The third day, early in the morning, Liang Quanbin led dozens of retainers and carriages towards Jinling City, hiring a team of bodyguards for escort.
At the same time, Feng Jinxu and Xu Lin, among others, had almost finished their investigations in Jinling City and were rushing back to Dongdu City day and night.
The two groups almost met on the road. If Xu Lin hadn't discovered traces of Liang Quanbin and his party a step earlier, Feng Jinxu's departure from the city might have been exposed.
After all, he was Feng Jinxu's superior, and both hailed from the Dali Temple, so they had naturally met before.
Seated comfortably in the carriage, Feng Jinxu did not show his face for the following days. By the time he returned to Dongdu City, dusty and travel-worn, it was already the end of February.
As the scenery had been bleak and solemn when he left, it now showed signs of spring's warmth upon his return.
"Master, we are preparing to enter the city," Xu Lin said from outside, keeping his voice low. He was naturally adept at concealing his presence, so no one paid any attention to their ordinary carriage and the seven or eight ordinary individuals.
Within the capital, all was renewed.
As the earth began to thaw, the entire city's populace became more lively.
More and more people were seen walking through the streets and alleys. Feng Jinxu and his entourage chose the busiest lunchtime to enter through the South Gate, without attracting anyone's notice.
After changing clothes in an inconspicuous civilian dwelling and making minor disguises, they posed as farmers delivering firewood to the Bai family and entered through the back door.
Xu Lin and Fu Yi escorted them all the way until Feng Jinxu entered Prime Minister Bai's study. The two then guarded the outside, one in the open and one in secret, to prevent eavesdropping.
Bai Dalang was the most excited, overjoyed at his nephew's safe return.
He almost couldn't help but shed tears on the spot, but Bai Silang reminded him, allowing him to swallow his emotion.
Prime Minister Bai, seeing Feng Jinxu a little thinner than when he left, also looked on with fatherly comfort. His children had grown up and could now help the family bear the weight of the world and shield them from storms.
He asked with a faint smile, "Have you returned?"
"No, I rushed to tell my maternal grandfather about the matter. After we finish, I will go back to rest."
"Good. In that case, speak quickly. What did you find out in Jinling City?"
Feng Jinxu recounted the evidence of corruption he had discovered in Jinling City, item by item. With each piece of information, those present were more shocked, until finally, the Bai father and sons fell silent.
Bai Silang, who was originally the most carefree, was now speechless with shock at these matters, cursing vehemently.
"They are all parasites! No, worse than parasites! Insect infestations can be remedied, but these greedy individuals are all leeches that suck human blood, clinging to the common people, draining them dry again and again. If the Jiangnan and Zhejiang regions were not so prosperous and produced so much grain, with their continued corruption, it would be no surprise if a famine broke out!"
He wished he could immediately write a memorial to expose all their ugly deeds, so that the people of the world could point fingers at them and curse them to hell!
Bai Dalang, however, had become much more composed. Since he intended to advance his career, he would not let any opportunity to do so slip by.
This corruption case was a good opportunity. Once the two Zhe regions were purged, countless positions would become vacant, and any of them would be officials of the third rank or higher.
If he could ascend, he would certainly not commit such heinous acts against the people. Although he could not contribute as much to the Great Jin as his father, he was capable of working for the welfare of the people and being an upright official.
Thinking of this, he glanced at Prime Minister Bai and said respectfully,
"Father, these matters should probably be documented and discussed with Grand Secretary Xu. We should decide when to strike for the most fatal impact!"
"No, if it is put down in black and white, then Ah Xu will also bear the crime of deceiving the emperor. Everything will be discussed after the Spring Imperial Examinations."
"Yes!"
The Spring Imperial Examinations were in early March. A large number of scholars would emerge from them. Selecting suitable candidates would allow for a complete overhaul of the漕运司 (Cao Yun Si - Grain Transport Office) from top to bottom, which would be an excellent strategy.
In any case, it was not yet the season for collecting official grain for the new year, so there was still time to adjust.
After discussing with the Bai father and son for a while, Feng Jinxu disguised himself again and left the courtyard. After leaving the Bai residence, he found a secluded spot and said to Xu Lin, "Take me to see your master."
Xu Lin was startled but looked very troubled.
Having spent the past month or two together, he had developed great admiration for Feng Jinxu. If such a person could be of use to the Prince, to the Ding Prince's mansion, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
However, he was quite worried about revealing his identity without the Prince's permission.
Before he could refuse, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in the air. It was a brother from the Ding Prince's mansion's secret guard camp.
He whispered in Xu Lin's ear, "The Prince said to have the leader bring him to see him."
Hearing this, his admiration for the Prince deepened. One planned meticulously, the other achieved victory from a thousand miles away; they were truly formidable.
He then said respectfully to Feng Jinxu, "Master can go to see him, but Brother Fu Yi cannot."
Feng Jinxu nodded and turned to Fu Yi, saying, "It's alright. You go home first, report your safety to Madam and your father and mother. I will be there shortly. If they ask, say I am still at my maternal grandfather's house."
"Yes!"
Fu Yi was not one to disregard the seriousness of the situation. He hadn't figured out who Xu Lin was working for all this time, so he wouldn't easily let him know at this juncture.
After agreeing, he quietly left, still in disguise, and followed suit to deliver firewood to the Feng family.
Feng Jinxu got into the carriage, calmed his mind, and after a period of stopping and starting, stopped in front of a secluded back courtyard gate.
Following Xu Lin into the courtyard, they wound their way through several turns to the gate of a main house in the front courtyard.
Xu Lin cupped his hands to Feng Jinxu and said, "Master, you may go in. My master is waiting to see you."
Suppressing a trace of fear, Feng Jinxu finally stepped forward.
Pushing open the door, he saw that the interior was simply furnished and elegantly decorated, yet every item was of immeasurable value, extremely precious.
He saw a person sitting at a desk, writing with flowing strokes. A charcoal stove burned beside him, heating water, a clear sign of a distinguished guest's welcome.
Feng Jinxu bowed low to the person and saluted, "Greetings, Prince Ding."
Xiao Tingyi looked up upon hearing his voice, his eyes calm.
There was no tension of a secret discovered, nor a condescending gaze from above. Instead, it was like an ordinary elder brother waiting for family to return, showing a look of great relief.
"Lord Feng has arrived. Has the journey been peaceful?"