Tang Ke was filled with anxiety, as this was a very sensitive time, especially since many people had just lost their lives outside the Five Dynasties Gate because of the Chunhua Tower case.
But at this very moment, the emperor ordered him to bring Qian Mu to the palace for an audience.
He couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking, or why he suddenly wanted to see Qian Mu.
I can't figure it out, I really can't figure it out.
When Tang Ke brought Qian Mu to the Wende Hall, besides the emperor and Wang Kui'an, there was another person there. This person was Han Lixian's son, Han Feng, whom the emperor had brought back with him when he returned from the northern expedition.
Tang Ke was even more confused. He remembered that Han Feng was Han Fei's second brother. What was he doing here?
"This humble subject kowtows to the Emperor."
No need for formalities.
Upon seeing the emperor again, Qian Mu was filled with mixed emotions. In fact, he hadn't slept well for several days and nights.
"Qian Mu, tell me, what has the Qian family done in the southeast over the past century?"
Qian Mu kept his composure. Although he didn't know why the emperor would ask him such a question, it was a rare opportunity to see the emperor. He said, "Your Majesty, the Qian family has always adhered to the ancestral teachings, being loyal to the emperor and loving the people. We have simply been doing our business honestly and have never dared to overstep our bounds."
"You were also at Chunhua Tower that day, do you know why I didn't arrest you?"
"The Emperor is wise and sagacious. I, a humble subject, know that I am guilty and dare not presume to know the will of Heaven."
Zhao Huan asked directly, "Why did Qian Yu dare to criticize the new policies at Chunhua Tower?"
Qian Mu's heart trembled, knowing that the key point had arrived. He immediately prostrated himself on the ground: "Your Majesty is wise. Qian Yu is just spouting nonsense and cannot represent the Qian family. If the old master finds out about his outrageous deeds in Tokyo, he will surely break his legs and expel him from the Qian family!"
Tang Ke stood to the side, not daring to say a word. What could he say at this time? Whatever he said would be suspected of helping the Qian family clear their name. The Inspectorate had not yet formally filed a case against the Qian family. Before a formal case was filed, he should not say anything, otherwise he would be attacked by those with ulterior motives as a rebel, and he would be in for a beating outside the Five Dynasties Gate.
"From what you're saying, it seems that Old Master Qian supports my new policies?"
"The old master is loyal to the emperor and loves his country, and dares not have the slightest intention to oppose the court. This time, I came to Tokyo on the old master's orders to investigate the new policies in Tokyo. If the court implements new policies in the southeast, the old master will fully cooperate with the court."
"Then why was Qian Yu sent?"
"Your Majesty, the situation in the south is complex. The gentry of Jiangnan East Road and Jiangnan West Road are unwilling to accept the new policies of the court. The head of the Qian family is critically ill, the old master is old, Qian Yu is ambitious but incompetent and cannot win over the people, and the second master is ambitious. In the past ten years, he has been buying up land in Liangzhe Road, Jiangnan East Road, Jiangnan West Road, and even Jinghu Road, and has also resorted to unscrupulous means to seize overseas orders in order to win over wealthy merchants and powerful families in the south in order to compete for the position of head of the Qian family."
What Qian Mu said was quite similar to the information gathered by the Imperial City Guard's spies. Zhao Huan continued, "If I remember correctly, you are just a member of a collateral branch of the family. How do you know so much?"
Qian Mu continued, “Your Majesty, although I am merely a member of a collateral branch, I have received great kindness from the Old Master and the Head of the Family. When my mother was critically ill, we couldn’t even afford her burial. It was the Old Master and the Head of the Family who provided the funds and took me in. I am unworthy, but I am honored by the Old Master and the Head of the Family for their trust in me and for serving as the servant of the Qian family’s young master. Now, the Qian family’s young master has committed a serious crime in Tokyo, and it is all my fault. The Qian family is loyal to the Emperor and loves the people, but now it is being instigated by villains, and that is also my fault. I am powerless and do not ask to exchange my lowly life for the peace of the Qian family. I only ask Your Majesty to see the truth and uphold justice for the Qian family!”
After Qian Mu finished speaking, Tang Ke was quite moved, but he still couldn't say anything. Since the emperor had already taken the initiative to summon Qian Mu, it meant that the emperor didn't actually want to wipe out the Qian family. What else could he say?
Should we hastily persuade the emperor to state his position now? That would only backfire.
Tang Ke was unaware that Zhao Huan had summoned Qian Mu for several reasons: First, the Qian family was indeed a special clan, as later generations knew; they had produced truly admirable figures. This was a psychological barrier for Zhao Huan, a man from a later era, who was unwilling to take action against the Qian family. Second, the Qian family held sway in the southeast, cultivating popular support over a long period. It wasn't enough to simply launch a brutal attack; internal strife within the Qian family was needed to dismantle it from within, with the court acting as a catalyst. Third, Zhao Huan needed to choose a representative, and Qian Mu seemed the most suitable at the moment.
Who says it has to be a direct descendant? As long as he is a descendant of Qian Liu, I can support him.
These past few days of ignoring Qian Mu have caused him considerable inner turmoil, so now that he's being given a treat, he should obediently listen to reason.
Zhao Huan asked, "Qian Mu, if I were to put you in charge of the southeast, how would you do it?"
Qian Mu was slightly taken aback, wondering why the emperor had suddenly asked a question he understood even less. He honestly replied, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Liangzhe Circuit is not suitable for farming, but it is suitable for mulberry cultivation. The court should vigorously promote mulberry cultivation in Liangzhe Circuit to supply silk for overseas exports. The money earned would be far more valuable than the grain produced from farming. As for Jiangnan East Circuit, it is suitable for fishing and agriculture, with well-developed water conservancy. Each county should set up a special government office to manage the people's land in a unified manner, which can increase yields."
"As for the Bureau of Arts and Crafts and the Bureau of Textiles, they are all filled by government agencies, which is beneficial to the country and the people."
"Where did the grain for the Liangzhe Circuit come from?"
“Liangzhe Circuit is located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The imperial court can greatly develop the canal transport, which will not only increase transport capacity to facilitate the transport of other goods, but also solve the problem of grain supply in Liangzhe Circuit.”
"What if merchants take the opportunity to hoard grain and raise prices?"
"These unscrupulous merchants who bring disaster to the country and its people should be killed!"
"What if the people are unwilling to plant mulberry trees?"
“As long as the people know that planting mulberry trees can improve their lives more than farming, I believe they will be willing. Besides, not all of Liangzhe Road is planted with mulberry trees; eight out of ten can be planted with mulberry trees and the other two with farming.”
Zhao Huan pondered for a moment, then said, "You just told me that Old Master Qian is loyal to the emperor and loves his country. I am now sending you back to Hangzhou with my oral decree, ordering Qian An to come to Tokyo in person to apologize and to fully implement the new policies of the court. I may execute Qian Yu, demote the Qian family's titles, and forgive all other past transgressions."
Upon hearing this, Qian Mu was overjoyed, and Tang Ke, who was standing to the side, was also quite surprised, not expecting that the emperor would actually show favor to the Qian family.
However, they were unaware of Zhao Huan's true intentions. Zhao Huan's actions served two purposes: First, if Qian An genuinely supported the court's new policies, then a loyal official should not be wrongly executed. Qian Yu's outburst in Dongjing (Kaifeng) was clearly instigated by other forces. Bringing Qian An to Dongjing to apologize would both uphold the court's authority and demonstrate a stance to the south, while also alleviating winter food shortages in the short term. Second, if the Qian family harbored rebellious intentions, they would not come to apologize. Having defied the emperor's decree and unwilling to implement the new policies, then they should die!
In this way, it can't be considered indiscriminate killing of innocent people. I have given you a chance, and I have also given you, Qian Mu, a chance to save Old Master Qian.
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