1.20 Lord Kobayashi, of course, deserves the highest credit.

Volume One

Chapter 1.20: Lord Kobayashi Takes the Lead

Yangzhou was unusually quiet.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed. It was late April now. Although rumors still swirled in the market streets, the intensity of the gossip had begun to fade. Yet within every level of government office and officialdom, it was as if nothing had happened—no measures had been taken whatsoever.

It was as though the nearly three hundred corpses displayed in front of the Cheng family estate had never existed.

As if Yangzhou had never known a salt inspector named Lin Ruhai.

Meanwhile, on the official roads from Jiangnan to the capital, and along the vital north-south artery of the Grand Canal, swift horses and light boats darted back and forth, weaving an intricate web so dense it could no longer be ignored.

No one cared to conceal anything, yet everyone pretended not to see.

Perhaps, this was the net itself.

The main hall of the Yangzhou Prefectural Office.

“Young Master Lin, you’re really presenting us with quite a challenge!” The Prefect of Yangzhou wore a very grim expression.

Lin Rui immediately frowned.

The title “Young Master” applied to all young men from prominent families, but the way the man used it now was deliberate, clearly denying Lin Rui’s official status and placing him among commoners.

Although the purchase of an official title did not confer much prestige, that was a notion reserved for the imperial court.

Even at the prefectural or county office level, such a person would have a designated seat.

“A challenge?” Seeing this, Lin Rui was naturally unyielding. “Since I am still here awaiting your summons, Prefect, and able to remain seated, it means this matter is not so serious.”

The Prefect of Yangzhou glared at him fiercely, only to be met with a disdainful sneer.

“Very well, very well! Lord Kobayashi is truly as capable as his reputation suggests!” After a moment, his expression suddenly calmed, and he deliberately clapped his hands a few times, as if paying tribute. “No wonder you are the outstanding youth who has studied under Lord Lin for two years.”

Young man, you are still inexperienced.

“Unfortunately, you have yet to learn enough. After all, staying by Uncle Lin’s side, you simply cannot master the art of ‘observing success and failure without interference,’” Lin Rui shot back with no intention of sparing his pride, causing the man’s face to change instantly. “But this is enough. Anything more would be shameless.”

“You don’t really think this Prefect is powerless against you, do you?” The Prefect of Yangzhou could no longer maintain any decorum. “Everyone in Jiangnan knows that you, Lin Rui, and Lin Anping are strong enough to shoulder great burdens and unbeatable by a hundred men—but you cannot hold back an army of thousands. As soon as I send a formal report to Yangzhou Guard—”

“But that’s enough to drag your entire family down with you!” Lin Rui interrupted with disdain, for this was the foundation of his confidence. “Three hundred elite soldiers can’t accomplish much, but they have bought me enough time to enter the capital and arrange the next steps!

By then, though I am a purchased official, I will have enough standing to strike the drum of complaint at the palace gates and petition the emperor. You may claim ignorance of Uncle Lin’s assassination, and say the assassin slipping into the city was an oversight, but the fire that raged through the Lin estate all night will be enough to burn you all to ashes!”

As long as he could escape Jiangnan, the rest was no problem—just a matter of travel.

Killing an official was rebellion; that was an ironclad rule.

In times of peace, the assassination of a distinguished salt inspector was a capital offense. For local officials to ignore this was tantamount to death.

Not only the Prefect of Yangzhou, but also the education commissioner, assistant magistrate, and deputy magistrate — every official stationed within Yangzhou city, theoretically responsible for its governance — all would pay with their lives.

It was difficult to punish the masterminds behind the scenes, but it was easy to kill a few minor players to “balance the books.”

The Prefect of Yangzhou suddenly stood to face him, though it would be useless.

“Ha ha ha—” After a long pause, he burst into a joyful laugh. “Yet here you sit, Lord Kobayashi, calmly managing the Lin family’s affairs and even finding time to take concubines and enjoy life despite your uncle’s murder. Are you not fully aware of your impending death, indulging in pleasure?”

“You said it yourself: uncle. The Lin family of Gusu, once noble officials in the former Ming dynasty, although the Great Zhou still recognizes titles, it has been too long,” Lin Rui feigned indifference, knowing full well that even by blood ties he was not closely related to Lin Ruhai.

Mourning? Impossible!

Of course, this was just talk; by right and gratitude, he had to wear mourning clothes.

“Hmph!” The Prefect darkened, knowing there was no harm in this exchange.

“Looks like we’ve said enough idle talk. Shall we get down to business?” Lin Rui sneered and locked eyes with him. “After all, Prefect, you are a busy man, yet you summoned me here today. It surely isn’t just to show off your power?”

“Seems Lord Kobayashi intends to return to the capital?” The Prefect did not want to beat around the bush any longer. “As an official serving the court, it is naturally inconvenient for me to move recklessly. I can only wish you a smooth journey.”

“Prefect, you flatter me!” Lin Rui was even less inclined to waste words. “I am still young, with many bright years ahead to enjoy. Yangzhou is pleasant, but it is by no means a place to stay long. This place still needs you and the other local governors; I’d rather not cause any more trouble.”

“Do you have any plans after returning to the capital?” The Prefect nodded.

Now you can make your conditions.

“Naturally, I will continue serving the court,” Lin Rui said frankly—such matters could not be concealed. “As the saying goes, ‘no merit, no salary.’ Since I am about to return, if I have credit for investigating the Cheng family case, the court will surely not treat a meritorious official unfairly.

However, though I led the team to capture the Cheng family, I was not present during the seizure. Since you, Prefect, have invited me specifically to discuss this, I suppose much has already been handled. Would you care to briefly explain, so I may prepare for my return?”

“Ha ha ha! Lord Kobayashi truly is the outstanding protégé of Lin the Scholar!” The Prefect finally smiled with satisfaction. “To be frank with you, the Cheng family evaded salt taxes for years and dared to trade in smuggled salt, earning vast profits.

After tallying with my colleagues, we seized nearly a million taels in gold, silver, and valuables this time, along with numerous properties. The total is estimated at over two million taels. Adding in the seizure from the He family, the sum is over four million taels!”

Though Lin Rui had anticipated such figures, he could not help but rise sharply.

He did not know the Cheng family’s exact wealth, but excluding secret silver reserves and real estate uncovered later, the loot his soldiers had taken amounted to no less than three hundred thousand taels.

Bear in mind, this was just the tip of the iceberg—small items seized openly.

By comparison, the great salt merchants of the Qing dynasty in modern history had fortunes not less than tens of millions.

Yet this scoundrel dared claim four million taels, including nearly three million from the He family’s seizure. Compared to the truth, it was probably not even thirty percent.

This was no corruption—it was ruthless greed!

But what could he do?

He gritted his teeth and slowly sat back down.

“Indeed, Prefect, you have worked hard. I have no objections.” After enduring for a moment, he had no choice but to accept. “Only, without me leading the charge this time, I doubt you would have achieved such credit.”

“Lord Kobayashi naturally takes the lead!” The Prefect agreed. “Once this report is completed, I will jointly submit it with my colleagues in the city. But tell me, Lord Kobayashi, what do you think of this?”

“As the saying goes, ‘blend in with the dust and light,’ I have no exceptions,” Lin Rui nodded. “But on this report, all the gentlemen have pressing duties. In what capacity should I sign?”

He was a purchased official with no real rank. Even if listed as the lead contributor, it would be meaningless. When rewards were distributed, whoever was in charge would overlook him first and give him a token arrangement at best.

The solution was simple—a titular appointment. The Great Zhou had a surplus of officials; a title could be bought many times over but was merely a hollow rank.

However, when relationships were strong and merit rewarded, it could serve as a starting point.

“Since Lord Kobayashi holds a fifth-rank post and commands troops, there happens to be a deputy commander position vacant at Yangzhou Guard for years. Why not take it here?” The Prefect spoke lightly.

“As an assistant magistrate, I am naturally a civil official,” Lin Rui immediately declined.

The Great Zhou inherited the Ming dynasty’s problem of favoring civil officials over military ones. Although it was not as severe as a county magistrate of seventh rank yelling at a general of third rank, it was serious enough. Though a fifth-rank deputy commander sounded good, in the capital it meant nothing.

“You dare to dream big, Lord Kobayashi,” the Prefect glared.

Though Yangzhou was a prefecture, it was famed for its wealth and high status in Jiangnan, second only to the recognized “reserve capital” Jinling by half a rank. The Prefect of Yangzhou was fourth rank, and the assistant magistrate was half a rank lower, a genuine fifth-rank.

Lin Rui’s purchased fifth rank was the highest attainable by money but still insufficient.

“What do you think, Prefect?” So he did not expect much.

“I have several deputy magistrates under me managing affairs. There happens to be a vacant position for a commissioner of wanted criminals. I will arrange that for you,” the Prefect pondered briefly before speaking. “A genuine sixth-rank post with a fifth-rank honorary title. How does that sound?”

“Since you offer, Prefect, I have no objections,” Lin Rui knew this was the best he could get, but it didn’t stop him from adding a safeguard. “Moreover, the current Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel’s Department of Merit and Integrity, Xu Jin—Lord Xu Wenzhong—is a close friend of my uncle. This will make matters easier upon my return.”

The Prefect’s expression changed sharply.

“So Lord Kobayashi has made preparations,” he said after a moment with a forced smile. “In that case, I won’t detain you further. When do you plan to depart for the capital?”

“First, I must have my name on the report,” Lin Rui said calmly. “Second, Yangzhou to the capital is a thousand li apart—‘poor family, rich road.’ I am not as well off as you, Prefect.”

“A deputy commander’s departure allowance: thirty thousand taels. How about that?” The Prefect frowned.

“On behalf of my men, I thank you for your kindness!” Lin Rui took it as a bonus, however much it might be. “It’s late; please rest early, Prefect. I take my leave!”

The Prefect nodded, watching him leave the room.