In the tenth year of Tiantong, our three houses and sixteen branches of the Li family in Jinling, seven hundred and fifty-six stores in the 13 provinces, and the 18th brother gang that depended on the Li family, total revenue was 23.24 million taels, 873 taels, which was only one tael less than the taxes that the court had last year, which can be said to have achieved a significant increase."

Everyone here was excited. The annual revenue of the Li family in Jinling was almost catching up with the taxes of the court. The so-called "rich can rival a country" is just like this.

Li Xiaoshu said again, "The above is revenue, I will talk about the expenses. The salary of the Li family members is 3.3 million taels, the operation expenses of each store are 11 million taels, the family's school, ancestral hall, sword building, etc. must be 1 million taels, and the disciples of the clan study and travel to the rivers and lakes are 3.2 million taels. After withdrawing various surpluses and reserves, the profits that can be distributed by the 16 houses at the end of the year will be only 340,000 taels."

As soon as this statement came out, the previous excitement turned into astonishment.

"What? Only 340,000 taels? How could this happen? There were more than 5 million taels last year. Third brother, you can't calculate it wrong, right?"

The Li family has 16 houses, most of which have their own industries under their name, and their operating expenses of more than 10 million yuan. They don’t know how much they spend on their daily lives, but some of them are not engaged in production and rely on dividends within the tribe to make a living. So when they hear that they only have more than 300,000 taels of profit, they can’t sit still.

Li Xiaoshu swore, "I have figured out three times and there will be no mistakes. However, I hope all elders understand that this also indirectly shows that the family members are prosperous and a family of hundreds of generations will definitely have Yuqing. It is said that the Tiantong of the Cui family in Henan has been unable to make ends meet for ten years. The sub-item books are here. If each room has any opinions, you can send the account room to check it out in person."

Jiufang asked, "What to check? Your three houses specialize in managing family business and doing accounting, which is clearer than anyone else. I will ask, in the past, the children in the clan communicated and traveled around the world, only 300,000 taels, how could they have increased by more than three million last year?"

Li Xiaoshu was waiting for this sentence, and he hesitated, "This... the expense is a reasonable expense. We have all calculated it and there is no mistake."

"Reasonable? If you want to say that, which one is unreasonable? What we want is explanation, not reasonable!"

Li Xiaoshu found the special book, pretended to read it, and slowly said, "I believe everyone knows that since the ninth year of Tiantong, Li Qingcheng went on a tide in the world and bought a heavenly world in Jiujiang City for hundreds of thousands of taels. Last year, a fire burned to ashes was considered an investment failure, so he also invested in this expense. In Fuling, Shuzhong, Yinyang, there were also a lot of expenses along the way. Qingcheng is the future head of the family, and it is time to spend money on the tide in the world. This kind of money should be spent."

Li Qingcheng frowned. This clan meeting was obviously for him. Over the past two years, he has indeed spent a lot of money. Some were a battle of intention, while others were deceived by Xiao Jinyan and Zhao Langjiang. However, the words he wrote and IOUs he wrote were endorsed by the Jinling Li family. In this clan meeting, he and Li Xiaohua wanted to attack the third room by taking advantage of assassination, but Li Xiaoshu took the initiative and shook these out. With the financial resources of the Jinling Li family, the annual dividend is about 800 to 9 million taels per year, but the accounts are made by people. Li Xiaoshu deliberately made this account and led the fire to Li Qingcheng. This trick was really amazing.

Jiufang was unyielding, "Even if Li Qingcheng spends money, he should be listed from the budget of the eldest house. Why should he occupy our dividends?"

Li Xiaoshu shouted, "Why? Just because he is the young clan leader and the helmsman of the future Li family!"

If Li Xiaohua said this sentence, it would probably be a bit shocking, but if Li Xiaoshu said it, it would aggravate the dissatisfaction of the people of the tribe.

"You can spend money now. If you really become the future head of the family, our entire Li family in Jinling will not be defeated by him? In the Presbyterian Church ten days later, my Ninth House will be the first to oppose Li Qingcheng to be the head of this family!"

"My 12th House also objected!"

For a time, two houses jumped out first. These two houses had close contact with Li Xiaoshu on weekdays. In return, Li Xiaoshu also took good care of his business and accounts, so they only followed his leader.

Li Cunzhong of the fourth house said, "The 3 million taels of magnificent cost is a bit too much, but some of them are investment industries. Except for Jiujiang's heaven and earth failure, others are still profitable. For example, if you get a million in land and warehouses in Yinyang City, you can expect profits in the next few years. If all of them are considered in expenses, it is also unfair."

As soon as he spoke, several elders agreed. "I looked through the accounts. If Qingcheng's daily expenses were only counted, it would be only about 100,000 taels. As the future head of the family, it would be within a relatively reasonable range."

Jiufang said, "Where is Yinyang? The border is full of war, and there is a million yuan, but it is not like a waste of water? The prodigal son used to spend money, eat, drink, gamble, and die hundreds of thousands of taels a year. Now the prodigal son is afraid that he will work hard to invest seriously. No matter how big the industry is, it will be lost sooner or later."

On the surface, everyone was arguing whether Li Qingcheng should spend money, but secretly it was the long house, the faction of the three houses and the faction of the two houses. As for Li Xiaocao, the second house and some neutral factions, they were silent and watched the changes.

Li Xiaoshu stopped drinking and said, "Lao Jiu, say a few words." He said slowly, "Young people can make mistakes. It is not scary to make mistakes. Being able to learn from mistakes can be considered to have made progress. In this way, we will not want the bonus this year. In addition, I personally took out 300,000 taels as a dividend bonus."

These words seem generous, and the other is to take out some money to win people's hearts. Li Xiaoshu's trick uses beautiful land.

Jiufang refused to stop talking, "San Master, your family's great business

It’s big, tens of thousands of taels of silver are nothing, but we have only a hundred people in nine houses, and we all rely on this bonus to have a meal. Why should we pay the tuition fee for the loss caused to the family by Li Qingcheng? Third Master, you can’t make the decision on this matter, so please ask the head of the family to give me an explanation."

Li Xiaoshu was a little embarrassed and looked at Li Xiaohua. As the head of the family, Li Xiaohua has never spoken since the beginning, so most people are also waiting and watching.

He said lightly, "You have also seen that Li Qingcheng has disobeyed me several times. I even want to depose his heir to the patriarch. I will listen to everyone."

In a very simple sentence, he kicked the ball to everyone again.

Jiufang said, "That's good. Since everyone has no objection, I suggest that the next patriarch will restore the tradition of a hundred years ago and fight for the might of swords."

Everyone was in an uproar.

The Li family established a family with swords. A hundred years ago, the position of the clan leader was determined by the competition among the direct descendants of the clan. Of course, among the three robes, there were many resources and funds, and most of the previous clan leader were selected from the three robes. However, when Jian Thirteen Li Jianxin was born, he almost seized power, and then changed to the current succession system. However, the original form of fighting swords was still preserved, which was just a formality.

Li Xiaoshu looked at Li Qingcheng, "You can say a few words."

Li Qingcheng stood up and said, "I have no objection."

Li Xiaohua wanted to stop him, but it was too late, so she winked again. The elder of the fourth room said, "There is something I have to say a few words. Although Li Qingcheng has been in other places in the past two years, he has not lived a peaceful life. Do you still remember Li Changfu, among the three great sword servants of Fulushou?"

"Didn't he go far to the Western Regions?"

No one knew about Li Changfu's death except for a very few people in the clan. The clan claimed that he had gone to the Western Regions to do business and would not be able to come back within a few years.

"It's not like that." Sifang said, "As far as I know, Li Changfu colluded with the Lingnan Sword Sect and assassinated Li Qingcheng on the way, and secretly sent away 300,000 taels of silver. This was done very secretly, but I happened to get a book of accounts and wanted to show them to all the elders here."

After saying that, he took out the account book of Pawnshop No. 7 and circulated it among the elders. Someone took the approved account book on the table one by one, saying, "These 300,000 taels of silver are written as buying tea, which is not consistent with this account book."

Assassinating tribe members within the tribe is a taboo among the tribe. The first rule of the Li family is to strictly prohibit tribe members from damaging each other. Once found out, the main evil will be severely punished, and the rest of the group will be removed from the genealogy.

The elder of the Fourth Room said, "If I remember correctly, this No. 7 pawnshop should be the property of the Third Master, right?"

As soon as this said, Li Xiang of the Thirteenth Housekeeper made a thud in the center. He secretly looked at Li Xiaoshu, for fear that he would take out the secret contract he signed by his wife to shirk responsibility.

Li Xiaoshu was surprised. He glanced at Li Xiangzhong and then slowly said, "No, it's my three-bedroom property."

The fourth room asked, "Third Master, you can't get rid of this matter, right?"

Li Xiaoshu said, "The No. 7 pawn shop is my property. At the beginning of last year, 300,000 taels of silver were issued, and it was also true. What was made in the open account was to buy tea and then use the alms to Qingliang Temple. It was indeed my negligence."

"Then you admit to assassinating Li Qingcheng?"

Li Xiaoshu smiled and said, "I just admit that there was a problem in my account, but I did not say that the money was used to assassinate Li Qingcheng. Li Qingcheng was grown up with my own eyes. How could I do such a thing?"

"How do you explain this money?"

Li Xiaoshu looked at Li Xiaohua, "Brother, do you need me to explain clearly?"

Li Xiaohua didn't expect that the third brother would be so calm and said, "Since there are people in the tribe who ask, please explain."

Li Xiaoshu held the two books in his hands and spread them to the page, explaining, "At the beginning of last year, the case of Pang Yuchong, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in the Central Capital, must everyone be vivid in their minds?"

Pang Yuchong has a close relationship with the Li family. Many children of the Li family have gradually been promoted through his relationship. However, last year, he was dismissed and investigated for corruption, and many children of the Li family were also implicated.

"At that time, four children from my Li family were implicated. The Li family took out 300,000 taels to mediate from Dali Temple, which saved their lives. I discussed this with the patriarch, and the patriarch also wrote a letter. Due to the urgent matter, the pawnshop No. 7 was well funded, so he transferred 300,000 taels from there. Kang Yuancheng, the minister of Dali Temple, was from Lingnan, but something went wrong when making the accounts. If you remember correctly, your nephew in the fourth room is also a Langguan in the Ministry of Revenue? You four should bear the 300,000 taels! If you don't believe it, you can confront the patriarch."

Li Xiaohua pondered for a moment and nodded, "This is indeed the case."

Li Xiaoshu's words were banished and beaten, making the fourth room blush and hid behind the crowd, and never dared to speak again.

Li Xiaoshu said again, "Clan leader, the fourth wing has no real evidence to falsely accuse us of our three wings. According to the clan rules, what should we do?"

Li Xiaohua didn't expect that Japan wanted to take the opportunity to blame the third wife, but Li Xiaoshu turned the blame on him. It seemed that he underestimated the third brother. He said, "The fourth wife, why don't you apologize to the third wife?"

The fourth room took two steps forward, bowed and apologized, and said, "Third Master, I believe in the slander and apologize to you."

Li Xiaoshu sideways, avoided the four bedrooms, and said, "The four bedrooms are in charge of construction. From the seventh to the tenth year of Tiantong, they received, subcontracted, unpacked, and arbitrage in the middle. In the past four years, they have also collected no less than two million taels from the clan. This year, the clan worshipped the ancestors and renovated the ancestral hall within the clan, which cost nearly one million taels, but only six hundred thousand taels were used in the ancestral hall. This year, the clan had to pay nearly one million taels to renovate the ancestral hall, but only six hundred thousand taels were used in the ancestral hall. This was more

I am afraid that I will be in the private pocket of the fourth house. I am in charge of the family’s money. I was originally a family member and had many clan members, so it is not easy to support my family. I turned a blind eye to some things and did not intend to say them, but if I don’t say them out, I feel that it is unfair to other clan members.”

These words made the Fourth Room completely stunned.

Originally, the three houses and sixteen branches were some of them, some were rich and rich. Everyone here had done the work of making money through family business. If they really studied it, no one could escape responsibility. The fourth house was the patriarch's man, and he didn't deal with the third brother. Li Xiaoshu picked him and told him something, but in fact he told everyone else to listen to.

There are some things that everyone does, but they don’t say clearly. But once they say it, it’s going to be a shameless person. The Fourth House started an attack today, and Li Xiaoshu directly fought back and wanted to take down the Fourth House in one fell swoop.

This is greatly unexpected to Li Xiaohua.

The fourth room flapped and fell to the ground, "Third Master, I was wrong."

"I just told the truth, whether it is wrong or right, it is not me, but the patriarch has the final say." He gave the ball to Li Xiaohua again.

Li Xiaohua was in a dilemma. The Fourth Room was his person. If he spoke to maintain it, it would naturally cause dissatisfaction among others. But if he abandoned the car and kept the coach, who would listen to him in the future?

At this time, Li Xiaocao, the second house, came out to smooth things over. "After all, the fourth house is also a big branch, and many tribe members are officials in the court. Although the fourth house is wrong, he will not die. Now that the ancestor worship is imminent, everyone is staring at us in the world, and everything is mainly stable. I think the position of the elder of the fourth house is temporarily cancelled and they will go back and investigate, and then make a conclusion after the ancestor worship."

Li Xiaoshu said, "My second brother has spoken, so I naturally have no objection."

Li Xiaocao said again, "However, the assassination of Li Qingcheng needs to be investigated strictly! Qingcheng, this matter is for you, so you can finish it."

Li Qingcheng said, "I will."

Li Xiaoshu said: "Anyway, there are still ten days left to worship the ancestors. Why not leave this account book to you to check together. Since you are going to take over the family, you still need to know more about the business within the clan."

The matters about the books were turned over like this.

Li Xiaohua said, "Remember to keep things confidential today."

The next thing is equivalent to the preparation of the ancestor worship ceremony. The elders' congregation discussed the process of the ceremony, related preparations and gold and silver expenses, and decided on the ancestor worship ceremony, which was chaired by Li Dongyang of the library. He was old and prestigious, and was a leader in the literary world and participated in the ceremony of worshiping the heavens in the court. Due to the early debates, there was no great resistance in these specific matters.

After the meeting, he returned to the other courtyard.

Not long after, the third roomman sent the account books for the past three years. Li Qingcheng was very impressed. Since they dared to send them, the accounts would naturally be perfect. Even if they had to investigate, there would be no problems. More importantly, they could take the opportunity to hold Li Qingcheng back and make him unintentionally investigate the assassination.

When there was a stir today, the conflict between the eldest and the third bedroom was publicized. In the afternoon of that day, what happened in the meeting hall was already circulating among the clan.

When Li Xiaohua returned home, she was so angry that she threw a piece of Song Dynasty porcelain. Li Xiaoshu hid in the study and read a book for an afternoon, while Li Xiaocao, the second wife, ran to the library and played a chess with Li Dongyang for an afternoon.

...

Li Qingcheng and Xiao Jinyan met in the pleasure boat, said what happened in the morning, and said, "My third uncle is harder to deal with than I thought."

Xiao Jinyan said, "It's over, Li Changfu is dead, and the Lingnan Sword Sect has no evidence. If you keep staring at the account book, it will probably be a waste of money."

"What should I do?"

"If I were you, I would hide at home and practice the sword of Qingcheng. In the face of absolute force, all conspiracies and conspiracies will not be hidden. I believe your father thought so too."

Li Qingcheng said, "Since the third wife dares to do this, even if she takes action in the future, she must have hidden some tricks. Besides, you have read the sword score of Qingcheng Yijian, and you can't practice at all!"

Xiao Jinyan thought for a while and said, "There is another clue. A few days ago, you killed twelve people from the Lingnan Sword Sect, but it is said that there are thirteen people in total, that is, there is still a fish that escapes the net. You can find him and come forward to prove it. You may have a chance."

"The man must have hidden the matter in Wuyi Lane."

Xiao Jinyan disagreed, "There must be a brave man under the heavy reward."
To be continued...