Chapter 170

Chapter 170

A few days later, the charity benefit show was fully prepared and held as scheduled. In addition to those arranged by Meng Shuping and his team, many others bought tickets to enter the venue, eager to see how the musicians and dancers kept by the Yunzhou Prefect's household differed from others.

The Yunzhou Prefect also paid to attend. While he could take or leave the performances themselves, he was worried that Meng Shuping might try to pull another fast one on him.

However, as soon as they entered, they saw several large characters displayed on one side of the stage: "Zhao's Silk Emporium." Flanking these words were the names of two other shops. The audience was puzzled—what was this all about? Despite their confusion, the names of these shops left a deep impression.

Zheng Qian curiously asked Meng Shuping, "Vice Director Meng, what is this…?"

Meng Shuping explained in a low voice, "These are advertisements. These merchants paid for sponsorship, and we’re promoting their businesses."

Zheng Qian’s eyes widened in astonishment. "You can actually do this?"

He looked at Meng Shuping with admiration. Vice Director Meng was truly skilled at making money! Back in the capital, he had already increased the court’s income, and now he had come up with such a method. This young man was indeed something else.

If Meng Shuping knew what Zheng Qian was thinking, he would have said it was all because he had seen such methods before. Without prior exposure, he might not have been able to come up with it himself.

Meng Shuping, Jiang Cihe, and the others naturally had reserved seating. However, Guan Siming and his group looked down on the performance. Even if the performers were from the prefect’s household, how could they compare to the royal entertainers? Attending was merely a way to kill time. After all, being constantly bossed around by Jiang Cihe to work, having a day off was nice.

He snorted coldly and said, "Lord Meng, although your intentions are good, how much money can you actually raise from such a performance? It’s not worth the trouble."

Jiang Cihe glanced at him. "Every bit counts. Even a few hundred taels can aid many people. If you think it’s too little, cousin, why not chip in something to the disaster victims yourself?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t resist adding sarcastically, "Exactly! If he thinks it’s too little, he should donate more. He hasn’t contributed a single coin, yet he has the gall to talk smack here."

Guan Siming was speechless, unable to retort. Finally, he stammered, "I didn’t bring much money with me when I came out. Otherwise, I would certainly do my share."

Meng Shuping mumbled, "Didn’t you bring a lot of things when you came out? Selling just one would make some money."

"There are plenty of ways to contribute. In the end, he just doesn’t want to give, right? He acts so generous but doesn’t actually do anything. Doesn’t he realize how hypocritical he is?"

Jiang Cihe, as if suddenly remembering something, said, "Vice Director Meng makes a valid point. Cousin, I recall you brought a whole cart full of items when you came out. How about you take a few things to sell and donate the proceeds to the disaster victims?"

Guan Siming’s face stiffened. "No, those are all things I need."

Meng Shuping wanted to mock him again. "See? On one hand, he claims he has no money, but when given a solution, he refuses. All talk, huh?"

Jiang Cihe’s expression went cold. "It’s just a few items, not everything. Were you just messing with me earlier, cousin? Very well, if you can’t contribute money, you can put in some work. After the performance, I’ll have you help the disaster victims clean up their homes."

Guan Siming panicked. Was this a threat? If he didn’t give up a few items, Jiang Cihe would send him to do manual labor? He had no doubt Jiang Cihe would do it. After all, he wasn’t at home now, and there was little he could do to resist Jiang Cihe’s orders.

So, he grudgingly said, "What are you saying, cousin? Upon second thought, there are indeed a few items I don’t need. I’ll sell them and donate the money to the people."

Meng Shuping almost burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Weren’t you just reluctant a moment ago? Changed your tune fast! It’s just a little hardship—look how scared he is!"

Guan Siming was a little pissed. If Meng Shuping wasn’t afraid of hardship, why didn’t he go do it himself instead of mocking him here?

Jiang Cihe smirked. "Cousin, your kindness is appreciated. On behalf of the disaster victims, I thank you."

Guan Siming replied stiffly, "Not at all, it’s the least I can do."

Jiang Cihe then turned to Shi Yue and the others. "What about you? Would you like to contribute as well?"

Shi Yue and his group had been watching the drama unfold, only to find themselves suddenly roped into it. Meeting Jiang Cihe’s inquiring gaze, they were stunned for a moment before quickly saying, "Of course! We also want to do our part for the disaster victims."

"Thankfully, Prince Zhao reminded us. Otherwise, we might not have thought of this way to raise funds!"

"Contributing to the people is also helping the court. How could we refuse?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but remark, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. They’re all so good at reading the situation. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they’re actually enthusiastic!"

Shi Yue and the others took a deep breath. How could they not be enthusiastic? If Jiang Cihe could send his own cousin to do hard labor, what more them? When you're under someone's thumb, you must bow your head. They didn’t dare oppose Jiang Cihe.

Seeing his goal achieved, Jiang Cihe was in a good mood. He ordered, "Then send someone to fetch your items now. We’ll auction them off later."

Guan Siming and the others had no choice but to reluctantly send people to retrieve their items, looking like they'd lost their best friend.

A short while later, the performance began. First, a host arranged by Meng Shuping took the stage and said, "This performance is sponsored by Zhao’s Silk Emporium, Xinghe Bank… and other merchants. We hope for your support."

After the host finished speaking, the first performer, a singer, took the stage. As the accompaniment began, the song quickly filled the air. Upon hearing it, the audience was surprised. Was this what the Yunzhou Prefect listened to daily? It was indeed different. Though it sounded unusual, it was unexpectedly uplifting!

"No wonder they were invited to the prefect’s household. Their singing is truly different from others!"

"I don’t know why, but I feel a bit excited!"

"Me too! I feel pumped up now. If nothing else, this song alone was worth the ticket price!"

The Yunzhou Prefect was also stunned. Had this songstress ever sung such a song in his household? Was it a new composition? Why was it so different from her usual style?

Guan Siming and the others looked even more surprised. They had genuinely never heard this style before. Was the Yunzhou Prefect’s taste really this peculiar?

After listening for a while, Shi Yue snorted. "I thought it would be amazing, but it’s just okay. Nowhere near as good as the performers in my household."

Meng Shuping couldn’t help glancing at him. "Wow, really? I think it’s quite good. The performers in your household sing even better? How about I suggest another event next time and get your people to perform?"

"I wonder how many performers he has. Probably enough for a show, right? He is the Minister of Works, after all. Shouldn’t he be even more useful than the Yunzhou Prefect?"

Jiang Cihe nearly burst out laughing but managed to control his expression with a cough.

Shi Yue’s expression froze, and he immediately shut up. He had no desire to end up like the Yunzhou Prefect, used as a selling point by Meng Shuping.

After the first performance ended, the second act began—an instrumental piece with a strong rhythm.

Guan Siming and the others had never heard such a musical style before. As they listened, they unconsciously began to sway to the music. Watching them so engrossed, Meng Shuping couldn’t help but feel satisfied. "Well, well, well. Who was it that dissed it earlier? Why are you bobbing your head now? Proving yourself wrong, aren’t you?"

It hadn't been easy to specially select this piece and have it performed. Thankfully, the musicians sent by the Yunzhou Prefect were truly skilled; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been possible to achieve this effect.

Guan Siming and the others snapped back to reality upon hearing Meng Shuping’s words and quickly leaned back. Big deal, it's new. What was the big deal?

Of course, aside from the unconventional performances, there were also a few more traditional acts.

After several performances concluded, the host returned to the stage, but this time it was for the auction segment. The items up for auction were precisely those brought by Guan Siming and the others.

Upon hearing that the proceeds from the auction and the revenue from the performance would all go toward disaster relief, the audience was astonished. No wonder it was called a charity benefit—it truly served the public good!

Since the items brought by Guan Siming and the others were of high quality, and given their status, they attracted enthusiastic bidding from wealthy merchants, fetching quite good prices.

When the performance finally ended, Zheng Qian looked at the substantial sum of money raised and said delightedly, "Now the disaster victims will have more relief funds. It’s all thanks to Vice Director Meng."

Meng Shuping chuckled dryly. "Not at all, not at all."

Under the management of Jiang Cihe and the others, the lives of the disaster victims gradually returned to normal, and some had even returned to their hometowns. It was only then that Jiang Cihe found the time to deal with the Yunzhou Prefect.

The Yunzhou Prefect had thought that since he had already sent gifts to Meng Shuping, they wouldn’t target him anymore. To his surprise, while he was at home one day, a group of people suddenly stormed in and arrested him.

When he was forced to kneel before Jiang Cihe, especially with Meng Shuping also present, he couldn’t contain his anger. "Meng Shuping! What is the meaning of this? Didn’t I already send you silver? We agreed you wouldn’t deliberately target me. How dare you go back on your word? If you do this, aren’t you afraid others will refuse to associate with you?"

Meng Shuping felt unfairly accused. "I didn’t accept that silver—I donated it all to the disaster victims. How does that count as going back on my word? I never agreed to anything!"

"Besides, when did I ever falsely accuse him? He can’t just fabricate accusations out of thin air! This time, it was the prince who wanted to arrest him because he was displeased. What does it have to do with me? If he has a problem, he should take it up with the prince!"

The more Meng Shuping thought about it, the more dissatisfied he felt. "And it’s not like I’m the one to blame. Doesn’t he know what he’s done? How can he have the audacity to act so righteously after doing such things without feeling the slightest guilt?"