Your Majesty said that my life is worthless, so why are you crying when I increase my troops?

"Go, go, get up quickly. I won't be your godfather."

Xia Mingyuan's eyes went dark and he rolled his eyes at Lu Xiucai.

"And who told you to kill someone?"

"Ah?" Lü Xiucai was a little dumbfounded, and asked in a daze, "Sir, if you don't let me kill anyone, then the salary you give me..."

"What? You think it's not enough?" Xia Mingyuan frowned.

"No, no, you've misunderstood, sir." Lu Xiucai quickly shook his head. "It's these thirty taels of silver. It's simply too much."

"I've been in Yangcheng for many years, but I've never heard of a household that can earn thirty taels of silver a month for a worker..."

"Take whatever I give you." Xia Mingyuan waved his hand. "I want you to do more than just an ordinary errand."

"I heard you can do accounting? And you've worked as a bookkeeper?"

Lü Xiucai nodded and said respectfully, "Sir, I did work as a bookkeeper for a pawnshop. However, a distant relative of the pawnshop later took over my job, and I ended up living on the streets, copying letters to make a living."

Speaking of this, Lu Xiucai couldn't help feeling sad.

Back then, he passed on all his accounting skills to this distant relative of the master's family without reservation. He never expected that in the blink of an eye, the relative would kick him out of the accounting office and teach him a severe lesson.

Xia Mingyuan nodded slightly, and after a long silence, he said, "Let me ask you, which business in Hanyang City is the richest?"

"That's naturally Mr. Huang Renji from the Huang's Grain Store." Mr. Lu answered without hesitation.

"Huang Renji..." Xia Mingyuan frowned slightly. He was impressed by this name at the welcoming dinner last night.

Although Mr. Huang looks thin and ugly, he donated three thousand taels to suppress bandits.

Because he was the one who donated the most among all the wealthy businessmen in the city, Xia Mingyuan paid more attention to him at that time.

"Sir, the reason why Huang's Grain Store is the richest is because they do unscrupulous business, especially Huang Renji, who is the worst kind of person." Lu Xiucai said.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Xia Mingyuan was stunned for a moment and asked curiously.

Lü Xiucai gritted his teeth, his expression indignant. "Over the years, the imperial court has been engaged in constant wars, coupled with two consecutive years of drought. This has caused food prices to soar, and the people are suffering terribly."

"Huang Renji relied on his wealth and power to collect and hoard grain on a large scale. When the grain became scarce, he inflated the price and sold it to the people, making a fortune."

"Later, the Huang family's grain business grew like a snowball, and all the rice in Hanyang was monopolized by the Huang family. At its peak, a kilogram of rice was sold for nearly two taels of silver.

The common people secretly hated Huang Renji, but because his brother, who worked in the Ministry of Revenue, was afraid to offend him, many people privately called him Huang Ba Pi.

Xia Mingyuan's face was expressionless as he nodded slightly. "So, Huang's Grain Store is currently the largest rice merchant in Hanyang?"

"That's right!" Lu Xiucai continued, "I heard that the Huang family and their two branches have even expanded their business to the Central Plains in recent years, but I don't know the details."

"Snapped!"

Xia Mingyuan closed the folding fan in his hand, stood up from his seat, his eyes shining.

"Well, since this Huang's Grain Store is such a big fat sheep, I will first offer some benefits to Mr. Huang."

"Lu Xiucai, Hongying, the two of you come with me."

After saying this, Xia Mingyuan stood up and walked straight out of the palace.

Seeing this, Zhang Wei and his eight companions followed, four in the open and four in the dark, protecting Xia Mingyuan's safety.

Lu Xiucai looked at the four people behind him and couldn't help but feel relieved.

When he entered the princess's mansion earlier, he was really scared by the tall and mighty Qilin guards.

But when he learned that these people were Young Master Xia's guards, he suddenly felt relieved and couldn't help but feel more awe for Xia Mingyuan.

Not only can this Mr. Xia enter and leave the princess's mansion freely, he also has such a powerful personal bodyguard. It is obvious that his identity is not simple.

Moreover, the royal family of Daxia was surnamed Xia, so Young Master Xia might be from the royal family!

Thinking of this, Lu Xiucai's breathing became rapid and his expression became excited.

Who would have thought that Old Lu, who had been unlucky for most of his life, would actually have the chance to get someone powerful?

……

The group passed through the east and west markets and arrived at the gate of Huang's house.

"Sir, we're here."

Lü Xiucai pointed to the tall courtyard in front of him and said, "Look at the Huang residence. It's almost as luxurious as the princess's residence. This is all the money Huang Renji and his men have plundered from the people."

Xia Mingyuan nodded slightly and glanced at Lu Xiucai, "Go and inform them that the Princess's Guard Xia Mingyuan wants to discuss a business deal with Mr. Huang."

Lu Xiucai was slightly startled, then nodded and walked forward.

"Stop, you poor scholar, are you blind? Can't you see this is the Huang residence? Get out of here now. If you don't, don't blame us for breaking your legs." Before he even got close, the doorman started shouting arrogantly.

Lü Xiucai was not annoyed. He bowed to them and said, "Everyone, my son wants to discuss business with Mr. Huang. Please let him know."

"Nonsense! There are so many people looking for Mr. Huang to discuss business. Can you see my master whenever you want?" The doorman curled his lips. "Tell your master to bring the visiting card first, and then go home and wait for news!"

Lu Xiucai was met with dismay and turned back to look at Xia Mingyuan helplessly, "Sir, they want a visiting card before they let us in."

"Damn it, Huang Renji dares to ask for a visiting card from this young master?"

"I was giving him face by not letting him come out to greet me, and he even took the music score."

Xia Mingyuan sneered, and without saying a word, he raised his leg and was about to walk into the Huang Mansion.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you do?"

"You're forcing your way in, right? Quick, someone's here! There's an assassin!"

Several guards suddenly roared and drew their swords.

However, the next moment, the voices of these people all stopped abruptly.

Everyone kept their mouths tightly shut, their faces pale.

I saw that the four Qilin Guards had their swords placed on their necks.

If they say one more word, they will probably be beheaded immediately.

"Tell me, where is Huang Renji now?" Xia Mingyuan asked coldly.

"Please spare my life, our Master Huang is in the back garden with several ladies..."

The doorman of the Huang Mansion was almost scared to pee his pants and answered in a crying voice.

Xia Mingyuan waved his hand and asked several Qilin guards to follow him and head straight to the backyard of the Huang Mansion.

……

"Huang Renji, Master Huang, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

Xia Mingyuan and his group broke into the back garden.

Huang Renji was hugging several concubines and drinking in the pavilion. When he saw Xia Mingyuan, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Commander Xia, why are you here?"

"But what are your orders, Her Royal Highness?"

Although Huang Renji was extremely disdainful of Xia Mingyuan because of what happened last night.

But no matter what, Xia Mingyuan was from the princess's mansion, so he quickly stood up and greeted him politely.

Xia Mingyuan said calmly, "Her Royal Highness the Princess didn't give any instructions. It was this commander who came to do business with you, Master Huang."