Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Han Zhang had servants clean up the scene, and neither he nor Lord Su and the others had any qualms about the smell of blood in the air, continuing their discussions about the private salt business on the spot.

The profits from private salt were too enormous—every day of delay meant how much lost profit?

Lord Su and the others were practically itching to seal the deal on the spot!

Han Zhang likewise didn't want to waste time; he was also waiting to earn silver to fund his private army and forge weapons—he had no intention of waiting until he was seventy or eighty to sit on the Throne.

In addition, Old General Shao had joined in on the discussion as well.

Han Zhang formally announced the marriage alliance between the two families.

Lord Su and the others finally had their epiphany—so that's what it was, that's what it was.

They'd wondered why Old General Shao, with his stubborn temper, would risk sticking his nose into local government affairs. So the two families were tying the knot through marriage!

It seemed that young Han truly had no intention of returning to the capital and planned to put down roots in Yanzhou.

After all, the Shao family of Weiyuan Marquis Manor did indeed have a fearsome reputation, immense prestige, and vast connections and resources—but only as long as Old General Shao was still breathing.

Once the Old General kicked the bucket, his influence would die with him, and the Marquis Manor's sway would inevitably plummet.

What the Han family could gain from marrying into the Shao family was nothing more than a few favors from old connections; the actual political capital wouldn't amount to much.

In fact, this might not only fail to help Han Zhang get transferred back to the central government but could even become a liability due to the sensitive nature of a "military merit marriage alliance."

Only if Han Zhang planned to stay in Yanzhou for good could the logic of the two families' marriage alliance be explained—or perhaps the Han family was truly so "understanding," willing to sacrifice long-term family interests for the sake of the younger generation's so-called "true love."

Having figured out this crucial point, Lord Su and the others looked at Han Zhang with even more genuine awe and deference than before.

Barring any surprises, for the next few decades, their wealth, fortunes, and even the rise and fall of their families would likely hang on this young prefect's whim.

If not now, then when would they pledge their loyalty?

Old General Shao was thinking along the same lines.

So, after the Hongmen feast concluded, Old General Shao patted Han Zhang on the shoulder and said with a weighty sigh:

"You did damn well today, boy. Mercy doesn't command armies, and righteousness doesn't manage wealth—that principle holds true in officialdom too. When you need to be ruthless, be ruthless."

"I know my own body well; I probably don't have many years left in me. Seize the moment—while I still have some pull, take firm control of Yunyang Prefecture as fast as you can. Don't overthink it; just go for it! I've got your back."

The imperial family had nearly wiped out the entire bloodline of his Weiyuan Marquis Manor. He was just finding a pillar of support for his grandson. If the imperial family still insisted on finishing the job...

Then he'd drag his old bones to the capital's gates and slit his own throat in protest, letting the whole world know how the Zhao Imperial Clan treated their loyal subjects!

Having been loyal to the sovereign his whole life, Old General Shao could only think of this kind of revenge for now.

Han Zhang said nothing, just playing the obedient junior and nodding with a smile:

"Thank you for your guidance, Old General Shao. I've taken it all to heart. But you're in good health, and you'll surely live to be a hundred."

With him around, he'd guarantee the Old General lived to 100—if he fell even one day short, Han Zhang would count it as his own failure!

Old General Shao naturally didn't take the auspicious words of "long life" at face value, only taking them as a junior's comfort and well-wishes.

But kind words always warm the heart; the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and he broke into a genuine smile: "Alright, then I'll take your good wishes, boy!"

Though the banquet had its ups and downs, it ultimately achieved its purpose and wrapped up smoothly with everyone in silent agreement.

Next came the cleanup.

Without needing Han Zhang to say a word, Lord Su and the others, once back at their own estates, almost immediately summoned their most elite and trusted clansmen and, overnight, wiped out the Cao, Zhu, and Gao families that Han Zhang had used as examples to warn the rest.

Those who needed killing were killed; the spoils were divided as they should be.

No matter the time or place, the transfer of power is always soaked in blood—that's the law of competition, cruel and real.

Winners get to eat meat; losers end up as fish on the chopping block.

In a single night, several powerful families in Yunyang Prefecture were annihilated. Even though the news was suppressed as much as possible, the tense, murderous atmosphere still hung over the city like dark clouds, leaving the common folk on edge.

To calm the people, Han Zhang summoned Lord Su and the others to discuss cutting rent for their tenant farmers by twenty percent over the next ten years.

"Compared to our private salt profits, this rent cut is a drop in the bucket. Cutting rent won't just improve your reputations and the lives of Yunyang's people—it also gives us more labor. What do you all think?"

Only when people have enough to eat can they marry, have kids, and multiply.

If people starve to death, where are you gonna find strong laborers?

Are they gonna go work the fields themselves, or haul loads on their backs at the salt works?

With the common people as their foundation, they could keep their wealth and comfort intact.

Lord Su and the others, who'd been a bit reluctant, finally nodded:

"Lord Han's thinking is thorough and far-sighted. We'll do as you say."

In truth, the powerful understood these principles well enough; it wasn't that they lacked the few coppers, but they simply hated giving anything to those they saw as lowly commoners.

But now that Han Zhang had spoken, they naturally had to show him respect.

Of course, since Han Zhang had taken the lead on this, he wasn't about to do it for free.

So, when the people heard the news of the rent cut, they also heard how Han Zhang, with the people in his heart, had shown such profound righteousness, worked so tirelessly in his visits, and persuaded with such earnest patience... ultimately convincing the major clans to agree.

In an instant, Han Zhang won the hearts of everyone in Yunyang.

"See, I told you! Those lords and masters, who usually want to squeeze every last drop of oil from our bones, would suddenly show kindness and cut rent? Turns out Lord Han fought tooth and nail to get this for us!"

"Lord Han is truly a good official! Not only did he take down corrupt officials like Tongpan Yang as soon as he took office, but he also secured this huge benefit for us..."

"My neighbor's second son works at the yamen, and he saw it with his own eyes—he said Lord Han didn't get a full night's sleep for half a month over this, dealing with those clan heads every day until his voice went hoarse before the rent cut went through!"

"I'd heard earlier that Lord Han took down those bullies of the Xu family and was a ruthless guy—I was scared of him. But I never expected him to be so kind-hearted toward us common folks. Lord Han literally pried meat out of the mouths of the powerful and stuffed it into ours."

"What ruthless guy? That's eliminating evil and upholding justice! I say Lord Han has the heart of a bodhisattva and thunderous methods! He's a true righteous official who genuinely cares about us poor folks!..."

The common folk at the bottom have always been the simplest. They don't care who's sitting on top; they only know that whoever fills their bellies and gives them a better life is who they'll back.

The good news of the rent cut quickly dispelled the gloom cast by the power shift in Yunyang.

Whether Tongpan Yang and the others would end up beheaded or exiled would depend on the Ministry of Justice in the capital once they received the memorial.

Finally, Han Zhang raised the monthly pay of the yamen runners, earning their cheers and loyalty. After a hectic half month, everything was finally sorted out.

...

Finally got that mountain of office work sorted out, so I can actually head home at a decent hour for once.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw my chubby little guy rolling around on the mat, having a blast with his ball.

"Daddy's little sweetheart!"

Han Zhang's heart melted, and he laughed heartily as he strode forward, scooping his son into his arms and smooching those chubby cheeks:

"Finally got things sorted out. If I'd put it off any longer, this little guy might not even know who his dad is."

Lately, although he came home every day, he got home so late that the kid was already asleep by the time he returned.

He hadn't been able to play with his son for quite a while. Thank goodness his little Xiao Tao'er was a fast learner with a good memory, or he might've completely forgotten his dad.

"Don't worry, Xiao Tao'er won't forget you no matter who he forgets. When you're away during the day, I've been teaching him to recognize your picture."

Shen Qinglan bragged, clearly proud of himself.

His husband worked so hard out there for the family—no way he'd let that mess with the bond between father and son.

If his son didn't recognize him, his husband would be devastated, right?

Han Zhang watched his beloved fuss over him, warmth flooding his heart and laughter sparkling in his eyes: "My husband's really sharp and thoughtful."

"Of course." Shen Qinglan beamed, then grabbed a pastry and held it up to Han Zhang's mouth. "Honey, try this—the kitchen just made lotus blossom pastries."

"The filling's made with the salted duck egg yolk Liu Geer sent over the day before yesterday. His salted duck eggs are cured just right—the yolks are creamy and crumbly, wonderfully savory, and go great with this pastry."

"Liu Geer?"

Han Zhang swallowed the pastry quickly, drawing a blank for a second.

Shen Qinglan picked up a handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of his mouth, reminding him: "It's Jiang Liu—the one who filed that lawsuit against Tongpan Yang for you."

"Yesterday, he brought some of his homemade salted eggs and dried vegetables, saying he came all this way to thank you for being fair and taking down those scumbags. With that three hundred taels of loan-shark debt gone, his family can finally breathe easy."

"Thank me?"

Han Zhang chuckled and shook his head, but his tone held no blame—only a hint of appreciation: "He didn't come just to thank me—he came to nudge me about keeping my word... That kid's sharp and gutsy, I'll give him that."

Shen Qinglan chimed in: "Not just sharp and gutsy—he's also entertaining to talk to. I kept him for tea yesterday, and he had me laughing the whole time."

"Honey, Liu Geer helped you out so much before, and he's in such a pitiful situation. You shouldn't keep putting off what you promised him."

He had a good impression of Jiang Liu, and what the man asked for didn't affect anything, so he didn't mind putting in a good word for him.

"My husband's whispering sweet words in my ear—how could I refuse?"

Han Zhang laughed, pulling his beloved into his arms and explaining warmly: "It's not that I'm deliberately stalling him. It's just that the government office has been so chaotic lately that I haven't had time to attend to him."

"Perfect timing—I plan to select a few villages under the prefecture as trial fields. Jiang Family Village will be one of them. I'll have Liu Geer serve as the managing assistant. That way, once he's separated from the family, he won't be bullied by the villagers."

After all, aside from Jiang Liu, that fiery young lad, the rest of the Jiang family's second branch were all honest folk—without any backing, they'd be far too easy to bully.

If you're going to do someone a favor, do it thoroughly.

Gilding the lily is nothing compared to giving a man a coat when he's freezing. A generous and decisive boss is the kind people appreciate.