The Imperial Clan Affairs Office was embroiled in endless arguments, with all sorts of ingenious ideas emerging, and the commotion continued until the sun began to set.
Ultimately, Xiao Xuan established the principle of "letting the rich get rich first to help the poor get rich later," with the goal of achieving unified prosperity and everyone working together towards a moderately prosperous society.
He looked at Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier, the two wealthy individuals whose faces had turned pale, and at Emperor Xiao Zhengfeng, who also wore a bitter smile:
"As for the specific details, Zhengfeng, Fenghua, and Meier, the three of you will discuss and decide together."
After saying that, he closed his eyes and stopped talking.
The dignified Old Ancestor of the Imperial Family arranged for his descendants to use their beauty to serve men for his own benefit.
If this gets out, his old face... never mind, I don't want to think about it, it gives me a headache.
The Old Ancestor could simply wash his hands of the matter, but the rest of the people were left with a huge headache.
Because in practice, things are fraught with difficulties.
First, what does Zhang Yu himself think?
Would he be willing to be the entire stallion?
If he refuses and you anger him, the consequences could be dire.
Secondly, even if Zhang Yu reluctantly agrees, how will the Xiao Family make arrangements?
Who goes first and who goes last?
According to what standard?
Is it based on blood ties or the magnitude of merit?
Or... let's see who's more "daring"?
This is an unsolvable problem. No matter how you arrange it, it will offend a large number of people and cause new conflicts and resentment.
The old lady who wanted "old trees to bloom" and the young man with special sexual orientation are the two most troublesome examples.
Just as Emperor Xiao Zhengfeng, Xiao Fenghua, and Xiao Meier were gathered in the Imperial Study, looking at the list with furrowed brows, they felt it was a hundred times more troublesome than dealing with national affairs.
"Report!"
A eunuch hurried in, his expression slightly strange.
"What is it?" Xiao Zhengfeng was irritable and spoke in an unfriendly tone.
The eunuch immediately knelt down and whispered, "Your Majesty, our scouts report that Zhang Yu's men are in trouble."
Since the focus is on Zhang Yu, Zhang Yu subordinates naturally become a target of the Imperial Family's attention as well.
Although Li Dagang, Mo Zhai, and Zhang Yu had kept their relationship well hidden, the Imperial Family still managed to uncover some clues during their all-out investigation.
Half a day ago, at the Marquis Yong'an's Estate.
At this moment, the Zhang Family are gathered in the somewhat empty Main Hall, continuing to discuss how to repair their relationship with Zhang Yu.
"Luo Han is right. Although Zhang Yu's personality has changed drastically, he probably still has feelings for Luo Han."
Qin Xuehua rubbed her aching temples, forcing herself to analyze the situation:
"If we can reinstate the marriage, even if it's just in name, we'll have room to maneuver."
"That's all we can do for now."
Zhang Qingyue nodded silently.
Zhang Heng and Zhang Wanning remained silent with gloomy faces; they harbored strong resentment towards Zhang Yu and did not want to participate in the topic.
Just as the group was discussing how to use Jiang Luohan as a pawn to ensnare Zhang Yu again...
At this moment, Zhang Qingyue's Messaging Jade Token suddenly flashed.
"Mother."
Zhang Qingyue bowed and said urgently, "My school Wenhua Kingdom Academy, just sent a letter saying there's an urgent matter and I need to return to the academy immediately."
Wenhua Kingdom Academy holds a superior position among the Eight Kingdoms of the Eastern Domain, establishing its doctrines through literature and governing the country with Confucianism.
Zhang Qingyue's ability to study there was originally an honor for the Marquis Estate's family, but now it has become a reason for her to leave.
Qin Xuehua frowned. "So urgent? Can't it be a few days later?"
The Marquis Estate was going through a turbulent time, and she instinctively hoped that her children would be by her side.
Zhang Qingyue shook her head. "The letter is very strict; those who disobey may be expelled from the academy. Daughter... dares not disobey."
Zhang Heng waved his hand and said, "Go on, go on, the academy's affairs are important. We'll take care of things at home."
He was in a state of confusion and felt that his Third Sister wouldn't be of much help even if she stayed.
Zhang Qingyue felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly took her leave, packed her things briefly, and hurriedly left the Marquis Estate.
After Zhang Qingyue left, the group in the hall continued their previous conversation, but the atmosphere became even more somber.
Without Zhang Qingyue, the Marquis Estate feels even more desolate and on the verge of collapse.
However, misfortunes never come singly.
"Madam, no... something terrible has happened!"
The steward of the Marquis Estate's residence rushed over.
"What's the panic? What kind of behavior is this?"
Zhang Heng was already annoyed, and upon seeing this, he shouted sternly, "Speak! What is it?"
The manager fell to his knees with a thud, crying, "It's... it's the Freight Station in the west of the West City... something terrible has happened."
"What?" Several people in the hall suddenly stood up, their expressions changing drastically.
Freight Station!
The Zhang Family's second largest economic pillar, second only to the Alchemy Workshop.
Although it doesn't generate the daily fortune and astonishing profits of Alchemy Room.
However, the Freight Station connected merchants from the north and south, receiving rare and exotic goods from all directions at low prices and then selling them at high prices, resulting in a stable net income of tens of thousands of taels of silver every month.
This is the main source of income for the Marquis Estate's daily expenses, social obligations, and the training of his private army.
It was also the most important source of funding when filling the gaps in the Alchemy Room.
"What exactly happened? Explain yourself!"
Qin Xuehua's voice became shrill, and her fingers gripped the back of the chair tightly.
The steward, panting heavily, said quickly:
"Starting this morning, all the major merchants who have long cooperated with us and supply rare and exotic items, medicinal herbs and furs from all over the world have sent people here as if by prior arrangement, saying that they want to renegotiate the price."
Not just one or two, but all of them.
"Renegotiate?"
Zhang Heng was stunned for a moment, then angrily said:
"Let's negotiate the price. We've negotiated prices in previous years too."
Do they really dare to ask for an exorbitant amount?
"Young Master... it's not that you're asking for an exorbitant amount, it's... it's double the price!"
The manager looked miserable.
"The Snow Ridge Ginseng that used to cost one hundred taels of silver now costs two hundred and fifty taels."
The price of high-quality fur from the Mobei has more than doubled.
Pearls from the Southern Sea, gemstones from the Western Regions... all goods have seen price increases of at least 50%, with most more doubling in price.
Moreover... and the other party was very firm, saying that either they would pay the new price, or they would immediately resell the goods to someone else, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation."
Qin Xuehua gasped:
"Double?"
All suppliers doubled their prices simultaneously?
How... how is this possible?
"Aren't they afraid of offending our Marquis Estate and having to cancel our business in the future?"
Zhang Heng's face was filled with disdain and the arrogance of Marquis Estate's Heir Apparent:
"Hmph, just a bunch of arrogant and unscrupulous merchants. Do they really think the Marquis Yong'an's Estate is a pushover that can be bullied at will?"
He suddenly stood up and said confidently:
"Mother, Sister Wanning, you don't need to worry."
Our Marquis Yong'an's Estate's Freight Station is one of the largest Freight Station in the Capital City and even the Northern Border, with its prestigious signboard standing for over a century.
Countless merchants from both the north and south are desperate to send their goods here and use our distribution channels to sell them across the country.
I used to use them because we had been working together for many years and their prices were reasonable.
Now they're courting death, daring to join forces to raise prices and threaten the Marquis Estate?
That's a joke.
The more he spoke, the more convinced he became of his point, exuding an air of dominance:
"Since they don't know what's good for them, then eliminate them all."
There are countless merchants, both inside and outside the Capital City, eager to curry favor with our Marquis Estate and supply us with goods.
I refuse to believe that we can't eat hairy pork without Butcher Zhang!
This is a good opportunity to switch to a group of more obedient and law-abiding suppliers.
The price might even be able to be pushed down further.
Qin Xuehua found her son's words very reasonable, and her tense nerves instantly relaxed.
The Marquis Estate's reputation and distribution channels are indeed a major advantage; perhaps they can use this to put those unscrupulous merchants in their place and even find cheaper sources of goods.
She nodded, her tone becoming firmer:
"Heng'er's words make sense. How can the century-old foundation of my Marquis Yong'an's Estate be controlled by a few merchants?"
This matter is entrusted to you. You must find a new and reliable source of goods as soon as possible, so as not to delay the Freight Station's business.
Zhang Wanning echoed:
"Indeed, these unscrupulous merchants must have seen that our Marquis Estate has been in turmoil lately and thought they could take advantage of the situation to extort money from us."
If we take a tough stance, and even spread the word that we're looking for new suppliers, they might get scared and obediently lower their prices back down.
The three of them talked back and forth, and the more they talked, the more they felt that this was a common extortion by merchants. They regained some of the confidence of the people in charge of the Marquis Estate and began to discuss how to put pressure on the old goods merchants, how to find new channels, and how to restore the reputation of the Freight Station.
Only Jiang Luohan, sitting to the side, frowned slightly, her unease growing stronger.
"Auntie, Hengdi,"
Jiang Luohan hesitated before speaking, her voice soft yet tinged with doubt, "Luohan feels that this matter should not be taken lightly."
Zhang Heng was in high spirits when he heard this and impatiently waved his hand:
Sister Jiang, you're overthinking it.
Merchants are driven by profit; they must be trying to take advantage of Marquis Estate current difficulties to make a quick buck.
As long as we take a firm stance, they will give in.
Qin Xuehua also said, "Heng'er is right. We can't be too polite to these people. Don't worry, the Marquis Estate still has its foundation. These mere merchants can't cause any trouble."
Zhang Wanning also cast a dismissive glance at her.
Seeing that they wouldn't listen, Jiang Luohan sighed inwardly and stopped trying to persuade them.