As a king, Shang Junlin certainly knew the difference between the two.
"I originally thought that you arranged this play just to make the people more accepting of the donations. I didn't expect that there was a deeper meaning. You asked me to delay the time, so you were waiting for this opportunity."
Shen Yu nodded: "I always feel that those people have a backup plan. They stole a batch of supplies, so they definitely won't watch us collect enough supplies to send to Subei again."
Shang Junlin: "What I'm most worried about is that the people from the Northern Desert have infiltrated the officials of Subei. According to the news from the Hidden Dragon Guards, they haven't found any traces of the people from the Northern Desert."
Shen Yu: "The Northern Desert is undoubtedly the most beneficial to the disaster in Subei. Without the threat of the Northern Army, Subei is undoubtedly in the bag for the Northern Desert. Your Majesty thinks that it's not strange that the people from the Northern Desert are involved, but I'm more inclined to think that it's done by someone in Dahuan. Your Majesty, don't forget that the King of Yue is still in the secret prison."
Shang Junlin: "A Yu suspects that it's the people behind the King of Yue?"
Shen Yu: "If the King of Yue wants that position, food, gold, and silver are all indispensable. Your Majesty, did you send people to the King of Yue's fief?"
The King of Yue had been detained in the capital for so long, but there was no movement in his fief. This was an abnormal thing.
"Your Majesty can use the donation as an excuse to investigate the King of Yue's fief."
After a cup of tea's time, the second half of the play continued. The discussion below slowly disappeared, and everyone's attention turned back to the play.
On the other side, in a private room.
Noticing that Imperial Physician Gu was obviously not in the right state, Imperial Physician Qian poured a cup of tea for him: "What are you thinking about?"
"I seem to have seen an acquaintance just now," Imperial Physician Gu paused for a moment and took the teacup: "I don't know if I'm mistaken."
"Is it your good friend? Why don't you invite them over for a chat? "
Imperial Physician Gu shook his head: "No need, I think they don't want to be disturbed."
Seeing this, Imperial Physician Qian didn't say anything more.
After the play ended, there was a thunderous applause below the stage.
"This ending is really satisfying. Corrupt officials should be beheaded in public like this!"
"Qiang Niang has finally reunited with her lover after going through untold hardships. I am satisfied that our lovers have finally gotten married."
"Mother Chang's efforts were not in vain. The wicked were punished, and the good were rewarded. The disaster was resolved in time, and the enemies who wanted to take advantage of the situation were defeated. How satisfying!"
There were both men and women who came to watch the show. Both sides focused on different things, but no matter which side, they were all very satisfied with the ending.
Shen Yu and Shang Junlin walked out of the opera house. Along the way, they could hear the discussions of the people around them.
Apart from the story itself, the most talked about part of the story was the actions of Wu Niang in the play.
Chang Niang was the embodiment of all the beauty of women in the world. She had the tenderness of a woman, but she also had the courage and courage of a man. She dared to say and do what she wanted, and she was not afraid of difficulties. She had touched countless people.
"Since Chang Niang in the play succeeded, does this mean that this method is feasible?"
"I am also thinking about this problem. You and I are both businessmen, so we know that the treatment of businessmen in the Great Huan Dynasty is much better than that of other courts. In the play, Chang Niang's situation was so difficult, but she still succeeded in the end. Because of their actions, the situation of the businessmen at that time was changed. If we can contribute to the Great Northern Su, can we also change the way the world views businessmen?"
Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen, the ideas passed down from generation to generation were not easy to change. Even if the Great Huan Dynasty was not harsh on businessmen, because of all kinds of inherent ideas, the status of businessmen was not high.
No matter how much money they had in their hands, if they didn't spend a lot of money to bribe people, they could easily lose a lot of money. Even if they had to spend money to buy peace of mind, buy protection, they were willing to do so.
However, in most cases, after the money was spent and the relationship was good, the other party could still back out at the last minute.
Shen Yu's sponsorship and donations could prevent this from happening.
Shen Yu's play had already been performed in the capital for several days, and local opera troupes had also started to rehearse this play. For each troupe, as long as there were people watching, it was the same no matter what they rehearsed.
There were also storytellers who saw a business opportunity telling stories about Chang Niang in restaurants and teahouses. The guests liked to listen, and they were happy to tell more.
After a few days of fermentation, the government received a petition from the people.
Not only the government, but also the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Revenue, and several other places received the petition.
In the morning court, the Minister of Revenue directly took out the petition: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official has received some letters from the people."
Several other officials also stood up: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this official has also received them."
"Bring them to me to see."
Outside the palace, Yingxing Tower.
Yan Zheng and more than a dozen businessmen were sitting in a private room. The leader was an elegant man in his thirties. They had just written a joint petition and handed it to the government.
On the other side sat a few ordinary people, all of whom were well-known people in the neighborhood. They had gathered here to jointly write a petition.
"Everyone, don't worry. I have some friendship with an official in the Ministry of Revenue. He said that the Minister of Revenue will inform Your Majesty of our request today," the elegant man said.
"We naturally believe in Young Master Jin's words."
The others also spoke one after another.
Young Master Jin had a lot of say among the businessmen in the capital. He was reliable, and everyone trusted him. This time, everyone had also recommended him to be in charge of this matter.
After comforting the people, Young Master Jin walked to Yan Zheng's side and said in a low voice: "If you hadn't told me this, I wouldn't have dared to agree to this matter. Here's a toast to you."
"Brother Jin, you're too serious. When I first came to the capital, I received your help, but I wasn't able to thank you properly. This time, I only told you some information that I know. It's nothing much," Yan Zheng replied.
When Shen Yu had wanted to decline the plan, he had asked Shang Junlin to conceal this information again. Unlike the officials, if the businessmen and ordinary people didn't have any connections, they wouldn't be able to find out about the imperial court's information. Yan Zheng knew about it because the Ministry of Works had accidentally leaked some information to him. There was also another reason.
Yan Zheng had originally been waiting for the imperial court's order to donate a sum of money. He didn't expect that in the end, they would take the initiative to propose this matter. However, this was also good. It would be more beneficial for them and the imperial court.
When Yan Zheng first saw "Return to Spring", he had some vague guesses in his heart. Later, when he talked about this matter on the streets and alleys, his thoughts became clearer. Later, when he talked about cooperation with Shopkeeper Xu, Shopkeeper Xu seemed to have inadvertently mentioned it. He knew then that this was an excellent opportunity for him to enter the inner circle of the capital's businessmen.
The small groups of businessmen in every place were xenophobic. In a place like the capital, it was even more so. He had been here for a while, but he still hadn't really integrated into the group until now.
He knew in his heart who Shopkeeper Xu was. The information that Shopkeeper Xu revealed must have been from the people behind Shopkeeper Xu. With an accurate answer, Yan Zheng privately looked for Young Master Jin.
After the two of them talked in detail, he met the most important person in the capital's business circle for the first time. If this matter went smoothly, he could use this matter to slowly gain a foothold.
The waiting time always seemed exceptionally long. The sun gradually rose. Finally, a servant ran in with a happy face: "That person has replied. His Majesty has agreed!"
Everyone's face lit up with joy.
"That's great. After this, our business should have fewer restrictions."
After sitting down to discuss the specific matters of the donation, the group of people went back to make arrangements. Young Master Jin walked at the back with a relaxed smile on his face.
He was a natural businessman and had always been sensitive to the trend of the imperial court. But this time, if it weren't for Yan Zheng's reassurance, he wouldn't have dared to take such a big risk.
That day, when he helped Yan Zheng out of trouble, it was just a matter of convenience. He didn't expect that it would leave him with such a great good karma.
Shen Yu was taking care of the flowers in Yuzhang Palace.
Except for a pot sent by Imperial Physician Gu, the rest were sent by Shang Junlin. There were precious varieties, and there were also some that were sent purely because of their good growth.
Shen Yu was not like Shang Junlin, who had a lot of free time every day. Every few days, he would personally take care of these flowers and plants.
He would water them, loosen the soil, cut the branches, and so on.
Mu Xi stood to the side with a clean handkerchief. "Young Master, Shopkeeper Xu sent a message saying that he has preliminarily discussed the cooperation with Young Master Yan. He also leaked the news to Young Master Yan according to your instructions. I heard that in the past two days, the merchants and people in the capital have written to the government together."
"There should be a conclusion today. This show has been going on for so long, it's time to end it."
Official Li of the Ministry of Revenue only knew what the imperial court was planning today. This matter was not disclosed to the outside world except for the Minister of Revenue, the Prime Minister, and a few other ministers. Even what Shen Yu told Yan Zheng was only a part of it.
After the court, Official Li anxiously paced back and forth in the study. Finally, he made up his mind. He picked up a pen and hurriedly wrote something. Without waiting for the ink to dry, he put it in his pocket and walked out.
The study door was opened, and Official Li's eyes widened in surprise.
"You …"
"Where do you want to go, Official Li?" The visitor coldly raised the corner of his mouth. "Or rather, who do you want to send a message to?"
"I … I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't need to know. Come, take him away."
Official Li was quietly taken away.
After the morning court, Shang Junlin stayed behind with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue to discuss the details of the donation. Eunuch Meng walked in from outside and said in a low voice,
"Your Majesty, the spy in the Ministry of Revenue has been caught."
"Hand it over to the Supreme Court to investigate. I want to see who is plotting against Dahuan."
When Shang Junlin returned to Yuzhang Palace, Shen Yu was still tending to the flowers.
"The Hidden Dragon Guards caught a spy in the Ministry of Revenue. I handed him over to the Supreme Court. I hope they will be able to get something out of him." Shang Junlin walked over.
"I feel that it's not normal for it to be so peaceful now. Every time something happens in the imperial court, there will always be people secretly spreading unfavorable rumors about Your Majesty. Did Your Majesty find out who did it?" Shen Yu put down the small shovel in his hand.
"I did."
"Don't worry," Shen Yu smiled. "If they want to do anything this time, they will lose more than they gain."
Shen Yu knew what those people would say without thinking. They would just blame Shang Junlin for the natural and man-made disasters. They might be waiting for the best time to act, but they didn't know that Shen Yu was also waiting for them to act.
Not only would he not let these people get what they wanted, but he would also return the dirty water that they had slandered Shang Junlin in the past.
"A Yu has taken good care of these flowers," Shang Junlin picked up the small shovel on the stone table and loosened the soil for the flowers that had not been loosened yet.
"I naturally have to take good care of the flowers sent by Your Majesty."
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