There was a knock on the door.
After the door opened, the servant said with a serious expression, "Sir, the master asked you to go back to discuss matters. He said...he said he wanted to leave the city. The masters of the four major families are all here."
The four of them looked gloomy: "Are they all here?"
"Hey, it's lively now. We have company on the road and won't be too lonely. Let's go back to the house."
One day passed, two days passed, and the door of the study was finally opened. Everyone's faces were exhausted, and their eyes were frighteningly bright.
The four family heads bowed and said, "Everyone, please go back. We'll meet at the city gate in three days. It would be better if we all travel together so we can look after each other."
"...Master Mo still has hope in the future. Don't act like we're going to the underworld. Pack up your things as soon as possible. Maybe you can catch up with the Jiang family team."
A few people couldn't help laughing and said, "It's a bit difficult to catch up, but going to the Northern Desert is not bad either. It doesn't matter if it's a bit hard. It's a good opportunity to see the scenery of the desert."
The elders of each family came out last, their faces gloomy and they dared not say much. They were unwilling to leave, and the head of the family actually abandoned them. What should they do?
Now they can't open their mouths to leave.
Within three days, each family would count all their property and give half to the court. At the same time, the order would be posted everywhere to prevent anyone from embezzling money in the name of the court.
Inside the courtyard study
Emperor Gan frowned as he reviewed the memorials. He felt a sense of panic and uneasiness in his heart. He clapped his hands and said, "Ying, has there been any news from the capital? How is the money-raising process going?"
A black shadow fell, and for the first time hesitant, not knowing what to say. The Prime Minister had indeed raised the money.
Not to mention repairing the imperial palace, even rebuilding the capital is enough, but this move would mean cutting the flesh and blood of the merchant families to make up for it. Just this time, everyone ran away.
"Your Majesty, the money has been raised, but... the four great families, merchants, and vendors must leave the city, even if they have to give up half of their property."
Emperor Gan frowned slightly and looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean? Can you explain clearly what's going on?"
An incense stick later, Ying knelt on the ground, not daring to look up. The emperor above was furious. He slammed his palm on the table and said in a deep voice, "Go, summon the Prime Minister to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Soon, Prime Minister Wen, dressed in his official uniform, knelt on the ground and saluted. Without waiting for the emperor to get angry, he handed over the thick account book and said seriously, "Your Majesty, this is the gold, silver and jewelry we collected..."
"With these, the national treasury is completely full, your majesty's private treasury is also full, and there is also money for repairs to the capital. My method was a bit cruel, I hope your majesty will forgive me."
After Emperor Gan finished reading it, he was silent for a long time.
Dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes: "A mere merchant is so wealthy that he can rival a country. If he takes all this treasure and leaves, wouldn't that be a rebellion?"
"The Prime Minister's actions... have both merits and demerits, but the remaining half is too much. If they all go to the Northern Wilderness, they will definitely become a threat to the court in the future."
Wen Ce raised his lips slightly, his eyes gleaming, "Your Majesty, this long journey of a thousand miles is not easy to travel. Besides, the earthquake has caused hundreds of miles of water to almost dry up."
"Even if they want to leave, where can they go? I'm afraid they will have to return to the capital in two days. If they go back and forth like this, Your Majesty will only get half of it."
"They are the ones who left, and they are the ones who came back. Your Majesty's majesty is unchallenged, and there is no need to beg them to come back; they will come back on their own."
Emperor Gan felt relieved upon hearing this and said with a smile, "The Prime Minister is indeed very cunning. In this way, not only will they be willing to hand over half of their property, but the court will also not suffer any loss."
"If they want to come back in the future, they will still ask me for help. As long as these people are here, it will only cost them a little money to rebuild the capital."
Prime Minister Wen lowered his head, a strange light flashing in his eyes. As expected, as long as there are enough benefits, the emperor will not punish at all.
"Alright, go back soon. You should be in Jiudu to take up your post in two days. Once things over there are settled, I will summon you back to the capital."
"...Yes, I will obey your majesty's order."
Jinzhong looked at the beaming Majesty and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the money has been raised, but what if those merchants really don't come back?"
"It's also a huge loss for the imperial court."
Emperor Gan waved his hand and said confidently: "No, business people are all smart. Everyone knows that the most prosperous and safest place in the capital."
"Here, they can earn money faster. If they really go to the Northern Wilderness, it means that everything will have to start from scratch, and they won't be able to do business in the Northern Wilderness."
"They are few in number and poor, and their goods cannot be sold. They still have to come back obediently, but at that time, it will be time for them to beg me."
Jinzhong moved his lips, but swallowed the words back. Forget it, what can I say? His Majesty is not going to listen at this moment.
I just hope that everything will go as Your Majesty expects and that nothing major will happen. Otherwise, if the emperor gets angry, they, the slaves, will be the ones to suffer.
On the official road outside the capital, a huge team was marching, and there was no end in sight at a glance. The team marched in an orderly manner, not as chaotic as imagined.
After walking for a day, they stopped by a big river at night. Many servants went down to the river to catch fish, and fetched water to cook on the shore.
The riverside is brightly lit, and it is pleasant to chat and laugh.
Wang Tiezhu helped the man sit down by the river, started a fire, and cooked porridge in a clay pot. Wan Niang sat beside him holding the child, looking at him tenderly.
Soon a man came over, glanced at Wan Niang, and whispered, "Brother Wang, I heard something happened in the capital, and those four families have started to move, and..."
He leaned forward and lowered his voice, "It is said that those four families were also going to the Northern Wilderness. Brother Wang is lucky that they listened to you and didn't go to Jiangnan."
Wang Tiezhu was a little surprised. For the four major families, any movement would be a serious injury, but they were willing to abandon half of their family business and run away.
I’m afraid that there will be a big chaos in the court.
His eyes darkened: "Brother, something is going to happen in the capital. We may have a chance to survive in the Northern Wilderness in the future."
"Hey, who says it's not true? What on earth was that person thinking? We ordinary people can figure it out. How dare he bully others like that? He'll regret it if he gets his way."
Wang Tiezhu sighed, "Those in power only care about the present, not the future. What we can do is keep our families safe, which is more important than anything else."
The short man nodded: "Yes, I just want to tell you that if there is nothing else, I will go back first. I will tell my brother later and we will go to the Northern Wasteland together."
"He said he wanted to go to Jiangnan, but I'm not too optimistic about that."
After everyone left, Wan Niang looked at him worriedly: "Husband, what happened?"
Wang Tiezhu shook his head: "It's okay, it's not a bad thing for us, my lady, don't worry, we will settle down in the Northern Wilderness from now on."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, my husband."
"It's not hard. Even the hardship is sweet when the family is together."
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