The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

After the meeting, everyone dispersed.

Fan Yongdou stayed alone in the hall and called his trusted butler: "Have you sent the letter to Jiang Ge?"

The housekeeper whispered, "We have sent a fast horse to Datong, and it will arrive tomorrow morning at the latest."

Fan Yongdou nodded and took out another secret letter: "Send this letter to the capital overnight and give it to Lord Wang Xijue."

The butler took the letter and asked hesitantly, "Master, is Lord Wang reliable?"

Fan Yongdou sneered: "His son took my Fan family's daughter as a concubine. The money he collected over the years is enough for his entire family to live for ten lifetimes. If he doesn't want to die, he has to protect us!"

The butler bowed and retreated.

Fan Yongdou walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky, and murmured to himself: "Emperor... do you really think you can touch us?"

At the same time, outside Taiyuan city.

A team of black knights quietly approached the city gate. The leader raised his hand to signal, and everyone stopped their horses.

"Sir, four families of the Fan family gathered today, there might be a conspiracy." A spy reported in a low voice.

Jinyiwei Qianhu Chen Han's eyes were cold: "Keep watching, if there is any unusual movement, send a pigeon immediately."

"Yes!"

Chen Han looked at the towering walls of Taiyuan City, his lips curled up slightly: "The Eight Great Shanxi Merchants... This time, you can't escape even if you have wings!"

………………

Datong, General Military Mansion.

In the study room.

The candle wick exploded into a spark, and sparks splashed onto the parchment map on the desk and went out in an instant.

Jiang Ge reached out and moved the lamp. The copper lampstand swayed and cast a flickering light and shadow, illuminating the swords and military talismans hanging on the wall. The square blue brick floor was shiny from years of trampling.

Jiang Ge was about forty years old. His burly body leaned against the carved armchair, and the chair legs creaked under the weight. He stretched out his hand to stroke his face, and his fingertips brushed across his rough stubble, making a rustling sound. The secret letter in his hand had been rubbed repeatedly, and the edges had become frayed.

"Thank you very much?"

Jiang Ge sneered, crumpled the letter into a ball, and threw it into the brazier at his feet.

The burning charcoal crackled and the flames instantly shot up, enveloping the paper. As the flames devoured it, the letter curled, turned black, and finally turned into ash.

Deputy General Zhao Hu stood aside with his hands hanging down, staring at Jiang Ge's tense jawline, his Adam's apple moving unconsciously. He took a half step forward and said in a low voice: "Sir, the Fan family is really going to be in trouble this time. Since the court has ordered the arrest of people, they must have solid evidence. If we intervene, I'm afraid..."

"enough!"

Jiang Ge suddenly raised his hand to interrupt Zhao Hu's words, and stood up suddenly, dragging the wooden chair on the blue brick floor with a harsh sound. He took two steps to the window and pushed open the carved window frame. The biting night wind, carrying the yellow sand from outside the Great Wall, blew in his face, making the few strands of white hair on his temples rustle.

Outside the window, the corner tower of the General's Mansion showed only a vague outline in the night. In the distance, the lights of Datong City had long been extinguished, leaving only sporadic torches on the city walls, flickering in the wind. Jiang Ge looked at the dark night, his chest heaving violently, and his heavy breathing condensed into white mist in the cold air.

"You think I don't know?"

Jiang Ge didn't even turn his head, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Over the years, all the food and money we have taken, which one didn't come from them? If the Fan family falls, the censors will target me next!"

Zhao Hu opened his mouth, but in the end he said nothing. He knew all too well what had happened over the years, from smuggling goods in border trade to withholding military rations, none of which could be without the shadow of the eight Shanxi merchants. Now the court wanted to move against Fan Yongdou, just like cutting off their financial resources, and even taking their lives.

Silence spread in the house, with only the sound of wind blowing sand against the window frames.

After a long while, Jiang Ge slowly turned around, his eyes flickering in the light of the candle. He walked back to the desk, reached out to pick up the command arrow on the desk, and tapped it lightly in his hand, making a crisp sound.

"Pass the order,"

Jiang Ge's voice was low and cold: "Mobilize three thousand elite troops to set out early tomorrow morning to Taiyuan to 'escort' Fan Yongdou and others to Beijing."

"My lord, you really want to..."

Zhao Hu raised his head suddenly, his eyes full of shock. Three thousand elite soldiers, almost half of Datong Town's mobile forces, if the court blamed them for this, the consequences would be disastrous.

Jiang Ge smiled sinisterly and slammed the command arrow on the table, causing the ink in the inkstone to splash out. He raised his hand and made a gesture of wiping Zhao Hu's neck, with a fierce arc at the corner of his mouth:

"The escort was fake. They 'kidnapped' people halfway out of Datong and found a remote valley without anyone noticing..."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly started coughing violently, pressed his fist against the corner of his mouth, and a little dark red seeped out between his fingers.

Zhao Hu looked at Jiang Ge's hunched back and suddenly realized that this usually majestic general was just a poor man dancing on the edge of a knife. But at this moment, he had no choice but to clasp his fists and accept the order: "I obey your command!"

The candlelight in the study was still flickering, casting the shadows of the two people on the wall, stretching them very long.

Outside the window, the wind was getting stronger and stronger. The sound of clappers could be heard faintly from the city wall. It was already three o'clock in the morning.

………………

In the capital, the residence of Wang Jiaping, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Rites.

In the backyard study, the doors and windows were closed, and the candlelight flickered. The heavy curtains blocked the light from the room, and only the occasional sparks from the candle wicks illuminated two solemn faces.

Wang Xijue and Wang Jiaping sat opposite each other, with a red sandalwood chessboard between them. Black and white pieces were staggered on the board, but no one had made a move for a long time.

Wang Xijue held a black dot between his fingers, frowned, and whispered, "You also read Fan Yongdou's letter."

Wang Jiaping did not respond immediately, but took a sip of the teacup. The tea was cold, and the bitter taste made him frown even more.

"The emperor is determined to take action against the Shanxi merchants this time."

Wang Xijue continued: "If we intervene again, I'm afraid we won't be able to protect ourselves."

"Humph!"

Wang Jiaping sneered and slammed the white piece in his hand heavily on the chessboard, making a crisp sound: "Isn't it a little late for you to say this now, Lord Wang?"

He leaned forward slightly, the candlelight casting a shadow on his face: "Haven't we collected enough money over the years? If the Fan family hands over the account books, who will survive, you or me?"

Wang Xijue's fingers trembled, and the black piece slipped from his fingers, bounced twice on the chessboard, and finally stopped at the Tianyuan position. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "What do you think?"

Wang Jiaping narrowed his eyes, the candlelight reflected two cold lights in his eyes: "Two roads."

He raised a finger and said, "First, let the Fan family pay the taxes as soon as possible to calm the emperor's anger."

After a pause, he raised his second finger: "The second one..."

His voice was barely audible, but Wang Xijue heard it clearly: "If the emperor insists on investigating, then he can't investigate any further!"

Wang Xijue's pupils suddenly contracted, cold sweat oozed from his back, and he subconsciously looked around. After confirming that the doors and windows were closed, he whispered, "You mean--"

Wang Jiaping did not answer, but just clapped his hands lightly.

"Click~"

With a slight sound, the secret door on the west side of the study slid open silently. A man in black walked in quietly and knelt on one knee: "Sir."

Wang Jiaping said calmly: "Are the things ready?"

The man in black nodded, took out a small celadon bottle from his arms, and placed it respectfully on the edge of the chessboard.

Wang Xijue stared at the porcelain bottle, his throat rolling. He recognized this bottle, it was exactly the same as the container used by the East Factory to distribute the "Yangxin Pill" at the court meeting three days ago.

"This is……"

A hint of cruelty flashed in Wang Jiaping's eyes: "If the king treats his subjects like grass, then the subjects will treat the king as an enemy."

He slowly unscrewed the cork and poured out a scarlet pill: "Since he can give us the Three Corpses Brain Pill, don't blame us for giving him a taste of his own medicine."

Wang Xijue suddenly grabbed Wang Jiaping's wrist and asked, "Do you have the antidote for the Three Corpses Brain Pill?"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and the look in his eyes was complicated and unpredictable—there was fear, but also a hint of hope that was difficult to conceal.

Wang Jiaping did not answer directly, but put the pill under the candlelight and observed it carefully. Fine lines could be vaguely seen on the surface of the scarlet pill, which was slightly wriggling like a living thing.

"It's not a cure," he said finally, "but the effect is...almost the same."

The man in black explained at the right time: "This substance is called 'Tonggui Powder'. After taking it, it will counteract the toxicity of the Sanshi Naoshen Pill and can temporarily suppress the corpse worms. But after three months..."

"What will happen?" Wang Xijue asked anxiously. "Two results... Either you live."

The man in black was silent for a moment: "Or die."

The room fell into dead silence, with only the occasional crackling sound of the candlelight.

Wang Xijue slowly leaned back in his chair, his face pale, and suddenly he felt a tightness in his chest.

"Half chance...is there no other way?"

Wang Xijue murmured.

Wang Jiaping sneered: "Master, do you still want to get away with it?"

He clenched the pill tightly:
"Since the tyrant took the throne, how many people have been purged? The Jiangnan gentry, the Shanxi merchants, we will be the next one!"

He approached Wang Xijue and spoke in a voice as venomous as a venomous snake: "Do you think you can survive after taking that elixir? According to the records of the Eastern Depot, you and I are already doomed!"

Wang Xijue's hands were shaking: "Then...what should we do specifically?"

Wang Jiaping showed a satisfied look and sat up straight again: "First, we must ensure that the Fan family's account books disappear forever."

He winked at the man in black, who immediately took out a map and spread it out on the chessboard.

"The Fan family's core account books are hidden in the cellar of the old house in Taiyuan, guarded by thirty death warriors."

The man in black pointed to the mark on the map and said, "In three days, the new army will escort Fan Yongdou to Beijing. This is our last chance."

Wang Xijue stared at the map and suddenly said, "If we fail..."

"Won't fail."

Wang Jiaping interrupted him: "I have ordered Nurhaci, the deputy governor of Jianzhou Guard, to go and meet him!"

"You mean...?"

Wang Xijue shuddered: "Jianzhou Jurchen? Why would he help us?"

Wang Jiaping gave a meaningful smile: "Because he wants the same thing as us."

He took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Xijue: "Take a look, these are his conditions."

Wang Xijue unfolded the letter, and his expression became uglier as he read it. Finally, he slammed the letter shut and said, "This is impossible! Giving the border defense map to the Jurchens is no different from collaborating with the enemy."

"Collaborating with the enemy?" Wang Jiaping sneered: "Don't you understand, Lord? What we are doing now is treason!"

He snatched the letter back and brought it closer to the candlelight. The flames instantly devoured the paper, and ashes fell onto the chessboard, covering the fallen black piece.

"Two options." Wang Jiaping emphasized again: "Either wait for death, or take a chance."

Outside the window, the night watchman's clappers could be heard faintly. It was already the third watch.

Wang Xijue sat there for a long time, finally slowly stretched out his hand and picked up the scarlet pill.

………………

Fan Yongdou sat alone in the underground secret room of the Fan family. The stone walls were surrounded by iron frames filled with yellowed account books. The candlelight was weak, illuminating his old face with ravines and deep wrinkles between his brows.

The skinny fingers slowly flipped through the account book, and the fingertips stopped at a certain page - "In the 45th year of Jiajing, Jiang Ge, the general of Datong, was bribed with 50,000 taels of silver to lower the purchase price of military rations..."

"Ah……"

He suddenly sneered, his voice hoarse like rusty iron rubbing against each other: "Jiang Ge, this dog, has an appetite that is getting bigger and bigger."

"Master, Datong's reply has arrived."

The butler pushed the door open and walked in, stepping very lightly, for fear of alerting the patrolling Jinyiwei secret guards outside.

Fan Yongdou raised his head suddenly, his cloudy eyes glowing coldly under the candlelight: "What did Jiang Ge say?"

Fan Zhong bowed and handed over a secret letter, whispering: "General Jiang agreed to send troops, but..."

"But what?"

Fan Yongdou's voice suddenly rose, and veins bulged on the back of his skinny hands.

"He wants another 500,000 taels of silver."

"Fifty thousand taels?!"

Fan Yongdou slammed the table, shaking the candlelight violently, and the ink words on the account book flickered in the light and shadow. He grabbed the letter, his knuckles turned white: "This is an insatiable jackal!"

The candle flame popped and sparkled, making his face look as hideous as a ghost.

Fan Zhong didn't dare to answer, he just stood there with his head down. After a while, Fan Yongdou sneered and put the letter to the candle. The flames licked the corners of the paper and spread quickly, and the ashes fell on his sleeves, but he didn't notice it at all.

"Tell Jiang Ge that the silver can be given."

Fan Yongdou stared at the burning letter paper, his voice as cold as ice: "But he must ensure that the Fan family is safe! If our Fan family falls, the military pay he has swallowed over the years will be enough to kill all nine generations of his family!"

"Yes."

Fan Zhong nodded.

Fan Yongdou took out a copper key from his bosom, opened the secret compartment in the corner, and took out a silk book as thin as a cicada's wing.

"This is a list of all the court officials who have had dealings with the Fan family over the past thirty years."

He lowered his voice so low that every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "Including every sum of money they received and every dirty thing they did."

Fan Zhong took a deep breath and said, "Master, if this gets leaked out..."

"So it must not fall into the hands of the court!"

Fan Yongdou grabbed Fan Zhong's wrist with such force that the old housekeeper frowned in pain: "Let Fan Shiqi do it."

A moment later, a thin man quietly flashed into the secret room. This man had a sallow complexion and a scar on his right cheek. He was the leader of the death squad trained by the Fan family.

"Seventeen, you will personally escort this account book to Jianzhou."

Fan Yongdou stuffed the silk book into a waterproof oilcloth bag and took out a bronze token: "Give it to Nurhachi, he will understand its value."

Fan Shiqi knelt on one knee and took it with both hands: "I swear to complete the task at my death."

Fan Yongdou stared at him and suddenly took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve: "This is the Seven Days Soul-breaking Powder. If you are captured..."

Fan Shiqi took it without hesitation, raised his head and swallowed a pill, hiding the rest close to his body: "If I don't take the antidote within three days, I will die of the poison. I will never reveal a single word."

After Fan Shiqi left, Fan Yongdou slumped in the armchair, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He stared at the flickering candlelight and suddenly asked, "Uncle Zhong, how many years have you been with me?"

Fan Zhong was stunned: "Four... Forty-three years, sir."

"Forty-three years..."

Fan Yongdou muttered, reaching out to pick up the teacup, but found that his hands were shaking so badly that the tea spilled all over his sleeves: "My Fan family started as a small grain shop and has become rich enough to rival a country today. I never thought..."

"boom!"

He threw the teacup to the ground, and porcelain shards flew everywhere!
"Dark Lord!"

He gnashed his teeth, his eyes bloodshot: "If my Fan family can't survive, then let the entire Ming Dynasty be buried with it!"

Outside the secret room, the sound of the night watchman knocking on the gong could be heard faintly. It was already the fourth watch.

Fan Zhong suddenly burst into tears:

"Master, I will go and prepare now... If it really comes to that, I will go with you."

Fan Yongdou did not answer, but slowly pulled out a gold-inlaid dagger from under the table. He gently stroked the blade with his fingertips, and in the silent secret room, a slight "clang" sound was heard.

(End of this chapter)