The weather in Pingjiang Prefecture these days has been as gloomy as people's hearts. The news that the former prefect, Mr. Liu, has been suspended from his position for further investigation has not yet been fully digested. Another even more explosive piece of news, like a huge rock thrown into the already turbulent lake, has stirred up a huge wave - the new salt Transport Commissioner of the Pingjiang Branch of the Two Huai Salt Transport Commissioner has taken office!
The newly appointed salt transport commissioner is surnamed Zhao and given name Bingjun. It is said that he was parachutes directly from the capital. His resume is unknown and his background is mysterious. On his first day in office, instead of paying a visit to local gentry as was customary, he did not engage in feints with major business firms. Instead, he directly summoned all the officials in Pingjiang Prefecture who were related to salt and canal transportation, as well as several of the largest salt merchants, for a brief but menacingly fierce meeting.
The content of the meeting spread throughout the streets and alleys of Pingjiang Prefecture at an astonishing speed through various channels, either overt or covert. Especially in the business circle, it was like a huge uproar.
The core content is only one: The new Minister Zhao announced that, in accordance with the secret order of the superior, starting from now, an unprecedented special investigation will be carried out on business firms in Pingjiang Prefecture and its surrounding areas, targeting "donation insinuations" and "hidden assets" (also known as "hidden shares")! All business firms are strictly ordered to conduct self-examination and self-correction within a specified period. Those who confess will be lenient, while those who resist will be severely punished! If it is found that one has concealed the information, not only will the taxes of previous years be recovered and a huge fine be imposed, but the person in charge will also be severely punished without any leniency!
The donation alludes to... Conceal assets... "Investigate hidden shares..."
In the backyard of the Splendid Pavilion, in the brightly lit accounting room, Li Molan looked at the urgent news sent back from outside. She felt that every word was like a cold needle, pricking her scalp.
The so-called "hidden shares", in this era, is almost an "unspoken rule" that exists to some extent in all businesses of a certain scale. Some official families, gentry and powerful clans, and even temples and Taoist monasteries, who were not convenient to show up, would "donate" or "secretly entrust" their assets and farmlands under various pretexts to reputable and well-managed business names. They would use the business names as a cover to conduct business and make profits, while evading some taxes and government supervision. Business firms can thereby gain a powerful backing and protective umbrella, achieving mutual benefit and coexistence.
This is a kind of shady operation that has been tacitly approved by all parties for many years. Everyone tacitly understood each other and was on good terms.
But now, this newly arrived Lord Zhao is actually going to completely break through this layer of paper? !
What is he going to do? "!" Wang Xiuniang's voice was filled with incredulous horror and a hint of fear. "Push all the businesses to the limit?" In Pingjiang Prefecture, which big business firm doesn't have some kind of entanglements behind it? If a thorough investigation is to be carried out, wouldn't it mean turning the entire business community of Pingjiang Prefecture upside down? "!"
I'm afraid... This is exactly his purpose. Li Molan's face was as pale as paper, but her eyes were unusually calm. She forced herself to analyze the logic behind this, "This Lord Zhao has no ill intentions." Either, he was truly entrusted with a secret order to take this opportunity to rectify the administration and enrich the national Treasury. Either... He just wants to use this approach to cut through the knot with a sharp knife and reshuffle the interest pattern of Pingjiang Prefecture, for some... Specific individuals or forces, clear the obstacles and pave the way!
No matter which possibility it is, for the Splendid Pavilion, it is no different from a catastrophic disaster!
Perhaps the Jinxiu Pavilion itself did not actively absorb the "hidden shares" of any official, and Lord Shen was also considered to have kept himself clean and upright during his lifetime. However, for the sake of business convenience and to smooth out loopholes, over the years, there have inevitably been some unclear financial transactions and personal connections with other business firms and even some minor officials. Moreover, in order to rapidly expand the "Dandelion" network, they have recently secretly mobilized a huge and covert flow of funds. If someone with ulterior motives targets them and insists on relying on "hidden assets", it would be like yellow mud falling into their trouser legs - it's either shit or shit!
The most fatal thing is... Li Molan's voice was extremely difficult. "The message says..." At the meeting, although Lord Zhao did not name names, he emphasized... Some emerging business firms, with unstable foundations, have expanded rapidly and their account transactions are extraordinary. There is a suspicion that they are concealing assets for lawbreakers...
Emerging business name? Rapid expansion? Abnormal accounts?
This is almost like pointing at the nose of the Splendid Pavilion and cursing!
They had previously caused quite a stir in response to Su Ji's suppression and public opinion attacks. And because of the invitation from the governor's wife (though they didn't go) and their reputation as "extraordinary women", they have seemingly become the most popular "emerging force" in Pingjiang Prefecture recently.
Now it seems that the so-called "fame in Pingjiang" is by no means a good thing; instead, it has become a knife hanging over one's head! They were pushed to the forefront of public attention and became the new salt transport envoys to raise their authority and offer sacrifices... Best goal!
Bear the brunt... Our Jinxiu Pavilion is the first to be affected! Wang Xiuniang slumped onto the chair in a daze, her face completely flushed.
Who is driving all this behind the scenes? Su Ji? Canal Transport Office? Or... The one who has completely leaned towards the former... Young Master Shen Yu?
Li Molan dared not think any further. She only knew that the time left for them was running out. Since this Lord Zhao has spoken out, the next step is bound to be a thunderous action! At that time, the account books will be sealed up, the clerks will be questioned, and even people will be arrested directly... All are possible things!
Sister Mo LAN, what should we do now? Shall we... Hurry up and get some important account books... Wang Xiuniang asked eagerly, a trace of panic flashing in her eyes.
"Too late!" Li Molan suddenly interrupted her, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes. "Hiding and destroying the account books at the last moment now will only make the attempt to cover up more obvious and give others a handle!" Moreover, do you think they won't send someone to keep an eye on us before they make a move?
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down: "For now, there is only..." Drag!
"Drag?"
"Right, drag!" Li Molan spoke at an extremely fast pace. "On the one hand, we need to immediately sort out a set of 'clean' account books that can handle inspections, rationalize all sensitive transactions as much as possible, or..." Push it to the side of Governor Liu, who has already lost power! On the other hand... We must do it right now! Try every possible way! Convey this news and our situation to the second young lady in the fastest and safest way!
She paused for a moment, her voice deep and solemn: "Now, perhaps the only one who can save the Splendid Pavilion is..." On the second miss's side, is there anything else we don't know... It's time to move on.
In the business circle of Pingjiang Prefecture, everyone is already on edge. Amid the alarm, countless business owners couldn't sleep all night, busy burning old debts, using connections to gather information, and preparing money to deal with possible extortion. A storm of investigation initiated by the new salt transport commissioner hung over the hearts of every merchant like dark clouds.
The Jinxiu Pavilion, located at the center of the storm, is like a solitary boat in the surging waves, ready to capsize at any moment.
Meanwhile, in Fengqiao Town, abandoned earthenware kilns.
When Afu returned at the risk of his life again, bringing the latest developments in Pingjiang Prefecture, especially the news of the new salt Transport commissioner's investigation into "hidden shares", Shen Ruoxin was facing an oil lamp, carefully studying an extremely rough map of the surrounding area that she had bought at a high price from a nearby village.
When she heard the words "investigating hidden stocks", "emerging business firms" and "being the first to be affected", her hand gave a sudden jolt and the edge of the map was cut by her fingernail.
Here it comes!
Faster than she expected! Even more ruthless!
The Canal Transport Office and Su Ji were going to use the new Salt Transport Commissioner as a knife to uproote her and the Splendid Pavilion completely! Even going so far as to stir up panic in the entire business community of Pingjiang Prefecture! What a huge gesture! What a poisonous strategy!
She could almost imagine that at this moment, Pingjiang Prefecture must be in a state of panic and everyone was on high alert. And her elder brother Shen Yu is probably hiding in the dark, looking at all this with pride, ready to take over the "fat meat" of the Jinxiu Pavilion that is about to be "cleared" out at any time!
Despair, like a cold tide, instantly welled up in my heart. It seems that Pingjiang Prefecture's escape route has really been completely blocked!
Her gaze subconsciously turned towards the entrance of the clay kiln, and that crazy thought in her heart resurfaced once again.
The messenger sent by Uncle Wang to contact that person has been gone for almost a day and a night... There hasn't been any reply yet.
That person... Will you come?
In the face of this "inspection storm" triggered by the salt diversion dispute and personally led by the new salt transport commissioner, the "he" who is also walking on the edge of the knife, will he choose to protect himself or... Willing to get involved in this mess?
Shen Ruoxin didn't know.
All she knew was that all her hopes seemed to be pinned on that unknown variable. And the time left for her is running out. The sharp sword of investigation may fall at any moment!