Chapter 1122: Sending Money Over

Longyan?

A look of greed flashed in the eyes of Menshikov.

Everyone knew how wealthy the Longyan were now. Especially for his Russia, Longyan left Russia behind by several streets, whether in terms of climate, geography, or resources and wealth.

Menshikov was no ordinary person. Calling him the current top power-broker in Russia was absolutely correct. This fellow, who had made a living selling meat pies in his childhood, met Peter when Peter was fourteen. By a stroke of luck, Peter enlisted this "friend" into the Youth Legion as an Artilleryman and kept him by his side as an orderly.

From then on, Menshikov began his life of dominating the scene in Russia.

Of course.

Menshikov certainly had ability; otherwise, he could not have soared in the Russian power arena and even become the Governor of Saint Petersburg! This was the center of power in Russia at the time.

Later, when leading troops in battle, Menshikov also achieved many remarkable feats; his military record was solid and real.

However, the characteristics of his personal character made him excessively yearn for vanity and be insatiably greedy.

His endless yearning and greed for wealth and power also gave Peter, who had trusted him immensely, a great headache, and Peter had admonished him more than once.

But Menshikov, high in position and heavy in power, relied on Peter's trust and indulgence to feign compliance while acting in opposition.

Especially regarding the contracting of grain in Russia—this was the most profitable business in Russia.

After this, Menshikov had undoubtedly become the richest man in Russia, and even a tycoon wealthy enough to rival the European continent. At his peak, he transferred five million Rubles to a Bank in Europe; one must know that these five million Rubles were the total annual expenditure of the entire Russian nation!

"Marshal, it seems this Longyan merchant still does not want to give up the interests on our side!"

The servant helped the gorgeously dressed Menshikov onto the Horse Carriage and chuckled.

Menshikov laughed coldly: "The two countries are at war, yet he doesn't forget to come and send me money! Hahahaha, Longyan, oh Longyan, you are even greedier than the world describes me!"

Russia lacked grain; this was a problem Russia had faced for many years.

The price of grain within Russia, by the time it reached the hands of the common people, was already quite high.

Within this, there was naturally the exploitation and greed of various interest groups, and the one controlling the first-hand profit was naturally this Menshikov.

Russia's grain had always relied heavily on imports from Longyan. The agricultural technology of this era could not yet make Russia the Wheat exporter of a later age. Some time ago, Menshikov was still worrying about what to do about the grain problem now that the two countries were at war. Today, this Longyan merchant could not help but deliver himself to the door.

"Hahahaha, let's go!"

All of a sudden, Menshikov became happy.

Returning to his mansion.

Menshikov Palace, this was the palace he built for himself back when he was responsible for overseeing the construction of Saint Petersburg. At the time, this caused quite a bit of criticism, and because of this, Menshikov was even dragged into a workshop by Peter and given a sound beating.

But despite this, Peter still tolerated him.

Peter's favor toward Menshikov was something people could not understand.

He even wrote a letter to Menshikov: "I beg you, do not ruin your reputation for such small gains!"

From then on, Menshikov restrained himself a lot... no longer worrying about those petty profits, but instead, he began to set his ambition on the most important thing: grain.

In the luxurious palace, the humble-looking Longyan was already waiting for him.

"Lord Marshal, this is a Jiangzhe merchant from Longyan, Qian Yonggui!"

The servant introduced.

Qian Yonggui was a rather thin and withered middle-aged man. Hearing this, he looked respectful, and immediately, his attendants presented a large pile of gorgeous gift boxes to Menshikov.

"Hahahaha, welcome, welcome!"

As these gift boxes were opened, things like thousand-year ginseng, top-grade tea leaves, fine wine, and silk—these were all valuable hard currency in Russia!

【Line 35 is a continuation of 34】

When Menshikov saw this, he laughed out loud, waved his hand nonchalantly, and the gift boxes were taken away by the servants.

Following that, his expression slowly turned cold, and he looked at Qian Yonggui and scolded: "Someone, seize this man for me!"

Qian Yonggui was startled, not knowing why Menshikov changed his face so quickly, and knelt down in a panic: "Marshal, Marshal..."

Menshikov's men were naturally just trying to scare him.

Menshikov shouted coldly: "The two countries are at war, a sensitive period, speak, who sent you as a spy!"

Qian Yonggui cried out: "I am wronged, Marshal, wronged!"

Menshikov sneered: "Wronged? Do you really take me for someone who doesn't understand the situation! Take him down, behead him!"

Qian Yonggui was so scared he wept bitterly, and bubbles even came out of his nose: "Marshal, wronged, wronged! We are not in the same faction as the pro-war Minister Liu! We are competitors!"

Only then did Menshikov slowly wave his hand, and those guards released Qian Yonggui.

Qian Yonggui was already so scared that his crotch was filled with the pungent smell of urine, but he could not care about that much now, his whole body trembling.

Menshikov smiled coldly.

Weak Han people!

A bunch of cowards!

He was extremely proud in his heart and chuckled: "Is that so?"

Qian Yonggui was terrified, his tears flowing ceaselessly: "Marshal, we Jiangzhe people already hate Minister Liu to death! We Scholar-officials wish we could eat his flesh and drink his blood!"

"It is he who turned our prosperous Jiangzhe region into a place where everyone shouts for a beating! This detestable Minister Liu... he scrapes all the good things into his own territory..."

He began to bitterly denounce the detestable nature of Liu Zheng.

Menshikov listened quietly, and as he listened, a smile surfaced on his face.

A feeling of having everything under control.

After this Qian Yonggui finished speaking, he asked indifferently: "Scholar-official, Zhu Zhen?"

Qian Yonggui trembled all over, looking astonished: "The Marshal is truly a man of great talent and strategy, to be so well-versed in Longyan affairs!"

"Hahahaha!"

Menshikov loved such flattery.

However, occupying a high position, he was indeed quite knowledgeable about the situation within Longyan. Those entanglements between the Old Aristocrats, the New Aristocracy, and the Scholar-officials were no longer a secret.

"Get up!"

Thinking of this, Menshikov finally raised his hand slightly.

Qian Yonggui felt as if he had been granted amnesty and scrambled to his feet, terrified.

"So, what good news have you brought me today, Wealthy Philanthropist Qian?"

Menshikov looked at Qian Yonggui with eyes gleaming.

Qian Yonggui said humbly: "Marshal, because of that detestable Vice Minister Liu, and the situations in Liangzhou and Liaodong, the millet in our Jiangzhe region has been unsalable this year... This, this, this... I, a commoner, have a large batch of grain here; if I don't sell it off soon, it will be ruined in my hands! Therefore, disregarding the dangers, I have come to beg the Marshal at this time, hoping the Marshal will grant us a way to survive!"

"Our entire Longyan Scholar-official class will surely be eternally grateful!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

A smile finally appeared at the corners of Menshikov's mouth.

This was someone coming to deliver money to him... Pop-ups are severe recently, please click to download to avoid pop-ups.