"Miss Zhan, the elder is old and forgetful. Please forgive her." Liu Heyu's humble attitude stunned not only the old woman who had been shouting about what to do with Zhan Feiyu, but also the younger generation of the Liu family who were filled with righteous indignation.
But before they could speak, Liu Heyu's sharp gaze swept coldly across the crowd. The group of hot-blooded youths were so scared that they dared not act presumptuously, though their hearts were still burning with anger.
"Miss Liu is too kind. Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Zhan Feiyu's attitude was indifferent. It was clear she wasn't angry or holding a grudge. An unreasonable old woman wasn't enough for Zhan Feiyu to hold a grudge against, especially since He Sheng and He Nuan were the ones who had won.
Liu Heyu's eyes deepened slightly. Zhan Feiyu's casual demeanor indicated that the imperial merchant Liu family was insignificant in her eyes, just ordinary merchants. There was no need to make enemies, but she wouldn't give the Liu family much face either. The four characters of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant were enough to explain everything.
However, thinking of the foolish thing Liu Hefeng had done before his death, Liu Heyu was about to show her usual smile when she remembered that they were in the mourning hall. Her expression stiffened, but she still had to speak, "Miss Zhan, could you please wait a moment? I'd like to speak with you privately about Hefeng."
After a moment of hesitation, Zhan Feiyu agreed.
Seeing Liu Heyu's polite attitude towards Zhan Feiyu, the old woman knew she had kicked a steel plate. But thinking of her eldest grandson Bao'er, the old woman forced a stiff smile, "I was confused just now. Miss, I apologize to you."
Zhan Feiyu was too lazy to bother with the old woman's change from arrogance to obsequiousness. "Miss Liu, please go ahead. The guest follows the host's lead."
This wretched girl still dared to put on airs! The old woman's sharp, wrinkled face contorted. Seeing He Nuan about to leave with Zhan Feiyu, the old woman stepped forward to block them. "Miss, my attitude was bad just now, but the most a matchmaking agency would charge for a maid is fifty taels of silver. I am truly sincere, otherwise I wouldn't have offered a hundred taels."
The Liu family was wealthy and influential. Apart from those with talent in academics, the rest of the Liu family living in Liu Family Town were engaged in business.
The capable ones opened their own shops and workshops, while the less capable ones found small management positions. The Liu family was not rolling in wealth, but they were certainly not poor. Otherwise, the old woman wouldn't have offered a hundred taels.
"Mother, let's add more money." The middle-aged woman tugged at the old woman's sleeve. For Bao'er, they would accept even if they had to pay more. If they had known it would drive Bao'er mad, they wouldn't have beaten that wretched maid to death in front of Bao'er back then.
The old woman felt wronged, but since they had already caused a scene in the mourning hall and offended Heyu, she could only grit her teeth and finish the matter, otherwise, it would be a huge loss.
"I know it's too formal to talk about money given your relationship with our Liu family, but as the saying goes, even brothers need to settle accounts clearly. How about this, I'll shamelessly ask: five hundred taels of silver, and you give me this maid."
Five hundred taels of silver could buy ten beautiful maids at a matchmaking agency. When a servant was priced at five hundred taels, no one in the Liu family present thought the old woman was using her power to buy or bully.
The middle-aged woman smiled ingratiatingly at Zhan Feiyu, adding, "Miss, please rest assured, this young lady will be considered the second wife once she enters the Liu family. As long as she has children, Bao'er will make her a concubine."
As for the main wife, it was absolutely impossible. She was just a maid, of lowly status. Of course, the middle-aged woman spoke sincerely, but whether she would keep her promise in the future was uncertain. Who had the time to keep an eye on her family?
Zhan Feiyu smiled and looked coldly at the mother and daughter-in-law who didn't understand what was being said. She asked slowly, "Ah Nuan just kicked a guard flying. Aren't you worried that Ah Nuan might, in a fit of rage, exterminate all ten of your family members?"
Uh...
The Liu family members present stared dumbfounded at Zhan Feiyu, who raised her eyebrows. The young girl looked quite well-behaved when she smiled, but why did they feel a chill from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads? They felt a sense of dread.
Before the old woman and the woman spoke, they had considered that Zhan Feiyu might agree or refuse.
The mother and daughter-in-law had even thought of raising the price further. It was just money, and the Liu family lacked nothing but money. As for buying a lowly maid with so much money, they would have plenty of opportunities to vent their anger later.
But the mother and daughter-in-law did not expect Zhan Feiyu to speak so ferociously. What did she mean by "exterminate the family"?
Recalling He Nuan's swift and decisive movements just now, which rendered the servants and guards unable to fight back, let alone the old, weak, women, and children like them, it was as easy as crushing chicks.
Liu Heyu glanced at Zhan Feiyu with surprise. This young girl was indeed extraordinary. On Liu family territory, she had just spoken of killing more than ten members of the Liu family. She was truly fearless!
He Nuan remained silent, standing behind Zhan Feiyu, like the most dedicated personal maid.
"No, for Bao'er..." The middle-aged woman gritted her teeth and spoke again, "Miss, if one day we can't help it, we really have no choice. My Bao'er..."
When He Nuan went to the kitchen to fetch hot water earlier, Liu Bao'er happened to see her. He was not clear-headed and had been confined at home. These past few days, due to the funeral, the guards had become lax. Liu Bao'er had run out, only to see He Nuan.
Fortunately, the two guards who were watching found them and forcibly took him back before Liu Bao'er went mad. After all, this was a mourning hall, and the mourners were all relatives and friends of the Liu family. How could they let a madman like Liu Bao'er shout and make a scene here, which would disgrace the Liu family?
Perhaps stimulated, Liu Bao'er went mad, and even two strong young men couldn't control him. However, the courtyard gate was locked. Liu Bao'er, who had run out, began to seek death, repeatedly banging his head against the wall.
Upon hearing the news, the old woman and the woman rushed over with the money after learning the details from the two young men.
"Let alone five hundred taels of silver, your entire fortune combined wouldn't be enough," Zhan Feiyu coldly refused. Not to mention anything else, Ah Nuan's background alone was worth more than five hundred taels. Did they really think those top experts were like common cabbage that could be bought with money?
The female guards trained by the Imperial Scholar's mansion were definitely extremely precious. Liu Heyu was somewhat envious. The Liu family had a vast business, and Liu Heyu also had personal guards for protection, but she didn't have any female guards. It was too difficult to train a top expert, let alone a woman.
However, Liu Heyu herself was a woman, and she knew too well how convenient it was to have a personal maid like He Nuan. She could accompany her to ordinary occasions, which was safe and reliable. When attending banquets in the inner chambers, she would only meet female guests. She couldn't have a male guard follow her. Liu Heyu's two martial maids were also skilled, but they were only enough to deal with ordinary experts. If it were assassins or hidden guards, they wouldn't be enough. "Miss, I beg you." Perhaps knowing that Zhan Feiyu, though young, was ruthless, the woman knelt down with a thud and kowtowed to Zhan Feiyu. "I only have one son, Bao'er. She is my life. He is going mad and banging his head against the wall at home. Miss, you are a little immortal child under the Bodhisattva. Please be merciful. If anything happens to Bao'er, I won't be able to live..."
If she weren't a scholar today, Zhan Feiyu would definitely have said, "Then go die."
But as a scholar who cherished her reputation, Zhan Feiyu didn't get angry. Instead, she listened attentively and nodded sympathetically, "I understand everything you're saying."
"Miss, you agreed?" The woman looked up, her eyes full of surprise and gratitude, but in her heart, she harbored deep hatred for Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan, only thinking that once He Nuan entered the Liu family, she would break her hands and feet so she couldn't make a move.
As long as Bao'er saw her, he wouldn't go mad. The Liu family could afford a disabled maid. Broken hands and feet wouldn't prevent her from having children. When Bao'er regained his senses, he could deal with this wretched maid.
This person doesn't understand human language! Zhan Feiyu looked at the woman kneeling on the ground, her peripheral vision swept over the Liu family members who were showing sympathy. She said helplessly, "Ah Nuan is like family to me, and she is not a servant who sold herself into slavery. I cannot agree to marry Ah Nuan to a madman!"
Zhan Feiyu did not hesitate to use the word "madman." It was just mutual provocation and disgust, who was afraid of whom? "Ah Nuan was sent by my teacher to take care of me. My teacher also said that he would find a good home for Ah Nuan in the future. There are many talented young men in the capital, but Ah Nuan likes to read. She will definitely marry into a scholarly family in the future. Her future husband should at least be a Jinshi from two examinations."
Even though the Liu family were all merchants, they knew the weight of a Jinshi from two examinations. Governor Chu was a Jinshi, and his wife was also from a prestigious family of equal standing. Even if Liu Bao were not mad, a merchant could not meet the conditions Zhan Feiyu had just mentioned.
The woman kneeling on the ground almost gritted her teeth. She knew Zhan Feiyu was talking nonsense, but she couldn't find any evidence. She could only look to the old woman beside her for help.
"It's easy to find a priceless treasure, but hard to find a devoted lover. Ah Nuan, don't worry. Teacher said he will personally arrange your marriage," Zhan Feiyu said very seriously, as if she could marry off He Nuan at any moment.
"Thank you, Miss." He Nuan said gently. The mistress and servant had performed their act perfectly.
The old woman knew Zhan Feiyu wouldn't relent, so she looked at Liu Heyu with a distressed expression. "Heyu, you also know that Bao'er's life is bitter. This is his only hope. Heyu, you can't stand by and watch!"
"Miss Liu, are you trying to forcibly abduct a civilian woman? Yesterday, Lord Chu also asked me to stay in Huai'an for a few more days to look around. Now it seems the public security in Huai'an Prefecture is worrying." Zhan Feiyu spoke first, appearing terrified, which almost made the mother and daughter-in-law faint.
Liu Heyu cast a cold glance. Naturally, some members of the Liu family forcibly took the mother and daughter-in-law away. "My clansmen are ignorant of the rules and have made Miss Zhan laugh. Please come this way."
The mourning hall was too noisy, so Liu Heyu took Zhan Feiyu to a pavilion not far away. Passing through the bamboo forest, outside the pavilion was a pond. Even in autumn, the lotus leaves were lush, and the scenery was indeed beautiful.
After the maids served tea and pastries, they withdrew. He Nuan and He Sheng also retreated to a nearby spot to guard. The distance was neither too close nor too far, but close enough to hear their conversation, and close enough to come over immediately if anything happened.
"Miss Zhan, let's not beat around the bush. I just want to ask why Hefeng helped you rescue someone back then." Liu Heyu's face showed a hint of heroism and sharpness. Her complexion was not as fair as that of ordinary women. Even though she had lowered her attitude, her gaze still carried an aggressive edge when she looked at people.
Although Liu Heyu had only met Zhan Feiyu once, she knew that this young girl was the same as her in her bones: intelligent, strong, and ambitious. Therefore, she discarded unnecessary probing and decided to get straight to the point.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the lotus pond in front of her. "There's nothing that can't be said. Commander Liu had a powerful enemy, so we made a deal. He helped rescue Qi Heng, and I promised to help him get revenge when I had the chance."
From the moment Zhan Feiyu mentioned the word "enemy," shock flashed in Liu Heyu's eyes. After Zhan Feiyu finished speaking, her expression remained normal. After pondering for a while, she asked, "Did Hefeng say anything about his enemy? Although the Liu family is just a merchant family, Hefeng's enemy is also the Liu family's enemy."
Zhan Feiyu shook her head. "He didn't say, and I didn't press him. I didn't expect Commander Liu to die in an accident. The letter he sent before his death was also a reminder for me to fulfill the promise I made."
As her voice fell, Zhan Feiyu placed the letter on the stone table.
Liu Heyu looked at Zhan Feiyu in surprise. She was unsure if Zhan Feiyu was telling the truth before, but she had produced the letter, which made Liu Heyu relax her guard.
The paper, stained with blood, had a faint腥臭味. Fortunately, the handwriting was clear. Liu Heyu quickly read it from beginning to end. As Zhan Feiyu had just said, the letter from Liu Hefeng before his death was only a reminder for her to fulfill her promise, with no other useful information.
However, thinking about it, Liu Hefeng was stabbed in the chest with a knife. The doctor had used silver needles to keep him alive just long enough to write this letter. Even if Liu Hefeng wanted to write more, his body probably couldn't support it.
Liu Heyu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not mention Liu Hefeng's property. She personally escorted Zhan Feiyu to the carriage before turning back to the ancestral home.
"Heyu, what's the situation?" The sixth clan elder asked impatiently. The incident in the mourning hall was known to all eight clan elders.
Although the Liu family mother and daughter-in-law were the ones who were rude first, it also showed Zhan Feiyu's strong and overbearing nature. Even knowing it was Liu Hefeng's mourning hall, she still fought fiercely. If they knew about Liu Hefeng's property, which was worth as much as five hundred thousand taels of silver, and if Zhan Feiyu was determined to have it, with Scholar Gu supporting her from behind, the Liu family would probably have to accept it grudgingly.
"I spoke with Zhan Feiyu, and she doesn't know about this matter." Liu Heyu concealed the matter of Liu Hefeng's enemy and gave a general account. Zhan Feiyu didn't know now, but it didn't mean she would never know. The key was whether Liu Hefeng had any backup plans.
...
Xinglong Inn.
After washing up, Zhan Feiyu changed her clothes and sat in a chair as if her bones had dissolved. He Nuan was using a cloth towel to dry Zhan Feiyu's hair.
"Miss, are we leaving Huai'an Prefecture tomorrow?" He Nuan asked. She didn't want to stay here anymore. Because of Liu Hefeng's funeral, no one in Huai'an Prefecture was selling meat. He Nuan just wanted to leave and properly replenish Zhan Feiyu's health. The young lady studied too hard and it consumed too much mental energy. She couldn't eat vegetarian food every day.
Zhan Feiyu nodded, but then her scalp ached, and she let out a hiss. She sat obediently and dared not move. "Yes, we'll leave tomorrow. Teacher asked me to travel and see the world."
Zhan Feiyu was too lazy to go out, but now that she was out, she was too lazy to go back. She might as well take the opportunity to look around.
Huai'an Prefecture was quiet at night, without its usual revelry. Every household closed their doors early to sleep. Even the young masters like Tian Zijian had nowhere to play and could only return home.
When the courtyard gate was knocked, He Sheng had already gone to bed. Was someone still coming at this hour?
Zhan Feiyu was not asleep. Hearing footsteps outside the door, she put down the brush in her hand. A late-night visit from the Liu family was too strange.
"Ah Nuan, bring two cups of tea." Zhan Feiyu called out. She knew a little about the Liu family, so seeing the resemblance to Liu Hefeng's features, Zhan Feiyu knew the visitor's identity.
Liu Hejin smelled the faint scent of ink and looked at the desk by the window. Besides the stationery, there were seven or eight books on the table, one of which was open.
Just then, the sound of a watchman striking the watch echoed in the alley. "The weather is dry and the fire is easy to start, be careful with fire..."
It was already the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), and Zhan Feiyu was still reading. Liu Hejin finally understood how Zhan Feiyu became the little San Yuan. "I've disturbed Miss Zhan's studies. I am Hefeng's elder brother, and the one you saw during the day was our eldest sister."
"Young Master Liu, why have you come alone so late at night? What is the important matter?" Zhan Feiyu was genuinely curious.
Liu Heyu saw her, partly out of courtesy, and partly to test her. After all, everyone was curious about what she and Liu Hefeng had discussed in Fengzhou that made him help rescue Qi Heng.
Liu Hejin chuckled, stroking his chin, as if thinking about how to start.
Seeing this, Zhan Feiyu did not rush him. He Nuan brought the tea and then retreated to the corner to stand. Liu Hejin gritted his teeth and spoke.
"Miss Zhan, I heard that the great scholar of Fengzhou Prefecture gave you a large estate that day, but you only accepted the shops and houses in Fengzhou. You didn't take the silver or any jewelry and artifacts." Liu Hejin looked at Zhan Feiyu as if she were an idiot. She was still too young and didn't know the value of silver.
Half of the silver from Scholar Wei's family was given to Young Master Ming San, as establishing a academy was not easy and there were too many places where money was needed. As for the decorative artifacts, Scholar Wei had a separate courtyard in the academy, where these artifacts were displayed.
As for the deeds of the shops and houses, they were all in Zhan Feiyu's hands. Selling them would not be cost-effective. The shops would continue to be rented out, and the houses were guarded by a few servants. If Scholar Wei returned to Fengzhou in the future, there would be a place for him to stay.
"So what? What does this have to do with your late-night visit, Great Young Master?" Zhan Feiyu guessed a little. Liu Hejin might have come to her for money, but she didn't know the specifics.
Having been a profligate who spent money like water for so many years, Liu Hejin was no longer used to speaking halfway and leaving the rest unsaid. He picked up the teacup and drank half of it. "Hefeng had previously left his properties to you. Miss Zhan, these are the properties of my Liu family. Hefeng was not related to you by blood or marriage. I hope you will not interfere with these properties and return them to the Liu family!"
Not only was Zhan Feiyu surprised, but He Nuan, who was standing by, was also stunned. Why did everyone like to give their young lady family property?
"If there wasn't much silver, Great Young Master probably wouldn't have come so late at night." Zhan Feiyu smiled. She was just a nine-year-old girl, and this smile made her look even more childlike, but it made Liu Hejin's heart skip a beat. Did she want Hefeng's inheritance?
Seeing Liu Hejin's apprehensive appearance, Zhan Feiyu finally understood why Liu Heyu, a woman, managed the Liu family's business. "Actually, it's not that much," Liu Hejin said dryly, regretting this trip. This young girl was too difficult to deal with. He couldn't figure out her intentions at all.
If she were greedy for money, not only did she not take Scholar Wei's inheritance, but she also didn't take the money from Meiren Zhuang. This added up to more than a hundred thousand taels of silver, yet Zhan Feiyu refused it.
But seeing Zhan Feiyu's smiling face, she seemed to really want to seize Hefeng's inheritance. Liu Hejin wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead. He was an old profligate of his age, but he spoke so cautiously, as if Zhan Feiyu would run away if she got angry.
Thinking of Liu Hefeng's letter before his death, Zhan Feiyu finally understood Liu Hefeng's plan. These properties were the fuse. If Zhan Feiyu really wanted to take them, there would inevitably be a conflict with the Liu family.
Of course, Zhan Feiyu could also refuse, as she was not a greedy person. However, there were too many places in the Great Qing Dynasty that lacked silver, the foremost being the border. It would be a waste not to take the silver that came to her. It would be legitimate to take it.
Considering Liu Hejin's late-night visit, Zhan Feiyu smiled and said, "I don't want the silver, but..."
Liu Hejin's smile froze on his face, and his ominous premonition deepened.
"I've decided to send the silver to the border." Zhan Feiyu thought of Prince Yu. She couldn't get the silver from the Liu family, and she didn't have time to negotiate. But if this silver went to the border, she believed the Liu family wouldn't dare to deduct the silver from the border generals. No matter how powerful the imperial merchant Liu family was, whether they were a powerful dragon or a local snake, they would have to submit to the generals who dared to wield swords.
"How can you do that?" Liu Hejin stood up abruptly, pointing his finger at Zhan Feiyu.
Thinking of those generals who would find fault even when they were in the right, Liu Hejin slumped back into his chair, feeling dejected. He shouldn't have come. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to embrace a beauty and sleep at night?
"How much silver did Liu Hefeng leave me?" Zhan Feiyu was genuinely curious. For the eldest young master of the Liu family to come so late at night, the amount must be considerable. If it were only ten or eight thousand, Liu Hejin probably wouldn't have bothered.
Even though his heart was bleeding, Liu Hejin, as an old profligate, had this one good quality: he was open-minded and didn't dwell on troubles. He cast a resentful glance at Zhan Feiyu and waved his hand.
"Fifty thousand taels?" Even Zhan Feiyu was shocked. Seeing Liu Hejin nod with a look of despair, Zhan Feiyu knew this generous gift was not light, and she would definitely fulfill what she had promised Liu Hefeng.
Wiping his face fiercely, Liu Hejin licked his old face and smiled. "Actually, besides the cash, there are more shops and some land. If you give them to the court, these shops will have to close. They earn at least tens of thousands of taels a year. Why don't you take the silver, and I'll find someone to manage the rest of the business for you? You'll have income every year."
"This matter is of great importance, please allow me to think about it again." Zhan Feiyu did not give an immediate answer and sent Liu Hejin away.
After a while, Zhan Feiyu picked up her brush and wrote a secret letter to Scholar Gu in the capital. "Ah Nuan, have someone send it to the capital immediately, as soon as possible." m..oΓg
"Then we're not leaving tomorrow?" He Nuan took the letter and asked. After all, it involved fifty thousand taels of silver. This was not a small sum, and it was enough to know the wealth of the imperial merchant Liu family, which was truly as rich as a nation.
Zhan Feiyu nodded. She would definitely have to stay in Huai'an Prefecture for a few more days, at least until this matter was resolved. Otherwise, she would have to make another trip in the future.
...
The Capital. Scholar Gu found that every time he received a letter from his young disciple, it was before he went out, as if the letters were delivered at precisely the right time.
Scholar Gu smiled and put the letter into his sleeve. Since His Majesty liked it, why not help the young girl gain more favor with His Majesty?
After the morning court, not only was His Majesty tired, but even ministers like Scholar Gu were exhausted. The country had no small matters. Any decision in the court required careful consideration to ensure there were no problems before implementation.
His Majesty looked at the letter presented by Eunuch Liu. Seeing the familiar official script, he couldn't help but smile and say, "Isn't your little disciple urging you to change her chief examiner?"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, Xiao Yu will not participate in next year's provincial examinations." Scholar Gu couldn't be bothered to retaliate when he thought of the mess Administrator Chen had made in the academy examination.
The dignified third-rank administrator of the court had tampered with the academy examination against a mere child scholar, and had failed. If it were Gu Qingzhou himself, he would have resigned and returned home to farm.
It was also because Chen Minzhong was thick-skinned and pretended that nothing had happened, continuing to preside over the academy examinations in other prefectures. Of course, there was still next year's provincial examination. It was unfortunate for the scholars in Jiangnan Province to have such a shameless mentor.
There were nearly a thousand candidates from four prefectures. This news could not be kept secret or suppressed. Therefore, within a few days, it had spread throughout Jiangnan Province. The dignified administrator was looked down upon and despised by scholars. The current situation of Administrator Chen was imaginable.
Furthermore, some scholars with strong integrity had declared that if Administrator Chen Wei was still the chief examiner for the provincial examinations next year, they would not take the examinations and would wait for three years. Since the administrator usually served a three-year term, Administrator Chen could not always be the administrator of Jiangnan Province.
Zhan Feiyu was already the little San Yuan, and she was a disciple of Scholar Gu. The scholars admired Scholar Gu so much that they would protect Zhan Feiyu even more, and thus despise Administrator Chen even more. It was reasonable for the old master Chen to be seriously ill.
As for the Chen family's predicament, if the First Prince personally went to Jiangnan Province, he could at least restore the Chen family's reputation. If one has learned the skills of both literature and martial arts, one can serve the emperor. The First Prince represented the current His Majesty, the imperial family. Unless the scholars in Jiangnan Province did not want to take the imperial examinations, who would dare to oppose the First Prince?
Before reading Zhan Feiyu's letter, His Majesty might have agreed. Although he handled state affairs with decisive and strong methods, he was also very lenient towards old court officials. With Old Master Chen seriously ill, it was reasonable for the First Prince to visit him as his maternal grandson.
As for the First Prince taking the opportunity to vindicate Administrator Chen, or to win over the scholars and various prominent families in Jiangnan Province, His Majesty did not care. However, at this moment, His Majesty was worried that the First Prince would go to trouble Zhan Feiyu. The young girl was not someone to be trifled with. If a fight really broke out, the young girl would be the one to suffer.
The First Prince glanced at the pensive His Majesty, and his heart skipped a beat. Did His Majesty want to refuse even this small request?
"A report of military intelligence came from the border a few days ago. A small group of unidentified bandits were active in Anding Prefecture. You lead troops there to investigate." His Majesty offered a compromise.
The First Prince was surprised, and then his face lit up with joy. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will not fail my mission!"
Even if it was just a small group of bandits, they could be enemy troops. But for the First Prince, this was a good opportunity to lead troops. He was so happy that he forgot that Prince Yu was currently in the Northwest. If enemy troops had really infiltrated Anding Prefecture, why would they send the First Prince from the capital? They could directly order Prince Yu to investigate.
Watching the First Prince leave in a hurry, seeing that he had even forgotten about the seriously ill Old Master Chen, His Majesty's eyes showed unspeakable disappointment. Therefore, the earnest words he had spoken earlier, that filial piety, were all false.
Scholar Gu had already finished reading the letter. He glanced at the dazed His Majesty and couldn't help but smile. "As the saying goes, 'A person in a position should govern according to their responsibilities.' As His Majesty's first child, the First Prince was born with a noble status. It would be strange if he had no ambition at all."
Of course, a brute like the First Prince, no matter how ambitious, was not to be feared.
"If you teach like this, I'm worried you'll mislead your disciples." His Majesty rebuked him playfully. How could the phrase "a person in a position should govern according to their responsibilities" be explained like this?
However, thinking that only Gu Qingzhou dared to casually discuss the crown prince and ambition, His Majesty was not angry. Instead, he was in a good mood. A gentleman is open and aboveboard, while a petty person is always worried. This is the principle.
Mentioning Zhan Feiyu, Gu Qingzhou shook the letter in his hand, his expression unusually proud and smug. "The few things my little girl has done for the court are things that many court officials cannot achieve in a lifetime. I am already satisfied."
Not to mention the movable type printing, even Prince Yu in the Northwest, once a large amount of salt could be produced using the salt-making method, the court could control the price of salt. Not only would the common people be able to afford salt, but the national treasury would also be enriched by salt tax. As for those large salt merchants, they had already made a fortune over the years, and it was time for them to be content.
"Fifty thousand taels of silver! If I told any general in the court, they would be able to lead people to Huai'an Prefecture." Gu Qingzhou found the scene amusing. The national treasury had a lot of silver, but the Great Qing Dynasty had a vast territory. There were natural disasters here and man-made disasters there, and they also had to support so many soldiers. No amount of silver was enough.
Not to mention the grain Zhan Feiyu obtained from the Chen family earlier, nor the money from Meiren Zhuang, this time it was fifty thousand taels, which could make the border soldiers happy for half a year.
"Who is Liu Hefeng's enemy?" His Majesty pressed. Helping someone get revenge and getting fifty thousand taels, His Majesty could probably send the Imperial Guards to do some dirty work. This money came too easily.
"I don't know either." Gu Qingzhou did not hide anything and gave a general account of Zhan Feiyu's trip to Fengzhou and Qi Heng's kidnapping. "At that time, this girl also used trickery. Later, she wrote to ask me, but I didn't know much about the imperial merchant Liu family, and the people I sent to investigate didn't find anything."
His Majesty did know that Gu Qingzhou had sent people to Huai'an Prefecture to investigate the imperial merchant Liu family. He remembered that it was the day Consort Jing attended his bedside, and His Majesty had asked about it. However, although Consort Jing was adopted by the Liu family, she had lived in Zhongzhou Prefecture all year round due to her health and did not know about the Liu family's affairs.
Fifty thousand taels of silver was not a small sum, but it was inconvenient for the court officials to come forward. It would not sound good if it spread, and people would think that His Majesty was competing with the people for profit. It was better to fear rumors that His Majesty was seizing property by force.
Therefore, as Zhan Feiyu wrote in her letter, it was best to send a military general. Preferably one who was upright and unreasonable. Then, the Liu family would not dare not to give the money.
Huai'an Prefecture.
Zhan Feiyu was not in a hurry to leave. She still had to wait for Scholar Gu's letter and for the court to send someone over. This would take at least half a month.
"Go to Governor Chu to ask for advice?" He Nuan was stunned. Except for meeting Governor Chu at the yamen and being examined by him earlier, Miss had no other connection with Governor Chu. Was she going to visit him uninvited?
Zhan Feiyu sorted out the questions she wanted to ask and replied without looking up, "Lord Chu is a Jinshi from two examinations and is highly respected by the scholars in Huai'an Prefecture. To learn well, one must be thick-skinned and politely say 'not ashamed to ask'."
He Nuan nodded in agreement. When it came to sophistry, Miss was second to none.
"Ah Nuan, bring the silver. I'll go buy some gifts first." Zhan Feiyu also planned to have a meal at Governor Chu's place. The inn did not sell meat, and there were no vendors selling it on the streets outside.
Some prominent families in Huai'an Prefecture had their own estates, so they naturally did not lack meat. Governor Chu, as a fourth-rank governor, naturally did not need to fear the Liu family, so the Liu family would not say anything even if he ate meat. In the end, it was the people at the bottom who suffered. For fear of offending the Liu family, who would dare to eat meat?