Chapter Fifty-Eight: The New Official Takes Office

They hand you a whip and tell you to lash out at the air. If someone asks what you’re doing, you can say you’re “whipping the wind.”

Zhao Yu’s performance on the docks at once stirred up the spring waters of Jiangnan, sending a flurry of impeachment reports to the capital. At the same time, every official in Jiangnan watched their own back, for this Prince of Yi was a royal inspector acting on heaven’s behalf; who could guarantee his actions were not at the emperor’s own behest?

Soon enough, a long line formed outside the inn where Zhao Yu was staying, made up of officials from all levels of the Huainan Eastern Circuit, each requesting an audience.

The purpose of these officials was clear: whether or not they could actually accomplish anything was secondary; the true goal was to become familiar with the Prince of Yi.

This once ordinary inn was transformed overnight, taking on all the trappings of a royal commissioner’s headquarters.

On the first day, Zhao Yu declined the banquet invitation from the Yangzhou officials, citing ill health.

On the second day, he summoned Du Zhongyu, the Yangzhou militia commander, for a private meeting. No one knew what the prince was up to, only that General Du left the meeting with a grim face and refused to answer any inquiries.

By the third day, Prince Yi finally made his move, ordering all officials to gather at the Yangzhou prefectural office for deliberation.

It wasn’t that Zhao Yu didn’t want to conduct official business at the inn, but the situation simply wasn’t conducive.

The prince’s unusual behavior over these two days had left the officials of Huainan Eastern Circuit on edge.

As all levels of officials rushed to the prefecture, Wu Song found himself standing bewildered on the streets of Yangzhou.

The man sent by Zhao Yu missed Wu Song entirely, but the message from Lu Zhishen did reach him.

Meanwhile, Wu Song received an invitation from Song Jiang. Wu Song and Song Jiang had sworn brotherhood at Chai Jin’s house long ago, so in his heart, Wu Song felt closer to Song Jiang.

Yet Wu Song was also sworn brothers with Lu Zhishen, and as he was currently a captain, Song Jiang’s invitation to join the underworld made Wu Song feel some resistance.

It was with these tangled emotions that Wu Song found himself so lost.

The main hall of the Jiangnan Canal Guild was in Yangzhou. As Wu Song hesitated over whether to visit Song Jiang or Zhao Yu first, he overheard the chatter of the townsfolk.

“Have you heard? This Prince of Yi is a member of the Ming Cult, and he’s come to Jiangnan to spread their teachings.”

“Oh, come off it! He’s a trueborn prince—how could he join the Ming Cult? Don’t believe every rumor you hear. But speaking of rumors, I’ve heard some whispers myself: they say the prince was sent by the emperor to abolish the birthday tribute altogether and thoroughly investigate the Jiangnan bureaucracy.”

“Is it true? If they really abolish the birthday tribute, that’d be the greatest blessing for the people of Jiangnan.”

“True or not, we’ll find out at the prefecture. The prince has been here for three days and, except for military officers, hasn’t seen a single official. Today he’s suddenly summoned all of them—must be planning something big. Let’s go listen outside the prefecture!”...

With the mounting buzz of the townsfolk, more and more people surged toward the prefecture.

Wu Song, who hated evil with a passion, had long known how harmful the birthday tribute was for the people, but he had never been able to change anything. If the Prince of Yi could truly accomplish this, it might be worth seeing him...

The townsfolk’s talk was accurate; the rumors had been deliberately spread by Zhao Yu himself, for he knew that simply talking wasn’t enough to create a stir.

Fang La and his followers sought to use the birthday tribute as a pretext to launch their rebellion. Zhao Yu, in turn, made his move through the tribute, first soothing the people as much as possible.

In the grand hall of the Yangzhou prefecture, Zhao Yu sat upright, his expression dark as water, with the commissioner’s seal and the royal command banner laid out before him.

Regardless of what Emperor Huizong’s true intent in sending Zhao Yu might have been, the proper regalia was still necessary.

Dozens of officials lined the hall, and the guards outside had been replaced with Zhao Yu’s own retinue and temporarily assigned soldiers.

The whole prefecture was steeped in a chilling air; the officials treaded carefully, barely daring to breathe.

A clerk hurriedly presented the roster of signed-in officials to Zhao Yu. Xu Jiang took it and glanced through, then whispered, “Your Highness, except for the Acting Minister of Huainan Eastern Circuit, all other civil and military officials are present.”

Zhao Yu sneered inwardly. Was this old fox protesting by refusing to attend? Fine, let him have it his way.

“Lord Xu, you hail from the Secretariat. Tell me, what is the penalty for showing contempt toward a royal commissioner?”

“Your Highness, the lightest penalty is dismissal; the most severe is confiscation of property and referral to the judicial court for punishment.”

“Excellent! Is the Prefect of Yangzhou present?”

At Zhao Yu’s call, Lu Hongming, the prefect of Yangzhou, shuddered and instinctively responded, “Present, Your Highness!”

“I’ve reviewed your conduct—you have a decent reputation. From this day forth, you will temporarily serve as Acting Minister for Huainan Eastern Circuit until the Ministry of Personnel issues an official appointment.”

“I dare not!” Lu Hongming was nearly in tears. His reputation was good, but he had no foundation in the court. The acting minister was a favorite of Liang Shicheng; if he replaced him, wouldn’t Liang crush him later?

“Lord Lu, are you defying my orders?”

“I—I wouldn’t dare!” Feeling the prince’s tone grow cold, Lu Hongming had no choice but to accept, however reluctantly.

Zhao Yu shot Lu Hongming a cold glare and barked, “Attend me!”

At his call, Lin Chong strode in, clad in military armor.

“Your servant is here!”

“Go announce my orders, and bring me the seal and insignia from the acting minister.”

“Understood!”

Zhao Yu had few reliable men by his side; this was not a task for anyone but Lin Chong.

Was the prince really going to enforce his will?

Zhao Yu swept his gaze coldly across the gathered officials and declared, “I act under Heaven’s mandate as a royal inspector. Anyone who dares defy imperial command will not be spared.”

“I now announce my first order: from today, all activities related to the birthday tribute are to cease—no mining, no collection.”

“You might think this is the responsibility of the Suzhou Revenue Bureau, and that Suzhou isn’t part of Huainan Eastern Circuit. Let me tell you, no matter the circuit, this is the realm of Great Song. As I am tasked to inspect Jiangnan, my orders must reach every corner of the region.”

“What you’ve done before, I’ll not pursue. But from now on, if I discover anyone accepting bribes or oppressing the good, I will not be lenient. Go now, implement my order, and I will send inspectors to verify compliance.”

At this, Zhao Yu finally softened his tone, saying, “I know it’s not easy for any of you. Setting aside official matters, I hope to be friends with you all—do not disappoint me.”

Though the meeting was brief, the officials nearly suffered heart attacks. Hearing Zhao Yu’s final words, many suddenly saw things in a new light.

Yes, none of them had it easy. Was the prince hinting at something?

Whatever the officials thought, it mattered little, for as soon as the townsfolk outside saw the posted announcement, a thunderous cheer erupted, voices praising the prince’s wisdom and virtue echoing without end.

Zhao Yu listened, but sighed inwardly. This matter would quickly reach the capital—who knew what his imperial father might think...