Sun's Trading Company did not embarrass the Governor-General's Office of Jiangnan.

The number of prisoners handed over was small, and although one of them was Zhang San, none of them had been interrogated.

And his mouth was stuffed the whole way.

Clearly, Sun's Trading Company was giving the Governor-General of Jiangnan a way out.

Left with no other choice, Governor Zhang had to accept this concession.

Immediately, the Governor-General's Office of Jiangnan issued a commendation order—publicly commending Sun's Trading Company for suppressing pirates during its sea voyage, and awarding it a plaque and one thousand strings of cash.

Furthermore, the Governor-General's Office of Jiangnan issued an order to execute all captured pirates immediately!

The next day, the prisoners were executed at the main street intersection in the south of Jinling City.

Everyone was still gagged, preventing them from speaking.

As the head fell to the ground, the people of the city cheered with great joy.

However, these ordinary people were not very clear about the story behind it.

On this day, the Jiangnan newspaper once again published a front-page headline—Sun's Trading Company received commendation from the Jiangnan Governor's Office, and the pirates were executed.

This article has once again sparked heated discussions in Nanjing.

Regarding the awards received by Sun's Trading Company, some people were discussing them—

"Serving the imperial court, and this is all the reward I get? It's really not worth it!"

"Sigh! The imperial court is so stingy, you can't expect anything from them..."

"Actually, there's more to this story than meets the eye. These pirates were actually sent out by the government..."

"What? What's going on? Come on, tell me..."

...

Rumors quickly began to circulate throughout Jinling City.

Rumors spread very quickly.

One tells ten, ten tell a hundred, a hundred tell a thousand, a thousand, a million.

Within days, the whole city of Jinling was talking about this matter.

Even within the Governor-General's residence in Jiangnan, such rumors had been heard.

"What happened?"

Governor Zhang's face darkened, and he questioned sternly, "Does Sun's Trading Company still want to survive in Jiangnan? How dare they spread such rumors? What are they trying to do?"

“Your Excellency, it doesn’t seem to be Sun’s Trading Company that spread this information.”

The aide, holding a copy of the Jiangnan Daily, walked up to Governor Zhang and whispered, "Look at today's Jiangnan Daily headline. Sun's Trading Company has issued a solemn statement claiming that the pirates they encountered at sea were genuine pirates, not the ones being spread in the city as rumored."

Sun's Trading Company also vehemently accused those who spread rumors of malicious intent and attempts to sow discord between Sun's Trading Company and the Governor-General's Office of Jiangnan.

"Yeah?"

Governor Zhang was taken aback. He picked up the newspaper, looked at its contents, and couldn't help but sneer.

"hehe!"

Governor Zhang sneered and said, "This Sun's Trading Company certainly knows how to handle people!"

If we blame or make things difficult for Sun's business because of this, people on the street will probably say that we, the government, are settling personal scores!

"Heh, so we just have to swallow this bitter pill?"

"well!"

The aide nodded helplessly and said, "Now, our Jiangnan Governor's Office should also issue a statement to strongly condemn this behavior."

Furthermore, police will be deployed; anyone found defaming the government will be arrested!

"This is the only way!"

Governor Zhang shook his head with a wry smile.

Immediately, a manhunt began throughout Nanjing.

During this time, news from Jinling City spread like wildfire throughout Jiangnan and Qiantang.

The news also reached the capital city in the far north!

"Prime Minister Song, Prime Minister Song..."

A servant rushed in, carrying a stack of newspapers, and said, "Prime Minister Song, news has come from Jinling City."

As he spoke, the servant placed the newspaper he was holding on the table.

"What news?"

Song Xianze didn't look up, but asked calmly.

After finishing his official duties, Song Xianze noticed the servant's somewhat panicked look.

He paused for a moment, then reached out and picked up the newspaper that was placed next to him.

"Jiangnan Daily?"

Song Xianze was stunned for a moment, then said, "It's the Jiangnan Daily, which was all the rage in the literary world of Jiangnan a while ago."

What wonderful poem has been written this time?

"No, Prime Minister Song!"

The servant shook his head and said, "Prime Minister Song, please look at the first version..."

Listening to the servant's words, Song Xianze turned to the first page of the Jiangnan Daily and looked at the contents.

Song Xianze was stunned for a moment.

The Jiangnan Daily prominently featured an article about Sun's Trading Company's suppression of pirates.

Song Xianze's expression changed drastically as he flipped through the newspapers in his hands.

After watching it, Song Xianze was somewhat listless and slumped into a chair.

"Is His Majesty aware of this news?"

Song Xianze asked.

"Prime Minister Song, this news just came from Jiangnan."

The servant spoke up, "His Majesty doesn't know yet..."

"Change your clothes and proceed to the palace!"

Song Xianze knew things were going badly and quickly shouted.

He understood the importance of this matter; it was a plan he and His Majesty had devised together.

And now, it has turned out like this.

Not only did it not cause any losses to the Dongning merchant ships, but the imperial court actually suffered a hidden loss.

This kind of hidden loss can only be endured and cannot be spoken of.

It was like a mute eating bitter melon, unable to express their suffering!

Upon entering the palace, Song Xianze immediately gave a brief report on the matter to His Majesty.

"What?"

When His Majesty Li Ming heard this news, he was completely stunned. "How is this possible?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!