Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Minister Huang didn't expect Emperor Tianyuan to go to this extent, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

Looking at the two old men kneeling on the ground, he glared at them with a fake smile: "Since His Majesty wants to listen, you should speak nicely. I tell you, you must tell the truth in front of His Majesty, otherwise you..."

"Huang Qing family." Emperor Tianyuan tilted his head, his eyes deep: "Whether they are talking nonsense or not, I will judge it. When will it be your turn to speak? Besides, they haven't even opened their mouths yet, how can you judge that they are lying?"

Minister Huang was speechless.

*

The two old men trembled under the gaze of Minister Huang, but when they thought that only Emperor Tianyuan in front of them could make the decision for them, they suppressed their fear and told him everything about their experiences.

The old man on the left said, "Last month, my son went out to sell firewood. When he walked to the Shangshu's gambling house, a bundle of firewood accidentally fell and hit the floor tiles in front of the gambling house.

My son quickly apologized, but the thugs from the gambling house stopped him and wouldn't let him leave, saying that my son's firewood had damaged the blue bricks they had shipped from the south, and asked him to pay one hundred taels of silver. My son couldn't afford it, so they forced us to sell our house and land, otherwise they would put our whole family in jail.

We couldn't afford to offend them, so we sold our land and houses, and moved our whole family to a dilapidated temple outside the city.

But even after all this, the thugs from the gambling house were still unwilling to let us go and broke my son's legs.

Your Majesty, my family lives outside the city. Our land and thatched cottage are worthless and cannot be sold for so much silver. Please help us!"

Emperor Tianyuan frowned, "Are you telling the truth?"

The old man said: "Everything I said is true. The gambling house is called Jinlai Gambling House. I heard it from the thugs myself. They said the owner of the gambling house is the Minister of Revenue. It will be useless even if we go to the authorities to sue."

"Your Majesty, he is slandering me." Minister Huang knelt down with a thud, looking as if he was being framed.

Emperor Tianyuan gently lifted his eyelids and said, "Shut up and wait for the other old man to finish speaking."

Huang Shangshu: "......"

*

Turning his gaze to the old man on the right, Emperor Tianyuan said, "Tell me about your grievances."

The old man on the right whimpered, spread his hands and pressed them to the ground, face down, which was the most respectful posture.

"I am similar to the man next to me. Last month, when I passed by Jinlai Casino, I accidentally knocked over a small jar of wine placed at the door of the casino. The manager of the casino said that the wine was worth five hundred taels and forced me to pay compensation. I couldn't pay, so the manager sent someone to snatch the house deed from my home and forced me to sell my daughter to him as a concubine.

I didn't want to, so they found the place where my family was taking shelter from the wind and snow, and they banged and hammered around all day long, stealing all the valuable items in my house.

I came here today to ask if there are any stalls hiring. My grandson has had a high fever these past two days, and the doctor said the situation is urgent and he will not survive if he doesn’t take medicine!”

By the end of his speech, the old man was already in tears.

Many people on the roadside who heard the whole story also wiped away their tears.

"Your Majesty, please, help us talk to the Minister and ask him to let us go." The old man on the left knelt on the ground, extremely humble.

Emperor Tianyuan: “…”

At this time, people outside shouted, "That Jinlai gambling house is not a good one. I don't dare to pass by it on weekdays."

"Yeah, I don't know what the gambling house does. One time when I passed by, I actually heard people screaming."

"Your Majesty, please help these two. They are so pitiful."

I don’t know who started it, but except for the vendors at the roadside stalls who had to watch the fire, the rest of the people knelt on the ground one after another.

*

Taking a deep breath, Emperor Tianyuan turned to Shangshu Huang and said, "You heard what they said. Is the Jinlai Casino your property?"

"No... No!" At this point, Huang Shangshu dared not admit it, and said with a pale face: "Our dynasty stipulates that officials are not allowed to open gambling houses and brothels. Even if I have ten guts, I dare not open a gambling house."

Emperor Tianyuan lowered his eyes and looked at him: "Really?"

Huang Shangshu said emphatically: "I dare not lie."

"But why did the people in the gambling house say that their master was you?"

"Someone is deliberately trying to frame me. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have been working wholeheartedly for you and the people since I entered the court. I would never dare to do such a dirty thing. You must trust me."

Emperor Tianyuan: “…”

"If you don't believe me, why not leave this matter to me? I will arrest all the people in the Jinlai gambling house and put them in jail. I will find out the truth and clear my name."

Just as he finished speaking, a slightly crisp male voice came from the crowd: "Who knows whether the Shangshu is going to collude with others or really arrest people to find the truth? We dare not believe the results of your investigation."

Minister Huang looked up suddenly, but found that he couldn't find anyone to talk to.

Emperor Tianyuan also thought of this, looked at Minister Huang and snorted.

"What the people said is not bad. In that case, my royal brother, come here."

*

Prince An took two steps forward in three steps.

Emperor Tianyuan glanced around and finally said loudly: "Today, Prince An will take care of these two old men and their families on my behalf. The matter of Jinlai's gambling house will also be handed over to Prince An to investigate. Does everyone have any opinions?"

The people looked at each other, and finally shook their heads in unison.

Prince An has a good reputation among the people and they believe in him.

Emperor Tianyuan nodded with satisfaction, and then instructed Prince An: "The Jinlai gambling house is lawless, so don't follow me. Go and confiscate the gambling house now. Remember, don't let anyone in the gambling house go, and make sure to find out their real owner."

Prince An bowed and said, "Your Highness, I accept your order."

"Your Majesty, the prince is alone..."

"As for you." Emperor Tianyuan interrupted him with his hands behind his back: "What happened today is definitely not groundless. Since the gambling house incident involves you, then before the truth comes out, you should reflect on yourself at home. When Prince An finds out that the facts have nothing to do with you, you can come out again."

Huang Shangshu: "......"

*

Emperor Tianyuan handled this matter fairly and justly, and the people's respect for him reached a new level, with them cheering "Long live the emperor" three times.

There was no emperor who didn't like the sincere praise from the people, and the depression in Emperor Tianyuan's heart dissipated.

He smiled at the people and continued walking forward.

Li Yu stood where he was, looking in the direction where Prince An and the two old men had left. Prince An was walking fast, and now he could no longer see their backs.

But she felt that this matter was most likely related to the prince.

Just as he was thinking about it, a little girl bumped into Li Yu.

Li Yu quickly supported the man and said, "Are you okay?"

"It's okay, sister, I'm sorry." The little girl smiled sweetly at Li Yu.

"It's okay." Li Yu stood up straight.

*

The little girl left quickly, and Li Yu called Han Xiaomei and Si'er to leave with her.

The three of them found a pavilion to sit in.

With the help of Han Xiaomei's cover, Li Yu stretched out his right hand.

At this moment, there was a note in the palm of her right hand, which was stuffed into her hand by the little girl the moment she bumped into her.