Chapter 137: Making Money Must Also Have Principles!

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and half a month had gone by since the Silver Dollar was successfully established among the capital officials.

During this period, because the Silver Dollar was convenient to carry, small, and exquisite, it was once sought after by the common people. To add fuel to the fire, Zhang Yunxiu specially obtained some rare goods and placed them in the Silver Dollar shops on Chongwen Street.

Top-grade tribute tea, the finest silk from the Seven-Colored Clouds, tribute rice, rabbit fur from Henan Prefecture, felt from Zhengzhou, ivory from Yunnan Dadian, amber, and gemstones—many were rare items listed as tributes.

With just this, the Silver Dollar was completely integrated into the lives of ordinary people.

Even the small vendors setting up stalls on the roadside began using this thing to settle accounts.

Just as the Silver Dollar was in full swing, Zhang Yunxiu could not be happy.

He was seen sitting on a Grand Tutor chair with a stern face.

In front of him, Han San, Zhang Fu, and Wang He stood with their hands hanging down, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, like loofahs in the wind.

Glaring fiercely at these few, he cursed with a thick neck: "Are you animals? The imperial court's order hasn't even come down yet, and you've already started hoarding land in the West City? What is it? Should I just have someone mark off the West City and give it to you directly?"

"Speak up, each of you, how many houses did you hoard?"

The three looked at each other. Han San and Zhang Fu poked Wang He with their hands. Wang He had no choice but to say with a bitter face first: "Reporting to Young Master, this servant... this servant didn't buy many houses, just about thirty or so."

"And you?" Zhang Yunxiu looked at Han San.

"One hundred," Han San answered while scratching his head.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and cast an inquiring look at Zhang Fu. Zhang Fu knelt on the ground with a thud and complained: "Young Master, that land wasn't bought by this servant for himself; this servant bought it on your behalf."

"When did I ever tell you to buy land?!" Zhang Yunxiu knitted his brows and barked, "Cut the nonsense, just tell me how many houses you hoarded."

"Eight... eight hundred," Zhang Fu answered nervously.

"How many?" Zhang Yunxiu didn't hear clearly.

"Eight hundred."

This time Zhang Yunxiu heard clearly.

Eight hundred houses—this damn thing was going to make the common people point at his spine and curse.

It was true that he liked money, but there were plenty of ways to make money. Building houses to sell, collecting taxes, opening shops—which one couldn't make money?

Why bother doing these immoral things?

"Zhang Fu." Zhang Yunxiu took a deep breath and asked him in a cold tone, "Did you forget how I warned you before? You dare not tell me about such a big matter? You've grown quite capable now, haven't you?"

"This servant knows his mistake, this servant knows his mistake." Zhang Fu slammed his head down, his backside stuck high in the air, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Thump, thump, thump. His forehead hit the floor, making a thunderous sound.

Han San and Wang He also hunched their heads and tightened their buttocks, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Seeing his pitiful yet detestable appearance, Zhang Yunxiu softened his heart, waved his hand, and interrupted: "Alright, alright, don't dirty my floor."

"Ah, yes." Zhang Fu felt relieved and stood up tremblingly.

At this moment, he was seeing stars, his head was buzzing, and there was a large bruise on his forehead.

After a few seconds of silence, the expression on Zhang Yunxiu's face eased slightly, but his voice remained as cold as ice: "I'll let you off this time, but if you dare to offend again, family law will not spare you."

"Many thanks, Young Master." The three cupped their hands in unison.

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me." Zhang Yunxiu chuckled and added, "Hand over all the land deeds in your hands. You like making money, don't you? I'll let you make enough."

Hearing this, the three lowered their heads instantly, like deflated balls.

Forced by Zhang Yunxiu's overbearing power, the three could only agree.

After receiving their promise, Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand, and the three bowed and retreated.

Not long after they left, Zheng Xi'er walked in with a smile. Seeing Zheng Xi'er, Zhang Yunxiu complained: "They've fallen into the money pit, even earning this kind of immoral money."

Zheng Xi'er smiled, walked behind Zhang Yunxiu, reached out her jade hands to massage his shoulders, and said: "Who doesn't love money? Besides, Xi'er heard that they bought the houses according to the market price."

"One is willing to sell, and the other is willing to buy; why can't this money be earned?"

"They are bullying those commoners who don't know any better." Zhang Yunxiu said indignantly, "I admit, I'm not a good person either, but this kind of money burns my hands."

Zheng Xi'er took the opportunity to press her hands against Zhang Yunxiu's chest, bent her willow waist slightly, and rested her small head directly on Zhang Yunxiu's shoulder.

Feeling the warmth on his shoulder, Zhang Yunxiu slowly turned his head. Zheng Xi'er blinked her apricot eyes and asked playfully: "Young Master, I wonder if you have heard a saying?"

"What saying?" Zhang Yunxiu asked. "There is no merchant who isn't crafty, and no craftiness that isn't merchant-like."

"Then you must be a big crafty merchant? Did you hoard land too?"

Zheng Xi'er pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Then why didn't you hoard land? I remember I told you before."

Zhang Yunxiu teased her. Zheng Xi'er covered her mouth and laughed, biting her cheek as she replied: "Only poor people think about making money this way; Xi'er doesn't lack money."

"Xi'er has enough money to spend."

"Can one ever have enough money to spend?" Zhang Yunxiu was satisfied in his heart, but he still teased her with his words.

Zheng Xi'er did not answer directly, but asked instead: "Xi'er's wages alone are five hundred taels a month, Young Master, do you think that's enough to spend?"

"Five hundred taels, tsk tsk, the monthly salary of a Sixth-rank Official like me is only eight taels of silver. It seems I'll have to rely on you, my little rich woman, to support me in the future."

"Alright then, Young Master, say something nice first." Knowing Zhang Yunxiu was happy, Zheng Xi'er became bolder.

"What should I call you?"

"Wife."

After Zheng Xi'er finished speaking, her neck turned a deep shade of pink. She didn't dare to look at Zhang Yunxiu, her pair of jade hands clutching her skirt tightly, fidgeting randomly.

Zhang Yunxiu felt a warmth in his heart, slowly grabbed her jade hands, and pressed his head against her face. The two looked at each other, and Zhang Yunxiu said softly: "Xi'er, you were always my wife, wife."

"Mm." Zheng Xi'er nodded slightly, mist rising in her eyes, "Xi'er knows that Young Master is a person who does great things. Xi'er is stupid and can't help Young Master with anything, I can only try not to add trouble for Young Master."

"You have already done very well."

Zhang Yunxiu helped her to a chair to sit down.

Once seated, without waiting for Zheng Xi'er to speak, Zhang Yunxiu continued: "Look at you, managing this whole business of ours so steadily. Who in this capital doesn't say that I've found a virtuous helper?"

"Young Master is too kind to Xi'er." Zheng Xi'er felt a bit embarrassed.

"Still calling me Young Master?" Zhang Yunxiu glared and shouted.

"Husband."

"From now on, you shall call me Husband, and I shall still call you Xi'er."

"Why?" Zheng Xi'er asked, puzzled.

"This name is auspicious; whenever I hear your name, I feel cheerful," Zhang Yunxiu said, reaching out to give Xi'er's supple cheek a heavy pinch.

Zheng Xi'er's little face flushed red, her eyes flickering with love as she looked at Zhang Yunxiu.

Just as the husband and wife were speaking, Zhang Fu came stomping back; having his mood interrupted, Zhang Yunxiu frowned and asked, "What are you back for now? Are you just itching for a beating?"

"N-no, no," Zhang Fu shook his head repeatedly, and only after gasping for two breaths of white mist did he say, "It's—it's a distinguished guest who has arrived outside, clamoring to see you."

"Who is it?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"That person from the palace."

"The... the Emperor?" Why did that fellow come out? Zhang Yunxiu's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly looked up at Zhang Fu: "Then what are you waiting for? Why haven't you invited that master in yet?"

"No need."

A familiar voice rang out.

The three people in the room looked toward the outside and saw the Wanli Emperor already standing at the doorway, with a young girl dressed in men's clothing following behind him.

Who else could it be but Princess Yongning?

Upon seeing the two parties, Zhang Yunxiu and Zheng Xi'er made to bow, but the Wanli Emperor waved his hand, signaling them to forgo the formalities, and strode inside: "Enough, enough, do I not know what kind of person you are?"

"I have only come today to take a look at my little birds; there is no other meaning."

"What little birds?" Zhang Yunxiu was completely bewildered.

Zheng Xi'er, who was to the side, smiled and reminded him: "Have you forgotten? A few months ago, you brought back a nest of birds and even had Xi'er raise them."

(End of this chapter)