Chapter 566: Benevolent Great King

Today's headline in Chang'an City is about the Wei clan; it's said they offended the Northern Border King, their residence was surrounded by heavy troops, and once investigated they would be confiscated and exiled.

Teahouses and wine shops, anywhere people gather when they open their doors, are all talking about this matter.

……You say, can the Wei clan escape unscathed from his hands this time?

What retreat? You only know the Wei clan is besieged, haven't you seen that Jingzhao Prefecture is also besieged? Jingzhao Prefecture is also besieged! If this isn't handled well, Jingzhao Prefecture won't be okay either~

Really or fake? Who with nothing to do would go crowding in front of the Jing'an Office……

That's the Wei clan……

I think this time any clan's efforts will be in vain~

So what exactly is going on? How did they offend so seriously?

……Who knows? Those who know the truth don't dare to speak.

The Wei clan has been entrenched in the capital for hundreds of years, with countless in-laws and old acquaintances, and the whole Chang'an City has become lively.

Some watch the excitement, some are genuinely worried.

Shen Yu hadn't even thought about what relation he had with the Wei clan; he was stunned by the Great King's lion-sized opening demand, a bundle of shame sent him back to the Jingzhao Prefecture. Hearing that people from home had come to see him, he thought they were worried about him. The Jingzhao Prefecture's siege is looser than the Wei clan's; he had previously entered the palace and left the gate smoothly, just escorted by two cavalrymen, his entourage still impressive……

This time he heard it was his family coming to find him, and the soldiers let him out to meet them at the gate.

As soon as Shen Yu went out, he saw his eldest son waiting outside the office, saying it was his mother's natal family sending someone to inquire about the Wei clan's affairs. Shen Yu then remembered his wife came from a branch of the Du clan, and the Du clan's current matriarch bears the Wei surname—she is that unfortunate one's blood-related aunt.

Others aren't anxious, but the Wei lady whose niece was taken into the Jing'an Office and whose natal family is besieged is very anxious.

Shen Yu was worrying how to convey the Benevolent Great King's order to the Wei clan, but now it's just perfect.

He explained it to his son in detail, then repeatedly instructed him to make sure he told the Wei lady clearly: for the Wei clan to get past this, they must relinquish this sum of silver.

Shen Yunzhou's mouth grew wider and wider as he listened, almost unable to close it: 'Three million? Won't my maternal aunt by marriage just turn against us in our own mansion? Can the Wei clan really come up with that much all at once?' He thought the Wei clan had resources; scraping together 1.8 million taels might be no problem, but three million taels for a prodigal's life?

……Wei Hang's life is truly worth a fortune!

Shen Yu began to think his son was naive; it seems this matter still needs to be spelled out. 'Is this now Wei Hang's own affair?'

He lowered his voice: 'Now it's the whole Wei clan's affair. The Northern Border King is a feudal lord who rose by force of arms; his surname is Bai Li, and this realm also bears the Bai Li surname. If a commoner's army were to take Chang'an… slaughtering the city isn't unheard of. Someone daring to knock him down in the street, seize his possessions, even exterminate his clan could be justified. You should know, looting the Wei clan could yield more than three million taels.'

He glanced sideways at the distance of the Northern Border Army, then leaned close to Shen Yunzhou's ear and said: 'How much grain and revenue can that barbaric Northern Border land produce in a year to support the Northern Border troops? Look at the Northern Border cavalry's equipment—could a little money sustain them? The Northern Border King must be dirt‑poor! If the Wei clan voluntarily offers this silver, it's still negotiable. Otherwise, the Northern Border King will just take it himself—who let his family run into his hands! With strong troops in his grip, who could oppose him?'

Go back and tell your maternal aunt by marriage clearly: the Wei clan just needs to hand over the silver to survive. This silver must be given handsomely, willingly; be sure to preserve the Northern Border King's dignity. Once the silver is given, don't offend him a second time. The longer this drags on, the worse it gets…… Your father fears he might raise the price!' What he didn't say was: it would be best if the Wei clan paid readily; otherwise he'd also be in trouble, and his position as Prefect of Jingzhao might be at an end.

Shen Yunzhou: ……

You didn't say the Northern Border King is just over ten years old? He's too curious what kind of person this is!

One thing is certain: he's absolutely a ruthless person.

Shen Yunzhou received the news and hurried back to inform Lady Wei, saying the Great King was worried over the provisions for troops and horses, went out to relax but was provoked by Wei Hang's arrival— the boy is petty and hot‑tempered, anyway he was thoroughly enraged, the cavalry even besieged the Prefect of Jingzhao. They said his father entering the palace saw no one, claiming he was nursing injuries and no one visits; Wei Family's Second Young Master hinted to his father that fundamentally solving the Great King's worry is a trivial matter, otherwise this resentment would certainly not subside. Lady Wei's face when she left need not be mentioned.

Lady Wei didn't return to the Du family; she left the Shen residence and went straight to the Wei residence, intending to enter, and the soldiers outside didn't stop her. Then the Wei residence fell silent; only at the xu hour did Wei Kai emerge pale‑faced at the gate again.

When the news reached Jianzhang Palace, the Great King had already rushed to the residence. The old gatekeeper Bai Ze came to call him; this fellow had just lain down after returning when he heard Wei Shen speaking with the outside palace guards.

At that time the Great King thought and knew it was settled; sure enough, Wei Shen rushed in with an excited face.

……The Wei clan said they had heard of the Great King's preferential treatment of disabled soldiers in the Western Great Camp, moved by his benevolence, decided to donate part of their wealth to the Eastern Great Camp so they could likewise guard Chang'an in peace. Of course, this sum is three million taels, but they cannot produce that much cash at once; there may be other assets of equivalent value.

"Hahaha~ I've got money again!" the Great King laughed like a villain with hands on hips.

"Shen Yu sure knows how to get things done~" the Prefect of Jingzhao won't be replaced for now. Moreover, the Great King isn't that stingy; when the Wei clan's silver is in place, he can grant the Wei family a title, an inspiration taken from the Marquis of Dingbei.

Wei Shen exclaimed: "That generous?"

Great King: "Indeed! But it's only a title, no stipend— I know the Wei family isn't short of money~

？

If they're not lacking, why give it?

Wei Shen: "……Indeed. Do you really think they want an empty title? Your imperial uncle's Marquis of Dingbei is still rotting in prison! You tricked them into cooperating with your surrender, painting those pies none of which came to fruition!

Great King objected: "The city gate was opened by me myself, not offered by him; what's the problem with half the pies flying? It's not that those who surrendered later were quick—this sort of fence‑sitter should have been executed long ago; at least he still has the chance to go to the frontier to farm.

"Ah? Then why don't you let him go with the Western Great Camp?

"Exiling him now isn't just to let the world see that surrendering to me leads to no good end? His story isn't finished; later, when I ascend the throne, I'll release him to restore his former post, then, because he entered the palace with his left foot first and offended me, he'll be exiled to farm the frontier.

Wei Shen: ……

He stepped forward and hugged the Great King, "We are sworn brothers, ah Taiping! If my cousin inadvertently offends you, be sure to tell me promptly—I'll rush over immediately to correct it!

The Great King sighed, "Too late. I bear grudges against my cousin; those could fill a separate ledger.

Wei Shen: ……