Are Helian Jue and his wife really that kind?
Oh no, that's not right!
What Zhou Wencheng should be doubting is whether the sage would listen to the King of Yue's advice.
But soon, Zhou Wencheng realized, "Perhaps, the sage really will listen!"
Yuezhou has already lost a prefect. If another county magistrate is added, Yuezhou will surely become a source of fear for the court officials.
To become an official?
Being an official in Yuezhou guarantees a 100% chance of being born into a good family.
Two officials, both dead!
The entire team was wiped out!
If the imperial court were to send officials to Yuezhou again, those officials would probably rather defy the imperial decree than come.
Coming here means certain death; not coming might allow you to survive through family connections.
No one came to take up the post, but the imperial court really couldn't give up Lingnan.
At least a sage would not agree.
Even if it's just a figurehead appointment without any real power, a sage still needs a governor to serve as a facade.
It's probably impossible to transfer officials from outside.
Left with no other choice, the sage could only select from the Lingnan region, or even the Yuezhou region.
Before being brought to serve as the chief secretary of the Prince's Palace, Zhou Wencheng was an imperial censor, and his rank, qualifications, and abilities were all quite good.
Being qualified to serve as governor is indeed a promotion beyond one's rank. (Reading Notes)
But isn't Lingnan special?
With special measures taken, Zhou Wencheng has a very high chance of being promoted to the position of Prefect of Yuezhou.
Zhou Wencheng was tempted.
As a scholar, he truly upheld the ideals of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.
But he also longed to be an official in a region, to have the opportunity to give orders and influence.
The bait Xie Yuan threw out was really tempting and delicious.
"Your Highness, what would you like me to do?"
Zhou Wencheng made his choice—
He no longer wanted to get involved in the struggle between Helian Jue and the Sage, the supreme father and son.
He was diligent in serving the people and governed Yuezhou well.
To ensure that the people have enough to eat and wear, and to allow them to live a peaceful life.
For a scholar, serving as an official and bringing benefits to the people in his jurisdiction can be considered as fulfilling his dream.
Zhou Wencheng didn't want to deal with the rest.
However, Zhou Wencheng worried that Helian Jue, the Sage, and others might not allow his idea.
"I, the princess, do not require you to do anything outrageous. You only need to follow your own principles and your own conscience!"
What she wanted was a legitimate witness, not a despicable person who would commit perjury against their conscience.
"..."
After hesitating for a long time, Zhou Wencheng slowly nodded, "Alright! I hope Your Highness will keep your promise."
...
The next day, Zhou Wencheng "personally selected" more than a dozen guards from the Prince's Palace to go up to the city gate tower of Crescent Moon New City.
The newly appointed Embroidered-Robe Envoy, Luo Peiyu, secretly reported to Xie Yuan, "Your Majesty, among the guards taken away by Chief Secretary Zhou, there were spies from the imperial court!"
After thinking for a moment, Luo Peiyu added, "However, not all of them. Moreover, among the people he selected, there were also some from our own Prince's Mansion."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yuan couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips: Zhou Wencheng is still holding back.
Or rather, he made his stance clearer.
He wanted to be a centrist, not to side with either Helian Jue or the Sage.
That's good!
Xie Yuan didn't intend to bring Zhou Wencheng over either.
After all, Helian Jue is not going to openly rebel at present.
As long as the governor of Yuezhou is conscientious, abides by the law, works diligently for the people, and develops the local area, Helian Jue and Xie Yuan will be happy to see his efforts.
They don't need Zhou Wencheng to take sides at all!
"Okay, continue monitoring!"
Xie Yuan nodded, then instructed, "Is everything arranged in the new town of Hexian?"
"Your Highness, everything has been arranged!"
Luo Peiyu replied respectfully.
Xie Yuan was increasingly satisfied.
She clenched her fists, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
You really can't blame her for being ruthless; these people are just disgusting.
She had been too soft-hearted once before, which led to future problems.
This time, she won't let it go so easily!
...
On the surface, everything in Crescent Moon New City seems normal, but underneath, a storm is brewing.
Powerful families, represented by the Chen and Huang families, keenly sensed something unusual.
They also vaguely heard rumors that someone coveted the blueprints for the treasure ship and was envious of the wealthy clans' huge profits from the sugar shops. They had gathered a motley crew and were attempting to attack the shipyard and their fortified stronghold.
This is intolerable.
Several powerful clans had been operating in the region for over a century, far removed from the dynastic changes and wars in the Central Plains.
However, they still had to face attacks from indigenous tribes such as the Liao and Li people, as well as officials sent by various dynasties.
They are extremely perceptive and vigilant.
Moreover, they have been entrenched in Yuezhou for many years, and their influence has already extended to every corner.
They even had spies in Xie Ze's county government office.
Therefore, the Chen, Huang, and other families became aware of Xie Ze's inquiries about the shipyards of the major families and his contact with people of unknown origin.
"That Xie Ze! How dare he!"
"That's right! Back then, Cui Boyong was a prefect, and he had the support of his family. Even he didn't dare to easily make a move against our families!"
"Hmph, I think Xie Ze has lost his mind and wants to throw caution to the wind!"
The heads of several powerful clans gathered together, discussing the matter with a mixture of anger and disdain.
Recently, the Xie family has been making one ridiculous joke after another.
In fact, at the very beginning, the major clans wanted to cooperate with Xie Ze.
After all, he was an official appointed by the imperial court and came from the prestigious Xie family.
In particular, the emperor's decree to marry Xie Ze's daughter, Xie Rou, gave the powerful clans even more hope.
While Cui was hosting a lavish banquet for the women, the wealthy and noble ladies, with the help of their husbands' earnings, showered Xie Rou with gifts to "add to her dowry."
As it turned out, Helian Jue completely denied it! (Reading continues)
Xie Rou, the concubine of the Prince of Yue, couldn't even get through the gates of the Prince of Yue's residence.
Xie Rou lost face, Xie Ze's family became a laughing stock, and the wealthy families' previous "investment" went down the drain.
The old grudges haven't been settled yet, and Xie Ze still dares to scheme against them.
This time, they went even further and used the brutal method of "outright robbery".
The heads of extremely powerful clans absolutely could not tolerate this.
"If he dares to reach out, chop off his claws!"
The Chen family patriarch's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strong killing intent.
"Not only that! But also—"
The head of the Huang family stretched out a palm and gestured across his neck.
The safest approach is to nip it in the bud.
"Good! Strike first! We must let those corrupt officials know that our families are not to be trifled with."
They had just been ripped off by the Prince of Yue's mansion. Although they were willing to do it and were even scrambling to get what they wanted, the feeling of being "used" was truly unpleasant.
Several powerful clans harbored resentment, but dared not vent it on the Yue Prince's mansion.
Just then, Xie Ze barged in.
Great! He's the one!
Whether it's to make an example of someone or to vent their anger, the major clans are determined not to let this greedy official get away with it.
Silently, the major clans also began to make their moves...
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