Chapter 2274: Chapter 2271: Defeated

As a result.

The gamblers who heard the news did not dare to go to the Qi Family’s Gambling House anymore.

They were just ordinary people.

How could they afford to provoke such dignitaries, not even the Third Young Master Li; they were even more afraid of accidentally being schemed against to death.

As a result.

When Li Can arranged for people to continue running the casino.

Many curious gamblers flocked to the Li family’s casino.

The public opinion seemed to have declared the Li family victorious.

While Elder Qi San was infuriated and ordered to cover up the news, waiting for Minister Qi to return home.

Compared to having his business snatched by Li Can, it was evidently more important for Minister Qi’s situation in the palace now.

Having failed this confrontation, Elder Qi San was angry, but could do nothing against Li Can.

Angrily, he smashed the study room.

The servants waiting outside the Qi family were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe loudly.

In the palace.

Minister Qi had already prepared himself mentally before coming.

After dealing with some of Emperor Xuanming’s questions.

Emperor Xuanming suddenly asked ambiguously, “I heard that recently a lot of merchant ships from Jiangnan have returned from the sea; how are the harvests?”

“Emperor, I have only heard about it from the official reports some time ago. However, the merchant ships returning this time are small ones, only going to the Yi people, exchanging some seafood and jewelry like pearls. The Yi people’s place is small, most people live poorly, even the exchanged pearl jewelry seems average in size, but those merchants only trade with some old grain and obsolete goods, so it’s quite worth it,” Minister Qi carefully thought over this response to ensure he wouldn’t say anything wrong.

Emperor Xuanming: “Is that so? It seems that opening sea routes can earn quite a lot of silver. The Governor of Jiangnan submitted a report to me a few days ago saying that Jiangnan has turned cold early this year and fears there will be more rain next year. Some time ago, opening sea routes set a substantial tax revenue, presumably it won’t affect next year’s operations in the Jiangnan area.”

“However, as a precaution, I have ordered the Governor of Jiangnan to assist you, and it’s essential to ensure that each county city stores twice as much grain as usual. Can you accomplish this?”

Minister Qi did not expect to come to the palace without being reprimanded for Elder Qi San’s actions but instead to be assigned a rather difficult task.

If he pursues this matter, he might offend those Maritime Merchants.

However.

Evidently, from establishing clear tax laws on this group since the opening of maritime trade, Emperor Xuanming clearly doesn’t intend to let such a big piece of fat develop unchecked.

“Emperor, I will ensure the task is completed.”

“There’s also one more thing; with the recent opening of sea routes, I am not confident about the tax affairs. I plan to send the Vice Minister of Revenue to audit the accounts; you assist him, and I want both of you to return safely.” Emperor Xuanming entrusted Minister Qi with significant responsibility in just a few words.

Especially the latter sentence, both to return safely, carried profound implications.

In fact, opening sea routes is a definite boon for the Qi family.

The seaports are mostly located in the Jiangnan region now.

This means that those large Maritime Merchants are in King Qi’s fief, constituting King Qi’s influence, and money is certainly abundant.

Now Emperor Xuanming’s orders clearly indicate that he doesn’t want to satisfy the appetite of those Maritime Merchants in Jiangnan.

While the Governor of Jiangnan is the Emperor’s man.

Minister Qi’s endeavor this time is actually quite constrained.

But Minister Qi dared not refuse, knowing well that Emperor Xuanming was testing him.

“Yes, Emperor.”

“By the way, I heard that in your Li family, the child was beaten?” Emperor Xuanming suddenly mentioned this matter, his expression as calm as ever: “It seems the security in the capital is even less reliable than I imagined.”

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