What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 334 The Power of the Gold Medal! Ancient Immortal Sects Walk the World Today!
Zhang Shouning was completely dumbfounded when Su Mo suddenly asked if he had ever heard of the phrase "as if the emperor were personally present."

But before he could recover from his daze, a golden light flashed before his eyes.

The man surnamed Su raised his hand as if he were holding a gold medal.
Zhang Shouning was extremely sensitive to valuable things like gold and gemstones.

However, he certainly didn't think that Su Mo was going to give him gold as an apology. And when he thought about what Su Mo had just said, his heart suddenly skipped a beat!
A very bad feeling welled up inside me!

He swallowed hard and quickly looked at the golden glint in Su Mo's palm.

Then, his expression froze instantly, and at the same time, his body was frozen in place as if he had been hit by a spell, unable to move!

Shock, disbelief, fear, and other emotions were mixed together.

An indescribable expression appeared on a frozen face.

On the gold medal, the four small seal characters “如朕身临” (As if the Emperor were personally present) faintly exude a magical aura.

It contained an immeasurable majesty, making it difficult for Zhang Shouning to breathe!

"You...you...she...Your Majesty...How could Your Majesty..."

In an instant, Zhang Shouning's face turned deathly pale, his teeth chattering, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

This is a gold medal that reads "as if the emperor were personally present"!
Those who hold a gold medal are considered saints!

This gold medal only exists in legends; even Zhang Shouning had never seen it before!

Zhang Shouning would never have dreamed of this!

Su Mo will have such a gold medal!
Has the Empress gone mad? Or has she been bewitched by Su Mo?
How could she hand over such a prestigious award to an outsider!

What does a python robe matter compared to the "As if I were personally present" gold medal?
Even the Imperial Sword is a level below!
In his terror, Zhang Shouning felt a bone-chilling cold suddenly rise from his lumbar vertebrae and rush straight to the top of his head!

No wonder this guy surnamed Su just said he was hard to kill!

He really could kill himself!

It all depends on whether he wants to kill or not!

crazy!

The Empress has gone completely mad!
The "As if the Emperor were personally present" gold medal is not something that can be bestowed casually!

Not to mention that Su Mo was just a lowly Jinyiwei officer in the trial of a thousand households, not an imperial envoy!
Zhang Shouning's face was deathly pale, completely devoid of any color.

He struggled to look up at Su Mo, only to see a flash of murderous intent suddenly appear in Su Mo's gloomy eyes.

Zhang Shouning was immediately shocked. He felt his legs go weak and he knelt down in front of Su Mo with a thud!
……

Among the onlookers were Zhang Wenxing, who was standing nearby, and Guo Liang, who was further away.

All everyone saw was Su Mo walk up to Zhang Shouning, say a few words, and then seem to show something.

As a result, Zhang Shouning, who had just been smug while wearing the python robe, turned deathly pale instantly.

Then, before they could even understand what was happening...

Zhang Shouning, dressed in a python robe, actually knelt down before the Imperial Guard with a thud!

Everyone was unanimously shocked!
what is the problem?

Is it because Zhang Shouning is old and his legs are not working well?

He was wearing a python robe and was also the emperor's brother-in-law!
Who has the right to make him kneel down?
In the entire Great Wu Dynasty, there are only two people alive who can make Zhang Shouning kneel and worship.

What's even weirder is.

The Imperial Guard, with a dark face, did not move aside and simply accepted the Emperor's brother-in-law's kneeling!
Zhang Wenxing, who was standing next to him, was stunned when he saw Zhang Shouning suddenly kneel down to Su Mo without any warning. He subconsciously bent down to help Zhang Shouning up!

"Uncle Zhong...how could you..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Snap!
An incredibly loud slap.

Zhang Shouning slapped him hard across the face with all his might.

The force was so great that Zhang Wenxing staggered, half of his face swelled up instantly, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth!

After slapping Zhang Wenxing hard, Zhang Shouning shouted angrily, "Kneel down now!"

Zhang Wenxing covered his cheek, staring dumbfounded at the furious Uncle Zhong, completely bewildered by what had happened.

Seeing Zhang Shouning raise his hand again, he was terrified and quickly knelt down!

The boat owners and brothel owners aboard the Xiaolanting boat.

He had just confidently declared that once Zhang Shouning unleashed the powerful weapon of the python robe, those audacious Imperial Guards who dared to embezzle commercial taxes would be helpless against it, and might even lose their lives.

The situation took a dramatic turn for the worse the next second.

Zhang Shouning actually knelt down before the Imperial Guard, and even made his nephew kneel down as well.

Everyone was terrified and turned to look at each other, only to see shock in the eyes of the others!
……

Su Mo considers herself a rather low-key person; being flamboyant is not in her nature.

The gold medal, inscribed with "As if the Emperor were personally present," was hidden in his palm, meant to be seen only by Zhang Shouning.

Zhang Shouning knelt on the ground in utter terror.

Su Mo couldn't help but marvel at the power of the gold medal, which far exceeded his expectations.

The hair we plucked from the Empress this time was really thick, quite impressive!

When he first won the gold medal, he thought he would take a walk outside the Imperial Brother-in-law's Mansion whenever he had free time.

I can't believe my dream has come true so quickly!
Cool!
After Zhang Shouning and Zhang Wenxing knelt down, Su Mo put away the gold medal and said calmly, "Duke Anguo, please rise!"

As soon as Su Mo put away the gold medal, Zhang Shouning instantly felt that the terrifying intimidation that had been like a mountain dissipate in an instant.

He immediately breathed a sigh of relief and stood up tremblingly.

Then, still feeling a lingering fear, he couldn't help but glance at the pouch at Su Mo's waist!

With so many people watching, he still wants to save face.

Seeing Zhang Shouning stand up, Zhang Wenxing also tried to stand up as well.

Su Mo's face suddenly darkened, and he said coldly, "Did I tell you to get up?"

Zhang Wenxing was startled and knelt back down with a thud!

Su Mo stared at Zhang Shouning expressionlessly for a moment, then walked up to Zhang Shouning, lowered his head almost to Zhang Shouning's ear, and said in a sinister tone, "Duke Anguo, remember this well!"

"As I've said before, I only want to collect taxes and don't want to cause trouble!"

"But I will not be afraid of anyone who dares to obstruct my tax collection, much less of killing them!"

After speaking, Su Mo straightened up, looked back at Ning Xiaoxiao and the others who were equally surprised, and said calmly, "Return to the yamen!"

The Imperial Guards left triumphantly.

On the riverbank, Zhang Shouning, dressed in a python robe, stood there dumbfounded, speechless for a long time!
I have the heart to want to die!
How can we fight against that guy surnamed Su now?

damned!
Qianse Pavilion and Fuyu Tower have never paid commercial taxes, nor have they ever paid any miscellaneous taxes or fees!
If that man surnamed Su were to collect the commercial tax, wouldn't he be giving people several hundred taels of silver every month for no reason?
Are you suggesting that the Imperial Brother-in-Law's Mansion should starve?

Yaoshou!
Thinking of this, Zhang Shouning felt a sharp pain, as if cut by a knife, and his heart was bleeding!

But the man surnamed Su has a gold medal that reads "As if the Emperor were personally present." Once he shows the gold medal, it's as if the Emperor himself is present. How could I dare not hand it over?

The emperor's brother-in-law was heartbroken and gritted his teeth, unwilling to part with several thousand taels of silver a year, but he was at a loss!

Just as he was struggling with this dilemma, the emperor's brother-in-law suddenly had a flash of inspiration and came up with an ingenious idea.

Those with the surname Su are protected by a saint.

Don't I also have an older sister who is the Empress Dowager?

Fuck you!

To bully me like this is simply outrageous! The Emperor's brother-in-law must not suffer such injustice!

I'm going to tell my older sister right now!

Whether others pay commercial tax or not is none of my business; I'm determined never to pay it!
The emperor's brother-in-law acted immediately!
Ignoring everyone else, he took off running towards the Vermilion Bird Gate!

The fact that this guy in his sixties or seventies could run as fast as a young man really surprised the onlookers!
……

The people at Xiaolanting stared in disbelief as Zhang Shouning suddenly ran away...

But their attention quickly shifted away from Zhang Shouning.

The young master of the Orchid Pavilion looked at everyone with slightly furrowed brows. Even though her face was covered by a veil, her expression was extremely solemn.

"What exactly did the Imperial Guards present that could make Zhang Shouning, dressed in a python robe, kneel down?" The Yunyan Pavilion ship is considered one of the largest among the many ships.

He had let it slip earlier that he had seen the old man wearing a python robe.

His face was bitter, and he sighed, "Why ask so many questions, Master Lanting? You all know the answer!"

"There are only two people in the whole world who can make Zhang Shouning kneel down!"

He paused slightly, his face growing increasingly grim: "No wonder those Imperial Guards are so arrogant, daring to collect commercial taxes from Qinghefang!"

"This matter must have been instigated by a sage!"

The Master of Xiaolanting nodded slowly: "He has this item in his possession; I'm afraid we won't be able to handle this situation well!"

"Commercial tax cannot be paid!"

Her gaze fell on the owner of Yuyin Pavilion: "I heard that this Imperial Guard named Su Mo once went to the Yuyin Pavilion's ship with the three sons of the Duke of Ningguo's mansion!"

"Does Master Yuyin know anything about this person?"

If Su Mo were here, he would definitely be secretly surprised.

The owner of this Little Orchid Pavilion is so familiar with his own situation that he has found out so much in such a short time.

The owner of Yuyin Pavilion shook his head and said in a deep voice, "This person had a conflict with the people of the Imperial Uncle's Mansion before, so I investigated his background."

"However, it seems that most of this person's information has been erased, making it difficult to know his specific background."

He sighed: "All I know is that this man was originally a clerk in Changping County, and later entered the Changping Hundred-Household Office."

"He was transferred to the capital about half a year ago. I thought it was because of his position as a centurion in Changping County, but it turns out he holds two positions: the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division..."

"Later, he went to Tianchang County to serve as a clerk, in charge of regulating merchants..."

The owner of Xiaolanting frowned: "Everyone knows about these things."

"In a short period of time, this man rose from a menial servant in the yamen to a commander of the Upper Left Office, and was even granted Lone Peak Mountain as his fief... not to mention the things he possessed..."

She narrowed her eyes: "This cannot be described simply as imperial favor; there must be a secret unknown to us!"

"in addition……"

"As far as I know, this person has another identity..."

The owner of Yuyin Pavilion subconsciously asked, "What is your identity?"

The master of Xiaolanting took a deep breath, a hint of apprehension in his eyes, and slowly uttered two words: "Imperial Tutor!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was immediately taken aback!
After a long silence, the owner of the Drunken Dream Pavilion frowned and said, "So, this commercial tax cannot be ignored?"

"This man carries the Emperor's mandate and possesses gifts bestowed by the Emperor. If we refuse to pay commercial taxes, he might actually dare to kill us!"

The owner of Yunyan Pavilion suddenly sneered: "So what if it's an imperial decree?"

"I think you all overestimate this person!"

"Don't forget, we're not the only ones who don't pay commercial taxes!"

"Which merchant in the capital, or even in the whole country, would want to see the Embroidered Uniform Guard set this precedent in Qinghefang!"

Despite having already set up a soundproof array, he still subconsciously lowered his voice and continued, "Throughout history, throughout the dynasties, there has been more than one emperor who wanted to collect commercial taxes!"

"But who can really collect it all!"

The owner of Zuimenglou couldn't help but frown and ask, "What if the Imperial Guards come in forcefully? How should we deal with them?"

The owner of Yunyan Pavilion sneered, "Let the people behind us join forces in the court to impeach this person!"

"If that doesn't work, then..."

His expression suddenly hardened, and he coldly uttered two words: "Strike!"

Upon hearing the words "market strike," everyone's expression subtly changed.

A strike was the most ruthless and effective means for merchants to resist the imperial court.

But this is also a double-edged sword, just like the scholars who sat in protest at the Meridian Gate.

If things go wrong, the consequences could be unimaginable!

The owner of Yunyan Pavilion looked at everyone again, his face growing even more ruthless: "If all the shops in Qinghefang, and even in the capital, close down, let's see how the Embroidered Uniform Guard can cope!"

"It's fine if brothels and boat shops don't open, but grain shops, rice shops, charcoal merchants, salt merchants, and the like will all have to close down..."

He paused slightly: "Hmph!"

"The capital city, with its millions of inhabitants, could be thrown into chaos in an instant!"

"He's the Imperial Tutor, how many heads can he possibly have on his neck?"

As he spoke, his expression turned serious, and he glanced around at everyone.

"No matter what, we must not open the door to commercial taxes! Whoever pays those taxes will be making enemies of all merchants in the world!"

"How can we give away the money we've worked so hard for!"

"I urge you all to immediately contact your acquaintances in the capital. If it really comes to the point where we have no other choice, we should all cease trading and take that Su man's life as a warning to others!"

The other brothel owners and brothel owners all wore thoughtful expressions.

The owner of Xiaolanting frowned: "In my opinion, it's best not to close the market unless absolutely necessary!"

"There is no need for anyone to impeach Su Mo."

"I think it would be better to first send someone to sound out this person's intentions. We could use a honey trap, no matter how much money it costs, to see if we can find another pretext to replace the commercial tax we have to pay?"

Yunyan Pavilion couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Women are women; their courage is hard to match that of men.

However, he couldn't say these words aloud, so he shook his head and said, "This fellow publicly humiliated Zhang Shouning and even directly killed Zhang Yi. It's clear that he's obsessed with currying favor with the Emperor and will stop at nothing to climb the ranks. He won't stop until he collects the commercial taxes!"

"Furthermore, this barbarian has numerous businesses, making a fortune every day. Even our luxury ships, brothels, and gambling dens are far inferior to them!"

"Does the young master of Lanting think this scoundrel can be bribed with silver?"

The owner of Xiaolantingfang remained silent.

After discussing their options for a while, the group took their leave.

After everyone leaves.

A woman with a graceful figure, unparalleled beauty, and ethereal气质, like a fairy, emerged mysteriously from the painting of a lady on the screen.

The owner of Xiaolanting Pavilion showed no surprise whatsoever; instead, she frowned and looked at the woman.

"Senior Sister Gu, what do you think?"

She seems to have stepped out of a painting of ladies on a screen.

It was none other than Gu Yunshu, the most famous swordswoman and dancer on the Xiaolanting Pavilion ship.

However, judging from the way the Little Orchid Pavilion Master addressed her and his attitude towards her, she was clearly more than just a swordswoman.

Gu Yunshu paused for a moment, then said softly, "This commercial tax must be paid!"

The sound was like pearls rolling on a jade plate, clear and melodious!
The owner of Xiaolanting Workshop was slightly taken aback: "What do you mean? Please enlighten me, Senior Sister."

Gu Yunshu's pretty face turned serious, and she slowly said, "The Great Martial Saint is collecting this commercial tax, surely for the sake of Tiannan Dao's resurgence!"

The owner of Xiaolantingfang's expression changed.

Gu Yunshu then said softly, "As far as I know, this earthquake has affected more than a million people!"

"The Great Wu Dynasty is facing financial difficulties, so it certainly won't be able to come up with disaster relief funds!"

"But this disaster must be addressed, and this money must be given!"

She gave the owner of Xiaolanting a deep look: "What do you think, Fairy Ling, should pay for this?"

"The merchants of Qinghefang were unwilling to spend this money and even tried to unite with other merchants to strike, causing turmoil in the capital and putting pressure on the emperor..."

"How will the Great Martial Saint treat this?"

Gu Yunshu paused slightly, then added earnestly, "Never forget how the Great Martial Saint ascended to the dragon throne!"

"The Little Orchid Pavilion is merely a disguise we use to conceal our identities."

"Our immortal sect should refrain from getting involved in such worldly affairs."

　Ahem, I need to mention something here. At noon, the editor said they were going to have a monthly pass bonus chapter event, so I wrote a 2,000-word bonus chapter, which I think was pretty good, and even included a fun little Easter egg. However, after asking other authors, I found out that you need to vote with monthly passes to read it. So, don't rush to vote for next month's chapters; wait until the bonus chapter is released, which should be tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)