Chapter 1373 - 44: The Great Emperor’s Complete Defeat (Part 2)

"This kind of business deal worth twenty million Qian Gold may not be a big transaction for the Wang Family, but for us the Zhao Family, it is like timely assistance in the snowstorm. If we can showcase our abilities through this opportunity, there’s a chance of undertaking more projects from the Wang Family in the future."

"But none of us expected that the dozens of ships of cast iron pots we acquired on credit have not even reached the family’s warehouse before being seized by the Governor’s Mansion of Celestial County under dubious pretexts. The reason we’ve come to the Wang Family to seek leniency is in hopes that they will allow us to postpone repayment of the credit debt, and we will find a way to redeem the goods as soon as possible."

As Zhao Mingzhi narrated, everyone instantly understood the cause of the situation.

"This iron pot business should be the project of the Artifact Refining Headquarters, right?" Wang Ansong frowned as he spoke, "I remember now that the person in charge of this business is my Aunt Ying Lei."

"Grand Commander An Song is right, indeed it is under Mr. Ying Lei’s responsibility, and in fact, we’re very grateful to Mr. Ying Lei. If it weren’t for her willingness to provide us credit, with our family’s current condition, we would hardly have the capital to acquire that batch of goods." Zhao Zhiming, already two or three hundred years old, with cultivation at the middle stage of the Celestial Human Realm and being the Patriarch of a Fifth-Grade Noble Family, exhibited significant respect toward Wang Ansong.

It is understandable, since Wang Ansong, at merely eighty, has reached the Second-Layer of Celestial Human Realm cultivation, and being of such talent, he is undoubtedly a Celestial Pride. Such a treasured talent, positioned within the Celestial Mansion Zhao Family, would almost certainly be a Purple Mansion Species, the core of the family.

But within the Wang Family, Wang Ansong is just a regular elite among the younger generations, not yet considered a true core member.

This highlights the terrifying foundation of the Wang Family.

On the surface, everyone is a Fifth-Grade Noble Family, yet the Wang Family merely reveals the tip of the iceberg, which leaves others in the dust.

"Since our Wang Family is willing to extend credit to you, it’s already a form of care towards you, so why do you still want to accuse our Wang Family? Why even slander our Fourth Elder?" Wang Ansong angrily remarked.

Before Zhao Mingzhi had the chance to speak, Emperor Longchang interrupted, "Isn’t it because your Wang Family sets traps for others, first extending credit, then using influence to have the Governor’s Mansion of Celestial County seize the Zhao Family’s goods? The obvious goal is to coerce the Celestial Mansion Zhao Family into offering their girls; indeed, Shouzhe must want to take a concubine. This scheme, I’m all too familiar with."

"?" The crowd stared wide-eyed at Emperor Longchang; the words seemed rather plausible, delivered so smoothly, perhaps the old gentleman deeply understands such matters?

While Emperor Longchang was complacent, Zhao Mingzhi quickly interjected, "Don’t guess wildly, old sir. We’ve never said the Wang Family used influence to seize our goods."

"If not the Wang Family, then who else?" Emperor Longchang confidently replied, "Although the Duke Protector of the Nation misaligned their stance in this Imperial Sons’ Struggle, as the saying goes, a dead camel is still larger than a horse. Besides the Wang Family, who else could influence the Governor’s Mansion of Celestial County, acting against the Zhao Family?"

His words made sense, even Jiang Zhencang and Wang Ansong frowned; among the Noble Families of Daqian nowadays, there are almost none privileged to disregard the Wang Family.

The legitimate cooperation project between Changning Wang Family and Celestial Mansion Zhao Family led to the goods being seized; it’s incredible.

Could it be that the Fourth Elder is indeed restless, and desires to take a concubine to further contribute to the family?

This signals trouble is on the horizon...

Our Fourth Great-Grandmother isn’t one to be trifled with; if she starts causing a stir, hopefully, the family won’t become embroiled in internal conflict.

"Let’s not jump to conclusions, everyone; this truly isn’t a matter caused by Patriarch Shouzhe." Zhao Mingzhi reluctantly stated, "The Wang Family may be strong, but within our Daqian, there are still two Noble Families capable of contending with the Wang Family."

"Impossible!" Emperor Longchang firmly declared, "I can’t think of one."

"Not discussing far-off matters, the Daqian Imperial Family is a Noble Family, naturally not afraid of the Wang Family." Zhao Mingzhi said with a cold smile.

"Imperial Family?" Emperor Longchang felt a pang in his heart, "Zhao Mingzhi, do you mean the Imperial Family is obstructing?" That wouldn’t be impossible, after all, the Imperial Family is numerous, there’s always someone with a strong temperament.

"It’s not the Imperial Family." Zhao Mingzhi shook his head, "Currently, the Changning Wang Family is in alliance with the Imperial Family; relations are quite close. I’m just giving an example."

Emperor Longchang raised an eyebrow, just about to scold him for giving imprudent examples when suddenly he thought of something, unbelievably saying, "Could it be... the Celestial Mansion Jiang Family?"

It seems the only explanation.

"Impossible!" Jiang Zhencang said coldly, "The Celestial Mansion Jiang Family barely holds onto their Fourth Grade title; after all, their momentum is quite weak, how would they dare to rival the Wang Family? Even the currently in seclusion Zhao Family wouldn’t dare provoke them, right?"

"This elder might have a misunderstanding." Zhao Mingzhi coldly remarked, "The momentum of the Jiang Family is certainly not weak; after all, the statue of the current Saint Master Jiang is worshiped in their ancestral hall."

"I also consulted with Mr. Ying Lei and found out that the Celestial Mansion Jiang Family had sent a shopkeeper from a firm to negotiate the iron pot business. But the offered price was indeed too low, and Mr. Ying Lei refused the project."

"Mr. Ying Lei didn’t know that although the Celestial Mansion Jiang Family couldn’t deal with the Wang Family, in that one-three land area of Celestial Mansion, they have the ability to suppress any collaborator of the Wang Family."

Jiang Zhencang’s old face revealed an impossible look, "It’s not possible, it’s not possible; I remember the Jiang Family being relatively low-profile." He knew clearly he had long lost hope in the Jiang Family and refused contact with any Jiang Family member for thousands of years.