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Chapter 223 Princess Pingyang
Song House.

Inside the council chamber.

The eight leaders of the various branches of the Song family gathered together once again.

At the head of the table, the Song family patriarch glanced at the eight people seated below and said, "You all know what's been happening outside these past two days."

"The Ministry of Revenue has already begun measuring and surveying the land in Lingnan."

"In just three days, seven powerful families and landlords have been arrested by the Eastern Depot for failing to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue in measuring and counting their land."

"Even some members of our Song family are no exception. This is the Minister of Revenue making an example of someone to intimidate the powerful families in Lingnan, and also to warn our Song family!"

The Song family patriarch spoke expressionlessly, but his tone was somewhat low.

The Song family was fully aware of Xun Yu's actions over the past three days.

The Song family patriarch knew that Xun Yu was making a show of force.

If the Song family doesn't respond and doesn't cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue.

Therefore, what happened next was not just a few marginal figures from the Song family being arrested.

"Hmph, how dare he, a newly appointed Minister of Revenue, put pressure on my Song family?"

"They really don't know their own limitations."

"I think we should use some tactics to make him back down."

One of the people in charge snorted coldly.

"Yes! This can't go on."

"The land survey and statistics Xun Yu is currently conducting are starting with ordinary people and small landlords and aristocratic families, and have not yet reached the aristocratic families above them."

"If we wait two more days, and this Minister of Revenue comes to our door in person to measure our Song family's land, should we refuse him or cooperate?"

Another person in charge said with a slight frown.

"It won't be that easy to make him back down."

"Ordinary methods won't work."

"Don't forget, Cao Shaoqin, the second-in-command of the Eastern Depot, is also by Xun Yu's side."

As soon as these words came out.

The brows of everyone present furrowed involuntarily.

The Eastern Depot, the imperial court's henchmen, is not easy to deal with.

I've heard that the Eastern Depot (a secret police agency) is omnipresent.

The Eastern Depot was behind all the events that happened in the imperial court before.

Most importantly, the Eastern Depot had the right to act first and report later, and neither of its two supervisors were easy to deal with.

Cao Shaoqin's abilities are also unfathomable.

Conventional methods really don't work.

The Song family patriarch, seated at the head of the table, pondered for a moment and said, "The imperial court wants to survey and count the land of the entire country; this cannot be stopped."

"Unless we are preparing to confront the imperial court and engage in armed conflict."

"But this is not good for our Song family, and the other three families will not do the same."

"Cooperating with the imperial court is certain, but how to cooperate is another matter."

The Song family patriarch understood the current situation better than anyone else.

Since the person in the palace has issued an edict to survey the land of the entire country, he must have already made preparations to take action to suppress it.

At this time, it would be unwise to disobey the court and obstruct the decrees of the one in the palace.

Even the alliance of the four major clans could not afford such consequences.

Therefore, cooperating with the imperial court was inevitable.

But how to cooperate is up to these powerful families and clans.

"Does the clan chief mean to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue?"

Upon hearing this, all eight people in charge looked at the Song family patriarch in the main seat.

"What? Do you have any other ideas?"

"Are we going to wait for the people from the Eastern Depot to come to the Song family and have a showdown with them before making a decision?"

The Song family patriarch glanced at the eight people in charge below.

Based on the Minister of Revenue's behavior these past two days, he won't give the Song family much time.

If the Song family cannot make a decision soon, then Xun Yu's next visit to the Song family will not be as simple as a simple visit.

No sooner had the Song family patriarch finished speaking than the Song family's steward rushed into the council hall.

"Clan leader, Young Master Song Yan has just been captured by the Eastern Depot."

“Besides Young Master Song Yan, more than a dozen other members of our Song family were just arrested by the Eastern Depot’s guards.”

"The butler said urgently."

what?
The Song family patriarch and the eight heads of each branch of the Song family were clearly taken aback.

None of them expected that the Eastern Depot would arrest Song Yan, as well as more than a dozen members of the Song family.

What is the Eastern Depot trying to do?

"What is Xun Yu trying to do?"

"How dare they arrest the young master of my Song family, and more than a dozen other members of the Song family as well? Do they want to start a war with my Song family?"

One of the people in charge said angrily.

"Yes!"

"How dare Xun Yu, a newly appointed Minister of Revenue, be so unscrupulous towards my Song family? It's outrageous!"

The other members of the Song family in charge were also filled with anger.

Previously, the Song family members that Xun Yu arrested were all marginal figures in the Song family.

Therefore, none of the Song family members spoke up.

But this time it's different. Song Yan is the direct descendant of the Song family, and the other dozen or so family members who were arrested are also important figures in the Song family.

Some of them were key figures in the Song family.

The fact that the Eastern Depot arrested these members of the Song family was clearly a provocation against the Song family, which made it impossible for the heads of the various branches of the Song family present to remain indifferent.

The Song family patriarch, sitting in the main seat, frowned and asked, "On what grounds did the Eastern Depot arrest these people from my Song family?"

There needs to be a reason to arrest someone.

Even the Eastern Depot, which had special privileges, was no exception.

Especially since they arrested members of the Song family.

Without a sufficiently compelling reason, the Song family patriarch believed that Xun Yu would not do such a foolish thing.

"Clan leader, the Eastern Depot has discovered some outrageous things that Young Master Song Yan did in the past, so they arrested him."

"As for the other dozen or so members of the Song family who were arrested, the reason given by the Eastern Depot was that if the Eastern Depot said they were guilty, then they were guilty."

The butler had barely finished speaking.

All the members of the Song family present had ashen faces.

Too rampant.

The Eastern Depot dared to attack the Song family with just words; it was utterly outrageous.

The patriarch of the Song family, who was seated at the head of the table, also looked rather grim.

He knew the Eastern Depot was powerful, but he never expected it to be so domineering.

Even a powerful and influential family like the Song family dares to arrest people so arrogantly with just their words. This is truly intolerable.

However, on the other hand, the Eastern Depot itself had special privileges, and even with such arrogance, the Song family had no way to deal with it.

"It seems they're trying to force or threaten my Song family."

The Song family patriarch spoke with a slightly somber expression.

"Steward, go to Princess Pingyang and tell her this news."

"Then, prepare a visiting card!"

After pondering for a moment, the Song family patriarch spoke to the steward.

"Yes, patriarch."

The butler immediately responded and left.

The eyes of the eight heads of various branches of the Song family present all flashed.

Princess Pingyang was the late emperor's younger sister and the next matriarch of his Song family.

Most importantly, Princess Pingyang was Song Yan's mother.

If Princess Pingyang were to learn that Song Yan had been captured by the Eastern Depot, she would definitely go to Xun Yu to demand his release.

The eight heads of the various branches of the Song family understood the Song family patriarch's intention.

……

Government office.

Cao Shaoqin looked at Xun Yu and said, "Lord Xun, the Song family members have been arrested. What's next?"

"Should we continue arresting them, or kill all those we've arrested?"

Xun Yu shook his head; “Let’s wait! Our purpose is to measure and count the land, not to deal with the Song family. Besides, Song Yan’s identity is not ordinary. He is the son of Princess Pingyang and cannot be touched lightly.”

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Song family should make some kind of response this time."

Xun Yu had barely finished speaking.

A commotion came from outside.

Then, a woman in palace attire entered, surrounded by maids and guards.

The woman in palace attire was followed by the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture.

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture was sweating profusely and his face was pale with anxiety.

"Your subject Xun Yu greets Princess Pingyang."

"Cao Shaoqin has met Princess Pingyang."

Upon seeing the woman in palace attire enter, Xun Yu and Cao Shaoqin immediately stepped forward and bowed.

That's right.

The woman in palace attire who walked in was Princess Pingyang, the late emperor's younger sister and Song Yan's mother.

"Forget it!"

"I cannot accept such a generous gift from you two."

"You dare to arrest my son? You clearly don't take me seriously at all!"

Princess Pingyang glanced at Xun Yu and Cao Shaoqin and said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu and Cao Shaoqin's eyes flickered.

It seems the Song family has managed to get Princess Pingyang to come and demand an explanation; they've certainly played a good hand.

However, Xun Yu had already anticipated this.

"Your Highness, I am only ordered to measure and survey the land; I am not involved in any other matters."

Xun Yu said, 625.

Xun Yu's words caused a hint of surprise to flash across the faces of Princess Pingyang and the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture.

They didn't expect Xun Yu to distance himself from the matter, which was rather strange.

Could it be that Xun Yu and the Eastern Depot are at odds and can't see eye to eye?

Cao Shaoqin, however, showed no unusual expression.

"is it?"

Princess Pingyang gave Xun Yu a deep look, then turned to Cao Shaoqin; "So, Cao Shaoqin, was it you who captured Song Yan?"

"I don't care why you arrested Song Yan, he is my son."

“He may have done some absurd things, but he is both a member of the Song family and a member of the royal family.”

"I hope you can release him. I will take him back and discipline him properly."

As a princess in the royal family, Princess Pingyang was not a brainless person who would act arrogantly just because of her status.

Therefore, although Princess Pingyang's tone was sharp, her wording was very appropriate.

"Your Highness, please forgive me for being unable to comply."

"Your Highness should be well aware of what Song Yan has done, so there's no need for me to present those pieces of evidence."

"If he weren't a member of the Song family, or the son of a princess, he would be deserving of death ten times over."

"Please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for me."

Cao Shaoqin said without saying a word or showing any sadness.

"presumptuous."

"Cao Shaoqin, you servant, how dare you disobey me?"

"I'm going to make things difficult for you today. Release my son immediately."

"Otherwise, I will not be polite to you."

Princess Pingyang originally wanted to negotiate with Cao Shaoqin and take Song Yan away.

Princess Pingyang never expected that Cao Shaoqin would not only disregard her completely, but also dare to speak to her, the princess, in such a manner.

This is really unreasonable.

Even if Song Yan committed some serious crime, he was still Princess Pingyang's son, and it was not up to a royal servant to make irresponsible remarks.

Princess Pingyang's face immediately turned cold.

While others might be wary of the Eastern Depot, Princess Pingyang had no such concerns.

No matter what, Princess Pingyang was the late emperor's younger sister, and even the emperor in the palace would have to call her aunt.

Not to mention the imperial family's servants, like those in the Eastern Depot.

"Your Highness seems to have forgotten that even if I am a servant, I am still His Majesty's servant."

"To act first and report later is a privilege granted by the emperor. This is the right of the miscellaneous officials, and also the right of the Eastern Depot."

"The number of imperial relatives who died at the hands of this miscellaneous master is not in the hundreds, but at least in the dozens."

"If the miscellaneous scholars say that the Song family privately forged the imperial seal and sewed the dragon robe, which constitutes an act of ascending to heaven, then the extermination of the entire Song family is also within the scope of privilege."

What does Princess Pingyang think?

Cao Shaoqin looked at Princess Pingyang with a feminine gaze.

Perhaps other eunuchs would be obsequious to princesses, but Cao Shaoqin would not.

None of the people in the Eastern Depot knew how to do it.

Because the Eastern Depot has always been loyal to only one person, His Majesty, not the royal family.

Princess Pingyang's expression changed upon hearing Cao Shaoqin's words.

"you……"

Princess Pingyang pointed at Cao Shaoqin, her face full of anger, unable to utter a single word.

Princess Pingyang never expected that Cao Shaoqin would be so audacious as to disregard even her, a princess.

They even dared to make statements like framing the Song family.

That's incredibly arrogant.

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture standing nearby was now deathly pale, shocked and terrified.

It is true that reputation is not as good as reality.

It's unbelievable that the Eastern Depot has become so arrogant, daring to offend even a princess.

“Your Eastern Depot is outrageous and arrogant. Not only do you disregard me, but you also dare to openly frame me. I will definitely tell His Majesty to punish you.”

Princess Pingyang pointed at Cao Shaoqin and said angrily.

Cao Shaoqin's expression remained unchanged; "Your Highness, please return first!"

"If Your Highness wants the Eastern Depot to release Song Yan, you should send the patriarch of the Song family instead!"

"Your Highness, you may convey what I just said to the patriarch of the Song family."

"He should be able to understand something."

Cao Shaoqin bowed and said.

Princess Pingyang looked coldly at Cao Shaoqin.

After a while.

"Walk."

Princess Pingyang turned and left without saying another word.

Watching Princess Pingyang's departing figure, Cao Shaoqin glanced at Xun Yu; "How was it?"

"This Princess Pingyang is no ordinary person!"

"Despite being very angry, I remained rational and did not order anyone to take action."

"If we start fighting, things will get complicated."

Xun Yu looked in the direction Princess Pingyang had left and said.

Just now, Xun Yu was genuinely worried that Princess Pingyang had lost her mind and had someone take action.

If that's the case, things will get complicated.

"Born into royalty and able to marry into the powerful Song family, she must be no ordinary person."

"However, Lord Xun, as the Minister of Revenue, why did you use me to shield Princess Pingyang for you? Doesn't Lord Xun have an explanation for this?"

Cao Shaoqin looked at Xun Yu, his eyes slightly narrowed.

“Your Eastern Depot has special privileges, but I don’t.”

"I think Eunuch Cao should understand what I mean."

Xun Yu glanced at Cao Shaoqin with a smile.

Cao Shaoqin snorted coldly; "Hmph, sending our Eastern Depot to charge into battle and offend people, while you sit back and reap the rewards, Lord Xun, you certainly have a good plan."

Xun Yu shook his head and said, "That's not right. His Majesty asked your Eastern Depot to assist me, isn't that using your Eastern Depot's privileges?"

"Besides, we are all serving His Majesty. As long as the result is the same, the process is not important."

Xun Yu spoke with an air of knowledge as he returned to the main hall.

(End of this chapter)