Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 46 Using Another's Strength to Fight Back

On the first day of the seventh month of the 47th year of the Wanli reign, the Great Heat had just passed and the Beginning of Autumn was approaching.

The atmosphere in the officialdom of Jinan Prefecture has been strange these past few days. Since his humiliating return from Lu Ji's camp, Zhou Daodeng, the Deputy Commissioner of the Provincial Surveillance Commission, has been feigning illness and refusing to leave his post. Even the once arrogant and domineering Revenue Department Clerk Sun has recently learned to avoid Lu Ji's entourage.

But that's not enough.

Lu Yan stood in the newly built council hall of the Imperial Timber Bureau of the Imperial Household Department, looking down at the entire camp through the large glass windows (imported from Tianjin).

"The dirt can only be used once; it's a tactical deterrent," Lu Yan said to Hu Jingshui behind him. "Zhou Daodeng may be afraid, but he's afraid of losing his position, not me. Once he finds a stronger backer, or destroys the evidence I have, he'll retaliate even more fiercely."

"Boss, what should we do? Find some more dirt on us?" Hu Jingshui asked.

"No. Scandals are underhanded tactics and shouldn't be discussed openly."

Lu Yan turned around and pointed to the huge Shandong map behind him.

"We want to turn Lu Ji's private affairs into 'public affairs' for all officials in Jinan Prefecture. We want to turn our risks into threats to their official positions."

"This is called—risk bundling."

……

On the fifth day of the seventh lunar month, Lu Ji's camp was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

This day was not a holiday, but a "political show" meticulously planned by Lu Yan—the "Joint Meeting on Security for the Northern Transport of Imperial Timber".

This was a new term in the Ming Dynasty, but the guests who came were of considerable importance.

Seated at the head of the table was Liu Cheng, the Director of the Imperial Horse Administration, who had come specially from Tianjin. He represented the inner court, an extension of imperial power.

On the left, seated as a guest, was Zhou Daodeng, the Vice Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, who had no choice but to come with a forced smile, along with the Prefect of Jinan, the Assistant Prefect, and a host of other powerful local figures.

On the right were the captain of the Jinan Prefecture Garrison and several prominent local gentry representatives (Huang Zhongxi also sat in the corner with a dark expression).

As the host, Lu Yan did not sit in the main seat, but stood in the center of the hall, holding a pointer and pointing to a huge "Grand Canal Logistics Security Map".

"My lords, my lord."

Lu Yan's voice was clear and bright, exuding the confidence and composure of a professional manager reporting on their work.

"The procurement of imperial timber is the most important matter for Emperor Wanli's mausoleum construction. Nowadays, the White Lotus Sect is rampant, and bandits are roaming along the canal. Last month, Lu's company was besieged by hundreds of thugs in the Zhangqiu mining area."

Lu Yan glanced at Zhou Daodeng, whose lips twitched slightly. He then awkwardly lowered his head to drink his tea.

"To ensure the safety of the imperial timber, Lu drafted a 'Regulations for Joint Military-Civilian Security Construction'."

Lu Yan waved his hand, and several maids delivered beautifully bound documents to the officials.

"First, establish the 'Imperial Timber Security Command.' Eunuch Liu will serve as the commander-in-chief, with Vice Envoy Zhou and the Prefect as deputy commanders-in-chief. The Lu Family Guard will serve as the 'Execution Brigade,' subject to the command's orders."

"This..." The prefect of Jinan flipped through the documents, somewhat hesitant. "Scholar Lu, although this is well-intentioned, I am an official in charge of governing the people. It would be against the rules for me to interfere in imperial affairs, wouldn't it?"

"Your Excellency is too modest," Lu Yan smiled slightly. "This is hardly interference; it's 'cooperation.' If anything happens to the imperial timber in Jinan, you gentlemen will also bear responsibility. Conversely, if the imperial timber is safely transported to the capital, Eunuch Liu has said that none of your names will be missing from this record of merit."

Liu Cheng coughed at the opportune moment and said in a effeminate tone, "When I left, my ancestor Wang Tiqian specifically instructed me that Shandong is a good place, and if the officials are sensible and capable, the Imperial Household Department will not forget them. I originally intended to submit this memorial about the Zhangqiu miners' riot, but considering that Vice Envoy Zhou 'timely' dispatched troops to assist in the suppression, I suppressed it."

Zhou Daodeng's back was instantly soaked with sweat.

This was both a warning and a way to save face. The so-called "sending troops to assist" was actually what Lu Yan had done when he led troops to besiege Lu's company, but Lu Yan interpreted it as "assisting with security."

This blatant distortion of the truth is nothing short of a stroke of genius.

"Secondly," Lu Yan continued, "in order to improve security efficiency, Lu's Group is willing to fund the repair of the official road from the south of Jinan City to the canal wharf, and set up three 'police stations' along the way. The daily expenses of these three stations will be borne by Lu's Group; however, the garrison battalion should send people to guard them, and Lu's Group will give each brother two taels of 'hardship allowance' every month."

The garrison commander's eyes lit up instantly. Two taels of silver! His soldiers only received a few coins a month, and those were often deducted. This was like a windfall!

"Excellent! Scholar Lu, you are truly righteous! I hereby agree to this!" The captain thumped his chest loudly. "From now on, anyone who dares to act recklessly on the official road will be going against my garrison!"

"third……"

Lu Yan's gaze swept over Huang Zhongxi in the corner, and his tone became meaningful.

"The Imperial Timber Bureau needs large quantities of coal and iron urgently. In order to prevent accidents like 'mine collapses' from happening again, Lu suggested that all blacksmith shops and coal yards in Jinan Prefecture be included in the 'Imperial Timber Supply Chain Whitelist'."

"Those on the list will receive priority purchasing from Lu's, at fair prices. Those not on the list..."

Lu Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze chillingly cold:

"Then they will be considered 'unreliable suppliers,' or even... potential saboteurs. In that case, the command may need to conduct some 'necessary investigations' for the safety of the royal family."

The teacup in Huang Zhongxi's hand shattered with a "crack".

This is a blatant conspiracy!

What whitelist? This is forcing them to choose sides! If they don't cooperate with Lu's Group, they'll be labeled as "sabotaging the imperial envoy" and wiped out by this newly formed "joint enforcement team"!

Looking at the greedy and excited eyes of the officials around him, Huang Zhongxi knew that the Jinan Chamber of Commerce's blockade had completely collapsed.

"How is it, gentlemen?"

Lu Yan put away his pointer, a standard professional smile on his face.

"This charter not only protects the imperial timber and secures the local area, but also fills the pockets of all you officials. Do you understand the implications of this calculation?"

"I understand! I understand perfectly!"

Zhou Daodeng was the first to stand up, declaring with righteous indignation, "I admire Scholar Lu's dedication to public service! I will gladly assume the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of this command post! Anyone who dares to sabotage the imperial timber procurement will be the first to face my wrath!"

"This government also seconds the motion!"

"This humble general is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse!"

The hall instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere. The tense confrontation that had been brewing had transformed into close cooperation under the magic of "shared benefits" and "shared risks."

Lu Yan stood in the center of the crowd, watching these parasites of the Ming Dynasty celebrate their victory.

He didn't feel disgusted; instead, he felt a sense of accomplishment, like an engineer watching a complex piping system finally being cleared.

He leveraged the power of the emperor (Liu Cheng), combined with the greed (profit sharing) and fear (dirt) of local officials, and added commercial carrots (procurement) to successfully build a "community of interests" centered around Lu Ji.

From today onwards, Lu Ji will no longer be fighting alone.

The officials, soldiers, and merchants of Jinan Prefecture are all bound to the "Imperial Wood" chariot. Want to get off? Not a chance.