Volume 1: Mission in Danger Chapter 30: An Envelope, a Number
However, Cai Shiwen did not mention the name "Heshen". From beginning to end, he only told a story about a nobleman who was worried about the country and grieved for the people, and said that Master Jishan was deeply moved by the feelings of this nobleman. He never mentioned a word related to Heshen and the adults.
However, everyone present immediately understood who the "boss" was that had caused the current situation.
So what if there is no imperial edict, so what if there is no imperial edict? So what if there is no written document from the Ministry of Internal Affairs? What Mr. Cai meant was what Master Jishan meant, what Master Jishan meant was what Heshen and He meant, and what He meant, in the Qing Dynasty, in the Qianlong Dynasty, and today, was what the master, Your Highness, meant. When such words were spoken by Guluo, everyone would laugh in their hearts, but when Cai Shiwen pointed them out inconspicuously, everyone present was panicked.
If it was just Master Jishan, he might have had various concerns given the many constraints in the Guangdong officialdom, but for Jishan who had Heshen standing behind him, such concerns would be much smaller.
If everyone still dares to resist today, and if they really anger He Zhongtang, this "boss" will find a reason to kill a few security guards in this room, which will be no different from killing a few ants.
When everyone heard this, they knew that they had to donate a large sum of money today. Whether it was for disaster relief or to reward the soldiers, the reason was not important. As long as Heshen and the adults could write to them, the money would be considerable.
The insurance merchants' hearts were bleeding, but they did not dare to show any abnormality on their faces.
The first to stand up was Kangtaihang Yishang, who said, "This noble man's compassion for the world is truly touching. I also admire Master Jishan's sincere heart for the country and the people. After listening to what General Merchant Cai said today, we are very happy that our Qing Dynasty has such a loyal minister. Gold and silver are small matters, while the country and the people are big matters. The flooding of Yongding River involves the foundation of the capital, and it must be taken seriously. Although we are small merchants, we are willing to do our best."
His goods have been sold out. The harvest this year is good and he is now doing the final inventory. But he already has an idea of how much profit he will make. He believes that no matter how much money Heshen asks for, he will be able to handle it.
The merchant Pan of Zhongtonghang immediately responded, "That's right, that's right. Although we are humble, we have a small fortune in Guangzhou. How can we be afraid of losing our lives when something big happens? I, Pan, have only one thing to say: As long as Mr. Cai is in the lead, we will definitely follow."
Mr. Cai said, "So, you all agree to donate money to help with the disaster?"
The two business owners Yi and Pan immediately said, "Of course, of course."
Liang and Ma, the two business owners, looked at Lu Guanhuan who said nothing and exchanged a glance. Since Lu Guanhuan did not step forward, how could they resist Mr. Cai? So they also said, "We are willing to listen to Mr. Cai's orders."
Cai Shiwen then asked Ye Dalin and Wu Chengjian: "Where are Brother Ye and Nephew Wu?"
Ye Dalin said: "Whatever everyone does, Ye Dalin will do the same."
Wu Chengjian smiled and said, "I will do whatever my future father-in-law does."
Cai Shiwen said: "Okay, okay."
Then he asked Lu Guanhuan: "Brother Lu?"
Lu Guanhuan sighed. Although he had climbed up to the new Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi again, this "climbing" was still in a state of uncertainty, just a feint. If the opponent was just Jishan, this feint would be enough, but if the opponent was Heshen, to what extent would Grand Fangbo Zhu fight against He Zhongtang to support him? Now Lu Guanhuan was not sure at all - he had not even seen the Grand Fangbo yet.
After sighing, he could only bow his head: "Lu is willing to listen to Mr. Cai's orders."
Cai Shiwen's face was dark, but he finally smiled a little: "He who knows the current situation is a hero, and that's what Brother Lu is talking about."
Lu Guanhuan also said: "It's a pity that Mr. Cai didn't take the imperial examination to become a Jinshi."
Cai Shiwen ignored Lu Guanhuan's sarcasm. What was there to care about the barking of a defeated general? He asked Xie Yuanli as usual, and Xie Yuanli naturally said he supported him. Finally, he asked, "Manager Liu, are you here with Tonghe Bank?"
Manager Liu had been silent the whole time, and only now did he speak sparingly, "Before we left, the owner told us that no matter what the outcome of today's discussion is, Tonghe Bank will follow the majority opinion."
Cai Shiwen nodded repeatedly: "Shangzhu Pan is very righteous, very good, very good."
He greeted him and the clerk in the corner came over with an envelope in his hand. He raised his hand and handed it to the shopkeeper Liu. The envelope was not sealed. The shopkeeper Liu opened it and pulled out a piece of paper with a number on it and a signature on the side of the paper, which vaguely showed the Chinese character "和".
This word "和" is shocking, but if this note gets out, no one can use it to prove anything. This is truly the profound knowledge of "all things are determined by the mind."
When Manager Liu saw the number, he was surprised, but he didn't say anything. He pushed the note back, sealed the envelope, and handed it to Lu Guanhuan beside him.
Lu Guanhuan took out the note and took a look at it. His eyes widened like the angry Vajra in the temple, and his chest kept heaving, as if he was about to explode with anger. But in the end he said nothing and handed it to Ye Dalin, who had done it for him.
Ye Dalin pulled out the note, and when he saw the number, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch. He glanced at Mr. Cai and said, "Brother Cai, do you want silver or copper coins?"
Cai Shiwen smiled faintly, his dark face smiled but there was no trace of smile: "Brother Ye is joking."
Ye Dalin glanced at the signature on the side, but did not dare to speak. He stuffed the note back and threw it to the owner of Kangtaihang Yishang next to him.
When Lord Yi opened the note, he was so frightened that his face turned pale. Lord Yang of Maoshengxing, who he had attacked, could not help but lean over and, after taking a look at the note, he let out a startled exclamation, his teeth chattering.
Both of them had guessed that the donation this time would not be small, but this amount was still completely beyond their expectations.
The merchant Ma of Shunda Bank across the street could no longer sit still, rubbing his hands impatiently. The clerk came over and took the envelope from the merchant Yi. He did not dare to look at it, but handed it to the merchant Ma. The merchant Ma took only one look, and as the head of a bank, he burst into tears on the spot: "This, this, this... They are asking us to cut off our flesh and bones!"
Pan Shangzhu, who was sitting on a chair across from him, said, "Don't hold on to it, bring it here!"
Seeing everyone's reaction, Liang Shangzhu lost his temper and snatched it away. Pan Shangzhu couldn't wait to come over to take a look. After seeing it, Liang Shangzhu collapsed on the chair on the spot. Pan Shangzhu cried, "Mr. Cai, Mr. Cai... Can you please discuss this?"
Cai Shiwen's face darkened: "Hand it over to Agent Wu quickly."
Merchant Pan did not dare to disobey him, so he took the envelope and note from Merchant Liang and handed it to Wu Chengjian.
At this time, the envelope and the note had been crumpled. Wu Chengjian unfolded it and took a look, thinking: "This deficit is even bigger than Yijin estimated. No wonder Heshen is so anxious."
He put the note into the envelope and politely handed it to Xie Yuanli who was in charge.
As Xie Yuanli took out the note, he said, "My nephew is so calm. It's rare, rare."
Wu Chengjian asked, "Is this a lot?"
Ga Liu couldn't help laughing, as if he had seen a fool. Although others also lamented how Wu Guoying gave birth to such a prodigal son, no one could laugh at this time.
Xie Yuanli also chuckled twice and said, "You really don't know how expensive oil and salt are until you run a household. The title of great nephew, hehe, is well-deserved ."
Xie Yuanli pretended to glance at the note, then sealed it and handed it to Cai Shiwen.
Cai Shiwen said, "We have already decided to provide disaster relief at the beginning. The amount needed for disaster relief is in this envelope. I'm sure you have all thought of it."
Merchant Pan cried, "No, no! We can't afford it! Merchant Cai, we can't afford it!"
Cai Shiwen shouted, "Shut up! How can this be so disrespectful!"
Many of the businesses that Pan Shangzhu carried on were dependent on Wanbaohang, so he could not keep silent or cry anymore.
Xie Yuanli said with a sneer, "We are all family here. Why are you pretending to be poor when you enter this room?"
Lu Guanhuan said: "Brother Xie is not poor, why don't you take charge of this disaster relief? We will be grateful to you."
Xie Yuanli said: "This is a good opportunity for Guangdong to protect businessmen and do something for the country and the people. If Xie monopolizes this good thing, it will be meaningless."
Lu Guanhuan grunted a few times and said no more.
This time, Cai Shiwen started with Tonghe Bank and asked, "Manager Liu, do you have any opinion on this number?"
Manager Liu looked calm and spoke at a slow pace, "No problem."
Cai Shiwen asked Xie Yuanli again, and Xie Yuanli said: "As long as it is beneficial to the country and the people, I will do my best."
Lu Guanhuan sneered: "If General Cai can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, General Xie can at least become a Juren."
Cai Shiwen ignored the interruption and asked again: "Brother Lu, do you have any objections?"
Lu Guanhuan was silent, so Cai Shiwen said, "If Brother Lu doesn't answer, I will take it as Brother Lu's consent. Nephew Wu, what about Yihexing?"
When he asked this question, he and Xie Yuanli both looked over, and their expressions were slightly different from when they asked others.
Others didn't notice it, but Wu Chengjian took it all in. He smiled and said, "Why don't Mr. Cai ask my future father-in-law first?"
Cai Shiwen asked, "What does Brother Ye mean?"
Ye Dalin snorted and said heavily: "I have no objection!"
"Then..." Before Cai Shiwen finished his question, Wu Chengjian said, "Since my future father-in-law has no objection, I will naturally follow him."
Cai Shiwen smiled and said, "Your father-in-law and son-in-law are a good match." He glanced at the rest of Pan Yiliang, Yang Ma, and said, "I'm sure you won't have any objections."
Pan Yiliang, Yang Ma looked at each other in bewilderment. How could they not object? However, the first six families had already agreed. If they resisted, the outcome would only be worse, so they all remained silent.
Cai Shiwen said: "If so, then let's discuss how to distribute this disaster relief money."
