Chapter 836 - 62: Severing Kyushu’s Lifeline, Gu Lin Takes Action

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes growing sharper: "Firstly, the infiltration of canal transport means the court’s control over the lifeline between the north and south is gradually being lost."

"Today they may smuggle spices and silks, tomorrow they could secretly transport weapons and armor."

"If war breaks out, once this lifeline falls into enemy hands, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Secondly, such enormous profits will inevitably nourish a vast network of vested interests."

"They bribe officials with money, keep private soldiers, and associate with the powerful. Over time, they will become too big to fail, akin to a state within a state."

"Thirdly," Gu Lin’s tone grew heavier, "these smuggled goods evade all taxes, making their prices naturally low."

"If things continue like this, legitimate businesses will find it difficult to sustain themselves and will collapse one after another."

"By then, the markets will be entirely occupied by illegal merchants who completely monopolize prices and manipulate supply and demand, leaving the livelihood of the people entirely in their hands."

Although what he said was mere speculation about future events, every word struck at the core.

The current Great Song is already entirely different from what history originally was.

It can be said—

The Great Song has now completely become a commerce-focused nation.

Even the lowest peasants nowadays engage in small businesses after the busy farming season, with even small trading houses established in villages to facilitate trade.

This is a unique trading system.

The wealth of the current Great Song has been formed through canal transport and maritime trade.

And precisely because of this, Gu Lin made such an analysis; if left unchecked, these things will definitely happen next!

Transporting weapons may not occur within Kyushu, but externally, it’s not so certain!

And in the current era....

It is absolutely not yet a time when one can profit from trading weapons and equipment!

If such a situation truly occurs, it is not merely about draining the Central Hub’s finances.

This is aiding the enemy, weakening Kyushu!

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the assembled disciples grew increasingly serious.

"Father!"

"I will immediately gather loyal members of the Imperial Censorate to investigate!" Gu Xiuyuan almost spoke up immediately.

He is now, like Gu Lin in the past, gradually taking over power. Unfortunately, unlike Gu Lin of old, in this era of peaceful governance, gaining prestige is not so easy.

But this time.... it seems like a good opportunity.

Gu Lin pondered quickly, looked at Gu Xiuyuan, and after a moment of silence, nodded: "Yes!"

"But this time—"

"Don’t act impulsively, first lead the trusted members to various docks."

"This time, we must catch them red-handed!"

He has never been a kind and gentle person!

Although, unlike Gu Rui of the past, Gu Lin has not conducted any large-scale massacres since his birth, this does not mean he cannot wield a knife!

This time, he not only wants to wield the knife!

But also to give the knife to Gu Xiuyuan.

The Gu Clan indeed no longer suits being at the forefront; this is the best choice for them, ensuring both their prestige and preventing them from getting embroiled in any future vortices.

But this doesn’t mean the Gu Clan should retreat to Julu, ignoring court affairs!

Some things can be withdrawn from—

But some things cannot!

...

——The situation changes once again.

This time, Gu Lin is evidently serious, almost mobilizing the core forces within both the Gu Clan and the Imperial Censorate.

The most critical thing is that, due to the cover of previous investigations, all this is not so sudden.

It won’t make everyone directly like startled birds.

To prevent them from becoming alert.

Actually, no one would think along these lines.

After all, in their minds, what they’re doing isn’t a big deal.

Put simply, there’s no precedent.

Among those who can get involved in such matters in this way, who doesn’t have some status?

Aren’t affairs in officialdom all about appearances and substance?

They aren’t directly evading tax, at least on the surface, there are no mistakes with the taxes they pay, which in their view is already giving face to the court.

Jiangning Prefecture.

On the river, thousands of sails raced, and the canal transport was as busy as ever.

A fleet under the Chen Clan was slowly entering the Jiangning dock.

The hulls were heavily loaded, clearly filled with goods.

The person in charge was Chen Lin, the nephew of Chen Gui.

At the moment, he was standing on the bow, commanding the sailors to prepare for docking and unloading, his face always carrying a subtle smile.

In this batch of goods.

There were quite a few Southern Ocean spices and sappanwood not listed in the official registers.

If these items were entirely sold, the profits obtained would far exceed those from all the visible cargo of the fleet!

How could he not be ecstatic?

At this moment, officials from the Port Transportation Office walked in just like they always did.

Chen Lin was not surprised at all, and greeted them as usual before personally leading them inside.

He had never bribed these officials.

This was naturally at Chen Mingyuan’s behest, as he understood the Gu Clan too well.

If he were to bribe these officials, it might attract the attention of the Imperial Censorate, which would certainly be a loss.

As long as the accounts on the surface were done well, no one would be able to pick on anything.

After all, with the Gu Clan overseeing the governance of the Great Song, and him in the court, how could these Port Transportation Office officials make things difficult for the Chen Clan?

Watching the clerks heading towards the ship’s hull one by one behind the official, Chen Lin’s face instantly showed a dismissive smile.

Every time he witnessed this scene, it was the same.

It was a kind of malicious pleasure.

It made him feel as if he was in control of everything, quite joyful.

However, this feeling did not last long this time.

Only to see the clerks merely glance at the ship’s hold briefly, then turn towards a position that was enough to change his countenance.

"Here."

The clerk’s shout rang out abruptly.

As they spoke, they gathered around one spot.

And the sound of knocking on that ship plank was somewhat hollow compared to its surroundings.

Seeing this, Chen Lin’s heart sank sharply, but he managed to force a smile on his face, stepped forward, and bowed with hands clasped to the Port Transportation Office official who was verifying documents, keeping a very low profile: "Clerk, I beg to report."

"This area is the old bulkhead below the waterline of the cargo hold, it has been damp for years, which inevitably makes the sound somewhat hollow. It is definitely not any abnormality."

"All items, tax stamps on the ship are complete, please Clerk examine closely."

His words were sincere, attempting to brush it off with common reasoning.

However, upon hearing this, the Port Transportation Office official did not let it pass lightly as usual.

He slowly raised his eyelids, gave Chen Lin a calm glance without directly responding, then turned to the clerks gathered at the suspicious plank and instructed in a steady voice, "Since there’s suspicion, inspect thoroughly according to regulations."

"Yes." The clerks responded in unison.

One of them took the crowbar from the hand of a worker nearby and unhesitatingly inserted it into the gap of the wooden plank.

With a "creak" sound that was enough to set teeth on edge, the plank that seemed no different from others was pried open at one corner.

Instantly, a dense fragrance spread overwhelmingly.

It was the aroma of top-grade Southern Ocean spices mixed together, a blend of spicy and rich scents, immediately overshadowing the water mist of the river and the original scent of goods in the cargo hold.

Beneath the plank, a meticulously designed compartment was revealed, packed full of unregistered pepper, agarwood, and other items, their quantity was astonishing.

The scene was silent, with only the sound of river water slapping against the hull.

Li Gui, who was quietly leading the clerks, naturally retreated to the back of the crowd at this point, his expression extremely stiff, and it was unclear whether he was acting or truly nervous.

Chen Lin’s expression changed drastically, but he did not completely lose his composure.

Watching the secret compartment surrounded by clerks, he took a deep breath and instantly thought of an idea, then smiled faintly, "Wang Lu... What’s this?"

"Why spoil my Chen Clan’s barges?"

— Turn the tables!

That’s right, in his view, even if discovered, it wasn’t a big deal.

Nothing more than making up the list.

At worst, he would forsake the profit this time.

He even had the thought of pulling the Port Transportation Office clerk down, after all, the profit here was truly astonishing.

He didn’t believe anyone could refuse.

Except.... such matters couldn’t be spoken directly.

He had already made up his mind that after this matter, he would definitely send out some grand gifts.

But what he hadn’t anticipated was that Wang Lu didn’t even glance at him, only glanced at the now fully exposed secret compartment, then waved his hand directly:

"Take everything away!"

Meanwhile, similar events continued to occur between various regions. ...

...

(Ps: Begging for monthly votes at the beginning of the month, asking brothers to support more, Fish is deeply grateful!)