Chapter 35 Chapter 35 I have to find another time to see her.
In April, the south of the Yangtze River enters the plum rain season, with heavy rainfall, continuous rain and obstructed water transportation.
However, misfortunes never come singly. After several days of continuous rain, a cargo ship belonging to the largest local shipping merchant capsized during transportation, and the cargo on it was scattered. It was then discovered that the quantity and weight of the cargo it was transporting far exceeded the government's standards for cargo ships of that size.
The largest ship merchant in Jiangnan was actually engaged in smuggling.
Coincidentally, shortly after this incident, two other cargo ships capsized in heavy rain because their cargo exceeded the ships' carrying capacity.
With the continuous occurrence of smuggling incidents, the local government office in charge of water transportation checked the merchant ships leaving the port overnight, and found that several major ship merchants in Jiangnan were actually concealing the smuggling of goods. What was even more shocking was that the smuggled goods were silk, bricks, tiles, bamboo and wood, which were the most difficult to find in Jiangnan at that time.
The Jiangnan region is rich in embroidery. Whether it is ready-made clothes or accessories, an industrial chain has long been formed, which is related to the livelihoods of many people. Some are embroiderers who make a living from this, while others are in need of purchasing clothes due to a shortage of clothes.
However, the late spring cold weather this year has affected the growth of silkworms and mulberry trees, and silk production has dropped sharply. Now the Jiangnan cloth market is in short supply of silk fabrics.
As for bricks, tiles, bamboo and wood, it is actually because it rains a lot in the south of the Yangtze River at this time of year, and many houses have more or less problems with leaking roofs or other parts of the house being damaged or moldy, so they are in urgent need of new bricks, tiles, bamboo and wood for repair.
However, these items are in short supply in the Jiangnan market this year, and therefore they are priced at a considerable premium.
But the people of Jiangnan originally thought that the shortage of these necessities this year was due to problems with the supply of sericulture for silk and clay for tile making. However, they never expected that those ship merchants would still have so much backlog of goods under such circumstances, or that they could have supplied normal goods, but because of their backlog, they caused a huge premium.
The silk from Jiangnan is good, and there are many dignitaries in the capital. Therefore, even though Jiangnan is in greater need of silk at the moment, ship merchants will transport as much silk fabrics as possible to the capital for profit.
As for bricks and tiles, it was only after this incident that I found out that those ship merchants only had brick kiln business. They would accept the bricks and tiles directly after the kilns made them, and then sell them after the houses were soaked in rain for several days during the rainy season.
During the plum rain season, the rain hardly stops, and there are only one or two days of rest. In order to prevent further damage to their houses or to reinforce their roofs and walls, many residents can only buy bricks, tiles, bamboo and wood sold by ship merchants at high prices on those two days.
Even though it has been known since ancient times that businessmen pursue profits, when their actions behind the scenes are exposed to the public, the people whose interests are harmed cannot help but feel resentful.
What is even more shocking is that behind the backlog of goods of these ship merchants, there is also the figure of the Su family of Su Wang, the wise minister of the country.
So, were the items donated by the Su family actually stolen through these means? Goods that should have belonged to the people were deliberately hoarded, then sold at inflated prices, with a tiny portion of the profits taken from them returned to the people. Is this a gift to the people?
For a time, rumors about the Su family spread throughout Jiangnan.
On the day the news reached the capital, Su Shang came to bid farewell to Shangguan Xu.
Shangguan Xu lamented, "To have encountered something like this... Family matters are more important. Let's go back quickly."
Su Shang nodded: "The specific situation is still unclear. I can only find out after I go back and ask my father. But the family matters still concern my father and my fifth brother. You here..."
"I have Qinghe and Azheng here to accompany me." Shangguan Xu smiled easily.
Su Shang sighed softly: "But in the past few years, I was the one who accompanied you when you came to Da'an Guo Temple."
Shangguan Xu lowered his eyes, shook his head, and smiled. "Logically speaking, a visit to Da'an Temple wouldn't warrant the presence of someone like you, the Minister of Rites, accompanying us. If you were to accompany us for a few years, it would actually lead to negative rumors from the outside world."
Su Shang opened his mouth, then suddenly swallowed his words.
He wanted to say that he didn't care, but then he thought that maybe she meant spreading rumors about their relationship.
Of course, he didn't care about those words either, but he was afraid that she did.
Su Shang stopped talking.
After a moment, he hummed, "I'll be leaving first. If you need anything, just send someone to look for me."
Shangguan Xu responded softly.
Looking at Su Shang's departing back, she sighed softly.
Why can’t I figure it out…
——
Su Shang returned home and listened to Su Ran's account of what had happened.
Su Shang twirled the teacup in his hand and pondered, "The rumors in Jiangnan right now are merely speculation that we're collaborating with the ship merchants because the donations we gave matched the cargo they had piled up. There's no substantive evidence."
"But what does the fact that the goods are the same prove? Can't we buy goods from those ship merchants? Moreover, our entire Su family is in Chang'an, so naturally we have no idea that those ship merchants are deliberately raising prices. We are just cooperating with them, which is why we have been buying their goods. Moreover, we also buy at market prices and never handle those goods. We only use them where needed. So how can we be said to be involved in the ship merchants' hoarding of goods?"
Su Ran clapped his hands after hearing this and said, "That's right. Aren't those people in Jiangnan using the 'same source' argument to claim we're colluding with those shippers? So why don't we just claim we're their buyers? There are only a few big merchants in Jiangnan anyway, so who else can we turn to? And Qilang's statement not only clearly distinguishes us from them, but also shows that we're buyers who buy at market prices, and therefore victims of price gouging."
Su Shang still lowered his eyes. "In fact, some things don't need to be proven. Just give a reasonable reason. As for the rest, if there are still people who don't believe it, those who doubt it should provide evidence instead of forcing us to be comprehensive and reveal every detail in order to clear ourselves. That would not only waste our time, but also add unnecessary details. The more we say, the more mistakes we will make."
Su Ran nodded. "Yes, there's no need to prove yourself. If anyone still has doubts, they should produce evidence. Otherwise, it's slander." He looked up at Su Wang, who was sitting at the top of the table. "What do you think, uncle?"
Su Wang closed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "The problem with Jiangnan is not here, but the loss of public support for the Su family. Qilang's method is indeed useful in drawing a clear line between us and the ship merchants, but after this incident, many people have begun to doubt our actions. This is our real loss."
Su Shang said, "Since the incident has happened, such losses are inevitable. Everything we can do now is just to stop the losses. The people's hearts are hard to cultivate but easy to lose. If my father wants to maintain the people's hearts in Jiangnan, why not write a letter to the owners of those ship merchants, asking them to confess and apologize to the people of Jiangnan, and then sell the overstocked goods at a low price as compensation."
Su Ran felt something was wrong: "Will they be willing to do something that would lose money like this?"
"Of course they don't want to." Su Shang raised his eyes and said calmly, "But do they have a choice? Fifth brother has been in contact with them quite a lot in recent years, and has given them a lot of filial piety. They should listen to you."
"Uncle doesn't accept those." Su Ran pointed out the implication of his words and said, "They all transferred them elsewhere."
"It's all the same. They'll always listen to what's coming from the capital," Su Shang said nonchalantly. "In fact, it's perfect for Fifth Brother to come forward. It not only represents our Su family's stance and the importance we attach to this matter, but it also prevents the Prime Minister from appearing to be abusing his power for personal gain. Fifth Brother can also use this opportunity to build up his reputation and regain control of the Censorate."
"As for the rest, you don't have to worry too much after you've handed it over. Father has been cultivating the people's hearts in Jiangnan for many years. There are always some people who are loyal to him and are willing to trust him. So when the time comes for Jiangnan affairs, as long as the Su family expresses their stance, those people will speak for him and the Su family."
Su Wang murmured: "This is the only way for now."
"Wu Lang," he looked up at Su Ran, "First, do as Qi Lang said. Then, investigate why they made such a big mistake this time. I've reminded them time and again that they shouldn't overdo things, so why did they insist on transporting so much more cargo this time, causing the cargo ship to capsize in the rain?"
Su Ran stood up, bowed and took the order, saying, "Nephew will take care of it right away."
After Su Ran left, the father and son were left alone in the room. Su Wang asked, "Are you going to Da'an Temple later?"
Su Shang smiled slightly and said, "No rush. It won't be too late to go after this matter is over. Although I never participated in the plans you and Fifth Brother made, now that this concerns the Su family, as your son, I will naturally do what I can. Don't worry, Dad."
Su Wang sighed softly, his eyes filled with relief. "It's better not to get involved. You just need to focus on fulfilling your duties as a court official. In the future, you will definitely become a wise minister of the Great Jin Dynasty, whose reputation far surpasses mine and your uncle's."
Su Shang chuckled, picked up the teacup and drank it before saying softly, "None of that matters."
That's not what he asked for.
The aroma of tea was refreshing and invigorating. Su Shang put down the teacup and thought about what he really wanted. A smile appeared at the corner of his eyes.
——
A few days after the Jiangnan incident, Shen Heng went to Xu Qing'an's mansion.
The two of them talked while playing chess.
Shen Heng reported, "Several major ship merchants in Jiangnan have been selling their stockpiles at low prices in recent days. They have also compensated those who previously bought their goods at high prices, hoping to regain the trust of the people."
Xu Qing'an twirled the chess piece in his hand and sneered, "It's not that they want to regain the people's trust, but the people behind them need to use them to win back the people's hearts."
Chen Heng chuckled and said, "They're really willing to give it away. If they throw these things away, the accounts of several major shipowners will be in the red this year."
Xu Qing'an said sternly, "Have your people keep an eye on this and don't let anyone else take advantage of this opportunity."
Chen Heng nodded and said, "Well, don't worry, my lord. Those things will flow into the hands of those who need them. No one will take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune."
Stockpiling goods and selling them at low prices can certainly alleviate people's urgent needs, but we must also prevent some people from taking advantage of this opportunity to stockpile goods and make a fortune.
“But I have to say that the Su family reacted really quickly this time. They were able to control the situation within just a few days.” Shen Heng sighed.
"Those who are destined to be affected will eventually be affected. Ultimately, this is just a matter of mending the fence after the sheep have been lost." Xu Qing'an looked at the chessboard and placed a piece on it. "Once this happens, Su Wang's reputation in Jiangnan will undoubtedly be damaged, including that of the major shipping merchants he has carefully supported..."
Chen Heng continued with interest, "Those major ship merchants will not only lose their status in Jiangnan, but will also offend the shop owners in the capital."
As early as the spring hunt, Xu Qing'an asked Gu Chou to return to the capital early to help him collect some intelligence while he was being transferred to the Jinwu Guard.
Which shops in Beijing have supply relationships with which ship merchants.
He asked Gu Chou to spread the news of silk shortage in Jiangnan this year to those shops, causing many shops in Beijing that had transactions with those major ship merchants to purchase silk from them at the same time, and then lure out all the stockpiles that the major ship merchants had deliberately accumulated, which led to the subsequent ship capsizing accident.
Xu Qing'an raised his chin slightly with a calm expression: "It's your turn."
Chen Heng observed the chessboard and made his move, saying, "By the way, speaking of those shipping merchants, a carrier pigeon arrived from Jiangnan saying that all the heads of those families have set off for the capital. Perhaps they've suffered heavy losses this time, so they've all come to the Su family to demand an explanation."
"He's heading to the capital..." Xu Qing'an looked over and repeated, "I didn't expect that."
He thought, "Perhaps this can help speed up the process of replacing their position in Jiangnan's water transportation."
After pressing a chess piece, Xu Qing'an smiled and thought that he would have to choose another time to meet her.
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