Chapter 479: Death Exemption Gold Token
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation , Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“My Lord, you don’t need to ask the Lord Duke to do anything. You just need to mention Lord Duke’s name and let those people know that you still have a big shot like Duke Jingguo behind you. If Duke Jingguo can protect you, then you will still be the City Guardian of Luo City. Will they still dare to offend you?
Wei Zhongming felt that what Zhou Xiangrong said made sense. He had never thought of this idea before. As for how to make those merchants believe that he still had a backer like Duke Jingguo, that was up to him to plan.
“Miss Zhou, you have gone through much trouble on my account.
Zhou Xiangrong said softly, “Don’t worry, my Lord. Neither the Emperor nor the Empress will take your life.”
Wei Zhongming’s expression changed again, and he renewed his assessment of Zhou Xiangrong. How could a young woman understand these secrets?
“What is your objective, Miss Zhou? Feel free to speak.
“I have no requests. I only heard that Luo City produces a lot of cotton. I am not loved by the elders at home, so I want to run some business to retain a way out for myself. However, the cotton business in Luo City is now in the hands of the Hee family. If you can give this business to me, I can ensure that your life will not be in danger.”
It never occurred to Wei Zhongming that Zhou Xiangrong would have designs
on the cotton business.
Luo City was indeed a prolific producer of cotton. It could be said that at least one-third of the entire Chu State’s cotton was produced in Luo City. Moreover, the quality of the cotton here was superior, and it was basically supplied to the various aristocratic families and wealthy merchants in the kingdom. If she could take control of this industry, there would be an endless stream of silver flowing into her pocket in the future.
Indeed, the fact that Zhou Xiangrong made such a request showed that she had quite a big appetite.
“My Lord, think about it. If this matter succeeds, we’ll be in the same boat from now on. In the worst case scenario, if you’re dismissed from office, I can also ensure you live well for the rest of your life. In the entire Luo City, who else can you trust besides me? Take advantage of your official position and quickly settle the matter now. Otherwise, when the Empress and the others come back to their senses and notice the matter of the cotton business, it will be too late.” After Zhou Xiangrong left, Wei Zhongming sat on the grand wooden armchair and didn’t say anything for a long time.
He was thinking about what she said. Right now, the Imperial Court focused its attention on the drought and had not thought about the cotton business which was a major source of income for Luo City.
Due to the drought this year, the yield and harvest of cotton were much lower than in previous years. This invariably raised the price of cotton. Initially, he planned to hand this batch of cotton to those people like in previous years, but now he had to reconsider where the cotton would go.
“Caretaker.”
The caretaker, who was keeping watch outside the door, heard the noise and pushed the door open. “What orders do you have, my Lord?”
“Go and send a letter to the Hee family. Tell them that Duke Jingguo has already sent a letter to back me up. Tell them to prepare 5,000 sacks of grain tonight and send them to my private residence on East Street tomorrow morning.”
The caretaker wanted to say something but stopped himself. Last time, the Hee family only sent 200 sacks of grain over. Although they sent the most among all the merchants, the figure of 200 sacks was a vast difference from the figure of 5,000 sacks. How could the Hee family be willing to fork out so much at this juncture?
“My Lord, this…”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just do it.”
“Yes. I’ll go over personally now.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The next day, Wei Zhongming waited until noon, but the Hee family did not send a single sack of grain.
Wei Zhongming clenched his fists tightly. He seemed to have made up his mind as he summoned Zhou Xiangrong.
As soon as Zhou Xiangrong entered the room, Wei Zhongming immediately closed the door to the study room.
“If I agree to your request, how will you guarantee that I won’t die?” Although Xiao Jin had said that he would plead with the Empress on his behalf after getting the grain, he did not dare to completely believe anyone until there was a concrete result.
Zhou Xiangrong took out a pouch from her dress and opened it. Inside was a glittering gold token.
“This is the death-exemption gold token that the late Emperor gave to our ancestors. There is only one such token in this world. If the Emperor really wants to impose a death sentence on you, I will take out the death-exemption gold token and plead for you, Lord Wei.”
Wei Zhongming didn’t expect Zhou Xiangrong to possess such a thing. He took the gold token and looked at it. The gold token was heavy and he could tell it was not fake with one glance.
He held the gold token tightly and made his final decision. “Alright. I promise you that I will sell you that batch of cotton.
Zhou Xiangrong’s lips curled slightly into an elegant smile. “Don’t worry, my Lord. I won’t disappoint you.”
The cotton collected by the government office was sold by the government office in one batch, but it was up to the government office to decide who they wanted to sell to.
If Wei Zhongming wanted to sell the cotton to Zhou Xiangrong, as long as she could afford to pay, no one could find fault with this matter.
The two of them were worried that any delay might lead to unforeseen trouble. Zhou Xiangrong immediately asked Wei Zhongming to sign a contract with her. However, when it was time for the goods delivery, another person would receive the goods and pay the money. However, it was not a problem to get the money.
After settling the matter of the cotton contract, Wei Zhongming summoned those merchants again. First, he used the information that they had left in his hands to threaten them, and then he made use of Duke Jingguo’s name to back himself up. Those merchants could not tell whether his words were true or not, but the information that Wei Zhongming held against them was indeed true.
Previously, they had been undecided because they wanted to see if Wei Zhongming would fight to the death with them. After all, Wei Zhongming was also involved in those matters that he was blackmailing them with.
It was not until that night when a merchant was arrested by the officials that they became truly fearful. On the morning of the third day, they dutifully sent the grain to the place designated by Wei Zhongming.
After gathering enough grains, Wei Zhongming ran up to Xiao Jin with an ingratiating expression. “My Lord, I’ve looked for everyone I can get help from and finally gathered all the grains. Please take a look and see if you can ask the Empress whether these goods are acceptable?”
Xiao Jin raised his eyes icily and looked at him. “Lord Wei is indeed capable. The grains that only the Imperial Court could gather were gathered in less than three days by you. I will keep my word. I will protect your life.”
With Xiao Jin’s assurance, Wei Zhongming secretly exhaled in relief. “Thank you, my Lord.”
Xiao Jin led some men to transport the grain to the reserve granary.
In other words, the food supply in Luo City was enough to last for a few months. If construction of the drainage channel from the South River was confirmed to be feasible, construction should be able to start before the new year. At that point, a group of disaster victims would be sent to work. The money they earned could also be used to buy food in the city. By then, the trading businesses in the city would have resumed.
The staff from the Ministry of Works also rushed over a few days later.
When those people were brought to Su Ying, they were so shocked that they couldn’t speak.
They had met Su Ying before, so they were absolutely certain that the person before them was the Empress herself.
It was truly a miracle that the Empress was still alive!
“Your Imperial Highness’s phoenix body is safe and sound. It’s really the blessing of the heavens.. It’s the good fortune of our Chu State!”
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