Chapter 223: Already Not a Greenhorn in Officialdom

Yin Zhaoxian, a well-known figure in the scholarly circles of Da Zhen, had reached a point where maintaining his image was crucial. After taking up his post in Wanzhou and observing for a period, he realized he could not freely display certain emotions.

Even in his wife’s presence, Yin Zhaoxian couldn't reveal his internal frustration too openly, fearing she would worry excessively. However, with Ji Yuan, he had no such reservations, allowing for a rare emotional release.

"Phew... I've made a fool of myself, Mr. Ji!"

At this moment, Yin Zhaoxian's emotions seemed a bit agitated, suggesting he had faced considerable frustration in his official career. Even a usually composed person like him was affected this way. Of course, it could also be that he had accumulated too much resentment over a long period, leading to a more intense release now.

Ji Yuan held his teacup without drinking, merely blowing lightly on the tea. In reality, the gentle breeze he stirred also circulated the air in the room, dispelling some of the heavy emotions clinging to his friend and helping him calm down significantly.

"Master Yin, it seems this prosperous Wanzhou isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?"

Hearing Mr. Ji finally call him "Master Yin" again, Yin Zhaoxian felt a strange sense of relief and sighed.

"Alas... Mr. Ji, you don't know. Wanzhou is indeed a prosperous land, but while some live in opulence, others starve. The former are few, the latter many—it's truly a diseased state! Can you imagine a small village chief..."

As Yin Zhaoxian spoke, he extended his right hand, pinching his pinky fingertip, almost trembling as he gestured towards Ji Yuan.

"Such a tiny, insignificant official actually holds fifty *qing* of mulberry fields! How did he acquire this land? Could he earn so much even if he served as a village chief his whole life?"

Yin Zhaoxian took a breath, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then added:

"What's even more infuriating is that among these fifty *qing* of land, at least a thousand *mu* are permanent private land—the very lifeblood of the common people!"

Ji Yuan frowned. Now that he thought about it, when he flew over Wanzhou, he did notice many mulberry groves and few grain fields. It didn't seem like everyone was growing mulberries and raising silkworms to get rich together. Instead, had the common people's land been taken over?

Perhaps initially, farmers were indeed lured by the prospect of profit from growing mulberries and raising silkworms. Then, whether due to natural disasters or human actions, they suffered losses. Their mulberry fields were then bought at seemingly "fair" prices. Now, there are more mulberries than grain fields, and this industry is firmly monopolized by powerful families, leaving no room for common folk.

Seeing the bigger picture from this small example, in Lishun Prefecture and indeed throughout Wanzhou, many farmers and common folk own scarcely any land of their own. To eat their fill, they are mostly forced to depend on landlords. Farming might be acceptable, but growing mulberries and raising silkworms don't require as much labor. Most of the profits generated by the farmers flowed into the coffers of wealthy and influential families. Coupled with their own taxes, their lives are very difficult.

Even more crucial was the fact that the payment farmers received for helping powerful families raise silkworms and produce silk was only in currency. Since Wanzhou doesn't produce enough grain, it has to be bought from outside, which involves multiple layers of exploitation by merchants. Grain prices aren't set by farmers; who determines the fluctuations in grain prices? Naturally, it's influenced by natural disasters, but even more so, it's dictated by wealthy merchants and corrupt officials.

What if they don't have enough money sometimes? They mortgage their land, hoping for a better harvest next year!

Hearing Yin Zhaoxian's analysis, even Ji Yuan, regarded as an "immortal" by ordinary people, couldn't help but feel a chilling sensation. Over the years, Wanzhou's farmers have had their livelihood-sustaining land gradually devoured, piece by piece, much like Wanzhou's silkworms consume mulberry leaves...

Yin Zhaoxian drained his teacup and then sneered coldly.

"Throughout Da Zhen, it is commonly said, 'Bingzhou for grain, Wanzhou for silk.' Hmph, but how can the circumstances of Wanzhou's people possibly be compared to those in Bingzhou?"

Ji Yuan couldn't help but nod. He had spent a good deal of time in Bingzhou. Although he mostly cultivated his arts on Mount Yun, he had heard many joyful sounds of the farmers at work during the rice harvest season on Bingzhou's lands.

"Then, Master Yin, have you taken action against that particular village chief?"

Yin Zhaoxian shook his head.

"If I could simply act against every individual who deserved it, why would I be so frustrated? In my two years here in Wanzhou, I first carefully observed the local conditions without revealing any attitude. The more I learned about Lishun Prefecture and Wanzhou, the more I realized this is a matter that would send ripples through the entire system. That village chief might be just one strand, for me, but I cannot easily move him!"

Although Ji Yuan didn't understand officialdom, his friend's words clearly showed that Master Yin had a deep understanding of it and was by no means a naive bureaucrat. This eased some of Ji Yuan's worries.

"Master Yin, holding the position of Prefect, and not without his connections in the imperial court, are you still so apprehensive?"

As Ji Yuan spoke, he picked up the teapot and refilled his friend's cup, just like during those many afternoons they spent chatting in the courtyard of Ju'an Small Pavilion.

Yin Zhaoxian had calmed down by now, and like Ji Yuan, he felt just as relaxed, picking up his tea and drinking.

"Although for many years, imperial inspectors have reported that Wanzhou is fine, that alone is not enough. It's likely there are deeply entrenched vested interests within the court. Lishun Prefecture alone, and indeed all of Wanzhou, is a matter of no small consequence!"

Yin Zhaoxian's remarks now sounded completely like those of an experienced old official, not a novice official only a few years removed from achieving the highest scholarly honors.

Although Ji Yuan felt sorry for the people of Wanzhou, after their discussion, he was less worried about his friend. He then asked, with a hint of teasing, though utterly devoid of mockery:

"Then, Master Yin, since you were assigned to Wanzhou, wouldn't the local interest groups view you as a thorn in their side?"

"A thorn in their side? Not quite, but apprehension is inevitable. Especially when I first took office, I was on guard day and night, haha. Looking back now, it's quite laughable!"

Yin Zhaoxian then changed his tone.

"However, although I have carefully observed the local conditions since my arrival, I haven't made any superfluous moves, presenting an image of merely attending to my own duties. This has made them relax. Now, the officials in Lishun Prefecture and indeed all of Wanzhou believe that I, a Triple First Scholar with immense talent, was sent to Wanzhou to gain experience and prestige before a higher promotion to the capital. They think I don't want any trouble during my tenure and that I am a safe bet!"

"It's ironic, really. Since then, the number of people coming to give me gifts has actually increased, ranging from the humblest households to the most powerful families, and the value of the gifts progressively increased."

"Oh? Very valuable gifts?"

Ji Yuan reached out and touched the teapot, warming the tea in the pot to a suitable temperature again, refilling both his and his friend's cups.

"Very valuable indeed, or rather, a large portion of what was given was money! Shimmering silver and glittering gold. After all, everyone expects me, Yin Zhaoxian, to rise steadily, perhaps even becoming a new pillar of support in the imperial court in the future."

Yin Zhaoxian smiled and jokingly said to Ji Yuan:

"I accepted all these gifts, refusing none!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan showed no outward reaction, but he was internally surprised for a moment. However, he quickly understood something. He still had faith in his friend's character; this confidence stemmed from his understanding of Master Yin and from the pure and concentrated aura of righteousness emanating from Master Yin at that moment.

"So, Master Yin, do you plan to accept their courtesies first, then resort to force later and settle accounts when the time is ripe?"

"My parents gave birth to me, but Ji Yuan understands me! Each instance, every transaction, every single gift—I remember them all clearly!"

Yin Zhaoxian, for once, allowed himself to appear enigmatic in front of his friend.

"If there's anyone else in the entire government and society of Da Zhen who detests this situation as much as I do, it would be the Emperor himself."

Ji Yuan looked at Yin Zhaoxian, shaking his head with a soft sigh.

"To my knowledge, the old emperor is still fixated on that auspicious sign from years ago. He's currently preparing a Grand Water and Land Ceremony, intending to gather all the 'renowned scholars and distinguished individuals' of Da Zhen. It's hard to say how much thought he can dedicate to Wanzhou."

Yin Zhaoxian merely frowned slightly, showing no particular expression, nor did he imply that his friend's words were treasonous.

Ji Yuan smiled and continued slowly.

"He is the linchpin of Da Zhen's destiny, enjoying the veneration from countless subjects and desiring longevity. But to seek immortality, he would have to relinquish his esteemed position. It's impossible for someone like him to attempt to grasp both."

Yin Zhaoxian did not linger on this topic.

"Though His Majesty may no longer be in the vigor of his youth, he won't be indifferent to the affairs of Wanzhou. Moreover, Prince Jin, a man of great ambition, is also involved. Half a year ago, I secretly sent a memorial to His Majesty through His Highness Prince Jin, not saying much, simply informing him of the hush money I received from the various gift-givers. Mr. Ji, can you guess the amount?"

Seeing Master Yin like this, Ji Yuan thought, 'Then I'll venture a high guess,' and spoke.

"Fifty thousand taels of silver?"

Yin Zhaoxian shook his head.

"Not at all!"

"A hundred thousand taels?"

Seeing Master Yin still shake his head, Ji Yuan promptly continued.

"Fifty thousand taels of gold?"

"Guess again, Mr. Ji. The things I received included both gold and silver, as well as rare treasures and antiques."

Ji Yuan grinned, and with a swift calculation with fingers hidden in his sleeve, he spoke with a hint of surprise.

"It's actually two hundred and ten thousand taels of gold?!"

This precise figure startled Yin Zhaoxian, who then nodded in response.

"Precisely. Over these past few years, including all the precious items and treasures, the total value amounts to approximately over two million taels of silver. Hmph, that's nearly half of Wanzhou's annual revenue remitted to the imperial treasury!"

"As the Prefect of Lishun Prefecture, even with some future prospects, I received so many benefits within just two years in office. How much public wealth have they plundered, and how much illicit money have they withheld from the imperial court? How could His Majesty not be enraged?"

Yin Zhaoxian let out a cold laugh at this point.

"The secret letter from Prince Jin even mentioned that when His Majesty received my secret report, he smashed his favorite set of teacups in the imperial study!"

Folly in old age, folly in old age. While many emperors throughout history have been like this, Emperor Yuande never imagined he would be one of them. Now, upon discovering he had indeed been deceived and kept in the dark by those below him, his fury was beyond imagination.

Hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately understood that his friend had long since devised a plan. A mix of relief and emotion swelled in his heart.

'Master Yin is no longer an innocent novice in official circles!'