Chapter Fifteen: Pleading for Mercy and Yielding

Since Zhu Cilang was merely feigning and had not actually uncovered any issues within the Ministry of Revenue’s tax division, it stood to reason that the handover would proceed smoothly, without any unexpected mishaps. Without any trouble, the lesser officials and clerks would naturally escape being caught in the crossfire between these two high-ranking dignitaries; after all, when immortals wage war, it is the mortals who suffer.

As these thoughts swirled about, relief swept through the gathering. Only the two seated upon the dais changed countenance, their hearts raged within.

“How is it... Lord Chu Lushan, you seem a bit out of sorts?” Zhu Cilang gazed at Chu Lushan with apparent concern, his eyes fixed upon him as he offered comfort. Chu Lushan’s face had suddenly bloomed red and swollen, and Zhu’s smile was particularly provoking.

“I’ve been played for a fool—how could I possibly be in good spirits?” Chu Lushan screamed inwardly. The humiliation of being so thoroughly toyed with, mingled with the relief of having narrowly escaped disaster, gave him an angry courage.

“If you have no real evidence, yet still dare to mock me so, then even if it means injuring myself as I strike at you, I’ll see that this new, impudent successor is properly dealt with!” With such thoughts, Chu Lushan abruptly rose, glaring at Zhu Cilang, intent on declaring open war.

But beside him, Fan Wenju suddenly seemed to recall something, shuddering as if struck by lightning. He sidled up to Chu Lushan, whispering tremulously, “Master, don’t be rash! Don’t squander this chance at mercy! Lord Qin Xia has already spared us—let us not act recklessly!”

Fan Wenju repeatedly urged caution. Seeing that Chu Lushan had not yet calmed, he steeled himself and said directly, “Has your lordship forgotten the thirteenth of March? That matter with Liu Zeqing, the Deputy Commander of Shandong Garrison, and his nephew Liu Nan—the fleet of over a hundred civilian vessels heading north, carrying Songjiang cloth, Taihu rice, even... Huai salt. Not a single coin of shipping or merchant tax was paid. And—there are no shipping slips or tax receipts, only internal documents, all left in the court and never taken away.”

“Perhaps Lord Qin Xia has already noticed, but holds his tongue, choosing instead to prod us with Wu Liangyong. If we provoke him further and Liu Nan’s affair is exposed, your lordship will find it nearly impossible to clean up the aftermath!”

“Please think twice, my lord...”

Chu Lushan froze as if struck by lightning, then abruptly sat down, head lowered so none could see his expression. A long silence ensued—so long that even the robust Yan Wei felt his knees ache from standing. Finally, Chu Lushan stood up, his face blossoming with a broad, amiable smile. “Lord Qin Xia, what you say is most heartening. Your concern warms me, and whatever difficulties I may have, I now feel at ease. There is truly no issue.”

Zhu Cilang, observing this, let out a light laugh, eyeing the mountain of account books. “Good. So long as Lord Chu is well, my heart is at ease.”

Hearing Zhu’s relaxed words, Chu Lushan’s body, which had unknowingly tensed, relaxed at once. Behind him, Fan Wenju also quietly let out a long sigh.

But immediately, Zhu Cilang’s next words sent both men’s breaths into disarray, nearly causing them to choke.

Zhu’s tone was languid and unconcerned: “Then I shall continue reviewing the accounts. Hmm, where are the ledgers for April? Let me see them.”

At these words, Fan Wenju tensed once more, jabbing Chu Lushan and signaling him to respond quickly.

At the same moment, Chu Lushan’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. He now had no confidence whatsoever in outwitting Zhu Cilang, his mind consumed by dread at what fate might befall him should his schemes be discovered.

With thoughts of a miserable future flashing before his eyes, Chu Lushan sprang up like a coiled spring, darting over to Zhu Cilang, and seized the ledger he had picked up, hugging it tightly to his chest, clearly intent on keeping it from leaving his grasp.

Yet, having seized the account book, Chu Lushan found himself momentarily frozen, unsure what to do next. Staring at the cover—bearing the inscription “Ministry of Revenue Tax Division, Linqing, April, the fifteenth year of Chongzhen”—Chu Lushan, quick-witted as ever, blurted out, “This is quite... the staff are careless, bringing out last year’s April ledger! Ah, it’s my fault for neglecting their discipline. To make such a blunder before Lord Qin Xia... I’m soon to depart my post, and will rely on your guidance in the future... ha ha, am I right?”

“As the new official, I will indeed enforce strict discipline,” Zhu Cilang replied with a smile, relaxing his grip.

Chu Lushan was about to respond with a laugh when he suddenly felt the astonishing weight of the stack of account books in his hands. He cried out, “Fan Wenju, Wu Yin, why are you standing there? Come help me at once!”

Wu Yin and Fan Wenju hurried forward, gathering the ledgers. The other clerks dared not lag behind, rushing to help sort and carry the books away.

Thus, the matter of the handover came to an abrupt halt. Yet everyone present understood that from this moment, Zhu Cilang was truly the master of the Linqing Ministry of Revenue’s tax division, its proper chief official. As for Chu Lushan, the aura of authority had quietly faded.

Especially as Zhu Cilang took several bundles of the March files, Chu Lushan’s face paled, yet he dared utter no protest.

With his subordinates sharing the burden, Chu Lushan had no reason to exert himself further. Seeing Zhu Cilang leave the inner hall, he hurried after him, smiling as he asked, “Has Lord Qin Xia already booked a tavern or inn? In my opinion, though Linqing boasts many fine inns, none are as comfortable as the Ministry’s division quarters. In fact, I have been preparing to transfer for some time, so the rear courtyard is vacant. It was newly built by Suzhou craftsmen—a two-part independent villa. Not ostentatious, but elegant and tranquil. Perhaps you would care to stay there?”

“If that’s the case, I’ll gladly accept your offer,” Zhu Cilang replied without hesitation.

Chu Lushan finally relaxed a little, guiding Zhu Cilang into a villa named Flowing Splendor Pavilion. The place was graced with a curve of canal water flowing through, with several pavilions, towers, and small rivers and ponds, imbuing the residence with the fresh charm of southern gardens. Even Zhu Cilang, accustomed to palace architecture in the Forbidden City, nodded in appreciation at the distinctly southern style.

When settling Zhu Cilang in, Chu Lushan lingered to exchange a few words so as not to leave the journey in silence, then excused himself to prepare a banquet in honor of his successor.