Chapter Fifty-Seven: Who Is Intimidating Whom

Since Zhao Yu crossed over, apart from accumulating wealth, his greatest achievement has been winning over the younger generation of ruffians in the capital, relying on both money and camaraderie. Yet, no matter how close they are, there are things he cannot share with them. No one knows that Zhao Yu has been quietly transferring his assets—such prudence is only natural. Whether royal or commoner, no one would willingly abandon such a prosperous foundation in the capital.

To avoid being controlled and to confuse Li Yan, Zhao Yu’s men, after his departure, gradually handed over matters related to the sports grounds to Li Yan. Meanwhile, another trusted aide, Song Zhong, had already secretly assembled a team of spies to gather intelligence for Zhao Yu.

In other words, though Zhao Yu had left, nothing that happened in the capital escaped his notice.

Holding the letter delivered by pigeon, Xu Jiang was stunned. He never imagined that this young prince had already begun laying out his plans. What would the prince do next?

These thoughts stirred Xu Jiang’s heart.

The official vessel, carried by the wind, sped along after entering the Grand Canal. To Zhao Yu’s surprise, neither the Jiangnan grain syndicate nor the Ming Cult appeared again throughout the journey.

Instead, local officials along the way frequently came to pay their respects, but Zhao Yu had no interest in entertaining them. Most of the time, he feigned illness and stayed in the cabin, leaving Xu Jiang to deal with those bothersome officials.

After days of travel, the official vessel finally docked at Yangzhou. Though the journey was smooth, the confinement had been stifling; for the last stretch, he decided to abandon the boat and travel by carriage—it wasn’t far.

Yangzhou, the seat of Huainan East Circuit, had long been the most prosperous region in Jiangnan. Situated on the golden waterway of the Grand Canal and close to the sea, maritime commerce flourished. The city teemed with merchants; wealthy traders abounded.

To serve as an official here was the most lucrative post in the empire. Most officials sought only to avoid transfer.

Learning of Zhao Yu’s arrival, the circuit commissioner, Yangzhou prefect, associate judge, investigating officer, education commissioner, and a host of civil and military officials all waited at the dock. As soon as the boat moored, music and drums sounded, as if welcoming the emperor himself.

Zhao Yu, the impostor, did not understand the significance, but Xu Jiang did. He quickly pulled the exuberant Zhao Yu back and whispered a few words in his ear.

As it turned out, even the music chosen to welcome a leader was subject to protocol. The musicians had played the imperial anthem; had Zhao Yu foolishly stepped ashore, he would have certainly been impeached by the censors.

When Xu Jiang finished, Zhao Yu’s expression darkened. Damn it, barely arrived and they’re already setting traps for me. Fine, we’ll see.

Without waiting for Zhao Yu to speak, Xu Jiang, having warned him, strode to the bow and addressed the waiting officials: “Prince Yi has arrived, yet you play the emperor’s anthem—what is your intent?”

The circuit commissioner, the acting prime minister, was a protégé of Liang Shicheng and his representative in Jiangnan, responsible for extracting wealth for Liang. He would not have appeared but for Zhao Yu’s imperial commission.

Hearing Xu Jiang’s rebuke, the commissioner feigned sudden realization and shouted at the musicians, “Stop! Stop! This is getting out of hand. When we return, I’ll see you properly punished. Change the music, hurry!”

With his orders, the music quickly shifted to a lower-grade anthem.

Only then did Zhao Yu, accompanied by Xu Jiang and others, step ashore with deliberate grace.

“We respectfully welcome Your Highness, Prince Yi...”

“The feng shui of Yangzhou truly nurtures people—look at you all, plump and prosperous. I wonder if the common folk enjoy life as much as you do?”

The officials were dumbfounded. Before Zhao Yu arrived, they had thoroughly investigated his background. They knew this Prince Yi was somewhat unruly and young—surely easy to handle. Yet, they never expected the young prince to make such a scene upon stepping ashore.

Those officials with guilty consciences began to worry. Had the court discovered something and sent this reckless prince to investigate?

The circuit commissioner, displeased, said, “Your Highness, please conduct yourself with propriety. As imperial inspector, your words and actions represent His Majesty. You must not speak carelessly.”

Zhao Yu appraised the commissioner, then suddenly grinned, “You’re quite right, Commissioner. I may be of little consequence. They say holding office in Yangzhou is the finest post under heaven. I’ve been a bit short of funds lately—perhaps I could find some silver to spend in your jurisdiction?”

Such words were hardly idle chatter; they were shameless demands for a bribe, bold enough to make the officials present wonder what courage emboldened him.

The commissioner felt his mind spinning. What kind of person had the emperor sent here?

The Yangzhou prefect hurried forward to smooth things over, “Your Highness must be weary from your journey. The guesthouse is prepared—please allow us to escort you.”

Originally, they had planned to invite Zhao Yu to a banquet, but after his display, the officials forgot all about it.

Zhao Yu ignored the prefect, his expression suddenly stern. “As imperial inspector, I am empowered to investigate officials at all levels. Along the way, someone reported to me that certain Yangzhou officials are corrupt and embezzling funds. I give you three days—those who come forward to admit their faults within that time will be forgiven. If you persist in obstinacy or defy the law, I will unfurl the royal command and execute first, report later.”

With a sweeping gesture, he led his entourage through the passage the officials had hastily cleared.

No one expected a grand welcome for the imperial envoy to devolve into such chaos. For a moment, the officials exchanged bewildered glances, many casting resentful looks at the commissioner. Had he not chosen the wrong anthem, would this young troublemaker have been angered?

The commissioner trembled with rage. After a moment, he sputtered, “This is outrageous! I’ll impeach him—I’ll report him to His Majesty!”

Who would he impeach? The commissioner’s own misdeeds were notorious—most likely, he’d end up incriminating himself.

The once jubilant officials, after the incident at the dock, grew silent. Some began pondering how to send gifts to the young prince.

Boss Jiang’s men had already arranged the inn. Zhao Yu’s party hadn’t gone far before someone approached to lead them there.

Only after they had walked a considerable distance did Xu Jiang raise his thumb and sigh, “Your Highness, truly ingenious—I am in awe.”

Xu Jiang had been trying to devise ways to get Zhao Yu out of troubled Jiangnan, even suggesting feigned illness. Yet Zhao Yu’s approach was far superior—he managed to offend all the Yangzhou officials at once. In such circumstances, how could no one send reports to the capital? With a little more provocation, Zhao Yu might find himself unable to stay even if he wished...