Undercurrents
The incident involving Wang from the tofu shop was like a stone dropped into a still lake. Though the ripples gradually subsided, it left a mark on some people. Lu Qinglan's handling of the situation that day was exaggerated and spread widely, earning him a reputation among the common people as a "kind and sensible person." This even aroused a curiosity and yearning among the families of middle and lower-level officials about the Jinxiu Poetry Society.
Lu Qinglan remained noncommittal. Reputation was false; the web woven through this opportunity was real. She instructed Fu Yu to secretly monitor whether anyone from Shuntian Prefecture or Huwei Hall came to investigate or exert pressure. In the end, everything remained calm, as if the incident had never occurred. This only made her more convinced that the interested parties behind the incident were reluctant to make a big deal for the time being, or perhaps they were considering whether to confront the up-and-coming future prince's consort over this matter.
She turned her attention back to the grain transport. The news from Chen Xing and Zhao Tieshou gradually converged, painting a vague picture: Following the floods in southern China, the grain transport system was already under increased pressure. Furthermore, in recent months, the management of several key river sluice gates seemed particularly chaotic, resulting in extended grain transport times and inexplicably increased losses. The "Huang Master," the subject of complaints from merchants, was merely an insignificant link in this chain of interests.
Late that night, the candles in the Lan Courtyard study were still lit. Before Lu Qinglan lay a crude sketch of the canal route, marked with key nodes and scraps of information gathered from various sources. She pointed at the three characters "Linqing Gate." This was the crucial choke point for the canal heading north. At this time in a previous life, a minor "canal boat capsized," apparently resulting in the loss of a shipment of tribute silk and tax silver, had been treated as an accident. However, when the Third Prince fell from power, the incident was resurfaced, accusing his officials of embezzling supplies and fabricating the scene.
The time is just one month later.
Chance.
A sharp glint flashed in Lu Qinglan's eyes. She couldn't stop this directly; that would expose her foresight. But she could leverage this situation, allowing it to explode in another way, becoming a powerful weapon to attack certain individuals while also earning her first real "political capital."
She needed a knife, one that could penetrate the canal transportation corruption chain without immediately implicating herself. This knife had to be sharp enough and full of dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Su Yueming? She's quite resourceful, but her mindset is too narrow and prone to backlash.
Lin Wanru? She has a military background and a strong character, but her family's stance is unclear, and using her rashly would be too risky.
Wei Linlang? She has a kind heart, but her brother Wei Zheng... might be a breakthrough.
Lu Qinglan pondered for a long moment, finally casting her gaze out the window at the dark night. She thought of a person, a young man who, at this time in her previous life, must have been banished from the capital for writing a letter to criticize the malpractices of the Grand Canal—the Censor, Han Mingyuan.
This man came from a humble background, possessed a righteous disposition, and was inflexible. He was isolated and helpless at court, yet possessed a passionate and fearless drive to impeach. In his previous life, after being demoted, he moved from place to place. Later, he was employed during Xiao Jingche's new policies upon ascending the throne, but by then, his energy had been dampened, preventing him from fully displaying his talents.
If we could save him, or at least make his impeachment memorial, which was doomed to fall on deaf ears, have its due effect...
Lu Qinglan spread out the letter, choosing her words carefully. She couldn't contact Han Mingyuan directly; that would be too obvious. She needed an intermediary, a way to reach Han Mingyuan without arousing suspicion.
"Fuyu."
"What are your wishes, young lady?"
"Tomorrow, go to 'Moxiangzhai' in person and tell the shopkeeper that I want to customize a chicken blood stone seal with the inscription 'Yangzhi', which means 'looking up to the lofty mountains'. Ask him to use the best stone and double the wages." Lu Qinglan said slowly.
Moxiangzhai was a renowned art and antique shop in the capital, its owner having close connections with many upright scholars and low-ranking officials, making him well-informed. She had accidentally learned in her previous life that the characters "Yangzhi" (仰志) were the nickname of a long-deceased, incorruptible academic official whom Han Mingyuan greatly admired, and whose signature hung on a painting in his study.
Although Fu Yu didn't understand what she meant, she saw the lady's serious expression and immediately responded, "Yes, I understand."
This was just the first step. A seemingly ordinary commission might have reached Han Mingyuan through the shopkeeper's casual conversation. A clear-minded person like him, upon hearing that a fellow admirer admired the character of his late mentor, might have piqued his curiosity, perhaps even considered a close friend. Once he noticed that the seal had been commissioned by the "Lu Mansion," the subsequent "accidental" information would have a basis.
After handling this matter, Lu Qinglan turned her attention back to Yunshang Pavilion. Simply gathering information wasn't enough; she needed to be more proactive. The passage of merchant ships along the canal was the best carrier of information.
"Have Chen Xing keep an eye out for any reputable caravans that frequently ply the canal and are willing to undertake some... special freight assignments. They shouldn't require a large quantity, but they must be delivered safely and quickly, and the remuneration can be generous," Lu Qinglan instructed. "Also, have her find a way to befriend one or two underdog but well-informed clerks at the canal docks."
The web she wants to weave needs to cover a wider and deeper area.
A few days later, the Jinxiu Poetry Society held its fourth gathering. This time, Lu Qinglan didn't dwell on the subject of elegance. Instead, while everyone sipped tea, he casually mentioned, "I've been reading some miscellaneous notes lately, and I've come to realize the difficulties of reforming the grain transport system during the previous dynasty. It's truly moving. 'Without the smooth passage of ships and carriages, heaven and earth are divided; without the smooth flow of commerce, wealth and poverty are diminished.' The smooth flow of grain transport is truly the lifeblood of our nation."
Her words were vague, not referring to specific current events. But those present were all ladies of high rank, and they had all, to some degree, heard of the court debates from their fathers and brothers. Liu Ruyan said softly, "My father was worried the other day, saying that the grain transfer from the south to the north seemed to be slower this year than in previous years."
A princess curled her lips and said, "It's all because of those clerks who are lining their own pockets and exploiting people at every level! I heard there's a big commotion going on down there, but no one dares to expose it."
Lin Wanru had been silent the whole time, but suddenly she spoke with a barely perceptible hint of repression in her voice: "The food and wages of soldiers at the border are also partly dependent on grain transport. If the grain transport is delayed, it may affect the morale of the army." She thought of her brother's mention of the shortage of grain at the border in his letter home, and she felt annoyed.
Wei Linlang immediately agreed, "Exactly! My brother also wrote to me a few days ago saying that the winter clothes we sent were half a month late compared to previous years! If someone is messing with the grain transport, we really need to investigate!"
Su Yueming lowered her head to take notes, but her ears were perked up, keeping these words firmly in her mind. She keenly felt that Miss Lu's mention of the canal transportation today was not without purpose.
Lu Qinglan took in everyone's reactions, then stopped talking and changed the subject at the right moment. The seeds had been sown, and it remained to be seen in whose hearts they would sprout.
After the gathering ended, Su Yueming lingered until the very end. Seeing that no one was around, she cautiously said to Lu Qinglan, "Miss, the other day I went with the maid to burn incense, and I overheard two pilgrims chatting. They seemed to be from the canal transport industry. They mentioned something about 'gate fees' and 'floating', and their words were quite dissatisfied..."
Lu Qinglan glanced at her, his eyes calm and unperturbed: "It's just a rumor, just listen to it, don't take it seriously."
Su Yueming fell silent immediately, but he became more certain in his heart that Miss Lu was not as indifferent to the canal transportation as she seemed.
A few days later, Fu Yu reported back, "Miss, there's news from Moxiangzhai. After hearing the seal inscription, Imperial Censor Han did inquire with the orderer. The shopkeeper, following your instructions, simply said it was ordered by a young lady from the mansion for her father. Also... Chen Xing has found a caravan that frequently plies the canal. The leader's name is Shen, and he's quite reliable. Over at the docks, they've also found a clerk who was ostracized for refusing to go along with the corrupt."
very good.
Lu Qinglan stood in front of the window, watching the ginkgo leaves begin to fall in the courtyard.
The net is tightening little by little.
Beneath the waves, undercurrents are brewing, waiting for the right moment to unleash a monstrous wave.
And she will be the one standing on the crest of the wave, holding a fishing rod.
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