Chapter 143: Stealing a Chicken, Losing the Rice
Lu Guanxuan naturally knew about Jinxiufang's big move. He was still feeling proud of his daughter's great achievement. He never expected that the old man Ge Songyuan would jump out to find trouble again, and the accusation he made was a huge one.
Lu Guanxuan broke out in cold sweat on his back.
"Master Ge, you, you have to be responsible for your words. Jinxiufang is a legitimate business that earns money for the court. It's not cheating or deceiving anyone. How can you say it's unscrupulous?"
Ge Songyuan's face was filled with disdain. "How can a legitimate business just take money without giving anything? Have you ever seen anyone do business like that? Your daughter is clearly getting something for nothing."
Lu Guanxuan choked and felt a little guilty for a moment, and soon he stiffened his neck to argue.
"They paid the money on their own initiative, and no one forced them. How come Lord Ge is saying it's like they were being coerced? There are many different ways to do business, and Lord Ge is being too surprised by what he has seen so far."
Ge Songyuan sneered, "How do you explain her using the Empress's belongings as a cover? How can things used exclusively for the Empress be bought and sold as merchandise? Her actions are truly audacious."
Other officials also came forward and echoed Ge Songyuan's words.
Lu Guanxuan was surrounded by everyone and was sweating profusely for a while.
He couldn't help but secretly blame Lu Zhiran in his heart for being too bold. If she implicated him, he would definitely give her a good beating when he got back!
Seeing that he was speechless, Ge Songyuan immediately showed a smug look on his face.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Princess Pingle's investment in the construction of Jinxiufang is a sincere gesture for the benefit of the people. This is undoubtedly a good thing, but her management methods are extremely disrespectful to you and the Empress of the Palace! This should be stopped immediately and punished severely as a warning."
Emperor Defeng spoke slowly, "Lord Ge, are you aware that I have handed Jinxiufang over to the Ninth Princess? Do you want me to severely punish the Ninth Princess as well?"
Ge Songyuan immediately said, "The Ninth Princess is young and inexperienced in business. She must have been deceived by the Princess of Pingle this time."
Emperor Defeng's expression was ambiguous. "Then, Lord Ge, do you think they dare to act on their own without my approval?"
Ge Songyuan was stunned, his face full of disbelief.
The officials who had just joined in the crusade against Lu Zhiran were also stunned on the spot.
If this is what the emperor agrees to, then wouldn't their words just now be insults to the emperor?
But how could the emperor agree to this?
"Feng Youcai, show them the accounts of Jinxiufang."
Soon, an account book was delivered to Ge Songyuan. He opened it tremblingly, his pupils immediately dilated, full of disbelief.
The account was passed down one by one, and everyone had the same expression on their face.
When Xiao Yanqing saw the number on it, his hands shook and he almost dropped the pen.
Emperor Defeng said coldly, "Princess Pingle used what you call unspeakable means to earn 500,000 taels in deposit in just one day. With the balance, it's a full 2 million taels."
Those officials who had not yet seen the account books gasped in shock.
"Half of this silver will go into the imperial treasury. I ask you, who has the talent to earn so much silver in a single day? My dear ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, do you have the ability?"
The officials of the Ministry of Revenue were ashamed.
If they had this ability, they wouldn't cry poor every day.
Lu Guanxuan, who was also an official of the Ministry of Revenue, was also ashamed.
His daughter's ability to make money is too strong...
"Lord Ge, what about you? Do you have the ability to share my worries?"
"I am incompetent. No, I don't have such ability."
Emperor Defeng snorted coldly, "From the tone you spoke just now, I thought you were so extraordinary that no one could defeat you."
Ge Songyuan was put on the fire with a very ugly look on his face.
Emperor Defeng looked calmly at the courtiers in the hall, "I know what you are thinking. You all claim to be upright and arrogant, looking down on merchants. Yet, everything you eat and drink every day comes from merchants. Princess Pingle's plan is ingenious, innovative, and effective. It is a thousand times better than those of you who are so stubborn and complacent."
"People must learn to think flexibly, and so do I. If we cling to the old ways, the Great Qi Dynasty will remain stagnant forever. Let alone some ordinary items from the harem, even if they were my personal belongings, I would be willing to give them up if they could bring such miraculous effects."
These words shocked everyone and left them speechless for a moment.
Xiao Yanqing immediately stepped forward and said, "Father, your majesty has great foresight and foresight. I have benefited greatly from this. Your majesty is wise!"
Everyone also knelt down and praised the emperor for his wisdom.
Emperor Defeng smiled faintly, "The main credit for this is owed to the Princess of Pingle."
When he first heard this proposal, he had the same reaction as other ministers, thinking it was insulting.
But Xiao Baozhu persuaded him with all her might and even offered him huge profits, and he finally gave in reluctantly.
Unexpectedly, they actually gave him such generous feedback in the end, which was completely beyond his expectations.
"Lord Lu, you really gave birth to a good daughter."
Lu Guanxuan was flattered and respected Lu Zhiran even more.
Emperor Defeng turned to look at Ge Songyuan again, "Lord Ge, you are old after all, and your hearing and eyesight are not as sharp as those of young people. It is time for you to retire."
Ge Songyuan was struck by lightning, his body stiff for a long time before he slowly prostrated himself and kowtowed, "I have indeed long considered retiring. Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
A gloomy look covered Xiao Yanqing's face.
Father's punishment is a bit too harsh!
Ge Songyuan retired, and he was one person short of someone else. He had to find a way to promote his own people.
The officials who had just been involved were all silent, fearing that they would be the next to be punished. Fortunately, the emperor only gave them a few words of warning and did not punish them severely.
After the court was dismissed, Lu Guanxuan received a lot of compliments from everyone, and his back straightened a little more.
Concubine Li waited and waited, but she didn't get the good news that the emperor punished Lu Zhiran. Instead, she received the emperor's commendation for Concubine Rou, Concubine Hui and others, because they provided embroidery, as well as the recipes of incense and rouge for the incident in Jinxiufang, and made great contributions.
This news hit Concubine Li hard, and she angrily smashed another set of teacups in Yuxiu Palace.
Lu Guanxuan brought this good news back to the Lu Mansion, and his eyes were full of praise when he looked at Lu Zhiran.
"Sister Ran, your father never thought you could be so talented. Today in the court, the emperor openly praised your ingenuity, and even your father was honored. You have truly impressed your father!"
Lu Zhiran smiled softly, "I guess I inherited my mother's talent. As long as my father doesn't mind me doing business and smelling of money, that's fine."
Lu Guanxuan said sternly, "How could that be? You, you are helping the court and the emperor. It's a great honor. How could your father dislike you?"
"That's good."
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