Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 213 Zhang Yunxiu, you bastard!

It was nearing noon, and the sunlight streaming through the window shone on the glass statue, making it appear dazzling for a moment.

“I don’t understand what Brother Yuanmei is saying. This thing is so wonderful, yet you’re being so secretive about it.”

Upon seeing the seventeen glass statues gathered together, Wang Xijue immediately let out a sigh of admiration.

"Each of these seventeen Confucian scholars is lifelike and unique, perfectly showcasing the demeanor of each sage!"

Zhang Shiyuan is just like Cai Jing of the Song Dynasty, skilled in strange and ingenious tricks!

"Yuanmei, you certainly didn't waste those 80,000 taels of silver!"

While he was praising it highly, the two people beside him had different expressions.

Wang Shizhen glanced at the statue of Confucius, then turned to look at his own, turned away with a helpless expression, and remained silent.

Xu Jie's smile froze, and he stared at the seventeen glass statues for a long time without saying a word.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the image of Confucius at the head is exactly the same as the one in Xu Jie's study.

"Ah ha ha"

Wang Xijue let out a dry laugh and quickly tried to cover it up.

"They are somewhat similar, hahaha, perhaps they are different paths leading to the same goal. The craftsmanship that Zhang Shiyuan found in the West was also made by the same master, so it's natural that they have some similarities."

But the more he talked, the more awkward the situation became.

"Didn't you say," Xu Jie said, his voice darkening, "that this thing is extremely rare, and that the process of making it is extremely complex, requiring only extraterrestrial black iron?"

Wang Xijue froze, completely stunned. How could he have imagined that such a thing would actually happen?

It's like you go through all sorts of hardships to find the Imperial Seal of the State, and respectfully present it to the emperor, only to find that the emperor also has one, and the two are exactly the same!
So who is telling the truth and who is lying?

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard.

Xu Jie slammed the teacup on the table to the ground. He stared intently at the statue of the Seventeen Sages and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth.

"What magnificent Xishan glass! What a master craftsman from the West! What exquisite celestial iron!"

Wang Shizhen suddenly knelt down: "This student truly does not know the details, please forgive me, Master Xu."

Xu Jie ignored him and suddenly let out a cold laugh, his withered fingers trembling as he pointed at his own statue of Confucius.

"Do you know how many merchants I asked for help and even lost a ship in order to obtain this glass statue? The Portuguese merchant patted his chest and told me that this glass statue is the only one of its kind!"

As he spoke, he became increasingly agitated, and Xu Jie had to hold onto the table beside him to maintain his balance.

A mocking smile appeared on his face: "Now look what's happened, we've just happened to run into all the 'unique' and 'divine' items in the world?"

Wang Xijue quickly bowed and said, "Lord Xu, please calm down. It's probably Zhang Shiyuan who forged it."

"A counterfeit?" Xu Jie said with a sneer. "Have you ever seen a counterfeit that is exactly the same as the genuine article?"

Wang Xijue was also covered in sweat.

"Zhang Shiyuan!" Wang Shizhen's voice trembled slightly. "It must be this boy who's behind this! He's passing off counterfeit goods as genuine. I'm going to the capital right now to file a joint petition to impeach this scoundrel!"

How can you prove this is a counterfeit?

Xu Jie slammed his fist on the table, looking furious.

Fortunately, Wang Xijue was there to protect her, otherwise she would have been so angry that she would have collapsed.

"This," Wang Shizhen sighed helplessly.

He couldn't really say that the item was a fake, after all, how could glass be imitated? Could he say it was made of crystal? Wouldn't that be even more valuable?

"Zhang Shiyuan! Zhang Shiyuan!"

Xu Jie gritted his teeth, his eyes were bloodshot, as if he wanted to devour Zhang Yunxiu alive.

How could such a coincidence exist in this world? It's almost certainly this person's trick!

That's a whopping fifty thousand taels of silver! They had hoped to make a fortune from it. And now, this unique glass statue actually exists as a complete set! Who knows, Zhang Yunxiu might have others!

That fifty thousand taels of silver was completely wasted!
"what--"

Xu Jie fell backward with a scream and fainted from anger.

"Master Xu!"

Xishan Thousand Household Office.

Yu Xiangdou rushed over. He was already an old acquaintance here. After asking the guard, he headed towards the study.

As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw Zhang Yunxiu huddled in his study, engrossed in writing and drawing.

The gate wasn't closed, but Yu Xiangdou still acted with great respect, not daring to harbor any intention of probing.

He knew very well that what Zhang Yunxiu was engrossed in drawing were things that could make a lot of money.

Just like the "water spout" and the "spinning machine," which of them wasn't an invention that shook the world?
Hearing footsteps, Zhang Yunxiu quickly tidied himself up before looking up.

"coming?"

"coming."

Yu Xiangdou, with perfect understanding, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and carefully closed the door.

Then he came to Zhang Yunxiu's side and said in a low voice.

"The shipment of goods that you sent overseas has already been sold."

"Not bad." Zhang Yunxiu nodded. "Any price increase?"

"It's increased; it's 20-30% more expensive than in Beijing."

"Ah."

Yu Xiangdou seemed conflicted, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zhang Yunxiu frowned: "Is something wrong?"

Yu Xiangdou bowed, saying with a hint of helplessness, "It's not a big deal. I got word from the Huizhou Merchants Association that those Portuguese merchants bought our glassware, then went to Southern Zhili and resold a batch at a higher price, making quite a bit of money."

"Pfft!" Zhang Yunxiu nearly spat out a mouthful of tea, cursing under his breath. "You dog! You're trying to fleece me!"

Zhang Yunxiu pointed at Yu Xiangdou and cursed, "You still sold it too cheaply! You made me lose over ten thousand taels of silver!"

Yu Xiangdou shrank back, "I never expected there would be a profit at such a price. Sir, will you take those people away?"

"That's all."

Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and said.

"From now on, don't just focus on Beizhili. You also need to find out about the situation in Nanzhili. The gentry and powerful people there are much richer than those in Beizhili."

"Yes."

Just as the two were discussing, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

"what happened?"

"I'll go and see." Yu Xiangdou immediately got up and went to push open the door.

But as soon as the door was pushed open, an old man with a white beard rushed in. The old man was furious and started cursing at Zhang Yunxiu as soon as he entered the room.

"Zhang Shiyuan! How long will you continue to sow discord among the people here! Do you know that the people of Jiangnan are being displaced, their families are being destroyed, and their lives are being taken by the dead!"
You are full of knowledge and talent, but instead of putting this path in the right way and saving the people, you spend your days holding auctions in the Western Hills, causing extravagance to prevail throughout the capital!
"What did you say to me back then? Your grand ambition to enlighten all people and save the common folk—was it all eaten by dogs?!"

Anyone would be angry if they were scolded first thing in the morning.

Given Zhang Yunxiu's volatile temper, breaking one of his legs would be considered merciful. But just as he was about to lash out, he immediately smiled upon seeing the person who had arrived.

Why is Mr. Dongbi so agitated?

(End of this chapter)