Chapter 277 I Won't Go Lightly
Jiang Yu learned about the emperor's summons of several princes from Marquis Anyuan after returning to his residence from his shift.
She had been busy ever since returning to the Secretariat from the Imperial Study. Only after finishing her shift and returning home did she learn that the Marquis of Anyuan had been waiting for her for some time. Knowing that the Marquis was currently in his study, she quickly walked towards it.
Upon entering, she saw Marquis Anyuan sitting by the window at a chessboard, playing chess by himself. Seeing this, she suddenly thought of the old Duke of Chu. Every time she returned from her shifts, she would see the old Duke of Chu sitting at the chessboard, playing chess by himself.
"I'm back."
When Marquis Anyuan's voice rang out, Jiang Yu snapped out of her daze and immediately bowed to him, saying, "Grandfather."
Marquis An Yuan smiled and nodded. Jiang Yu walked over and sat opposite him. Her gaze lingered on the chessboard for a moment before she picked up a white piece and placed it on the board.
After observing the situation on the chessboard, Marquis Anyuan also placed a piece. The grandfather and grandson played back and forth for about a quarter of an hour before Marquis Anyuan emerged victorious.
"Hahaha..." Marquis Anyuan laughed a few times, "Your chess skills have improved quite a bit."
Jiang Yu laughed, "I've been busy lately and my chess skills have gotten rusty. You can check my skills again when I'm less busy."
Marquis Anyuan laughed again. Jiang Yu put away the chessboard and poured him a cup of tea. Marquis Anyuan picked up the cup, took a sip, and said, "I heard that the Emperor summoned you today."
"Yes." Jiang Yu recounted what had happened in the Imperial Study that day.
After listening, Marquis Anyuan frowned and thought for a while before saying, "I'm afraid the real trouble is yet to come."
Jiang Yu also picked up her cup and took a sip of tea. "I thought of that too. The people here today might be scouts. They want to test the Emperor and also test my bottom line."
Marquis Anyuan nodded. "What do you think they will do next?"
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yu said, "They will most likely start with the money exchange owner."
Marquis Anyuan frowned deeply, and after a while he said, "With the Emperor's support, as long as you are ruthless, they won't be able to cause any major trouble."
Jiang Yu nodded, "I won't hold back."
Unlike modern society, where the death of one or two people in a disturbance is a major event, in this feudal imperial society, although imperial power could not act arbitrarily, killing a few people and confiscating their property would not continue the unrest; on the contrary, it served as a strong deterrent.
She no longer applies modern societal thinking to this feudal imperial dynasty.
"Alright, I was just afraid you'd hold back," Marquis An Yuan said with relief.
Reforming the money shops will affect the interests of many people, and the process will certainly not be smooth. If the approach is too lenient, it will be hampered by many people and things. Marquis Anyuan was worried that Jiang Yu would be too soft-hearted, so he came to remind him.
However, it seems that although this granddaughter is a woman, she has not had any of the disadvantages that women have when it comes to important matters, which is really good.
The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while longer before Marquis Anyuan left. Jiang Yu had dinner in his study and worked for a while before going back to rest.
The next day, after arriving at the government office, she summoned the four people who assisted her to her study and assigned them tasks. Today's negotiations with the money shop owners were crucial and could not afford any mistakes.
The four of them knew the importance of the matter, carefully confirmed their job responsibilities, and then proceeded to make arrangements in an orderly manner.
Jiang Yu picked up a pen and wrote a letter, then handed it to Xia He, saying, "Deliver this to Prince An personally."
"yes."
Xia He took the letter to the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) office. Almost everyone in the Jinyiwei knew that she was a maidservant of the Duke of Chu, so they took her directly to Prince An.
Prince An received the letter but did not read it. Instead, he asked, "Is the Duke of Chu busy today?"
Xia He replied respectfully, "My master, the Duke, wants to see all the owners of the money shops today."
After hearing this, Prince An tore open the letter and quickly read its contents. In the letter, Jiang Yu instructed his Imperial Guards to keep an eye on the owners of the major banks.
"I understand. I will go back and tell the Duke of Chu that I will handle things well," said Prince An.
After hearing this, Xia He bowed to Prince An and then returned to the Zhongshu Sheng office. When she arrived, the owners of the various money shops also arrived one after another, and Li Zhengze and Lu Tianzong and others were receiving them.
Xia He entered Jiang Yu's study and reported the message that Prince An had asked her to convey. Jiang Yu nodded after listening, "You should also be more vigilant today. If anyone makes any unusual moves, report it immediately."
Xia He nodded seriously, "Yes."
Jiang Yu waved her out, then looked down at official documents, but her mind was preoccupied with what might happen today. In truth, if someone wanted to target the money lenders, they would simply make them appear oppressed, then provoke them into doing something extreme.
She just didn't know if it would be just one person or if all the money shop owners would "resist." If it was just one or two people, what should she do? If all the money shop owners resisted, how should she deal with it?
Her hands rubbed the jade pendant back and forth, her mind racing. After a while, a smile appeared on her lips. As she said before, this kind of thing would be very difficult to handle in modern times. But in a feudal imperial society, it was much simpler.
If only one or two people cause trouble, just make an example of them. If all the money shop owners "rise up in resistance," then we should issue a policy that, after a major crackdown, will no longer allow the existence of private money shops.
At this moment, Lu Tianzong walked in. "My lord, everyone has arrived."
"Okay." Jiang Yu stood up and walked out. When she arrived at the reception room, she saw that the large long table was full of people. When they saw her come in, everyone stood up and bowed to her.
Jiang Yu glanced around at the group, walked to the head seat and sat down, then waved her hand, saying, "Everyone, please sit down as well."
Everyone sat down, their expressions varied. Jiang Yu glanced around at their expressions again, then said, "To avoid wasting time, I'll get straight to the point. I believe everyone is aware of the money shop reform."
"Know."
"Know."
...
Jiang Yu nodded. "The money houses control most of the silver in the hands of the people. It is no exaggeration to say that they are the lifeblood of the imperial court. If there is any disorder in the money houses, it may cause social unrest. This has happened more than once in history. Therefore, I have suggested to His Majesty that the money houses be placed under the control of the imperial court."
After he finished speaking, a commotion broke out. Jiang Yu did not stop them, letting them discuss it. After a quarter of an hour, the noise gradually subsided, and then a man in his forties stood up. He bowed to Jiang Yu and said, "Sir, do you mean to take over our money exchange?"
Jiang Yu waved for him to sit down, and then said, "If you all close down your money shops and the imperial court opens them, it will be easier for the court to manage them."
These words sparked another round of discussion among the crowd. This time, Jiang Yu didn't give them time to argue. She gently tapped the table, and the murmurs instantly ceased. Then she continued, "However, the Emperor, out of consideration for the difficulties you face in running your money exchange, has decided that the imperial court will invest in your money exchange."
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