The emperor was already considering whether it was feasible to confiscate the Zhou family's property on charges of spreading heretical rumors and bewitching the emperor.
Seeing the emperor remain silent, Cheng Gonghuan stole a glance and, judging from the emperor's expression, knew that things seemed to be spiraling out of control. Although he didn't know exactly what the emperor was thinking, his emperor had the same expression when he confiscated those corrupt officials.
Cheng Gonghuan wanted to offer some advice, but said, "Your Majesty, there's no need! We really don't need to!"
The imperial court is short of money, but it can't just confiscate everyone's property. That might allow the construction of the Great Jin Dynasty to keep up, but if it causes panic among the people, it would be a loss!
Fortunately, the emperor had also thought of this and regretfully abandoned his idea before Cheng Gonghuan could advise him against it.
"Let Zhou Jing come in first."
Although the emperor abandoned the idea of confiscating the property, he figured he might as well take advantage of this easy opportunity!
Zhou Jingxian waited at the palace gate, feeling both excited and apprehensive. However, he was unaware that his family had just narrowly escaped bankruptcy. When he saw his father-in-law come to lead him inside, he became even more excited, rubbing his hands together and following behind his father-in-law, stealing glances at the red walls and black tiles on both sides.
Upon arriving at the Ganlu Hall, Zhou Jingxian knelt respectfully before the emperor, not daring to raise his head. He was incredibly excited, thinking about the various rewards the emperor might bestow upon him.
"Is this the white silk you found when you were cleaning fish?"
The emperor threw the white silk onto the ground in front of Zhou Jingxian, who was stunned for a moment, his excitement and the trembling muscles on his face stopping.
The emperor's tone was clearly unpleasant, and his demeanor seemed to be one of accusation.
Zhou Jingxian answered blankly, "Yes, yes."
After he finished answering, a cold snort came from above, "Then do you know that this white silk was deliberately placed there, and that everything written on it is fake?"
Fake?!
Zhou Jingxian froze, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He quickly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness, "This humble subject was unaware; this has absolutely nothing to do with me! Please, Your Majesty, understand! This humble subject... this humble subject was merely used..."
Zhou Jingxian's eyes darted around as he focused intently on exonerating himself. In his heightened concentration, he forgot to consider how the emperor knew the contents of the white silk were false.
Zhou Jingxian nervously explained, but the emperor remained unmoved. "Some time ago, a rumor about the stars shifting appeared, and now there's this story of a message being delivered through a fish's belly. Is it just a matter of impersonating the heir to the throne, or is there some other conspiracy? I have already sent people to investigate this matter. Whether you are innocent or not will be decided in due time."
conspiracy?
Upon hearing those two words, Zhou Jingxian nearly fainted. This could be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family! Why did he have to be so impulsive as to pick up that white silk?
At this moment, Zhou Jingxian wished he could chop off his own hands, as well as the hands of that fish-killing boy!
Seeing him trembling like a leaf, the emperor softened his tone. His purpose was not to scare him to death, so he asked about the local customs and traditions of Jiangnan and what kind of business the Zhou family was involved in.
Zhou Jingxian answered all the questions honestly, showing that he was completely open and forthcoming with his knowledge.
The emperor was very satisfied. As he asked questions, he steered the conversation toward the construction of the Great Jin Dynasty. Before the emperor could express his concern about money, Zhou Jingxian offered to donate half of his family fortune to support the court's construction efforts.
Cheng Gonghuan, who was standing nearby, felt a toothache upon hearing this; their emperor's move was too cunning.
The emperor suppressed the urge to smile and said, "I am quite moved by your kind intentions! However, the court cannot take advantage of you."
The emperor then sent someone to the railway bureau to retrieve the contract that the Lei family had previously signed.
Zhou Jingxian's eyes welled up with tears, not from fear, but from gratitude. He had been feeling the pinch of losing half of his family fortune, but the emperor hadn't taken it for nothing. What a good emperor who cared about the people!
However, Cheng Gonghuan, standing to the side, once again sighed inwardly, "Zhou Jingxian, you're still too naive. The emperor isn't just not taking advantage of you; he feels he hasn't taken enough!"
He not only wants half of your family fortune, but also wants you to become a government employee like Lei Nianren was back then, working hard to make money for the government!
Soon, an official from the railway supervision department arrived with the contract. Upon seeing Zhou Jingxian, his face lit up with a broad smile.
Zhou Jingxian shuddered. Although the other person had a big smile on their face, it still felt so creepy.
After he saw the contract, he understood why the official was so happy.
The contract stipulated that he should invest in telegraphs, not trains, and that he should do so regardless of the consequences, until he could get this damn telegraph service working!
Isn't this just finding a sucker for the imperial court?
Zhou Jingxian wanted to curse the emperor, but he didn't dare. Waaah! He had just thought the emperor was really looking out for him, but he was so touched for nothing!
The emperor pretended not to see his green face, smiled gently, and asked, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Zhou Jingxian jumped up in surprise and quickly said, "No problem! No problem! I'll sign it right away!"
Whether he works for the imperial court to earn money or is accused of committing a crime punishable by the extermination of his entire family, he knows which choice to make!
The contract was made in duplicate. Zhou Jing signed it first, and when he walked out of the palace with his copy, his legs were so weak that he didn't even have the strength to get into the carriage.
Cheng Gonghuan felt quite sympathetic and went over to comfort him, saying, "You've seen the railway, and although the process was difficult, you've also seen the rewards the Lei family has received. Don't worry, when this telegraph, which can communicate over long distances, is finally developed, your Zhou family won't suffer any losses either."
Zhou Jingxian nodded in agreement, but his face showed a bitter expression. Although high risk is often accompanied by high reward, he did not want to take the risk.
They initially thought that since the train had already been invented, building another carriage wouldn't require too much investment, but it would boost the Zhou family's reputation and establish connections with the imperial court—a win-win situation. They never expected things to turn out this way!
Zhou Jingxian returned to his residence just as the train pulled into the station. The melodious whistle of the train pierced his heart.
Zhou Shuqin happily came out to greet him, only to see her father's dark face.
"Father, what's wrong? Is something not going well?"
When Zhou Shuqin asked the question, she also saw the contract in his hand. Zhou Jingxian handed it to her to see. It wasn't just not going smoothly, he was completely ripped off!
While in the palace, he was so overwhelmed by the emperor's majesty that he couldn't think straight. But having been in business for so many years, he wasn't a fool. On the way back, he figured it out: the emperor was tricking him. He would first scare him with a crime, and then make him sign the contract willingly to save his life!
Insidious! Absolutely insidious!
Although he thought this way, Zhou Jingxian didn't dare to curse out loud; he wasn't tired of living yet!
"Father, how could you sign such a contract?"
At this moment, Zhou Shuqin also quickly read through the contract and was so shocked that her jaw almost dropped. She had to put money into it without getting any benefits, and there was no guarantee that she would get anything out of it!
Upon hearing Zhou Shuqin's words, Zhou Jingxian also became furious, "What can I do if I don't sign! I almost couldn't get out of the palace!"
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