These days, Yun Huan had been extremely busy, constantly going to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to cry injustice, demanding severe punishment for the culprits who burned the Yun family’s ships and cargo. If the Liaodong officials could not give a definite answer, the Yun family would send their own people to investigate. Once the Yun family investigated and found results, they would use the methods between nobles to retaliate.
For a time, officials at the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review had terrible headaches. An unreasonable wastrel was actually shouting about mobilizing private armed forces—they had to take it seriously.
The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review had long believed that this barbaric method of retaliation between nobles was trampling on the Tang Code. Every year they would propose abolishing this barbaric custom that clearly carried the habits of the grasslands, but it was always collectively rejected by all the nobles. The proposal for abolition couldn’t even reach the Secretariat—it would be rejected at the Eastern and Western Pavilion Platforms.
This method was simply the nobles’ infallible way of striking down dissidents and suppressing the rise of new forces. It was also the most obvious mark of nobility among Great Tang aristocrats. Therefore, whether it was Zhangsun Wuji or the vested interest holder Yun Ye, neither intended to remove this rule from the Code of Edicts.
The Emperor was even more unwilling. Now there were already some shameless literati borrowing this rule to whitewash Li Er’s Xuanwu Gate Incident, strenuously trying to turn the fratricide between brothers into a duel between nobles. Li Yifu was among the most active of these people. Misattribution and substitution were originally Li Yifu’s specialties.
This fellow had more than once prostrated himself crying in court, claiming that all the people of the Great Tang were misinterpreting His Majesty the Emperor, demonizing a kind Emperor who had no choice but to fight back or die, saying he committed fratricide. Clearly it was retaliation between nobles—how could it be called usurping power?
Where is heavenly justice! If the Great Tang has any unredressed wrongs, His Majesty’s grievance is the greatest one!
The deafening speech and righteous questioning delighted the Emperor greatly, while making Yan Shigu’s beard and hair bristle with uncontrollable rage.
Ever since the Emperor gave his speech at Yushan Academy, Great Tang people had no more taboos about discussing this matter. Now even speaking loudly about it in court, absolutely no one would propose impeachment, saying this was great disrespect to the Emperor. Once things were laid bare, they lost their mystique. Even if more scandals were exposed, everyone would feel there was nothing novel about it.
During the morning assembly, Yun Ye’s position was below Zhangsun Wuji. He clearly saw Zhangsun Wuji’s face twitching somewhat. After hearing Li Yifu loudly refute Yan Shigu’s words, the twitching became even more severe.
“Throughout history, when the birds are gone the good bow is stored away; when the foxes and rabbits are finished, the hunting dogs are cooked. This is the inevitable path for an emperor. Look at how Liu Bang of the Former Han Dynasty cruelly killed his meritorious officials, then look at how His Majesty treats the Great Tang nobles—you can draw one conclusion: His Majesty is indeed the kindest emperor throughout history.”
“Why have we in the Great Tang never heard of killing meritorious officials? Distinguished gentlemen, could such a benevolent and kind-hearted emperor commit fratricide? One can only say this was the Late Emperor using the method of raising venomous insects to cultivate a new emperor—such far-sighted vision! Otherwise, how would we have the Great Tang’s brilliant golden age today?”
These words were truly too shameless. Zhangsun Wuji turned his head to look at Yun Ye and said, “Your Yushan Academy consumes countless state funds every year—is this what you’ve cultivated?”
Yun Ye replied expressionlessly, “Oranges grown south of the river are oranges; oranges grown north of the river become trifoliate oranges. Originally a fine talent, after just a few years under your Secretariat, he’s become like this—how heartbreaking!”
Zhangsun Wuji snorted and said quietly, “What is your son jumping up and down trying to do? Does he really plan to initiate retaliation? Retaliate against whom? Just for a shipload of rotten grass? Your Yun family reaching into Liaodong was already overstepping boundaries. That no one was hurt already shows everyone gave your Yun family plenty of face. In Liaodong, your Yun family doesn’t count as a strong dragon.”
Yun Ye tugged at Zhangsun Wuji’s sleeve and said, “That spendthrift plans to follow your family’s old path and open an iron foundry, right there in Liaodong. Send word below not to obstruct anymore.”
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Yun Ye with puzzlement and said, “Your family really wants to open an iron foundry? How large? Do you plan to pay to purchase the Academy’s patents? Don’t tell me you have some new method?”
“The Academy’s money is now managed by Xu Jingzong. He rubs every copper coin to see if it’s two stuck together. Master Yuanzhang is famously rigid. What belongs to the Academy belongs to the Academy; what belongs to the Yun family belongs to the Yun family. Whatever your family spent purchasing those patents from the Academy back then, the Yun family will definitely spend no less.”
“The old patriarch at home likes Yun Huan the most and has taken out personal savings to fund Yun Huan’s iron foundry. His mother also provided him with quite a large sum. As for Old Cheng’s family, Duke Cheng has already spread the word to make it as big as possible, and told me the Cheng family has plenty of money.”
“Can you get a share of military equipment and armor, or can you get a share of the steel used in firearms?” Zhangsun Wuji became increasingly puzzled. Originally, the steel industry was his family’s pillar industry. It wasn’t until later when the imperial foundries took away all the steel quota for military equipment manufacturing that his family’s business became difficult, and they finally had to close their doors. If the Yun family now wanted to reopen an iron foundry, they must have obtained some share in these two major steel users.
Needless to say, this must be the Empress opening doors for the Yun family. Thinking about how he and his sister had become like strangers since Li Zhi’s matter, his heart ached in waves.
“No. His Majesty watches the Military Equipment Bureau and firearms workshops so tightly that not even a draft can get through. The Yun family simply cannot benefit from them. Moreover, the Yun family absolutely will not touch weapons manufacturing. This is what I promised Master Li Gang back then—the Yun family does not manufacture killing instruments.”
Hearing Yun Ye’s words, Zhangsun Wuji nodded. Nobles who had reached their level either didn’t speak, but once they did, it was definitely the truth. To lie and deceive people over business—neither he nor Yun Ye could afford to lose that face.
“Then just wait to lose money. This old man will inform my old servants at home. As long as your Yun family is truly opening an iron foundry, whether it’s mines, foundries, coal, or recruiting personnel, no one will obstruct you. On one hand, if your Yun family opens an iron foundry, you’ll definitely invest huge capital in Liaodong, which benefits the impoverished people’s livelihood there. Secondly, this old man very much wants to see if the Yun family is really better at business than the Zhangsun family. Finally, tell your son to shut his mouth. If the rotten grass in Liaodong was burned, it was burned. If he wants compensation, go collect it from my family! Consider it this old man wanting to watch a big fire.”
Zhangsun Wuji took everything upon himself in one sweep. Now there was no way to investigate this matter. Duke Zhao wanting to watch a big fire was reason enough to burn hundreds of thousands of loads of rotten grass to give the old man a laugh.
“Naturally. However, to be more at ease, shouldn’t your family also buy a share?”
“Why didn’t you invite this old man to invest in profitable business? For example, your family’s fleet in Lingnan—this old man is very interested. How about it? This old man invests ten thousand gold coins for a twenty percent share. Does it work or not?”
“Of course! I was just worrying about finding a major investor. With you joining, the fleet can sail even farther. We’re both efficient people. After the shift ends, have your steward send the gold coins over. The Yun family will issue you share certificates. It’s settled then.”
Neither Yun Ye nor Zhangsun Wuji had any interest in listening to Li Yifu and Yan Shigu argue. The one with such interest was the Emperor—hadn’t you noticed the old man listening with relish, unable to stop?
“Heh heh, this old man thought your tail was up in the sky, thinking you were invincible. Feeling pressure from Dugu Mou entering the scene? The Zhangsun family and the Dugu family have an old friendship. Now that you want to curry favor with the Zhangsun family, isn’t it a bit late?”
“Dugu Mou is only six years older than you. The age advantage you have before this old man doesn’t amount to anything there. So be it! This world ultimately belongs to you young people. When Chong’er returns, you can continue playing. This old man won’t keep you company.”
Yun Ye nodded. Transactions between great clans were often settled by two masters in three sentences at an appropriate venue at an appropriate time. Forever treating someone as an enemy was a sign of immaturity. Even the greatest hatreds must be set aside at certain times and cannot be swayed by personal emotions. Once the crisis was removed, it wouldn’t be too late for the two families to fight to the death again.
Zhangsun Wuji had now reached the point where his lamp oil was exhausted. He was only five years older than Li Er, but now he seemed at least twenty years older than Li Er. Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong’s continuous attacks had finally made Zhangsun Wuji feel overwhelmed.
Now with Dugu Mou entering the scene, he no longer had the energy to deal with the increasingly complex situation. Now harboring thoughts of retirement was, in Yun Ye’s view, already a very wise choice.
Completely defeating Zhangsun Wuji was simply impossible. The biggest difference from history was that Empress Zhangsun was alive and well. As long as Zhangsun Wuji didn’t rebel, his family would naturally be looked after by Empress Zhangsun.
As for his claim that the Zhangsun and Dugu families had a good relationship, this was simply a joke. Great clans never had so-called good relationships. When interests were at stake, it was time for falling out. White blades going in and red blades coming out between them was all too normal.
When Yun Ye left his shift and returned home, the Zhangsun family indeed sent someone to deliver ten thousand gold coins. After Xinyue checked them, she issued the Zhangsun family a certificate for a twenty percent share in the Lingnan fleet, just waiting for the family head to return home to affix his seal and signature.
Ordinary people’s contracts needed to be filed with the authorities, but neither Yun Ye nor Zhangsun Wuji thought this was necessary. What Zhangsun Wuji cared about more was having Yun Ye’s signature on the share certificate. This thing was more effective than the authorities’ official seal.
“Father, have you forgiven the Zhangsun family?” After the Zhangsun family’s steward happily left with the document, Yun Huan immediately came to ask his father.
“No. Letting the Zhangsun family invest in Yun family enterprises is one thing; forgiving the Zhangsun family is another. His Majesty is deliberately turning the court into a Three Kingdoms situation precisely to make it easier to control. Three evenly matched forces—any one of them cannot survive without imperial support. Now it’s even more dangerous, son. Once one family shows weakness, two hungry wolves will pounce fiercely and tear at them.”