Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 747 Appropriate Price_1

Chapter 747: Chapter 747 Appropriate Price_1

Yang Zhumu looked at his nephew’s dumbfounded appearance and burst into laughter, "You little rascal, how come you’re as surprised as I was when I heard the news? This isn’t like the son of the Deputy Minister of Revenue’s family."

Deputy Minister of Revenue, even just saying it feels extraordinarily wonderful. The Yang family now boasts a marriage alliance with a Capital Official, and not just any, but the Deputy Minister of Revenue. The son may proudly say, his uncle is quite formidable, who knows, he might be promoted to second rank any day now.

Having digested the news, Chang Yi’s smile grew wider and wider. This was indeed a great joy, "Uncle, let’s not talk here by the city gate."

"Right, right, your aunt has been waiting at home. Since receiving the letter you sent saying you’d arrive today, she has been urging me to wait here at the city gate from early morning, and I’ve already drunk two pots of tea."

Chang Yi, smiling, said, "Uncle, please join me in the carriage!"

Yang Zhumu, "Alright."

In the capital, Zhou Shuren and the Chief of Staff arrived at the government hall; the Emperor was seeing the Minister of War. After waiting a while, the Minister of War came out from the inner chamber. He did not head straight out of the government hall, instead, he made a beeline for Sir Xiao.

Xiao Qing smiled, "Sir Li, what a coincidence!"

Sir Li, Minister of War, was puzzled. Recently, whenever he had a chance, he would corner Xiao Qing, who would always run away at the sight of him. Even if he caught up to him, Xiao Qing would grimace, looking as if to say "I really don’t have any silver, and if you keep asking for it, you’ll drive me to my death." Yet today, he was greeted with a smile!

Sir Li frowned, "You’ve got silver?"

Xiao Qing’s mouth twitched. The Six Ministries, aside from the last-place Ministry of Works, every other ministry would ask him for silver as soon as they saw his face, without any pleasantries. So direct it was, he grumbled gloomily, "No."

"Then what are you smiling about? Don’t think that smiling at me will stop me from asking for silver. Xiao Qing, the army is about to return to the capital, and you must not let the soldiers’ hearts grow cold."

Xiao Qing’s face darkened, "Sir Li, those words are too harsh. You’re all devising ways to get silver every day, as if I’m sitting on a mountain of gold! Hurry up and leave; just seeing you annoys me now."

Xiao Qing fumed. The Minister of Personnel was subtle with his barbed words like a soft knife, while Sir Li from the Ministry of War, despite his tall and burly appearance, was not short of schemes. The Minister of Rites was polite upon meeting him, but didn’t hesitate when asking for silver. Counting carefully, those who were asking for silver all had issues with the Ministry of Revenue!

Sir Li snorted. He didn’t want to block this cunning fox at all; he was just worried about the casualty figures. The Ministry of Revenue was poor, the Ministry of War even poorer – they really didn’t have any silver!

Eunuch Liu came out, "The Emperor invites Sir Xiao and Mr. Zhou inside."

Sir Li’s gaze fell on Zhou Shuren. His arrival in the capital was anything but low key, his eyes lit up a bit, especially upon seeing the zhezi in Old Xiao’s hands. He laughed heartily, "Old Xiao, we’ve had many years of friendship. If you come into some silver, remember to think of me first!"

Xiao Qing pretended not to hear, striding into the inner chamber.

Zhou Shuren followed in, halted, and looked at his arm, "Sir?"

Taking advantage of his height and strength, Sir Li pulled Zhou Shuren into a corner and whispered, "Have you come into some silver?"

Eunuch Liu coughed, and Sir Li released his hand, patting Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, "Haha, I’ve always wanted to meet Mr. Zhou. Seeing you today has overwhelmed me; we must definitely have tea together when you have the time."

Zhou Shuren could only feel pain; his frail body ached, and that pat really hurt his shoulder, "Definitely."

Eunuch Liu watched Sir Li’s large hand pat Zhou Shuren and winced with sympathy, finding the thin and dry Mr. Zhou pitiable to look at.

Zhou Shuren, glad to see Sir Li finally leave, exhaled and moved his shoulder. Hmm, still painful, it must be bruised.

Eunuch Liu moved his lips, but in the end, he refrained from saying anything. The Minister of War was not someone to be provoked easily. He decided to pretend he hadn’t seen anything. Hmm, he hadn’t seen.

In the inner chamber, the Emperor was reading the zhezi, and Sir Xiao was chatting with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smiled, "Mr. Zhou, please take a seat here."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Thank you, Crown Prince."

Xiao Qing couldn’t discern anything from Zhou Shuren’s expression, and it wasn’t right to inquire about Mr. Li’s treatment of Zhou Shuren within the government hall. After all, Zhou Shuren’s smile seemed to never change. ’Smiling tiger’ indeed – always adept at ensnaring others!

The Emperor quickly perused the zhezi and his expectations proved correct – Zhou Shuren’s mind was indeed agile, "The method is good."

Xiao Qing, smiling, "The jewelry will be easy to handle, we can just sell it in bulk to the merchants."

The Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren, "What do you say?"

Zhou Shuren, seeing all eyes on him, cleared his throat, "The jewelry stored by the Ministry of Revenue isn’t worth much silver. It is indeed suitable to sell in bulk to ocean traders, but I believe we should first release news about the tax increase, then announce the sale of the jewelry by the Ministry of Revenue. If someone offers a reasonable price, they could be exempted from half a year’s increased taxes."

A half year’s worth of increased taxes was no small sum; large maritime traders could save a considerable amount of silver coin, enough for two short voyages in half a year, or one long voyage. The tax has always been a significant amount of silver.

The Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren thoughtfully, "Your Excellency, please continue."

Zhou Shuren continued, "The major sea traders will certainly vie for this opportunity. They know in their hearts the most appropriate price to offer, and this initiative would pave the way for them to be involved, making the implementation of the tax increase follow naturally."

This ’appropriate price’ was supported by people behind the major maritime traders, who were not short on silver. Taking off the Ministry of Revenue’s surplus jewelry would also serve as an opportunity to curry favor with the Emperor. Undoubtedly, someone would be willing to offer more silver. This, however, didn’t need to be spelled out to the Emperor, who certainly understood.

The Emperor said, "Your Excellency is indeed well-suited for the Ministry of Revenue. Xiao Qing, I have provided you with an excellent assistant."

Xiao Qing replied with a smile, "I thank Your Majesty."

He thought to himself that Zhou Shuren’s intricate scheming was quite profound – killing several birds with one stone. Impressive, indeed.

The Crown Prince never took his eyes off Zhou Shuren, thinking that when the time came for him to ascend the throne, to avoid suffering like his father, he would need a Vice Minister of Revenue particularly adept at accumulating silver.

Zhou Shuren fell silent. ’Your Highness, please stop staring at me; I feel a chill on my back.’ He began to question if he had inadvertently caused trouble for himself again. But upon reflection, multiple benefits from a single action should pose no issue!

In Lizhou Prefecture City, Chang Yi arrived at the Yang household. Stepping into the courtyard, Chang Yi remarked, "Uncle, the house seems much the same!"

The number of servants was the same as during his last visit.

Yang Zhumu said, "Your eldest cousin is but a low-ranking military general; we can’t compare to your Zhou family. Look at your entourage; even in light travel, you have seven or eight young servants with you. We simply can’t compete."

While our father was alive, he managed to save some silver, but after he passed away and the property was divided, giving half to my younger brother, our income for the year wasn’t as high as before. On the contrary, our expenses for the year have increased. As the grandchildren grow up, they need silver. Just the cost of their education amounts to a significant sum annually, not to mention the expenses for the entire family. By the end of the year, all we can manage is to save a little silver.

That silver can’t be touched, for it is needed for the granddaughter’s dowry and the grandson’s wedding gifts. Silver is needed everywhere – yes, including for social exchanges. Just maintaining the status quo is an achievement for the Yang family.

Chang Yi gave a dry laugh. It was true that the Yang family couldn’t compare with the Zhou family; he did have an exceptionally illustrious father, and yes, a mother who continually added to the family’s wealth.

Yang Wuchun came in with a smile, "Cousin Chang Yi has arrived."

Chang Yi responded, "Eldest cousin, weren’t you busy with something?"

"With cousin visiting, I took care of the matter and hurried back. Did you have a smooth journey here?"