Chapter 73

At this banquet, Zhao Junchen indeed gained several officials from the court as his followers, but the greatest gain was undoubtedly Xiao Shancai.

After taking Xiao Shancai under his wing, in the following days, Zhao Junchen often met with Xiao Shancai, and each time they would have long, secret conversations. No one knew what Zhao Junchen discussed with him, but during these days, Xiao Shancai seemed quite excited, and even after resigning and becoming a commoner, this excitement was not affected in the slightest.

In fact, Zhao Junchen's requirements for Xiao Shancai were simple: to use his skills in indulgence and debauchery to corrupt people's hearts, making Zhao Junchen's designated targets either corrupt or co-opted, gradually turning them into pawns in Zhao Junchen's hands.

And this was precisely what Xiao Shancai excelled at.

It must be said that in terms of indulgence and debauchery, Xiao Shancai was indeed a one-in-a-million genius. He not only grasped the tasks and teachings given by Zhao Junchen very quickly but could also apply them in various ways. After just two or three days, Zhao Junchen could no longer teach him anything.

Therefore, after explaining his plan and objectives in detail to Xiao Shancai, Zhao Junchen no longer wasted his thoughts and energy on this matter, leaving it entirely to Xiao Shancai to handle.

After all, Zhao Junchen's power in the court was expanding too quickly, but his foundation was still unstable. Consolidating his forces was the top priority. Additionally, the reorganization of the Ministry of Revenue's accounts was something Zhao Junchen was extremely concerned about, along with various state affairs and open and covert struggles, leaving him with little energy to spare for other matters.

Moreover, such a plan ultimately fell into the category of "trickery and conspiracy." Even Zhao Junchen found it too despicable and not something to be done openly.

Professional matters should be left to professionals.

And Xiao Shancai did indeed do a good job.

......

In the Ming Dynasty, the Six Ministries—Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of War—were of utmost importance. Although the emperor and the cabinet held great power, most of their edicts had to be executed through the Six Ministries.

To balance the power of the Six Ministries, the Hongwu Emperor established the Six Boards, each with a "Director of the Board" (Du Jishi Zhong), a seventh-rank official. Although their rank was low, their power was significant. They were responsible for attending to the emperor, offering advice, correcting errors, and making up for omissions. They had the authority to "copy," "investigate," and "cancel" matters, overseeing the affairs of the Six Ministries and correcting their mistakes.

In essence, their nature was similar to the Censorate, but they were specifically set up for the Six Ministries.

The current Director of the Board of Revenue, Fan Binqi, was a supporter of the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu. Zhu Heyu had spent considerable effort to place Fan Binqi in this position, and his intentions were clear.

Unfortunately, by the time Fan Binqi took office, Zhao Junchen had already fully controlled the Ministry of Revenue. Any small moves Fan Binqi made were completely unknown to him, and how could he possibly deal with Zhao Junchen?

However, Fan Binqi's existence was still an obstacle for Zhao Junchen. While small moves could be hidden from him, large ones could not.

For example, Zhao Junchen's attempt to reorganize the Ministry of Revenue's accounts was hindered by Fan Binqi.

Therefore, after the "Heavenly Realm" was officially established, according to Zhao Junchen's instructions, Xiao Shancai's first target was Fan Binqi.

......

Fan Binqi, who had been manipulated by Zhao Junchen for years, was not a particularly capable official, but he was indeed diligent and stubborn.

One evening, in the Six Boards' office, Fan Binqi only thought about leaving after finishing all the day's official business.

Zhao Junchen wanted to reorganize the Ministry of Revenue's accounts and use some new accounting methods, which Fan Binqi opposed. As a supporter of the Crown Prince, he adhered to the principle of opposing everything the enemy supported, and his stance was very firm.

Moreover, based on his understanding of Zhao Junchen, he felt that Zhao Junchen's actions concealed some conspiracy he could not yet understand.

Closing the impeachment document against Zhao Junchen for his arbitrary actions in the Ministry of Revenue, Fan Binqi sighed deeply.

"Tomorrow, I will present this document to His Majesty, hoping that His Majesty can see through Zhao Junchen's deceit."

Looking at the document in front of him, Fan Binqi muttered to himself, but his expression was somewhat uncertain.

After all, this time Zhao Junchen's reasons were sufficient, and the new accounting methods indeed had many benefits. They not only detailed the accounts but also made auditing more convenient and increased the efficiency of the treasury's cash flow. He could not find many reasons to oppose it.

Sighing again, Fan Binqi, seeing it was getting late, put the document in his sleeve and prepared to return home.

However, just as Fan Binqi stood up, he heard the voice of the Deputy Director of the Board of Revenue, Niu Zhaoshan, outside his office.

"Is Director Fan still here?"

Fan Binqi was slightly taken aback but still went to open the door. He saw Niu Zhaoshan standing there with a smile.

Fan Binqi politely clasped his hands and asked, "It's so late, Director Niu, is there something you need?"

Niu Zhaoshan, in the Six Boards, was a mediocre and ineffective official. Although he had no ability, he never caused trouble. Therefore, while Fan Binqi did not particularly like Niu Zhaoshan, he was not very annoyed by him and spoke in a polite manner.

Seeing Fan Binqi, Niu Zhaoshan looked admiring and said, "Director Fan, you are indeed still here. I knew it. You would never leave until your work is done."

Fan Binqi nodded, with a serious expression, and said, "Serving the emperor faithfully is my duty. Director Niu, you flatter me. Is there something you need?"

As he spoke, Fan Binqi felt it was inappropriate to talk at the door and invited Niu Zhaoshan to come in.

Niu Zhaoshan waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. I came to ask if Director Fan is free today. Since you came to the Board of Revenue, although we are colleagues, we have never had the chance to gather. Today, I have some free time and would like to have a chat with you. I wonder if Director Fan would be willing to join me?"

Hearing Niu Zhaoshan's words, Fan Binqi hesitated for a moment but finally nodded and smiled, "Of course, there is no problem. As colleagues, how can I refuse your invitation? Director Niu is too polite."

As they spoke, Fan Binqi tidied up and left the Six Boards' office with Niu Zhaoshan. Under Niu Zhaoshan's lead, they rode in a carriage together towards the west of the city.

On the way, the two of them chatted casually, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

However, when Niu Zhaoshan led Fan Binqi off the carriage and to a secluded alley, Fan Binqi couldn't help but frown.

"Director Niu, where are you taking me?" Fan Binqi couldn't help but ask, "You're not taking me to some illegal brothel, are you?"

In this era, it was normal for officials to gather in brothels, but there was a significant difference between brothels and illegal brothels. The former were legal, while the latter were illegal. Seeing the secluded and remote location where Niu Zhaoshan was leading him, with few pedestrians, it did not seem like a place where there would be a tavern or a brothel, but rather an illegal brothel. Fan Binqi felt somewhat displeased.

In response to Fan Binqi's doubts, Niu Zhaoshan's eyes flashed with a strange look, but he did not get angry. Instead, he smiled and explained, "Director Fan, you are overthinking it. How could I take you to such an unclean place? Although this place looks ordinary, a club opened here a few days ago. It is quite interesting and operates legally. It is located here only because it is quiet, catering to those who enjoy tranquility."

Hearing Niu Zhaoshan's explanation, Fan Binqi put aside his doubts and continued chatting as they followed Niu Zhaoshan to a courtyard at the end of the alley.

The courtyard's gate was closed, looking like an ordinary residence. The only thing that caught the eye was a wooden sign on the door, which read "Heavenly Realm."

Niu Zhaoshan pointed to the courtyard and said to Fan Binqi, "Director Fan, we have arrived. This is the place."

Looking at the sign on the courtyard's door, Fan Binqi smiled and said, "Heavenly Realm. This place looks like an ordinary residence, and it is in a remote location, but it has quite an ambitious name."

Hearing Fan Bincai's words, Niu Zhaoshan's eyes flashed with a strange look again, and he said softly, "Actually, it may not be an exaggeration..."