Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Pirate Ship
Su Qing did not disappoint Hua Jingming.
She not only provided a solution, but even gave several names.
It all concerns the situation of local officials and who the backers of the local bullies are.
After you have these things, help him contact the local garrison.
Hua Jingming was surprised that Su Qing knew the garrison commander, but after asking her carefully, he found out.
The rebellion in Guangyuefu and other places in the capital was quelled that year.
The soldiers who participated in the war earned military merit and have been appointed to positions in various places.
The garrison commander in front of us is a member of the Nanjiang County Wounded Soldiers Sanatorium.
Even now, I still remember the life-saving grace of Lord Su.
So many things have happened over the years.
Everyone knows who is reliable and who treats them well.
Hua Jingming was one of the people who knew the situation.
So he also sought help from Lord Su.
The garrison commander retorted, "If I had known you also knew Lord Su, I wouldn't have been so stingy with my troops."
"But as you know, the imperial court's provisions and pay are not delivered on time, and there's nothing we can do about it."
"Fine, I'll help you this once."
Hua Jingming suddenly said, "Who said there was no food or pay?"
“As long as these bullies are convicted, there will be not only taxes, but also provisions.”
But this bully's relative is an official in the capital.
Guard your mind.
Hua Jingming glanced at the garrison commander again.
Lord Su also served as an official in the capital.
She gave these people a powerful backer, which meant she let them do whatever they wanted.
She was in the capital, and wasn't she also her own powerful backer?
This kind of thing doesn't only happen in Zhangzhou.
Many officials who wanted to get things done took the initiative to contact Lord Su in the capital.
It is said that birds of a feather flock together.
That's not wrong.
Su Qing was well-known, and any official with ambitions would take the initiative to contact her.
Su Qing was also generous with her help.
As for the intricate relationships in the capital.
Don't worry.
The sky has fallen.
With Lord Su protecting you, things will be alright.
Everyone knows that if the Emperor wants to harm Su Qing, he has to wait until the new ship is built and launched, let alone anyone else.
A strange tacit understanding has formed in the capital of Shunchang Kingdom.
Of course, many people were also worried for Lord Su.
She is too sharp-tongued.
Such tactics will inevitably lead to the Emperor's punishment sooner or later.
Isn't she afraid that once the new ship in Haiwanzhou is built, she'll be finished?
Or is it...?
She knew it, but she still did it?
Even if there are ten thousand men, I will still go.
Many people couldn't figure out what Su Qing was thinking.
I felt she was looking for trouble, but I also felt she had a lot of courage.
Regardless of the circumstances, Su Qing is now a force to be reckoned with in the capital.
Her little courtyard was always bustling with guests.
Countless people are waiting to pay their respects.
Those with genuine talent and ability will be given opportunities, while those seeking fame and fortune will be driven away.
Therefore, those who admire her and those who hate her are almost evenly matched.
The former had immense admiration for Lord Su.
The latter wished she would die immediately.
Good news has come from the palace again.
It is said that one of the concubines is pregnant.
In any case, the Emperor already regarded the fertility prescription from Yaogu Village in Nanjiang County as a treasure.
I think these are all effects of methods for conceiving a child.
The suspicions about Consort Liu and Consort Qin completely dissipated.
Su Qing's expression was strange.
When Yan Zhengzhou arrived that evening, she couldn't help but ask, "Aren't the palace guards a bit too lax?"
Yan Zhengzhou knew exactly what she was asking, and said helplessly, "It's not my responsibility."
The imperial palace is no longer under Yan Zhengzhou's jurisdiction.
Especially after returning from Haiwanzhou, he almost disappeared without a trace, and the emperor did not take the initiative to inquire about him.
The emperor's confidants are now in charge of the safety of the palace.
As for what his confidants are like, everyone probably knows.
Of course, there is no doubt that Yan Zhengzhou still has control over the palace guards.
He was also aware of the concubine's situation.
They were all favored concubines, so she naturally received hints, but she didn't dare to do anything about it.
Once the successful cases came out, he couldn't resist and approached his childhood sweetheart cousin.
That cousin bribed a newly transferred guard to have a secret rendezvous with the emperor's favorite concubine.
In fact, Yan Zhengzhou didn't want to talk about these things.
But he only answered when Su Qing asked.
Su Qing didn't care about any of that; she was just watching the show.
What does it have to do with her that the palace is riddled with holes?
Yan Zhengzhou said, "There are still eight months left."
Su Qing nodded.
Eight months.
When the time comes, whether one lives or dies will be clear.
The new ships were completed.
Or rather, the steamship was built.
The emperor will surely discard the donkey after it has served its purpose.
She is destined to die.
But even without this incident, the Emperor would still not have let her go.
All signs indicate that if she takes a step back, her current position, her achievements, and the lives of the people of Guangyuefu and Tongminfu will all return to square one.
All the previous signs have already explained everything.
Since that's the case, don't blame her for taking the risk.
Rather than being driven into a corner by the emperor step by step, it's better to make this person step down completely.
To be honest, Su Qing had considered rebelling.
But she also experienced war.
If a real war breaks out, it will always be the ordinary people who suffer.
Otherwise, occupying the Guangyuefu area wouldn't be a big problem.
In this respect, the Emperor was quite perceptive, and his targeting of her was not entirely unfounded.
But Su Qing couldn't bear to really drag the people into the war.
Once she occupies Guangyue, Gaoyuan, and Qingyuan.
The people in other places will be dragged down by her, and the court will inevitably force them to fight against her.
And the lives of the people in these two places will not be too good either.
That was for her.
There is only one choice.
To ensure a relatively smooth transition to the throne and to completely seize control of the court.
Yan Zhengzhou is the most suitable candidate.
The emperor's apprehension towards him also stemmed from his suitability.
To the point that they are now unwilling to give him any real power.
There was more than one person who wanted to use Yan Zhengzhou to seize the throne.
More than one person deliberately approached him.
But before last year, he never imagined that Su Qing was one of them.
They lost contact after that.
But Yan Zhengzhou didn't expect that even without him, she would still do it.
She cultivated a good relationship with General Chai and arranged for people to go to Tongmin Prefecture to secretly have them impersonate bandits.
Others might not be able to tell, but she had no intention of hiding it from me.
At that time, there were also rumors that the weapons workshop had acquired new technology.
Yan Zhengzhou knew something was wrong.
Whether he's there or not, Su Qing will do it.
If that's the case, then he should still be there.
Thinking about what will happen eight months from now.
Yan Zhengzhou said, "It will be alright."
Su Qing thought so too.
But she wanted to do everything she could during this time.
Su Qing, the Minister of Revenue, first argued with the affected areas on behalf of the people, insisting on allocating funds and grain to them.
He also took the opportunity to impeach several corrupt officials.
She would uphold justice for every single atrocity reported from various places.
There were quite a few people who wrote her letters, just like Hua Jingming.
Su Qing helped with everything she could.
This continued until the end of the seventh year of Yongsheng.
The memorial submitted by Prefect Shen of Shanyang Prefecture further enraged the already restless and patient Emperor.
Prefect Shen stated frankly that next year, the Ministry of Rites should allow women to participate in the provincial examinations in various regions.
In the past two years, there have been seven and six female scholars in Guangyue Prefecture and Shanyang Prefecture, respectively.
They were all asking if they could participate in next year's provincial examination.
Prefect Shen's memorial was eloquent and expressed his strong support for the matter.
The previous female scholar had already displeased the Confucian scholars.
Do we still have to take the provincial examination now?
This is utterly absurd.
The Ministry of Rites would definitely not allow it.
The emperor was also unwilling.
Has he suffered enough at the hands of women in his life?
There's an empress dowager in the harem, and Su Qing in the imperial court.
It caused him so much trouble.
Su Qing, in particular, wanted to be a good official and to be remembered in history.
One minute they're involved in this, the next they're helping that.
If it weren't for the fact that it was a modern ship and that it was subject to maritime tax revenue, it would have been demoted long ago.
Now they want to recruit even more women to serve as officials.
It's ridiculous.
Those who were dissatisfied with Su Qing naturally used this incident to attack her.
What prohibitions against etiquette and the distinction between men and women?
Then they dragged out the female clerks in the Ministry of Rites, and even the growing number of female Cuju teams in the capital, and gave them a good scolding.
Su Qing's past actions were beyond reproach; they were all for the benefit of the people.
There's not much more to say.
Is it okay now?
"It's nothing more than using this as an excuse to make a fuss," Su Qing said calmly.
Guo Gaojie and the others following behind Su Qing were initially a little flustered.
Now it seems that Lord Su was prepared all along?
Su Qing thought to herself, "They must have been prepared."
Before Prefect Shen of Shanyang Prefecture submitted his memorial, he had discussed it with her.
He even expressed concern: "Those people can't find anything against you, and they're getting anxious."
"This incident gives them an excuse to attack you."
Su Qing told him not to worry about it and just hand it over.
The conflict is already serious, and it wouldn't hurt to escalate it further.
In plain language.
Having many lice doesn't make you feel itchy.
What is she afraid of?
Anyway, we've already offended the emperor.
Moreover, what she did was enough to warrant the execution of her entire family.
Mid-December of the seventh year of Yongsheng.
There are three things waiting for Su Qing.
At work, I'm attacked by officials. After work, I reply to all sorts of emails.
Every now and then, I'd be called to the morning assembly to have a passionate argument with someone.
Even Mei Niang knew about her situation in the capital and was extremely worried.
Su Qing wrote a letter to comfort her, telling her to take good care of everyone and that nothing would happen.
Far away in Wanzhou, Ye Shanming, who was waiting for the new ship to be launched, was also asking.
If Su Qing continues like this, she may be in danger.
The emperor doesn't seem to be someone who values achievements.
If he had any sentimentality, the Empress Dowager, Yan Zhengzhou, and others wouldn't have been treated this way.
Since the last birthday banquet, the Empress Dowager and her family have also come out.
But the emperor not only showed no mercy to the old relationship, he also became increasingly hostile towards the Empress Dowager's family.
Needless to say, Yan Zhengzhou was another one.
In the capital city now, it's as if he doesn't exist.
Su Qing, who is neither a relative nor an acquaintance, will be useless once she is no longer needed.
The outcome will inevitably be dire.
Hayama Mei also made it clear in his letter.
No matter what, staying alive is the most important thing.
The Ye family will always provide a place for Su Qing to stay.
The last sentence sounded like a joke.
But it was what he truly thought.
Ye Shanming even felt that once the emperor really settled scores with Su Qing...
They could simply stay away from the capital.
Anyway, the Emperor has no control over Jiangnan anymore. As long as Su Qing survives, he can enjoy endless wealth and honor here.
Su Qing laughed and said, "Why are you even helping me plan my retirement life?"
Yan Zhengzhou's expression was grim, but he did not stop it.
If things really get to the point of no return, he also hopes that Su Qing will have another way out.
Whether you go to Jiangnan or go out to sea, it's fine.
As long as I can live, that's enough.
"And what about you?" Su Qing touched Yan Zhengzhou's face. "What are you going to do?"
Yan Zhengzhou did not say anything more.
Su Qing knew he didn't like to talk much.
But they were prepared to cover her retreat.
Or rather, after deciding to participate in her plan, Yan Zhengzhou was prepared to die.
Su Qing suddenly got a little angry and sneered, "Do you think I'll be happy if you do this?"
Ye Shanming was thinking about a way out.
Su Qingyan and Zhengzhou were having a little tiff.
Only Gu Congsi was most anxious.
After arriving in the capital in the third year of the Yongsheng era, Gu Congsi spent most of his time at the Hanlin Academy.
He was a good writer, quick-witted, and a Confucian scholar who was most loyal to the emperor and loved his country.
When the emperor and empress dowager were vying for power, he sided with the emperor.
He later passed the imperial examination with top honors and returned to the Hanlin Academy, where he had a good relationship with Grand Secretary Tao.
Over the years, he has held a fourth-rank position and served as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites.
In such a position, many memorials from the Cabinet and the Diligent Governance Hall passed through his hands.
Even though recently, because of Su Qing, the Emperor has been intentionally neglecting him.
But Gu Congsi's network of connections cannot be faked.
He could clearly sense that the Emperor was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Su Qing.
Local powerful clans and wealthy families were also very dissatisfied with her.
They were even more afraid that the higher Su Qing's position, the worse it would be for these aristocratic families.
Taking advantage of the women's provincial examination, they all had their sons submit memorials to the emperor.
Their meaning is very clear.
Su Qing should no longer be allowed to serve as an official.
We cannot allow this woman to insult Confucius any longer.
It is said that women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with.
That's absolutely right.
The Emperor was extremely satisfied with this attitude.
The emperor's favored ministers had even already planned out the timing.
We just need to wait for Su Qing's new ships to be completed.
They immediately imprisoned and exiled Su Qing.
Such a person who insults the court and constantly opposes the emperor should not be allowed to live.
I'll say it again.
As long as Su Qing is gone.
Women becoming officials, women taking the provincial examinations, providing disaster relief, and punishing corrupt officials—all of that is no longer relevant.
They were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
Su Qing is gone.
Then everyone dispersed.
For the emperor.
Su Qing is gone.
Those who opposed him were completely gone.
As the emperor of Shunchang Kingdom, he would not allow anyone to share his power.
On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, at the Hanlin Academy.
Gu Congsi found an opportunity to stay until the end and read through the memorials that he had deliberately avoided.
The articles criticizing Su Qing sent chills down Gu Congsi's spine.
Everything Su Qing did was beneficial to the country and its people.
Especially for ordinary people, this demonstrates their obedience to orders and their love for the people.
But these people wanted her dead.
These articles were written by learned scholars.
They read the teachings of Confucius and Mencius not to show love for the people, but to flatter their superiors.
For their own benefit and to gain the emperor's favor, they spared no effort to slander Su Qing.
Lately, Gu Congsi has been thinking a lot about things in Nanjiang County.
Since taking on government affairs.
That period was the most relaxing time.
It's not physical relief, but mental relief.
"So, you don't like the imperial examination system." Gu Congsi finally understood.
Su Qing disliked the imperial examination system, which was purely for the purpose of gaining official rank and fame.
But she still wanted the woman to take the exam because there was nothing wrong with the exam itself.
These people have learned the wrong things.
Or rather, he learned it wrong.
So much criticism, so much slander.
Gu Congsi discerned one thing from countless memorials.
Su Qing will die.
Everything she does will kill her.
Or perhaps the emperor decreed his death.
Or perhaps they were killed on their way to exile.
She has affected the interests of too many people.
She also blocked too many people's way.
Especially with the emergence of new types of ships.
Everyone knows that the people who build new ships, and the highly profitable shipping industry, will only listen to her.
Only after she dies can everyone share in her political achievements.
They even divided up Guangyue Prefecture, Gaoqing Prefecture, and Tongmin Prefecture.
Her death is the wish of countless people.
Gu Congsi even discovered that even without the women's provincial examination, they would still fabricate charges against them.
Anyway, they'll kill Su Qing completely after the new ships are launched.
The profits from new ships were enormous.
Some people have studied this carefully and found that as long as a new ship is used, the annual tax revenue from maritime transport will be at least tens of millions.
It's not that Haiwanzhou can't keep it a secret.
Shipbuilding is no small project, and with people coming and going around, it's impossible to keep it a secret.
Gu Congsi even believed that...
Did Su Qing know about this, and that's why she did everything she could in the past few months?
She spared no corrupt officials, local tyrants, or gentry from any region.
Could it be?
But it doesn't seem like it.
She wasn't someone who wanted to die.
For Qingqing, attempting suicide was an extremely heinous crime.
No matter the circumstances, one should strive to survive.
So, she has a backup plan?
We were prepared.
Gu Congsi couldn't understand it.
She was facing the emperor.
As a subject, how could one possibly contend with the emperor?
You can't fight city hall.
Or she would be willing to die for this.
Gu Congsi couldn't understand it.
He has never been able to figure out Su Qing.
Gu Congsi didn't dwell on it too much.
He planned to go directly to Su Qing.
He would not watch Su Qing die, no matter what.
When it really comes to that, he wants to know what he can do.
When Su Qing and Yan Zhengzhou heard that Gu Congsi was requesting an audience, and seeing that it was already evening, they knew that he must know something.
Su Qing glanced at Yan Zhengzhou, hinting that he should avoid the situation.
"I won't dodge," Yan Zhengzhou said directly.
Yan Zhengzhou has no intention of leaving.
Given Gu Congsi's intelligence, upon seeing himself, he probably realized that Su Qing was not unprepared.
It can also involve the other party in the plan.
Su Qing remained silent. Although Gu Congsi was not in the plan, bringing him on board would indeed increase the success rate.
However, Su Qing suspected that Yan Zhengzhou's decision not to hide had another reason.
The two stared at each other for a moment.
Gu Congsi has already been brought over by Quan Jingwu.
Without being summoned, Quan Jingwu would not enter Lord Su's study, and Lord Gu would enter by himself.
As soon as he stepped into the study, Gu Congsi stared at the person who should never have appeared, thinking he was seeing things.
"General Yan."
No, not a general.
It's a prince.
What's Prince Zheng doing here?
Looking at Yan Zhengzhou's ordinary attire and the presence of his cup on the table, it was clear that this wasn't his first time visiting Su Qing's study.
He came even more often than her ex-fiancé.
Gu Congsi pursed his lips, staring at Su Qing in disbelief: "Why is he always here?"
Su Qing coughed lightly and asked in return, "What happened so late?"
These words calmed Gu Congsi down, and he pulled a memorial from his sleeve.
This memorial is exceptionally well-written.
It was ginseng and succulent.
It summarizes her various "misdeeds" and also subtly explains the profits brought by the new ships.
Su Qing read it once, and instead of being angry, she smiled: "Your summarizing ability is not bad."
"He also saw the reason why I was destined to die."
The profits from ocean shipping are too high.
Only after she dies can everyone eat her corpse.
Gu Congsi and Yan Zhengzhou were both extremely dissatisfied with her attitude.
These people want her dead, how can she remain so calm?
Su Qing had no choice but to straighten her attitude: "What can I do now that they've already insulted me?"
Su Qing even said, "You didn't just realize now that the Emperor wants my life, did you?"
This was said to Gu Congsi.
He did have some illusions before.
They felt the emperor wouldn't go that far.
But after reading those memorials today, he finally understood.
The Emperor will not let Su Qing off the hook.
However, he did not expect that Su Qing would come to him late at night.
You can also see Prince Zheng.
Wait a minute.
Su Qing and Prince Zheng?
Could it be that they want to help the prince ascend to the throne?
Gu Congsi disagreed, fearing that Su Qing was inviting trouble into the house.
It turns out that Yan Zhengzhou's claim of never competing or vying for anything was all a lie.
Does he want to use Su Qing to ascend the throne?
Then observe the other person's physique and appearance.
Thinking of Su Qing's consistent preference for handsome or beautiful men, Gu Congsi frowned even more deeply.
Su Qing, unaware of what he was thinking, said, "The Emperor wants me dead, but I don't want to."
"We have to find another way out."
"Is he the only way out?" Gu Congsi questioned.
Yan Zhengzhou retorted, "Don't make baseless accusations."
However, he wasn't too angry.
At times like these, the more people around Su Qing, the better.
He doesn't mind for now.
Before Gu Congsi could speak again, Su Qing countered, "Where do you think the way out is?"
I'll say it again.
No one was in Su Qing's plan.
Yan Zhengzhou can be substituted.
Gu Congsi was also one of them.
But she wouldn't refuse if Gu Congsi were to participate.
Su Qing wanted to know.
How far he will go.
Not for myself.
It is for the people.
Yan Zhengzhou disguised himself as Da Zejun to prove to her that he could raise an army.
What about Gu Congsi?
Getting on this ship isn't so easy either.
She wanted to hear what Gu Congsi planned to do.
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