latelenovela Chapter 197 Jing Rong
Chapter 197 Jing Rong
Nianyao carefully examined Jing Zhao. He didn't have the typical businessman's stench of money at all. Although he was older, he was still elegant and refined, only his face was a little pale, as if he were sick.
Nianyao stole a glance at Qin Jiu and began to suspect that the concubine didn't dislike Qin Jiu for being born to a concubine, but simply had her eye on Jing Zhao. Jing Zhao had a bunch of concubines, all of whom were beautiful, and even his first wife was still charming.
Nianyao even felt that it would be a bit of a waste if such a person were to serve as a king.
Qin Jiu stood next to Xue Yunting and bowed along with the others, saying, "Greetings, Master Jing."
Jing Zhao's gaze swept over Qin Jiu and Liang Qingcheng, and when it landed on Bu Zhi, a warmth appeared in his eyes. Qin Jiu, however, indifferently avoided Jing Zhao's gaze.
Lunch was served in the main hall, with several large tables bustling with activity. After the meal, the First Madam and her concubines and female relatives withdrew, leaving only Nianyao, as the leader of the Great River Gang, to stay and discuss matters.
Qin Jiu consciously avoided the situation, and Xue Yunting did not insist, but gestured for him to help take care of Duan Mingzhu.
Su Wuming cut to the chase: "Master Jing, you know why we're here, so we won't go into details. Just state your position directly to avoid wasting each other's time."
Jing Zhao coughed twice, glanced at Jing Rong beside him, his voice was not as clear as when they first met, it seemed that he was indeed not in good health: "Lord Su, I once told the Prince that the affairs of Nan Yue are equivalent to the affairs of the Jing family, and we have an inescapable responsibility."
We previously raised five million taels of silver for Prince Rui, which was the Jing family's savings over the years. The Jing family is large and wealthy, and their expenses are also high. Not to mention anything else, the annual expenses for the wives and concubines alone exceed one million taels.
"Your relentless pursuit is forcing the Jing family into bankruptcy, which will not only have far-reaching consequences but also chill the hearts of the people of Nanyue. Lord Su, I, Jing Zhao, speak from my conscience: I have never wronged His Majesty or the Su family over the years."
Su Wuming said, "Master Jing said that all the savings he has accumulated over the years have been given to Prince Rui, so we naturally believe him. We have another purpose for coming here. We heard that Master Jing is not in good health and the next master has not yet been decided. We would like to recommend Ninth Brother to succeed him as master."
Jing Rong retorted, "The rules of our ancestors for thousands of years have always been to establish the legitimate heir rather than the illegitimate heir, and to establish the eldest son rather than the youngest son. Qin Jiu is the son of a concubine, so how can he be qualified to succeed as the head of the manor?"
Xue Yunting said, "Qin Jiu has three older brothers and five older sisters. All three older brothers were born to the first wife. If all three older brothers were to die, the position of the head of the manor would not go to the older sisters, but would it belong to the ninth brother."
Jing Zhao and Jing Rong's expressions changed simultaneously. Jing Zhao said in a deep voice, "Young General, what do you mean by this?"
Su Wuming said, "Master Jing, the late emperor has been gone for many years. His Majesty has always turned a blind eye to the Jing family's violations over the years, out of consideration for your friendship with the late emperor."
In recent years, the Jing family has resold eight or nine out of ten salt permits to others at high prices. The emperor had an agreement with the Jing family that their salt permits could be resold and they could cooperate with others, but they could not raise prices and harm the interests of the people.
A while ago, the Ministry of Justice arrested a group of salt smugglers who colluded with the saltworks to sell smuggled salt. They possessed salt permits purchased at high prices from the Jing family. These men are currently imprisoned in the dungeon.
Furthermore, the Jing family employs thousands of servants and guards, fraudulently purchases land deeds, forcibly seizes their fields and shops, and rents them out at exorbitant prices, sometimes increasing them four times a year, causing tenants endless complaints. Surely the Jing family owner can't deny this?
"Master Jing, it's alright for an old man to become confused; just hand over the family business to someone sensible. It's alright if you're not in good health; just rest and don't overwork yourself. Money is something you can't take with you when you die, Master Jing, don't you agree?"
Jing Zhao grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, and turned to shout, "Jing Rong, is what Lord Su said true?"
Jing Rong glanced at Su Wuming, then at the stern-faced Jing Zhao, and was about to explain, "Father, you..."
Jing Zhao interrupted him: "Lord Su, my health has not been very good in recent years, and Jing Rong has been in charge of most of the business matters. If what Lord Su said is true, and according to the laws of Nan Yue, this is how it should be handled, Jing Zhao would never dare to cover it up."
Jing Rong was shocked: "Father..."
Jing Zhao slammed his fist on the table: "Shut up! Seeing that I'm unwell and unable to manage things, you still dare to act recklessly outside! I...I...I..."
Jing Zhao, breathless, gasped, "Someone... come..."
The First Madam rushed in with a group of people, helped Jingzhao up and led him outside, wiping away tears as she went: "Master, you absolutely cannot have anything happen to you... If anything were to happen to you, how could I live..."
Jingrong followed her out and looked around for a while. Just as he was about to turn back, he heard the First Madam shout, "Jingrong, what are you standing there for? Go and fetch the doctor right now..."
Jing Rong scurried off. The hall was instantly left with only three people. Su Wuming tapped his fingers on the table, his smile slightly cold, and turned to Xue Yunting, saying, "Let's talk this out. Don't scare them."
Xue Yunting said calmly, "They were frightened by you."
Su Wuming laughed and turned to Nianyao: "Sister, they have families to take care of, while we two are all alone. Let's stroll around Jingzhao Manor together."
Nianyao pouted: "I also have a family. You're the one who's all alone."
Su Wuming said, "Sister is right, but brother-in-law isn't here right now. Why don't you accompany me for a walk? It'll be nice if we have each other's company, so we won't have to go back to the courtyard and see them in the way..."
Su Wuming forcibly pulled Nianyao out. The manor had many layers, and Nianyao got lost as she walked, so she could only follow Su Wuming.
Su Wuming's steps appeared leisurely, but in reality, they were quite fast. They turned to Xuanyuan Palace. Su Wuming said, "Sister, would you like to go inside and take a look?"
The palace gate was locked with a large padlock, which was rusty, indicating that no one had entered for a long time.
Nianyao asked, "What are you looking at?"
Su Wuming said, "Take a look at what your mother-in-law looks like?"
Nianyao instinctively thought, "It's not like I haven't seen it before."
Su Wuming asked, "What does she look like?"
When Nianyao met the former emperor of Nanyue, she was still young and vaguely remembered some things. As for people, she could only recall their appearance, not their faces.
Su Wuming smiled slightly: "Biyun Palace was where the late emperor handled state affairs, and Xuanyuan Palace was where the late emperor lived. I guess there is a portrait of the late emperor in there."
Nianyao stared at Su Wuming: "Stop talking nonsense and just tell me what you want to do? What are you up to?"
Su Wuming wasn't angry and frankly said, "Since Chongming Island has a cellar, Jingzhao Manor should also have a cellar. I guess the cellar should be below Xuanyuan Palace."
Nianyao thought for a moment and said, "If you want money, just force Master Jing directly. Why do you insist on making Qin Jiu the master? Do you think Qin Jiu will obey the law and hand over all the money if he becomes the master?"
Su Wuming said, "At this critical juncture, why is Prince An taking time out of his busy schedule to arrange the princess's marriage? Sister, have you thought about why?"