At that moment Jia Xing realised she's standing in front of the Emperor, but she was not intimidated because she's the one who chats with the Gods and the one standing before her is also the ninth brother 'he' mentions affectionately . She harrumphed and said in a clear tone, "Your Majesty! It's about the Ming family"
" What's there to it, 'zhen' have received definite proof of hoarding, tax evasion and even conspiring against the throne. Each of it on its own is a crime of capital punishment and combined, it's familial execution.. But zhen does not want to give such severe punishment to a family who have served this empire for centuries. "
And, you'd be a fool if you did that, bet you are not! She thought.
Although Xing didn't care much about the Ming family's business, she knew they are the most prominent and respected family in the West Province. Although the merchant families are looked down by Noble families, the Ming family was respected and had the loyalty of the people of Western Province.
The Western Province was once very prosperous. The capital city of the province, Caijing was like a paradise for merchants and two centuries back it was the Imperial Capital City until it was changed by the Scarlet Tiger. Later by the government's negligence bandits and looters increased closing many businesses.When the people heard that the third prince was being sent here, they rejoiced thinking that the government will start caring. But the prince disappeared before reaching here and the negligence of the province by the government continued. Also there was a biggest library in the city that was destroyed by fire eight years ago. Even so the government didn't care. When the people lost all hope a vigilante known as 'snow wolf' appeared and helped people with the bandits. Also the people joined hands in fighting off the bandits without depending on the government. Lord Ming helped many people by lending money or help make connections for businesses. Even when there was drought one year, he gave rice from his own keeps to the people in need. The people know that the reason they are still fine is because of the charity of Lord Ming who got sick a year ago. He was a good man, but failed to raise his sons properly. They are not generous like their father. Only after their father's sickness, they started doing shady things. But they didn't know their brother young master Ming is one of the Crimson Jade Brothers and helps the people. They don't even know their deeds are exposed by their brother and death is looming on them. And now it's up to Xing to save their lives. Actually she hates Haru's brothers but she will not let him to be the reason for their death even though they deserve it. Also Haru is a Ming too. Although he has plans to escape, she cannot let him run away from his home losing everything he had built here like a thief. So she has to find a solution to this problem.
The Emperor would also want to solve this issue with care. He is new to this power and if he does not handle his subjects carefully he would suffer losses.Especially the Western province whose people already have a bad impression about the government. They would not like it when after a decade of negligence, the government's first act in the province would be to eliminate the one family who helped them through their crisis. People here usually pay their debts. For the Ming family they will even give their life. It may even lead to civil war. No ruler would want a civil war in their rule. But he cannot be lenient with the Ming brother's crime either. There should be a balance where he cannot be seen too weak or too tyrannical.
She looked at the emperor. He doesn't look like a fool like most say, nor does he seem very interested in becoming a great ruler. This issue with the Ming family doesn't need the emperor's direct interventions. But he came here personally, not as an official visit but secretly. It's like he suddenly found a reason to be here and used the Ming family issue to come here. Was it because the rumours that the Ming brothers are colluding with the third prince, he had to personally come here? Well whatever… She thought, The Third Prince is not here anyway.
Seeing her deep in thought the emperor asked, " I know you are here for your friend. The other one who was with you is Ming Yushen, Lord Ming's legal wife's son isn't he? I know he's the one who delivered the letter for investigation . So what would you do if you are in my position? ".
She laughed " hehe.. Your majesty, you are pretty knowledgeable. No one can hide anything from you. Although I'm not as knowledgeable as your highness or worthless to be advising a wise Monarch like you, I will be bold enough to give a suggestion", she bowed.
Damn you, Haru! I hate talking like this. If only you were not my friend, I will kill you myself!
" Continue..", the Emperor said calmly with a tint of curious Ness in his tone.
" The Ming family is really loved by the people here. Only the Concubine's sons are guilty. Ming Yushen is loved by everyone. Lord Ming's failure to raise his sons properly should be punished. So take his title and make young master Ming Yushen the family head. Also about the salt hoarding, seize the Ming family's salt business including all their salt beds and salt storages. As for the brothers, spare their life and punish them as you wish".
The emperor was shocked by her suggestion. He thought that this person would beg for forgiveness or ask to spare their life in exchange for the favour of previously saving the emperor, but actually he suggested a seemingly wise punishment that would make him look stern and considerate ruler.
He smiled and said, " So only your friend is spared?, what about the port the Ming family owns? "
" Your Majesty said yourself he's the reason you came to know of this corruption. He also saved your majesty's life before. It's only normal for an emperor to reward his loyal subject. You can't be stingy with a person who proved his loyalty to the throne", she bowed her head.
"Ha.. ha.. ha.. ", the emperor laughed." You are interesting.. No one came up with such solution back in the imperial court. ", Wait.. Someone did, didn't he?
"So have you accepted my solution?"
" Not yet… I heard that people here don't accept outsiders. Also the Ming family has a secret technique for making salt which won't be known to others. If I seize the salt business from the Ming family, won't that affect the salt production? Salt is an important business in our nation afterall. Or is that your plan all along? " he asked with his eyebrows pulled together.
" No.. No.. Your majesty, this one doesn't dare. You can make a Ministry of Salt and regulate the production and trading of salt. Also regarding the technique of salt production, Haru, I mean.. Ming Yushen will give the patent to the Ministry of salt. This way you can gain control over the entire western province. Also your majesty is right about people here not accepting outsiders so you should select some official who has blood ties with here and knows about salt. That way the transition would be smooth ".
" That's new.. How did you come up with Ministry of salt? ", he asked with raised eyebrows. Even he didn't come up with that...
" It's nothing new really, I read somewhere that at a situation like this, Emperor Sovereign Scarlet Tiger came up with the Ministry of Rice as solution, taking over the rice from then wealthy Chu family. The rice ministry still functions well, surely your highness knows this ".
" You read somewhere? Not even the scholars in my court knows this much from the past. You clearly are well educated. Why don't you write the court exams for entering the imperial Court? We need smart people like you "
" Does this mean that your majesty accepted my proposal" she asked excitingly.
He really won't budge from his decision. That's a shame, but "Accepting your proposal depends on how truthfully you answer my questions" he said in a deep tone with his eyes staring at Xing's eyes with deep emotions.
Oh right! He needs something too….