Liang Shixian leaned slightly forward, his tone casual yet probing as he looked at Qian Qianyi and Cheng Jiasui. "Lately I have been hearing that things are not exactly peaceful in the Jiangnan region. It seems that Zhu Yujian, who had long been in hiding, has suddenly resurfaced, and Zheng Zhilong has declared his support for him. With such a situation unfolding, you two still have the mind to discuss waterworks expansion, are you not concerned that a war might break out and reduce everything to ruin?"
Cheng Jiasui cupped his hands politely, his expression calm, almost dismissive. "Such events have indeed occurred, but in my view, they are not of great consequence, and they will not interfere with our plans to establish waterworks."
Liang Shixian raised an eyebrow deliberately. "Oh? And why is that?"
Qian Qianyi lowered his voice slightly, his tone carrying the quiet confidence of someone who believed he had read the situation correctly. "Because it will not escalate. The moment Zheng Zhilong declared his support, he retreated to the sea and vanished without making any real move. That alone tells you everything. He fears the might of the imperial army."
Liang Shixian nodded as if considering the point, then added casually, "I have also heard that merchants in Hangzhou have contributed funds to support Zhu Yujian and Zheng Zhilong."
Qian Qianyi gave a faint smile. "That is true, but it will not amount to much. Recently, Cao Wenzhao has already moved south. There is no way Zheng Zhilong can stand against him. It is only a matter of time before he is defeated at sea. This will not affect business in Jiangnan in the slightest."
Hearing this, Liang Shixian finally understood.
So this was how the Jiangnan elites saw the situation.
As someone already aligned with the Dao Xuan Tianzun system, he naturally believed Gao Village would prevail, yet Jiangnan was still outside the sphere of influence, and their perspective, dismissive and confident in the Ming court, was precisely what made them valuable to observe.
To them, the empire still stood firm.
Just as they had once dismissed the northern threat as a minor irritation, they now viewed the rise of Crowd Governance in exactly the same way, as nothing more than a passing disturbance that could never truly shake the foundation of imperial rule.
Liang Shixian leaned in slightly. "Then tell me, Brother Qian, what do you think of this idea of Crowd Governance?"
Qian Qianyi chuckled softly but gave no answer.
He had already experienced the brutality of political tides once before, and that experience had taught him caution. No matter what thoughts he held, he would not reveal them so easily, especially not to someone he had only just reconnected with after years apart.
Only after he and Cheng Jiasui left Liang's residence and walked some distance away did he finally speak again in a lowered voice. "Brother Cheng, when Lord Liang asked about Crowd Governance earlier, I noticed you hesitated. It seemed you had something to say but held back."
Cheng Jiasui nodded. "I did. But we met him only today, and speaking too freely could bring unnecessary danger."
Qian Qianyi smiled knowingly. "I thought the same."
They exchanged a glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them, before Cheng Jiasui continued. "Still, if we speak frankly, I believe Crowd Governance must be better than single-man rule, at least for merchants like us. If more people are involved in governing, then sooner or later, someone will speak on behalf of commerce. Merchants have long wanted a voice in court, and those in Hangzhou likely supported Zhu Yujian for precisely this reason."
Qian Qianyi nodded slowly. "If such a system truly takes shape, then it will become a contest of influence among the great families within the court."
Cheng Jiasui smiled faintly. "And the merchants are not without power."
Their voices faded as they walked further away.
Back in the residence, Liang Shixian stepped into a quiet room and stood before a portrait of Dao Xuan Tianzun. He bowed deeply, lit incense, and spoke in a respectful tone. "Tianzun, the people of Jiangnan still do not take our actions seriously. They believe the court will undoubtedly prevail."
He had not expected a response.
But then, the painted eyes shifted.
The paper at the mouth of the portrait began to move, and a voice emerged.
It was Li Daoxuan.
"This is only natural. The prestige of the Ming dynasty has been built over nearly three centuries. It will not crumble so easily."
Liang Shixian's face lit up with excitement. "Tianzun has arrived."
Li Daoxuan's voice carried a hint of amusement. "If you want them to truly believe that change has begun, then they will need… a little more shock."
He paused briefly.
"Just a tiny bit."
"And it is coming very soon."
The shock arrived the very next day.
News came from Henan.
Gao Jie had returned from Liaodong and moved to suppress the rebellion led by Zhu Youzhong, who had rallied forces under the banner of Crowd Governance.
The two sides clashed outside Luoyang.
What followed stunned everyone.
The Crowd Governance faction fought with fierce morale and unwavering determination, and against all expectations, they defeated Gao Jie's forces completely. Gao Jie himself fled with only a dozen cavalry into the mountains, too afraid to return and report to the court, while nearly all of his troops were captured and ultimately surrendered, joining the opposing side.
When this news reached the capital, it sent shockwaves through both court and common society.
Everyone received that "tiny bit" of shock.
The people of Beijing began to whisper among themselves. "Have you heard? The Crowd Governance faction actually defeated Gao Jie."
"I heard they are mostly young men, full of energy and determination."
"Well, Gao Jie's troops were mostly former bandits anyway, their combat strength was probably weak to begin with."
"Seems like sending such troops to suppress a prince was never going to work. Only proper imperial generals can handle something like this."
Inside the imperial study, Zhu Youjian stared at the report, his emotions rising and falling like a man strapped to a falling machine.
"I knew it," he snapped, his voice filled with frustration. "I knew Gao Jie was unreliable. Not long ago, I personally encouraged him at the city gates, and the moment he left, he went off to harass women in brothels. A surrendered bandit is still a bandit. And now he cannot even defeat Zhu Youzhong."
Beside him, Cao Huachun spoke cautiously. "Your Majesty, Zhu Youzhong is supported by the Hunan Governor Fan Shangjing. While Zhu Youzhong himself may lack ability, Fan Shangjing is a capable administrator and should not be underestimated."
Zhu Youjian took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. "Then who should be sent next to suppress them?"
Cao Huachun wisely remained silent, stepping back slightly, fully aware that offering suggestions in such moments was a dangerous game.
Zhu Youjian began pacing, then pulled out a map, studying the military jurisdictions carefully until his finger suddenly stopped at a point. "Hedong Circuit in Shanxi… it is close to Luoyang. Crossing the Yellow River would allow a direct strike south."
He frowned slightly. "The commander there… I seem to recall…"
He attempted to search his memory, imitating Liang Shixian's method, but his thoughts collapsed almost immediately into confusion.
In the end, he had no choice but to call out.
"Summon the Minister of War."
When Chen Xinjia arrived, Zhu Youjian asked directly.
"Who commands Hedong?"