"What does that have to do with whether you choose me?"
"It does." Wei Nisheng lifted his teacup, his gaze fixed on the foam, his voice calm and level.
"I have a countermeasure for each of those three men's abilities.
He Yanming enjoys the people's esteem, but Zhang Zai governed Daming Prefecture for three years.
The people called him 'Clear Sky' too, and he knows how to deal with prefectural authorities.
As for Xie Lin's sharp wits, I can match them myself.
Li Jin has connections within the inner court, but His Majesty's decree will suffice when the time comes. There is nothing to fear."
"But there is one man I still lack..."
"Who?"
Wei Zi raised his eyes and looked straight at Wang Kan, then suddenly reached out and caught his sleeve.
"Someone who can stand in my place after I leave the Capital and take the arrows aimed at me in court!"
Wang Kan first looked at his captured sleeve, then lifted his gaze to Wei Zi, who was entrusting him with such a weighty charge.
"Zhanzheng." Wei Nisheng's voice deepened.
"Do you know that the greatest danger on this journey to Suzhou lies not in Suzhou, but in the Capital?"
"While I audit the accounts in Suzhou, Shen Duan will be placing his pieces in the Capital.
He need not act himself. He need only have Fang Qi impeach me in court for 'harassing the prefectures and counties and driving law-abiding people to revolt,'
or have Zou Mo cut off my provisions and funds at the Ministry of Revenue, and I will be unable to defend both head and tail.
Then, even if I uncover something in Suzhou, I will have no way to send it to the Capital."
At this, Wang Kan's brows drew tighter.
"Jaw