xymnovel Chapter 1079 - 915: Too Narrow-Minded
Chapter 1079 - 915: Too Narrow-Minded
But then Ju Haoming shook his head, thinking it unlikely, after all, the speed of Xia Clan Leader couldn’t be so fast.Moreover, those with intentions to scheme against him wouldn’t need such troubles, there are simpler methods available.
"Then let’s go and meet him! Can’t be anything less than a big deal."
"Sir! Mr. Ju has agreed to meet at Juxiang Building." Ming Mo hurriedly entered the room to report.
Gu Chengyu nodded; this was expected, nothing surprising.
"Is the person we found reliable? Let’s not let the cat out of the bag." Gu Chengyu looked up and asked.
"Rest assured, sir, the person is a newly acquired steward. Very smooth personality, quite articulate too. But, how much silver should we shell out?"
Ming Mo recalled that the original price of the batch of material was worth eighty thousand taels, now those materials were mold-stained, surely not as much as the original price.
Such material, if heavily mold-stained, not even cheap sales would be successful.
Because of this, the batch of silk materials has not sold yet, even if priced like cheap cotton, people are unwilling to buy.
The black spots on it are simply an eyesore, even poor people lured by the cheap price would find it useless after buying it.
Because these cannot be worn, buying it would be wasteful, showing how seriously the material has been damaged by moisture.
"Just ten thousand taels!" Saving is saving, and ten thousand is already a lot.
If not for him having a way to remove those blemishes, he wouldn’t consider buying.
"Ten thousand taels? Isn’t it too much? Sir, those materials are surely mold-stained, what if we can’t sell them after buying?"
Ming Mo felt worried, thinking ten thousand taels was too much.
His master was so frugal with buying food, yet so generous in buying this material, he truly didn’t understand.
Don’t understand, don’t understand, really don’t understand!
"Lower than ten thousand taels, he won’t sell. Maximum could be twelve thousand, above this price, we won’t buy. Whether it sells or not, we’ll discuss later, just get the task done now."
If that batch sells for less than cheap cotton pricing, maybe it could go for six or seven thousand taels.
Gu Chengyu heard the household head of the Ju family was quite stubborn, if they offered only thousands of taels, might agitate their stubbornness, preferring ruin over compromise.
"Yes!" Ming Mo took the order and left the room.
Gu Chengyu opened the memorial and spread it out on the desk to dry. He planned to submit a report back to the Capital, regarding the Yingnan Mansion’s river embankment matter, the Emperor was still waiting for news.
He had already sent officials from the Ministry of Industry to inspect Changtian Prefecture, all in all, it’s beyond doubt that the material used for reinforcing the embankment is problematic.
Those officials must have taken significant sums while reinforcing the embankment. The implicated officials weren’t few, whether from the Capital or local.
As for what Xia did in Jiangnan, if Gu Chengyu explains these matters one by one in the memorial, Chief Minister Xia will surely suffer a reprimand from the Emperor.
Gu Chengyu wouldn’t be courteous with Chief Minister Xia; he outlined Xia’s crimes clearly and filled six pages with the memorial.
For example, last month a Xia family member took a liking to a married woman, causing her household to find fault, and beat the husband so badly he almost died.
Eventually, the woman was indeed brought into Xia Mansion by a Xia family member, serving as his concubine.
What behavior is this? Seizing a woman forcefully? So blatantly arrogant, how audacious Xia has become.
Similar incidents have been numerous for Xia, these aristocratic families, their descendants are mixed, always some brash ones.
They constantly flaunt wealth and power, idling around. Without strict family discipline, they become increasingly reckless.
Gu Chengyu glanced at the bold red official seal on the memorial, a slight smile on his lips.
Since he came to Jiangnan for disaster relief, Chief Minister Xia as a First-Grade Official of the court should contribute to Jiangnan’s disaster relief.
Just waiting for Hu Maoshen’s memorial to be sent to the Capital, Gu Chengyu’s follows shortly after.
...
"Emperor, this official believes that the establishment of the chamber of commerce is not advisable. These merchants are quite scheming, gathering them together, who knows what troubles might arise?"
Li Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was strongly opposed to establishing a chamber of commerce. Their Li family is firmly established in the Capital, but Jingkang Prefecture is their ancestral land.
Li’s influence in Jingkang Prefecture is considerable, the family business is vast, annually contributing significant silver to their direct descendants.
If such a chamber is established, with many restrictions and constraints, can business remain as convenient?
"Emperor, this official also believes that uniting these merchants isn’t beneficial. Merchants have plenty of silver, if they harbor unwelcome intent, we wouldn’t stop them in time!"
The Emperor rubbed his throbbing forehead, appearing somewhat weary.
"Since Gu Aiqing proposed the chamber of commerce, he must have considered the pros and cons. He had already discussed this thoroughly with me, and I find it quite feasible."
"This chamber would be regulated by the court, with annual membership fees yielding eighty percent to the court, definitely alleviating the treasury’s deficit effectively. I propose first establishing a chamber in Hangtian Prefecture to observe the outcome, then decide afterward."
"Emperor, this official believes this is unwise. Gu Shaoqing is young, lacks consideration. The treasury deficit is indeed pressing, but the stability of the court is paramount. If these merchants unite, or are bought by some faction, the Dayan Dynasty is truly perilous! Please reconsider, don’t lose the greater for the lesser!"
Xia Qing swiftly stepped forward, voiced objection.
He inwardly seethed, Gu Chengyu, even in distant Jiangnan, had the mind and energy to maneuver the court, utterly despicable.
He thought of his disciple Min Feng and sighed deeply.
His disciple now was detained by Gu Chengyu, utterly unruly. Min Feng was Emperor appointee River Patrol Imperial Censor, Gu Chengyu showed no regard for the Emperor’s face.
Min Feng was truly incompetent, for mere money, committed such foolishness. His vision was too narrow, distracted by petty gains.
Nonetheless, Xia Qing wasn’t worried. This matter can be small or large, only a hundred taels of gold, what can it count as?
With him maneuvering before the Emperor, it’ll end as minor punishment with major forgiveness!
"About this matter..."
The Emperor stopped mid-sentence, feeling darkness encroach, Xia Qing’s silhouette overlapping with the incense burner, blurring in his sight.
Then, heard De’an’s alarmed cry, "Emperor? Emperor? Quick, summon the Imperial Physician!"
Taihe Palace suddenly fell into chaos, cries resounded, the hall became noisy.