Winter had passed and spring had not arrived. Last night, a gust of cold wind swept past. The newly born laziness outside the walls of Ming Garden immediately froze to death, suffused with an inauspicious white.
Ming Qingda closed his eyes slightly.
He had long guessed that the other party would choose this plan. Furthermore, if he put aside the humiliation of his family being schemed against, if the owner of Zhaoshang money house actually bought into the Ming family's shares, the two sides would become one. Their funds would immediately become plentiful, and their future development would be limitless. They wouldn't even have to look at the faces of Dongyi and Taiping money house anymore.
Ming Qingda's mood warmed slightly. He thought for a moment and then said, "How much?"
"Thirty percent." The head shopkeeper let out a breath and raised his face with a warm smile. "Thirty percent of all. The government will establish a contract, a death contract."
Ming Qingda's mood, which had just gotten a little better, immediately sank into boundless anger and mockery. He gazed at the head shopkeeper and said with disdain, "Thirty percent? Has your owner not seen the world? A trifling four million liang of silver … and you want thirty percent of the Ming family? "
"You misunderstand," the head shopkeeper said respectfully. The head shopkeeper said respectfully, "Thirty percent of the total is the shares of the Ming family. The total does not include the shares of the nobles in the court … Although my master is ambitious, he does not have such a large appetite and courage."
Ming Qingda laughed coldly. The Eldest Princess and the Qin family had a large amount of shares in his house. If the thirty percent you said included the amount of shares, then that would be great. Let's see how you die in the future. However, the other party wanted the other thirty percent. This amount was too much.
"It is not worth that much," he said coldly and prepared to send the guest off.
The head shopkeeper smiled slightly and said, "The Ming family is the wealthiest in the world and controls the people of Jiangnan. They have vast acres of fertile land and countless properties. Of course, this trifling four million liang of silver is not just this amount … however, times have changed. Something like cash is not the same as assets. It is the same liang of silver, but at different times, it has different values."
He continued, "If this four million liang of silver was in the past, it would only be one year of the Ming family's cash income. Of course, it would not be worth thirty percent of the shares. However, the Ming family is currently short of cash flow and needs cash to meet an emergency. After my owner becomes a shareholder, he will provide great financial support … this four million liang represents an even more important value … to exchange it for thirty percent of the Ming family's shares is not greedy. Old Master is also a wise man. Of course, he knows that the price offered by my boss is already quite fair. "
Ming Qingda was silent for a moment. He knew the other party was speaking the truth.
"This is a serious matter. Although I'm the clan leader, I can't make a decision on my own. I need to think about it." He picked up his teacup. The manager of Zhaoshang Money House and the young man behind him left.
…
…
Ming Lanshi walked in from the side. He looked at his father and said anxiously, "Father, you can't give it to them." Then he said indignantly, "Now I know that this Zhaoshang money house is f * cking evil! You've actually been plotting against our family's business since a year ago. "
Ming Qingda glanced at his son and shook his head unhappily, disagreeing with his words. "Business is business. If it weren't for the support of Zhaoshang money house this year, our family's days would have been even worse. An IOU of 4 million liang of silver, in addition to the support of subsequent cash flow, in exchange for 30 percent of the shares is indeed as they say, a very fair price."
"But …"
Ming Qingda waved his hand tiredly. In the negotiations with Zhaoshang money house, he had appeared confident, but he had been retreating step by step. It made him doubt himself in the depths of his heart. Had his confidence waned after being repeatedly attacked by the Overwatch Council this year? Had he knelt in front of Fan Xian once and endured and retreated countless times? Had he lost a certain boldness and was he used to being led by the nose by others?
But … he was the current master of the Ming family!
Ming Qingda slowly said, "Business is business, but since Zhaoshang money house is using underhanded methods … why should we pretend that our hands have always been clean?"
Ming Lanshi felt a cold sweat pour out of his back. He stuttered, "Father, once the matter fails, it will be a death sentence."
Ming Qingda smiled coldly and said, "With the Eldest Princess protecting us, even Fan Xian would not dare to act recklessly … a mere Zhaoshang money house, what does it count for?"
"But Zhaoshang money house certainly has accounts in Dongyi." Ming Lanshi looked at his father and suddenly felt a wave of coldness. He felt that his usually incomparably wise and farsighted father was now gradually becoming stupid and angry.
"It doesn't matter!" A glimmer of savagery flashed through Ming Qingda's calm and wise eyes. He coldly said, "Dongyi's people asking for money from the Qing Kingdom … who has the patience to care?"
"How about … how about …" Ming Lanshi muttered to himself. "How about we sell the land and the estate? Although this amount of silver is a lot, it's not like we can't pay it back. "
Ming Qingda said darkly, "What you can think of, how can they not think of? The court strictly forbids private buying and selling of land. If it was for a small sect, it would be fine, but to sell so much land, how could it not alarm the government? All the procedures would take at least a year. Zhaoshang money house would rather lose 30 percent to repay the debt ahead of time. What is it for? Isn't it to force us to split the shares? "
The old man's heart suddenly sank. He thought of the law the court strictly controlled the buying and selling of land. It was one of the new policies forcefully pushed through when the mistress of the Ye family was alive.
Ming Lanshi left with an ashen face. He guessed what his father would do, but he didn't know how. He only knew that his father had finally lost his reason under the pressure of the Ming family facing a storm this year. Although he still maintained a thread of clarity with great difficulty and thought it was better to work with Zhaoshang money house, he did not dare open his mouth to persuade him to do anything because of the matter he had kept hidden.
… …
That night, on the bluestone street of Suzhou City, there were suddenly some rustling sounds. It was as if rats that had been trapped in their holes for a long time in winter had suddenly smelled the fragrance of delicious pastries, borrowing the cover of the night to come out of their nests.
However, there were only three rats. Three aces wearing black night walking clothes easily broke through the defenses of Zhaoshang money house and killed their way into the back hall.
The security of the money house had always been tight. Additionally, with Zhaoshang money house's identity behind the scenes, they had secretly invited a number of jianghu aces. However, this kind of defensive power could not stop the thunderous attack of the three night walkers. From this, it could be seen just how powerful these three night walkers were.
The most terrifying thing was the long sword in the attackers' hands. The sword seemed to be imprinted with some kind of magic. It broke through the air without a sound, and the sword did not return. It pierced forward like the anger of the nine heavens had descended. Its momentum was indomitable and never looked back. In a moment, it left behind a dozen bodies in the back of the money house and a pool of blood on the ground.
No one had the time to scream or cry for help.
However, these three brilliant swordsmen encountered a great obstacle in the back garden of the money house. They clearly saw the box of loan receipts the head shopkeeper of Zhaoshang money house held tightly in his arms, but they were unable to stab the tip of their swords into the other person's throat.
Even the leading ace among the three could not do it.
This was because the peerless green sword in his hand that could split mountains and rivers was currently surrounded by a green cloth that seemed weak but actually contained boundless power.
With three rips, the swordsman pulled back his sword. Clasping his hands together, he bowed to the young man holding the green banner.
There was dignity in martial arts. Having reached such a stage in assassination, it had become a contest of martial arts.
The green banner had already been twisted into countless pieces by the brilliant and steady sword intent. The words "Tie Xiang" written on it had also become a small black dot on the shredded cloth. The young man who had once gone by the name of Tie Xiang and now went by the name of Thirteenth Wang held the bare banner staff in his hand and looked at the black-clothed man holding the green sword with the air of a master. He slowly lowered his head and bowed in return.
"Please."
The black-clothed man took off the cloth covering his face. His expression was solemn. His three strands of light beard fluttered slightly. He held the sword sincerely and poured all the energy in his body into it.
Even with Thirteenth Wang's fearless and carefree nature, he couldn't help but be moved when he suddenly saw this person's face.
If Fan Xian was there and saw the black-clothed man's face clearly, he would probably also immediately turn and leave without a moment's delay.
…
…
Yun Zhilan, the first disciple of Dongyi's Sigu Sword and a ninth-level master of sword techniques.
Thirteenth Wang's right hand gripped the banner staff tightly. His pupils constricted slightly. He was very nervous.
The two night travelers who had followed Yun Zhilan into the back garden of Zhaoshang money house were aces from Dongyi. Seeing Yun Zhilan holding his sword and facing the chaos, they respectfully retreated to the side. In their hearts, although the young man holding the banner had an unfathomable cultivation, as long as he was not a Great Grandmaster or a strange figure like Fan Xian, he would not be defeated by one of Yun Zhilan's attacks.
Thirteenth Wang looked at him in a daze and suddenly said, "Is your injury better?"
Yun Zhilan furrowed his brows slightly and slowly said, "Do you know me?"
Last spring, Yun Zhilan had gone to Jiangnan alone. One reason was to secretly watch his female disciples train. The most important goal was to find an opportunity to assassinate the Jiangnan Road imperial envoy, Fan Xian. However, the ending of the matter was rather painful. A master of sword techniques had only sat on a fishing boat and glanced at Fan Xian from a distance upstairs before falling into the Overwatch Council's ambush.
Even now, Yun Zhilan still could not forget the sword light that had appeared like a ghost in the water. He felt a secret chill because that sword light that came and went like a ghost had caused him the heaviest injury he had suffered since he began his journey. However, the news of his injury had always been tightly controlled. Presumably, the Qing court did not want to cause a diplomatic storm. Thus, when Thirteenth Wang asked if his injury was better, Yun Zhilan felt surprised.
Thirteenth Wang smiled somewhat helplessly and said, "You are a swordsman of a generation. How can you become a thief?"
Yun Zhilan smiled and said, "Are you any different?"
"Even if you killed everyone in Zhaoshang money house and burned these deeds, you still wouldn't be able to help the Ming family." Thirteenth Wang sighed and said, "What is left here is only a copy. The original is not in Suzhou."
"If the original is in Dongyi, it will probably be gone by tomorrow," Yun Zhilan slowly said. Yun Zhilan slowly said, "I don't know where you come from, but the Ming family is too important to Dongyi. I ask that you do not obstruct me."
Thirteenth Wang said, "Ming Qingda is finished."
Before he finished speaking, the black-clothed person who had been waiting quietly by Yun Zhilan's side said, "Teacher, this person is stalling for time."
Thirteenth Wang was slightly startled. He realized that this black-clothed person was a woman. Her voice was very clear. Involuntarily, he tilted his head and smiled. "Sisi is also here?"
The black-clothed person's body shook. Yun Zhilan also looked curiously at Thirteenth Wang. He sighed and said, "I didn't expect you to know so much about my school … I am truly curious. Unfortunately, there isn't much time. Someone from the Suzhou government is about to arrive."
He slowly raised the sword in his hand. The tip of the sword trembled slightly as he pointed it at Thirteenth Wang's throat.
"You won't kill me," Thirteenth Wang said.
"Why?"
"Because …"
Thirteenth Wang's expression suddenly became solemn. His left leg took half a step back. The green banner and lone staff suddenly came crashing down. His left hand gripped the end of the staff from behind his back. His right hand pressed down. The tip of the staff pressed down with a force.
The sound of breaking wind suddenly rose and then stopped. It only cut out a line in the air.
What a powerful sword intent!
…
…
Yun Zhilan's pupils constricted slightly. Slowly, he asked, "Who exactly is the owner of Zhaoshang money house?"
Thirteenth Wang hesitated for a moment and then slowly pulled back the green banner. He opened his mouth and silently mouthed.
The shock on Yun Zhilan's face disappeared in an instant. He smiled helplessly and didn't say anything more. Turning around, he left the rear courtyard with his two female disciples. Just as he was about to leave the rear courtyard, he suddenly turned around and said, "Brother disciple, take care. Fan Xian is more sinister than you think."
Thirteenth Wang smiled bitterly and said, "Brother disciple, if you tell Ming Qingda, trust that I will certainly have the opportunity to see how Fan Xian slowly kills me."
Yun Zhilan did not turn his head. His shoulders were as steady as cast iron. After a moment of silence, he said, "He used such a large benefit as a gambling stake to test how loyal you are to him … I don't understand."
"I also don't understand," Thirteenth Wang slowly said. "Perhaps he is very confident that even if I betray him, he will still have a way to destroy the Ming family. He is only letting me take charge of this matter and conveniently see my attitude."
Yun Zhilan said, "What exactly does teacher mean? Is the Ming family more important, or is Fan Xian's trust in you more important? Only then can I decide what to do. "
"Sir Fan junior's trust is the most important," Thirteenth Wang said sincerely. "Even if I join hands with you and tell Ming Qingda the truth of the matter and help the Ming family survive this disaster, what about next time? In the end, the palace treasury is Sir Fan junior's. Teacher does not mind establishing some kind of friendship with a child from a foreign country. "
"Then, you shouldn't have told me just now," Yun Zhilan slowly said.
Thirteenth Wang smiled and glanced at the head shopkeeper of Zhaoshang money house, who was holding a document and had a face full of wariness. "Even if I didn't tell you, no one knows whether or not I would inform you in secret. So, it was better to tell you face to face."
"Looks like there won't be any action in Dongyi." Yun Zhilan sighed. He was not sighing that he had made a wasted trip. Rather, he was admiring the deep scheming beneath his teacher's foolish appearance. It was not until today that he found out that the most mysterious disciple brother disciple had been following Fan Xian to do things ever since he left the Hut.
"Yes." Thirteenth Wang lowered his head and said, "Presently, I am the one attacking, so, please step back for now and maintain your silence."
"I can step back, but why should I be silent?" Yun Zhilan calmly asked.
Thirteenth Wang took out a small jade token from his clothes and showed it to him. Yun Zhilan saw this jade token and immediately sighed. He shook his head and smiled. "The sect always knew you didn't have a sword token. Unexpectedly, teacher gave you this one."
…
…
In this world, everyone and all the factions were sitting on the fence. Dongyi was, without question, a towering tree. If he fell to any side, it could produce an unexpected result and he would never be able to float back.
Thus, Sigu Jian could not fall. His sword had to protect Dongyi. He had to have a complete understanding of the situation in the Qing Kingdom before he made a decision. Perhaps, he would only act if there was a sufficiently powerful and fatal temptation.
Because of Fan Xian's sudden rise, he had to show sufficient sincerity on Fan Xian's side. Part of his attitude was Thirteenth Wang. He had also reserved a portion of his attitude on the Eldest Princess's side, such as Yun Zhilan.
Only by doing this would he be able to obtain a corresponding benefit regardless of which side won within the Qing Kingdom.
This was grasping with both hands. Both hands had to be strong.
Tonight's surprise attack on Zhaoshang money house had caused Sigu Jian's two hands to clasp together and begin to compete. Probably even this Great Grandmaster had not expected this situation.
Fan Xian had attacked first, so Yun Zhilan could only retreat. However, he didn't need to remain silent. He could tell Ming Qingda the truth and have him reject Zhaoshang money house's investment. However, he had seen his teacher's sword token, so he understood which side the Great Grandmaster was leaning toward in the current situation.
…
…
Zhaoshang money house was completely silent. The faint smell of blood came from the front yard.
The face of the head shopkeeper of the money house, who had been on guard earlier, had long recovered its calm and warmth. He bowed solemnly to Thirteenth Wang, who was holding the green banner in a daze, and respectfully said, "Congratulations, Sir Thirteenth, on passing."
Thirteenth Wang tilted his head in a daze. A moment later, he sighed and said, "The hearts of humans are truly complicated. Teacher and Fan Xian are truly two very interesting people."
… …
Out of habit, Ming Qingda once again turned his gaze to the trees outside the high walls of Ming Garden. He felt a bit desolate in his heart. Winter had clearly ended, and the spring wind had already brushed his face. How could the green and tender branches that had sprouted a few days ago be frozen to death again?
He knew that the situation placed in front of him and his family was like a harsh winter. The Ming family had a century-old foundation. How could it be played to death so easily? However, ever since they had become royal merchants that distributed palace treasury products, the Ming family had earned a lot and sunk too deep. They could not pull themselves out. Gradually, it became a place for the various powers in the court to wrestle.
No matter how strong the merchants were, how could they stand up to the court's tricks? Regardless of whether it was the suppression this year, the manipulation of the prices a few months ago, or the vicious and somewhat shameless act of throwing rocks at silver mirrors … the Ming family had paid too much blood and sweat and lost too much power. The entire family business was becoming more and more difficult to operate.
If he could escape, the Ming family could still survive.
However, he could not escape, so he needed to solve the problem. The most pressing problem placed in front of the Ming family was the lack of cash flow and a serious lack of cash flow. To solve this problem, they needed outside support. However, Taiping money house was not a bottomless pit. It could not forever give blood to the Ming family. It was said that there were already people in Dongyi who were raising objections. As for that damned Zhaoshang money house …
Ming Qingda furrowed his brows and began to cough. He coughed until there was a tearing pain in his chest.
If Zhaoshang money house did not want 30 percent of the Ming family's shares and had enough bargaining chips in their hands, Ming Qingda would not have made such an irrational reaction. He was even willing to enter into a deeper level of cooperation with Zhaoshang money house. After this storm, they could join hands and earn all the silver in the world.
But … he wanted his family property? This touched Ming Qingda's bottom line. This was the family property he had obtained by kneeling down to kill his mother and begging for glory. How could he hand it over with both hands for 4 million liang of silver?
However, the current Ming family indeed could not pull out the silver to pay back this 4 million liang of silver. Even if Zhaoshang money house used a shallow price to pay off the contract, Ming Qingda still could not take out close to 3 million liang of silver.
He coughed even harder. A glimmer of gloominess, loss, and submission flashed through his eyes.
Yun Zhilan once again took his people and left. However, last time, this great swordsman had been injured by the Overwatch Council. This time, he had left confidently. The difference between the two made Ming Qingda smell a great danger. The night before, although many people had died in Zhaoshang money house, the account books and promissory notes had not been stolen. There was no movement in the operations in Dongyi. On the contrary, the Jiangnan Road yamen had rushed to take over the Zhaoshang money house murder case and stationed heavy guards.
At the same time, the Ming family's private soldiers were all closely watched by the provincial soldiers of the Jiangnan Road governor, Xue Qing.
Ming Qingda knew that he could no longer use thunderous methods. Being watched by the court, he could only think of a way through business. To solve the Ming family's current crisis, he could only choose to lower his head.
He tiredly said to the concubine beside him, "Go invite the people from Zhaoshang money house over … go personally. Make sure your attitude is better."
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