"Your Majesty, the Household Tax Cao and Lord Xu are already outside the gate of the palace, do you want to let them in?"
Chen Dachang bowed and asked.
The emperor nodded, "Xuan!"
With an order, the tax Cao of the household department and Xu Xianzhi, the left guard of the embroidered clothes guard, came to the main hall.
Both of them knew why they were summoned, so they brought a set of physical evidence, confessions, and tax bills and fines issued by the household department. Just haven't had time to implement it yet.
All the evidence and materials are now in front of the emperor.
Cheng Enbo knelt on the ground, breaking out in cold sweat.
The gray beard trembled and trembled, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, with a feeling of dying.
He raised his head slightly, and looked at Gu Jiu who was still sitting on the stool.
Gu Jiu lowered her head and met his gaze expressionlessly.
The eyes of the two collided, there was no spark, no killing intent, only peace.
Yes, Cheng Enbo's gaze was extraordinarily calm at this moment, without any tension or fear.
Obviously he was nervous.
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly, old fox.
After being stimulated for several days, Cheng Enbo finally calmed down at this moment.
He calmly thought about the situation of himself and the Zhu family, and calmly looked for a solution.
Obviously, everything Gu Jiu does has a deep meaning.
Whether it's tax inspections or refugees attacking the Earl's Mansion, it's all to cut off the Zhu family's cash flow.
I have to admit that Gu Jiu is a very tough opponent. The endurance is also quite strong.
If it were someone else, they would have already collapsed and bowed their heads to admit defeat when they encountered the same level of commercial suppression.
Gu Jiu not only refused to admit defeat, but wanted to turn defeat into victory.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci took a deep breath, he admitted that he underestimated Gu Jiu at first.
Gu Jiu not only has a genius-like business mind, but also a heart harder than a rock.
He opened his mouth and said silently, "I lost!"
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows, surprised.
Cheng Enbo simply admit defeat? For what purpose? Want to make a comeback
She looked towards the emperor.
With the evidence collected jointly by Xiuyiwei and the tax Cao of the household department, Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci wants to make a comeback, unless the emperor's head is cramped.
She looked at the other party again, admit defeat, what do you mean
"I lost!"
Once again, Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci said silently.
Gu Jiu frowned slightly, her eyes flicked back and forth between him and the emperor.
She knew that Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci wanted to protect himself.
Anyway, he has a lot of capital, so if he loses this round, it will be a big deal to start over. I just beg Gu Jiu not to kill them all.
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, then slowly shook her head at him.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci was shocked and asked silently: "What do you want?"
Gu Jiu played with the jade bracelet in his hand.
The jade bracelet is of very good color, full of water, emerald green, I like it just by looking at it.
She didn't say anything, and didn't give any response to Cheng Enbo Zhuci.
After bullying her for so long, he said "I lost" and pretended that nothing had happened. Did he really treat her as an idiot
These days, what is the energy, time, and money she has devoted to
Is it air
How can there be such a person in the world, who really thinks that bowing his head and admitting defeat is worth thousands of dollars
It's not the king of heaven, Lao Tzu, who can cancel everything by saying "I lost".
Back then, you dared to rely on your old age to sell your old age, but now don't rely on your old age to pretend to be weak and pitiful.
Respecting the old and caring for the young are also scoring objects.
The hall was very quiet, only the sound of the emperor flipping through the pages and the increasingly heavy breathing of the emperor could be heard.
Gu Jiu looked at Cheng En Bo Zhu Ci, she laughed.
You are dead today. Even if he doesn't die, he will still be skinned.
The longer time passed, the more terrified Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci became.
Sweat dripped down from his forehead, forming a puddle of water on the floor tiles.
Wei Zhong bowed and stood beside him, looked at Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci, and smiled coldly. When I was bossing around two days ago, I didn't expect to have today.
If you dare to point fingers at the Jinwu Guard, you must have the consciousness of being skinned and cramp.
The emperor turned to the last page.
Snapped!
The emperor threw the documents in his hand heavily, his face livid, "Cheng Enbo, are you convicted?"
Cheng Enbi Zhu Ci opened his mouth, "My minister is guilty."
The emperor suddenly stood up and walked down the steps, full of anger, he kicked Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci in the chest, "Damn you!"
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci was kicked to the ground, his chest hurt.
The emperor's kick almost broke his ribs.
He clutched his chest and coughed repeatedly, as if he was bleeding.
"The humble minister deserves death!"
At this time, he still did not forget to plead guilty.
The emperor was furious, "Of course you deserve to die, you deserve to be hacked into pieces. My country was ruined by you moths.
You have been in such a big business for so many years, and you haven't even paid a penny in taxes. Relying on his wealth and power, he suppressed his peers and took advantage of them. Who gave you the guts? talk! "
As soon as the words fell, he kicked Cheng Enbo on the head again.
Cheng Enbo's head was dizzy, and his eyes were full of stars.
He supported his body and tried his best to stay awake, "The minister is guilty. The minister is obsessed with ghosts, arrogant and arrogant, and only when he loses his mind will he do things to suppress his colleagues.
I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance to forgive my sins. I am willing to make up the tax, and I will make up a lot of money. Weichen is also willing to support Mrs. Zhao and help her build the South Gate. The world can learn from my humble minister's loyalty to His Majesty! "
Gu Jiu: "..." Damn, even at this moment, the old fox Cheng Enbo still doesn't forget to tease her.
It's really annoying.
Gu Jiu looked at the emperor to see what decision the emperor would make.
The Son of Heaven was in a rage, so he drew out his saber and slashed wildly at the air.
"I should kill all you moths, raid your homes, and destroy your clans. If it's not enough to kill one family, kill nine clans, and if it's not enough to kill one person, kill a thousand people. If you kill all of you moths, I don't believe there are still people who dare to dig me corner."
Everyone was terrified.
The emperor is crazy.
What's more frightening is that the emperor slashed wildly with a sharp big knife, afraid that he would cut himself on the head.
The appearance of the emperor is really too scary.
"Weichen is willing to make up one million taels of tax."
As expected of the emperor's little uncle, Cheng Enbo Zhuci finally thought of using money to calm the emperor's anger at a critical moment.
He was compelled to do so.
He is afraid!
Afraid of being hacked to death by the emperor on the spot.
In the situation just now, blood may be seen at any time, there is no luck.
The emperor held a big knife and panted heavily, but stopped slashing and killing.
He stared at Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci, and smiled coldly, "One million?"
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci bowed and said: "Yes, yes, I am willing to make up one million taxes."
The emperor smiled contemptuously, "Tell him, how much tax do you have to pay?"
Household Tax Cao: MMP, after waiting for so long, it's finally his turn to perform.
The Household Tax Cao first glanced at Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci, and then said loudly: "Your Majesty, according to the investigation, the property registered under the name of Cheng Enbo's relatives and friends needs to pay a tax of 1.05 million taels of silver, plus A fine of 500,000 yuan, a total of 1.55 million taels."
1.55 million taels
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci gulped a mouthful of blood into his throat, but he swallowed it forcefully.
He only hated why he was so clear-headed at the moment, why didn't he faint
If he passed out, he wouldn't have to face such a tragic reality.
The emperor hummed at him, "1.55 million taels of silver, did you hear that? If you don't like it, I don't mind sending Jinwu guards to ransack the house."
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci aged five years in an instant, and bent down, "I am convicted. After I go back, I will make up all taxes and fines as soon as possible."
"I'll give you five days to raise money, and I'll raid your home if you lose a penny." The emperor didn't show mercy. What little uncle, in front of millions of taels of money, all of them are hot chickens.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci looked at the tax officer of the household department, "Please also cooperate with the household department to unseal the sealed shops as soon as possible."
The household tax Cao nodded in agreement, "As long as the uncle promises to pay the tax in full, all shops can be unsealed today."
"The old man will definitely pay the tax." He exhausted all his strength to say this sentence.
After finishing speaking, he fell directly to the ground. Not unconscious, just exhausted.
With an income of more than one million taels, the emperor's mood changed from stormy to gentle and drizzle.
The emperor looked at Gu Jiu, "The construction site outside the gate of the southern city, when do you plan to resume work? Tens of thousands of refugees outside the city have problems, I take you to ask."
Gu Jiu bowed and said, "As long as the suppliers don't run out of stock and don't drive up prices, the construction site outside the Nancheng Gate can resume work at any time."
The emperor hummed, "Who dares to break your goods?"
"No one, no one!" Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci struggled and said, "Madam Zhao will leave the palace soon, all suppliers will supply as usual."
"Oh?" Gu Jiu looked down at Cheng Enbo who looked like a salted fish, "Uncle, are you serious?"
"Naturally it is true."
He struggled to get up. He can admit defeat, but he can't bow his head, can't lose his pride, and can't be underestimated.
He couldn't accept Gu Jiu's condescending gaze.
Even though he couldn't stand still.
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "The younger generation trusts uncle. Uncle is a trustworthy person. He said he made me feel bad, and I really felt bad. If he said normal supply, I believe the supplier will supply normally."
Cheng Enbo Zhuci couldn't laugh.
In his heart, ten million divine beasts galloped past.
The emperor was tired, so he waved his hand and told everyone to leave.
Gu Jiu stepped forward, "Uncle, do you want me to help you out?"
"No need!" Cheng Enbo gritted his teeth. Shameless woman, she got cheap and acted like a good girl.
The emperor is really eccentric.
The emperor did not believe a word he said.
The emperor believed everything Gu Jiu said. This woman is not simple.
Gu Jiu smiled.
She wanted to say: Cheng Enbo, you don't complain if you lose. His Majesty loves money, but you want to go against His Majesty and evade taxes, how can Your Majesty spare you.
In the eyes of the emperor, Gu Jiu and Cheng Enbo shared his worries and paid taxes truthfully. One will only cause trouble, and dare to evade taxes.
He only fined Cheng Enbo and didn't ransack his family and exterminate his family. It was already an extra favor for the sake of his relatives.
If Cheng Enbo doesn't know how to restrain himself, the emperor doesn't mind copying the earl's mansion.
The emperor is so ruthless.
Gu Jiu saw through this early in the morning.
Therefore, in front of the emperor, she always only talked about interests, not about blood relationship.
…
puff!
As soon as Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci walked out of Xingqing Palace, the blood in his heart could no longer be suppressed, and he gushed out instantly.
"Oh, uncle, are you alright? Can you hold on?" Shen Changshi asked, seemingly concerned, out of nowhere.
The servants of the Zhu family supported Cheng Enbo so that he would not fall.
He waved his hand and said weakly: "Eunuch Lei Shen is worried, the old man will not die."
Shen Changshi laughed, "It's good if you don't die. Uncle, please take care of yourself. Your Majesty's elders are only you and the Shaofu Jialing. If something happens to you, the Shaofu Jialing will be so lonely."
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci's heart was throbbing, and he almost vomited blood again.
He endured it, and managed to hold it back, "Thank you, Mr. Shen, for reminding me, this old man will definitely take care of his health and live a long life."
"That's a good thing! Our family is waiting for you, uncle, to live a long life."
After finishing speaking, Shen Changshi waved his hand, and immediately two little yellow men ran out, carrying Cheng Enbo out of the palace.
Gu Jiu walked ahead, but she walked slowly. In the end, he almost left the palace with Cheng Enbo.
She got into the carriage first and was about to leave.
When she saw Butler Zhu appear beside Cheng Enbo, she decided to stay for a while.
Because Butler Zhu's face was serious.
Steward Zhu was a little flustered, "Uncle, I just got the news that our ship was robbed by pirates."
"Have been robbed?" Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci slammed, suddenly feeling dizzy.
"Uncle, what's the matter with you? Come on!"
Cheng Enbo vomited blood and passed out.
The servants of the Zhu family hurriedly carried him into the carriage and left in a hurry.
Gu Jiu pondered for a while, then told Xu Yousi, "Go and find out, what happened to the Zhu family?"
"Little one obeys."
It is definitely not a trivial matter that can make Cheng Enbo vomit blood and pass out.
Maybe she will have a chance to make trouble.
"Let's go, let's go back to the palace!"
…
Cheng Enbo Mansion.
Everyone in the whole house felt as if they were mourning their concubines, and the maids and servants walked very lightly, for fear of running into bad luck.
The imperial physician examined Cheng Enbo's pulse with a serious expression on his face.
"Doctor, how is my father?"
"Uncle is very angry, and he has suffered trauma, so the situation is a bit serious. The old man prescribed two doses of medicine first."
"There is an imperial physician."
"It should."
Cheng Enbo's forehead was red and swollen, and there was a bruise on his chest. These are kicked out by the emperor.
After the imperial physician prescribed the medicine and left, Second Master Zhu slammed his fist on the table, "How could you be defeated? Are you confused, why are you standing by Gu Jiu's side?"
"Hugh is talking nonsense."
The weak words are not as full of air as before, full of old air.
As soon as Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci woke up, he heard the second child talking nonsense.
He yelled loudly, coughed a few more times, and said: "Gu Jiu solved the lingering refugees for His Majesty, and even paid the tax. What reason does Your Majesty have to support our Zhu family? The old man lost a lot, lost I have nothing to complain about."
"Father, are we going to admit defeat?"
"Otherwise? Do you want to have your family ransacked?"
Master Zhu Er trembled all over, "Your Majesty wants to raid the house?"
"If you don't pay the tax as much as you can, then the Jinwu Guard will come to your door next time." Cheng Enbo said solemnly.
He was warning his sons not to do unnecessary things and not to offend His Majesty.
Elder Zhu's expression was gloomy, "Your Majesty really shows no mercy to our Zhu family. When His Majesty was able to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor, our Zhu family also contributed a lot."
Cheng Enbo said wearily: "Things from decades ago, it's meaningless to talk about now. The Zhu family was not the only hero in those years, so many heroes have died. Our Zhu family is still enjoying the glory and wealth, so don't complain. Be content. Bar!"
Master Zhu asked: "Father, how much tax do we have to pay? How many days to pay?"
As soon as Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci heard this question, his heart was overwhelmed.
Coughing again and again, finally stopped.
His chest seemed to be a broken box, and he kept panting heavily, "Within five days, we need to pay 1.55 million taels. Boss, you need to deal with this matter quickly. If you lose a penny, His Majesty will raid our Zhu family. "
Everyone in the Zhu family changed color.
Master Zhu Er's eyes were red, "Is Your Majesty forcing our Zhu family to death on purpose? 1.55 million taels, to be paid within five days. This is to empty our family."
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci was very tired, "Hurry up and do it. It's too late, and the Jinwu Guards will really come to search the house."
Master Zhu nodded his head heavily, "My son is going to raise funds now, and my father will cultivate well and strive for a speedy recovery."
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci nodded, "You are the boss, so you should pay more attention."
Master Zhu got up and left without saying a word.
Master Zhu Er was also sent out.
Housekeeper Zhu brought the decoction into the bedroom himself, and served Cheng Enbo to drink the medicine.
After drinking the medicine, there were only two masters and servants left in the room.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Cicai asked: "The ship was hijacked, what happened?"
Steward Zhu said in a low voice, "A sea merchant came from the south and said that pirates robbed ships. All three of our ships were robbed, and none of them survived."
Cheng Enbo gritted his teeth, he was afraid that if he opened his mouth, blood would spit out from his heart.
It took him a long time to suppress the rusty taste in his throat, and asked with difficulty: "How much property is estimated to be on board?"
Steward Zhu hesitated for a moment before saying, "It is estimated that there are three or four million taels of property."
"All were robbed?"
"Exactly!"
puff!
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci could no longer suppress the smell of rust in his throat, he spat out a mouthful of blood, staining half of the quilt red.
"Quick, send someone to the south to find out the news. The old man wants to know the exact news."