Chapter 1376 – Southern Prosperity, Autumn of Chaos (2)
Mrs. Han’s family surname is Tao. Although the Tao clan’s heritage doesn’t compare to that of the Feng family, in terms of wealth, ten Feng families wouldn’t hold a candle to them.
The Tao family tree can be traced back before the Sixteen Kingdoms, but they truly prospered after the establishment of Dongqing. Before that, their performance was mediocre, sitting comfortably in the “better than some but not as good as others” category. Before Dongqing was founded, the Tao ancestors had the foresight to bet big on Dongqing’s founding emperor. After the nation’s establishment, they became one of the emperor’s key confidants, overseeing the southern salt trade for decades and amassing a wealth that was incredibly substantial.
Over twenty years ago, with two Dongqing emperors creating chaos and ignoring court affairs, the Tao clan seized the opportunity to collude with local nobility to control the southern salt trade. They manipulated taxes and grew bolder the more benefits they reaped.
Naturally, amidst the flourishing chaos, those with clear heads began to feel apprehensive.
No one expected heaven to be so generous, with Dongqing facing northern threats, tremors in the capital, and a relocation to Chenzhou…
After a series of outrageous moves, Dongqing was effectively brought down by its own royal family.
Next came the local warlords carving up territories, with various factions fighting tooth and nail over mere scraps of land.
In such a situation, who had the time to pay attention to the salt smuggling business?
The Tao clan, along with several other powerful factions, threw aside any modesty and brazenly monopolized the salt trade. In just a few years, they accumulated wealth even more vast than that of Jiang Pengji. If you were to draw a comparison, even the great northern fat sheep of the past couldn’t hold a candle to them.
One can see how rich the Tao clan has become.
How could they willingly let go?
How could Jiang Pengji allow the Tao clan to continue their hegemony?
This is the irreconcilable conflict!
The root of Mrs. Han’s and Han Yu’s separation also lies here; otherwise, for the sake of their two legitimate sons, they wouldn’t have divorced so easily.
Han Yu understood this well, but Mrs. Han remained oblivious.
She left most of her dowry for her two legitimate sons and returned to her hometown with a small portion of assets and some servants.
To retain her dwindling dignity, Mrs. Han appeared calm before Han Yu, but when alone, she couldn’t help but shed tears.
“Lady Eldest, why must you suffer like this?”
Her maid, who had watched her grow up, felt a tight pang of sorrow seeing her in such despair.
Mrs. Han replied, “I just… find it hard to accept.”
“The Tao residence is still unaware of your separation from the young master,” the maid said worriedly. “If you return like this, I fear…”
Mrs. Han feigned calmness. “There’s no need for you to worry.”
The maid sighed deeply, filled with concern.
A divorced woman returning home cannot expect the same treatment as when she was unmarried, right?
Suddenly, Mrs. Han recalled Jiang Pengji’s previous question—
“I’m quite curious, if Wenbin was Boge and you were Qi Chaolan, would you also face a cold shoulder from your family?”
Mrs. Han shook her head; no matter how dire her situation, she wouldn’t fall to the depths of a stray dog!
Everyone at the Tao residence was taken aback by Mrs. Han’s return. After a few probing questions, her parents’ expressions paled instantly.
“You and Wenbin have divorced?”
Tao Father’s voice was grave, laced with an undercurrent of reproach and ferocity.
Mrs. Han looked weary from her travel but needed to muster her composure; she couldn’t lose her manners in front of her parents.
“Yes,” she said flatly, “I have divorced Wenbin.”
Tao Father’s finger hovered in the air, trembling slightly with heavy breaths, signaling the turmoil stirring within him.
After a moment, he rebuked Mrs. Han, “Foolish! You ungrateful girl!”
Mrs. Han, confused, asked, “Wenbin and I have run our course. If he wants a divorce, what can I do?”
“You shouldn’t have divorced at such a time!” Tao Father exclaimed. “Are you trying to give your father a heart attack?!”
Mrs. Han was taken aback by the scolding.
Tao Father’s emotions were spiraling, and if it weren’t for Tao Mother’s comforting presence, Mrs. Han would have been scolded even more severely.
Tao Mother interjected, “Master, now is not the time to blame our daughter; we should be thinking about how to navigate this tough situation!”
Under Tao Mother’s intervention and persuasion, Tao Father’s emotions finally calmed down a bit.
Mrs. Han felt a slight pang in her heart.
She secretly wondered what troubles the Tao family had encountered, and Tao Mother asked her.
“I know your character well. You’ve raised children for Wenbin; even if there’s no merit, you’ve struggled. Why would he want to divorce you?”
Tao Father and Tao Mother were not concerned about the divorce itself; they were worried about why the couple chose this sensistive moment to separate!
What was the reason for the divorce?
Mrs. Han keenly noticed her parents’ unusual concern but couldn’t grasp the reason, so she could only speak honestly.
To her, the reason for divorce stemmed from how their marital bond had been worn down by life; she and Han Yu had differing ideals, both stubborn and unwilling to yield, with Jiang Pengji looming between them. The collapse of their marriage was only a matter of time.
Tao Father and Tao Mother fell silent for a long while, their eyes darting uneasily, as if weighing the deeper implications of her words.
The atmosphere among the three felt a touch heavy.
After dinner, she privately summoned the steward of the Tao residence to inquire about recent happenings in the household.
The steward had served the Tao family for many years and was one of Tao Father’s most trusted confidants; he was knowledgeable about many affairs.
However, faced with Mrs. Han’s inquiry, the steward hesitated unusually.
Mrs. Han said, “Upon returning, I’ve heard that the Tao family is facing an insurmountable hurdle. How can I, as a member of the Tao clan, stand idly by?”
The steward replied, “Lady Eldest, it’s not that I can’t discuss this; it’s just that Master and Madam worry about you, which is why they haven’t mentioned it.”
Mrs. Han frowned. “Speak freely.”
The steward began to mention Jiang Pengji sending people to investigate the local salt trade and taxes. Mrs. Han’s complexion instantly turned pale.
“Master and Madam are indeed worried. That little rascal Liu Xi obviously has ulterior motives and may want to interfere with the salt trade. At this time, you and your young master have divorced; it makes the elders fearful that Liu Xi may have heard something that pressured your young master into this separation.”
After all, Han Yu was one of Jiang Pengji’s most trusted confidants.
If she took action against the Tao clan, reclaimed the salt trade, and rectified taxes, then—
The already stuck-in-mud Tao clan would find it hard to escape easily.
The Tao clan could not evade, and Mrs. Han, as a member of the Tao family, would naturally be entangled, while Han Yu, as the son-in-law of the Tao clan, would likely face ramifications as well.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Han’s already weary expression turned cold as death.
Though salt seemed commonplace, it was essential for every commoner’s daily life.
Seemingly worthless, it concealed immense profits.
Because everyone needed it, salt would never struggle to sell, and could instantly make one wealthy.
Mrs. Han muttered, “Then this divorce has only added trouble for my parents.”
