In the future, the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy would be the place where "international students" from various nations would study.
Lu Mingyang, the Prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, was at the docks to welcome the delegation.
"Lord Lu, why isn’t Su Mu here?"
Yang Bowen’s gaze swept over the welcoming party on the docks. He saw Lu Mingyang, and also Wu Yiqi, the Inspector from the Inspection Bureau, but he saw no one from the Taiping Bureau.
"Surely you know, Lord Yang, that the Taiping Bureau has never interfered in the affairs of local government offices? This sort of occasion has nothing to do with them, so of course Governor Su wouldn’t be here."
Lu Mingyang said.
Although he was also a Civil Servant, Lu Mingyang couldn’t stand people like Yang Bowen.
’What, did you actually expect the Governor of the Taiping Bureau to come and welcome you?’
’The nerve of this guy.’
’Forget a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue like you. Even if the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue or the Prime Minister himself were to come, the Taiping Bureau wouldn’t come running to the docks to greet you.’
’The Taiping Bureau’s duty is to slay demons and monsters.’
’If they actually showed up, *that’s* when you should be scared.’
"Hmph."
Yang Bowen snorted coldly. "Lord Lu, are the account books for the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy ready?
We are here to conduct a strict audit of the accounts.
If any embezzlement has occurred, I don’t care who is responsible. I will see to it they are brought to justice!"
"All the accounts are in order. You may inspect them however you wish, Lord Yang."
Lu Mingyang said, then walked briskly over to Zhu Jiuyuan and supported him by the arm.
"Teacher, I’m certain you will be very pleased with the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy."
Lu Mingyang began to describe it to his teacher with a smile.
Bailu Academy was renowned throughout Da Xuan, but in the beginning, it had been nothing more than Lu Jiuyuan’s humble thatched hut.
Later, after the academy gained fame, the Da Xuan Court had a proper Bailu Academy constructed on the outskirts of the Capital City, but its scale was nothing compared to this new one in Songjiang Prefecture.
"Lord Lu, enough talk. Shall we go and see the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy for ourselves?"
Prince Gong, Li Chuan, said with a smile.
When he saw Zhu Jiuyuan nod, Lu Mingyang agreed.
He led the group straight to the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy.
A short while later, the group reached the summit of the small mountain where the academy was built.
A vast plaza paved with beautiful white stone, more than a hundred zhang across, spread out before them.
From this spot, one could not only see the entirety of the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy but also overlook the whole of Songjiang Prefecture City.
Awestruck expressions appeared on everyone’s faces. The members of the Beiting Envoy stared wide-eyed, practically drooling at the sight.
"A project of this scale... what was the cost?"
Just as the crowd was expressing their admiration, a discordant voice shattered the atmosphere.
"To construct a Bailu Academy of this magnitude, even for a wealthy prefecture like Songjiang, I doubt a single year’s tax revenue would be sufficient, would it?
Was this silver wrung from the sweat and blood of the common people?"
Yang Bowen said with a cold smile.
"Lord Yang, I don’t know what you mean by ’the sweat and blood of the common people’?!"
Lu Mingyang’s face darkened as he spoke coldly.
That single sentence from Yang Bowen negated months of painstaking effort from all of them.
Lu Mingyang knew very well how much effort he, Su Mu, Wu Yiqi, and the others had poured into making the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy a reality.
’You, Yang Bowen, a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, can’t even earn silver for Da Xuan, so what right do you have to come here and spout such nonsense?’
"I think you know perfectly well what I mean, Lord Lu."
Yang Bowen sneered, "In my opinion, building the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy to these specifications would cost several million taels of silver at the very least. Songjiang Prefecture’s annual tax revenue is merely three million taels. So, Lord Lu, why don’t you tell me how Songjiang Prefecture came up with several million taels of silver!"
"The account books are at the Government Office. If you wish to see them, Lord Yang, you are free to examine them line by line."
Lu Mingyang said coldly, "Most of this silver was raised by Governor Su."
"Raised by Su Mu? And how did he raise it? Through extortion and bullying the innocent, no doubt."
Yang Bowen said icily.
"Lord Yang, you should be careful with your words."
Wu Yiqi suddenly interjected, "It’s a good thing for you that Governor Su isn’t here today. Otherwise, I guarantee your head would already be on the floor."
"What? Would he dare murder a court-appointed official in broad daylight?"
Yang Bowen retorted, "There’s nothing I’ve said that can’t be said openly. Every word I speak is with a clear conscience before heaven and earth!
Inspector Wu, you bear the court’s solemn duty of overseeing all officials. That should be your priority. Why are you taking Su Mu’s side now?"
"I only stand on the side of reason."
Wu Yiqi said, "And in my view, nothing Governor Su has done violates the laws of the Da Xuan Court."
"Fine. It seems Songjiang Prefecture has become Su Mu’s personal domain. None of you dare speak a single ill word of him."
Yang Bowen sneered. "But it doesn’t matter. Prince Gong has come in person this time precisely to uncover the truth.
A mere Governor of the Taiping Bureau can’t possibly hide the truth from everyone!"
Prince Gong’s expression darkened. ’Shout all you want, but why drag me into this?’
’I haven’t said a thing!’
"Putting other things aside for now, Lord Lu, did Su Mu or did he not lend you one million taels of silver?
I ask you, how could a mere Governor with no family backing amass such a vast fortune in just a few short years?
Do you dare claim that he obtained this silver through legitimate means?"
Yang Bowen demanded.
"Of course it was legitimate."
Suddenly, a voice spoke up from the crowd.
All eyes turned toward the speaker.
It was Zhang Zhongmei, the Scholar Dao of Songjiang Prefecture.
"Hmph. I now suspect all you officials of Songjiang Prefecture are in cahoots. Your words, Lord Zhang, are not to be trusted either."
Yang Bowen said.
"Lord Yang, Lord Zhang hasn’t even said anything yet. How can you already decide his words are untrustworthy?"
Prince Gong, Li Chuan, couldn’t help but speak up. He was afraid if he remained silent, Yang Bowen would drag him into this mess.
After all, he was the one in charge of this delegation.
"Fine. I’ll listen to whatever sophistry Lord Zhang has to offer."
Yang Bowen sneered.
The members of the Beiting Envoy looked on, enjoying the spectacle.
Zhu Jiuyuan’s eyelids were lowered, as if he were completely absorbed in the beauty of the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy.
Prince Gong, Li Chuan, suppressed the fury in his heart.
The officials from Songjiang Prefecture had grim expressions, and many of them glared angrily at Yang Bowen.
Yang Bowen, in turn, wore a look of cold, disdainful amusement.
’He refused to believe that someone from a vagrant background could legitimately amass a fortune of one million taels in just a few short years!’
’He, Yang Bowen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, hadn’t managed to accumulate such a fortune even after decades of service and planning.’
’How could a crude Martial Artist like Su Mu possibly manage it?’
’Could Su Mu possibly be better at financial matters than he, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?’
’As long as I press this point, I can definitely expose Su Mu’s corruption. When that happens, even the Taiping Bureau won’t have a word to say!’
"Lord Yang, just because you are incompetent doesn’t mean you should assume everyone else is as incompetent as you are."
Zhang Zhongmei, also enraged by Yang Bowen, let out a pair of cold laughs.
Though Yang Bowen outranked him, he wasn’t the least bit afraid.
He, Zhang Zhongmei, had connections in both high society and the underworld. If pushed too far, he would dare to curse even the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Governor Su is a Weapon Master. A single weapon he forges is worth tens of thousands of taels of silver.
A mere million taels is a sum he could obtain with ease!"
Zhang Zhongmei continued, "How could mediocre, incompetent fools like you possibly comprehend Governor Su’s abilities?"
"A Weapon Master?"
Yang Bowen frowned. ’How did I not know Su Mu was also a Weapon Master?’
"Ridiculous! How old is he? Where would he find the time to cultivate the Weapon Casting Technique while also practicing the Martial Dao?
Even though I know nothing about the Weapon Casting Technique, I do know that becoming a Weapon Master requires a great deal of time and practice."
"Then shut your mouth if you don’t understand!"
Although Zhang Zhongmei was a scholar, he was a Weapon Master at his core. Beneath his gentle and refined exterior hid a fiery temper. He pointed at Yang Bowen’s nose and cursed, "You frog in a well! What right do you have to question Lord Su?
How could the likes of you ever hope to fathom Lord Su’s talent?
I see it clearly now. You didn’t come to inspect the Songjiang Prefecture Bailu Academy at all. You came here to cause trouble!
Prince Gong, if you dare to frame a loyal official, then I, Zhang Zhongmei, though untalented, still possess the backbone of a scholar. I am fully prepared to dash my own brains out on the steps of the imperial palace in protest!"
He took a step forward, a murderous glint in his eyes as he stared down Prince Gong and Yang Bowen.