The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 501 The Intent Lies in the Emperor's Heart; Endless Storms Enter Jiangnan

Ge Li is a decisive and efficient person who never hesitates to act on his words.

He would not let go of such a great opportunity, which could both please the Eighth Prince and boost his own career.

In just half a day, he invited the owners of the four major banks in Jiangnan to the Governor-General's Mansion of Liangjiang.

Rishenghe, Jinshengkui, Tongshunji, Wanfulong!

These four major banks were known as the "Four Heavenly Kings" of the Jiangnan banking industry, with branches all over the prefectures.

Their respective banknotes circulated, and they didn't even blink an eye when dealing in amounts of millions of taels.

Having money, he was naturally familiar with the Viceroy's Office of Liangjiang.

So, although I was a little apprehensive when Ge Li called me over, I wasn't really afraid.

Firstly, they had a long-standing friendship with Ge Li; secondly, they each had powerful backers.

"Dear bosses, the end of the year is approaching, and everyone is very busy. The reason I've invited you all here in such a hurry is because there's something very important... I need your help!"

Ge Li looked at the owners of the four major banks with a smile on his face.

The owners of the four major banks exchanged glances. Despite their wealth and powerful connections, they all maintained respectful smiles in front of the Governor-General of Liangjiang.
"It is an honor for us to be summoned by the Governor-General."

"Please feel free to ask if you have any requests!"

Those who run banks inevitably face numerous calamities and hardships.

They would be more than happy to have a good relationship with a big shot like the Governor-General of Liangjiang.

Ge Li smiled and said, "This matter is somewhat related to my personal affairs, but in the end, it is a major event for the imperial court."

At this point, Ge Li bowed to the north and said, "Recently, Alabtan has invaded the snowy region, and His Majesty is furious."

"His Majesty has always severely punished those who dare to challenge the authority of the court."

He coughed lightly, his tone softening: "But how can the imperial court wage war without provisions and pay?"

"It's not the time to collect taxes right now, so the imperial court's food and salary are a bit tight."

"His Majesty is worried about this day and night."

"The Eighth Prince and Prime Minister Tong and others were also extremely anxious."

"As the saying goes, 'When the ruler is worried, the ministers are ashamed.' Your Majesty's anxiety about the food and provisions is a dereliction of duty on our part as ministers."

"These past few days, I have been burning with anxiety, unable to eat or sleep!"

Upon hearing this, the smiles on the faces of the owners of the four major banks gradually froze.

Normally, if this governor were to "beg for alms," they wouldn't necessarily refuse to give him a little.

They understand the principle of "spending money to avoid disaster."

But this is the army's rations and pay for their deployment! How much silver will that cost? It's a bottomless pit!

Although they all claim to be incredibly wealthy, most of the money in their hands is not actually their own.

It's nothing more than attracting wealthy families to deposit money with one hand, and then finding ways to lend that money out to make a profit with the other.

It really requires withdrawing a large sum of cash...

Moreover, the imperial court has been using the money as provisions and doesn't know when it will be able to repay it.

The four men quickly exchanged glances. The eldest, and arguably the leader among them, Risheng and the boss, Qiu Qianli, clasped their hands and said, "Your Excellency's concerns are our concerns."

"Therefore, our four families are willing to each contribute ten thousand taels of silver to do our part for His Majesty and the court!"

In the capital, the price of land was only seven or eight taels of silver per mu (a Chinese unit of area, approximately 0.165 acres). For the four major banks to each offer ten thousand taels of silver was already considered a great show of sincerity.

As soon as he said that, the other three bosses' faces turned very ugly.

After all, this is pure silver!
And it was ten thousand taels!

Although their bank made money, it wasn't as profitable as rumored.

Ten thousand taels is equivalent to several months' profit for each of them.

Seeing Qiu Qianli's calm expression, they were all extremely unwilling, but they swallowed their words back.

There wasn't a trace of a smile on Ge Li's face.

Normally, if these four bosses were so "sensible," Ge Li would simply go along with it and everyone would be happy.

But this time is different; this matter concerns the Eighth Prince's future ambitions!

If Ge Li can't handle this matter properly, how will he have the face to approach the Eighth Prince in the future?

He curled his lips into a half-smile and said, "Boss Qiu is indeed a man of great vision. I admire him."

"However..." he suddenly straightened his back, his expression righteous and awe-inspiring, "No matter how much the imperial court is short of money, it cannot take your hard-earned money for nothing!"

"The imperial court is 'borrowing' this time, and not much, just two million taels for each person."

"This isn't a big deal for any of you, is it?"

"In order to build the expressway, Rishenghe raised over a million taels of silver in just three days. This two million taels is no problem for you all."

At this point, his voice became serious.

"The military situation is extremely urgent, and the Emperor and Father are unable to sleep day and night!"

"This is the time for you all to serve the court and share His Majesty's burdens. If you continue to make excuses..."

Ge Li snorted coldly: "Then it's not disobeying me, but rather being unwilling to share the burdens of the emperor!"

"They refuse to help the imperial court out of its predicament!"

At this point, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "I recognize you all, but the laws of the court and the weapons of the Green Standard Army do not."

Qiu Qianli's face turned pale instantly.

He was quite composed in business, and he believed in remaining calm even when faced with a major crisis.

But the current situation is even more terrifying than Mount Tai collapsing—

This is outright robbery!
After exchanging flustered glances, Qiu Qianli finally spoke through gritted teeth: "Your Excellency, it's not that we don't want to share the burden of the court, nor that we don't want to listen to you."

"It's really...it's really impossible for me to come up with that much silver!"

"The last time Yangzhou built a fast road, although a million taels of silver were mobilized, it was all temporarily borrowed from major banks and wealthy families in the surrounding area."

"This money has to be repaid when it's due, and I'll also have to pay interest..."

Qiu Qianli knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling:

"To gather eight million taels of silver within three days... even if we were killed, we couldn't do it!"

Upon hearing this excuse, Ge Li's face immediately turned red.

Now that he has pledged allegiance to the Eighth Prince, if he wants to gain the Eighth Prince's favor, he must help the Eighth Prince with his affairs.

If this matter cannot be accomplished, wouldn't we be breaking our promise to the Eighth Prince?
The Eighth Prince was furious, and just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.

He coldly swept his gaze over the four men and said indifferently, "I have said all the nice things I could. It seems that you are not going to give me any face."

"Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

He suddenly shouted:

"Guards! Qiu Qianli is colluding with remnants of the former dynasty's rebels, plotting to restore the dynasty. Seize him immediately!"

He had long been prepared to use diplomacy first and then force.

At his command, a dozen fierce-looking guards immediately pounced on him.

He immediately grabbed Qiu Qianli's arm.

Qiu Qianli trembled upon hearing the charges Ge Li had leveled against him.

Ge Li is not only trying to kill him, he's trying to exterminate his entire clan!
Extreme fear, ironically, brought out a certain toughness in him.

He looked up and stared directly at Ge Li: "Lord Ge! Justice is clear, how can you cover up the truth with one hand!"

"Aren't you afraid of being impeached by the censor for acting so recklessly?"

"Moreover, in our Jiangnan region, there are also people of high moral character and who uphold justice."

"Former Minister of Rites Zhang Yushu is lecturing here. He will absolutely not stand by and watch you act recklessly!"

Ge Li hated being threatened the most. Upon hearing this, his face darkened, his anger intensified, and his temper flared up completely.

He said coldly, "Still dare to talk back? Tie him up right now and give him fifty lashes first!"

"I want him to know that in the Governor-General's Mansion of Liangjiang, even if he is a dragon, he has to coil up before me!"

At this point, he turned his gaze to the other three, his tone sinister: "Gentlemen, I know that it's hard to part with wealth."

"But now, I'm not going to take everyone's money."

"The imperial court needs to 'borrow' your money urgently."

“My loyalty is as clear as day and night! His Majesty will absolutely not punish me for this matter.”

"Come on, let me show you whether Boss Qiu can withstand these fifty lashes."

Sui Wanchun, who had been following Ge Li closely, was feeling very uneasy.

He felt that Ge Li's move was really too much.

The owners of the four major banks in Jiangnan were not ordinary people, and offending them so recklessly would not bring Ge Li any benefit whatsoever.

Taking advantage of the moment Qiu Qianli was pulled away, he leaned closer and whispered:
"Sir, isn't this too ruthless? We've offended all the wealthy tycoons in Jiangnan!"

"This Qiu Qianli is not someone to be trifled with."

"There are quite a few people behind him!"

Ge Li didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and said indifferently, "Old Sui, what can you accomplish with all this fear of danger?"

"They have people behind them, but don't I have people behind me?"

"Besides, if we don't use such ruthless methods, do you think eight million taels of silver would just fall from the sky?"

"I had no choice."

Seeing Ge Li's cold and stern expression, Sui Wanchun opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.

He knew that Ge Li was telling the truth. Judging from the behavior of the owners of the four major banks, they would not be able to get the eight million taels of silver just by speaking nicely.

Just as he hesitated, screams rang out in the courtyard.

Because of Ge Li's arrangements, no one dared to show mercy during this beating.

The sound of whips cracked, mixed with Qiu Qianli's screams.

After a few lashes, Qiu Qianli's clothes were mostly stained red with blood.

The other three bosses were pale and trembling.

Although the whip wasn't being used on themselves, it felt as if it were striking the hearts of everyone.

After fifty lashes, Qiu Qianli was covered in blood and had fainted.

Ge Li glanced at Qiu Qianli, who was stained with blood, and said indifferently:
"Go back and tell the Qiu family that they have three more days."

"If two million taels of silver are delivered within three days, everything will be fine."

"If you can't deliver it... then don't blame me for executing you according to the law."

His gaze swept over the three of them: "What about you... just like Qiu Qianli? If you don't want to end up like him, then you should weigh the pros and cons."

The three bosses remained silent, trembling like leaves.

Ge Li felt a surge of satisfaction, thinking that everything was under his control.

He believed that under his torture, everything would unfold as he predicted.

Only Sui Wanchun, who was standing next to him, felt a chill creep up his spine as he looked at the pool of blood on the ground.

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(End of this chapter)