Free Web NovelChapter 288: Chapter 213: Emperor’s Heart Skill (4)
But in Chen Yi’s hands, it would at most be used like a long blade.
Seeing him cradling the sword and studying it, Xiao Wan’er knew he had already heard about the Holy Emperor’s edict. Her expression grew somber as she spoke:
"Grandfather said that after this, the family’s finances will be a bit tight. I’m afraid the matter of the Medical Dao Academy... will have to be postponed for a while."
Chen Yi paused, then looked at her with a smile. "I don’t think we need to postpone it."
"Huh?"
"The revenue from the tea drinks sold at the Medicine Halls should be arriving soon. Judging by last month’s figures, it should be at least ten to twenty thousand taels of silver."
"Even after deducting all the expenses, the household should still have a considerable amount of silver left. That would be just enough to build the Medical Dao Academy, wouldn’t it?"
Xiao Wan’er opened her mouth to speak. "But... but, Grandfather..."
Chen Yi put away the Long Sword and waved his hand. "What the Old Master needs isn’t just ten or twenty thousand taels of silver. He isn’t counting on the family."
"He, like the Old Mistress, has his mind set on the Mutual Market."
It was like someone who owed a mountain of debt to a bank.
When the news first broke, his friends and family might have thought about helping him chip in.
But once they learned he owed an astronomical sum, they didn’t even bother trying to pool their money.
It was no use.
The Xiao Family treasury, which Xiao Wan’er controlled, was in a similar situation.
Even if she emptied out all the silver, it wouldn’t be enough to fill the massive deficit of the Dingyuan Army.
That being the case, it was better to use the silver elsewhere.
Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er didn’t know whether to feel happy or worried.
’Come to think of it, what Chen Yi said did make sense.’
But she still had reservations about actually spending the money to build the Medical Dao Academy.
She was worried the household would run short on money later, and also that the academy would be a waste of funds.
Chen Yi could guess what she was thinking, so he continued to reassure her, "Money is something you earn, not something you save."
"The Medical Dao Academy will certainly have some initial costs, but once it’s established and gains momentum, the benefits will be even greater."
Xiao Wan’er’s eyes were fixed on him, her expression clearly showing she wanted him to elaborate.
"Think about it. The people who come to study the Medical Dao and its skills will have to pay some tuition, right?"
"And if we have a Medical Saint Hand in residence, it would be reasonable to charge double the fee, wouldn’t it?"
"That’s one source of income right there."
"Second, we could have the academy research new formulas. We could then partner with other Medicine Halls, or have the Xiao Family Medicine Hall manage them exclusively."
"And another thing..."
Chen Yi was really going to great lengths to dispel Xiao Wan’er’s worries and convince her to part with the money.
Most people in this era were like that.
They lacked the concept that "money is earned, not saved," and they also lacked the methods to do so.
If Chen Yi were the Old Master and in control of the Xiao Family, he could think of a thousand ways to make the Xiao Family a large sum of money in a short amount of time.
Hundred Herbs Hall was a prime example.
Fortunately, Xiao Wan’er trusted him. After his repeated attempts at persuasion, she reluctantly nodded. "I’ll listen to you."
Chen Yi’s mouth was dry from all the talking. He signaled for Xiaodie to brew some tea and led Xiao Wan’er to a pavilion to rest.
"How is the Old Master’s mood? I hope his health hasn’t been affected."
Xiao Wan’er gently shook her head. "Grandfather is fine."
"He said he’d expected it. The blame for the loss of the summer grain at Iron Wall Town lies with the Dingyuan Army, so it’s only right that he receive some punishment."
"He just didn’t expect the Holy Emperor’s penalty to be so severe."
Chen Yi grunted in agreement. "It’s certainly not a small amount. Counting what was burned, they’ve lost twenty percent of their provisions in total."
"If Governor Liu learns of this, he’ll probably laugh out loud."
Xiao Wan’er froze at his words, then gave him a strange look. "There’s something you don’t know, Brother-in-law."
"Hm?"
"The Holy Emperor issued an edict punishing Governor Liu today as well." freewebnovёl.ƈom
"I heard that the imperial scribe, Eunuch Feng, announced the edict in front of everyone at the Governor’s Office. The wording was severe—it all but accused the Liu Family of plotting a rebellion."
On hearing this, Chen Yi couldn’t help but laugh.
Well then.
’Looks like the current Holy Emperor doesn’t miss a thing.’
’He obviously knew the Xiao and Liu Families had been negotiating in private, so he decided to expose it all and punish both sides equally.’
’Not only did he confiscate the Xiao Family’s gains, but he also ruined the Liu Family’s attempt to cover up the fact that Liu Wen burned the summer grain in the Three Towns.’
’Now, the Xiao and Liu Families had both lost their fig leaves. The whole world could see them for the joke they were.’
’Fortunately, the Xiao Family was the victim. At worst, their defenses were lax.’
’With Xiao Jinghong’s recent victory establishing his might, people wouldn’t dare to laugh too loudly.’
’The Jing State Liu Family, on the other hand, was in a different boat.’
’Plotting to burn a Border Town’s grain supply is tantamount to treason.’
’That the Liu Family wasn’t sentenced to the extermination of their nine relations was already a sign of the Holy Emperor’s mercy.’
’In these circumstances, the Liu Family was likely to face no small amount of trouble in the future.’
’Just the people looking to kick them while they’re down would be more than the Liu Family could handle.’
A smile crept onto Chen Yi’s face as he considered all this.
"It all comes down to comparison."
"Compared to the Liu Family, the Old Master and the Old Mistress are extremely fortunate to have only lost some silver. At least their reputation is intact."
Xiao Wan’er understood the difference, of course. She nodded. "Grandfather said the same."
Relieved of her worries about the Medical Dao Academy, her expression brightened considerably. She relaxed and said:
"The poetry gathering is approaching. Perhaps we should start preparing?"
"Prepare what?"
"Poetry, or something from the arts of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. I was thinking of bringing something to the academy to share and discuss with everyone."
"I don’t think that’s necessary... Eldest Sister, you can play the Zither?"
Meeting his eager gaze, Xiao Wan’er hesitated before nodding. "I studied it for a while, but..."
"...it’s been a long time since I’ve played."
Chen Yi’s interest was instantly piqued. "How about you show off your skills before the poetry gathering, Eldest Sister?"
"As it happens, I’ve come across a few good compositions..."
