"Hmm"

  Wang An let out a cold snort, interrupting everyone's questioning.

  "Since this little brother is the sworn younger brother of Shen Da Guan Ren, then he has the qualifications to discuss it."

  Wang An said: "Is it Yang Chengye? I don't know where you are from."

  Yang Chengye bowed his head and said: "I am Yang Chengye, also known as Jizong. My father is Yang Zaixing!"

  "What? Yang Zai Xing, General Yang's son?"

  "How is this possible? Wasn't General Yang's son killed by the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty? How can he appear in this place?"

  Upon hearing Yang Chengye's introduction, the crowd erupted in cheers once again. They had also heard of Yang Zai's reputation, as a descendant of the Yang family generals who had led 8,000 soldiers to defend Xiao Shang Bridge and defeated tens of thousands of Jin troops, making him a hero of his time.

  Yang Chengye sighed: "That is my elder brother, and I am the second son of my father."

  When Yang Chengye claimed to be Yang Zaixing's second son, everyone took a deep breath, but instead became even more respectful.

  Wang An also curiously said: "Young Master Yang has something to say, it's all right to speak freely."

  Yang Chengye said: "When my father was alive, he once said that the imperial court had three major troubles, namely Jin Guo, Western Xia and Huai River. Now Jin Guo and Western Xia have already made peace with our dynasty, relatively speaking, they have entered a peaceful period."

  "The only problem that has been plaguing the imperial court is the Huai River issue. Now that the Huai River has burst its banks, countless refugees are flocking in, and the imperial court is currently in a state of initial stability, with no time to attend to this matter."

  "Jiaxing is the gateway to Lin'an. Refugees will arrive. If they are not properly settled, it is easy to cause banditry."

  Gu Cong stood up and said: "Young Master Yang's words are wrong. The refugees and bandits are all matters that the imperial court should worry about, what does it have to do with us?"

  Yang Chengye continued: "Director Gu's business is all over two prefectures and one province, he is the richest man in Jiaxing. If refugees and bandits make trouble, the garrison troops of Jiaxing City are simply unable to resist, while the imperial army guards the border, it is beyond their reach."

  "When the time comes and Jiaxing city is broken, the first to be affected will be the estates of all the local gentry. And among those present, you, Director Gu, have the most assets. Are you certain that you can protect your family's business?"

  Yang Chengye paused for a moment and continued: "Now the magistrate is calling on everyone to donate money and grain in order to comfort the refugees and ensure everyone's safety."

  "When the time comes for refugees to retreat, the governor will set up a monument and establish a legacy, everyone will leave their names in history, be revered by future generations, why wouldn't everyone be happy to do so?"

  A middle-aged man with a pointed mouth and wearing a colorful robe said, "Although what Young Master Yang said is not wrong, but the family business we have accumulated with great difficulty will be donated like this, it's hard to accept!"

  "This is..."

  Yang Chengye looked at the middle-aged man and asked.

  "In the lower part of Shidiwei, I am the owner of Kechun Silk Store." The middle-aged man said with a bow.

  Yang Chengye said: "Mr. Shi, sorry for the disrespect."

  "As I represent the Shen family, I will make a decision on behalf of my elder brother. To compensate for everyone's losses, our Shen family is willing to give up the salt business and share the profits with everyone. From now on, the Shen family will no longer be involved in the salt business."

  "What?"

  "Is what you're saying true?"

  "Can you represent the Shen family?"

  Yang Chengye's words suddenly sparked a discussion among the crowd, and even Gu Cong and Wang An looked at Yang Chengye in surprise, also glancing at Shen You.

  Shen You didn't know why Yang Chengye would give up the official salt business, but as long as it was something Yang Chengye said, he believed it to be true.

  Shen Youqing cleared his throat and said: "Second brother is representing me Shen Mou, what he says is what I say."

  "Shi De Wei looked at Shen You and asked: "Shen Da Guan Ren, are you sure you want to give up the official salt business?"

  "Shen Youlang said in a loud voice: 'A gentleman's word is like a team of horses, impossible to catch up with. Today, we have the honorable Prefect as witness, and Shen will definitely keep his promise.'"

  At this time, Yang Chengye replied: "Originally, the refugees should be handled by the prefectural government, but the prefectural government's treasury is not enough to support all the refugees' expenses. Therefore, the Shen family is willing to return the official salt business to the prefectural government, and let the prefectural government redistribute it."

  Everyone's eyes were eagerly fixed on Wang An, waiting for his decision after hearing Yang Chengye's words.

  Wang An scanned the hall and said slowly, "In that case, each of you gentlemen will report to the teacher the amount of money and grain you have donated. At that time, this official will make a reasonable allocation according to the amount of money and grain each of you has contributed."

  After hearing Wang An's words, everyone including Gu Cong rushed towards Shifu and shouted eagerly.

  "Master, I spent 20,000 guans on family expenses and 50 dan of rice."

  "The historian spent 20,000 yuan and got 30 dan of rice."

  "The Song family spent 60,000 guan and 70 dan of rice."

  "How come your Song family has produced more than the Gu family?"

  "Cut, the Gu family is so petty. Didn't you hear what Master Qi said? Whoever donates more will get a larger share of official salt, and this is an opportunity to surpass the Gu family. If we don't take action now, when will we?"

  "Brother Song is right, our Liu family will also contribute 60,000 guan and 70 dan of rice."

  …………………………

  Wang An was stunned, had these people all gone mad? Why were they suddenly rioting?

  At this time, Shen You finally understood Yang Chengye's approach. He was letting the Shen family give up the official salt business, causing those people to frantically scramble for it, and the Shen family didn't even need to spend a single grain of money.

  "Shen Da's official is good at scheming!"

  Wang An gave Shen You a thumbs up and said, "Since the Shen family is willing to give up the official salt business, then the Shen family doesn't need to spend any more money or grain."

  Yang Chengye stepped forward and said: "Your Honor, the prefect, how can this be?"

  "The official salt business was originally for the officials' families, our Shen family is just returning to its rightful owner. Since everyone contributes money and grain, then let the Shen family contribute labor."

  "Oh? How did you come up with this?" Wang Bo looked at Yang Chengye curiously.

  Yang Chengye said calmly: "Refugees come to Jiaxing, and when the time comes, there will inevitably be a plague. If the plague breeds in these three periods of heat, it will also be a troublesome thing."

  "Our Shen family requests that adults purchase a large quantity of medicine, our Shen family will dispatch personnel to control the plague."

  Upon hearing this, Wang Anqi said: "Is there a doctor in the Shen family? You should know that there are only two doctors in the entire Jiaxing City, and they are both over 70 years old and can no longer leave the city to treat refugees."

  Yang Chengye smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir. As long as the prefecture government procures all the medicinal materials, I can guarantee that the plague will not break out."

  "Good!"

  Wang An slapped the table and said, "It's settled then. The government will send someone to procure all the medicinal herbs as soon as possible and deliver them to the Shen family."

  Yang Chengye clasped his hands together and said: "Then it's settled with just one word."

  Yang Chengye paused for a moment and said to Shen You: "Big brother, let's go back and prepare first!"

  Shen You responded with a "yes" and bid farewell to Wang An, returning to the Shen residence with Yang Chengye.

  In the Song Dynasty, civil officials rode in sedan chairs, military officers rode horses, and merchants generally rode horse-drawn carriages.

  Yang Chengye and Shen You sat in Shen's family carriage returning to the Shen residence.

  "Second brother, why are you willing to let go of the salt business? Are you just giving it away to those people for nothing? Look at them, they're all like starving dogs."

  On the bus, Shen You finally asked out his doubts.

  Yang Chengye's face was solemn, revealing a calmness that didn't match his age.