Chapter 267

Hearing the commotion outside.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked out toward the Exchange Bureau with confusion.

It was still that large tree under the Chengtian Sect.

The person hanging from the tree.

Was precisely the black-market peddler from before.

Seeing this scene before their eyes.

Whether it was Zhu Yuanzhang or the assembly of Emperors in the chat group.

Immediately fell into silence without help.

"This is... those merchants?"

Jiajing gazed at those merchants in the distance, shook his head, and sighed.

"Great-Grandfather, I fear very few of the banknotes in Su Qiao's hands come from ordinary commoners."

Everyone in the chat group was momentarily stunned.

Jiajing, however, said leisurely.

"During the Hongwu era, these banknotes were primarily used by merchants traveling between provinces and prefectures."

"The common people did not hold many banknotes to begin with."

"Moreover, Su Qiao had raised the price of banknotes several times previously, already giving them the opportunity to sell."

"Before the final move, Su Qiao also gave ample preparation time."

"Forgive me for speaking bluntly, this has already been the utmost in benevolence and righteousness."

"Even if some commoners still held banknotes and threw them at Su Qiao in the end, it was because they were convinced the Exchange Bureau could not redeem them for silver today!"

"And looking at the situation outside."

"I fear they did not merely sell the banknotes in their hands to Su Qiao."

Jiajing saw through at a glance why these black-market peddlers outside had died.

Hearing Jiajing's words.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had originally been agitated, calmed down without help.

Gazing at the black-market peddler hanging dead in the tree.

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked again at Su Qiao standing before him with a righteous and solemn expression.

Old Zhu could only forcibly swallow the breath in his mouth.

He redirected his gaze to the several maps behind Su Qiao.

"Su Qiao, do you intend to use this small amount of silver to build community schools and public welfare pharmacies for the people of Jin Ling?"

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's tone soften.

The Vice Commissioner and the various officials of the Banknote Bureau finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Qiao had promised to give each of them a residence.

This was the future of their own children!

However, Zhu Yuanzhang knew.

This sum of money Su Qiao had obtained in this move, though seemingly large.

Yet public welfare pharmacies and community schools.

Each one is a money-swallowing pit.

This amount of money, let alone filling this golden pit.

After deducting the principal Su Qiao had invested previously.

It is feared it would not even be enough to build those community schools and public welfare pharmacies!

After all, those are not things that can be piled up by finding just a few bricks.

There are also teachers, physicians, medicines, and books.

Each one is not cheap.

Su Qiao helplessly shrugged his shoulders and said.

"This does not require Your Majesty's worry; the silver is naturally sufficient."

Su Qiao's gaze instead turned to Huang Zicheng and the others outside the Exchange Bureau, who were already beaten half to death by the angry commoners.

"Your Majesty, do you not intend to do anything about Lord Huang and the others?"

Hearing this.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

"Huang Zicheng? Huang Zicheng is the man who wants your head; you wish to plead for him?"

Su Qiao gazed at Huang Zicheng and sighed leisurely.

"Your Majesty, Lord Huang's crime does not warrant death!"

Hearing Su Qiao's words.

A trace of astonishment inevitably appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

"You young man did not speak this way before."

"Wasn't Huang Zicheng incompetent, muddled, and mediocre?"

"It was you young man who said his death was not a pity."

Su Qiao gazed at Zhu Yuanzhang and sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, this subject merely spoke in anger for a moment."

"This subject believes Lord Huang did not truly want this subject's head."

"Please, Your Majesty, save my lord Huang."

"My lord Huang is still useful to the court."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang froze.

He looked at Su Qiao in confusion.

Then he looked outside at Huang Zicheng, who was barely clinging to life.

Finally, he cast a doubtful glance at Jiang Huan.

Only then did Jiang Huan lead his men out of the Xingyong Treasury.

Saving Huang Zicheng from the midst of the common people.

It was not that Su Qiao had any change of heart toward Huang Zicheng.

It was simply that Su Qiao felt.

A talent like my lord Huang Zicheng.

Should stay in Jin Ling to pay off his mortgage!

If all these scholar-officials leave.

And I build so many mansions.

Who will take out the mortgage loans?!

These are all clients who can lay golden eggs!

153, Jiang Huan: Your Majesty, who could bear this!

Not long after.

Jiang Huan dragged Huang Zicheng and the others, bruised and battered like dead dogs, into the Xingyong Treasury.

"Your Majesty, I have brought the lords back."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly.

"I see. You may withdraw."

Having said this, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Su Qiao with interest and asked,

"Su Qiao, what do you plan to do next?"

Su Qiao glanced casually at the officials behind him and asked,

"Is the commotion loud enough now?"

The Vice Commissioner hurriedly replied,

"Reporting to my lord, it is loud enough; all the merchants of Jin Ling have arrived."

He looked at the surging crowd of heads outside.