At this stage, Wu Shuangren only assigned Xu Yuebai to the auditing work, to review all the accounts. In the future, she can also audit all cash flows and make suggestions on various business operations.
But the final decision-making power still rests with Wu Shuangren.
Whether Xu Yuebai can become her own chief financial officer remains to be seen.
Although Mo Zhengxing was surprised, he didn't ask any questions and cooperated fully.
After that, Wu Shuangren stopped worrying about those things and went to find Guo Jiwang to tell him what the Pu father and son had told him.
Guo Jiwang previously returned to West River County, and this time he came to Yi Province specifically to attend Wu Shuangren's wedding.
Having heard Wu Shuangren's story, he knew he didn't need to go back for the time being.
"How far does the lord intend to go?"
Guo Jiwang asked, "Should we bring down Zhang Da? Or should we root out everyone involved in this matter?"
Without hesitation, Wu Shuangren said, "Take down Zhang Da, avenge Forged Edge Workshop, and win over the hearts of the Pu Lineage father and son; find an opportunity to help the Xu Family advance further, and we will also take the opportunity to intervene in Shu Province."
Guo Jiwang asked, "Does our lord value the Pu Lineage father and son highly?"
Wu Shuangren nodded. "Their skill in sword forging is exactly what we need."
Guo Jiwang for a moment. "Since the goal is simply to bring down Zhang Da, the simplest way is to inform the Yuan Clan about this. If the Yuan Clan intervenes, things will be much easier. However, if the Yuan Clan intervenes, they will inevitably make some demands in order to further strengthen their control over Jiannan Circuit."
Wu Shuangren nodded.
After Xu Cheng learned of his attitude towards the Yuan Clan, the Xu Family neither took the initiative nor refused the Yuan Clan's attempts to win them over.
Such an ambiguous attitude certainly did not satisfy the Yuan Clan, but the Yuan Clan did not give up on winning over the Xu Family and adopted a step-by-step approach.
For example, Fu Yao, the newly appointed governor of Yi Province, is a member of the Yuan Clan.
For example, after Xu Jing became the military commander of Yi Province, he wanted to promote the trusted confidant left behind by Xu Dengyun to the position of deputy commander of Yi Province, but he failed.
The two deputy generals in Yi Province today were both appointed by the Yuan Clan.
By strengthening its control over Yi Province, the Yuan Clan gradually extended its reach, with the ultimate goal of controlling the Yi Province Militia and forcing Yuan Clan Xu Family to side with them!
If we want to bring down Zhang Da, and we let the Yuan Clan get involved, Yuan Clan will definitely put forward conditions, such as placing their own people in the Yi Province Militia.
After Zhang Da falls from power, the Yuan Clan will definitely take the lion's share of the vacant positions of the Shu Province Assistant Commander and a series of other posts, thereby further strengthening their control over Jiannan Circuit.
Ultimately, as the head of the Four Great Aristocratic Clans, how could the Yuan Clan be easily fooled?
Even if the other party was misled in the matter of Wu Shuangren, it would be difficult for Wu Shuangren to get benefits from the Xu Family without doing anything in return.
The Yuan Clan is a divine sword. With Wu Shuangren already possessing sufficient witnesses and physical evidence, if he were to use this divine sword even once, the mere military officer of Shu Province Prefecture would likely be utterly powerless to resist!
Unfortunately, this divine sword already had an owner and was not something Wu Shuangren could control; borrowing the sword came at a price.
"Does the gentleman have a good solution?"
Wu Shuangren asked.
Guo Jiwang pondered for a moment:
"Perhaps we can borrow the tiger's might, using the Yuan Clan's name to our advantage!"
The fifth day after killing Long Lie.
Shu Province.
The Xu residence.
"Adviser Wang, please."
The Xu family's butler led a middle-aged man into the lobby.
Inside the lobby, Xu Cheng sat in the main seat.
"Greetings, Commander Qianhu."
Adviser Wang bowed to Xu Cheng.
He was Zhang Da's advisor. Although he did not hold a formal official position, his status was not low, and he was Zhang Da's trusted confidant.
"Please have a seat, Adviser Wang."
Xu Cheng gestured with his hand.
After thanking him, Adviser Wang sat down. He didn't rush to explain his purpose, and Xu Cheng wasn't in a hurry either. The two slowly drank tea for a while.
"A few days ago, my young master had a misunderstanding with the son-in-law of the commander. When my general learned of this, fearing it would damage the relationship between the two families, he sent Mr. Wang to apologize in person."
As he spoke, Adviser Wang stood up and bowed deeply to Xu Cheng.
"My household is hosting a banquet at Drunken Moon Tower tonight, and we hope that Commander Qian will grace us with his presence."
Xu Cheng looked at the Adviser Wang, who was bowing and apologizing to him, but did not rush to respond.
Adviser Wang straightened up and looked at Xu Cheng with a sincere expression. "If Commander Xu has any complaints, please feel free to voice them."
"It's just a small misunderstanding, why is it worth General Zhang's fuss?"
Xu Cheng said slowly, "Please ask Adviser Wang to go back and tell General Zhang that there is no need for a banquet. I am truly humbled."
Adviser Wang, changed his expression slightly. "Does Commander Qianhu truly refuse to do me the honor?"
Xu Cheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Show the guest out."
A moment later, Adviser Wang met Zhang Da.
"So, he's determined to go against me?"
Zhang Da glared fiercely at Adviser Wang.
The Adviser Wang, said somewhat anxiously, "Now that the Xu Family has the backing of the Yuan Clan, if the Yuan Clan gets involved in this matter and directly sends an imperial envoy to investigate, then we'll be in trouble..."
Snap!
Zhang Da slammed his teacup to the ground. "Xu Cheng has now aligned himself with the Yuan Clan; he's probably been eyeing my position for a long time!"
He took the initiative to show goodwill when Wu Shuangren came to fetch him as bride, but Wu Shuangren completely disregarded him when it came to the Pu Lineage.
In Zhang Da's view, Xu Cheng must have wanted to deal with him for a long time, so Wu Shuangren decisively chose to break ties with him after learning about Forged Edge Workshop from the Pu Lineage father and son!
"My lord, the only solution now is to silence the Pu Lineage, father and son!"
Adviser Wang gritted his teeth and said, "Only without important witnesses will we have room to maneuver."
"Do you think I don't know that?"
Zhang Da roared, "Feilong's gang is all dead! Who am I supposed to send to silence them now?"
Long Lie and the others considered it the most reliable knife he had used over the years, but unexpectedly it broke.
Now that the Pu Lineage father and son have been taken to Yi Province, I can't very well lead my troops directly to Yi Province, can I?
The Yuan Clan was like a mountain weighing on Zhang Da's heart!
Once Yuan Clan gets involved in this matter, Zhang Da really can't think of how he can resist.
The capital city.
The atmosphere at the Yuan residence was shrouded in gloom.
All the Yuan Clan family members knelt in the courtyard, many of them looking somewhat fearful.
Upon hearing the news, high-ranking officials from the court arrived in droves, and even the imperial eunuchs serving the new emperor came in person.
The reason for such a grand display was that Yuan Feng, the Grand Tutor of the court and head of the Yuan Clan family, was critically ill!
Yuan Feng is seventy-three years old this year. He has been in the court for nearly fifty years, wielding immense power and holding the highest position among officials.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, Yuan Feng's prestige as the head of all officials increased even further, and both the emperor and the ministers took his opinions as the primary consideration.
These days have truly been the peak of Yuan Feng's life!
But no one expected that Yuan Feng's peak would be so short-lived.
Two weeks ago, Yuan Feng caught a cold and was bedridden.
His health deteriorated rapidly, and now he is completely beyond saving.
P. S.: Fewer words today.
204 The world is in turmoil, we should strive to be at the forefront (two-in-one)
Inside the room, a bronze incense burner held burning sandalwood.
The old man lay on his bed, so thin he was practically skin and bones.
He was mature beyond his years, and always had a somber and serious face. He had been in officialdom for decades, always standing at the top, full of energy and spirit, seemingly unshakable.
Under his leadership, the Yuan Clan has remained the most powerful of the Four Great Aristocratic Clans for the past thirty years!
But in the end, the old man still lost to time.
The old man's eldest son Yuan Shu, stood by the bedside, his face showing a mixture of fear and sorrow.
"If I had another five years, Shao'er would have secured control of the Shanbei Army, and the Jiannan Circuit forces should have been captured as well... Even if the world changed drastically, the Yuan Clan would still have the power to protect themselves. What a pity..."
On the bed, Yuan Feng lay with his eyes open, murmuring something.
"Father, I will definitely protect the Yuan Clan. Please rest assured!"
Yuan Shu held the old man's hand tightly, his voice choked with emotion.
Yuan Feng turned his head with some difficulty, his cloudy eyes looking at Yuan Shu: "You're too weak..."
Yuan Shu shuddered, finding the comment somewhat unacceptable.
As the young master of the Yuan Clan, he now holds the official position of Prefect of Jingzhao, the highest administrative official in the entire capital region, a Principal Third Rank in the imperial court.
In terms of status, reputation, and actual power, Yuan Shu stood at the very top of the Wu Dynasty's pyramid!
"After my death... the court will surely fall into chaos... you and Shao'er must work together to help him capture the Shanbei Army as soon as possible..."
"Father... I've remembered."
"We must also capture that army in Yi Province; they might become a surprise force in the future..."
"Yes!"
"Openly suppress Dong Zhuo, secretly guard against the Xiang Clan... If the court is unstable and the situation is unfavorable, it's wise to bide your time. As long as Shao'er's side remains stable, it's fine for you to back down a few steps..."
"... yes."
"If... if it were..."
As Yuan Feng spoke, his voice gradually lowered, and he became increasingly strained.
"Father!"
"If one day... the world falls into chaos... you must remember... you must not... take it upon yourself... take it upon yourself..."
Yuan Feng's voice grew softer and softer until finally his eyes widened and he breathed his last.
"Father!!!"
Yuan Shu's grief-stricken cries echoed from inside the room.
February 8th, the first year of the Guangxi reign.
Yuan Feng, the head of the Yuan Clan family, has passed away.
The new emperor immediately issued an edict posthumously conferring upon Grand Yuan Feng the title of Duke of Nan, with the posthumous name Wenzhong.
Yuan Feng's funeral caused a sensation throughout the capital, with even the new emperor personally attending, making it the most honorable funeral ever held.
The passing of such a figure had an impact on the political situation like a boulder thrown into a lake!
First, there was the position of Vice Minister of the Central Secretariat, which Yuan Feng had vacated. The highest official of the Central Secretariat was the Grand Secretary, but this position had been vacant for a long time Wu Dynasty, so the actual highest official was the Vice Minister of the Secretariat.
The day after Yuan Feng's funeral, at the grand court assembly, the officials proposed a new candidate for the position of Vice Minister of the Chancellery.
Yuan Shu was the first candidate. He was now the new head of the Yuan Clan family, and his first task after taking office was naturally to take over his father's position and become the new prime minister of the Wu Dynasty.
In this way, the impact of Yuan Feng's death on the Yuan Clan can be minimized.