Chapter 1191 ""Say hello!"

At night, in a private room of Xinkangji, one of the eight great hotels in Yijing, which was bustling with people and filled with guests, Youyan Governor Zhang Zhiwen and Youyan Censor Zhuang Shanhe were toasting each other!

Although the two of them had competed for the position of Youyan's governor before, they had no past interactions and naturally had no personal grudges against each other...

Therefore, although Zhuang Shanhe felt a little disappointed that he lost the competition and did not become the governor of Youyan, he did not bear any grudge against Zhang Zhiwen.
After Zhang Zhiwen took office as the governor of Youyan, the relationship between the two, although not very good, was not bad either. At least they could get along well in terms of face, and they could cooperate with each other in their work. This is why after Zhang Zhiwen issued an invitation, Zhuang Shanhe was willing to give face and accept the invitation.

As the Censor in charge of Youyan's criminal justice, there are too many people who want to invite Zhuang Shanhe to dinner. It would be bragging to say that the number of people who want to invite him to dinner can circle around Yijing, but as long as Zhuang Shanhe is willing, he can be invited to dinner every day of the year!
But Zhuang Shanhe still has his bottom line. When faced with such banquet invitations, he would try his best to turn them down. He would only go to the banquet if he couldn't refuse and had to attend it.

Therefore, when facing Zhang Zhiwen, Zhuang Shanhe was quite straightforward. He exchanged a few pleasantries and ate a few bites of fish before asking Zhang Zhiwen directly:

"Master Zhang, what is the matter with inviting me here this time?"

Although Zhang Zhiwen had some understanding of Zhuang Shanhe's simple and direct working style, he was still a little surprised to see Zhuang Shanhe get straight to the point before even taking two bites of the meal.

Although he had originally planned to ask after three rounds of wine and five dishes, facing Zhuang Shanhe's inquiring gaze, Zhang Zhiwen hesitated for a moment and then spoke:
"I heard that your Censorate has solved several major cases recently?"

Zhuang Shanhe's expression remained unchanged when he heard this, but he started thinking quickly in his mind. Ever since he took office as the Censor of Youyan, the Censorate has been operating at full capacity, with important cases almost every month. He now has several cases to investigate!
Judging from what Zhang Zhiwen said, could it be that a case he was handling was related to him, so he wanted to stop on his own?

However, I have a pretty good understanding of the backgrounds of the people involved in the cases I'm handling, but I haven't found anyone who is related to Zhang Zhiwen?

If it is not related to Zhang Zhiwen, could it be that someone was involved in a certain case, so someone asked Zhang Zhiwen to say hello to him?
After realizing this, the more Zhuang Shanhe thought about it, the more he felt that it was very likely. What made him even more suspicious was that Zhang Zhiwen, the governor, was not an ordinary governor. How many people in the entire Yijing court were qualified to be invited to serve him? Could they be counted on two hands?

But I didn’t realize that such heavyweight figures were involved in those cases?
After secretly doubting for a while, Zhuang Shanhe also asked Zhang Zhiwen tentatively:

"The Censorate has many cases. I wonder which one you are referring to, Mr. Zhang?"

Facing Zhuang Shanhe's question, Zhang Zhiwen first looked at him deeply and then said:
“Wan Xinghe, Yu Defeng…”

Hearing Zhang Zhiwen say these two names, Zhuang Shanhe couldn't help but frown slightly. He knew that Wanxing and the business were the Bai family's assets. The Bai family was reported to have problems with taxation, and a murder had also occurred in the mine that the Bai family was responsible for developing!

Because the evidence was conclusive, and the fact that the Bai family, the boss, did not have much power in the Fengwu Army, and Mrs. Bai was not too favored by the Marshal, Zhuang Shanhe did not care. Even when the old man of the Bai family later invited him to a banquet, he made excuses not to go and still acted impartially!

As for the Yudefeng business, it was also reported to have problems with taxes and was related to an underground Q-house suspected of usury.

So yesterday he gave the order to seal up this business and track down the related persons. Because he had just ordered the investigation, Zhuang Shanhe did not know the background of this business. He only knew that the owner of the business was a man named Feng Yuning, who might have some military connections. But also because the evidence was conclusive, Zhuang Shanhe did not care about those things and directly ordered the sealing up of the Yudefeng business!
Thinking of this, Zhuang Shanhe looked at Zhang Zhiwen strangely, because he was the Censor and Zhang Zhiwen was the Governor, and the two of them worked together in Youyan, so he also learned about Zhang Zhiwen's style of doing things and Zhang Zhiwen's possible background and relationships through various channels.

So according to his understanding, Zhang Zhiwen is a practical man in Fengwu Army. He is not deeply involved with the various factions in the Yijing court. At the same time, he is not keen on participating in some open and secret struggles within the court. Because of this, although he fell into trouble in Jiyu a few years ago, this time the Marshal promoted him to the governor of Youyan...
Although the Bai family has a Mrs. Bai who can barely be considered a foreign relative, the Bai family is not very powerful. They only have Bai Changjiu who is the deputy governor in Anqing and Bai Changsong who is a reserve general. So Zhuang Shanhe is a little curious about how the Bai family managed to invite Zhang Zhiwen to say hello.

And there is also the Yudefeng Trading Company. At the beginning, he knew that the owner of this company, Feng Yuning, had a relationship with a certain figure in the army, so he was a little surprised that Zhang Zhiwen came forward to say hello!
Although he was somewhat puzzled as to how Zhang Zhiwen was involved in these two events, Zhuang Shanhe hesitated for a moment and then said:
"Master Zhang, it's not that I don't give you face, but whether it's Wan Xinghe's case or Yu Defeng's case, there is solid evidence and witnesses!"

After saying that, Zhuang Shanhe looked at Zhang Zhiwen with an embarrassed expression. Although some people outside called him Zhuang Qingtian, Zhuang Shanhe himself knew in his heart that he was not Qingtian, otherwise it would be difficult for him to get to where he is today. Sometimes he still needed to turn a blind eye!

But then again, although Zhang Zhiwen is the governor, and according to convention his status and authority are higher than mine, this does not mean that he has much face in front of me. If he wants me to show mercy to him, I have to see what conditions he offers!
Just when Zhuang Shanhe was ready to wait for the price, Zhang Zhiwen felt the meaning of Zhuang Shanhe's words. Seeing Zhuang Shanhe's embarrassment, he realized that the Youyan Censor seemed to have misunderstood his meaning and mistook him for those who greeted him...

Thinking of this, in order to avoid Zhuang Shanhe's further misunderstanding, Zhang Zhiwen also spoke directly:
"Whether it's the matter of Wanxinghe Company or Yudefeng Company, you, the Censorate, should do whatever you want, Mr. Zhuang. We, the Governorate, have absolutely no other intentions!"

Listening to Zhang Zhiwen's decisive words, Zhuang Shanhe was a little confused for a moment, and wondered: Since you, Zhang Zhiwen, didn't come here to say hello, then what did you mean by inviting me here to dinner alone and then mentioning these two businesses to me?

Zhang Zhiwen seemed to see Zhuang Shanhe's confusion, and immediately reminded him in a low voice:

"I just want to advise you, Master Zhuang, not to be indecisive and to focus more on your work. Don't let others use you as a tool!"

Zhuang Shanhe was even more confused after hearing this, and he immediately spoke angrily:

"Master Zhang, why do you say that?"

"Why am I distracted and not focusing on my work?"

"Arresting criminals and punishing crimes are exactly the scope of our work as the Censorate. Sir Zhang, I have told you that no matter whether it is the matter of Wanxinghe Company or the matter of Yudefeng Company, there is solid evidence. How could I be used as a gun by others?"

Zhuang Shanhe became more and more angry as he spoke. After he finished speaking, he stared at Zhang Zhiwen sternly. He wanted Zhang Zhiwen to make things clear to him today...

Looking at the indignant Zhuang Shanhe, Zhang Zhiwen frowned slightly, not knowing whether Zhuang Shanhe really didn't know or was just acting in front of him!
After observing Zhuang Shanhe's expression, Zhang Zhiwen couldn't help but ask:
"Master Zhuang, I just want to ask you one question. Do you know the inside story?" At this time, Zhuang Shanhe was a little angry and said directly:
"I don't know what's going on. I'm a magistrate and I just know that if there's evidence I'll investigate and arrest people!"

After hearing what Zhuang Shanhe said, Zhang Zhiwen began to believe that Zhuang Shanhe really didn't know, and he immediately spoke again:
"May I ask, Lord Zhuang, who provided you with the evidence?"

Facing Zhang Zhiwen's question, Zhuang Shanhe also reacted a little. He did not answer Zhang Zhiwen's question immediately but asked back:
"Master Zhang, please tell me clearly, what is going on?"

"Which immortal sent you to find me?"

Zhang Zhiwen did not answer Zhuang Shanhe's question but said in a deep voice:

"I just suggest that you, Master Zhuang, focus on the affairs of the Youyan Censorate and not get involved in the fights above. This will benefit everyone!"

Seeing Zhang Zhiwen talking about something else, Zhuang Shanhe narrowed his eyes and seemed to realize something, but still said to Zhang Zhiwen:
"Master Zhang, you don't need to tell me. I naturally want to do my job well, but as the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, the evidence is in front of me. Do you want me to do nothing and suppress the matter?"

"If the higher-ups ask about this, what will you let me do?"

Faced with Zhuang Shanhe's two questions in a row, Zhang Zhiwen didn't know how to answer. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said:

"Of course, things need to be done, but everyone recommends that you stay away from politics and fighting!"

Hearing the meaningful words "everyone" from Zhang Zhiwen's mouth, Zhuang Shanhe's expression became serious, and he immediately expressed his opinion:

"Please rest assured about this. I, Zhuang Shanhe, do have some sense of propriety..."

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Qilu, Koh Tao

Under the protection of thousands of guards and accompanied by hundreds of officials, Ye Mingsheng climbed a temporary tower and quietly watched the sea in front of him.
The first purpose of Ye Mingsheng's trip to Qi and Lu was to inspect the administration of officials and see what impact the previous thorough investigation of Sun Jing'an's followers had on Qi and Lu.

The second point is to inspect the economy and promote the development of foreign trade, and one of the key points is to inspect Qin Town. In the previous report that Ma Runchuan made to Ye Mingsheng, the Governor of Qilu proposed a bold idea to Ye Mingsheng, that is, to build a new city around a natural harbor!
Then use this new city to promote overseas trade in Qi and Lu and even the entire Great Zhou, as well as the development and construction of the navy!

The natural harbor mentioned by Ma Runchuan is Tao Island where Ye Mingsheng is now!

While Ye Mingsheng was observing, Ma Runchuan on the side couldn't help but introduce:

"Marshal, look to the north, that's the natural harbor I envisioned. I sent people to investigate and found that the water is at least a hundred meters deep, and there's no silt or sand accumulation. What's even more rare is that this is a natural ice-free harbor, so we can still go out to sea normally in winter!"

"I believe that as long as we invest manpower and material resources here and build the port, it will definitely become the center of foreign trade for our Great Zhou in the future!"

"Marshal, this will be a good thing that will benefit the present and future generations..."

Listening to Ma Runchuan's words, Ye Mingsheng pondered for a moment and asked:

"How much silver do you need to build the port?"

Ma Runchuan heard this and preached without hesitation:
"Marshal, it's a huge project to build the port completely. I've researched and found that it will cost at least 1.3 million taels of silver, or even more!"

"But Marshal, we don't need to complete the construction immediately. We can build it in phases. In my expectation, as long as we complete the first phase of construction, the port will be able to be put into operation and generate benefits. At that time, we can use the money earned from the port to continue to support the subsequent construction of the port!"

"Then how much silver do you need for the first phase of construction?"

Facing Ye Mingsheng's question, Ma Runchuan said solemnly:
"The preliminary calculation is 600,000 taels of silver!"

After saying this, Ma Runchuan realized that he might have too much money, so he looked at Ye Mingsheng anxiously, trying to see some of Ye Mingsheng's true thoughts from his facial expression.

However, Ye Mingsheng's expression was as calm as ever, so Ma Runchuan couldn't see what he was thinking. Ye Mingsheng thought for a while and then ordered:

"The Ministry of Industry will send someone to inspect it in a while. When the time comes, Ma Runchuan, you should tell the Ministry of Industry about your ideas and the basis of your cost!"

"If this port is indeed necessary to build and is beneficial to Da Zhou and the people, then the court will seriously consider it..."

(End of this chapter)