Chapter 911: Chapter 909: Special Means of Making a Living
Once everyone left, Hu Jing immediately said, "This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Since His Majesty has decreed a thorough investigation into the Ministry of Works’ tax silver over the past few years, we must promptly grasp the situation moving forward and can’t just let His Majesty control the situation as he pleases."
The Crown Prince is different from Prince Fu. No matter how things unfold in the future, Prince Fu is currently just pressure placed by the emperor on the Crown Prince and simply the emperor’s son. In the emperor’s eyes, letting his sons enjoy wealth and honor is already a good outcome. If push comes to shove, suppression would be suppression with no lasting consequences.
But the Crown Prince is different. Up until now, the emperor still wants to leave the realm to the Crown Prince.
As the next emperor, the Crown Prince cannot be tarnished early on. This has been a mindset of inertia for over thirty years, one that won’t be easily changed. Perhaps the emperor only intends to discipline the Crown Prince briefly this time?
To deal with this situation, we need to promptly present strong evidence, leaving the Crown Prince with no chance to plead for mercy before the emperor. Before the emperor intends to step back, we must make him disappointed in the Crown Prince.
...
Jiang Yifan, in the Ministry of Revenue, already keenly sensed that the atmosphere there was different. Today, it was already late in the Shen hour, and the Cabinet sent three officials, one of whom was the Chief Eunuch overseeing financial affairs in and out of the Imperial Household Department.
Each of the three officials was accompanied by two scribes, making it seem like this isn’t just a formality but a real intention to get things done, isn’t it?
The Crown Prince was equally strong, clearly showing that today’s situation was indeed different from the past. Instead of returning early to the Crown Prince’s Mansion to enjoy himself as usual, he stayed at the Ministry of Revenue throughout.
Not knowing what was discussed inside, when they exited the Yamen, both the Crown Prince and Yu Shiqing looked rather displeased.
This should be the time when everyone’s nerves are tense, so Jiang Yifan naturally wouldn’t stay behind, observe expressions, or try to get information by talking with others. He left with his colleagues like usual.
The scribe waiting outside led the horse over, handed the reins to Jinrong, and quietly informed him, "Hong Wu previously sent a message, saying His Highness is at Guangsha Construction Firm, waiting for you to discuss matters."
"Let’s go then." Jiang Yifan didn’t say much, deftly mounted his horse, and brought his young servant along to North City.
This guy Jinrong treats his wife’s business store as a place for meeting and resting. He’s not afraid of exposing Guangsha Construction to scrutiny, but if it affects the clients and business of Guangsha Construction, will his wife turn against him?
Upon reaching Guangsha Construction, Jiang Yifan greeted Ye Xinyan first before heading to the room where Jinrong was waiting.
Ye Xinyan knew they had matters to discuss and didn’t call her over, so it seemed it wasn’t much related to her, and she didn’t bother wasting her time.
Guangsha Construction currently has two unfinished projects. Additionally, they’ve taken on two more jobs.
One is for a retired official in a nearby county wanting to rebuild his home. The area isn’t large, only a few acres, but the requirements for the house and courtyard are quite high, with completion expected next year.
Ye Xinyan planned to start preparing now, ensuring all plans, documents, and material schedules are completed. Come next spring, they could begin construction and aim for completion by fall.
The other project, however, is a notable one from the famous Chengye Temple in the capital city.
Chengye Temple’s fame isn’t due to its size but its thriving incense burning. The temple has had plans for several years to expand, adding a few large halls and courtyards, along with places for pilgrims to rest and stay with scenic views.
Negotiations have been ongoing for several years. Somehow, this year, they approached Guangsha Construction.
Ye Xinyan, although having visited numerous temples, wasn’t as focused on them as on gardens, making this task quite challenging for her.
Fortunately, Li Jingnian is an experienced document craftsman with solid construction knowledge and plenty of insight and experience.
Through some unknown connections, Li Jingnian acquired various booklets promoting Buddhism. The illustrations inside not only conveyed religious teachings but also highlighted temple backgrounds for emphasis.
Ye Xinyan combined these illustrated backgrounds with the architectural styles of several temples in the capital and fused them with some vague modern scenes she recalled, providing them all with a starting point.
Thus, she had enough of her legitimate work to finish without getting involved in the strategic games of Jinrong and Jiang Yifan.
Calling them strategic players isn’t excessive at all.
Take Xiuqin, for example—a simple, timid rural child quickly converted by Jiang Yifan into a deep-cover agent.
Sure enough, Xiuqin didn’t follow Lady Zhao on her doomed path; instead, she stayed in the capital.
Jiang Yifan made it clear: Xiuqin idolized her cousin-in-law, Zhou Biyao, who managed her own construction work. Hence, he handed Xiuqin over to Ye Xinyan.
Now, Ye Xinyan even had to hire a teacher for Xiuqin, using the Construction Regulations to teach her literacy and familiarize her with the regulatory content. There’s also drafting, which relies on sense perception, so whether she knew letters didn’t matter much; many craftsmen can’t read but can understand drawings.
Though she’s just a rural girl, Xiuqin played a significant role while with Lady Zhao, gathering valuable information in the Prince’s Mansion craftsmen’s quarters. In fact, one could say she contributed to Prince Fu’s downfall, so Ye Xinyan felt obliged to treat her well.
Luckily, Xiuqin is thoughtful and sensible, echoing the old saying: better to exchange a word with a smart person than to quarrel with a clueless one. Those mindful and perceptive are easier to communicate with, unlike someone like Lady Zhao, impervious to reasoning and lost in her world without properly observing the true appearance of society.
In the private guest room, Jinrong, Hu Jing, and Jiang Yifan discussed how to reveal the hidden account book in the Ministry of Works.
Zheng Pengfei’s method of making a living is quite unique, so unless truly necessary, Jiang Yifan wouldn’t disclose the matter to Jinrong.
He knows well how Jinrong interacts with people, valuing character and temperament over identity and occupation.
However, without need, Zheng Pengfei’s special method is indeed not something to widely publicize.
It was only when Jinrong and Hu Jing officially inquired that Jiang Yifan mentioned the need to use Zheng Pengfei.
Jinrong, hearing Jiang Yifan’s description of Zheng Pengfei, was amazed and amused, "Is there really such an exceptional individual? I always thought Zheng Pengfei was just a skilled martial artist from Jianghu. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"
Jiang Yifan glanced at Jinrong irritably and said, "This is Brother Zheng’s private affair, and it’s forbidden. If it weren’t necessary, how could I casually discuss it with others?"
Jinrong replied, equally irritated, "I bet you planned to have Zheng Pengfei steal the account book long ago but just didn’t want to tell me. So why mention it now?"
Jiang Yifan looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Well, the situation is quite dangerous, and if Brother Zheng is to do such a thing, we must give him a fair reward, right? How could I possibly have the ability to promise such a thing myself?"