(Time is very messy right now, so it is even messier. PS: After lunch in the underground tunnel, I saw a few people playing chess to swindle money. I saw one person fall for the trick and move a chess piece. I spoke too much and was glared at by the hidden chess piece. I am not in a good mood and feel inferior because I don't know how to use Tyrannical zhenqi … these chapters are instructions. I want to learn this writing method. I don't know how it will turn out.)
"How is Lan Shi today?" The old Ming matriarch looked at her son coldly and was concerned about her grandson.
Ming Qingda narrowed his eyes and said, "The child knows what is important. Besides, he has treated her well these few years."
"Men," the old Ming matriarch said mockingly. "In the end, they are all like this."
The old woman thought for a bit and then shook her head. "Have Lan Shi have less contact with Master Yuan. A few days ago, I heard that the imperial envoy's student was opening a brothel in the city. Lan Shi sold the bamboo house and felt uncomfortable. He was planning with Master Yuan on how to break the imperial envoy's business. Since we have drawn up the rules, of course, we cannot do the opposite."
She continued coldly, "Master Yuan is the heir's woman. Have Lan Shi drool less. Besides, it's not like you don't know that the Fan family hates Yuan Meng to the bone. If Fan Xian discovers that Yuan Meng is in Suzhou, he will probably kill her at the first opportunity. If Ming Shi interacts with her, it will be a bit more dangerous."
Ming Qingda nodded his head in agreement and was about to leave the room when unexpectedly his old mother still kept him. After a moment of silence, she asked worriedly, "Our arrangements are, in the end, our arrangements. I feel that after Sir Fan junior's iron hand rectified the palace treasury, he shouldn't be so quiet."
Ming Qingda thought for a bit and then replied calmly, "Mother, don't worry. After all, our family is a large family with a reputation under heaven. Without concrete evidence, even an imperial envoy would not dare to act recklessly."
The old Ming matriarch's eyebrows were all white. Her wrinkled face was filled with worldliness and coldness. In a cold voice, she huffed, "Don't dare? He doesn't even want 400,000 liang of shining white snow silver. He must want even more. Other than the Ming family, who else in this world can give him so much silver? "
It was indeed so. To raise 400,000 liang of silver in such a short amount of time and deliver it to Fan Xian's hands, this kind of ability was enough to shock the world. Although Fan Xian, incredibly, did not accept it, this could be called the largest bribe in the world. It could already be recorded in the annals of history. Fan Xian didn't even want 400,000 liang of silver. Naturally, what he was after was even greater.
"I have thought about it." Ming Qingda said unhurriedly, "The imperial envoy not taking money is not necessarily a bad thing. Last September, the Cui family sent 20,000 liang of silver to Yishi Tavern. Sir Fan junior kindly accepted it, but as soon as he turned around, the Cui family was wiped out. So, whether or not he accepted the silver does not mean this strange sir has any thoughts. "
Since ancient times, accepting silver to do things was a matter of course. Fan Xian accepting 20,000 liang of silver from the Cui family, not only did he not give them any benefits, but he also struck like lightning and toppled the Cui family. This action completely destroyed Fan Xian's reputation on the jianghu for bribery. The Jiangnan merchants bore a deep grudge against this matter.
The old Ming matriarch's cheeks were weak. When she smiled, they appeared particularly terrifying. She mockingly said, "The Cui family is also petty and can't even see things clearly. Their precious son offended Fan Xian in Shangjing in Northern Qi and was punished to kneel in the middle of the night. They want to use 20,000 liang of silver to smooth things over? Sir Fan junior did not accept this silver to do things for the Cui family. He only expressed that he no longer bore a grudge against the Shangjing matter. As for what happened afterward, who knows what happened. "
Speaking of this, the old woman furrowed her brows and asked, "How is Hui'er?"
Ming Qingda replied, "Her mood is better."
Under the Eldest Princess's secret arrangements, the Cui and Ming families were carrying out a marriage alliance. The Hui'er mentioned now was the wife of the third generation of the Ming family, Ming Lanshi, Cui Zhihui. After the Cui family had been toppled by Fan Xian, although those prominent figures had survived under Yan Xiaoyi's protection, their families had been destroyed and their people scattered. Qian Guan had left in a romantic manner. The bride who married into the Ming family could not help but feel terrified and wash her face with tears every day.
After talking about some family matters, the old Ming matriarch brought the topic back to the main topic. She narrowed her eyes and said, "The shopkeeper of Taiping money house came to say earlier that the silver our family has deposited is pretty much all prepared this time. However, a few days ago, you came to tell me about Zhaoshang money house … what is its background? How come I've never heard of it? "
"I am a bit worried about Taiping money house," Ming Qingda furrowed his brows and said. Ming Qingda furrowed his brows and said, "The Shi Chanli you mentioned earlier, I heard he had withdrawn a few large sums of silver from the money house. If the court or the imperial envoy has done something, I'm afraid there will be some problems."
He saw that his mother did not say anything and was deep in thought. He then continued, "Zhaoshang money house is a new one. It only appeared in Dongyi last year. As you know, most of the money houses nowadays come from Dongyi. I've asked someone to investigate the shares and background behind them. There shouldn't be any problems. What I am thinking is that if the price of the palace treasury bidding is raised by the imperial envoy, there must be a guarantee of future cash flow. Other than Taiping money house, there must be another way out. "
The old Ming matriarch opened her eyes and smiled coldly. "What kind of background makes you believe it so? Our family does palace treasury business, and the silver we need is like flowing water. How can a small money house be in such a rush? Fan Xian going to Jiangnan actually messed up your thoughts. You really don't have much of a future. "
Ming Qingda's heart was slightly angry, but he still maintained a smile on his face. He explained, "The main thing is that the background is reliable. Guess who is behind that Zhaoshang money house?"
"Don't try to be mysterious with me." The old Ming matriarch glared at her son with disgust.
Ming Qingda coughed and said, "I've investigated clearly. Most of the shares in Zhaoshang money house belong to the Shen family. The Northern Qi court chased after them very hard. Back then, the Shen family's money manager fled to Dongyi. Only then did he start this business."
"The Shen family?" A glimmer of interest finally appeared in the old Ming matriarch's eyes. "The Provost of the Northern Qi Discipline Commission, Shen Zhong?"
"That's right."
The old Ming matriarch was silent for a moment and then smiled dryly. "The Northern Qi court confiscated the Shen family. Young lady Shen fled alone, and there has been a sum of wealth that has not been confiscated. Back then, Shen Zhong and the Cui family worked together to control the palace treasury smuggling to Northern Qi. Who knows how much silver was saved. If it was his family, then this money house does have some financial power. "
"Most importantly, Zhaoshang money house's true backer is a very powerful family in Dongyi." Ming Qingda struck while the iron was hot. "Shen Zhong was killed by the Northern Qi Emperor. Furthermore, it should have something to do with Sir Fan junior, so Zhaoshang money house would certainly not communicate with the court and Northern Qi."
Other than the large amount of silver hidden in the Ming family's fields and manors, most of the silver used for business was stored in Taiping money house. The seal to transfer money from Taiping money house had always been in the hands of the old Ming matriarch. Ming Qingda had the title of Master of the Ming family in name, but in reality, he was just a puppet. Today, he was trying his best to recommend Zhaoshang money house to his mother. Who knew what he was thinking?
He didn't know if the old Ming matriarch had sensed her son's thoughts, but her smile instantly disappeared. She coldly said, "Did you not find out how much money Shi Chanli was able to move from Taiping money house?"
Ming Qingda felt a thread of cold sweat trickle down his back. He forced himself to be calm and said, "Taiping was forced by me. Their old shopkeeper had no choice but to break the rules and give me an actual number. I'm not sure where the silver Shi Chanli was able to get came from, but it should be from the Fan family. The total number should be around 50,000 liang."
The old Ming matriarch huffed coldly and didn't speak. She only stared at her son.
Ming Qingda became more and more nervous.
After an indeterminable amount of time, the old Ming matriarch sighed and said, "Let's not rush to contact Zhaoshang. First, Shi Chanli doesn't have much silver to move. It's not enough to make trouble for us with the bidding. Second, behind Taiping money house is Sigu Jian, that strange old creature. What this money house cares about the most is credibility. If you let them break the rules, that is because Sigu Jian needs the Ming family to send goods to Dongyi. If you turn around and start flirting with Zhaoshang money house, how could they feel comfortable? Third, even if Zhaoshang money house has the Shen family's money behind it, it actually doesn't amount to much. Even if there are the large clans in Dongyi you spoke of … Dongyi is also very chaotic. The so-called large clans are probably a thorn in Sigu Jian's side. Why should we offend Sigu Jian? "
Ming Qingda raised his head as if he hadn't expected his mother to speak to him so warmly.
The old Ming matriarch finally came to a conclusion. "We can have some small dealings with Zhaoshang money house. As for the palace treasury, we must still go through Taiping money house to be on the safe side."
Ming Qingda didn't say anything more. He always felt that behind his mother's warmth hid a knife that could kill without seeing blood. However, he was still not satisfied in his heart. In doing business, capital was important. If everything was placed in Taiping money house, how could that work?
There was a slight deviation in the judgment of mother and son. It was this deviation that led to the troublesome matters later on.
…
…
"If the imperial envoy can tolerate our family for a few years, then we will do as you say and continue like this. If he … must destroy the Ming family, you know what to do."
Ming Qingda bowed his head in acknowledgment. After a moment of silence, he said, "The Junshang Conference is next month. I'm afraid there won't be enough time."
The old Ming matriarch looked at him coldly. "Killing people is not an urgent task … as for the Junshang Conference, the Ming family has raised the Jiangnan martial world for so many years and protected them under the eyes of the court for so many years. Shouldn't they have some repayment?"
The killing people in these words referred to killing Fan Xian. The Junshang Conference was definitely not the martial arts conference that Zou Lei had once wanted to use against Fan Xian.
There were so-called jianghu in the Qing Kingdom, but the true jianghu was definitely not like the plain beside West Lake.
There were so-called aces in the wilderness. Aces at the level of the old Jiangnan water bandits were hidden in who knew how many places.
The so-called Junshang Conference was the true gathering place for these so-called aces of the jianghu. The Junshang Conference was never known by others. No one knew exactly how powerful it was.
If Fan Xian truly wanted to exterminate the Ming family, a large family that had lasted for hundreds of years would naturally have a way to counterattack. Particularly at the moment, the Shadows and professional assassins of the Sixth Bureau were all over Jiangnan playing hide-and-seek with the Dongyi swordsmen. The defense around Fan Xian was not as tight as it looked.
Ming Qingda clearly did not agree with this suggestion and said with slight mockery, "I don't believe the Junshang Conference can kill someone that even Dongyi can't kill. Other than that, mother, don't forget that the imperial envoy himself is a top ace. He also has the Tiger Guards sent by the Emperor at his side. Most importantly … that Northern Qi saint girl Haitang should also be by his side. "
The old Ming matriarch looked at her son with pity. "Killing is putting one's life on the line. It is not a game that cares about success. If someone wants to kill our entire family and you are still considering whether or not you can kill them, then you will never have the chance to kill them."
Ming Qingda smiled bitterly and replied, "Even if we can kill Fan Xian, so what? The Emperor is angry and the world is shocked. Can the Ming family survive? "
"Naturally, we have to do it flawlessly and give the people of the world a convincing answer," the old Ming matriarch said coldly. "If Fan Xian can be killed, naturally, it will be Dongyi's Sigu Jian who did it. What does it have to do with the Ming family? In any case, Sigu Jian has taken the blame many times these years. One more doesn't matter. "
Ming Qingda mockingly said, "Perhaps this excuse can only fool us, but it cannot fool the people under heaven, much less the Overwatch Council and the Emperor."
"If Fan Xian can be killed," the old Ming matriarch said expressionlessly, "Of course, it would be best if peace could be maintained. But, if that day truly comes, I believe that the wise Emperor of the Qing court will not shake the entire Jiangnan and the foundation of his rule for the sake of a dead illegitimate child. If the matter can be suppressed to the smallest degree, the Emperor will certainly suppress it. "
"A living Fan Xian is more valuable than 10 Ming families, but 10 dead Fan Xian cannot compare to a broken Ming family. The Emperor does not like the Ming family, but he cannot destroy the Ming family. Thus, the Emperor only hopes that this time, Fan Xian will be able to seize the Ming family completely into the hands of the court. If you can understand this, then I can rest assured in handing this family to you. "
A glimmer of hatred rose to the old Ming matriarch's face. "When the time comes, I will throw in my life."
Ming Qingda's feelings were mixed. Crying, he said, "Mother, what unlucky words are you saying?"
He laughed coldly in his heart. The old woman was indeed old to be so muddle-headed in seeing things. If she really killed Fan Xian as she said, how could the Emperor give the Ming family a way out? Throw in your life? Do you really think your old life is so valuable?
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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