Chapter 58 Seizing the Opportunity to Divide the Wang Family's Wealth

Connecting the roads of all the villages to Funiu Village was also a consideration for future strategy.

More importantly, it was to facilitate the economic development of Shuangma Township, enable villagers across all the villages to earn money, and win over the popular support of the people.

"Wang Rengui did not try to stop us from repairing the road in Wangjia Village; he certainly harbors malicious intentions."

Pang Xiong knew that the Wang family held considerable influence in Hanyang, and he was somewhat worried that Wang Rengui might trip Jiang Yi up.

"There is no need to fear the Wang family. I am now the magistrate of Shuangma Township. If he dares to oppose me, I will make him regret it bitterly."

Jiang Yi was already plotting to find incriminating evidence against the Wang family and have their estate confiscated.

Suddenly, an idea struck him: to frame Wang Rengui.

He could report to the imperial authorities that Wang Rengui was secretly in league with spies from the Liao Kingdom, betraying the interests of Hanzhou.

Once the charge of treason and colluding with the enemy was established, Wang Rengui would undoubtedly face execution, and his family members would most likely be exiled to remote frontiers.

To pull this off successfully would admittedly be rather difficult.

Yet, Jiang Yi was deeply eager to eliminate the Wang family and remove a threatening faction.

"If I am to frame Wang Rengui's family, I must hide this map within the Wang residence. Only Little Aunt could pull this off successfully," Jiang Yi thought to himself.

"Aside from you and the four guards who captured the Liao spy, did anyone else see?"

"No, the four of them are still guarding the Liao spy. I came to report this to you so you could make the decision."

"Since no one else saw, keep this matter strictly confidential. I have a plan, and you will receive an even greater bounty when the time comes."

According to the laws of the Great Liang dynasty, informants reporting criminal acts were entitled to half of the offender's confiscated property, while the other half was surrendered to the imperial treasury.

During the banquet at Jubin Pavilion last time, Wang Rengui had shown overt hostility toward Jiang Yi.

Wang Rengui undoubtedly had the backing of the Cao family. Since that was the case, he would seize this opportunity to eradicate him.

This undertaking would require the assistance of Zhao Guangxian for the plan to proceed smoothly.

"Take a few men to Mount Niutou and keep a close watch on that spy. Do not interrogate him, nor beat or scold him."

"Understood, Master."

Without asking further questions, Pang Xiong set out to carry out Jiang Yi's instructions.

Jiang Yi took the map to his study and set about copying it meticulously.

From afternoon until late into the night, he did not step out of the study.

Shen Rong brought meals into the study and watched as his brush moved ceaselessly across the paper.

She kept him company in silence until the deep hours of the night, when the map was finally completed.

"It is finally finished. What time of the night is it now?"

Jiang Yi stretched his back, unaware of the exact hour.

"It has just reached the Hour of Yin."

Shen Rong had just heard the night watchman striking his clapper and calling out, "Sleep early, rise early, and take care of your health."

"I did not realize I had drawn for so late. You did not have to stay up and accompany me the whole time."

"I saw how intently you were working on the map, and staying by your side meant I could look after you."

Seeing that Jiang Yi had spent a long time drawing the map with profound concentration, she had chosen not to disturb him.

"Where did my husband acquire this map? It appears to be of vital importance to you."

"It was confiscated from a Liao spy. This is a map of Hanzhou. Fortunately, it was not smuggled out."

Upon hearing that it came from a Liao spy, Shen Rong realized that if it had fallen into the hands of Liao nobility, Hanzhou would have been in grave peril, given the Liao Kingdom's persistent ambitions to conquer it.

"How do you intend to deal with the Liao spy?"

"Wang Rengui relies on Cao Zhang as his backer. I intend to use the Liao spy to eliminate the Wang family."

The mere mention of Cao Zhang ignited a burning rage within Jiang Yi.

"My husband would do well to enlist the help of the Zhao family; it will be extremely difficult for you to take down Wang Rengui alone."

Given the Wang family's considerable influence in Hanyang, Shen Rong believed her husband's solo strength was insufficient, and the Zhao family would make a reliable ally.

"I have the exact same thought. Once I put the map away, let us go to sleep."

After securely hiding the map, he returned to the bedchamber with his wife to rest.

Hours later, the sun hung high in the eastern sky.

Jiang Yi slept until he woke naturally, feeling physically and mentally refreshed.

"Husband, you are awake. Zhao Guangxian is waiting for you in the parlor."

Zhao Guangxian had come to visit Jiang Yi today, and Shen Rong had come personally to wake him.

"I shall dress and wash up, then go meet him."

Wondering what business brought Zhao Guangxian here, he realized it was a timely opportunity to discuss dealing with Wang Rengui.

After dressing and washing, Jiang Yi walked alone to the parlor where Zhao Guangxian was waiting.

"What brings the Head of the Zhao family to visit me in person today?"

"Liao spies have been arriving in Hanzhou one after another recently. I fear they might attempt to use you, so you must not fall for their tricks."

"I am merely a commoner; I hold no utility value for them."

Guessing that Zhao Guangxian was aware of his true identity and had come out of well-meaning concern, Jiang Yi replied calmly.

"Yesterday, my guards captured a spy, and I wish to enlist the Zhao family's help to eliminate the Wang family."

Jiang Yi did not consider his actions overly ruthless; if the Wang family was not eradicated early on, Wang Rengui would continuously create trouble for him and disrupt his future plans.

"I must say you possess extraordinary boldness. The Wang family and the Zhao family possess comparable strength in Hanzhou. Using a single spy to frame the Wang family—you are thinking far too simply."

"I wonder if the Head of the Zhao family is willing to cooperate with me? Once the deed is done, half of the Wang family's property will be handed over to the authorities, and we shall split the remainder evenly."

Hearing this proposal, Zhao Guangxian felt a mixture of hesitation and temptation.

The Wang family's wealth in Hanzhou was immense; even securing a quarter of their assets would guarantee a profitable and risk-free return.

"If you feel that is too little, we can do a three-to-seven split, with you taking three and me taking seven. My guards not only captured the Liao spy, but also secured a military deployment map of Hanzhou."

Zhao Guangxian was deeply shocked upon hearing this. "Is this true?!"

If a Liao spy were to smuggle the Hanzhou military deployment map out, and the Liao army attacked according to the marked positions, Hanzhou would likely fall into enemy hands, and its people would be reduced to slaves.

"What I say is true. I hold the military deployment map drawn by the Liao spy right in my hands."

Jiang Yi handed the map to Zhao Guangxian, knowing a single glance would verify its authenticity.

Zhao Guangxian took the map and examined it. "If you hand the spy and the map over to the authorities, you are guaranteed to render a grand service."

"Handing them over to the authorities would merely earn me some monetary reward. My true objective is to seize this opportunity to eradicate the Wang family."

Jiang Yi intended for the Zhao family to bear the risk; if the Liao side found out, their resentment would be directed solely at the Zhaos.

"If you want our Zhao family's assistance, splitting the remaining half of the Wang family's property evenly leaves us at a distinct disadvantage."

Zhao Guangxian found Jiang Yi clever and ruthless—no wonder the Zhang family of Jingzhao held him in such high regard.

"Then what proportion do you propose?" Jiang Yi asked.

"If this succeeds, you take twenty percent, and the Zhao family takes eighty percent."

Jiang Yi had been willing to accept a thirty-seventy split, but Zhao Guangxian had demanded yet another ten percent.

Though slightly displeased, he still needed the Zhao family's cooperation.

"Very well, twenty-eight it is. But the Wang family must be eradicated."

"Hand the Liao spy and the map over to me. Once the deed is accomplished, we will divide the Wang family's property."

"The Liao spy is currently detained in a cave on Mount Niutou. I will have him sent to the Zhao estate so you can take custody of him."

Worried that Jiang Yi might grow too powerful in the future and turn against the Zhao family, Zhao Guangxian weighed his options.

As things stood, eliminating the Wang family would leave the Zhao family as the most powerful faction in Hanzhou.

"The Head of the Zhao family need not worry. As long as the Zhao family does not make an enemy of me, I will never turn against you."

Guessing Zhao Guangxian's inner thoughts, Jiang Yi knew their current cooperation was mutually beneficial.

Yet, for the sake of greater interests in the future, the Zhang family might eventually stand in opposition to Jiang Yi.

When that day came, the Zhao family would have to make a choice, and a wrong choice could lead to utter devastation.

"I too assure you that our Zhao family will not become your enemy."

Zhao Guangxian thought to himself that should a conflict of interest arise between the Zhang family and Jiang Yi, the Zhao family would simply remain neutral.

He needed to secure a fallback option for his family and avoid entanglement in the struggles between major powers.