Chapter 47

"Giving this good fortune to me is better than letting outsiders profit from it!"

Zhu Youjian sighed helplessly.

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

"Say that a money-making venture has been discovered in Jiangnan."

"Place ten thousand taels of silver with you, with an annual interest of one fen!"

"For this first month, silver is urgently needed for startup; those investing over one hundred thousand taels shall receive two fen monthly interest, settled that same month!"

Hearing this,

Zhou Kui's drool was about to drip out.

Looking at Zhu Youjian with eyes flashing with greed, he asked,

"No, Your Majesty, why should we let outsiders profit from such good fortune!"

"You say how much silver is needed? I have many relatives back in my hometown; I will go borrow them!"

Zhu Youjian helplessly shrugged his shoulders and said,

"Very well. If Father-in-law of the State can raise twenty million taels of silver for the Emperor, the Emperor will let Father-in-law of the State have this good fortune."

"Thank Your Majesty! A mere twenty... million?!"

Zhou Kui suddenly raised his head.

Twenty million taels of silver!

How much annual revenue does the Great Ming court have?

The corner of Zhou Kui's mouth twitched slightly; he raised his head in some confusion and looked at Zhu Youjian, asking,

"Your Majesty, is this venture not in Jiangnan, but in Liaodong...?"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly and said to Wang Chengen standing nearby,

"See? I said this matter could not fool Father-in-law of the State."

"Correct, it is indeed Liaodong. I have laid my cards on the table."

Zhou Kui was short of silver.

But Zhou Kui was not a fool.

Liaodong is a place where defeats outnumber victories.

Regardless of whether it can be repaid in the future, if the news leaks, all officials in the court will flay his skin.

Zhou Kui looked at Zhu Youjian with difficulty.

Then, embarrassed, he smiled and said,

"Your Majesty, you know me, your subject."

"Letting your subject set up a stall to tell fortunes is fine, but letting your subject conduct business..."

"Your subject is not cut from that cloth."

"Please, Your Majesty, issue an edict to reprimand the Embroidered Uniform Guard and restore my Zhou family..."

Zhu Youjian looked at Zhou Kui with some difficulty.

"Then the Emperor has no way."

"Wang Chengen!"

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

"This servant is here."

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

"Escort Father-in-law of the State to Heaven on behalf of the Emperor!"

"Yes! This servant will certainly serve Father-in-law of the State comfortably!"

Hearing this, Wang Chengen immediately showed joy on his face.

He dashed forward in one stride, rushed to Zhou Kui's front, and snatched the white silk from Zhou Kui's hand.

With a casual toss, he draped the white silk over the roof beam.

Then, with practiced ease, he tied a tight knot.

Finally, he thoughtfully pulled on it hard.

"Father-in-law of the State, it is sturdy; why do you need this servant to serve you?"

Zhou Kui raised his head with difficulty, looked at Zhu Youjian, and asked,

"Your Majesty, does Your Majesty intend to grant your subject death?"

Zhu Youjian looked at Zhou Kui helplessly and said,

"Ah? No. Wasn't it Father-in-law of the State who said he could not go on living?"

"The Emperor is merely following your wishes."

"If you do not wish to die, you may leave the palace and return home now."

The corner of Zhou Kui's mouth twitched slightly.

Return home!

Does this old man even have a home?!

You confiscated it all!

Should I return to the street to set up a stall and tell fortunes?!

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but going from luxury to frugality is more painful than having a knife directly thrust into me!

You truly deserve to die!

Incoherent with excitement, Zhou Kui looked at Zhu Youjian.

"Minister... Minister."

Zhou Kui had barely opened his mouth.

Wang Chengen, smiling brightly, raised the white silk already draped over the beam.

Clearly, Zhu Youjian meant only three things.

Either die quickly, or get out and go home, or join this Liangshan of his.

In just an instant.

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

He was no longer the obedient son-in-law who let himself be handled as Zhou Kui pleased...

Zhou Kui took a deep breath.

Looking at Zhu Youjian, he asked solemnly,

"Your Majesty, how much silver will be left for me from this deal in the end?"

45, Zhu Chunchen: This hurts more than being killed by a knife!

Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment.

He gave Zhou Kui a meaningful look and said,

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

Just painting a pie in the air!

Zhu Youjian still knew how to do that.

He said this for now.

If it really came to a desperate fight, then this silver of Zhou Kui's would be requisitioned anyway.

It would merely be stored in his home for the time being.

Hearing this, Zhou Kui pondered for a long time.

Finally, he hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and said,

"Your Majesty, I will do it!"

Seeing Zhou Kui's determined expression, Zhu Youjian could not help but show a hint of a smile on his face.

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

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

"The rest, I leave to you and the Father-in-Law of the State to handle!"

Wang Chengen bowed slightly and said,

"This servant obeys the imperial decree."