Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The man said in a low voice, "Zhou Cheng'an."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Jiangning Trading Company?"

Zhou Chengan remained silent, his heart filled with despair.

Zhu Han continued, "The manager of the Zhenjiang branch."

Zhou Chengan finally nodded, acknowledging his identity.

Zhu Biao couldn't help but ask, "Who's behind this?"

Zhou Chengan remained silent for a long time, struggling internally, unsure whether he should reveal the truth.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Jiangning Main Branch. Shen Family."

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in them: "The Shen family."

Zhu Biao asked, "Uncle, is the Shen family very large?"

Zhu Han slowly said, "One of the three major grain merchants in Jiangnan. Their influence in the Jiangnan region is extensive and far-reaching. I never expected that they would extend their reach to Zhenjiang."

"Uncle, now that we've confirmed it was the Shen family who did it, what should we do next?"

Zhu Biao asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The Shen family is powerful and cannot be acted upon rashly. We should first properly handle these 52,000 shi of grain to stabilize the grain market in Zhenjiang. At the same time, we should send people to closely monitor the Shen family's movements in Jiangnan, especially their granaries and transportation routes."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "What you say is absolutely right, Imperial Uncle. However, monitoring the Shen family will probably not be an easy task. The Shen family has been operating in Jiangnan for many years and has many informants. If our people are not careful, they may be discovered."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, a hint of wisdom in his eyes: "We don't need to monitor them openly. We can select some shrewd and capable subordinates who are good at disguising themselves, and have them pose as merchants, porters, etc., to infiltrate the Shen family's business circle and gather information from the side. In addition, we can also cooperate with some forces in Jiangnan that have conflicts with the Shen family to jointly fight against the Shen family."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with admiration: "Uncle, your plan is brilliant. However, we must be careful in choosing which forces in Jiangnan to cooperate with, lest we invite trouble into our home."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Don't worry, Biao'er, I will send people to investigate carefully and choose reliable people to cooperate with us."

At this moment, Gu Qingping stepped forward and said softly, "Your Highness, I believe we can also use the influence of the imperial court to post notices throughout Jiangnan, exposing the Shen family's evil deeds of manipulating grain prices and hoarding goods, so that the people will know their true colors. In this way, the Shen family's reputation in Jiangnan will surely be damaged, and their business will also be affected to some extent."

Zhu Han listened, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes: "The Crown Princess is absolutely right. This plan will not only strike at the Shen family, but also win the support of the people of Jiangnan. Biao'er, I'll leave this matter to you."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

After arranging the follow-up matters, Zhu Han began to deal with the 52,000 shi of grain.

He ordered that a portion of the grain be released into the market to stabilize prices and alleviate the people's immediate needs; the other portion was to be stored for unforeseen circumstances.

At the same time, he also sent people to repair damaged grain stores such as Tongsheng Grain Store and restore the grain trading order in Zhenjiang.

People in the streets and alleys were talking about the wisdom and prowess of Prince Han, expressing their gratitude for his timely intervention that calmed the grain price crisis.

However, the Shen family did not stop there. Shen Wanlong, the head of the Shen family, was furious when he learned that the main grain warehouse of the Zhenjiang branch had been destroyed.

"That Zhu Han! How dare he ruin my plans!" Shen Wanlong slammed his fist on the table, his eyes blazing with fury.

Shen Wanlong's son, Shen Wenxuan, said from the side, "Father, Zhu Han has now realized that it was our Shen family who did this. How should we deal with it?"

Shen Wanlong pondered for a moment, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Although Zhu Han is the emperor's uncle, we are not to be trifled with. Since he has already provoked trouble, don't blame us for being impolite. You immediately send someone to contact our various forces in Jiangnan and prepare to give Zhu Han a taste of his power."

They spread rumors that Zhu Han was forcibly requisitioning grain in Zhenjiang, causing widespread resentment among the people; they also secretly colluded with some mountain bandits to rob Zhu Han's grain transport routes, attempting to disrupt Zhu Han's grain supply lines.

These messages quickly reached Zhu Han's ears.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han frowned, realizing that this was a revenge action by the Shen family.

"The Shen family is indeed unwilling to accept defeat and has begun to fight back," Zhu Han muttered to himself.

Zhu Biao said from the side, "Uncle, the Shen family is so arrogant now, we can no longer sit idly by and wait to die. Why don't we send troops directly to Jiangnan and wipe out the Shen family in one fell swoop?"

Zhu Han shook his head and said, "No. The Shen family has a huge influence in Jiangnan. If we send troops rashly, it may cause turmoil in Jiangnan. Moreover, we do not yet have conclusive evidence to prove all the crimes of the Shen family. If we take action now, we may be criticized."

Zhu Biao said anxiously, "What should we do? Should we just let the Shen family continue to cause trouble?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "We can start with the Shen family's business and cut off their economic resources. The Shen family mainly deals in grain, so we can set up government-run grain stores in various parts of Jiangnan to compete with them. At the same time, we should strictly supervise the grain market to prevent the Shen family from manipulating grain prices again."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Uncle, this plan is excellent. In this way, the Shen family's business will definitely be affected, and their power will gradually weaken."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Biao'er, immediately send people to set up government-run grain stores in various parts of Jiangnan. At the same time, select some loyal, reliable, and business-savvy talents to be in charge of the operation of the grain stores."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, rest assured, I will take care of it right away."

These grain merchants bought and sold grain at reasonable prices, and were very popular with the people.

Meanwhile, the Shen family's grain store gradually saw its business decline due to excessively high prices.

Upon learning of this, Shen Wanlong became even more furious. "Zhu Han actually wants to use the government-run grain stores to suppress our Shen family? Not so easy!" Shen Wanlong said through gritted teeth.

Shen Wenxuan said, “Father, the government-run grain stores are thriving right now, while our grain business has plummeted. If we don’t take measures, I’m afraid our Shen family’s grain business in Jiangnan will be ruined.”

Shen Wanlong pondered for a moment and said, "We cannot sit idly by and wait for our demise. You should immediately send someone to communicate with the wealthy merchants who do business with us, and persuade them to reduce their cooperation with the government-run grain stores and continue to support our Shen family."

Those wealthy merchants knew that Zhu Han was very powerful and dared not offend the imperial court easily.

They all expressed their willingness to continue cooperating with the government-run grain stores to ensure the stability of their businesses.

Seeing that this plan had failed, Shen Wanlong came up with another idea. "Since Zhu Han wants to compete with our Shen family in the grain business, then we'll focus on the quality of our grain," Shen Wanlong said.

Shen Wenxuan asked doubtfully, "Father, what do you mean...?" Shen Wanlong smiled sinisterly and said, "You send people to buy some inferior grain and mix it with our superior grain for sale. In this way, if the people have problems after eating our grain, they will inevitably resent our Shen family. The government-run grain stores will gain more trust because of our mistake, and their business will flourish even more. But we can create some trouble behind the scenes, making the people think that there is a problem with the government-run grain stores' grain, thereby damaging the reputation of the government-run grain stores."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenxuan hesitated for a moment: "Father, this plan is ingenious, but if it is discovered, our Shen family will be doomed."

Shen Wanlong glared at Shen Wenxuan and said, "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. As long as we act carefully, we will not be discovered. Moreover, this is the last chance for our Shen family to fight back. If we do not take this chance, our Shen family will surely decline."

Shen Wenxuan nodded helplessly and said, "Father, don't worry, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Soon, the Shen family's grain store began selling grain mixed with inferior grain.

Some people experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating these grains.

After the news spread, the people expressed their dissatisfaction with Shen's Grain Store and demanded compensation.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Shen Wanlong secretly sent people to spread rumors near the government-run grain stores, saying that there was also a problem with the grain in the government-run grain stores, causing people to fall ill.

Some people who were unaware of the truth believed the rumors and began to doubt the state-run grain stores, which affected their business to some extent.

Upon learning of this, Zhu Han immediately realized that it was a conspiracy by the Shen family.

"The Shen family is so ruthless that they would harm ordinary people just to attack us," Zhu Han said angrily.

Zhu Biao said, "Uncle, the people are now suspicious of the government-run grain stores. What should we do?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "We must not panic. The most urgent task is to find out the truth and clear the name of the government-run grain store. At the same time, we must severely crack down on the Shen family's grain store's sale of substandard grain."

Upon learning the truth, Zhu Han immediately ordered notices to be posted to explain the situation to the people and promised to severely punish the Shen family's grain store.

At the same time, he also sent people to collect evidence of the Shen family's grain store selling substandard grain, preparing to report it to the imperial court and impose sanctions on the Shen family.

Shen Wanlong was terrified when he learned that Zhu Han had uncovered the truth.

"We're doomed. Zhu Han won't let the Shen family off easily," Shen Wanlong said in despair.

Shen Wenxuan said anxiously, "Father, what should we do? Are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"

Shen Wanlong pondered for a moment and said, "The only way now is to seek peace with Zhu Han, which may be the only way to save the Shen family's life."

Shen Wenxuan asked doubtfully, "Father, will Zhu Han agree to our request for peace?"

Shen Wanlong sighed and said, "Now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to try. Prepare a generous gift immediately and come with me to Zhenjiang to sue for peace with Zhu Han."

Shen Wenxuan nodded and said, "Father, rest assured, I will go and prepare right away."

Shen Wanlong and Shen Wenxuan arrived in Zhenjiang with generous gifts.

Upon seeing Zhu Han, they immediately knelt down and begged for mercy. "Your Highness, our Shen family was blind and didn't recognize your greatness, offending you. Now we know we were wrong, and we have come to beg for peace. We hope Your Highness will be magnanimous and spare our Shen family," Shen Wanlong said, his voice filled with pleading.

Zhu Han looked at Shen Wanlong and Shen Wenxuan and said coldly, "Shen Wanlong, your Shen family manipulates grain prices, hoards grain for profit, and now you are selling substandard grain, harming the people. Your crimes are unforgivable. Do you think that by bringing some generous gifts to beg for peace, I will let you go?"

Shen Wanlong trembled with fear and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, we know we were wrong. We are willing to offer half of the Shen family's property in Jiangnan to the imperial court to make up for our mistakes. We hope Your Highness will have mercy and forgive our Shen family."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "Shen Wanlong, considering that you took the initiative to seek peace, I can give you a chance. You must donate half of the Shen family's property in Jiangnan to the imperial court and guarantee that you will no longer engage in illegal activities such as manipulating grain prices and hoarding. If you can do this, I will spare your Shen family."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanlong was overjoyed and quickly said, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will definitely do it. From now on, our Shen family will abide by the law and never do anything illegal again."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "I hope you can keep your word. If I find out that your Shen family has engaged in any illegal activities again, I will not let you off lightly."

Shen Wanlong and Shen Wenxuan quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude: "Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness. Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness."

After Shen Wanlong and Shen Wenxuan left, Zhu Biao asked, "Uncle, do you really believe they will repent and start anew?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said, "Biao'er, people like the Shen family are not to be trusted easily. Although I have promised to spare them, I will continue to send people to monitor their every move. If they dare to commit another offense, I will definitely not let them off."

Finally, he couldn't help but speak up: "Uncle, since Shen Wanlong has already offered half of his family fortune to seek peace, and the grain markets in various parts of Jiangnan have stabilized, the people's resentment has gradually subsided. Logically speaking, this matter should be considered to be over."

Zhu Han slowly put down the secret letter, and gently tapped the table with his fingers, the crisp sound echoing in the room.

"Biao'er, do you think Shen Wanlong is really willing to accept this?"

His voice was deep and steady, as if it carried an invisible power.

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "Does the Imperial Uncle mean... they will take further action?"

Zhu Han smiled faintly, a smile that carried a hint of mockery and disdain.

"The Shen family has been operating in Jiangnan for decades, with deep roots, like a towering tree with lush branches and leaves. Now, we have cut off half of their property, and their grain business is not as good as before, just like many of their branches have been broken. How could such a person easily swallow this insult?"

Zhu Biao frowned, agreeing with his uncle's words but still somewhat puzzled. "But didn't they already make a guarantee?"

Zhu Han looked out the window at the night. Night had completely fallen, and it was pitch black outside the window, with only occasional twinkling starlight.

"Guarantees are only kept when it is advantageous."

His voice seemed to come from a distant place, carrying a profound insight.

At this point, he pushed a secret letter in front of Zhu Biao. "Take a look at this."

Zhu Biao quickly unfolded the letter, but after reading only a few lines, his expression changed slightly.

"The salt merchants of Jiangnan... have suddenly started hoarding large quantities of salt?" His voice carried a hint of surprise.

Zhu Han nodded, a hint of worry in his eyes. (End of Chapter)