Chapter 64: The Profligate Merchants Hoarding Goods
Xiao Yanqing was stunned on the spot.
Father actually handed such a big thing over to Xiao Yanci?
A trace of gloom flashed through his mind.
Even the ministers did not react. The Seventh Prince was not a steady person. If such an important task was given to him, wouldn't it be troublesome if he caused any trouble again?
A straightforward minister objected directly, "Your Majesty, this matter is extraordinary and cannot afford even the slightest error. It's probably inappropriate to entrust it to the Seventh Prince. The Sixth Prince is calm and steady, and is more suitable for this important task."
Soon other ministers echoed him, and Xiao Yanqing's lips curled up silently.
In the court, he was indeed more popular.
Xiao Yanci, that poor guy who had lost all his money, was no match for me.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Defeng's face suddenly darkened and his tone became ambiguous.
"Why? They're both my sons, but the Sixth Prince can do it, but the Seventh Prince can't?"
The old minister who spoke first immediately said with great fear and trepidation: "That is not what I meant. I just feel that this matter is of great importance and cannot be allowed to go wrong..."
Emperor Defeng snorted coldly, "How can you be so sure that the Seventh Prince will fail in this matter? Let me tell you, the Seventh Prince has made an indelible contribution to this reversal of events."
"Early in the warm weather, he had already stockpiled a large amount of charcoal and cotton. He hadn't sold them even when the prices had skyrocketed. This time, he directly handed them over for free to relieve me of my worries."
"Even the businesses that have set up the shelters now have connections with the Seventh Prince. They're willing to donate their goods for free, and I'm afraid the Seventh Prince also contributed to it. No one can handle this more thoroughly than he does."
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
Xiao Yanqing was even more unbelievable.
How is this possible?
But what my father said himself cannot be false.
Xiao Yanqing clenched his fists, feeling an indescribable sense of suffocation in his heart.
Soon, he showed admiration.
"I had no idea that my Seventh Brother had done so much in secret. I made this suggestion just now simply to relieve Father's worries, and I had no intention of stealing the credit. Lord He and the others were also unaware of the true situation, which is why they have misunderstood my Seventh Brother. Please calm down, Father."
Those ministers immediately knelt down and apologized, and Emperor Defeng's expression softened slightly.
The matter was over, but the waves stirred in people's hearts could not be calmed down for a long time.
Xiao Yanqing returned to the prince's mansion with a gloomy face.
This incident was completely beyond his expectations and caught him off guard.
It was said that the Seventh Brother was born with a life of financial ruin, losing money in every business he did. But this time, he had managed to stock up on a batch of charcoal and cotton at a low price? Could it be that the so-called financial ruin he had suffered before was all a deception?
He called his confidant and said, "Go and check how my good brother got in touch with those merchants."
This matter must be investigated thoroughly. If Lao Qi has been pretending for all these years, then I must face this opponent seriously.
Chu Yian was assigned to the temporary shelter to maintain order, and Zhao Shuning, who was unemployed at home, also took the initiative to go and help.
Opportunities don't just fall from the sky, she can't just sit there and wait for them.
More and more people came to hear the news, including many weak women and children. Zhao Shuning, the female doctor, was indeed useful.
Most of the patients were dirty, and the imperial doctors in the palace looked disgusted when they saw them and were unwilling to treat them.
Only Zhao Shuning was busy running around, with a friendly attitude and great dedication.
Soon, she gradually gained popularity among the people and everyone praised her.
The shelter built by Taicang Trading Company received great praise from the court. Anyone with a discerning eye could imagine that once the matter was settled, the participating trading companies would be able to gain some credit to a greater or lesser extent.
Those businesses that originally sold charcoal at high prices immediately surrendered and donated all the charcoal and warm clothes in their warehouses.
Now is not the time to worry about losses. It is a blessing to be able to make up for it and avoid being liquidated later.
Other businesses donated grain and meat, fearing that they would be left behind.
For a time, the relief supplies prepared by the imperial court were of no use and were all bought up by merchants who wanted to show off.
When Emperor Defeng saw this, he was very pleased.
"Good, good, good, good. It is a blessing for the Great Qi that all merchants have such integrity. Xiaoqi has done a great job on this matter. He has really relieved me of a lot of burdens!"
After hearing this, Xiao Yanqing felt a strong sense of crisis in his heart again.
At this moment, another piece of gossip spread like wildfire in teahouses and taverns: a business had hoarded a large amount of charcoal, but was reluctant to sell it, just waiting for the price of charcoal to continue to rise so that they could make a fortune. However, unexpectedly, a Cheng Yaojin appeared halfway and ruined their plan.
Now, various businesses have generously donated relief supplies, but that business has done nothing. It has not even donated the charcoal it had stockpiled earlier. I'm afraid it wants to keep it and wait for the right opportunity to make a fortune.
Someone deliberately misled the public, and the unknown business immediately aroused public anger.
"Is this true? Which company is it?"
"No matter who it is, this behavior is truly despicable!"
"At a time when our nation is facing a crisis and we are all working together to overcome it, some people are selfish and only think about making dirty money. This is truly despicable."
Amidst the shouting and cursing, someone finally released the news.
"If I'm not mistaken, that company should be Lu's Company."
"Lu family? Which Lu family?"
"It was Lu who left the Xuanping Marquis's mansion a while ago and returned home. Those shops were the dowry of that Lu's daughter."
"It's actually her! A divorced woman, not fit to stay at home, thinking only of making money all day, and making such shady money, it's truly despicable! With such a character, it's no wonder the Xuanping Marquisate divorced her."
In just half a day, the news of Lu's business hoarding and profiteering spread completely, and everyone cursed it. The Lu family's businesses were even surrounded and smashed by the people.
At first, the manager came out to explain, but the people were very excited, and some people were trying to stir up trouble, so no one listened to their explanation. The manager and the servant were beaten, so they had to quickly close the shop and take refuge.
The news quickly reached the Lu family. Lu Guanxuan was so angry that his face turned blue, and Fang also looked extremely angry.
"How could Sister Ran be so foolish? She shouldn't have caused public outrage for such a small profit! Not only will her own reputation be ruined, but the master will also be implicated."
Fang's anger was not fake. After all, if this matter was not handled properly, it would not only affect the reputation of the Lu family, but also her daughter's marriage.
After hearing this, Lu Guanxuan's face became even darker, and the good impression he had for Lu Zhiran because of the Xing family's affairs was completely gone.
He slammed his hand down on the table. "I thought she was a successful woman, but I didn't expect she has the short-sightedness of a businessman in her bones, just like her mother! Go get her!"
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