Chapter 363: He was after the public opinion

It has been a long time that he hasn’t gone back and felt uncomfortable.

In the past, he packed his bag on the second day after the New Year and rushed to Xinghua Village.

Akin to a married wife returning to her natal home, eager to dart homeward.

He was too late this time, and the zing of the New Year already disappeared everywhere. Once he returned to Xinghua Village, it would be too late for him to receive red envelopes from Grandpa Liu and Grandma Liu.

That was a loss of at least twelve taels.

In the hall, Feng Qingbai was brewing tea. He was doing it himself, lest the servants spoil the good tea that Shengsheng concocted with her own hands.

After Qian Wanjin sat down in front, he pushed a cup of hot tea in front of him, and said, “I naturally called you here for something else. Xiangshan has suffered a snowstorm, and I need your help for something.”

Qian Wanjin had just picked the cup up, but before he could taste it, he stood up with a bang upon hearing the news. He couldn’t even take care of his special tea. “How about Lucky Nannan? Did something happen to the Liu family? You’re only telling me about the snowstorm now?”

“I just received the news this morning.”

“I’ll depart back to Xinghua Village immediately!” Qian Wanjin turned around and left, his heart burning with anxiety.

“Shengsheng and the Liu family are fine. Xinghua Village was spared.”

Qian Wanjin wanted to give him a punch. Couldn’t he say the whole thing at once?

He turned his heel and returned to his seat, drinking the tea that he almost spilled just now. “If Xinghua Village is fine, why did you summon me here? Lucky Nannan is not here, and I have nothing to discuss with you.”

Since Lucky Nannan and the Liu family were safe, there was no need to be anxious. As for other places affected by the disaster and others sufferings, they were none of his business. They were for Feng Qingbai to worry about.

“I asked Feng Mohan to draw up a decree to name Shengsheng as the disaster relief ambassador.”

“Feng Qingbai, don’t think that because I can’t beat you, I don’t dare to beat you up!”  Qian Wanjin blew up again. “Are you out of your mind? In the past, you desperately protected Nannan behind you, and now you are desperately pushing her forward? What bullshit ambassador. If things are not done right, she will be pushed into the limelight. Do you think your political opponents in the court can let her go?!”

“Can you hear me out and don’t rant like a vicious dog at every turn?”

“You’re the vicious dog!”

“Are you going to listen?”

“Say it.” Qian Wanjin calmed down and stared at Feng Qingbai, just to see what foolish ideas he was up to.

“The Qian’s family momentum has been established in the capital, and is spreading to the whole of Nanling. You’ve begun to surpass the Liu family. I need to take advantage of this momentum. After you go to Yunzhou, take advantage of your fame and find a way to convince the rich and influential families there to raise money for disaster relief. However, you must do it in the name of the Qian family and the Ruyi County Lady. If you succeed, the reputation of the Qian family and Shengsheng will soar to the top among the masses. With the support and will of the people, even the court can not easily touch you.”

So Feng Qingbai was playing with the idea of using the overall will of the public to fight against the evil forces of the court?

“You’re really cunning. You just have to use everything.” Qian Wanjin grunted, “This is no problem. The Qian family and Nannan will ultimately benefit. You’re quite proficient at calculating. Your people are suffering from disasters, yet you refuse to contribute even a single cent. Even the court should allocate some disaster relief funds, right? If you don’t pay even a single penny, the people are bound to criticize the ruler of the dynasty.”

The ruler of the dynasty was no other than Feng Qingbai.

The picture of the people spurning him, if ever that happened; tsk-tsk, the mere thought of it was bliss.

“It is a good thing for you if the court does not allocate money. Once successful, the fame is all yours and isn’t a tiny bit related to the court. The court can not taint your light. Isn’t that to your liking?” The corners of Feng Qingbai’s lips were hooked.

“I don’t believe you. You’re black-bellied. Would you do these things without benefits?”

“You can depart now.”

“Feng Qingbai, don’t burn the bridge after crossing it!” Discarding him after using him, scum!

“Don’t worry. I won’t obliterate what the Qian family deserves.”

This was considered his promise to Qian Wanjin.

In the future, no matter what, the picture of slaying the lackeys after they have outlived their usefulness would definitely not happen to the Qian family.

“This, pass on to Shengsheng on my behalf,” Feng Qingbai handed Qian Wanjin a pile of silver bills before he left. “Whatever she wants to do, let her go ahead and do it. She can allocate all of these.”

Qian Wanjin took the silver bills and immediately began to count them. He was utterly shocked, “Three hundred thousand taels? Feng Qingbai, you are actually so rich? Where did you get the money? Are you corrupt and taking bribes?”

No way. 300,000 taels. If the Qian family wanted to spend so much money at once, they had to go through the family deliberations. They also had to ferret it out from the working capital before they could raise it.

Feng Qingbai offered 300,000 in one go. He wasn’t in business, and there was no way he could generate money. Could it be that it fell from a gust of wind?

“This is a royal secret. Outsiders who know it are dead. Do you want to hear it?” Feng Qingbai replied gently.

“Snort, are you trying to scare me again? Am I an outsider? Ah? Am I an outsider?” Although Qian Wanjin went along with Feng Qingbai, he no longer continued to ask. Who did not have secrets? He, Qian Wanjin, wasn’t nosy. He shook the silver bills and stuffed them into his sleeves. “Lucky Nannan is going to be an ambassador of good deeds. You’re contributing effort and money behind the scenes, yet will not gain a tiny bit of benefit. Don’t you feel aggrieved?”

“My woman works, I pay. Is there a problem?”

Qian Wanjin turned around and left. He refused to look at that face a second longer. He’s flaunting and asking for a beating!

Now that the money was in his hands, he could steal it later! Then, he would go to Nannan and ingratiate himself.

“If you want to embezzle, the Qian family may double it back to me.” The man’s voice followed coolly from behind, more freezing than the strong winter wind.

“Who wants to embezzle your money? Do you think I have no money whatsoever?” Qian Wanjin stretched his legs and ran.

Damn, Feng Qingbai has become a genius!

He could even see through his wicked thoughts!

In the hall of the king’s residence, Feng Qingbai sat there, continuing to quietly sip tea.

In the first month of the lunar year, although the snow has stopped, the snow was still piled up everywhere and would not melt until spring.

Qian Wanjin’s trip to Xinghua Village would take longer than before, and the road would be difficult to travel.

However, it was worth looking forward to.

As long as Shengsheng’s reputation in the hearts of the people was sky-high, her status would also rise. By then, it wouldn’t be so easy for Consort Liu to plot against her.

Shengsheng wanted to stand by his side and fight alongside him.

Since this was the case, he also must change his way of protecting her well.

What he was after was the public opinion.

If water could carry a boat, it could also capsize it. Anyone who dared to ignore public opinion would surely capsize.

Qian Wanjin returned to the Qian residence. After explaining everything, he galloped out of the capital, hoping to use the fastest speed to return to the Xinghua Village.

In his hurry, he didn’t even have time to say goodbye to Shi Xianrou and only left a message for her.

It was a cold winter now, and it was now a world of ice everywhere. Suppose he rushed all the way, he would have to camp when there was a snowstorm. He was worried that when he arrived, things were almost drawing to an end. 

Originally, taking the waterway could shorten the journey, but the river surface in winter was frozen. Boats couldn’t travel, and the water route was terrible.

Qian Wanjin could only scold heaven and earth throughout his journey to Xinghua Village.