Chapter 113: Never a Losing Deal

Chapter 113: Never Taking a Loss

At this moment, Xiao Qiyu, who had been silent all along, spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "Is Fourth Brother truly in such a hurry to collect evidence and hand it over to the Dali Temple just to cut off Third Brother's source of income? I can't help but feel that Fourth Brother actually listened to your wife's plea, fearing the people would suffer, and thus decided to move in early?"

Xiao Lingchuan picked up his teacup, took a leisurely sip, and responded nonchalantly, "So even you think I moved too early?"

"No, on the contrary, I greatly admire Fourth Brother's decisiveness. Although it may not completely topple Third Brother in one fell swoop, it protects the innocent people. Those gamblers may have brought it upon themselves, but how innocent are the young girls who were abducted and sold? This matter is naturally better dealt with sooner rather than later." He rose solemnly and bowed deeply to Xiao Lingchuan. "Fourth Brother's conduct nowadays increasingly carries the imperial bearing."

"Enough with the flattery! Sit down and drink your tea!" Although Xiao Lingchuan said this, a faint smile touched the corners of his eyes.

After sitting down, Xiao Qiyu immediately switched to a lighthearted tone to tease, "If your wife knew Fourth Brother cared so much for the people, she would surely be overjoyed! Ever since your wife appeared, you, Fourth Brother, have become much more humane!"

"What, was I very cold and ruthless before?" Xiao Lingchuan raised an eyebrow in retort.

"Absolutely! Not only cold and ruthless, but also unscrupulous!" Xiao Qiyu shook his head with a laugh. "I often used to think there wasn't much difference between you and Third Brother. It was simply a matter of who was stronger, and that person would become the future emperor of Daye!"

"And now?" Xiao Lingchuan's tone was flat, but his gaze remained fixed intently on him.

"Now? Just based on this one act of considering the people's welfare, you are already far superior to Third Brother!" Xiao Qiyu said seriously. "Third Brother's actions harm others without benefiting himself, even colluding with foreign enemies. He is utterly unworthy of becoming Daye's emperor!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingchuan's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly.

He lowered his eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flashed within them.

—

Xiao Xiuzhan, desperate to amass wealth, ordered the stakes at the underground gambling dens to be drastically increased. This move directly plunged many scions of noble families into deep trouble, leaving them heavily in debt.

Among them was Zhang Lin, the son of Minister Zhang.

Zhang Lin had originally gone to the gambling den with friends just to "broaden his horizons." Little did he expect that, egged on by others, he would place bets and become uncontrollably addicted.

By the time he left the gambling den, he owed a staggering debt of a thousand taels.

Upon learning his son bore such a heavy debt, Minister Zhang was furious and directly reported the matter to the Dali Temple.

Operating gambling dens within the capital was strictly forbidden, an ironclad law established during the late emperor's reign. To knowingly break the law was naturally intolerable to the Dali Temple.

The Dali Temple immediately dispatched officers to launch a swift raid, shutting down that gambling den in one fell swoop.

Although the gambling den had hired thugs for protection, how could they match well-trained government officers?

After just a few rounds, they were all apprehended.

This incident opened the floodgates. Once the news spread, other indebted gamblers saw an opportunity.

Xiao Lingchuan's men seized the chance to spread the word far and wide: as long as one actively provided clues about underground gambling dens, once the dens were shut down, the gambler's debts would be completely wiped clean.

Once this statement was made, gamblers rushed to inform his agents about the locations of hidden underground gambling dens within the capital.

Within three days, the locations of all underground gambling dens were compiled into a detailed document and delivered into the hands of the Chief of the Dali Temple.

The Chief of the Dali Temple received the document and bowed solemnly to Ling Feng, who had come to deliver the clues. "Please convey to His Highness the Fourth Prince my gratitude for his tremendous support in this official duty!"

Ling Feng cupped his hands in return and said gravely, "Your words are too kind, Chief. As a prince of Daye, His Highness naturally has a duty to serve the people and eradicate these harmful underground gambling dens!

His Highness also mentioned that the reason the late emperor strictly forbade gambling dens in the capital was precisely because he deeply understood their harm. He hoped that one day, such practices could be completely eradicated within Daye's borders. As the late emperor's grandson, His Highness will certainly not fail the expectations of the late emperor and His Majesty!"

"His Highness the Fourth Prince is wise!" the Chief of the Dali Temple praised sincerely, his eyes filled with admiration.

The crackdown on the underground gambling dens proceeded quite smoothly, but the results left the Chief of the Dali Temple utterly shocked. He never imagined that right under the Emperor's nose, so many gambling dens were hidden—it was truly appalling.

In the Imperial Study, upon learning of this, the emperor was furious. "How dare they operate gambling dens right under my nose! These unscrupulous merchants have some nerve! Relay my decree: execute them all without mercy!"

"Your Majesty, this humble official has a word, though I am uncertain if I should speak it," the Chief of the Dali Temple said with a bow, his tone cautious.

"Speak freely, my esteemed official," the emperor said gravely.

"Your Majesty, underground gambling dens are a taboo in the capital. Although ordinary merchants seek profit, they would never have the audacity to knowingly break the law so blatantly." The Chief of the Dali Temple paused, lowering his voice. "I venture to guess that there must be someone powerful shielding them from behind, even... possibly someone from within the palace."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face darkened abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Could it be that the mastermind behind them is one of my sons?"

The Chief of the Dali Temple hurriedly bowed again, speaking respectfully, "I dare not make presumptuous claims. Everything rests on Your Majesty's judgment."

The emperor narrowed his eyes, his gaze profound and icy.

During this period, the one most urgently in need of silver was none other than his third son.

Could it be that the true beneficiary behind these underground gambling dens was indeed him?

Inside Fulu Palace, Consort Rong and Xiao Huaijin sat opposite each other, drinking tea.

"The underground gambling dens were shut down thanks entirely to the crucial clues provided by the Fourth Prince. The Chief of the Dali Temple also mentioned that the Fourth Prince quite agrees with your royal grandfather's approach and even intends to completely eradicate gambling dens from Daye's territory."

Consort Rong's gaze rested probingly on Xiao Huaijin.

Seeing him remain silent, she continued, "Your maternal grandfather, being a merchant, understands best which trades benefit the state and the people, and which are harmful to both the nation and its citizens. Only by clearing away such filth can legitimate commerce develop smoothly. If your Fourth Brother truly intends to eradicate gambling dens, our Cui family will naturally offer our full support."

Only then did Xiao Huaijin slowly speak, his tone light. "This matter can be decided by Mother and Grandfather."

"Although that may be so, aren't you worried that if Xiao Lingchuan ascends the throne in the future, your competition with him for Miss Jiang will become even more difficult?" Consort Rong's tone grew slightly heavier as she reminded him. "If he truly becomes the emperor of Daye, he could have any woman in the world!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin's expression darkened slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"In that case, let us exchange the Cui family's support for a marriage contract with Miss Jiang for me. If Fourth Brother only cares about power and the throne, he will surely make this deal with me!"

Hearing this, Consort Rong smiled gracefully and took a light sip of tea. "Good, it shall be as you say. Whatever you desire, this consort and your grandfather will spare no effort to fulfill it."

A faint smile finally appeared on Xiao Huaijin's face as he said softly, "Thank you, Mother!"

The smile in Consort Rong's eyes deepened.

Her son, even if he is not destined for the throne, should still possess all the finest things in this world, including that Prime Minister's legitimate eldest daughter he has set his heart on.

If Xiao Lingchuan wants to ascend the throne, how can he do so without it costing him something?

They, as merchants, never take a loss.