Chapter 178
Chapter 178
The Hidden Yuan Society's envoy also sent an official document to the State of Yue's Grand Secretariat. It stated that the Hidden Yuan Society would only claim the rights to manage the salt pans and mines on Sorrow's End Island, while the ownership of the island itself would be offered to the State of Yue free of charge.
In response, the King finally issued a royal decree. If the Count of Xuanwu's Estate failed to repay its debt of seven hundred thousand gold coins within the deadline, the mortgaged Sorrow's End Island was to be handed over to the Hidden Yuan Society.
And so, the final blow was struck. The King personally intervened to resolve the debt between the Jin Clan and the Hidden Yuan Society, delivering a fatal strike against the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. When the King's decree arrived, a mere thirteen days remained before the deadline for the estate to repay its debt to the Hidden Yuan Society. Even if a god were to descend, they couldn't produce seven hundred thousand gold coins. It was a foregone conclusion that the Jin Clan would lose Sorrow's End Island. Once the Jin Clan lost its economic foundation, Sorrow's End Island, it would crumble and disintegrate in an instant.
Earning seven hundred thousand gold coins in thirteen days was nothing short of a madman's dream. The Count of Xuanwu was bedridden, and his wife, Countess Su Peipei, personally visited various noble families and merchant guilds, pleading and flattering, but to no avail. For over ten days, she visited nine long-standing noble houses, repeating the proverb "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold" a hundred times, yet she managed to borrow a mere thousand gold coins. Yes, a thousand gold coins from all nine families combined. It was truly disheartening.
Her efforts to borrow money only earned her the ridicule of the nobility, serving as undeniable proof of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate's desperate situation. Even before the deadline arrived, everyone believed the Jin Clan was finished, and that in a little over ten days, the fall of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate would be officially declared.
***
As they said, raising seven hundred thousand gold coins in half a month was an absurd, fantastical notion. It was truly the babbling of a fool. Even the entire tax revenue of the Tiannan Province couldn't amount to such a sum, so how could anyone possibly earn it? But Shen Lang could. In fact, he could do it with incredible ease.
He had been preparing tirelessly for months for this very day. When this matter was concluded, he would have not just seven hundred thousand gold coins, but over nine hundred thousand, perhaps even a million.
The crucial third stage of his strategy was to turn Sorrow's End Island into a golden island. When the deadline arrived, the Jin Clan would promptly repay the seven hundred thousand gold coin debt to the Hidden Yuan Society. In that moment, the world would re-evaluate the island's worth, and every noble and commoner who had anticipated the fall of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate would be left trembling.
Right now, public opinion was attacking Shen Lang and the Jin Clan, and with increasing ferocity. Of course, he knew this was all due to the widespread rumors spread by the Hidden Yuan Society and the New Government Faction. However, Shen Lang was actually thrilled by this turn of events. Thanks to the outcry, the world now knew the Jin Clan's name, and everyone was aware of the turmoil caused by their debt.
With public opinion so inflamed, imagine the shock and awe when Shen Lang threw seven hundred thousand gold coins in their faces. His golden island strategy would be an unprecedented success. His subsequent plan to seize Raging Tide City and become a king across the sea would already be halfway to completion.
*'What a feeling, to win on such a grand stage! Is this what it feels like to manipulate and play the world? How exhilarating!'*
But there was one thing that gnawed at Shen Lang. Xu Qianqian, in Raging Tide City, had sent no word. Time was pressing. In Shen Lang's plans, Qiu Yao'er's role was becoming increasingly vital, an indispensable piece in the puzzle of seizing Raging Tide City. The golden island strategy was about to shake the world, but if Xu Qianqian couldn't secure Qiu Yao'er, Shen Lang would have to intervene himself. Without Qiu Yao'er, the final link in his grand strategy would be missing, and his entire scheme could fail on the brink of success.
*'Xu Qianqian, you were so full of yourself before. Don't you dare mess this up at such a crucial moment!'*
Just then, Jin Hui entered with a strange expression.
"Young Master, Hongxian wishes to see you."
Shen Lang asked, surprised.
"You mean your bride?"
Jin Hui's face turned beet red. He still felt as if he were living in a beautiful dream. That such a beautiful and proud young lady had actually become his bride. Even after sleeping with her more than ten times, Jin Hui still couldn't seem to believe it was real. Less than half a month ago, that proud woman had taken the initiative to sleep with him.
Though the Count of Xuanwu's Estate was in dire straits, they held a simple yet solemn wedding for Jin Hui, welcoming the proud woman into their family. The Count and Countess acted as the groom's guardians, while Shen Lang's parents, without knowing the full story, acted as the bride's.
In any case, that proud woman was now asking to see Shen Lang of her own accord? She had always disliked Shen Lang and still held a grudge over how he had berated Jin Hui back then.
"Let her in!"
A moment later, the proud woman entered. Even after the wedding, her congenital heart condition remained. However, her complexion had more color than before, and her lips were no longer as purple. Upon entering the room, she didn't adopt Jin Hui's deferential posture but sat down directly opposite Shen Lang. Jin Hui was instantly at a loss. He couldn't afford to displease the Young Master, but his wife... he couldn't displease her either. He had to suck up to the Young Master, but he had to cater even more to his wife. Life was truly difficult.
The proud woman said to Jin Hui.
"Jin Hui, you can leave. I have something to discuss with the Young Master."
Jin Hui looked at Shen Lang with a pleading gaze. Shen Lang gestured for him to leave, and Jin Hui retreated hastily, as if granted a great mercy.
"I had originally planned never to return home, but since the Count of Xuanwu's Estate is in such trouble, I... I will go home and ask my parents for help. But I can't be sure how much help I'll be."
Her name was Zheng Hongxian. Her father was the General Who Pacifies the West, the fifth-ranking general in the State of Yue's military, Count Zheng Tuo of Xishan. The Western Army of Yue was largely controlled by the Zhong Clan, but General Zheng Tuo was the second-in-command, sent by the King to keep the Zhong Clan in check. He was a new noble without a fiefdom but held military power, making him a direct vassal of the King.
It was mentioned earlier that Zhu Wentai, the heir of Viscount Zhu Nanzheng, had passed the military examination and planned to join the army. In truth, the Zhu Clan's standing was not high enough to form a connection with General Zheng Tuo. However, because Zheng Hongxian was born with a congenital heart disease, doctors said she would have difficulty bearing children. Most noble families were unwilling to take such a woman as a wife. Viscount Zhu Nanzheng seized this opportunity to forge a connection with them, paving the way for his son, Zhu Wentai.
Although General Zheng Tuo did not think highly of Viscount Zhu Nanzheng, the Zhu Clan was still a century-old noble family, and Zhu Wentai had passed the military examination, making him a talented individual. Furthermore, since the Zhu Clan was willing to accept his daughter with her congenital illness, he agreed to the marriage alliance.
However, due to her congenital heart condition, Zheng Hongxian had a particularly sensitive and extreme personality. She had always believed her parents had no affection for her. Now, enraged that they were marrying her off to a man she had never even met, she ran away from home and traveled all the way to Yangwu Commandery to observe her future fiancé, Zhu Wentai, for herself.
But... as soon as she entered the Zhu Clan's sphere of influence, she encountered their warriors. They knocked her unconscious, and she suffered the greatest disaster of her life. She had intended to end her life, but Jin Hui saved her.
In her most desperate moment, she met a pure-hearted man like Jin Hui, who treated her like a goddess.
The daughter of any other noble family would not have given Jin Hui a second glance, but Zheng Hongxian, having been ill since childhood, had a sensitive disposition. As a result, she learned early on how cruel the world could be and understood what she truly wanted. That was why she was drawn to a kind, pure-hearted man like Jin Hui—obsessive, introverted, and sensitive. Besides, hadn't he saved her when she was in hell? And so, the two were happily joined.
She had originally intended to cut off all contact with her family. But seeing the Count of Xuanwu's Estate in trouble, she felt it was her duty to step forward and help. Although she didn't think she could be of much assistance, she couldn't give up without trying. That was why she had come to Shen Lang on her own to say she would return to the Count of Xishan's estate and ask her father for help.
Shen Lang was moved once again. Here was another person offering a helping hand in a time of need. Even if she couldn't actually help, the intention was what mattered most. Shen Lang suddenly stood up, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said to her.
"Lady Zheng, you are a remarkable woman. Though your actions may be a bit rough and extreme, you are an extraordinary person. It is Jin Hui's great fortune to have you as his wife. But you need not worry about the estate's affairs. You can rest easy and enjoy your time with Jin Hui here."
Zheng Hongxian stared intently at Shen Lang for a long moment before asking.
"Are you sure you don't need my help?"
"I do not."
Zheng Hongxian left the room, and Jin Hui quickly followed to escort his wife home.
"Hongxian, are you thirsty?"
Jin Hui poured her a cup of tea, even checking its temperature. It was warm. Just the way Hongxian liked it.
"Jin Hui, you're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
When the proud woman, Zheng Hongxian, asked him this, Jin Hui's expression changed drastically. He stood at attention, then bowed deeply as if asking for forgiveness.
"I'm sorry, Hongxian. There are some things I can never speak of. Not to you, not to anyone."
Zheng Hongxian looked at her husband for a while, then said.
"It's fine. Loyalty is, after all, a supreme virtue."
"Hongxian, thank you for your understanding."
"I'm just curious what trick Shen Lang has up his sleeve to escape this predicament. Everyone says the Jin Clan is beyond saving, even if a god were to descend."
Jin Hui remained silent, not uttering a single word. Hongxian looked at him and gestured for him to leave.
"Go on, your master needs you."
"Understood!"
Jin Hui couldn't resist giving his wife's neck and shoulders a quick massage before placing the most well-behaved black cat beside her, a thoughtful gesture to keep her from getting bored. Only then did he hurry off to answer Shen Lang's call. Watching her husband run off with such a light step, Zheng Hongxian felt a warmth spread through her heart. A feeling of happiness washed over her.
In her view, a woman's insistence on marrying into a prestigious family was mere vanity. The best spouse was a man who was not only capable but also knew what love was. It was like choosing shoes. For some, beauty was paramount; for others, comfort was key. Of course, our dear Master Shen Lang was a pair of shoes that was not only good-looking and comfortable but also dazzlingly ornate. No wonder so many women were scrambling to wear him.