"Aunt, don't worry. I think this is probably just a trick used by the person behind the stolen recipe when they couldn't take it by force."
"Sigh, your uncle said the same thing, but I'm still worried. I keep thinking that Donglai Street is already getting so much open and covert attack before it even opens. If it opens and they see our business is booming, they'll come after us like mad dogs."
"And your uncle, after returning to the capital to report on his duties, will go back to the north. At that time, the emperor will be far away and the emperor will be in a difficult position. With those sycophants around His Majesty advising him, the emperor's heart will inevitably waver over time!"
Knowing what she was worried about, Jiang Shuwan smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Aunt, that's exactly why I came. Is Uncle here?"
"Yes, I'm here. I've been traveling a long way and have just wiped out some bandits. I'm covered in blood and don't feel comfortable going to the palace to meet the Emperor. I've just washed up and am waiting for His Majesty's summons."
"In that case, I'll have to take up some of your time, Uncle."
Soon, Jiang Shuwan met General Sun, who had changed into a court robe.
General Sun, a veteran of countless battles, had seen it all, yet he was terrified by Jiang Shuwan's few words and his face turned pale.
"What did you say!"
"You want to give 20% of the shares to His Majesty?"
After hearing Jiang Shuwan's words, General Sun was completely bewildered.
"Did I hear that right?"
"Not some prince or nobleman, but His Majesty?"
Madam Sun was also stunned.
"Good heavens, I've only ever heard of generals asking the emperor for money, never of generals giving money to the emperor."
"Furthermore, Wan, how is this any different from bribery?"
General Sun and his wife felt that their worldview had been shattered.
General Sun, in particular, has seen both honest and corrupt officials during his years in office.
The former is like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, speaking frankly and even dying for his principles.
The latter colluded with the emperor, loved to flatter him, and would often present him with rare or precious items.
Jiang Shuwan's act of giving away shares is clearly blatant sycophancy and currying favor, and such behavior is by no means the act of an honest official.
Even corrupt officials would never do such a thing.
"What are you saying, Uncle? What corrupt officials and honest officials? I am a woman, and I do not serve in the court. What do I have to do with honest officials and corrupt officials?"
"I just feel that the glass workshop has gained too much. His Majesty is so poor that he can't even pay out pensions. As his subjects, shouldn't we share his burdens?"
Jiang Shuwan's speech was so eloquent that General Sun's eyes widened in astonishment.
"To share the emperor's burdens?"
"You call this sharing the burden for the ruler? You're just saying that for show. You're actually just afraid of attracting too much attention, so you've been suppressing the opening of shops on Donglai Street. The share distribution is just to find a backer."
"I agree with your method of dividing the shares."
"But……"
"But the other party is His Majesty!"
"In all my years as an official, I've seen people give money to the Prefect of the Capital, and I've also seen people give money to princes and nobles. In the 'jianghu' (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws), people always seek protection. I understand."
"I even thought about making connections with important officials in the imperial court before opening Donglai Street, since the profit margin on glass products is too high."
"There is a principle that one should share the meat with others as well as the soup—even though I am a military officer, I still understand these principles."
"But Your Majesty..."
"No matter what, it can't be His Majesty!"
"You're incredibly bold!"
General Sun looked at Jiang Shuwan in disbelief.
What does it mean to share the burdens of the ruler...?
This is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
This is clearly bribery.
It's basically buying connections with money.
It would be one thing if it were someone else, but Jiang Shuwan was bold enough to approach His Majesty.
She's truly fearless!
General Sun's hands were trembling. His hands had never trembled when he went to the battlefield, but now they were shaking.
"Uncle, you've really wronged me! How can you say I'm bribing His Majesty? All the people under heaven are His Majesty's children. At most, it's just me, as his daughter, showing him some filial piety!"
"Is it a crime for a daughter to be filial to her father?"
quibble!
This is clearly sophistry!
General Sun knew that Jiang Shuwan was making excuses, but for a moment he couldn't find the words to refute her.
Madam Sun was the same; it was the first time she had discovered the profound depth and richness of idioms.
So, "to share the ruler's worries" can be used in this way too.
So, "filial piety" can be used in this way too.
Madam Sun looked at Jiang Shuwan in shock. "Shuwan, are you really not afraid that His Majesty will beat you to death? From ancient times to the present, no one has ever done business with His Majesty. You are even giving away shares for free. You are clearly trying to curry favor with His Majesty. His Majesty is wise. How could he not see through your little scheme?"
“Auntie is right. His Majesty is so wise that he would surely see through my little scheme, but isn’t His Majesty poor right now?”
"As the saying goes, when you're desperate, you have to change. So what if His Majesty sees through my little scheme? I don't believe he won't be tempted."
"Besides, I'm just an honest businessman. I don't steal or rob. Why can't Your Majesty accept my money?"
Hearing Jiang Shuwan's confident words, General Sun felt a throbbing headache.
How could a young lady from a secluded family have the courage!
Even the Empress and Consorts, who are closest to His Majesty, wouldn't dare to treat him like this.
General Sun felt a chill run down his spine.
Sun Wanwan once wrote to him, saying that she had made a close friend, but he didn't take it seriously.
Women, what great achievements or abilities can they possibly have? They're mostly confined to the inner quarters. Who knew that Jiang Shuwan would make a move that involved either merchant caravans or glass workshops?
But she was willing to go to great lengths, not only giving him shares but also taking them from the emperor.
He has a broad mind and courage, and is not petty at all. His wisdom is truly admirable.
But can he really bring himself to ask?
Although Jiang Shuwan's words were comprehensive, mentioning both "filial piety" and "sharing the emperor's burdens," there was not a single flaw in her argument.
But can he really bring himself to ask?
Of course, if His Majesty really accepts this 20% share, their glass business can rest easy from now on.
But will His Majesty really accept it?
have no idea!
He had absolutely no idea!
That evening, General Sun entered the palace.
"General Sun, what's wrong? You should be happy after winning the battle, so why do you look so worried?"
"He must be worried about the army's pay. After all, His Majesty is very poor, but the soldiers need to eat, and there are also pensions to be paid. One side needs money, and the other doesn't. I'm afraid General Sun will be kicked out by His Majesty!"
Hearing the whispers of the palace maids and eunuchs, General Sun could only manage a bitter smile.
God!
No one would believe it if I told them, but this time he didn't come to ask for money; he came to deliver money to His Majesty.
He was also worried that His Majesty would not accept it.
He's probably the best subject in the world to have achieved this level of service.
The Imperial Study.
When General Sun trembled as he announced the share of profits, the old emperor was completely stunned.
The old emperor picked at his ear.
"My dear minister, what did you say?"
"Say it again?"
At the risk of being beheaded, General Sun said it again.
The old emperor =_=: "..."
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