Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 988

Chapter 988: Chapter 984: Honored Guest

Yun Poxing nodded: "Indeed, if the Imperial Court sells the grain at regular prices, the Eight Great Families would buy it first before it reaches the people, then sell it at a higher price, which would benefit the Eight Great Families only, leaving the people with nothing. However, if the grain is distributed directly to the people, there is a fear it would encourage them to neglect farming."

The Empress of Xiliang clenched her fist tightly, her heart full of anger.

Cui Fengnian... Cui Gongxing! Using the concept of profit, they manipulated Xiliang in the palm of their hands with the help of the Eight Great Families. Although Cui Gongxing does not admit it, the Empress of Xiliang is determined that she is someone sent by either Yan or Zhou, intending to weaken Xiliang in this manner.

Yet these opportunistic members of the Eight Great Families completely disregard the greater good of the nation and only focus on hoarding wealth for themselves, not caring at all that Xiliang is on the brink of destruction, driven solely by self-interest.

"I shall go see Cui Gongxing!" the Empress of Xiliang said weakly, "Now it seems we can only release Cui Gongxing to stabilize the grain prices and find ways to encourage farming again. We must not let others choke us by the neck over grain."

"In my humble opinion..." the Minister of Revenue suddenly spoke, "I believe this incident is a blessing in disguise. The people, learning that they have no grain at home and that the Silver Coin they earn can become the merchants’ Silver due to fluctuating grain prices, will understand the importance of grain and will certainly continue farming."

Yun Poxing nodded along: "Indeed, Xiliang is in a perilous state. Even if Your Majesty suspects that this Cui Fengnian was sent by Yan or Zhou to destabilize us, it wasn’t discovered early, and now, we can only proceed cautiously!"

Proceed cautiously...

Yan, Rong, Zhou, which of these countries would allow Xiliang to proceed cautiously? 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Never before had the Empress of Xiliang felt so stifled.

Since occupying this position, she had aspired to restore Xiliang to its former glory, yet the Eight Great Families cling like a bone to the flesh, entrenched in all facets of Xiliang, not easily eradicated.

The Empress of Xiliang felt trapped in an invisible net, struggling futilely, unable to truly engage in a life-and-death struggle with the Eight Great Families.

·

Inside the prison.

Fortunately, the Empress of Xiliang still held some sentiment for Bai Jintong and took somewhat good care of him.

Despite being imprisoned for so long, Bai Jintong’s clothing remained clean and tidy, the bedding in the cell was maintained, and his daily meals weren’t neglected. Whenever Bai Jintong wanted books, pens, or ink, the prison guards provided them willingly.

Today, Bai Jintong learned from the mouth of the prison guard who delivered his meal that the grain prices had risen...

Bai Jintong calculated the time and was convinced that his Eldest Young Lady had learned of his imprisonment and had sent someone to Xiliang who had already met with Chen Qingsheng.

After a while, the Empress of Xiliang, dressed as a man, slowly stepped out, her hands behind her back, standing at the cell door, watching Bai Jintong sitting calmly at the black square table, absorbed in the bamboo slip, and softly paced a few steps before speaking: "Didn’t expect that at a time like this, Gongxing could still have the patience to read."

Bai Jintong smiled, stood, and bowed to the Empress of Xiliang: "I was unaware of Your Majesty’s presence and thus failed to welcome you from afar."

The Empress of Xiliang turned her head, gesturing for the prison guard to open the cell door, and walked in, her gaze resting on the bamboo slip on the black table. She casually picked up and flipped through the bamboo slip, asking with a smile: "Gongxing... Are you still not intending to tell me the truth?"

Bai Jintong respectfully bowed to the Empress of Xiliang again: "Your Majesty, Gongxing is merely a merchant, knowledgeable only about profiting. There truly aren’t as many ulterior motives as Your Majesty might think, and Gongxing’s background is traceable, I’m sure Your Majesty has sent people to investigate Gongxing’s hometown. Otherwise, fear we wouldn’t be having this conversation now."

The beautiful brows of the Empress of Xiliang smiled even more vividly, under the flickering flame, as brilliant as flourishing Jinxiu: "You came to my Xiliang, entangled with the Eight Great Families, and seemingly bound your interests with theirs, proceeding steadily. It doesn’t seem for personal profit, rather it appears as if aiding the Eight Great Families’ profit, which... doesn’t align with the nature of a merchant!"

"Your Majesty, upon my initial arrival in Xiliang, I realized how entrenched the power of Xiliang’s Eight Great Families was. To profit in Xiliang... I had to join forces with the Eight Great Families. Although in Xiliang... it might seem that I gave all profits to the Eight Great Families and was busy for nothing, I gained connections in Xiliang, enabling me in Zhou, Yan, and Tianfeng Kingdom, to set sail for the island nations to engage in business and seek great profit!"

Noticing the Empress of Xiliang nod, Bai Jintong carefully circled around her, smiling and turning respectfully, always maintaining the most deferential posture towards the Empress of Xiliang...

"For example, in Xiliang... by now, there should be no one who doesn’t know me as Cui Fengnian, Cui Fengnian who is summoned to the palace by the Empress of Xiliang for prolonged discussions every few days. This is no secret in Xiliang, and naturally not in other nations either. So, wherever Cui Fengnian travels, he becomes an esteemed guest to other nations."

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