CHAPTER 435: CHAPTER 432: FOUND

Why does Song Xian, who usually reports everything truthfully in his memorials, keep silent about his private meetings with Meng Su?

Especially since they meet so frequently.

Surely there’s no need for Song Xian to personally go just for a spinning wheel and silk thread, is there?

Du Zheng said, "Even I find it suspicious, Song Jiedu does seem to be trying to win him over."

A man in the North reaching out to the South, what is he planning to do?

The Emperor instructed, "Keep a close watch on them, and if you find solid evidence, report immediately."

Du Zheng responded.

The Emperor continued, "Bring me all the documents Meng Su sent in the last six months; I need to look through them carefully."

Even though the reviewed memorials have been sent back, the Central Secretariat keeps records. Du Zheng received the order and went to check; in no time at all, the documents were delivered into the Emperor’s hands.

The Emperor unfolded them for a careful look; aside from reporting about the spinning wheel, Meng Su mentioned most about requesting the court to restore maritime trade and set up a Maritime Trade Commissioner in Yuezhou, Quanzhou, and other places.

Meng Su’s request is indeed an old refrain, which he’s been mentioning frequently over the years, but in the past six months, he seems to have spoken even more about it, even bringing up the maritime trade taxes from previous dynasties.

Though this has indeed led to several conflicts along the coast, it has also provided an opportunity for the Navy to grow stronger.

The Emperor pondered this: "Is Song Xian trying to win over Meng Su to get him to do something on the sea?"

Du Zheng followed the Emperor’s line of thought.

The Emperor said, "Maritime trade can make a lot of silver coins. What do those sea merchants like? Silk, porcelain, medicinal herbs... apart from medicinal herbs, the eight states and Yuezhou have all these things."

Du Zheng nodded, "However, Meng Su is asking the court to set up a Maritime Trade Commissioner. All sea trade would go through the Commissioner, and even if they earn silver coins, it belongs to the court. For Song Xian and Meng Su, there’s no benefit unless..."

The Emperor raised his eyes.

Du Zheng said, "Unless they secretly smuggle, but even if the court hasn’t restored maritime trade, they can conduct smuggling, and without the court’s supervision, it might even be easier."

The Emperor’s gaze deepened, "Perhaps Meng Su never considered this before, and Song Xian is trying to win him over to get Meng Su to help him operate on the sea."

Du Zheng said, "Then I will have someone keep an eye on whether Meng Su mobilizes people on the sea."

If Meng Su makes a move, it will confirm the Emperor’s suspicions, and then the court can send people to catch them red-handed.

Having arranged all these, the Emperor stood up and walked outside the hall. The Empress was keeping Prince Lu and Prince Qi’s heirs for a meal in the palace, so he also prepared to take a look.

In Zhengyang Palace.

From outside the hall, one could hear the sound of recitation. The Emperor got off the imperial carriage and listened carefully from outside.

The person reciting hesitated and stuttered, unable to complete a sentence for quite a while.

After a moment of silence, Prince Lu’s heir bowed and apologized, "Empress, I beg your forgiveness... I will work harder in my studies in the future."

Empress Xu softly said, "No need to rush, as long as you feel you’ve made progress, it’s fine."

The Emperor smiled inwardly, remembering Prince Lu’s appearance when he was young. Prince Lu’s eldest son was wise but unfortunately died too early. This second son is indeed robust, but his nature resembles his father’s. The Lu Prince Mansion had invited many teachers to educate him, but this heir never made any progress, which even drove away two teachers in frustration.

This time, when Prince Lu’s heir entered the palace, the Emperor personally examined him. After a long time, he still couldn’t say a complete sentence. The Empress had taught him for a long time, yet he still couldn’t improve much.

In contrast, Prince Qi’s heir appeared particularly intelligent, praised even by the scholars.

If truly looking to choose one of them as Crown Prince, Prince Qi’s heir is more suitable, which is why more people in the court are supporting Prince Qi.

The Emperor gestured to let a palace attendant go and inform them.

The Empress and the two heirs received the news and hurried forward to greet him.

Prince Qi’s heir stepped ahead of Prince Lu’s heir, while Prince Lu’s heir remained oblivious, just bowing his head and standing there.

Timid, cowardly, he didn’t display the temperament of a Crown Prince at all.

Thinking this, the Emperor found Prince Lu’s dumb heir more pleasing, and the Empress’s suggestion was good. Observing these two heirs indeed revealed many insights.

If he really had no offspring, he would rather appoint Prince Lu’s heir as Crown Prince.

With such a Crown Prince, unless he died, power wouldn’t easily slip away.

It seemed that the spies placed around Prince Lu could be withdrawn, and moved over to Prince Qi’s side.

...

Dai State.

Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng were calculating under the lamp.

Old Mrs. Chen occasionally leaned over to take a look; two hours had passed, and she estimated they must be nearly done, seeing her granddaughter’s eyebrows relaxing.

"Sister-in-law," Mrs. Gao whispered, "what have you figured out?"

Old Mrs. Chen said nothing but slowly put her hands behind her back. A stone in Mrs. Gao’s heart instantly fell; sister-in-law seemed to have a plan.

Xie Liangchen paused her hand and looked at Chen Zigeng.

Chen Zigeng said, "There’s an issue with the goods from several shops; the accounts for three consecutive times don’t match up. The delivered bamboo poles are too few. Even if they’re sold far, we’d expect to retrieve some. The thread tassels sent to Sichuan should return with bamboo poles."

Mrs. Gao didn’t understand these matters but said, "With this, can you find those people?"

Xie Liangchen didn’t speak, Chen Zigeng said, "Yes, following this trail, we can uncover their details clearly."

Mrs. Gao smiled, "Finally caught those unscrupulous people." Song Xian and Liangchen put in so much effort, this matter must be serious, catching them early would bring them relief sooner.

Old Mrs. Chen looked at Mrs. Gao, "Go check if the food is ready."

Mrs. Gao responded cheerfully and left the room.

Old Mrs. Chen walked over to Xie Liangchen, "Really feasible?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, to catch Prince Lu is no easy task, one must know clearly, understand the opponent, know which merchants have issues, track them to the sea, where Meng Su’s men will be waiting.

Xie Liangchen was eager to find out, how many secrets Prince Lu hid on the sea.

...

On the road from Xuzhou to Hai State.

A merchant convoy was resting at a roadside tea house; Steward Jiang cautiously looked around, relieved to find no one was following.

Pu Shou advised them to be cautious, as those with Song Xian are particularly vigilant, a slight slip and they’ll be targeted. He went through much trouble to transport these goods; even a deity wouldn’t trace it here. Besides, so many goods come from the north, it’s impossible to monitor every single transaction.

Steward Jiang wiped his sweat, "Let’s go, don’t delay too long, lest the boss gets displeased."

Their Mr. Li is quite the character, intolerant of any nonsense. Everyone dispatched goods from three different locations, and the last one to arrive will surely be punished.

However, this shipment includes not just thread tassels but also many pink wax papers and flower felts—things favored by people on the sea. With a few more achievements, he’d be like Pu Shou, become the Chief Steward, and not need to toil as hard.

The convoy continued on its journey and, after making a loop in Hai State, Steward Jiang went to find the person coming to meet them.