natives out as well. All thanks to Master Inspector!” Kong Tian, Yuan Qi, and the other clerks congratulated him, bringing a rare smile to Fei Jizong’s otherwise dour face.

In the corner, Xie Yi quietly withdrew at some point, his mind lingering on that always-smiling face, so out of place in the office.

…

Fu Mansion, Nanxun Ward, in the study.

Fu Rugui returned, finding Fu Shuxun writing intensely.

“Father, where should I deliver this letter?” Fu Rugui had been summoned by Fu Shuxun for this task. He noticed that Fu Shuxun had written many things tonight. Nearby, a neatly arranged memorial caught his eye, causing him to raise his brows. “Father, have you finished drafting the memorial on the capital garrison’s provisions?”

Seeing his son’s sharp gaze, Fu Shuxun smiled and nodded. “It’s written for six hundred thousand taels.”

Fu Rugui’s brow immediately furrowed.

Before he could say more, Fu Shuxun laughed, “After you and Yu Qing left, I received another visitor—Fei Jizong from the Scribes’ Office. A true strategist! Five thousand taels skimmed off fifty thousand of military funds—your father shuddered to hear it.”

Fu Rugui drew a sharp breath; clearly, this was a demand for Fu Shuxun to yield.

But soon, Fu Rugui felt a sense of absurdity. He knew these clerks excelled at appearances, always humble and deferential, but beneath it all, their methods were sharp and threatening, like swords suspended overhead, pointed straight at the heart.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, the highest official in the empire’s fiscal system, being extorted by his own subordinates—truly shocking.

“Father… how did you respond?” Fu Rugui asked quietly.

Fu Shuxun smiled, pressing his final stroke firmly onto the paper before placing it on the desk with a clap. “We are ministers, the backbone of His Majesty’s rule; how can we walk the path of rodents!”

With these words, a righteous aura filled the room. In that moment, Fu Shuxun’s otherwise frail form seemed solid and unyielding, his spine as steadfast as Mount Tai.

For a moment, Fu Rugui even felt jealous of Qin Xia.

What had Qin Xia done, what spell had he cast, to win such fierce loyalty from the Minister of Revenue, who would risk everything for him?

Fu Rugui sighed softly. “Father’s trust in Qin Xia defies reason. Though I see some strategy in him, this is a perilous undertaking—I fear the chances of victory are slim.”

“No more of this,” Fu Shuxun smiled. “Qin Xia gave me a letter, and today I return it with one of my own. Take this to Luo Daren in the northern city. As for the rest, simply sit back and watch the storm rise in the capital!”

With these words, Fu Shuxun’s heroic spirit blazed. Such passion ignited a fire in Fu Rugui’s heart. He solemnly accepted the letter and set out into the night.

However, what Fu Rugui did not know was… after he left, Fu Shuxun’s heroic aura faded. Brow tightly furrowed, he picked up the memorial, hands trembling slightly. “Qin Xia, oh Qin Xia… This wager is truly a dangerous one…”