Jiaxing City, the prefectural yamen, Wang An summoned all the wealthy families and merchants in Jiaxing City to gather together.

  At this time, the main hall of the prefectural yamen had already boiled over, with dozens of local gentry, wealthy households and merchants making a loud noise.

  "We've been waiting for so long, why hasn't the Magistrate appeared yet?"

  "Yes, I was called over before I even had a chance to eat, and I have no idea what it's about!"

  "You're not bad, that little concubine of mine had just been taken in and was pulled out from under the quilt by the yamen runner after only one try, who can I reason with?"

  "I heard that the Huai River has burst its banks, is the Magistrate looking for us because of this?"

  "What does the breach of the Huai River have to do with us?"

  "It must be to collect money and grain for disaster relief, this is what the government has always done."

  "Everyone should stop guessing now. Over the years, everyone is clear about what kind of person Wang Daren is. Would he do such a thing? I'd rather die than believe it."

  "Just in case, if it's really like that, I hope everyone will work together and reject him completely, don't agree to it."

  "Alright, alright, alright, let's do it!"

  Everyone responded in unison, planning to refuse uniformly, and see how Wang Zhifu would deal with them.

  "Mr. Shen has arrived!"

  At this time, the bailiff stood outside the door and shouted, and everyone looked over.

  Shen You, as a merchant, owned thousands of acres of good fields and tea gardens, operated warehouses, and also monopolized official salt, making him one of the top two merchants in Jiaxing City.

  Now he has started running a wine business, and it is said that his wine business is particularly good. Many restaurants buy wine from him, and his wealth is increasing rapidly, surpassing many others. Everyone cannot help but admire and envy him.

  Everyone saw Shen You bring in a boy about 14 or 15 years old and they all came forward to greet him.

  Shen Youyi nodded slightly and walked straight up to a middle-aged man with a pale face and no mustache, who had a stout body.

  "Director Gu has arrived early!"

  This man is Gu Cong, the president of Jiaxing Chamber of Commerce, whose business spreads across two prefectures and one province, and can be considered as the richest man in Jiaxing.

  "Governor Shen is too polite, I heard that you've started a wine business and have taken away all of my winery's customers?"

  Gu Cong's face was gloomy and he spoke bluntly to Shen You.

  Looking at Gu Cong, Shen You's smile on his face gradually converged, and he said in a cold voice: "Director Gu, your words are wrong."

  "Everyone is bustling about for profit, everyone is bustling about to gain an advantage. The world's business is done by the people of the world, and the tavern business isn't something that only you can do."

  "I, Shen, have not opened a wine shop in front of your house, nor have I gone to your place to poach your customers. Your business is not doing well and you don't look for the reasons within yourself, instead you come here to accuse me, this is truly unreasonable!"

  "You"

  Gu Cong's face changed drastically, his thick fingers pointing at Shen You, his face flushing red.

  Shen You's words are not wrong, opening a wine house depends on one's skills. Shen's wine house business is good, which means Shen's wine is good, while Gu's wine has always been the same, even Gu Cong himself is tired of drinking it.

  Suddenly, Gu Cong burst out laughing and said to Shen You: "Shen Da Guan Ren is absolutely right, it's me, Gu Mou Ren, who was too reckless, please don't take offense."

  "After seeing off Magistrate Qian, I, Gu Xiang, will be hosting a dinner at Shen's Wine Tower and would like to invite everyone. You must all come, especially you, Mr. Shen!"

  Shen You didn't know what Gu Cong was up to, but since Gu Cong had apologized, Shen You also didn't need to keep harping on it, so he agreed.

  "The master has arrived!"

  At this time, Shifu accompanied Wang An, who was walking in a steady gait, into the room.

  "I've seen the master!"

  Everyone bowed to Wang An, while Wang An sat straight up on the high platform.

  Wang Bo waved his hand and said, "Please take a seat, everyone!"

  Everyone sat down. As the richest man in Jiaxing Prefecture and the president of the Jiaxing Chamber of Commerce, Gu Cong asked first: "Sir, I wonder why you have summoned us?"

  Wang An glanced at Gu Cong, then looked towards Shen You, only to see Shen You sitting calmly with his eyes closed, cultivating his spirit. Behind him sat a young boy about 14 or 15 years old, whose face was dark with anger.

  "You're a good one, Shen You! I had people gather here, but you didn't care or ask about it. Just wait until we get through this crisis, and you'll be the one who's in trouble!"

  "Uh-huh"

  Wang An cleared his throat and said: "It's like this, the Huai River has burst its banks..."

  Wang An recounted the situation to everyone, and finally said: "In order to get through this pass, we must work together, those with money contribute money, those with grain contribute grain. I hope that each of you gentlemen will generously open your purses."

  After hearing Wang An's words, Shen You opened his eyes and Yang Chengye looked at Wang An in disbelief.

  All were wise men as deep as the ocean, how could this governor be so stupid?

  You say this, how can these rich people agree with your request? Is it that you've read too many books and become foolish, not knowing how to be flexible at all.

  As expected, as soon as Wang An finished speaking, the gentry below suddenly shouted out, especially the head of the Chamber of Commerce, Gu Cong, who shouted the loudest.

  "How did this happen? Our grain and money didn't come from thin air, just give if you say you'll give."

  "Yes, this is an imperial decree from His Majesty to the Prefect, what does it have to do with us?"

  "Governor, you just touch your upper and lower lips together, and we have to take out money and grain for you to make achievements. Isn't that a bit too easy?"

  At this time, Gu Cong stood up and said: "Lord Wang, forgive me for speaking bluntly. If you do this, the local gentry will be dissatisfied and it will definitely lead to trouble. I'm afraid not only will your political achievements not be completed, but it will also provoke public outrage, forcing the people to rebel against the officials, and at that time, even your position as the county magistrate will not be guaranteed."

  Listening to the villagers' chatter, Wang An suddenly felt a headache coming on. He was never good at handling these kinds of affairs and couldn't help but cast a pleading glance at Shen You.

  Shen You was also embarrassed and didn't know how to respond to the accusations of the villagers.

  Yang Chengye stood up and said loudly: "Everyone, listen to me for a moment."

  Yang Chengye said, looking at Shen You, Shen You nodded hastily and cast an encouraging glance.

  "Who are you? We're discussing important matters, where did this kid come from spouting nonsense? Doesn't he have any manners?"

  "You still smell of your mother's milk, go back and drink some more!"

  Hahaha

  Everyone burst out laughing at Yang Chengye's words, even Wang An furrowed his brow and shot Shen You a sideways glance.

  Yang Chengye spoke in a clear and moderate tone: "I am Yang Chengye, speaking on behalf of my elder brother Shen You, the great official Shen. I don't know if I qualify?"

  "Uh"

  At these words, the crowd suddenly fell silent. Only Gu Cong let out a cold snort and said in an indifferent tone: "Shen Da can't even be bothered to speak himself, but instead sends out a little brat - truly, he looks down on everyone!"

  "Director Gu's words are quite wrong!"

  "You don't know that having ambition is not about being old, in the past there was Gan Luo who became a prime minister at the age of 12, and now my sworn brother is dominating, you can't underestimate people!"

  "You..."

  Shen You's words suddenly made Gu Cong's whole body tremble with rage, his face red with anger as he pointed at Shen You, not knowing what to say.

  "Brother, don't listen to their nonsense, tell the adults properly."

  Shen You's words scolded all the rural gentry, and the number of people he offended was not small.