After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 793 - 783: Planning

Zhao Hanzhang handed the money to Fan Ying and Zeng Yue, instructing them, "Assist Mr. Ming in sending them away. The festival is in two days, and they must be gone before it begins."

Zeng Yue and Fan Ying responded in unison.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to leave but paused and called the two back, "If possible, redeem Zheng Mingzhu and let them leave together as a family."

Fan Ying’s eyes moistened slightly, and she replied softly, agreeing with Zeng Yue to find Ming Yu.

Upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s request, Ming Yu thought for a moment and said, "They can’t leave together. I’ll make the arrangements today so they can be on their way. As for Zheng Mingzhu, if she is fortunate, I will redeem her and send her off too."

Fan Ying asked, "Is it difficult to redeem her?"

Ming Yu sighed, "The Great General is very strict and disciplined. Although Zheng Mingzhu is no longer a concubine, every word and deed of those in the General Mansion is restricted, making redemption nearly impossible. Even with some influence, it is difficult to redeem her."

Fan Ying pursed her lips and said, "We will do our best."

Ming Yu nodded and began planning the route for their departure with the two.

Ming Yu did not intend to act personally; he sought out General Pei.

When the Emperor hosts the festival, the subordinates of Gou Xi must also attend. General Pei arrived two days ago.

For the request of an old friend, General Pei agreed after inquiring about the identities of Tan Shen and Zheng Xiao.

Ming Yu quietly asked him, "Have you thought about leaving Yan State?"

General Pei looked at him intently and said, "I’m afraid there is no path."

Ming Yu poured him a cup of wine and whispered, "I am your path."

General Pei was excited yet nervous, asking softly, "When?"

"My master does not intend to contend with the Great General immediately. The current major enemies are still Liu Yuan and Shi Le. Only after disabling them can we move internally; otherwise, if we move, they will attack, causing much trouble." Ming Yu said, "She says, prioritize the world, and the people."

General Pei’s eyes brightened, then he looked a little disappointed, "It’s a pity. Had Mr. Yan been here, how delighted he would have been to meet such a good master."

Ming Yu’s mood also dimmed at the mention of Yan Heng.

He looked out the window at the bustling street. Gou Xi and Gou Chun should know he returned to Yun City by now, right?

Yet, they did nothing. They even hosted Zhao Hanzhang well yesterday, truly bullying the weak while fearing the strong.

"General Pei, is it still the Jiang Family providing treasures to the General’s Mansion?"

"Yes," General Pei looked down on the Jiang Family with disdain, "The Great General was led astray by them."

Ming Yu smiled but did not respond, knowing General Pei held a deep bias against the Jiang Family and opting not to explain.

However, General Pei did not know the inside story. As a former aide of Gou Xi, he and Yan Heng had the right to examine the accounts; the Jiang Family might not be as fond of Gou Xi as assumed.

The Jiang Family were scholars and major merchants of Yun City. When the Emperor moved the capital here, they offered their garden for the Imperial Palace.

This resulted in someone from the Jiang Family entering the court as an official.

But compared to Gou Xi’s status, the Jiang Family was merely a basin of water by the river, so they flattered Gou Xi.

The initial gifts and treasures were meant to maintain good relations between the families. Who knew Gou Xi would latch onto them, with many items in the General’s Mansion purchased from the Jiang Family?

Yet, Gou Xi, apparently not a good guest, often haggled because of financial issues. The Jiang Family, unwilling to offend him, essentially sold items at a loss.

Whatever the Jiang Family had that caught his eye, they had to sell at low prices. If they refused, Jiang Family officials would face difficulties in court.

For items unavailable, the Jiang Family still had to search for them. By the time Ming Yu left, the Jiang Family was already evading Gou Xi’s demands, unable to procure seven or eight out of ten requested items, hiking prices on the remaining ones only for Gou Xi to haggle again.

Even so, Gou Xi was an insatiable void.

Outsiders only saw money flowing continuously from the Emperor and national treasury to the General’s Mansion, then to the Jiang Family, deeming them profiteers and loathing them, unaware of the Jiang Family’s grievances.

If the Jiang Family could convert these financial deficits into political resources, it would be tolerable, but Gou Xi cared little for state affairs besides his interests, offering the Jiang Family few opportunities for leverage.

Moreover, as locals, the Jiang Family valued reputation and their relationship with the local populace, unable to act recklessly.

This left the Jiang Family in a dilemma.

After meeting General Pei, Ming Yu did not vacate the private room. He had someone impersonate him there, then quietly headed to the back courtyard of the restaurant—owned by the Jiang Family.

In the courtyard, Ming Yu met the Jiang Family’s eldest son, clearly valuing this meeting. They acted promptly, having received the message less than an hour ago.

Jiang Chong saw Ming Yu, stood up immediately, and greeted quietly, "Greetings, Mr. Ming."

Ming Yu returned the gesture, "No need for formalities, Mr. Jiang."

The two sat separately, with Ming Yu speaking directly in a low voice about the reason for his visit, "Please assist in redeeming Zheng Mingzhu."

Jiang Chong’s eyes flickered as he spoke, "Of course, I am willing to assist. However, redeeming someone from the General’s Mansion requires caution, so I wish to confirm: is it on behalf of Mr. Ming or Governor Zhao?"

"It is on my behalf," Ming Yu replied, "Zheng Mingzhu once showed me kindness after entering the mansion. Had she remained favored as before, the thought of redeeming her would not have occurred to me, but hearing of her fall from grace and struggles in the mansion, I cannot let someone who showed me favor suffer needlessly in the General Mansion."

Hearing this, Jiang Chong felt slightly disappointed but maintained his composure, saying, "Alright, I will help Mr. Ming redeem her."

He hesitated, unsure how to address Ming Yu, knowing their family’s perception as lackeys to the General’s Mansion.

Ming Yu seemed to sense his thoughts and whispered, "Tomorrow, officials from various regions attending the ceremony will reach Yun City. My Governor is interested in meeting them. I hear your family’s restaurant boasts the best location, so we wish to book a private room..."

Hearing this, Jiang Chong immediately responded, "I’ll reserve Tao Li Man Huai for Governor Zhao. It overlooks the street, spacious with the best view. Anyone passing on the main street is visible from the room."

He also desired a visit.

Ming Yu agreed with a smile.

Jiang Chong sighed in relief and laughed, "I ask Mr. Ming to make an introduction at that time."

Ming Yu agreed to that as well.

Jiang Chong dared not delay Ming Yu’s request, starting the arrangements that very day. Naturally, for such matters, he delegated to a Jiang younger brother and manager.

That very evening, the Jiang younger brother and the manager invited the purchasing manager of the General’s Mansion for drinks. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Their family was most familiar with the mansion’s manager.