Linxia

Chapter 232, Finalization

That day, Yan Shideng invited Fang Lin to the government office. As soon as Fang Lin saw him, he bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Lord Fang, for saving my life!"

"Lord Yan, you are too polite. I haven't received any news yet. I wonder if there have been any changes in the court?" Fang Lin asked.

There was no news from Xu Kuolao yet, and private channels were naturally inferior to official ones. As for the Jinyiwei, his title of Jinyiwei Commander was just an empty title, and he did not have such a big face to mobilize Jinyiwei to pass on the latest news from the capital as soon as possible.

"That's right. In the past month and a half, there has been quite a stir in the court. It all started with Lord Fang."

Yan Shideng did not keep the suspense and went straight to the point: "At the beginning, Lord Fang found me and made plans for me. I submitted a memorial to the capital. When Duke Wei learned about the outrageous actions of the Gu and Fan families, he was furious and ordered a strict investigation. At this time, the people of the Fan family in the court jumped out. Duke Wei got angry and listed the evidence of the Fan family and other Shanxi merchants' collusion with Liao, and arrested these traitors in one fell swoop..."

Fang Lin nodded slightly. The other party's words were mostly embellished, but he could naturally extract the essence from them: "It was nothing more than the Huai'an dam breach as the fuse. Yan Shideng pushed it and let the Gu and Fan families take the blame. Wei Zhongxian took advantage of the situation and wiped out the Fan family and other Shanxi merchants. "

"I'm afraid that this time, the Shanxi merchants like the Fan family were caught off guard!"

In fact, it was indeed so. Originally, the Shanxi merchant faction thought that the eunuch party would stick to Yan Shideng, pull down that Lord Yan, and watch the show from the side. They even planned to take advantage of the chaos in the court to increase smuggling and put the silver into their own arms. However, they did not expect that the eunuch party and Lord Yan's faction would suddenly put aside their conflicts and target them. With complete evidence, they were not given any time to turn around. They were caught in a swoop and uprooted!

"The relationship network of Shanxi merchants like the Fan family is complicated. This time, thousands of people were confiscated, exiled, and beheaded... It can be said that it really shook the court, the capital, and the whole world." Yan Shideng sighed.

"Sure enough, this is the big gift package that Emperor Hongtai left for the new emperor, and it was well-intentioned!" Fang Lin thought to himself.

At the beginning of Emperor Tianshun's reign, he handled such major cases, such as "Jiaqing's accession to the throne to investigate Heshen", to establish the majesty of the new monarch. At the same time, he confiscated Shanxi merchants such as the Fan family and obtained a considerable amount of money to enrich the national treasury and resolve the emergency of the Great Summer disaster this year.

"Lord Fang doesn't know that because of this case, many people have been killed in the capital recently. Now the name of Duke Wei can stop children from crying at night in the capital." Yan Shideng joked.

Fang Lin nodded, thinking that the eunuch group headed by Wei Zhongxian would surely gain great momentum if they handled this case, and would overwhelm the civil servant group in one fell swoop. At this time, Wei Zhongxian's power reached its peak.

"Since the dam breach has been resolved, I guess Lord Yan has also gotten out of it?"

"That's right. I was able to pass this test thanks to Lord Fang." Yan Shideng talked about the court's treatment of him: "Although the breach of the dike was caused by the Gu and Fan families, I am also responsible for not supervising them strictly. Fortunately, I have made contributions to disaster relief, and considering my past achievements, my merits and demerits are offset, so I will not be rewarded or punished and will stay in office for another term."

This result can neither be said to be good nor bad.

After all, when the dam burst, his life and official position were in danger. Now he was lucky to get this result and keep the post of Huai'an prefect. But after this burst, his hope of promotion was shattered and his past achievements were wiped out.

Fang Lin glanced at the other party. The eunuch party cooperated to put the blame on the Gu family and the Fan family. Thinking about the ruin of the Shanxi merchants such as the Fan family just now, the old man Yan behind Yan Shideng might have compromised with the eunuch party. It is hard to say what role he played in the ruin of the Shanxi merchants such as the Fan family.

All I can say is that politics is like this. Friends and enemies can change and reconcile in an instant because of interests and transactions. It is extremely dirty.

"By the way, I received an imperial decree from the court to search and confiscate the Fan family today... Congratulations, Lord Fang." Yan Shideng said with a smile.

Fang Lin nodded and a smile appeared on his face. This was the biggest gain of this time.

He had previously confiscated the Gu family, and this time he dealt with the Fan family. The remaining Ma, Shao, and Duan families had already become his vassals in reality. It can be said that from then on, there was no force in Huai'an that could check and balance him, and he truly had the final say. Even if a new prefect was appointed, nothing could be done without his permission. If they did not obey, he would immediately sideline them.

Even more, as the situation develops, the turmoil in the court spreads to the local areas, the majesty of the central government decreases, and the local areas become bigger. Fang Lin will become the uncrowned king of Huai'an, and it is not an exaggeration to call him a thousand-mile marquis!

Yan Shideng obviously thought of this, and his heart was complicated, but it was none of his business, and he was not going to do anything: "This breach of the dam has affected my career after all. Unless the civil officials suppress the eunuch party in the court in the future and regain the upper hand, and my uncle is still in office... Otherwise, I am afraid I can only move to the local area in the future."

And because he has served two terms in Huai'an, he will be transferred after this term. No matter how powerful Fang Lin becomes, it will have no impact on him.

Because there was no need to confront Fang Lin, Yan Shideng was also somewhat relieved in his heart: "This Lord Fang's ability to change clouds and rain with a flip of his hand is shocking. Such a person is naturally best as a friend, but if he becomes an enemy, it will make people lose their appetite and sleep."

"Lord Fang, the court has issued an order to search and seal off the Fan family today to prevent them from transferring their assets. Later, a eunuch may come to take over... I asked Lord Fang to come here to inform you of this information to avoid any further complications. I plan to take action against the Fan family. After this matter is dealt with, I will host a banquet to express my gratitude another day. Please don't blame me, Lord Fang." Yan Shideng clasped his fists.

Given Wei Zhongxian's current power and influence, he would not dare to neglect the matter.

"What are you talking about, Lord Yan? I am grateful for informing you of this information as soon as possible. It is urgent to search the Fan family, Lord Yan, please do as you please."

Fang Lin thought for a moment, and then said, "I have some friendship with the Fan family. If the Fan family falls, do you mind if I go and take a look?"

Yan Shideng agreed without hesitation and set off with Fang Lin.

……

Fan family.

Fan Qingzeng, Fan Qiguang and Fan Qihui, father and son, are counting the gains from this land annexation.

How did a big family like the Fan family acquire land? It's very simple. They just took advantage of others and robbed them. They borrowed money from the disaster victims and paid them interest. If they couldn't pay back the money, they would take away the land. If they were even more cruel, they would turn the victims into slaves... They would never be able to turn over a new leaf.

Don’t think that the Fan family is cautious when facing Fang Lin. That’s because they are of equal status with Fang Lin and they are worried that they will both suffer losses in a fight. But they have no scruples against the common people and their methods are ruthless! If the Fan family is a Buddhist and vegetarian, how did they get such large tracts of fertile land?

"Unfortunately, the profits from Prefect Yan's disaster relief efforts have reduced our income," said Fan Qiguang.

"Yes, if we say that Prefect Yan's disaster relief is for the sake of saving himself, but Lord Fang has also come to join in the fun." Obviously, Fan Qihui was quite dissatisfied with Fang Lin's act of rescuing the people.

"Don't worry. The area along the river outside the city is silted up and can no longer discharge flood water. Huai'an will be in trouble in the future. If there are a few more floods, those lands will be in our hands sooner or later." Fan Qingzeng said with narrowed eyes.

As the father and his two sons were talking, people from the government office arrived, surrounded Fan's house, and broke in.

"After reaping the benefits of the raid on the Gu family, they now want to do the same to our Fan family?"

"This is really crazy. How dare Yan Shideng do this?"

Fan Qiguang and Fan Qihui were surprised.

Fan Qingzeng didn't say anything, but his face turned gloomy. A large number of guards with knives in hand retreated from the officers and protected him behind them.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Yan Shideng, surrounded by yamen runners, strode in and said, "Master Fan, the main branch of your Fan family, Tongliao, has been uprooted..."

When Fan Qingzeng and his two sons heard the news, they were all stunned.

They still don’t know this!

First, Wei Zhongxian had planned ahead and acted decisively and swiftly as thunder;

Second, the news Yan Shideng received was sent through the imperial court at an expedited rate of 800 miles in order to control the Fan family and prevent them from escaping or transferring their assets.
Thirdly, with the fall of the main branch of the Fan family, the Huai'an Fan family was already a thing of the past. Those high-ranking officials in the court understood the situation clearly and naturally abandoned the Fan family. However, there were also some officials in Beijing with lower status who had received favors from the Fan family and sent messages to the Huai'an Fan family, but the time has not come yet!
Fan Qingzeng was the first to react and came back to his senses from the bad news: "Master Yan, my Huai'an Fan family and Jindi Fan family have been separated for many years. Even if the Jindi Fan family is connected to Liao, it won't implicate my Huai'an Fan family, right?"

"Your Huai'an Fan family is naturally guilty of another crime. Some time ago, you tampered with the dike during flood prevention, causing it to burst and harm the people..."

Fan Qingzeng nearly vomited blood when he heard Yan Shideng's distortion of right and wrong. The dam outside the city burst because of your eagerness for quick success and instant benefits. You allowed the Gu family to build restaurants and fish ponds in the area along the river. How did it become my Fan family's fault?
As for tampering with the embankment, that is even more nonsense. The Fan family is not crazy!
As for other evil things like occupying land, his Fan family did do it, but they were still accused of doing something they didn't do, which was extremely frustrating.

When the brothers Fan Qiguang and Fan Qihui heard this, they became furious and cursed Yan Shideng.

"The dam outside the city burst, it was clearly..."

"You are confusing right and wrong, Yan Shideng, you..."

But before they could say anything, Yan Shideng waved his hand, and the bailiffs rushed forward, knocked them down, and interrupted them.

Fang Lin stood in the back, looking at the Fan family members who were being detained and tied up like prisoners, each of them in a miserable state.

The Fan family, who were once high and mighty, have now fallen from grace, with fear and confusion on their faces. Furthermore, servants continue to rebel and report the evil deeds done by the Fan family.

'When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter! ' This sentence suddenly appeared in his mind.

Recalling his interactions with the Fan family: At the beginning, Fan Qingzeng came to him and forced him to buy the secret recipe of the fragrant dew with a condescending attitude; later, because of his improved status and the promotion of the fragrant dew, the other party eagerly sought cooperation, and they had a honeymoon period; later, Fang Lin's power surpassed that of the Fan family, and the relationship between the two sides became delicate again... Now, the Fan family has become prisoners, which is really sad.

Fan Qiguang and Fan Qihui were escorted and passed by Fang Lin.

"Brother Fang, Brother Fang, save me!" Fan Qiguang shouted.

"Brother Fang, you forgot that I also sent you summer ice and winter fruits and vegetables." Fan Qihui also said.

Yan Shideng looked at this scene with a hint of sarcasm on his face. Even now, these Fan family members still don't know who is behind this? It's ridiculous.

"Alas, your Fan family has ended up in this state because of your own fault. What can I do?" Fang Lin shook his head.

Upon hearing this, Fan Qiguang and Fan Qihui showed despair on their faces.

Fan Qingzeng was passing by behind him. He suddenly turned his head to look at Fang Lin and asked, "How much has Lord Fang contributed to our present situation?"

"Tongliao, the main branch of your Fan family, has long been targeted by the late emperor, and the secret recipe of the fragrant dew of your Huai'an Fan family is coveted by Duke Wei. How much of a role can I play?" Fang Lin was not modest. He really only played a small role. He was just an initiator and gave the first push when the Fan family was on the verge of collapse.

"It is so, no wonder! No wonder! I thought the secret recipe of the fragrant dew was the foundation of my Fan family's prosperity for hundreds of generations, but I didn't expect it to be the source of disaster..." Fan Qingzeng sighed and was escorted away. At this moment, his body was hunched, as if he had lost all his energy and spirit. He was just an ordinary old man.

Fang Lin looked at Fan Qingzeng's back as he was driven away, his eyelids drooping: "Back then, you forced me to buy the secret recipe for the fragrant dew and threatened me with my family. Today, this grudge is settled."

……

Half a month later, a eunuch named Li from the capital arrived and read out the imperial edict, which said: The Gu and Fan families were the culprits of the Huai'an dike breach, and their property was confiscated and they were exiled 3,000 miles away... Yan Shideng was negligent in his duties because of his poor supervision, but in consideration of his meritorious service in disaster relief and past achievements, he was retained as the prefect of Huai'an to see how he would perform...

This concludes the story of the Huai'an dam breach.

……

The Ma, Shao, and Duan families were only slightly surprised that Yan Shideng had managed to survive, but they were quite shocked by the raid on the Fan family.

They suddenly realized: the Gu family and the Fan family fell one after another, and Fang Lin no longer had any checks and balances in the entire Huai'an, and he had truly unified Huai'an.

Considering that the three families had already become Fang Lin's vassals, and the only two opponents had encountered accidents one after another, it was really terrifying to think about what role Fang Lin played in it, and it brought them a lot of fear.

However, the Ma, Shao and Duan families were also grateful that they had surrendered early and were tied to Fang Lin. The pride and reluctance to be Fang Lin's vassal were now gone.

……

The people of Huai'an applauded the downfall of the Fan family.

The Fan family is a nobody. They were ruthless and unscrupulous in their land annexation this time, but now they are getting their retribution.

Those who had borrowed money from the Fan family and had not yet had time to repay it benefited this time because their creditors were gone.

However, the lands taken over by the Fan family could not be returned. They all fell into the hands of Eunuch Li who came to take over and were sold to the Ma, Shao and Duan families.

It is true that the Ma, Shao and Duan families like land, but this time when it comes to the land, they are a bit stingy. They are afraid of showing off too much wealth and thus being targeted.

In short, the time that Eunuch Li spent in Huai'an made many people frightened and unable to sleep or eat. Finally, he dealt with the Fan family's assets and was about to leave.

Before leaving, that day, Eunuch Li came to visit Fang Lin.

……

(End of this chapter)