"Want business?"

Yuan Li quickly understood Wen Hu's meaning after a little thought.

Wen Hu is right. Zhao Cheng has a steady stream of income every day, so even if Yuan Xiu asks for an exorbitant amount, he can afford it.

However, if Zhao Cheng's business is taken away, Zhao Cheng will lose his way to make money.

This is what hurts him the most.

"He has a lot of business. What kind of business does he want?" Yuan Li asked.

Wen Hu analyzed, "Most of Zhao Cheng's business is done in the name of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce. The nominal chairman of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce is Xiao Luomu, but how could I not know that Xiao Luomu is just a spokesperson put forward by Zhao Cheng? But even if he knows the truth, he still has to maintain appearances, so he shouldn't touch the business of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce for now. But there is one business that has been nominally run by Zhao Cheng since it was launched."

Yuan Li asked, "Immortal wine?"

"That's right." Wen Hu smiled slightly.

Yuan Li said, "Immortal Wine is the most profitable item in Zhao Cheng's business. Can he provide it?"

Wen Hu spread his hands and said, "Didn't this just serve to test him?"

Yuan Li said, "That was a pretty heavy blow!"

"Zhao Cheng's matter can't be delayed any longer. Although the court has agreed to Zhao Huan's resignation as prime minister, it hasn't really changed much for Zhao Huan. Not only the people of Yanchuan City, but many people in the court still call them the Right Prime Minister's Office. Sometimes you have to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and the Right Prime Minister's Office isn't even a nut to crack."

Seeing Yuan Li's hesitant expression, Wen Hu continued, "Your Highness just said that compared to General Wang and the Champion King, Zhao Huan and his son have no military power, so there is nothing to worry about. When we strike, they will either dodge or take the hit; they will have no ability to retaliate."

Wen Hu approached Yuan Li and said, "His Majesty's heart is no longer in court. He may be indifferent, but Your Highness, you must not be like him! Our Great Jing... still depends on Your Highness!"

Yuan Li suddenly looked at Wen Hu and asked, "Do you really think so?"

Wen Hu clasped his hands and said, "I am loyal to His Majesty, and I am loyal to His Highness, but I am even more loyal to the Great Jing! In this era in which I live, I will never allow the empire I am loyal to to decline!"

Yuan Li exclaimed, "The Great Jing Dynasty is truly blessed to have such a virtuous minister as the Marquis of Sha County!"

...

Yanchuan City.

It is no longer the 'Right Prime Minister's Residence' of the Right Prime Minister's Residence.

The plaque of the Right Prime Minister's Residence has long been removed and replaced with the two characters "Zhao Residence" inscribed by Jin Yong himself.

Zhao Huan actually held a noble title, but he didn't want to wear it; he felt more relaxed and comfortable in plain clothes.

After hearing the demands of the person sent by Wei You, Zhao Cheng suppressed his anger and sent the person away, then slammed his fist on the table in a fit of rage.

"Thirty million taels!! How could he even ask for that?!"

"Did my money just fall from the sky?"

"Shameless! Utterly shameless!!"

At this moment, Zhao Hu, Zhao Yan, and Cheng Xu were also in the room. Seeing Zhao Cheng so angry, they all kept quiet and kept their eyes down.

Finally, Cheng Xu mustered his courage and said, "Master, this was actually foreseeable. Don't get upset."

After returning from Jingbei County, Cheng Xu changed how he addressed Zhao Cheng and repeatedly proved his abilities, which led Zhao Cheng to fully accept him.

This time when he returned, he not only settled the business in Jingbei County, but also brought back the Jingling Bow.

Zhao Cheng said, "This time it's 30 million, will it be 300 million next time? I really underestimated our emperor, my brother-in-law!"

Cheng Xu said, "It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The emperor is living like a god now, why would he care about how hard it was for you to earn money?"

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "I need to talk to A-Yun about this and ask her to keep an eye on her own younger brother!"

"Master, wait!" Cheng Xu called out.

Zhao Cheng stopped and asked, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Xu said, "I think it's not appropriate for the Eldest Princess to handle this matter."

Zhao Cheng frowned and said, "Why? Don't I even trust my own wife?"

Cheng Xu said, "Of course I believe in the relationship between you and the Princess, but this is not just about money. This is a test from Chang Sui for you."

"Even if you don't want to, you still have to pay."

“If the eldest princess helps you appease the emperor, we will be in an even more passive position. The emperor will suspect you, and the eldest princess will also be caught in the middle.”

Zhao Cheng's expression grew even more serious. He said, "Mr. Cheng is right. I was so angry that I lost my temper."

Cheng Xu said, "It's good that Master has figured it out."

Zhao Cheng said, "If we keep indulging him like this, he'll eat me dry sooner or later."

Cheng Xu said, “Throughout history, the rich have appeared to be living in luxury and wealth, but in reality, they are just fattened meat raised in a pigsty by the imperial court. The fatter we raise them, the more we will arouse their desire to eat us. The master naturally understands this principle. But as long as we firmly grasp the means to make money, it’s no big deal to give the court some meat. It will hurt when we give them meat, but the meat will grow back quickly. But if we don’t give them any, the imperial court will get anxious and may just slaughter the pig.”

Zhao Cheng's face darkened.

Cheng Xu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I apologize for what I said, it was a bit harsh."

"Alright, though the words may be rough, the principle is sound." Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said, "You're right, the court is only asking me for money, but they don't intend to cut off my source of income. There's no better way now, so we can only take it one step at a time."

Cheng Xu nodded.

Just then, Xia Qi walked over and said, "Master, someone outside is requesting an audience. They say they are sent by the Central Secretariat."

"Wei Youcai sent people, and now the Central Secretariat has sent people again. It seems we haven't had much peace and quiet for long, and the court is already watching us again."

Zhao Cheng found a chair and sat down, saying, "Please come in."

A moment later, a man in his thirties walked in, smiled, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Cheng, and said, "Liao Yiwen, Grand Master of the Central Secretariat, greets Your Highness, the Imperial Son-in-Law."

Zhao Cheng said indifferently, "Lord Liao has traveled a long way to Yanchuan City, which must be quite tiring. May I ask what brings you here?"

Liao Yiwen's expression remained unchanged despite Zhao Cheng's attitude, and he continued with a smile, "Tianyong County is in turmoil, Guliang County is suffering from famine, and the Zhenhai Camp is encountering obstacles in Yunjing County in its campaign against bandits. The national treasury is currently in dire straits. Your Excellency is a member of the imperial family and a victorious general of the Great Jing Dynasty. At this critical time for the empire, the Central Secretariat hopes that Your Excellency will understand the greater good and share the burden of the country."

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Zhao Cheng smacked his lips and said, "Here comes another one asking for money?"

Liao Yiwen asked doubtfully, "Why is there an 'again' in 'Your Highness the Prince Consort'?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Just tell me, how much do you want?"

Liao Yiwen bowed slightly to Zhao Cheng and said, "Your Highness, you misunderstand. No matter how much money you have, it is all your private property. How could the Central Secretariat possibly ask you for it?"

"However, as a member of the imperial family, the Prince Consort is in charge of the huge business of Immortal Wine, which is generating wealth for the royal family and the court. It is truly a difficult task. The Central Secretariat hopes that the Prince Consort can share the burden for the country and transfer the profits of Immortal Wine to the court as soon as possible. The Central Secretariat is also willing to share the burden for the Prince Consort and manage the business of Immortal Wine on his behalf."

Zhao Cheng stood up abruptly and kicked the chair over.

"What a robber's logic!"