bioinnovel Chapter 39 Demanding Justice
Chapter 39 Demanding Justice
As night deepened, the study in the Mu residence remained brightly lit.
Mu Yunshan sat behind a large rosewood desk, his brows slightly furrowed, listening to the reports from his main managers and accountants.
"Boss, things aren't looking good."
A manager in charge of the mining business said with a bitter face, "In Jiangnan, His Highness Prince Wu has been making frequent moves lately. Several of our important iron ore sales channels have been seized by them through high prices or other means. In recent years, the country has been at peace, and the demand for military equipment has decreased significantly. The iron ore business was already difficult, and now it has been taken over... Sigh!"
Another accountant, fiddling with his abacus, added, "The King of Wu's fiefdom is located in the prosperous Jiangnan region, and he controls nearly half of the salt and iron trade in Dayong. He's incredibly wealthy. If we don't find a way, I'm afraid we won't even be able to keep our current share. Master, what do you think? Should we consider cooperating with the King of Wu? Or perhaps we could invest some capital and compete with them?"
The managers all looked expectantly at Mu Yunshan, awaiting his decision.
Competing with the feudal lords is risky, though.
However, given the size of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce, it is not without the ability to fight back.
However, upon hearing this, Mu Yunshan's worried expression vanished instantly, and he calmly said, "I wonder what's wrong with you all so anxious. We don't need to pay attention to it. In fact, we should tighten our business dealings with the various regional princes from now on, and avoid close contact with them unless absolutely necessary."
"what?"
Upon hearing this, the shopkeepers and accountants were all stunned and looked at each other in bewilderment.
Not to associate with the vassal kings?
Wouldn't that be like cutting off one's own arm?
In the Great Yong Dynasty, how could a merchant who wanted to grow his business do without the support of powerful and influential people?
"Master, what... what's going on?"
The shopkeeper, who had spoken earlier, couldn't help but ask, his face full of confusion, "If we lose the patronage of the feudal lords, our merchant guild will likely face great difficulties in the future!"
Looking at the confused expressions on his subordinates' faces, Mu Yunshan smiled mysteriously and waved his hand, "No need to ask any more questions. Just do as I say. Not only should you not take the initiative to contact them, but if they come to you, push them away if you can and avoid them if you can."
While saying this aloud, he secretly thought to himself: Little do you know, my precious daughter is now the apple of His Majesty's eye!
Before long, I, Mu Yunshan, will be a legitimate member of the royal family!
At that time, why would we need to curry favor with those vassal kings?
They should be the ones bringing generous gifts and begging to curry favor with me!
What are vassal kings compared to imperial power?
Thinking of the future scenarios where those vassal kings would treat him with great courtesy, Mu Yunshan almost burst out laughing.
I felt a sense of triumph and complete comfort!
The shopkeepers and accountants, seeing the strange smile on their boss's face, were full of doubts, but seeing Mu Yunshan's resolute attitude, they dared not ask any more questions.
After exchanging glances, they respectfully replied, "Yes, Master, we understand."
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the study.
Immediately afterward, the butler's panicked voice rang out from outside the door: "Master, master! Something terrible has happened!"
Mu Yunshan frowned and said in a deep voice, "What's the matter? Come in and talk!"
The steward burst through the door, his face pale. Ignoring the presence of several shopkeepers, he cried out urgently, "Master, Prince Jin has arrived with many soldiers and has already surrounded the front gate of our mansion!"
"What?!"
Mu Yunshan suddenly stood up from his chair, his brows furrowed.
Qin Yuan, still recovering from serious injuries, led his troops to besiege Mu in the dead of night.
What does he want to do?
The shopkeepers and accountants were terrified and turned pale.
The Prince of Jin led his troops to besiege the prefecture?
This is a huge disaster!
The butler, panting heavily, added, "His Highness Prince Jin sent me to deliver a message that he wants to see you, and he also said something about you handing over Miss!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunshan's face turned ashen.
It turns out that Qin Yuan was still up to his old tricks. As soon as his injuries eased a little, he couldn't wait to forcefully take Yan'er away!
Mu Yunshan trembled with rage, slamming his fist on the table. "This is outrageous!"
The steward spoke again, forcing a smile, "Master, His Highness Prince Jin is waiting in the front hall right now, saying he wants you to go there immediately to give him an answer!"
"Hmph, I was just thinking of going to meet him too!"
Mu Yunshan narrowed his eyes, straightened his robes, and waved to the several shopkeepers who were trembling with fear inside the room. "You all wait here, I'll be right back!"
After saying that, he followed the butler and strode out of the study.
Inside the study.
The shopkeepers and accountants looked at each other, all of them seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
"Where does the master get his confidence from? Even the Prince of Jin has brought troops to block the gate, yet he still..."
"Yes, judging from what the master just said, it seems he doesn't even put the Prince of Jin in his eyes? What exactly is going on?"
The group whispered among themselves, but they couldn't figure it out no matter what.
Soon, Mu Yunshan arrived at the reception hall in the front yard.
As soon as I entered, I saw Qin Yuan.
He was not sitting.
Instead, he lay half-reclined on a sedan chair carried by two guards.
His face was as pale as paper, and his lips were chapped.
He looked like he was still recovering from a serious illness and was extremely weak.
But his eyes burned with a venomous light.
Apart from Qin Yuan and the two sedan chair bearers.
Inside and outside the hall, shadowy figures stood, filled with the palace guards, weapons in hand, exuding a murderous aura.
Mu Yunshan inwardly scoffed, but on the surface, he put on a shrewd businessman's smile, quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply: "I was unaware of Your Highness Prince Jin's arrival. I am deeply sorry for not greeting you properly. Please forgive me! Your Highness's injuries have not yet healed; how can you move so easily? If you have any instructions, please send someone to inform me, and I, Yunshan, will personally go to the Prince's residence to pay my respects!"
Qin Yuan snorted coldly at Mu Yunshan's hypocritical and polite demeanor, and demanded, "Mu... Mu Yunshan, don't give me that! I was ambushed and seriously injured in your Ziyan Pavilion. What explanation do you have for this?!"
Even as he spoke, his breathing remained unsteady.
But the situation has improved considerably since he first woke up.
Mu Yunshan's mind raced with thoughts.
His Majesty's identity must be kept secret and must never be revealed.
It seems I'll have to figure things out on my own for now.
If we can resolve this crisis directly, wouldn't that be another merit in front of His Majesty?
Thinking of this, his smile became even more earnest, and he said apologetically, "Your Highness is wise! I only just heard about this matter myself, and I was just thinking of preparing generous gifts to personally go to the Prince's residence to apologize to Your Highness! This is all my fault for not disciplining my children properly, which allowed a madman to infiltrate the pavilion and disturb Your Highness. To be honest, I have specially prepared..."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Qin Yuan abruptly interrupted, his voice weak yet still laced with ruthlessness, "Where were you before? I don't want your gifts! I want your daughter! I want your Ziyan Pavilion! I want your Sihai Chamber of Commerce! And I want that bastard who hurt me, dead!"