Zhu Tian: A journey of spiritual practice starting from Joy of Life

Chapter 162 The Disappointing Qing Emperor Jewelry Trade Fair (Two in One)

By the time Emperor Qing came to his senses, he had already arrived outside the Guangxin Palace amidst a thunderstorm.

Although the thunder and rain were loud, Emperor Qing, as a grandmaster, could still hear the sounds of lovemaking inside.

Emperor Qing's expression changed drastically, and the sound of thunder fell again rang in his ears.

"boom"

The thunderclap struck Emperor Qing's heart directly, and he raised his hand to push open the door in front of him.

But for some reason, the door in front of him was extremely heavy, and no matter how much brute force he used, he could not shake the door at all.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Hou's voice sounded in Emperor Qing's ears, gradually waking him up.

Seeing Emperor Qing wake up, Eunuch Hou breathed a sigh of relief and asked with concern, "Are you having a nightmare again?"

"Ok!"

Emperor Qing was sweating profusely at this moment, breathing heavily. "Um, Eunuch Hou, when you were in Guangxin Palace during the day, did you see what happened between Li Yunrui and the Crown Prince?"

"what!"

Eunuch Hou said quickly, "Your Majesty, you forgot that it was the Crown Prince who drove me back. It was Hong Zhu who left later!"

"Hong Zhu!"

Emperor Qing was silent for a moment, then raised his head and asked, "Where is Hong Zhuren? I want to see him now!"

After hearing this, Eunuch Hou immediately ran downstairs. Not long after, Eunuch Hou ran in holding Hong Zhu, who was wearing a tight white dress and still sleepy.

"Hong Zhu!"

Emperor Qing looked at him seriously, "I want to ask you, what did you see in Guangxin Palace during the day?"

"Guangxin Palace!"

Hong Zhu was stunned, then he knocked his head to the ground, and said with a bit of fear in his tone, "I know my crime, I know my crime. During the day, in order to better stay in Guangxin Palace and watch over it, I helped clean a few vases."

"I didn't ask you that!"

Emperor Qing was so angry that he had a headache, but he still gritted his teeth and comforted her, "Tell me what you saw honestly, and I won't punish you!"

Hong Zhu heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this and quickly said, "When I was here, the princess and the prince hardly said anything. It was the prince who helped the princess and rushed to do the work. Oh, and there's one more thing! During this time, the queen sent someone to call the prince back. Prince, prince..."

Seeing Hong Zhu stuttering, Emperor Qing stood up angrily and said, "What else did the prince say? If you don't tell me, I will chop you off immediately!"

After hearing this, Hong Zhu said stiffly, "The prince said that he would help his aunt clean the house before returning. When the time comes, it can be scolded by the queen mother or punished with a cane."

"He is indeed filial!"

After listening to this, Emperor Qing waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go back. I will stay here for a while. Remember not to spread this to anyone else!"

After hearing this, Eunuch Hou and Hong Zhu immediately retreated.

After seeing that there was no one around, Emperor Qing fell directly on the bed. At this moment, he was no longer the king who could arbitrarily decide the life and death of others, but an old man with a confused mind.

"What we just did was just a dream, right?"

Emperor Qing muttered to himself, "Cheng Qian would never do anything absurd!"

After talking to himself for a while, Emperor Qing slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep again.

Seeing this, the clone lying on the roof passed the news he had just received to Leng Feibai in Cangshan.

"Not bad, just as I expected!"

Leng Feibai sensed the message sent by his clone, and a hint of evil flashed in his eyes.

"I really want to see what that old loach Li Yunqian's face would look like when he sees Li Chengqian and Li Yunrui messing around!"

After saying that, Leng Feibai fell asleep with his clothes on, waiting for tomorrow to come.

The sun rises in the east, and golden sunlight soon shines on the earth.

Fan Xian and Leng Feibai got up early and took a walk in the Cangshan Villa.

When the two arrived at the front yard, they saw many cooks working in the other courtyard.

"You found it!"

Leng Feibai looked at Fan Xian, and Fan Xian shook his head.

Before he could speak, Fan Sizhe, who was outside, suddenly ran in and said, "Brother Feibai, brother, how are your preparations going? The people will be here soon."

"Everything is ready."

Fan Xian looked around and asked curiously, "Did you call all these people here?"

Fan Sizhe smiled and said, "When you do business with that group of people, you should at least treat them to a few meals. Also, brother, after you told me about your story last night, I sent someone back to Kyoto overnight to bring you the plaque that His Majesty bestowed upon you. Wait, you will see what I, your younger brother, can do."

"it is good!"

Leng Feibai took over the conversation and said, "Let's discuss the process first. Fan Xian, you will introduce the treasury debt to everyone first, and then Sizhe will add to it.

After you two are done, you can bring the person to me for the final step. And…"

Leng Feibai paused and quickly asked, "Is there any movement from the Censorate?"

After hearing this, Fan Xian shook his head and sighed, "Ever since Censor Lai was dismissed, the Censors in the Metropolitan Censorate haven't had the same drive they once had. They submit memorials when they encounter problems, but if His Majesty doesn't intervene, these Censors won't say a word."

"What else can I say?"

Leng Feibai said darkly, "Censor Lai spoke frankly and accepted advice, but he almost lost his life. How many of these censors dare to take things seriously? Okay, you guys go about your business. I'll go and do mine."

After Leng Feibai finished speaking, he walked directly to the jewelry showroom that had been prepared early in the morning.

At the same time, outside the Cangshan Villa, carriages carrying wealthy merchants from Kyoto rushed over.

These wealthy merchants had long known about the deficit in the inner treasury, and when they received Fan Xian's invitation, they couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Several wealthy merchants even discussed the matter with the censors of the Censorate before coming.

But after hearing this, the imperial censors all tried to reassure them, saying that Fan Xian was not the kind of person who would take advantage of others. However, they also assured them that if Fan Xian really forced them to pay, the Censorate would definitely help them seek justice.

That is why these wealthy businessmen dared to come to Cangshan for the meeting.

The scene changed and Leng Feibai had returned to the exhibition hall.

The exhibition hall was empty, with only many booths placed inside.

After making sure that no one was approaching, Leng Feibai raised his hand and waved it. More than a dozen shadow clone talismans flew out from his fingertips and appeared in the same place in different shapes.

"Aside from the clones here, there are only seven clones left outside."

Leng Feibai stretched lazily and said, "Get to work. Next, we just have to wait for Fan Xian to lure those fat baits over."

After saying that, Leng Feibai raised his hand and took out the jewelry he had prepared early in the morning, placed them on the display stand one by one, and placed the price tags he had put up early in the morning next to the jewelry.

An hour later, Leng Feibai perceived a burst of violent footsteps.

Leng Feibai immediately ordered his clone to stand still, while he himself stood in front of the booth, watching figures walk into the room.

"Everyone!"

Fan Xian invited everyone into the room and pointed at Leng Feibai, saying, "Fan Sizhe and I have already explained the treasury debt issue to everyone. Now, let my brother, Leng Feibai, give everyone some peace of mind."

A group of wealthy businessmen looked at Leng Feibai standing in front of the booth and suddenly felt uneasy.

Seeing this, Leng Feibai clasped his fists and said, "Everyone, I'm honored to meet you. My two younger brothers should have told everyone about the treasury debt. I understand what everyone is thinking. After all, treasury debt is unheard of, so it's understandable that everyone is skeptical." After hearing this, one of the wealthy businessmen boldly said, "Master Leng, what you say makes sense. We are indeed worried. But why did you call us here?"

"Leng's family is also a businessman. Let's talk business, so I won't say any more nonsense!"

After Leng Feibai finished speaking, he pointed behind him and said, "Everyone, please look."

When the wealthy businessmen looked up, they saw countless jewels and jade carvings.

“This, this, this!”

Among the wealthy businessmen present, several were engaged in jewelry business.

They could tell at a glance that the jewelry and jade carvings displayed in the room were all valuable items.

"The biggest reason people are reluctant to buy treasury bonds is that they are worried about whether they can get their principal back after buying them."

Leng Feibai smiled and said, "I understand this. After all, the ownership of the three major districts in Jiangnan has not yet been determined."

Listening to Leng Feibai's words, the wealthy businessmen broke out in cold sweats. One of them boldly asked, "Mr. Leng, what do you want to say?"

"It's very simple. Leng just wants to provide you with some protection."

Leng Feibai pointed at the jewelry behind him and said, "The owner of Qing Yu Tang has already calculated the prices. There are also jewelry dealers among you here. They should be able to judge whether the price of each piece of jewelry, each jade carving, and the price tag is reasonable."

Several wealthy merchants who dealt in jewelry were immediately pushed out by other wealthy merchants.

In desperation, these people could only step forward bravely, and after carefully studying it, they turned around and patted their chests and said, "Don't worry, the price on the sign is indeed worth it."

Leng Feibai smiled upon hearing this and said, "Everyone, these jewels are my guarantee to you. As long as you buy a treasury bond of 10,000 taels from Fan Xian, you can use the bond to redeem a jewel worth 10,000 taels. If the bond is not repaid within the deadline, the jewels of equal value will become yours. When the deadline is up, you will come to Fan Xian to redeem the principal and interest of the bond with the jewels you have received now."

After hearing this, one of the merchants pondered for a moment and then boldly asked, "Master Leng, what you mean is that if we lose the jewelry within the deadline, then the treasury bond we purchased will be invalid, right?"

"That's right!"

Leng Feibai said calmly, "I'll stop here. Everyone can go back and rest."

"Mr. Leng!"

One of them boldly said, "Can I buy the jewelry directly without the treasury debt?"

“I suggest everyone still take Treasury bonds!”

Leng Feibai continued, "After all, the interest that the treasury debt can bring you is not comparable to the value of jewelry."

"No no no!"

The person who had just spoken quickly said, "I want that jade cabbage as a family heirloom. I really don't want any treasury debt or anything like that."

After hearing this, Leng Feibai looked at Fan Xian, and Fan Xian nodded.

"All right!"

Leng Feibai said in relief, "Those who want to trade jewelry, go to Fan Sizhe and line up to pay. The price remains the same."

Upon hearing this, several wealthy businessmen who had their eyes on jade carvings rushed to the exhibition stand, picked up the jade carvings they liked, and ran to Fan Sizhe to pay for them.

A quarter of an hour later, more than a dozen wealthy businessmen returned to their homes with the jade carvings, feeling satisfied.

Fan Sizhe tapped the banknotes lightly and said helplessly, "We sold more than two million taels, but that's still not enough."

Leng Feibai sighed and said, "The rest can only be left to fate."

When Fan Sizhe heard this, he glanced at Fan Xian and said, "Brother, does God care about this?"

Leng Feibai looked towards Kyoto and said, "I'm talking about the sky in Kyoto."

The news of Cangshan Villa quickly reached Kyoto, and soon became a hot topic in Kyoto.

In the Censorate, most of the imperial censors did not react much after hearing the news. They just sat in their seats quietly drinking tea and reading.

One of the censors, who had just been transferred to the Censorate, couldn't help but ask, "Seniors, don't we need to submit memorials?"

"What memorial?"

One of the imperial censors, a man with a thick face, said, "They didn't force anyone to buy or sell. It was all voluntary. Why should we submit a memorial?"

"that is!"

Another imperial censor, looking at the book in his hand, said, "The princess caused the inner treasury to lose over 20 million yuan, and none of us submitted a memorial. Now that they are trading normally, why should we care so much?"

The censor who spoke first wanted to say something else, but the censors older than him advised, "Alright, Your Majesty can't be kept in the dark about this. Let's see what Your Majesty does."

At this moment, another imperial censor ran into the room and said, "Have you heard? His Majesty has summoned Minister Fan, Dean Chen, and the Second Prince to the palace. The Crown Prince has also gone."

In Emperor Qing's bedroom, after learning what had happened, Fan Jian started acting out a scene.

What Fan Xian said was nonsense and rebellious, and that he had no face to be an official, so he and his family might as well go back to Danzhou to retire.

Seeing Fan Jian's expression, Li Chengqian quickly soothed him, "Minister Fan, calm down. This treasury debt has never appeared before, and it's difficult to convict without the emperor's order. However, I'm wondering where Fan Xian got so many jewels. It couldn't have been given by you, Dean Chen, was it?"

"Your Highness is joking."

Chen Pingping said quickly, "I, an old minister, cannot produce jewels worth over 20 million taels. In my opinion, those must belong to Leng Feibai."

"That's weird."

Li Chengze leaned against a bookshelf beside him and said to himself, "How could Leng Feibai take out jewelry worth over 20 million yuan out of thin air? Where did he get it from? Should we investigate?"

Seeing this, Fan Jian wanted to say something else.

Emperor Qing walked into the room alone and asked, "Are you tired? You're still acting here."

After hearing this, Fan Jian quickly said, "Your Majesty, I really have no face to serve as an official anymore. Why don't you just let me..."

"okay!"

Emperor Qing said unhappily, "You seem quite energetic despite your age. It's perfect for you to go and load the flowers for the chrysanthemum viewing event onto the carriage. Eunuch Hou, you accompany them."

Upon hearing this, the four of them were stunned. Fan Jian asked curiously, "No, Your Majesty, you called us here so late at night just to move the flowers?"

"nonsense!"

Emperor Qing said unhappily, "Then why do you think I called you here? Also, pass on my decree that the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Conference be held earlier than planned. The specific time will be determined after Fan Xian and the others return from Cangshan Mountain."

Li Chengqian curiously asked, "Your Majesty, regarding the treasury bonds issued by Fan Xian in Cangshan, and Leng Feibai's..."

"Didn't you hear what I said? Go move the flowers!"

After hearing what Emperor Qing said, the four of them had no choice but to follow Eunuch Hou out of the bedroom.

At the same time, above Cangshan Mountain, bursts of melodious pipa music were heard.

Looking closely, he saw Leng Feibai holding Sang Wen's pipa and playing a song he had never heard before under the moon.

At the same time, the clone who stayed in Emperor Qing's bedroom also reported the news about the chrysanthemum viewing conference.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this news will be passed on tomorrow. By then..."

Leng Feibai's thoughts fell, and the hand playing the pipa suddenly stopped, and two or three pipa strings broke at this moment.

Sang Wen, who was standing behind Leng Feibai, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Is my husband okay?"

"No problem!"

Leng Feibai returned the pipa to Sang Wen and said, "I don't know why, but I'm suddenly a little upset. Come with me to talk to Fan Xian and Wan'er."

Although Sang Wen didn't understand Leng Feibai's meaning, he still did as he was told.

(End of this chapter)