Chapter 111: The Empty City Ruse

The Jing Family.

Jing Heng crept out of the room nervously, just as Sun Hongyan returned home with a dark expression.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Jing Heng stretched out his neck upon seeing her.

Sun Hongyan cursed under her breath, “Now the whole capital is talking about that wretched Bai Qiulian and your father…”

Halfway through, she dared not continue. Last time, when she confronted Li Junjun at the Censorate, Jing Tianlie had severely reprimanded her, forbidding her from mentioning the matter again.

Jing Heng sighed helplessly. “Mother, forget it. It’s normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Look at that dead eunuch; he sleeps with the princess every day and is accompanied by several female generals…”

Sun Hongyan was furious but found no retort, finally sighing, “Fine. It’s all because your father is capable, but damn that wretched Bai Qiulian.”

“Why don’t you go to the Ministry of Revenue? You’ve been reinstated as Minister; hurry and take stock of the treasury. I heard the Ministry is flush with money now,” she urged.

“I’m about to go,” Jing Heng replied.

“Quickly, your father needs funds to maintain the army.”

Jing Heng called Tang Wei and his men, then boarded a sedan chair, with Tang Wei swaggering ahead to clear the way.

The snow fell heavily, and few pedestrians were about. Those who recognized Tang Wei whispered among themselves, guessing that it was Jing Heng inside the sedan and that he was heading to the Ministry to assume office.

“I heard Long Cheng’en and the Tianxia Society do business together; the Ministry is swimming in wealth. The Jing family will have another fat chance to embezzle,” someone said.

“Sigh, they used to say Jing Tianlie was the pillar of the nation, but now he’s just a parasite,” another muttered.

“Watch your tongue! Watch your tongue!”

The sedan entered the Ministry of Revenue. Jing Heng staggered out and made his way to the main hall, which still held many of Long Chen’s belongings.

He sat down and said, “I’ve taken office; why has no one come to pay their respects?”

Tang Wei immediately ordered the officials inside to come forward and greet the new minister.

Duàn Shuāngshuāng, Deputy Minister of Revenue, entered with several officials.

Jing Heng appraised Duan Shuangshuang from head to toe—she wore a sable coat, her makeup was understated, exuding an elegant and refined aura. She was a virtuous beauty.

Jing Heng knew she was loyal to the Empress and, though tempted, dared not act rashly.

“Deputy Minister Duan, where are my former subordinates? Why are these all new faces?”

While Long Chen was at the Ministry, he had borrowed a dozen capable men from the Imperial Guard and fired all the incompetent ones.

“They were replaced while Minister Long was still in office,” Duan Shuangshuang answered honestly.

Jing Heng snorted coldly, “Now that I’ve returned, gather all my old subordinates and dismiss these new ones immediately.”

The officials in the room immediately stirred.

These men were almost all handpicked by Long Chen—excellent officers with strong professional abilities.

Tang Wei barked, “Quiet! What’s all this noise? Keep it up, and you’re all fired!”

Duan Shuangshuang bowed to Jing Heng, “Understood, sir,” then turned and left the room. The other officials followed, leaving only Jing Heng and Tang Wei.

Tang Wei looked at the departing officials and panicked. “Sir, they’ve all left?”

Jing Heng was stunned. He hadn’t expected Duan Shuangshuang to leave as well.

“Hmph. What’s there to fear? Bring back the old team—I don’t believe I can’t manage the Ministry of Revenue.”

Pointing to the items in the room, he shouted, “Throw all of his things out. Bring back my old bonsai.”

Tang Wei tried to find workers to move the items but discovered that even the janitors had left.

“These bastards have no respect for the young master,” Tang Wei cursed as he went to find his old subordinates.

After a long while, the Ministry became lively again. Jing Heng’s old team was reunited, gathering in the room to congratulate him.

“Director Liu, how much silver does the Ministry currently hold?” Jing Heng asked a short, stout man, who used to be a director there.

“Over nine million taels,” Liu replied.

Jing Heng’s face lit up. “That dead eunuch is impressive—still managed to leave such a surplus.”

Liu said, “Sir, we can’t touch this silver for now. The most urgent task is to establish contact with the Tianxia Society and the Dragon Gang. Their business accounts for the Ministry’s largest income.”

Jing Heng found this reasonable. The Ministry’s wealth came from Long Chen’s dealings with the Tianxia Society and the Dragon Gang.

To truly control the Ministry, he must connect with those groups.

“Makes sense. Who will go?”

Jing Heng scanned the room.

No one dared answer.

Director Liu said, “Sir, Long Cheng’en used to handle this personally. This matter still requires your own involvement.”

Jing Heng thought it over. For major patrons like the Tianxia Society and the Dragon Gang, he must take charge personally.

“Good. You all keep an eye on the Ministry. I’ll visit Sifang Tower and Qianlong Hall.”

Tang Wei prepared the sedan, leading Director Liu to Sifang Tower.

At the entrance of Banyue Tower, Tang Wei arrogantly approached the steward, announcing the new Minister of Revenue wished to meet the tower’s master.

The steward went inside to report. Jing Heng sat in the sedan chair, waiting.

After a long wait, the steward came out. “Sorry, our master is unavailable.”

Tang Wei was furious. “Our Minister personally visits, and you say he’s busy?”

The steward chuckled. “Not just a minister—even if your Empress came in person, our master would still be busy.”

Tang Wei fumed. Jing Heng climbed out of the sedan, looked haughtily at the steward, and said coldly, “I am the newly appointed Minister of Revenue. If your master is so busy, then the Ministry will only do business with the Dragon Gang from now on.”

Jing Heng knew the Tianxia Society made a lot of money through the Ministry; they couldn’t afford to sever ties.

Tang Wei, emboldened, shouted, “Did you hear that? From now on, no more jade lip balm or moonlight cream for you. Don’t expect to make money anymore.”

The steward was stunned, standing frozen for a long moment.

Jing Heng thought he had scared the steward and said coldly, “I’m tired today. Tell your master to come to the Ministry and see me.”

Turning to leave, the steward suddenly said, “Our goods at Sifang Tower have always come through the Ministry of Works. What does that have to do with your Ministry of Revenue?”

Long Chen had managed both the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue. Production and manufacturing had always been overseen by Xu Ming of the Ministry of Works, while the Ministry of Revenue only handled accounting and contacts.

Now that Long Chen had stepped down as Minister of Revenue, all connections had shifted to the Ministry of Works, rendering Jing Heng’s threats useless.

The steward looked at Jing Heng as if he were a fool.

Only then did Jing Heng realize that the Ministry he’d taken over was merely a shell.

“You…” Jing Heng was furious but helpless.

The Tianxia Society held an exalted position; not even the Empress could challenge them, let alone the Jing family.

“Young master, let’s go back and think of another plan.”

Jing Heng climbed back into the sedan. Tang Wei snorted coldly and followed him back to the Ministry.

The steward sneered as he entered the back courtyard, meeting the tower master, Hong Qi.

“Did they leave?”

“They did, and they looked very angry.”

Hong Qi smiled. “Lord Long and the Jing family are at odds. Who do you think will win?”

The steward said, “Hasn’t the master already placed his bet?”

Hong Qi chuckled. “Jing Tianlie may seem to hold the upper hand, but he is being outmaneuvered at every step. It looks like the Jing family is finished.”