The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 155 The Shi Family Seeks Help

"Third Miss, the head of the Shi family has brought the Shi family members to our door. The master requests that you come to the main hall."

That day, Shang Jinliang ultimately failed to persuade Shang Mingshu. He knew that Shang Mingshu's thoughts were the most correct. Since she had her own ideas and was not indecisive or prone to hesitation, Shang Jinliang decided not to interfere further.

After that, Shang Jinliang never mentioned marriage to Shang Mingshu again. Madam Xiaoyu was someone who let Shang Mingshu have her way in everything. Even if Shang Mingshu never married, she would be happy that Shang Mingshu could stay with her forever.

"The Shi family?" Shang Mingshu's expression turned serious upon hearing this, and she immediately led He Sui and He Mai to the main hall.

The scenario she envisioned—the Shi family aggressively demanding an explanation—did not occur. Instead, Shi Houqiong was beheaded and her head displayed publicly. They were mortal enemies of the Shi family and had been waiting for them to cause trouble or secretly target the businesses. They ordered everyone in the businesses to be on high alert, not even letting their guard down during the New Year.

The Shi family remained completely silent, which did not lower her guard. Instead, she thought of the calm that Shi Houqiong had created for the storm after Shi Guangchao's death. She sent people to inquire about the Shi family and found that apart from some chaos when Shi Houqiong was sentenced, someone immediately stepped forward to take charge. It was Shi Houqiong's cousin, Shi Houxun.

“Third Miss has arrived…” Shi Houxun, who was sitting next to Shang Jinliang in the main seat, stood up. He was fair-skinned and plump, and his smile was extremely friendly. He had no airs of an elder and took the initiative to rise and greet her at the threshold of the main hall. “I have come here today to ask Master Shang to trouble Third Miss to come, so that I can express the gratitude of the Shi family to Third Miss in person!”

As Shi Houxun spoke, he made a deep bow.

Shang Mingshu quickly moved aside to avoid the bow, and instead performed a junior's greeting: "How dare this junior accept such a great courtesy?"

"I accept it, I accept it." Shi Houxun hurriedly spoke, but did not bow again. He first explained the reason, "Third Sister has given the Shi family a second life. If it weren't for Third Sister's suspicion of Shi Houqiong's background, my Shi family would not have been able to escape the punishment of being implicated."

Shi Houqiong was not discovered; his identity had been switched with that of a Japanese pirate starting with his father. The crime of "colluding with the Japanese pirates" was not limited to Shi Houqiong alone, and the court abhorred it.

The Shi family came to our door for this reason. Shang Mingshu smiled and said, "The Shi family members are innocent. Even if I hadn't mentioned it, with Lord He's wisdom, he would have found out sooner or later. How could I take credit for this?"

She mentioned this on that day because, like Shang Jinliang, she couldn't understand what Shi Houqiong had that the Japanese pirates had that made him risk being accused of treason, a crime that could implicate his entire family.

Among the Huizhou merchants, not everyone dared to claim benevolence and righteousness. Some were narrow-minded, while others were upright and ruthless. However, regardless of their usual business methods, betrayal of the country was an extremely difficult line to cross.

Of course, some Huizhou merchants also became henchmen of Japanese pirates. Most of them were petty scoundrels who were all alone. Shi Houqiong, however, had an entire large family behind him!

On another note, she suddenly thought about what would happen to the entire Shi family? Hundreds of people, including many young children and infants, which made her sincerely hope that Shi Houqiong herself had a problem.

"Your Excellency is wise and discerning. My Shi family, being under your direct jurisdiction, will certainly not suffer any injustice." Following Shang Mingshu's praise of Prefect He, Shi Houxun changed the subject, "My Shi family cannot forget the kindness shown to Third Madam. Today, we have prepared some gifts as a token of our gratitude, and also to take this opportunity to mend the good relations between the Shang and Shi families..."

As he spoke, Shi Houxun showed some remorse: "And I'm here to ask for your help." Since Shi Houxun had put it this way, Shang Mingshu couldn't refuse. But with Shang Jinliang around, she didn't need to step forward. She only needed to cast her "plea for help" gaze at Shang Jinliang.

Shang Jinliang knew his daughter's abilities and didn't mind being rumored to be suppressed by her. However, as a father, he still wanted to protect her better. Shi Houqiong's fear of Shang Mingshu might not be told to the Shi family, who were not from the same lineage as him. Outsiders wouldn't need to know that Shang Mingshu was the pillar of the Shang family, allowing her to become the Shang family's hidden support.

He continued, "It's a matter of the brokerage firm handling the confiscation of the Shi family's assets in a few days."

Shi Houqiong had many properties confiscated, and Shang Jinliang did not take them over. Five days later, the brokerage firm opened a public auction for interested parties.

The Shi family was not qualified to participate. The imperial court found that Shi Houqiong was an imposter and did not implicate the Shi family. Shi Houqiong was born and raised in the Shi family and could not distinguish who had close ties with him. In order to eliminate potential risks, the imperial court did not allow members of the Shi family to take over Shi Houqiong's business.

The Huizhou merchants had a unique characteristic: they almost always pooled the resources of their entire clan to produce a tycoon, who would then give back to the clan. Shi Houqiong's father was one such example, supported by the entire Shi family. When Shi Houqiong fell from grace, his assets were confiscated, severely damaging the Shi family's fortunes.

The clan argued about this for a long time. Ambitious younger generations all wanted the clan's support to become the head of the family, while the conservative elders were unwilling to easily give up Shi Houqiong's vast business.

"Let's go inside, and I'll explain everything to you in detail." Shang Jinliang didn't let Shang Mingshu greet him before returning to the inner courtyard; instead, he led her into the main hall.

Shi Houxun arrived with a group of people and generous gifts, hoping they would raise funds to help Shang Jinliang seize Shi Houqiong's assets. The condition was that Shang Jinliang would agree to let the Shi family manage most of the business for ten years. After ten years, Shang Jinliang would sell the assets that the Shi family had helped to seize back to the Shi family.

Upon hearing this, Shang Mingshu raised her eyebrows slightly. She did not look at Shi Houxun, but she admired him in her heart. In front of the Shi family, Shang Mingshu listened quietly, behaving politely and respectfully, leaving everything to Shang Jinliang.

Shang Jinliang neither agreed nor refused, only saying that he would discuss it with the Shang clan and send away the sincere Shi family.

"What do you all think about this?" After dinner, Shang Jinliang gathered his family together, including Du Zhong.

Madam Yu did not interfere in the household business, but instructed people to prepare tea and snacks after meals.

As the eldest sister, Shang Wenshu was naturally the first to reply: "Father, I think it's not impossible. After the New Year, my third sister and I have been sorting out the accounts. Last year, Xiangmingzhai was very profitable, but the expenses at the beginning of the year were huge. We also have our eyes on several tea gardens and tea houses of the Shi family. After bidding, we still need money to support them. The properties that my third sister has her eye on have been reduced again and again..."

After a pause, Shang Wenshu continued, "The Shi family has suffered a great loss of vitality. The entire family consists of several hundred people. Although each branch of the Shi family does have some wealth, they have all lost their livelihoods at once. They may harbor resentment towards us. Why not take them in? We can replenish our assets and resolve our grievances with them. I believe the Prefect would be happy to do so."

Shang Wenshu's thoughts became increasingly thorough, while Shang Mingshu glanced subtly at Du Zhong, who was sitting upright and not about to speak.