In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Illness comes like a mountain down, sickness goes like a thread.

Zhang Shen has been ill for several days and is still listless, looking like he might collapse at any moment.

But he didn't have time to rest and recuperate properly. Although the emperor didn't explicitly say when the money would be raised, he absolutely couldn't owe the emperor money.

If the Emperor were to suddenly remember this one day and inquire, and find out that the Zhang family hasn't raised enough money, thus incurring His wrath, well, whether he offers them a favor or confiscates their property or beheads them, it's all up to the Emperor's word.

Therefore, both Zhang Shen and Zhu Qingyu felt that it was better to raise the money as soon as possible and hand it over to the Ministry of Revenue.

When Zhang Shen, despite his illness, began to take over the Zhang family's businesses, General Manager Xue came to visit him.

Upon entering and seeing Zhang Shen, Mr. Xue sighed several times, finally saying only:

"Brother Jingyan, as the saying goes, 'Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune.' It's good that you're alive. As for other things, you can't take them with you when you die, so don't worry too much. As long as you're alive, you can always make a comeback someday. Back then, your grandfather squandered the ancestral property so badly, leaving it full of holes, but you still managed to save the Zhang family. So, don't be discouraged, Brother Jingyan. Just start over."

Even if General Manager Xue hadn't come, Zhang Shen would have gone to invite him anyway. Now that he was here, he showed him a list and asked:

"Thank you for coming to see me. Take a look and see if there's anything you like. You can choose first, and I'll ask the broker to come in a few days."

Mr. Xue's face was filled with mixed emotions:

"No, Brother Jingyan, I really came to visit you in your illness! You're making it sound like I'm taking advantage of your misfortune. We've been friends for so many years, I would never do something like this."

Zhang Shen pushed the list towards him, coughing and laughing at the same time:

"I know, I let you choose first because I wanted your help. We've known each other for so many years, you wouldn't be so stingy with me. If we wait until the official broker comes, everyone else will know the Zhang family's current situation, and I'm afraid we won't get a good price."

Thinking about it, that made sense. If he didn't buy it, it would only benefit others. So, Mr. Xue took the list and looked at it, muttering to himself:

"Speaking of your vision, I've admired you over the years. Everything you do makes money. So many good shops that generate wealth, top-quality mulberry fields and paddy fields. Ah, it's such a pity. Sigh, why haven't I seen any of your properties in the capital? You've been holding back."

Zhang Shen was drinking tea with him when he heard him ask this question, and his smile deepened:

"The first thing my wife did upon arriving in the capital was to sell all my properties there before anyone knew, and convert them all into cash. Luckily, she sold them quickly; otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to get half the price now."

Mr. Xue was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped:

"My goodness, she sold everything as soon as she arrived in the capital? I've only ever heard my wife say that my sister-in-law is a skilled doctor, but I never imagined she'd be so decisive. I'm ashamed of my own lack of courage. She's going to start a business. Hey, Brother Jingyan, you might not be able to compete with her."

Hearing others praise his wife, Zhang Shen felt honored, and even his voice softened:

"Yes, she's good at everything."

From a business perspective, after Mr. Xue finished his selections and gave Zhang Shen a number, he noticed Zhang Shen frowning slightly and quickly said:

"I didn't mean to take advantage of you. You know your family's current situation, so this price is already very fair."

Zhang Shen shook his head:

"It's not that, Brother Xue. I advise you not to touch anything related to salt on this list. Instead, use the money to buy more mulberry fields and find another way to make a living. Right now, there's talk in the court about reforming the salt law and abolishing the salt permit system in favor of a ticket system. Be careful, once the salt permit system is abolished and the ticket system is implemented, none of the major merchants in Yangzhou will survive. Brother Xue, take my advice and get out of here as soon as possible."

Although he had always trusted Zhang Shen's judgment, Mr. Xue was still somewhat reluctant to give up such a lucrative business opportunity, and hesitated, saying:

"Is it really that serious? Didn't you say that many senior officials in the court are against it? I don't think it will necessarily succeed."

Zhang Shen looked at him and sincerely advised:

"Brother Xue, the Grand Secretary's opposition stems from his failure to grasp the situation. Right now, it's the Emperor who's short of money. What are the Grand Secretaries compared to the Emperor? Look at all these Grand Secretaries, they may seem powerful, but is there even one with any connection to military power? They're nothing but a tree without roots, water without a source. In front of the Emperor, what difference is there between them and us? As long as the Emperor continues to be short of money, abolishing the imperial seal and changing the ticket system is inevitable. In this world, no one can stand in the way of the Emperor."

Because he was still ill, Zhang Shen was not in good spirits. After talking to General Manager Xue for a few more minutes, he started coughing badly and looked tired.

Mr. Xue, being a man who heeded advice, made a new selection as Zhang Shen had suggested, and then rose to take his leave.

"Keep these for me. The amount is so large, I need to gather the cash myself. I'll bring them to you in the next few days."

After seeing off General Manager Xue, Zhang Shen coughed as he slowly leaned against the wall and walked back to the inner courtyard. Upon entering the main house, he saw Zhu Qingyu tidying her clothes.

All the clothes were of the finest quality, made of the finest materials, including brocade satin, cloaks and overcoats of various leathers, which filled the entire room.

Last year, Zhu Qingyu accompanied him to the capital to treat Old Madam Gu. Because the weather in the capital was much colder than in Yangzhou, and he was worried that she would not be able to stand the weather, Zhang Shen specially found dozens of embroiderers, selected the best materials, and made dozens of boxes to rush the work before they left.

Although Zhu Qingyu didn't spend much time in the capital last year, and didn't even have a chance to wear most of the clothes, and might not even come back to the capital again, these clothes were still left in the capital, in case she comes back someday and wears them occasionally.

The room was filled with fine clothes, but Zhu Qingyu was now wearing coarse cloth and had put on a wooden hairpin again.

Zhang Shen stood at the door, looking on, his nose feeling a little sore.

When dealing with his own assets, Zhang Shen was willing to part with them, selling them all off decisively and leaving nothing behind.

But now, watching Zhu Qingyu deal with the clothes and jewelry, Zhang Shen felt a little reluctant and advised her:

"Keep a few for yourself. No matter what, the Emperor can't punish us for a few pieces of clothing."

After Zhu Qingyu finished counting, she packed everything up to send to the pawnshop. This was the second batch she had dealt with.

Such luxurious winter clothes are very valuable and are considered hard currency in pawn shops.

Seeing Zhang Shen holding them back, Zhu Qingyu glared at him reproachfully:

"What are you leaving behind? Haven't you heard? The Embroidered Uniform Guard has eyes and ears everywhere. What a husband and wife say in bed can reach the Emperor's desk the next day. Do you think the Emperor doesn't know what we have? You still dare to secretly leave things behind? You're asking for trouble. Are you really going to commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor?"

Zhang Shen knew this was the truth, but when it came to her, he just couldn't bear to see her suffer like this with him.

Zhu Qingyu wouldn't tolerate his indecisiveness. As usual, Uncle Lü saw her off in the afternoon to pawn her things.

Once the goods were pawned, there was no intention to redeem them; they were all pawned permanently, with the money and goods exchanged on the spot, settling the matter amicably with the pawnshop owner.

After taking out the silver notes, he was about to get into the carriage to go home when Gu Zhao rode a white horse and approached him.

Judging by the time, it should be Lord Gu finishing his shift.

Gu Zhao, who had been riding at full speed with a blank expression, quickly pulled on the reins and stopped in front of her when he saw her.

She was dressed the same way he first met her last year. Seeing her again now felt like a lifetime had passed, leaving Gu Zhao momentarily dazed and shaken, unable to think of what to say to her.

Zhu Qingyu spoke first, nodding and smiling at him:

"Lord Gu."

After exchanging greetings, Zhu Qingyu boarded the carriage without waiting for Gu Zhao to speak. The curtain fell, blocking Gu Zhao's view.

Gu Zhao never expected to run into her on the street. After the Zhang family's carriage had gone far away, he felt a pang of regret. He hadn't seen her for several days, and now that he finally saw her, he couldn't utter a single coherent sentence. He had wasted a chance to talk to her.

Looking up and finding himself in front of a pawnshop, Gu Zhao frowned, dismounted, and went inside to ask the shopkeeper:

"What was that customer just now doing? I'll take them all."