Zhao Guangyi entrusted the entire Tang coin confiscation policy to Magistrate Shi. This decision was not witho…
Zhao Guangyi entrusted the entire Tang coin confiscation policy to Magistrate Shi.
This decision was not without dissent in Kaifeng Prefecture. Though the magistrate was capable, his methods were notoriously harsh, so putting him in charge risked undermining the court's benevolent image. Many suspected he'd won over the young prefect with flattery and cunning.
Zhao Guangyi stood firm. With war looming, speed was paramount, and no one matched Magistrate Shi's efficiency in getting results. As for calming public unrest later, victory would provide ample means to mend fences.
Yet a nagging unease lingered. The magistrate seemed to understand him too well, his words often echoing Zhao Guangyi's own unspoken thoughts, as if... he'd been created solely to serve him. Unable to shake this suspicion, Zhao Guangyi planted spies around the magistrate.
But the spies reported nothing unusual. Was he overthinking, or did the magistrate have deeper networks than imagined?
Thankfully... the Tang Coin Confiscation was nearly complete.