Even if he hadn't asked, Shang Shuqing was prepared to explain. Since he'd asked, there was no need to beat around the bush. He nodded and said, "Nervousness depends on how you put it, but there are many urgent areas where money is needed. Pacifying the army, consolidating the people, defending against conscription, money is needed everywhere."
Niu Youdao mocked, "Didn't you rob the rich to give to the poor like in Canglu County? Qingshan County is much bigger than Canglu County. "
He was referring to when Shang Chaozong first settled down in Canglu County, raiding most of the rich households in the county and quickly raising money and provisions.
Shang Shuqing shook his head. "It's not that I didn't think about it, but times have changed. I only succeeded because Canglu County was unprepared and didn't know that Big Brother would suddenly attack. Qingshan County was different during the war. The local rich had ample time to escape and take everything they could, leaving behind only some property that they couldn't take. For example, the house that Daoye lives in right now, so we didn't get much! "
"As for the people, Big Brother has already ordered a tax levy to satisfy their needs. If not for that levy, I'm afraid we won't even be able to fork out ten thousand gold coins for now. Big Brother has just taken over Qingshan County, and the people are still uneasy, suspicious, and on the fence. We've just levied a tax, and if we levy it again soon, I'm afraid we'll lose the hearts of the people. If the frightened people flee or work with the imperial court, the consequences will be unthinkable. "
Niu Youdao nodded slightly. He could imagine that the School of Heavenly Jade's support was all for the sake of reaping benefits. It was unlikely that the School of Heavenly Jade would invest a large amount of money after conquering a territory. They had asked you to guard a territory on their behalf because they wanted to earn some income.
The Heavenly Jade School knows that things are difficult here, and it's already good enough that they don't want money from you, but you still want to take it out of their pockets?
It's not the time to make ends meet yet, and you're already out of ideas? Why would the Heavenly Jade School want you to guard a territory?
On the other hand, Feng Lingbo's side didn't get any benefits from Green Mountain County, and instead lost a large number of people and resources. He was already unhappy, so why would Feng Lingbo continue helping them?
This was his negligence! Niu Youdao was silent for a while, he stretched out his hand and pressed on the gold notes on the tea table, and slowly pushed it back to Shang Shuqing's side.
This clearly meant that he didn't want to accept it. Shang Shuqing looked cautious. "Does Daoye think it's too little?"
Niu Youdao nodded. "If this is for me, then this amount of money is indeed too little. I don't even know how to distribute it to everyone." As he spoke, he turned to look at Yuan Gang and the others.
It was indeed embarrassing to be despised in front of others.
Shang Shuqing's ugly face was instantly filled with awkwardness. It didn't feel good to be short of money. He said with a pleading tone, "Daoye and I are greatly indebted to him. Without Daoye, we wouldn't be where we are today. We also know that we can't take out this little amount of money. However, things are really difficult on this side now. Once Azure Mountain County recovers its vitality, the tributes that should be paid will be given to you.
Niu Youdao raised his hand to interrupt him. "Princess, you've misunderstood. What I meant was that Princess is underestimating me. I don't lack this bit of expenses."
As he spoke, he turned to Yuan Gang and gestured. "Take out two hundred thousand gold for Prince first."
Yuan Gang didn't utter a word. He took out a stack of gold notes and counted twenty of them. As Shang Shuqing was still in a daze, he walked over and placed twenty gold notes worth ten thousand gold notes in front of Shang Shuqing before returning them.
Shang Shuqing stared at the stack of gold notes in a daze. He lifted his head to look at Niu Youdao, his gaze complicated.
Niu Youdao gestured with his hand. "Two hundred thousand gold coins. Princess, take it and pass it to Prince for emergency purposes."
To him, it was impossible for him to allow other forces to lead Shang Chaozong's side. That would be detrimental to his safety. He had put in so much effort to help and support Shang Chaozong not only for the sake of the Shang siblings, but also for the sake of his safety now, in the future, and in the future. He had to account to those who followed him and worked for him.
Hence, it was only a matter of time before he fought with the Heavenly Jade School for the right to lead Shang Chaozong. However, now was not the time for him to act out. Since the Heavenly Jade School was unwilling to help, he wouldn't stand on ceremony.
Shang Shuqing instantly felt as if he had been publicly humiliated and slapped in the face. He had offered ten thousand gold coins to the other party, but they didn't want it. Instead, they had given him two hundred thousand gold coins for emergency purposes.
This was a result that she had never expected. How could she endure it?
Her face was already flushed red, making her look even uglier. She stood up and bit her lips with her silver teeth.
Without waiting for her to say anything, Niu Youdao seemed to know what she was thinking. He waved his hand and said, "Don't misunderstand, Princess. This money is a temporary loan to the Prince. It's not a free gift. You can return it to me in the future when the conditions are right."
Green Mountain County was tight on funds and couldn't even borrow money. Now that there was someone who was willing to lend him money without any conditions, how could he not want it?
Even if Shang Shuqing didn't want it, it was hard for him to reject reality.
In the end, he accepted it awkwardly and shamefully.
When she returned to the Governor's Residence, someone immediately led her to the Prince's study. Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting were waiting for her in the study.
Upon seeing Shang Shuqing, Shang Chaozong immediately asked, "Qing-er, how is it?"
Shang Shuqing took out a ten thousand gold banknote from his sleeve and placed it on the study table.
Lan Ruoting and Shang Chaozong looked at each other. Shang Chaozong tried to ask, "He thinks it's too little?"
Shang Shuqing took out another stack of gold banknotes from his sleeve and placed it on the table.
Lan Ruoting and Shang Chaozong were stunned. Lan Ruoting took the gold banknotes and said in surprise, "Two hundred thousand? Princess, what's going on? "
"Daoye found out that we're tight on funds and lent us two hundred thousand gold banknotes for emergency purposes …"
After Shang Shuqing explained the situation, the study fell into silence.
After a long time, Shang Chaozong muttered, "Where did he get so much money?"
Lan Ruoting said, "Previously, the Heavenly Jade Clan asked us if we knew about his looting of the Immortal Retaining Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Spirit Cultivation Mountain's Zhai Xing Chen shop. This money is probably related to that. However, the three sects came to seek refuge with him. We don't know about the grudges between them, and we don't know what Daoye is doing. "
Shang Chaozong was silent for a while. Suddenly, he looked up to the sky and sighed, "He doesn't seem to lack anything. What else can I give him?"
Lan Ruoting and Shang Shuqing were silent as well. They understood his feelings of not receiving any reward. The others only wanted to take from him, but Daoye only gave. From the beginning to the end, he didn't take any benefits from them …
Early the next morning, Yuan Gang hung from a horizontal bar with both hands. He had been hanging for a long time by relying on the strength of his arms to train his grip.
A few monks from the Nanshan Temple were sweeping the courtyard with a swishing sound.
It had always been like this in the past, but now, it had returned to normal.
Most of Niu Youdao's daily life was taken care of by these monks. From the daily testing of food for poison, to the washing and drying of clothes, to the hygiene of the living environment, every step was taken care of by the monks from Nanshan Temple.
This was also Yuan Gang's intention. Yuan Gang had drawn up detailed procedures for every step of Niu Youdao's daily life and ordered the monks to strictly follow them. He wouldn't allow outsiders to interfere, mainly for the sake of Niu Youdao's safety. He didn't want anyone with ulterior motives to have a chance to make a move.
In the auspicious light of dawn, Black Peony walked over to Niu Youdao's room and knocked on the door. After getting permission, she pushed the door open and entered.
Not long after, Black Peony pushed open a few windows in Niu Youdao's room from the inside.
Yuan Gang, who was hanging from the horizontal bar, tilted his head and looked through the window. He saw Niu Youdao sitting in front of the dressing table and Black Peony beginning to comb Niu Youdao's hair.
At this moment, Shang Shuqing also arrived. He smiled and nodded at the monks in the courtyard who had stopped sweeping and saluted. He also nodded at Yuan Gang, who was hanging from the horizontal bar.
The next moment, when he saw Black Peony combing Niu Youdao's hair through the window, Shang Shuqing stopped in his tracks and looked at her in a daze.
Naturally, she came here to comb Niu Youdao's hair just like before. Now that Niu Youdao had returned, she wanted to continue the same as before.
Before she came, she also hesitated whether she should come over or not. After all, Daoye already had Black Peony, who had that kind of relationship with him. She hesitated for a long time before coming. In the end, what she saw made her secretly lower her head, and a sad look flashed in her eyes. She found that her coming here was indeed unnecessary and quite awkward. She didn't know if it was better to go over or turn around and leave.
She thought she knew herself well and could face it calmly. However, after seeing it with her own eyes, she found that she still felt uncomfortable.
"Hey!" Yuan Gang, who was hanging from the horizontal bar, suddenly exhaled and made a flying movement on the horizontal bar.
Niu Youdao, who was sitting in front of the dressing table with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and looked over. Black Peony, who was carefully combing his hair, also looked out of the window.
When the two saw Yuan Gang's movement, they also saw Shang Shuqing standing quietly in the courtyard.
Niu Youdao glanced at Yuan Gang, who had jumped off the horizontal bar and strode away, and slightly tilted his head and said, "Invite the princess over."
Black Peony let go, put down the comb, and went out. Soon, she invited Shang Shuqing in.
"Princess, what's the matter?" Niu Youdao asked with a smile.
Shang Shuqing said gently, "I came to see if Daoye is used to the new place."
Niu Youdao said, "I thought that the princess came to comb my hair."
Shang Shuqing looked at Black Peony, "With Sister Peony doing it for me, Qing-er doesn't need to be clumsy."
Niu Youdao said, "Her? She is the clumsy one, not as good as you. "
Black Peony rolled her eyes and secretly scolded him for having no conscience. I have served you for so long in vain, and in return, you call me clumsy?
"You go and prepare the water for washing." Niu Youdao tilted his head and said to Black Peony.
"Yes!" Black Peony responded and left.
There were only two people left in the room. It was quiet. Niu Youdao, who hadn't finished combing his hair, slowly closed his eyes again.
Shang Shuqing, who didn't know whether to leave or stay, scratched his cherry lips and walked gently to the dressing table. He took the comb and walked behind Niu Youdao, carefully combing.
There was no need to see who it was. Niu Youdao closed his eyes and knew that it was Shang Shuqing even if he didn't know. The feeling was completely different from when Black Peony did it. That was a gentle and careful feeling that could be felt in every strand of hair. It was a comfortable feeling that flowed quietly.
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