Chapter 42

"If such a good thing is given to me, it's far better than letting those outsiders profit from it!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian sighed helplessly and said,

"Father-in-Law of the State, starting today, spread a rumor from within our capital."

"Say that a business capable of earning money has been discovered in Jiangnan."

"For every ten thousand taels of silver placed with you, the annual interest is one percent!"

"For this first month, silver is urgently needed to start operations; those who invest over one hundred thousand taels will receive two percent monthly interest, settled at the end of the month!"

Hearing this,

Zhou Kui's mouth began to water uncontrollably.

His eyes shining with greed, he looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian and asked,

"No, Your Majesty, why would we let outsiders profit from such a good thing!"

"Just say how much silver you need; I still have many relatives back in my hometown, and I can go borrow it!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian shrugged helplessly and said,

"That works too; if you, Father-in-Law of the State, can raise twenty million taels of silver for Us, We will grant this profitable venture to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, a mere two thou... sand?!"

Zhou Kui suddenly lifted his head.

Twenty million taels of silver!

How much annual revenue does the Great Ming court even have?

The corners of Zhou Kui's mouth twitched slightly; he lifted his head with some confusion, looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian, and asked,

"Your Majesty, this business isn't in Jiangnan, is it... it's in Liaodong, isn't it?"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian nodded slightly and said to Wang Wang Wang Chengen beside him,

"See? We told you this matter could never fool the Father-in-Law of the State."

"Correct, it is indeed Liaodong; We are laying our cards on the table."

Zhou Kui was short on silver.

But Zhou Kui was no fool.

Liaodong was a place where defeats far outnumbered victories.

Regardless of whether the money could ever be repaid, once the news leaked, every official in the court would skin him alive.

Zhou Kui looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian with great difficulty.

Then he smiled awkwardly and said,

"Your Majesty, you know me."

"It is fine for me to set up a stall and tell fortunes, but asking me to run a business..."

"I am simply not cut out for it."

"I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict reprimanding the Embroidered Uniform Guard and restore my Zhou family..."

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian looked at Zhou Kui with some difficulty.

"Then We have no choice."

"Wang Wang Wang Chengen!"

Wang Wang Wang Chengen stepped forward, bowed his head, and said,

"This slave is present."

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian stood up, let out a long breath, and suddenly shouted loudly,

"Escort the Father-in-Law of the State to his death on Our behalf!"

"Yes! This slave will surely make the Father-in-Law of the State comfortable!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Wang Wang Chengen's face immediately lit up with joy.

He darted forward in a single leap, snatched the white silk cord from Zhou Kui's hands,

casually tossed it up to loop it over the roof beam,

and then skillfully tied a tight knot.

Finally, he thoughtfully gave it a hard tug to test it.

"Father-in-Law of the State, it is very sturdy; why would you still need this slave to serve you?"

Zhou Kui struggled to lift his head, looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian, and asked,

"Your Majesty, is Your Majesty intending to grant this subject death?"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian looked at Zhou Kui helplessly and said,

"Huh? No, didn't you yourself say you could no longer go on living?"

"We are merely following your wish."

"If you do not wish to die, you can simply leave the palace and go home right now."

The corners of Zhou Kui's mouth twitched slightly.

Go home!

Do I even have a home anymore?!

You raided my home!

Should I go back to the streets to set up a stall and tell fortunes?!

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but going from luxury back to frugality is more painful than being killed outright with a knife!

You truly deserve to die!

Zhou Kui, speaking incoherently, looked at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian with agitation.

"Your servant... your servant."

Zhou Kui had barely spoken.

When Wang Wang Wang Chengen, beaming with a smile, lifted the white silk already draped over the roof beam.

Clearly, Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian had only three intentions.

Either die quickly, go home, or climb his own Liangshan.

In merely an instant.

Zhou Kui suddenly felt that Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian was no longer amiable.

He was no longer that obedient son-in-law who could be manipulated at will...

Zhou Kui took a deep breath.

Looking at Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian, he asked with utmost seriousness,

"Your Majesty, how much silver will your servant receive from this deal in the end?"

45, Zhu Zhu Chunchen: This is more painful than being stabbed with a knife!

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment.

Then, casting a meaningful glance at Zhou Kui, he said,

"In any case, it will certainly be enough for you, Imperial Father-in-Law, to restore the Zhou family to its former state!"

Painting a pie in the sky!

Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian was certainly skilled at that.

Saying so for now.

If things truly became desperate, whatever silver Zhou Kui had would still be requisitioned.

It was merely stored in his house for the time being.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kui deliberated for a long while.

Finally, hardening his heart and gritting his teeth, he declared,

"Your Majesty, your servant will do it!"

Seeing Zhou Kui's resolute expression, a hint of a smile inevitably appeared on Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Youjian's face.

After exchanging a glance with Wang Wang Wang Chengen beside him, he stated calmly,

"Wang Wang Chengen, I have already instructed you on the specific matters."

"The rest is left to you and the Imperial Father-in-Law to handle!"

Wang Wang Wang Chengen bowed slightly and said,

"This slave obeys the imperial decree."