Zhou Weizhao’s temperament was truly so good it didn’t seem fitting for an imperial prince. Yangzhou had received imperial grandsons and princes before—traveling under the banner of imperial envoy, wherever they passed would be stripped of a layer of skin, almost like a locust plague passing through.
Moreover, it wasn’t just imperial grandsons, princes, or high-ranking officials passing through—there were also various relatives of officials and eunuchs traveling north and south to take up posts. Upon arriving at Yangzhou, renowned for its prosperity, they would inevitably stay for a while, and during this stay, silver would flow like water.
The Prefect had assumed that when Zhou Weizhao entered the city and encountered refugees, he would fly into a rage. But unexpectedly, Zhou Weizhao acted as if nothing had happened. Even now, he still spoke in a pleasant manner. Even Liang Shoufu’s obvious evasiveness, he listened to seriously and seemed to take at face value.
Truly someone who had never experienced hardship. He sighed, then felt this was somewhat natural after all—having been raised in a Daoist temple, he had probably only learned about benevolence and loving others and such. No matter how extraordinary Zhang Tianshi’s knowledge was, he couldn’t teach much more. At least the art of imperial statecraft couldn’t be learned in a short time. After all, as a Daoist priest, could one casually take lives?
Liang Shoufu clearly shared the same thoughts as his son-in-law, the Prefect. Seeing Zhou Weizhao’s silent and seemingly easy-to-handle appearance, he became increasingly emboldened. He set down the cup in his hand and met Zhou Weizhao’s gaze: “Truly can’t afford it. Fenghuang Tower is nearly impossible to keep running. Everyone knows how difficult life is for us in Yangzhou—”
Zhou Weizhao listened with a smile as he went on at length about how difficult life was with such nonsense, showing great patience. Only after he finished did Zhou Weizhao give an acknowledging sound, then looked toward the Prefect: “With Prefect’s son-in-law looking after it, hasn’t Fenghuang Tower’s business always been excellent? When I came from Jinling, I even heard the garrison eunuch Chang Youde say he must come taste Fenghuang Tower’s food.”
Fenghuang Tower’s business had never been poor. Even in the hardest times, life could still be managed. There were always those whose lives were comfortable. Just like when war broke out, the imperial family and clan members lived as lavishly as ever. Using Fenghuang Tower as an excuse was really quite exaggerated, deliberately saying things like not having eaten Fenghuang Tower’s food in many years. The Prefect felt quite embarrassed. He glanced at his father-in-law Liang Shoufu and felt annoyed, then glanced at Zhou Weizhao and felt only apprehension.
Fortunately, Zhou Weizhao didn’t let him feel apprehensive for too long. He asked Liang Shoufu straightforwardly: “Master Liang is deliberately joking with me, isn’t he?”
Liang Shoufu no longer took Zhou Weizhao seriously. His plump face, which normally looked quite honest, now showed several traces of meanness and impatience: “How could this be a joke? It really is extremely difficult—”
Zhou Weizhao leisurely gave an “oh”: “Master Liang is the wealthiest man in the region, yet you say things like not being able to afford your own Fenghuang Tower’s food. To be honest, I absolutely don’t believe it. Yet you insist on speaking with such righteousness and certainty, which does put me in a difficult position.” The corners of his mouth held a constant smile, neither angry nor anxious: “Everyone knows why I’ve come. The matter in Xibei cannot be delayed. Even if I can afford to wait, the soldiers in Xibei cannot, and the court cannot either. They say one’s hands are short after taking favors, one’s mouth soft after eating gifts. The court has already made clear the rewards promised to all of you. Why don’t you give me a straight answer—will you donate or not, and how much can you donate?”
Will you? Why not? A wave of people spoke up one after another saying they had no money, afraid that speaking slowly would make Zhou Weizhao identify them as having wealth.
Zhou Weizhao then laughed—this time it was genuine laughter. He found it truly amusing and naturally laughed aloud: “Then there’s no helping it.” As he spoke, he turned to look at Liang Shoufu: “Just now, Master Liang spoke most decisively, saying your household children’s expenses have been reduced by more than half compared to previous years, and that you can’t even afford Fenghuang Tower’s banquet. But according to my knowledge—” He deliberately paused, drawing Liang Shoufu’s gaze, before continuing: “According to my knowledge, over a month ago when your esteemed father celebrated his birthday, you hosted three hundred banquet tables, with Fenghuang Tower doing the cooking. How is it that after just over a month, you’ve suddenly declined to such a state?”
Liang Shoufu’s neck stiffened and his face reddened. He glanced at the crowd that had instantly fallen silent, somewhat desperate with rage: “Your Highness, as a son, when one’s elderly father celebrates his birthday, naturally one must make it lively and grand even if it means cutting one’s own flesh and letting blood. How can these be compared? The life we ourselves live is truly difficult—it’s just that this one occasion was done more grandly—”
“Not just grand, was it?” Zhou Weizhao interrupted him: “Didn’t you hold a continuous feast? I heard each person who came to the banquet was even given ten wen in cash. This was unprecedented for your household. You’re normally quite stingy. If life were truly difficult, would you be willing to spend money like this?”
He had made himself very clear. With a slightly impatient wave, he stopped Liang Shoufu. His previously amiable face suddenly changed expression, looking at him with cold mockery: “Whether it’s true or not, wouldn’t we know by investigating? I’m tired of hearing your excuses. How about this—” His gaze fell on Liang Shoufu: “Since you insist on saying how miserably you’re living, why don’t I investigate thoroughly? If you’re truly living that miserably, I’m not an unreasonable person. What do you think?”
Liang Shoufu was stunned: “How would you investigate this?”
“Easy to investigate.” Zhou Weizhao smiled and clapped his hands. Chen Ping had already entered expressionlessly, carrying a box. As soon as he entered, he placed the box on the table and opened it, reporting to Zhou Weizhao: “These contain Fenghuang Tower’s account books, as well as records of goods dispatched by the Liang family and escort services they hired.”
He actually went to investigate! Liang Shoufu’s eyes widened. Seeing his son-in-law also looking panic-stricken, he couldn’t restrain himself and shrieked: “Where did you get these? Account books are our—”
“Secret, right?” Zhou Weizhao picked up an account book, casually flipped through it, then with a thud tossed it carelessly onto the table, completely losing interest in continuing the discussion: “If you truly have no silver, why fear my investigation? Master Liang, why don’t you tell me yourself—how much flows through your accounts daily, how much silver comes in each day, and whether this silver matches what’s paid in taxes?”
“Those refugees I encountered before entering the city—each one burly and well-fed with plump faces. I’ve never seen such prosperous-looking refugees. You gentlemen truly think too highly of me, probably believing that because I’m young and inexperienced, I’m the kind of fool who asks ‘why don’t they eat meat?'” Once Zhou Weizhao shed his previously amiable appearance, his imposing manner was truly frightening, each sentence aggressive and pressing: “Staging such a performance, then today’s pleading poverty and crying hardship—isn’t it all just to avoid giving silver? Not giving silver is one thing, but why don’t Master Liang, Prefect, and all you gentlemen explain to me—what’s the deal with those beggars outside?”
What deal? Naturally, they planned to repeat their old trick and have the beggars “accidentally” obstruct the procession again.