Chapter 44

We're all good-for-nothings.

Why should you, Zhou Kui, be the one making money!

Thinking of this, a wave of sorrow spontaneously arose in Zhu Zhu Chunchen's heart!

Before long.

That steward finally arrived, tardy as ever.

"My lords, our Master has finished his affairs and invites you both to the front hall for a conversation."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu Chunchen snorted coldly.

He then strode purposefully toward the front hall of the Earl's residence.

From a great distance.

Zhu Zhu Chunchen spotted Zhou Kui sitting there drinking tea.

He immediately quickened his pace, approached, and clasped his hands in greeting, saying:

"Oh, Father of the Empress, you have no idea how worried I was!"

"What on earth happened a few days ago! Such a massive spectacle; in all my life, I've never seen so many Embroidered Uniform Guards!"

Zhou Kui smiled helplessly.

His voice somewhat hoarse, he said:

"Thank you, Duke, for your concern. Matters were simply urgent, and I could find no hands to spare, so I merely borrowed some personnel from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu Chunchen was momentarily stunned.

So those Embroidered Uniform Guards truly hadn't come to raid the house?

Hong Hong Chengchou shot Zhu Zhu Chunchen a meaningful glance, upon which Zhu Zhu Chunchen finally shut his mouth.

Instead, Hong Hong Chengchou stood aside, watching Zhou Kui cautiously, and asked in a low voice:

"Father of the Empress, has His Majesty asked you to donate silver again? You certainly donated quite a substantial amount this time!"

In his heart, Zhou Kui nodded frantically.

But aloud, he feigned mystery, shaking his head and sighing:

"Alas, Grand Secretary Hong, it is not that matter; it is merely some family affairs of mine. Ha, just family matters."

Seeing Zhou Kui in this state.

Hong Hong Chengchou's inner suspicions were even further confirmed.

This old rascal Zhou Kui had definitely made money!

Thinking thus, Hong Hong Chengchou had no choice but to continue asking:

"That doesn't add up, Father of the Empress. As the father of the Son of Heaven's consort, why would you need to make such a huge fuss?"

Zhou Kui looked at Hong Hong Chengchou, hesitating to speak.

Forcing back the grief in his heart, he whispered:

"Alas, Grand Secretary Hong, please do not ask; it is merely some matter from my hometown."

Seeing Zhou Kui acting so evasively.

Hong Hong Chengchou's heart felt as though it were being scratched by claws.

What is more unbearable than a brother making money?

It is when a brother makes money, you know he made money, he knows you know he made money, yet he simply refuses to tell you!

Zhu Zhu Chunchen took a deep breath, stared fixedly at Zhou Kui, and asked:

"Father of the Empress, you and I have been acquainted for many years."

"Whatever this matter is, given our relationship, you must give us the truth!"

"Could it be that you have established contact with those in the Northwest?"

Hearing this, Zhou Kui immediately shook his head frantically.

"Duke of Chengguo, what kind of talk is this!"

"However one puts it, I am the Father of the Empress of the Great Ming! From the day my daughter entered the palace, the Zhou family has been bound together with the court!"

Hearing this, even Hong Hong Chengchou was rendered speechless.

So you old rascal actually know that!

I was under the impression you didn't realize this empire belongs to your son-in-law!

Hong Hong Chengchou looked at Zhou Kui somewhat awkwardly and asked in a low voice:

"Then, Father of the Empress, what exactly is going on?"

Hearing Hong Hong Chengchou ask this.

Zhou Kui finally answered vaguely:

"Nothing much; I just found a small business venture and urgently need silver, so I had to rush to get things done."

Hearing this.

A myriad of horses galloped wildly in the hearts of both Hong Hong Chengchou and Zhu Zhu Chunchen.

A small business venture?

For a small business venture, you emptied your entire house?!

Zhu Zhu Chunchen looked at Zhou Kui with anger and said:

"Lord Father of the Empress, this is rather unfair of you. When Her Ladyship first entered the palace, it was I who submitted the petition; how could you..."

Before Zhu Zhu Chunchen could finish, Hong Hong Chengchou interrupted:

"Duke, this is our Father of the Empress."

"But even so, Father of the Empress, is your way of handling things not a bit improper?"

"In the past, whenever anything happened, we brothers always thought of you; but now, alas..."

"We brothers have truly been chilled to the bone."

Hearing that Hong Hong Chengchou had already spoken so plainly,

Zhou Kui chuckled softly and said,

"Oh my, look how Elder Grand Secretary Hong has made me out to be!"

"It is just a small business venture."

"A few days ago, someone from my hometown in Nanzhili brought a letter from a nephew of mine who went overseas years ago."

"Some Franks have just arrived and, lacking connections here in Great Ming, wish to purchase some porcelain to sell back in the Western Oceans."

"I am merely helping a junior family member by advancing some silver; since funds are tight this first month, the interest is slightly higher, just enough to earn a living."

The moment this was mentioned, Zhu Zhu Chunchen and Hong Hong Chengchou instantly woke up.

Hong Hong Chengchou, moreover, had grown up by the sea since childhood.

He knew better than anyone exactly how much silver could be earned from overseas voyages!

"May I ask, Father of the Empress, what is the interest rate for this month's silver?"

Zhou Kui smiled with feigned embarrassment.

"It is nothing, not much at all."

Seeing Zhou Kui's expression,

Zhu Zhu Chunchen immediately became anxious!

With someone like you, Zhou Kui, the interest rate could not possibly be low!

"Oh, Father of the Empress, just how much is it!"

"Truly not much, only three percent."

Three percent!

Thirty percent!

Five hundred thousand taels of silver.

In just one month.

One would instantly earn one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver!

This was far faster than robbery!

Even for high officials and nobles like Zhu Zhu Chunchen and Hong Hong Chengchou, upon hearing this figure,

they could not help but swallow hard!

47, crying poverty while donating money to save the nation; are you afraid the pyramid scheme won't get slaughtered?