This world, beyond black and white, holds many shades of gray, especially the official circles.
Situ Yan frowned, deciding to give Ke Cheng an opportunity, and observe further.
The evidence on the desk was quite comprehensive. If released, these items could turn the Shanxi officialdom upside down. Situ Yan leaned back in his chair, "Brother Cheng has not wasted his years in Shanxi."
Cheng Beiyu did not hide his ambition, "If I don't want to die old in Shanxi, naturally I must deliver some impressive achievements."
"Then why choose to present it when this Prince is here?"
"Truthfully, this subordinate wished to present it to the Crown Prince, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince is not interested in quelling bandits. As soon as he arrived in Shanxi, he hosted banquets for mine owners, never once setting foot in Jinzhong. Merchants are also citizens of Da Yin; being wealthy does not mean their money should be forfeited to the court."
Situ Yan, having lacked money since childhood, somehow had no concept of it, "Do not men of letters have a saying, 'The humble man cultivates his own virtue; the successful man helps the world'? This Prince does not find it a significant issue for wealthy merchants to donate some money."
Cheng Beiyu shook his head, "Your Highness, do you know how many mine owners in Shanxi went bankrupt from the Crown Prince's fundraising this time? With wars erupting in recent years, business has not been good. The court's taxes increase year by year, and they are also extorted by mountain bandits. The little profit they make is earned with their lives. It is true that the successful should help the world, but if the wealthy are forced to donate at the slightest disturbance, what is the point of the court?"
Situ Yan's eyes shifted, a killing aura suddenly radiating from him. He looked intently at the young man standing tall before him, "Cheng Beiyu, do you realize that with just that one sentence, you could be accused of rebellion?"
Cheng Beiyu's legs felt somewhat weak, but he remained undaunted. He knelt and offered a respectful bow, "This subordinate naturally knows. However, the merchants of Shanxi are truly struggling. I implore Your Highness to grant them a way to survive."
Situ Yan remained silent for a long while, then directly gathered the evidence from the desk, "What you have said, this Prince will investigate thoroughly. I cannot promise anything else, but those bandits, this Prince will certainly eradicate them for you."
He had thought he would only need to quell bandits to complete his mission, not that he would have to stir up the Shanxi officialdom.
He was not afraid of confronting the entire Shanxi officialdom; after all, this was not the first time. He was merely worried that if the matter dragged on too long, he might not make it back in time for Lu Nianfu's childbirth. The servants of this era regarded the Dragon Son as paramount. If there was a difficult labor, they would surely prioritize saving the child over the mother...
Situ Yan picked up his brush and wrote two letters, one to Ouyang Wen and another to Ji Jin, instructing them to ensure his wife's safe delivery. If both could not be kept safe, then at least his wife must be.
As soon as the ink dried, Song Ming and Da Mao arrived.
"Boss, that Chihuo Zhai has a total of five hundred and forty-two people, stationed on Chihuo Mountain. They are backed by a natural barrier, and there is only one path up the mountain."
"Impossible. If there's only one path, wouldn't setting it ablaze turn them into turtles in a jar? How foolish would one have to be to choose such a place as a hideout?"
Da Mao said, "But this subordinate truly found no other path."
Situ Yan asked, "Is the absence of discovery the same as non-existence? Where is the topographical map?"
Song Ming quickly spread out a piece of paper. The ink was still fresh, with a few strokes outlining the general direction of a mountain range, clearly drawn by Song Ming just now. Situ Yan, not finding it crude, studied it for a while before tapping the table, "This Prince will go and survey it himself. Song Ming, let the brothers rest for two days and build up their spirits. Da Mao, take this package and find Changdong."
"What is inside?"
"Changdong will understand when he sees it."
Song Ming seemed a little worried, "Boss, Chihuo Zhai dares to lay hands on imperial goods, they must have some tricks up their sleeve. Shall this subordinate bring a few men with you?"
Situ Yan replied, "No need. Too many people will only alert the enemy."
"But..."
"No 'buts'. Your Qinggong is not as good as mine."
Song Ming rubbed his nose and retreated sheepishly.
The three of them went about their tasks, then, choosing a windless, moonlit night, they set the mountain ablaze without warning.
As the flames erupted, two thousand soldiers advanced in a pincer movement. The sound of gongs and drums, louder than the roaring fire, echoed across the mountainside: "Those who surrender will not be killed."
The more than two thousand men waited for a long while. No one emerged from the mountain to surrender. Instead, the thousand men guarding the natural barrier below declared victory. Of the five hundred and forty-two men of Chihuo Zhai, thirty died in battle, and the rest surrendered without a fight, becoming captives.
A signal flare representing victory shot into the sky. Situ Yan quickly organized men to put out the fire.
He did not want his spoils of war to be burnt to ashes.
At the same time, Meng Changdong, in Taiyuan, also surrounded three mountain tops. The army banners fluttered, but they merely encircled, not attacked.
Ke Cheng rushed over, and in a furious voice, roared at Meng Changdong, "What are you doing?"