Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 199 - 166: House Raid_2

"Yes."

Shortly after Song Dekang’s deputy general exited, a man in his forties or fifties entered. He had an elegant appearance and a scholarly demeanor.

As he entered, he respectfully greeted Grandmaster Liu and Song Dekang: "Subordinate greets Grandmaster Liu, greets General Song."

General Song quickly stepped forward and helped Liang Shuren up.

"Please rise, Mr. Liang. No need for such formalities."

Liang Shuren expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, General Song, thank you, Grandmaster Liu."

Grandmaster Liu pointed to another chair and said to Liang Shuren, "Mr. Liang, please have a seat."

"Thank you, Grandmaster." Liang Shuren took a seat next to Song Dekang.

"Mr. Liang, what brings you to me? Is there some important matter?" Grandmaster Liu asked gently.

"In response to Grandmaster, indeed, I have something to discuss concerning salt."

"Salt?" Grandmaster Liu was slightly startled, "I know the noble families and wealthy merchants in Yangzhou have always traded salt with the Shudi region. You’ve mentioned this in a memorial to the emperor, is there something else?"

Liang Shuren respectfully replied, "I have just received news that the Shudi region needs so much salt to smelt a certain mineral. It is said that if successful, it can forge indestructible weapons."

"What?" exclaimed Grandmaster Liu and Song Dekang simultaneously.

"It’s heard that a new mineral has been discovered in the Shudi region, and smelting it requires a lot of salt. The salt in Shudi is barely enough for consumption, there is no extra for smelting, hence the business with Yangzhou." After receiving Zhao Yao’s letter, Liang Shuren contacted his clan members in Shudi.

A branch of the Liang family fled to Shudi during the previous dynasty’s chaos and settled there. Over the years, they had been secretly maintaining contact with this clan branch.

Grandmaster Liu quickly asked, "What mineral is it?"

Liang Shuren shook his head, "Subordinate doesn’t know what mineral it is. Even Han Zhong is unaware but says that the chances of successful smelting are slim."

"What kind of mineral could forge indestructible weapons?" Song Dekang suddenly thought of something, his expression turning tense, "If Han Zhong’s brat succeeds in smelting it, he’ll surely rise in rebellion. Grandmaster, we cannot let Han Zhong’s brat succeed."

Grandmaster Liu said gravely, "If that’s the case, the plan to attack Shudi must be expedited."

Song Dekang became excited instantly, "After waiting so long, finally the time has come to deal with Han Zhong’s brat." He stood up, eager to go, "I shall return tomorrow, no, I’ll return to the capital right away..."

Grandmaster Liu interrupted Song Dekang, "Why the rush?"

"Lao Liu, we must act quickly against Han Zhong’s brat. If they actually forge indestructible weapons, it’s over for us." Song Dekang said solemnly, "We must eliminate him before his success."

"The matters in Yangzhou aren’t settled yet, where do you think you’re going?" Grandmaster Liu glared at Song Dekang, "Stay put."

"But, Lao Liu, if I’m late, Lao Hu and the others will get ahead of me." Song Dekang urgently said, "I have to hurry back, or else I won’t have a share in dealing with Han Zhong’s brat."

"What if Yangzhou descends into chaos when you leave?" Grandmaster Liu sternly said, "Have you forgotten the emperor’s orders?"

Only when Grandmaster Liu reminded him, did Song Dekang recall the emperor’s instructions before coming to Yangzhou. He immediately yielded: "I haven’t forgotten."

"Since you haven’t forgotten, stay obediently in Yangzhou." Though the noble families in Yangzhou were captured, there might still be hidden forces. To guard against any residual threats, Song Dekang and his army must remain in Yangzhou.

Song Dekang deflated instantly: "Seems I won’t have a share in dealing with Han Zhong’s brat now."

"Even if you return now, you can’t attack Shudi at will." Grandmaster Liu retorted, "Is Shudi a place you can just attack at your will?"

"I still need to stay in Yangzhou for a while."

Both Song Dekang and Grandmaster Liu had to remain in Yangzhou for some time. They were to temporarily administer Yangzhou until new officials could be appointed and acclimated, only then could they return to the capital.

After hearing Song Dekang and Grandmaster Liu’s conversation, Liang Shuren interjected, "General Song, I think your concerns are excessive."

"Excessive? What do you mean?"

"Without the large salt supply from Yangzhou, Shudi cannot continue smelting that unknown mineral." Liang Shuren explained, "Furthermore, that mineral is extremely difficult to smelt, and Shudi has never succeeded."

"Mr. Liang, where did you get this information?" Song Dekang curiously asked.

"Our Liang family has a clan branch in Shudi."

"Ah?"

"During the previous dynasty’s chaos, this branch fled to Shudi and settled there." Liang Shuren truthfully reported, "These years, we’ve always maintained contact with them."

Grandmaster Liu had a look of realization, "No wonder you knew about the salt transactions between the Yangzhou family and Han Zhong."

This statement made Liang Shuren feel a bit guilty because the information didn’t come from his clan, but from his beloved grandson’s report.

"Without the salt from Yangzhou, Shudi cannot continue smelting that mineral." Liang Shuren comforted Song Dekang, "You need not worry about an uprising in Shudi."

"Is that so?" Song Dekang looked disappointedly, "I was hoping to have a justified reason to openly deal with Han Zhong’s brat."

"Mr. Liang, I will report this matter to the emperor."

"Thank you, Grandmaster."

"You’re welcome, Mr. Liang." Grandmaster Liu added, "The smooth handling of Yangzhou’s matters owes much to Mr. Liang’s assistance."

Song Dekang quickly agreed, "Mr. Liang, your contribution is indispensable this time."

Liang Shuren humbly said, "The smooth resolution of Yangzhou’s matters is credited to General Song and Grandmaster. Subordinate did not do much."

"You informed us of Dong Jin’s hiding place, which was crucial." When Song Dekang first arrived in Yangzhou, he couldn’t immediately find Dong Jin. Dong Jin had been hiding in Yangzhou and was protected by the noble families, making him difficult to find. If not for Liang Shuren’s tip about Dong Jin’s location, Song Dekang wouldn’t have found him so soon.

"I was just lucky." Dong Jin’s hiding place was relayed to Liang Shuren in a letter from Zhao Yao.

Grandmaster Liu said, "Mr. Liang, there’s no need for modesty, your contribution this time is significant."

"It’s really General Song and Grandmaster who deserve the credit." After finishing this matter, Liang Shuren glanced at Grandmaster Liu, hesitant to speak.

"Mr. Liang, speak openly if you have more to say."

Liang Shuren hesitated before asking, "Grandmaster, I wish to inquire about the matters concerning Consort Ji and the Tenth Prince."

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