Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Boiling frenzy continued to spread and release.

Fang Zheng Yi felt a little hot and restless. He left Emperor Jing's side and drank cup after cup of tea.

Just as three cups of tea went down, an unexpected person appeared!

That person rushed directly in front of Fang Zheng Yi, staring at him intently and saying, "Lord Marquis is quite leisurely."

"Uh? Lord Xu, why aren't you on duty? What are you doing here?" Fang Zheng Yi asked in surprise.

Xu Wenshu sneered twice and sat down opposite him, completely oblivious to Emperor Jing and the Crown Prince, who were leaning on the railing on the other side.

"Aren't you off duty too? Lord Marquis, you're quite the schemer! You probably knew that the West Sea Trade could rise sharply, right? No wonder you agreed so readily at the beginning! Fine, I won't waste words. Quickly sell the shares back to me. I'll give you back every penny."

Fang Zheng Yi's expression was a little strange, then a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Old codger! I didn't expect him to be so greedy, but he's quite direct.

"Lord Xu, are you extorting me?"

"You were the one who tricked me first! Quickly sell the shares back to me! The current market price is fine too." Xu Wenshu glanced at the display board in the trading hall, inwardly lamenting.

"Trick you? Preposterous! When the share price was losing money, I bought them all back at your purchase price. I helped you protect your interests from losses. Now that the share price has risen and there are profits to be made, you're blaming me?" Fang Zheng Yi smiled contemptuously.

"I... You agreed so readily at the beginning, there must have been a problem! This old man is protecting his rights. Is there a problem with that?" Xu Wenshu said, his old face reddening. "Even if my rights haven't been harmed, shouldn't I still defend them?"

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Fang Zheng Yi looked at him with disdain.

Xu Wenshu became even more ashamed.

Coming here today was indeed unreasonable, and he was also being sophistical.

But this wasn't a matter of a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels!

Losing such a large sum would make him a laughingstock in the family.

Today, he had to put his old face on the line to fight for it. He should never have sold the shares to Fang Zheng Yi in the first place.

Fang Zheng Yi slowly got up, walked to Emperor Jing's side, and tugged at his sleeve.

Pointing at Xu Wenshu, he said, "Your Majesty, he's extorting me."

Emperor Jing slowly turned around, stared at Xu Wenshu, and said woodenly, "I heard it."

Li Yuanzhao had a mischievous smile on his face...

"..." Xu Wenshu suddenly widened his eyes and jumped up from his chair.

His knees weakened, and he slowly knelt on the ground, instantly appearing several years older.

Trembling, he said, "This old minister... didn't know Your Majesty was here. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me..."

It's over, today is really over.

He's too old and his eyesight is failing. He didn't even notice that His Majesty was here. No wonder that grandson Fang Zheng Yi wasn't angry at all!

He was setting me up!

Emperor Jing looked at him and said coldly, "Xu Qing, why aren't you on duty in the Ministry of Revenue? What are you trying to do, running to the exchange to threaten other officials?"

"I... I... This old minister deserves to die!!!" Xu Wenshu kowtowed, his voice trembling.

"Zheng Yi, what should his punishment be?"

"He's not in his position during duty hours, he's trading stocks during work hours, and he's threatening officials. Combining these crimes, I think he should be stripped of his family's wealth."

"Marquis of Jianye, I didn't threaten you!" Xu Wenshu raised his head in fear and trepidation, while constantly blinking to signal.

I don't want the shares anymore, okay!

Fang Zheng Yi grinned and turned his head to look at Emperor Jing: "Your Majesty, it's possible that I misheard. If it's only the crime of dereliction of duty, considering Lord Xu's status, he should be fined half a year's salary as a warning to others."

"Humph, then he'll be fined a year's salary. Get up!"

Xu Wenshu hurriedly got up, gratefully looking at Fang Zheng Yi.

That's alright... He still did something human, he didn't try to kill the old man.

"Sit down! Since you're here, then sit down and watch carefully! If there's any more dereliction of duty, don't blame me for being impolite."

"This old minister wouldn't dare." Xu Wenshu stood in place, his heart filled with trepidation.

Emperor Jing continued to lean on the railing, watching the stock price fluctuate.

The few of them were silent, quietly enjoying the hustle and bustle of the exchange. Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Wenshu watched the stock price continue to rise, already soaring to four taels and six qian, his eyes bloodshot.

The previous gratitude had gradually disappeared under the stimulation of the stock price.

His resentful little eyes began to constantly stab at Fang Zheng Yi.

So much money was lost! Millions of taels, it was too much!

He just missed it like that...

Sensing his gaze, Fang Zheng Yi approached him and said, "Lord Xu, let's talk about serious business."

"What serious business?" Xu Wenshu asked listlessly.

"Our Great Jing is now completely established overseas. Although the Church still poses a threat, the foundation has been laid. In the future, the scope of trade will inevitably expand, and interactions with the West will become more frequent." Fang Zheng Yi said unhurriedly.

"In recent years, a large amount of silver has flowed into Great Jing, and market prices have risen rapidly. You should be clearer about this than I am. And look at these stock prices, they're frighteningly high. Most of the money earned has been taken by the large families, and the common people ultimately get less."

"I think the court should change its strategy. Gold and silver can't be eaten or drunk. It would be better to directly exchange them overseas for a large amount of useful resources, so as to accelerate the expansion of production in the future. This way, there will be money to be made, and the common people will also benefit. I'm afraid that many people only recognize silver and are unwilling to do this. How about you and I jointly submit a memorial?"

Xu Wenshu raised an eyebrow: "There's some truth to that, but..."

"I'll sell you half of the shares you sold me before, at a price of four taels. What do you think?"

Four taels?

Four taels is still a lot of money! Fang Zheng Yi is so generous?

Xu Wenshu was in a good mood, but suspiciously said: "Then you won't make a lot more? Aren't you scheming against this old man again?"

"Scheme? I'm already in this position, what's there to scheme? Besides, what benefits can I get from it? As long as things are done, money is irrelevant." Fang Zheng Yi looked righteous, and then raised his voice.

"When I have one million taels, this money is my money, and I still have to consider the issue of devaluation and appreciation."

Hearing one million taels, Emperor Jing didn't turn his head, but his ears perked up.

Fang Zheng Yi continued: "But when I have ten million taels, is this money still mine? No! With greater ability comes greater responsibility. At this time, I'm actually helping the people, helping the court, and helping Your Majesty manage wealth! Can you understand, Lord Xu? Perspective, you have to broaden your perspective, and with perspective, you'll have everything in the future."

"I'll help you, okay... You're really shameless!" Xu Wenshu covered his face and hid to the side.

Emperor Jing unconsciously showed a smile, poked Li Yuanzhao next to him twice, and said faintly: "Learn more from Zheng Yi, don't just yell at me all day long."

"Five taels! Five taels! Five taels!" Li Yuanzhao was still roaring. Feeling two pokes in his waist, he curled his lips and said: "Old Fang is just bragging, he can make twenty taels for every ten taels he spends."

Emperor Jing's old face lengthened: "Are you pretending that you don't understand what I'm saying?"

"Tch, what don't I understand? I think that how much money an individual earns is their own. What's the use of saying nice things? Don't you have a private treasury too? If you're keeping all the money for the people, then why have a national treasury?" Li Yuanzhao said carelessly.

Emperor Jing clenched his fists tightly, his anger soaring!

I told you to learn from others and be more sensible, to share your father's worries, but you're being difficult...

"Do you think I'm too old to throw you down from the third floor?"

"Father, look quickly! It's risen to five taels!"

"Where is it!"

The price tag for the West Sea Trade on the hall display board was replaced again, and this time it was clearly five taels!

This had already recovered to the early high!

In just one day... the stock price soared, with an astonishing momentum.

The shareholders had completely fallen into madness, shouting and screaming, wishing they could run around and tell everyone.

Just as everyone was still expecting the stock price to continue to rise.

A gong sounded.

"It's over! Today is over! The exchange is about to close. Please come again tomorrow!"

.....

(Always let me say something, what to say? Can't force words out, right? I bought two bags of pickles and pao cai these two days. I haven't eaten them before, they're quite delicious and crispy. Everyone can try them.)