Volume One, Chapter 12: Returning the Wealth of the Wealthy Landowner in Full

Although Xu Mu had little confidence in Zhang Yan, the young Censor Imperial Inspector, he could say little since Zhang was personally appointed by His Majesty. He could only hope that Zhang Yan’s backing would offer some assistance.

Xu Mu began, “Lord Zhang, Jiangcheng has suffered frequent floods these past two years, ruining fertile fields and leaving the people with almost no harvest. The three major grain merchants—Zhao, Li, and Han—have taken this chance to hoard grain, driving prices up to one hundred wen per dou, intending to grow wealthy on the suffering of the people. Even when the county government opens its granaries, it merely slows the soaring prices.”

Sighing, Xu Mu continued, “I have petitioned the court multiple times to explain the situation, and now, after long waiting, you have finally arrived. Pray tell, Lord Zhang, how much grain have you brought with you this time?”

“Grain? What grain?” Zhang Yan stepped into the county office, glanced around, and asked.

“Lord Zhang, surely you brought relief silver for disaster aid?” Xu Mu pressed on, unwilling to give up.

“No.” Zhang Yan shook his head.

You brought nothing—how then do you intend to provide relief or stabilize grain prices?

Xu Mu forced a smile, inwardly cursing his luck. What kind of Imperial Inspector was this? He couldn’t fathom what His Majesty was thinking.

Zhang Yan’s eyes met Xu Mu’s as he patted him on the shoulder with a smile. “Lord Xu, I rely on my wit to stabilize grain prices.”

Just you? Xu Mu’s heart bristled with irritation as he began pondering how to compose a memorial to the throne.

Once inside the county office’s back yard, Zhang Yan looked at Xu Mu with a smile and asked, “Lord Xu, how much silver does the county treasury currently hold?”

This question stunned not only Xu Mu but also Shen Qiuxue, who had remained silent all along.

You come empty-handed and now ask about the county’s silver?

Though puzzled, Xu Mu answered truthfully, “The county treasury has only fifty taels of silver available.”

That was indeed the truth. Across the Great Wu, most tax revenue was handed over to the court, with only a small portion reserved for the county’s daily expenses. So long as officials remained honest, few counties had much silver to spare.

Zhang Yan sank into the main seat, smiling faintly as he looked at Xu Mu. “Lord Xu, it’s true the county’s silver is limited, but as I understand it, Jiangcheng has not remitted taxes for six months due to the floods.”

“What do you mean by that, Lord Zhang?” Xu Mu’s expression shifted slightly as he asked.

Could it be that Zhang Yan was not here to gain merit but to rake in the people’s hard-earned wealth?

Grain prices had already broken one hundred wen per dou, and instead of urgently stabilizing prices, he inquires about the county’s tax silver?

Shen Qiuxue, who had been silent, frowned slightly, recalling that Zhang Yan had repeatedly asked about donations collected during their journey.

With a soft snort, she placed her hand on her sword hilt.

She remembered Jiang Zhiwan’s earlier instructions: before the situation worsened, she was not to interfere with Zhang Yan’s actions.

Otherwise, she would have already drawn her sword to ask what Zhang Yan intended.

Zhang Yan suddenly felt a chill down his spine—whether from the cooling weather or something else, he could not tell.

Noticing Xu Mu’s uneasy expression, Zhang Yan glanced around, unsure if the county office had ears behind the walls.

He then shrugged and said, “Lord Xu, why do you look at me like that? I am no corrupt official. I have important uses for this tax silver.”

“Lord Zhang, misappropriating tax silver could cost you your position—or worse, your life,” Xu Mu warned, though reluctantly.

Zhang Yan smiled mysteriously. “Lord Xu, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. As long as we keep silent, who else will?”

Xu Mu sighed and gave a look to the county magistrate’s assistant.

It is hard to reason with a stubborn fool. Zhang Yan would not listen, and Xu Mu could do little.

“Sir, this...” the assistant hesitated.

“Obey the Imperial Inspector’s orders,” Xu Mu gritted out.

The assistant sighed but complied.

Zhang Yan munched on grapes offered by Xiao Huan. Soon, the assistant returned with two boxes of silver, carried by clerks.

“This is the county’s tax silver—ten thousand taels in all,” the assistant panted and said.

Zhang Yan looked over and murmured softly, “Ten thousand taels... barely enough for one round. The rest will require other plans.”

Hearing this, Xu Mu was enraged. He swept his sleeve and fell silent.

The assistant had no choice but to speak up. “Lord Zhang, Jiangcheng is severely afflicted. The people are already starving, so where would the silver for taxes come from? Ten thousand taels is already a considerable sum.”

Zhang Yan knew Jiangcheng was nearly bankrupt. He walked to the silver boxes, opened one, and weighed a silver ingot in his hand.

The feel of the silver was excellent, and it carried the faint scent of money.

A pity, none of it was his.

Shaking his head inwardly, Zhang Yan turned to Xu Mu. “Lord Xu, send word to the three major grain merchants that the new Imperial Inspector invites them to a meal—to casually discuss grain matters.”

Relieved that Zhang Yan finally seemed concerned about grain prices, Xu Mu replied, “Lord Zhang, I have tried this before. From what I know, the merchants might only lower prices by three wen at most, which is insignificant compared to current prices.”

Zhang Yan glanced at Xu Mu, recognizing his good intentions for the people, though his perspective was somewhat narrow.

Smiling, Zhang Yan said, “Lord Xu, do as I say.”

Xu Mu sighed but obeyed.

Though three wen was little, it was better than nothing.

Once Xu Mu departed, Shen Qiuxue looked at Zhang Yan with furrowed brows and asked, “What are your plans? His Majesty appointed you as Imperial Inspector not to extort or exploit.”

Zhang Yan closed the silver box with a snap, an expression of lingering satisfaction on his face.

Having completed these tasks, he returned to the main seat and asked Shen Qiuxue in turn, “Lord Shen, tell me, why do you think His Majesty sent me here?”

“To stabilize grain prices, naturally,” Shen Qiuxue answered, her face showing surprise. “You intend to use tax silver for that?”

Zhang Yan nodded, then shook his head. “The tax silver isn’t enough. I may need to visit the local gentry.”

“If so, the gentry’s money will be returned in full; the rest will be split seventy-thirty. If we earn less, then so be it.”