Haiyang County, Baochang County, Anhua County...

Zhangde Mansion, Xunning Mansion, Yongping Mansion...

Xiangyunhao blossomed everywhere, almost overnight, opening branches in the seven prefectures and thirty-nine counties of Qinzhou. With the grain shipped by Wang Yong, this large business that had been in Kyoto for several years quickly established a foothold in Qinzhou.

Once upon a time, because Pei Yue handed over the recipe for briquettes, many people thought that the Xiangyun could only be trapped in Kyoto.

The right to manufacture briquettes from other places is in the hands of the imperial court. Without the blessing of this magic sword, how can Xiangyun Hao compete with those large local companies with deep roots?

However, for Pei Yue, this seemed to be a simple and comfortable thing. The Xiangyun had been silent for three years and became a sensation, extending its tentacles to the rich southern territory of Daliang in the most effective way.

However, no one could accuse him of being scheming. Emperor Kaiping was the first to allow such criticism. In the eyes of this suspicious emperor, Pei Yue had gradually become closer to a perfect minister.

They are skilled in military training, fighting, business, and planning, and more importantly, they are loyal. Among the ministers in the court who are full of loyalty to the emperor and the country, who is willing to use all his wealth to purchase food to help the court tide over the difficulties?

What's even more commendable is that Pei Yue never thought of using this opportunity to make money, but would definitely lose money.

As for Xiangyun's business becoming bigger as a result, Emperor Kaiping couldn't help but wonder: When did I say that Pei Yue's business was not allowed to leave Kyoto?

In the hot summer, the imperial study was cool and comfortable. This was because the palace people used cattail fans to fan the ice cubes outside, and the cool air was slowly sent in, which would not let the emperor catch a cold, but also dispel the heat of this season.

In previous years, the palace would not be so extravagant, but now it is because Qinyuan sends a large amount of ice cubes to the palace every few days.

Emperor Kaiping enjoyed the comfortable coolness and carefully watched the secret notes that Pei Yue had sent eight hundred miles away to rush back.

After reading it, Emperor Kaiping was very satisfied with Pei Yue's handling of Qinzhou. He wrote a line on the memorial and said loudly: "Liu Bao."

"My slave is here."

"Take a jade Ruyi and give it to Pei Yue together with this memorial."

Liu Bao was shocked and quickly lowered his head and responded: "I obey the order."

This eunuch who had been with Emperor Kaiping for more than twenty years secretly swore that even if Pei Yue slapped his left cheek in the future, he would immediately stretch out his right cheek.

Thousands of miles away in Chengjing City, Pei Yue never thought that his image in the heart of the inner prison would be so terrifying. On the contrary, he felt that the three middle-aged men sitting in front of him were terrifying.

From left to right are Han Gongduan who participated in the affairs of the East Prefecture, Song Ximeng, the governor of Qinzhou, and Yin Luqi of the Chengjing Prefecture.

These three people have been looking at Pei Yue with smiles since he came in and sat down.

Pei Yue said helplessly: "You three adults, I shouldn't have flowers on my face, right?"

Lu Qi was the first to praise: "Marquis Pei strategized and won thousands of miles away, and the enemy was wiped out while talking and laughing. I have only heard of Marquis Pei's extraordinary heroic appearance on the battlefield. Today I can catch a glimpse of the leopard, which is a great comfort for my life."

Song Ximeng also smiled and said: "Now the food in Changpingcang can be fully supplied to the people in the capital. The food prepared by Marquis Pei is enough to help the counties below overcome this difficulty. The situation in Qinzhou is settled."

Pei Yue said with a bit of toothache: "Uncle Song Fang, Lu Fuyin, let's stop for now. Although I am not that fake and noble person, there is no need for you to pile all the credit on me."

Han Gongduan shook his head and said: "If you hadn't prepared food two months in advance, of course the court could have dealt with the remnants of the clan, but it would have paid a heavy price."

Song Ximeng agreed: "That's true."

Pei Yue looked at the leaders of the three civil servants, cupped his hands and said: "Forget it, I just received the kind words from the three adults. However, compared to praising me here, don't you have more important things to do?"

He first said to Han Gongduan: "Master Han, I have sent a message to Wang Yong, the general manager of the Xiangyun Hao. He will follow your orders. The Xiangyun Hao will not only assist the court in disaster relief, but will also further help the people of Qinzhou in building construction.

Water conservancy to avoid encountering such difficulties again."

Han Gongduan said happily: "Very good!"

Pei Yue smiled and said to Song Ximeng: "Sir Song, I know it has not been easy for you these past few years. Now those people can't survive for a few days. I believe you have a strategy on how to deal with the Seven Families, so I won't overstep your bounds.

"

Song Ximeng heard the implication of his words and asked slightly in surprise: "Marquis Pei is leaving?"

Pei Yue said with a smile: "Have you forgotten that I still have some serious errands? When I come to Chengjing, one is to help Mr. Han plunder the formation, the other is to pour a bowl of ecstasy soup for those aristocratic families, and the third is to sit in the city

Just waiting for the food to arrive."

He paused and said with relief: "Now that my duties have been completed, I should set off to greet the Princess of Southern Zhou. Otherwise, what will happen if His Royal Highness, King Lu, is in a hurry?"

Everyone laughed.

Pei Yue stood up and said: "Three adults, take your leave."

Song Ximeng looked at Pei Yue's free and easy back and sighed softly: "The Marquis of Zhongshan has the style of a gentleman in ancient times."

The most difficult stage in Qinzhou has passed. As Xiangyun sold grain at a reasonable and orderly price, the grain merchants secretly controlled by the governor's office also began to sell grain. However, some big businessmen who had close relations with the Seven Families were still waiting and watching.

Although the matter was not completely settled, even Lu Qi could see that the road ahead was smooth. Pei Yue left at this time, apparently determined not to take the credit that was easily available to him.

That's why Song Ximeng had that sigh.

Mr. Han nodded and said: "You are young but not arrogant. You are also very loyal both in civil and military matters. Your Majesty's ability to recognize people is indeed beyond the comparison of our ministers."

After the three of them sighed for a while, they suddenly saw a clerk coming in to report: "Your Excellencies, Wang E wants to see you."

Han Gongduan and Song Ximeng looked at each other and said tacitly: "No."

Now that the fate of the Seven Families is already on the chopping block, how can these two important ministers give him a chance?

Outside the gate of the Imperial Envoy's headquarters, Wang E seemed to have aged much.

When he heard that a convoy came from Lizhou to Qinzhou, carrying a large amount of food, he realized that this was Pei Yue's method.

He originally wanted to start selling grain immediately, and then let the people below him agree on the same story, saying that it was his credit for persuading those grain merchants. In this way, even if he could not get any benefits, he could at least block Yuyou's mouth and exchange those grain merchants for the family's wealth.

Survive.

But as Pei Yue said before, when things have developed to this point, Wang E can no longer decide alone.

When more and more medium-sized grain merchants came forward to respond to the Xiangyun Hao, not only Wang E was heartbroken, but also family owners such as Zhao Xin, Sun Mingchun and Yu Guangcun realized that the situation was over.

These people have high eyesight but have never really experienced the test of blood and fire. At this time, they are still dreaming of preserving their strength.

Wang E didn't even enter the imperial envoy's quarters, and returned home in despair.

Zhao Xin and others were like ants on a hot pot, waiting here all the time. After seeing Wang E's figure, these people rushed forward, but then seeing Wang E's terrifying face, everyone's heart began to sink.

"Kunwu Gong, how do you reply to Han Shenzheng?"

"Kunwu Gong, does the court still believe in me?"

"Kunwu Gong..."

Wang E used to like this kind of atmosphere, but now his face became more and more gloomy, and he yelled: "Get out of here!"

Everyone looked at each other in shock, but did not apologize as usual. After an awkward silence, they actually dispersed.

When a disaster is approaching, everyone has their own thoughts and plans, but these pampered nobles did not expect that the situation would deteriorate so quickly.

In just five days, the governor's office of Qinzhou and other prefectures and counties received thousands of petitions accusing the seven families of embezzling land and hoarding food!

In the early morning of this day, Wang E, who was already full of white hair, came to the place where Pei Yue stayed in a small sedan.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Menzi said something that shocked him.

"What did you say?" Wang E asked in horror.

Menzi yawned and said, "Mr. Wang, the Marquis left Chengjing with the envoy early yesterday morning. You didn't even know?"

Wang E was speechless.

Menzi looked at the pitiful posture of this noble man and felt extremely happy in his heart. He raised his head slightly and said: "The Marquis told me before he left. If Mr. Wang comes here to ask for help, the Marquis has a few words for you."

."

Wang E cheered up and said in an easy-going manner: "Please speak."

Menzi smiled and then said seriously: "Wang E, I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it."

"If it were in the past, I would definitely kill you with my own hands."

"You're lucky. You'll probably be able to keep your body intact this time. After all, Han Shenzheng and the Song Governor are both gentlemen, and they won't cut you into pieces."

"Don't think about it, go home and prepare a better coffin for yourself."

Menzi spread his hands and said, "Mr. Wang, that's all."

Wang E stood in a daze, a mouthful of blood flowed upstream and spurted out from his mouth.

Then he collapsed to the ground.

Then he saw a group of soldiers running towards him with shackles.

It's over, everything is over.

Wang E suddenly remembered the banquet in the Biyu Pavilion that day. If he could give up his greed and listen to Pei Yue's warning... If he could let the grain merchants he controlled take a step back before Pei Yue's grain appeared...

...Even seven days ago, if he could sell off the grain like Xiangyun did, instead of still thinking about getting rid of Xiangyun...

There are no ifs and there are no do-overs in life.

All choices have already determined their respective fates.
Chapter completed!