Mo Han was as cold as ice, pursing his lips tightly. After a while, he spoke: "Whether you can make a fortune depends on the will of those in power."
"If you don't pay me, then you'll be working for nothing and losing money. The guy before didn't do that because he hadn't reached that point yet. If he's really pushed to the limit, there's no guarantee he wouldn't attack us."
"I've already told my family about this. If you do that, my entire Mo family will slowly evacuate and settle down somewhere closer to the Jiang family."
The other three raised their eyebrows and looked at the person above them in surprise. They didn't expect him to say it so bluntly.
Mo Han sighed, somewhat helplessly, "If this continues, it will definitely cause serious damage. The elders are also arguing endlessly."
"Let's wait and see. I actually hope they can be a little more ruthless, so as to completely eliminate the thoughts of the elders. Rather than being eaten away bit by bit, it's better to cut off an arm and survive."
Mu Qingchen rubbed his fingers, a thousand thoughts running through his mind.
The Mu family has lived in the capital for generations. If they really want to leave, where can they go and who can protect them?
After all, they are merchants. Even if they are century-old families, they are treated with courtesy when the country is peaceful and the people are prosperous. Once major problems arise, they are the first to bear the brunt.
If you think about it this way, the Jiang family is indeed more convincing. At least when southern Xinjiang was most short of food, they never robbed the people of a single grain of food.
When Mu Qingchen thought of this, his eyes gradually became firm.
"Brother Mo, what you said makes sense. If you want to go to the Northern Wilderness, then I will go too. However, it is relatively easy for my dead medicine dealer to leave. Your family is an iron shop and a carpenter shop."
"If you leave, you will definitely be watched by the imperial court. If they suspect you of going to the Northern Wilderness to refine weapons for the Jiang family, it will be a terrible accusation."
Mo Han nodded: "I understand what you mean, but there are no mines in the Northern Wasteland, otherwise that person would not have given it to the Jiang family as a fiefdom."
"Although the capital is prosperous, it's too chaotic. It's not good to live in fear all the time. Why not go to a poorer place? It's safer in the Jiang family's fiefdom."
Meng Si raised his eyebrows and his peach blossom eyes turned up.
"No, if both of you go, then what should we do? The four great families have always been together. Although there is some competition between them, they still have a good relationship after all."
"The Meng family and the Wei family... are a bit complicated. It's not just us two who have the final say. Those elders are very powerful, and we can't leave."
Wei Ge sat up straighter, slightly holding his collar, a thoughtful look on his charming face: "You're right, but there's no need to rush for now. Let's wait and see what the court does first."
"Come and have a drink, and stop thinking about the bad things."
Mo Han glanced at him, his expression calm: "If that person is a wise ruler, I wouldn't want to worry so much, it's really a shame."
"So many people from the Jiang family died for Southern Xinjiang, but look at them. They were driven away not long after returning to the capital."
Meng Si looked at him and said seriously, "I'm not driving him away, I'm just sending him to his fiefdom."
"Stupid, that's as simple as you think."
The four of them slept very uneasily that night, and the next day they had dark circles under their eyes. Before they could catch up on their sleep, the servants came to report.
The four of them looked at each other and then looked at the servant in unison.
"What did you say? Why does the Prime Minister want to see Dad and the others?"
Wei Ge casually tugged at the loose red dress, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed, and his tone was calm: "What else can I do? It's not a good thing after all."
"Let's go, let's go back and listen, so we can make plans for the future as soon as possible. When will this damn day end?"
The four of them returned home one after another and hid in the dark to listen.
I don't know what was said inside, but when the Prime Minister and his companions left, the sound of teacups breaking and crackling could be heard in the house.
Mo Han walked in, looked at the man with an angry face, and shouted, "Dad, what did the Prime Minister say to make you so angry?"
When Mo Wen saw his son coming, he could no longer suppress his anger and began to curse the court for inaction, saying it was simply too much.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Do you know what they are trying to do? They are using our four great families to fill the hole and won't tolerate us saying a word. This is really too much."
"My Mo family is responsible for repairing the imperial palace, but the emperor only gave us an IOU. When will we pay the silver and taxes? This means that not only are we working for nothing, but we're also... paying out of pocket."
"The imperial court only gave me a plaque and some other nonsense. As a father, I don't understand all those twists and turns."
Mo Han poured a cup of tea and handed it over, gently advising: "Dad, don't be too angry. Your health is your own. We can think of a way to deal with the court affairs later."
"By the way, what did the Prime Minister say about the other three families?"
Mo Wen took a sip of tea and sighed, "No one said it, but I have tested it and found out that no one can escape, especially the Meng family. The Wei family makes more money."
"Donations will be necessary later. If we want to restore the palace to its original state, all four of us will have to pay a huge price. The earthquake has nothing to do with us, so why should we foot the bill?"
"The court has always been like this. In times of peace and prosperity, we are treated with courtesy because we pay a lot of taxes. But when times are tough, we are lambs to be slaughtered."
The father and son looked at each other, with sadness and determination in their eyes.
"Dad, I think some things can only be rebuilt after they are broken, especially when there is no hope. Why do we still cling to them when there are precedents?"
"Maybe cutting off an arm to survive is also a way."
Mo Han said slowly, "Look, the Jiang family only returned to the capital after so many people died. At the height of their glory, they gave up their military power and fled with their entire family."
"We were away for a few days when the earthquake hit the capital. I think the Jiang family is very smart. They know how to survive by cutting off an arm. Why can't we follow their example?"
Mo Wen heard his son bring it up again, but this time he lost his usual anger. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "But, this matter is too difficult. The court will not let us go easily."
Mo Han's lips curled slightly, his eyes gleaming: "Whether it can be done or not depends on whether the chips offered are sufficient."
"...You mean, we have to cut off our arms to survive? But that would cost a lot of money. The Mo family would be seriously injured."
"And wherever we go, the other places are still the imperial court's base. Besides, other places have already been occupied by others. If we go there, we will only be eroded."
Mo Wen murmured, the current situation was a dilemma.
Mo Han said calmly, "Dad, have you forgotten that there is a place that is very suitable for the Mo family today?"
"...You, you mean Beihuang."
"But that place is too barren. If we go there, it will be very difficult to make money. It is not suitable for the Mo family."
"Dad, no matter how much you earn, it will all be taken away by the court. In this case, it is better to seek stable income and peace of mind. The whole family is together, and safety is the most important thing."
Mo Wen was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Father needs to think about this matter again. You should go back and keep quiet, lest the news leak out."
Mo Han stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go back first. Dad, you should think about this carefully. My Mo family's ancestors came from nothing. We have nothing to lose. We need to take a long-term view."
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