Chapter 1154: Sudden Wealth (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Knowing something is one thing, but seeing it with your own eyes is another.

Gong Xi Chou, who had come to pick up his elder brother after receiving the news, happened to witness this scene and couldn't help but look at Shen Tang with sympathetic eyes: "Mama?"

He wanted to ask, "Is she alright?"

Shen Tang watched the pure gold statue disappear without blinking.

After a long while, he helplessly exhaled a breath of stale air.

He waved his hand and said, "You'll get used to this."

She used to throw tantrums and whine a bit, but not anymore. It's not because she's matured, but because she's worked too many jobs; beneath her youthful, beautiful exterior lies the heart of a corporate slave tormented by 007*3 work schedules. Another day has passed, that's great.

"It's just a bit of a shame that such a fine statue..."

Its artistic value alone can be passed down to future generations and become a tourist attraction.

She looked at Ji Moqiu with a slightly apologetic expression.

No matter how generous the high priest was, the statue he had just given away was forcibly taken away by fate before Shen Tang, the recipient, even had a chance to touch it, and right in front of the recipient herself. She was somewhat embarrassed. But things couldn't get any more embarrassing; the statue had just vanished completely when the supply wagon was also destroyed.

Shen Tang: "..."

Gong Xichou: "...Just how much do you owe?"

He was genuinely worried that even the family fortune wouldn't be enough to cover this debt.

Shen Tang looked at him with a complicated expression, and chuckled awkwardly, "That's not important... What's important is that the money that was overspent at least had a purpose... Let's think about it from another angle, there's no interest on the debt owed to God... Doesn't it feel like we made a small profit?"

Interest-free money is a bonus if you use it.

Gong Xichou curled his lip: "It's possible it's already been collected. God didn't give you a list, so who knows how much was deducted?"

How could Mama possibly know that a small "hardship fee" is secretly deducted from every repayment?

Shen Tang: "..."

Gong Xichou was hit on the back of the head.

Ji Moqiu said solemnly, "One must not speak recklessly about the Way of Heaven."

The principle of Heaven's impartiality is unequivocal; it neither deducts a single point nor takes a single cent less. However, things outside of Heaven's principles are a different story.

Gong Xichou: "Our family doesn't believe in the ways of Heaven."

What's wrong with saying a few words when you have questions?

He's never believed in this stuff in his entire life.

Just as Ji Moqiu was about to speak, Xun Zhen suddenly shouted loudly. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Minister of Revenue, holding two gold ingots in his hand, exclaimed excitedly, "There are still some left! There are still some left!"

Shen Tang exclaimed excitedly, "Awesome!"

He rushed over to Xun Zhen in two strides.

Compared to Shen Tang's outgoing emotions, Xun Zhen was more reserved, though his hands, still trembling with excitement as he gripped the gold ingot, revealed his inner turmoil. As soon as the heavens began deducting funds, Xun Zhen, refusing to believe it, meticulously searched each supply wagon.

Empty, empty, empty...

It's still empty...

Just as he was about to despair, thinking that even this windfall wouldn't be enough to cover his losses, Xun Zhen noticed two gold ingots scattered in the corner of a wooden crate on the supply wagon. The remaining fifty-odd supply wagons were still full! Ji Moqiu had also made it clear that they were short-handed and had only brought a portion of the supplies.

What does this mean? It means that the Lord is temporarily not in debt! It means that the remaining amount can be used for other things.

How could Xun Zhen not be agitated?

Even if this money was given to the lord by Ji Moqiu, everyone who sees it gets a share, and the national treasury can also take a portion. Xun Zhen was not greedy; he would give half to the national treasury and keep the other half for his future wars.

With a single thought, Xun Zhen arranged everything clearly.

"Quickly, call someone to come and take over!"

Xun Zhen immediately became energetic, as if afraid that Shen Tang would change his mind. He had someone bring blank account books, pen and ink, abacus and copper weights. Shen Tang, the king, was almost squeezed out of the crowd.

Are all the people in the Ministry of Revenue born with the zodiac sign of wolves?

Their eyes were all green.

Shen Tang muttered a few words to herself, and seeing that there was nothing more for her to do here, she flicked her sleeves and prepared to leave. Debt-free, she felt lighter than ever before, as if she could fly after taking a few steps.

Gong Xichou frowned as he looked at these people: "Reliable?"

Shen Tang caught his words with her sharp ears.

"What do you mean by reliable or unreliable?"

Gong Xichou: "Naturally, it's embezzlement and the like."

He was arrogant and disdainful of everyone, relying on his strength and disregarding social relationships. He said whatever came to mind, completely ignoring the fact that the Ministry of Revenue officials were still nearby. For someone capable of cultivation, what difference was there between such a short distance and whispering in someone's ear?

The people in the Ministry of Revenue all tacitly quieted down.

Shen Tang said, "You must trust the integrity of the officials in Kang State."

To touch her hard-earned money?

Do you really think she doesn't play Clan Killing?

Ji Moqiu: "A-Nian, be careful what you say."

His elderly younger brother's loose tongue caused him endless worry. If it weren't for his formidable strength, Gongxi Chou would be buried three zhang high (approximately 10 meters) long by now.

Gong Xichou was forced to shut down due to his older brother's suppression.

Gong Xichou snorted: "Let's believe it for now."

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue exchanged bewildered glances, none daring to look at Minister Xun's expression. Some of them had attended General Xun's wedding; the bride was the matriarch of the Gongxi clan, Gongxi Chou's sister. The two families were related by marriage, surely Gongxi Chou, no matter how impulsive, would have shown some restraint? But he completely disregarded this, directly asking the Emperor whether the Ministry of Revenue might have embezzled or misappropriated funds.

Anyone who heard that would be furious.

Even if I don't get angry, I still feel humiliated.

Unexpectedly, Minister Xun acted as if nothing had happened.

He waved his hand to signal everyone not to overthink it: "The money the High Priest brought today is equivalent to three years' worth of the Kang Kingdom's national treasury revenue. He can say whatever he wants, it won't cost us anything. We have nothing to hide, and we have nothing to fear."

If it were just a box of silver, and Gong Xichou dared to say that, Xun Zhen would roll up his sleeves and fight him to the death. But—this is three or four hundred supply wagons, and each supply wagon has three or five boxes!

Half of it was gold bars, and the other half was silver bars, their purity reaching the pinnacle of smelting and refining at the time, almost without any impurities. Even if most of it was used to pay off debts, there would still be a considerable amount left. Not to mention corrupt officials who couldn't resist, even honest officials would be tempted.

Greed is human nature, while integrity goes against human nature.

Is this greed?

Or should we refrain from greed?

Shen Tang had great confidence in his people, especially Xun Zhen: "It's hard to say about others, but Han Zhang's Ministry of Revenue won't."

Xun Zhen never even entertained the thought of greed, not because he considered money worthless, but simply because he knew that he would ultimately use all the money. He was most effective at eliminating the corrupt elements within the Ministry of Revenue. If others embezzled this money, they were essentially embezzling his.

Ultimately, he was also "greedy".

However, his "greed" is different from that of normal people.

Gong Xiqiu also paid the price for his outspokenness and his ability to put others in an awkward position, listening to Ji Moqiu's constant nagging and lessons.

Ugh, I'm so tired of hearing about it.

Shen Tang added fuel to the fire: "I'm not trying to criticize you, but if you want to say something, choose a different occasion and consider Hanzhang's feelings. He's your niece's grandfather, after all. Why make things awkward if there's no conflict?"

Gong Xiqiu corrected: "That's called a niece."

There is no distinction between inside and outside the clan.

Shen Tang also changed her tune: "Okay, your niece."

Gong Xichou then said, "If it weren't for our kinship, we would have said more than just this today. The Xun family father and son, the father is extravagant, and the son is dim-witted, how can I not worry?"

Shen Tang couldn't understand what was wrong with him.

I haven't heard of any conflict between Gongxi Chou and Xun Zhen recently.

Or did something happen during the days she was unconscious?

She could only ask Ji Moqiu with her eyes.

Ji Moqiu: "A-Nian wanted to take his niece away to raise her, and rejected the name that Minister Xun had given him. They had a fight about it."

Shen Tang: "..."

Ji Moqiu added, "A-Nian has given it a name."

Minister Xun strongly opposed it, which displeased Gongxi Chou.

The money that was transferred today was all spent by Xun Zhen, which made Gong Xichou even more unhappy. He felt that Xun Hanzhang was a spendthrift.

Shen Tang: "..."

What is Gong Xichou's naming ability?

Ji Moqiu said, "What the name is is secondary. What is written in the family genealogy does not mean that it must be used in reality. This point can be accommodated. For the child's first birthday banquet, Anian wants to hold a grand celebration back in the clan's territory. Minister Xun's idea is that since the full moon celebration is not possible, the first birthday banquet is just right and should also be held in a grand manner. However, the clan's territory is remote, and it is inconvenient for guests to travel there. He plans to hold it here at the Xun residence."

The two had a disagreement over the venue for the event.

Shen Tang: "What's there to argue about in this kind of thing?"

Gong Xichou said, "Because of face."

It's quite shameful within the clan that a niece is raised by her husband.

Seeing Xun Zhen and his son in such dire financial straits, Gong Xichou sighed helplessly: "Alas, if Xun Yong'an weren't so useless, I would actually like to help you out a bit, as I need to plan for my niece's future."

We share both good times and bad.

Gongxi Chou had considered helping Shen Tang when he saw how poor she was.

Shen Tang: "..."

If she hadn't known the salaries of the Kang Kingdom's officials, she would have truly believed she had mistreated them. Gongxi Chou was judging others by his own economic strength—how many people in this world weren't poor? Her lips twitched slightly: "So, what was Yong'an's daughter's final name?"

Gong Xiqiu said, "Dou, courtesy name Guanquan."

Shen Tang: "..."

Ji Moqiu whispered a reminder: "We originally planned to call it 'Champion,' but Minister Xun thought it was too flashy, so we changed it."

Actually, the modified version isn't that great either.

"So, he's called Gong Xidou?"

At first glance, this name sounds really powerful!

But—

“According to your clan’s custom of calling children by their nicknames, wouldn’t this child’s nickname be… A Dou?” Xun Zhen looked at the third generation’s name, wondering if his heart was alright. Shen Tang was more interested in knowing what Xun Ding and his wife thought of this name. “This name isn’t very good.”

Her nickname is Ahua.

Shen Tang: "..."

Gong Xiqiu stroked his chin: "But A Dou is fine too."

It sounds quite cute, a bit better than Ahua.

Shen Tang: "No, I'm afraid this child won't be able to withstand a fall..."

Gong Xichou's braids were covered in small question marks.

"What does this have to do with whether a child is resistant to falls or not?"

Shen Tang: "..."

How can I explain to Gong Xi Chou the idiom "a hopeless case"? Gong Xi Chou doesn't know these things, but he doesn't believe Xun Zhen wouldn't know them, so how could this name have passed through his hands?

"How exactly did you manage to win the right to name the child?"

Gong Xiqiu succinctly stated: "Spend money."

Shen Tang: "..."

I never imagined you, Xun Zhen, were like this.

_(:з」∠)_

In fact, Gong Xichou not only bribed Xun Zhen, but also Gong Xilai and Xun Ding, and even bought the names of their children.

Having money means you can do whatever you want.

Ji Moqiu sighed, "How can we sully people with vulgar things?"

Gong Xichou didn't think he had done anything wrong: "It works well."

Shen Tang, the poorest of the three, couldn't help but shed tears of sorrow.

Listen to these two brothers, they're nothing short of beasts!

Is that even human language?

I never see these two working, how come they're so rich?

Shen Tang not only thought about it, she also asked about it.

Gong Xichou said, "There's no war without making a fortune."

He fought for Tang Guo in his early years, and later sold himself to other warlords to fight. If a military general's supplies and provisions are insufficient, who would be willing to fight? Gongxi Chou disdained looting after battles because he knew he didn't need to go to the trouble; others would generously provide him with money.

Shen Tang looked at Ji Moqiu: "And you?"

Compared to his brother, Ji Moqiu was not warlike at all.

He can't possibly make a fortune by fighting wars, can he?

Ji Moqiu blinked in confusion: "Isn't this something you can do with your hands?"

Saving up gold and silver is as easy as breathing.

Shen Tang: "...Specifically, how does it work?"

Ji Moqiu: "First, find a place with gold and silver."

For example, gold and silver mining areas.

Shen Tang urged, "And then?"

Ji Moqiu replied, "Then just plant trees."

Shen Tang: "..."

Plant the seeds of the divine tree in the mountains near the gold mine. Once the seeds sprout and grow, the tree will bear fruit. These fruits are the original form of the gold and silver bars. Otherwise, how could the Gongxi clan's territory be so rich in gold and silver? No matter how wealthy their ancestors were, they could not have accumulated so many assets. Ji Moqiu added, "It's just that the soil in the mining area is barren, so the divine tree will grow very slowly."

According to old tribal records, the original intention of this action was to purify and improve the land that was severely contaminated by radioactive metals, with the metals being a byproduct.

Shen Tang: "..."

I'll fight you rich people to the death!

Xun Zhen was so busy that he didn't return until mealtime to eat a few bites of food. Before he could even sit down properly, he heard that Ji Moqiu had come to visit.

"I wonder what brings the High Priest here?"

Xun Zhen gave Ji Moqiu the respect due to be his benefactor.

"Firstly, I came to apologize for Ah Nian's daytime offense."

"We're all family, so there's no need for formalities. This isn't offensive."

"Secondly, I wanted to ask if Your Highness is still short of money?"

Xun Zhen spoke frankly: "What war doesn't cost money?"

Leaving aside post-war compensation and resettlement, the daily military pay alone was a huge expense. If Lin Feng and others hadn't been able to solve a large part of the food supply, and if the cost of transporting grain and cooking hadn't been reduced, the Kang Kingdom's treasury simply wouldn't have been able to support two major battles in succession.

He was curious as to why Ji Moqiu had suddenly come to ask this question.

Could it be that the Gongxi clan has other ancestral property that they haven't yet claimed?

Jimo Qiu naturally did not have it.

but--

He knows where there are mineral deposits.

These mines are operated manually, which is inefficient and yields low profits.

But he doesn't have these worries.

Xun Zhen asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Spending money hand over fist, there's always an ulterior motive.

One must have either fame or fortune.

Ji Moqiu said sincerely, "Your Highness has lowered your gaze."

These five short words brought Xun Zhen a tremendous shock.

"Lowered eyes?"

"Yes, lower your eyes." He hoped that His Highness would have him in her eyes, just as her subject would. Although it was a little crowded, he didn't mind.

"Not for anything else?"

"No plan."

Xun Zhen gasped.

He had previously speculated that Ji Moqiu's contribution of ancestral property was out of covetousness for the emperor, somewhat enjoying the drama and jokingly remarking on the emperor's amazing charm. Little did he expect that Ji Moqiu would actually do it!

The opponent not only went for it, but also hit the nail on the head.

Sending money, throwing money around...

I just want to see it one more time.

After such a combo, who wouldn't be confused?

_(:з」∠)_

I passed the driving test on my first try, with a perfect score of 100.

P.S.: Hmm, that's strange. I can't see the comments on the app, but I can see them in the backend. Has the entire site been banned again?