"Fifth brother, speak with caution! Regardless, he is an official. If we go too far, it will bring unnecessary trouble to the family!"
As soon as Qian Xiuxian finished speaking, Qian Xiuqi glared at him.
The elders in the family had not been managing affairs for some time. Ever since the Mingzhou Defense War had gone awry, almost all family operations had fallen onto the shoulders of their brothers.
Qian Xiuxian had a fiery temper, and even though he was already over fifty, his temper had not waned at all.
Seeing this guy say such things in front of a junior like Qian Lang today, Qian Xiuqi couldn't help but glare at him with disappointment.
"Second Uncle, then how do you suggest we handle this matter?"
After a slightly awkward dry cough, Qian Lang quietly asked again.
"This isn't just our family's business. There are still three days left, aren't there? I think we should wait and see. If he truly has the ability to swallow one of the families, then so be it, what's wrong with acknowledging him as our master?"
For a prominent family like theirs, as long as there were sufficient benefits, nothing was off the table for negotiation.
"But don't you feel indignant?"
Both Qian Xiuqi and Qian Lang completely ignored Qian Xiuxian's ranting.
Those who achieve great things are not bound by trivialities. If one cannot endure such minor slights, how can they lead a family?
"Alright, Fifth Brother, your wild talk can stay within these walls. Third Brother, leak this news to the remaining parties, but be careful with the channels, don't let them suspect it was us!"
"Second Uncle, what about the Cai family's matters? Should we perhaps put them on hold for now?"
After Qian Lang finished speaking, Qian Xiuqi fell silent again. Upon careful consideration, this was indeed a problem!
The Cai family had acted most unethically last time. The Pu family's blind expansion was indeed their problem, but looking at it now, wasn't the money suppressed by the Cai family the last straw that broke the camel's back?
If they said they hadn't done anything behind the scenes, even Qian Lang wouldn't believe it, let alone an old fox like Qian Xiuqi.
With their actions, the Pu family was completely ruined, and Han Mo made a swift move, gobbling up the largest piece of the pie from the Pu family.
Meanwhile, the Cai family took advantage of the situation and swallowed such a large sum of money.
But what about Han Mo?
Han Mo acted as if he had forgotten about the money, never even mentioning it from beginning to end!
Didn't this clearly indicate that there was some unspeakable transaction between them?
Originally, according to the intentions of several major families, they wanted to reclaim their share.
However, at the critical moment, Cai Jing suddenly resumed his official position, and this matter was directly suppressed.
Now that Cai Jing was in trouble, they couldn't hold back any longer, as it was not a small sum!
Calculated per family, it amounted to millions of *guan*!
Money, once acquired, is hard to let go of!
"Is our Qian family's money really so easily taken? This matter doesn't need to stop. Cai Jing is already at his last gasp. We just need to proceed with our own affairs! After Cai Jing steps down, the Cai family should also understand the importance of rules!"
Although the Qian family had not sought to contend for supremacy in recent years, it did not mean they had no backbone.
In such competitions between prominent families, what should be fought for must be fought for!
After all, human greed knows no bounds. If you yield an inch this time, they will advance a foot next time.
To avoid falling behind, one must be firm when firmness is required.
"But if we do this, won't the Cai family directly throw their support to Han Mo?"
After careful consideration, Qian Lang spoke again.
"If they really do that, don't you think they will have to pay even more?"
Qian Xiuqi said immediately after a moment of thought.
"Second Uncle is right. Then, if we put it that way, now is the perfect time to seize political power and force them to back down!"
"Exactly. They should also learn how to lower their heads and do business. Our Qian family has been silent for too long. Now is the time to seize this opportunity to rise again, and it will also let this Lord Han clearly see that without our Qian family, he won't be able to accomplish anything."
"Second Uncle is brilliant. I'll go and do it now!"
With his words, Qian Lang's entire perspective suddenly brightened.
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"Father, do you think what that Yuan fellow said is credible?"
In Bianliang City, after carefully pondering for a day and a night, Cai Tao finally came before Cai Jing again and recounted the events of the previous day in detail.
At this moment, he was truly unsure. Logically speaking, the method proposed by Yuan Xingchi was indeed the best course of action.
However, on one hand, this sum of money was indeed not a small figure. Even for a prominent family like the Cai family, without resorting to dishonest means, it would take several years to earn such a large sum.
On the other hand, the imperial court was a bottomless pit. No matter how much wealth was offered, it was never enough. After all, the current emperor was extravagant and debauched. His personal expenses alone could account for one-fifth of the national treasury.
If they were to easily cough up such a large sum of money, wouldn't the imperial treasury remember them again the next time it ran out of funds?
It's better to be guarded against a thief than to be constantly targeted by one!
Even being targeted by one thief could cause prolonged distress, let alone an emperor.
"This person indeed has a plan. The method he spoke of is indeed a solution when there seems to be no solution. However, if we truly do this, it would be like drinking poison to quench our thirst..."
Although Cai Jing was old, he was not muddle-headed.
Based on his grasp of the political situation and human nature, he could naturally see that the strategy Yuan Xingchi had offered them was a treacherous one disguised as a solution.
However, what troubled him at this moment was that apart from this method, it seemed they truly had no other way out in the short term.
His good-for-nothing son and Wang Fu understood him too well. This time, their strike was both fierce and precise. If Cai Tao fell, he would surely be next.
"But it seems we have no other retreat now. I heard that Wang Fu and the others have already begun contacting local officials. In at most three to five days, there will probably be a continuous stream of impeachment memorials..."
As he said this, Cai Tao's face flushed with shame.
If he had been a little more restrained before, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
If only he had known this would happen, why did he do it in the first place!