The Prodigal Son

March 21st is an auspicious day.

Auspicious and festive.

This day was also the day Shi Yi held a full-month celebration for his eldest grandson.

In the past, whenever the Shi family held a banquet or any other event, countless people would try their best to attend, considering it an honor to step into the Shi family's home.

But this time, the number of guests at the Shi family's residence was much smaller.

Only a few minor officials from Yunhuai came.

Quite a few local merchants from Yunhuai came.

However, most of these were small and medium-sized merchants, many of whom had vested interests with the Shi family.

As for the salt merchants who paid fines to the imperial court, only two came.

Some people didn't even give the most basic gift.

Shi Wang knew perfectly well that those people, having been forced to pay the fine, dared not do anything to Qin Yu, and thus blamed the Shi family.

It's as if the historians forced them to pay a fine!

In addition, the imperial court was going to vigorously promote Min salt, and many people also knew that Qin Yu and Lü Si were at odds with the Shi family.

They felt that the Shi family was no longer viable, and that their second brother, the Salt Commissioner of Liangjiang, would be replaced sooner or later. They felt there was no need to suppress their displeasure and curry favor with the Shi family any longer!

snort!

What an ungrateful bunch!

When they found out that Qin Yu had come all the way from Taozhou to celebrate his second brother's eldest grandson's one-month birthday, they knew they would regret it!

Just as Shi Wang was lost in thought, Shi Yi came to his side. "Any news from the city gate?"

Although Qin Yu told them not to greet them, they still sent people to guard the city gate.

Once Qin Yu arrives, rush back immediately to report.

"Not yet!"

Shi Wang gently shook his head. "Are you worried that Qin Yu will make fun of us?"

"Um."

Shi Yi nodded, a hint of worry flashing across his face. "It's almost noon, and Qin Yu still hasn't arrived. I'm really worried that he and Lü Si are making fun of us!"

"Probably not?"

Shi Wang said in a low voice, "Didn't we receive news yesterday that Qin Yu had already headed to Yunhuai?"

Shi Yi frowned. "If he wanted to embarrass us, even if he had arrived in Yunhuai, he might not have come to this full moon celebration!"

He had never thought of it that way before.

They thought that since Qin Yu had sent someone to deliver the letter and even stamped it with his official seal, he certainly wouldn't go back on his word.

But as noon drew closer, he suddenly realized an important problem.

Qin Yu was different from other officials!

He's a completely unreasonable person!

Other officials sent messengers, so they will definitely come.

But Qin Yu and Lü Si both have some grudges against the Shi family, so this bastard might actually make fun of them.

What wouldn't a domineering, arrogant, and shameless person like him do?

If Qin Yu and the others hadn't come, and so many seats were empty today, the Shi family would have been utterly humiliated!

Hearing Shi Yi say this, Shi Wang couldn't help but worry.

Could Qin Yu really be making fun of historians?

Just as the two brothers were secretly worrying, the man they had sent to keep watch at the city gate rushed back: "Second Master, Third Master, Lord Qin has entered the city and is heading towards our residence!"

"call……"

Upon hearing the news, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

It's finally here!

Thank goodness it was all for nothing!

Shi Wang exhaled a breath of stale air and asked again, "How many of them came?"

The visitor replied, "Many, at least a thousand people."

"Understood, you may leave!"

Shi Wang waved his hand.

Yes, it's similar to the message they received yesterday.

Fortunately, they were well prepared.

Otherwise, it might be too late to add extra seats at the last minute.

Shi Yi instructed, "Tell everyone in the manor to be ready to come out with me to greet them at any time!"

"Um!"

Shi Wang immediately went to do it, holding back his anger, just waiting to vent it properly!

While the Shi family was busy preparing to welcome Qin Yu and his group, the guests who had come to the Shi family for the banquet also gathered in small groups to discuss things in hushed tones.

"The Shi family has really suffered a huge loss this time!"

"Who can argue with that? I heard that the Shi family even sold off several prime shops in the west of the city at a discount in order to raise three million taels of silver."

"What are you all worrying about? Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. It's just three million taels of silver. What's that to historians?"

"It's just three million taels of silver? Do you think the historians have a lot of cash?"

"The Shi family has definitely suffered a major blow this time. I wonder how the imperial court will treat them afterwards!"

"Yes, that's what we should be worried about! If the Shi family falls, we won't have an easy time either!"

"The Shi family shouldn't fall, right? The plaque bestowed by Emperor Gaozu is still hanging there! Even at its worst, the Shi family is still an imperial merchant!"

"Who can say for sure? Look how many people came today! Even the prefect and his men didn't come. The court's attitude towards the Shi family is something we should seriously consider!"

"Yes! I'm afraid this reflects the court's attitude..."

Similar discussions have occurred in various places among historians.

Some people are genuinely worried for historians.

But some people, while outwardly expressing concern for the historians, secretly gloated and even harbored resentment!

With the Shi family fallen, their lives will certainly be difficult for a while.

However, the historians monopolized many businesses in Ningzhou.

The historians are like a giant beast, and they are like wolves!

In the past, they could only eat what the giant beast left behind; no one dared to compete with it for food!

But now, they have a glimmer of hope in their hearts.

Once this giant beast falls, they can rush up and devour its flesh and blood!

Only when a whale falls can all things come to life!

Looking at the groups of people discussing things, Shi Wang couldn't help but secretly curl his lip.

Even if he didn't eavesdrop, he could roughly guess what those people were discussing.

I bet a lot of people are waiting to see the historians make a fool of themselves!

snort!

The historians, however, were determined not to let them witness this farce!

Wait a minute, historians are about to be blown away!

Shi Wang, holding his breath, had someone call Shi Lian'er aside.

"Third Uncle."

Shi Lian'er lowered her head, looking like a wilted eggplant.

"Why are you looking so stern on such a joyous day?"

Shi Wang chuckled and glanced at her, comforting her, "Some things are best left in the past, don't overthink it! What's with that long face when Qin Yu and the others arrive? If Qin Yu sees it, he'll think you're not welcoming him!"

I wasn't welcoming them in the first place!

Shi Lian'er scoffed inwardly and nodded listlessly, "I understand."

"Don't keep a long face."

Shi Wang reminded him again, "If your dad sees this, he'll scold you again."

Shi Lian'er suppressed her displeasure, strained her facial muscles, and finally managed to force a smile that was even uglier than a grimace.

Before long, a servant from the Shi family came to report that Qin Yu would be arriving soon.

"Quickly, spread out all the red cloth!"

"Open the central door! Set up the incense table!"

"Hurry, hurry..."

In an instant, the entire historian's family was thrown into a flurry of activity...