Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 175 - 164 - Like a Crawling Dog (4000-Word Mega - )_3

Chapter 175: Chapter 164 - Like a Crawling Dog (4000-Word Mega Chapter)_3

"Perhaps, it is impossible to give."

Su Zhaojun shook her head: "Shaobao Yu is not the kind of person who can’t adapt, easily deceived by righteousness. He is under suspicion, under everyone’s scrutiny. There are certain things he surely can’t do."

Li Chengji fell into deep thought and replied to Su Zhaojun after a while: "Please have your father tell Shaobao Yu that when the time comes, I will carefully consider his proposal. But from my perspective, what Shaobao should be considering now is how to prevent things from getting worse."

After listening to him, Su Zhaojun showed no signs of joy. Instead, she let out a long sigh.

"Why the sigh? I’m not a fool, knowing the pros and cons, I wouldn’t let things get out of hand. Even if that day does come, I would consider the welfare of my entire family first."

Li Chengji chuckled and asked again: "Is there nothing else?"

"There is!"

Su Zhaojun clasped her fist: "This year, both Jiangnan and Huguang have had a good harvest, but with the canal blocked and grain ships delayed, millions of teal of grains from the Ministry of Revenue are piled up around Zhenjiang, unable to be transported northward. The Court has issued orders repeatedly, urging the Zongdu responsible for canal transportation, but to no avail. Shaobao asked me to inquire if you have any solutions?"

Li Chengji pondered for a moment and said: "Tell Shaobao Yu that we could consider transporting by sea."

"Sea transport?"

The two present showed a bewildered look. Li Yan furrowed his brows and said: "Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? The risk is too high."

Theoretically, transporting grain from south Zhili by sea to the north is much more convenient than using the canal.

However, the sea is fraught with pirates, and it’s difficult to prevent officials from taking advantage of maritime disasters and shipwrecks to abuse their power — they have less control over losses unlike when the grain is transported under their watchful eyes via the canal.

Moreover, there are the sea demons to deal with.

"This would be an emergency measure," Li Chengji shook his head, "The only way to smooth out canal transportation is to dredge the waterways, clear the sluices, and strictly guard against smuggling. That can’t be done in one day. In the meantime, I know someone who has a good relationship with the Dragon Kings of the sea. With his help, we can certainly open up the sea route from the mouth of the Yangtze River to Tianjin. And even if we fail..."

He looked northward, a deep meaning in his eyes: "This could draw out the snake—make certain people hiding under the table stand up."

Su Zhaojun’s pupils slightly contracted, she grasped the implications in Li Chengji’s words.

He seemingly believed that the canal transport was deliberately blocked, an assessment her father also shared.

With the serious talk over, Li Chengji smiled and said: "Zhaojun, you can rest now, and attend the banquet in the hall later. I’ve had a feast arranged there, and several close friends and family members have been invited."

He then frowned: "Only Xuan is missing, he must be busy with official duties. He hasn’t come back yet, I’ve already sent someone to summon him."

"I know where the little brother is, he must have been invited to visit Xiaowei Jiang’s estate."

Just after Su Zhaojun finished speaking, a maid came to the study door, and politely bowed to the three people: "Honored sir, young master, the Madam is very happy to hear that the young madam has returned, and would like to invite the young madam for a chat."

Upon hearing this, both Li Chengji and Li Yan changed their expressions slightly, knowing that this could be the prelude to a battle.

However, Su Zhaojun smiled gracefully: "Tell me where Mother is, take me to her."