Zhao Xuanji's back with ardent eyes, Hou Yushu trembled with excitement.Although the difference in status between the two was vast, like heaven and earth, Hou Yushu was confident that by his age, he w...Chapter 1812: The Ant Beneath the Wave

Southern Suzhou and Hangzhou, Lin's Residence.

As a prominent silk merchant in the south, Lin's family once served as a supplier of royal silks, earning them the moniker "royal merchant".

Because of the title "imperial merchant," although the Lin family was a merchant, their status was not low. Ordinary county magistrates would also be polite to the Lin family. Even in front of the prefect, the Lin family had some say.

Within the magnificent Lin Manor, carriages arrived one after another, each carrying heavy chests. They were transported into the manor in an orderly fashion under strict guard and then stored in the warehouse. The entire process was meticulously guarded with five soldiers every five steps and three every three, preventing any attempts at theft.

Lin Jia'er fang's eldest son, Lin Huaizhang, said to his older brother, Lin Huaiyu, the head of the household: "Big brother, a few days ago, we tried every means possible. Guanfu Qianzhuang just said they had no money and wouldn't make any appointments. Today, however, they suddenly paid out all 500,000 taels of silver that we had deposited. It's a bit suspicious, isn't it"

"The official bank must be making money, right"

Lin Huaiyu held a snuff bottle, gently bringing it to his nose and taking a puff. He felt at ease and said lightly, "Didn't you see how those people panicked just the other day because the money changer couldn't pay out silver Could it be that the court really intends to stand by and watch a rebellion unfold"

"This kind of thing is like having lice on your body. Either you have none and are clean, or once one appears in one place, hundreds or even thousands will follow. The court would never allow such a thing to happen."

Lin Huai Zhang smiled and said, "No matter what, it's a good thing that we can get our money out. To be honest, I was really worried that the money would disappear."

Lin Huaiyu's expression, however, was not particularly relaxed. He said in a deep voice, "You breathed a sigh of relief when Yinzi brought it up, but I only started to feel anxious now."

"If the silver can't be brought out, our loss is just five hundred thousand taels. We can earn that money back, but if it's brought out, we might get into big trouble."

Lin Huaiyu was stunned for a moment and said in surprise, "Big brother, are you mistaken"

“This is a full five hundred thousand taels of silver. If these five hundred thousand taels are gone, our Lin family won’t go bankrupt overnight, but it will definitely be a serious blow. What's more, it was that person in Jinling who requested to withdraw the money. If we don't handle it well, we’ll have a hard time.”

Lin Huaizhang glanced at Lin Huaiyu and said calmly, "The court is in a difficult position right now. It doesn't want a peasant revolt, so it can only grit its teeth and pay these debts. No matter where the court got this money from, it must have cost a great deal. Ordinary people, with a few ounces or dozens of ounces, that's fine. But for us big families like ours, even if the court doesn't say anything, it will remember us in its heart."

Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyu's face suddenly darkened, apparently realizing that what Lin Huaizhang said was very reasonable.

"What if the court really holds a grudge against us If we don't do it, we offend Jinling, and if we do, we offend the capital. Aren't we like a mouse in a bellows, being squeezed from both sides No matter what we do, it won't be pleasant."

"That's the very reason."

Lin Huaizhang sighed and said, "Right now Jinling and the capital are vying for power. We, though seemingly prosperous, appear as insignificant as an ant in their eyes. The only thing we can do now is beg heaven to spare us. In this tumultuous world, we pray that it won't target us first."ave the Jinyi Guard bring them here at the fastest speed possible."The most important landowners and merchants are concentrated in the Jingji region and a few prosperous provinces in the south. As for...