"Oh, Master Ouyang, you’ve come, please accept my respect!" Su Vice Magistrate was so excited that he couldn’t speak fluently. No wonder Young Master Dou had them wait for half a day, he went to invite Master Ouyang.

Now it’s all good; with him here, he can certainly suppress those noble families and local influential clans.

Su Vice Magistrate felt relieved, almost floating as he walked.

Master Ouyang had no unnecessary words and directly said, "Lord Su, no need for formalities. The Prefecture matters are urgent, let’s set off quickly."

"Yes, yes, let’s set off now." Su Vice Magistrate responded, wanting to invite Master Ouyang to ride in the same carriage, but seeing the golden and silver-carved carriage prepared by Young Master Dou, he immediately kept quiet.

County Magistrate Zheng had also received orders from Magistrate Gu to go to the Prefecture together. He remembered the contributions of the Gu Family and took Luo Wu along to escort them, to show presence in the Prefecture.

As for the matters within the county government, they were temporarily handed over to County Magistrate Fang and County Captain Jiang. County Magistrate Zheng also invited Jiang Dahu to the county government to hold the fort.

"All lords, stop dawdling, let’s set off quickly." Young Master Dou shouted, and moments later, the convoy started moving, grandly leaving the county, heading towards the Prefecture.

They rode fast horses, traveling day and night, and arrived at the Prefecture on the afternoon of the third day. Without any rest, they immediately went to the Prefecture Government Office.

Magistrate Gu was already waiting for them, and upon seeing Master Ouyang, he was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Master Ouyang, you have saved my life."

The Ouyang Family holds an exceptional position, admired by all scholars. Facing Master Ouyang, Magistrate Gu dared not speak as the host, only referring to himself as a junior.

Master Ouyang had ridden in a carriage for two days and nights, and the weather was hot, almost causing him to suffer from heatstroke. Thankfully, he had the Convenient Medicine given by Gu Jin’an to endure. Seeing Magistrate Gu, he asked, "Have those people arrived?"

Magistrate Gu: "They’ve been here for several days, always waiting, saying that once Young Master Dou arrives, they should go to the Shen Family’s separate yard to seek an audience."

The Shen Family was the family-in-law of the Founding Princess, the Dong Family of Chushen Pharmacy. Because they married the Founding Princess, Prince Consort Shen was granted the Marquis Rong’en title, but it wasn’t hereditary, and it would be downgraded after three generations.

Currently, it can still be called a Marquis Mansion, but once this generation of Marquis passes away, it will be a Bo Residence.

Master Ouyang: "The Shen Family, as part of the royal family, actually comes to stir up this mess, truly... foolish!"

By draining Great Chu’s blood like this, aren’t they afraid that the Emperor will confiscate the Shen Family in anger?

The Founding Princess has already passed away, and the Emperor is ruthless; he wouldn’t spare relatives.

"Who from the Shen Family came?" Master Ouyang asked.

Magistrate Gu: "It’s Elder Shen Si from the Marquis Rong’en Mansion."

Elder Shen Si? Just a bastard, yet daring to ask for an audience!

Master Ouyang said, "Go inform Elder Shen Si that in two hours, I and Young Master Dou will meet everyone; say it’s about the Dou Ou Bank’s shares. If he wants to come, he should hurry; we won’t wait past the time."

Then added, "Magistrate Gu, notify the other families swiftly, let’s quickly resolve this matter."

Quickly?

Magistrate Gu was surprised. Master, you are a Great Scholar, why speak such country rough language? But now wasn’t the time to discuss this, so Magistrate Gu immediately sent people to notify those families wanting to invest in the bank.

"Master Ouyang... the Shen Family is just a tool; behind them are the Zongzheng and Ying Families, these are the most challenging." Magistrate Gu reminded after inviting Master Ouyang into the government office.

Master Ouyang listened and nodded: "I understand."

Understand? Just these three words?

Magistrate Gu was very worried. These two families aren’t ordinary; he feared Master Ouyang couldn’t suppress them.

But Master Ouyang seemed unwilling to say much, so Magistrate Gu had to swallow his words.

Master Ouyang was exhausted, and while Magistrate Gu notified the people, he changed clothes, ate some pastries, and took a brief rest.

Two hours later, Ah Song woke Master Ouyang, handing him a bowl of dissolved medicine: "Gu Family’s awakening pill, drink a few sips to refresh yourself."

Master Ouyang took it, drank a few sips, and shortly after, got up and said, "Let’s go."

"Yes." Ah Song responded and opened the door for Master Ouyang.

Young Master Dou, Gu Jin’an, County Magistrate Zheng, and others were already waiting in the yard. Seeing Master Ouyang come out, they paid respectful salutes.

Master Ouyang said, "No need for formalities, let’s go meet them."

Young Master Dou said, "Old man, they’ve sent quite a few people; don’t let me down."

Master Ouyang laughed: "Rest assured, today you won’t be disappointed, only surprised."

And Master Ouyang delivered on his promise. Facing a room full of dozens of people, he wasn’t afraid at all and didn’t give them the chance to say nonsense. He sat down and immediately said, "You can give Silver to the bank, we’ll accept however much, but if you want to invest in the bank and increase interest, that’s impossible."

"As for wanting to partner in establishing a new bank, I advise you to rest. No matter if the people behind are royal family members or noble families, those who provoke the Emperor with the tax issue will end up with confiscated property and extermination." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Master Ouyang took out two letters, placing them on the coffee table: "These two letters, one is from me to my elder brother, the other is from Old Master Ming to me, you all can open and look."

Everyone was shocked; they could see the letters? What are written in them? The crowd was curious yet wary of the Ouyang Family, afraid to make a move for a time.

Elder Shen Si sneered, grabbed the two letters, and said, "Since Master Ouyang has spoken, I shall obey and see."

Elder Shen Si was filled with anger; his father favored him, said that although the title couldn’t be given to him, he could leave more assets to him, but the elder brother was too powerful, keeping control of the family’s business for years without letting him touch it.

This time, he finally sees a profitable opportunity, wanting to invest in the bank, earn interest from the farmers, and seize their properties as payment if they couldn’t repay; but Dou Ou Bank was not willing.

Then Master Ouyang suddenly appeared, giving him a blow, causing him to flip the table in the separate yard out of anger.

However, the Zongzheng and Ying Families said that as long as he stood against the Ouyang Family, their banks could allow him to invest.

Indeed, the Zongzheng and Ying Families wouldn’t invest in Dou Ou Bank; they’d rather establish their own and get rich independently.

Elder Shen Si knew the strength of the Zongzheng and Ying Families; following them could equally bring him wealth without having to look at the face of the Ouyang Family.

Therefore, Elder Shen Si disdainfully opened the letters, but after reading both, his face turned pale, his legs weakened, and he collapsed into the chair.

Others witnessing were shocked. Seeing Elder Shen Si in this state, the letters must have written something extraordinary.

Master Ouyang drank some tea, looked at Elder Shen Si, and asked with a smile, "After reading, how do you feel; do you prefer Silver or life?"