Chapter 573: Cooperation
Editor: Atlas Studios
When Qi Haoran pushed open the door of Cui Zhi’s cell, Cui Zhi was sitting at the table. When he saw Qi Haoran, he only looked up at him before he lowered his eyes again. Although he had not been in contact with the outside world for the past two days, he could guess from the guards guarding the door and the movements coming and going at the door that more than half of the Cui family’s assets had been destroyed.
Hence, Qi Haoran could be considered his enemy.
Not at all caring about Cui Zhi’s attitude, Qi Haoran sat opposite him and poured himself a cup of tea. “Cui family head, you should be glad that my son will turn one next month. Otherwise, the Cui family would have a different ending.”
Cui Zhi felt a chill down his spine and said in a deep voice, “General Qi, the Cui family has no intention of rebelling.”
“Who knows? Anyway, the news I received was that the Cui family is plotting a rebellion. Moreover, do you really think that you can protect the Cui family even if you weren’t plotting a rebellion? Even if the Cui family doesn’t plan to rebel, the things found in your study is sufficient evidence to have your entire family executed.”
Cui Zhi stopped talking.
Qi Haoran snorted. “In my opinion, half of the Great Zhou Dynasty was destroyed in the hands of you people. Half of the officials in Jiangnan are colluding with you aristocrats, and the central region is under Minister Qin’s sphere of influence. It would be strange if the country was not destroyed after being separated to this extent.”
“That is because Emperor Jingyan has no talent and no virtue.” Cui Zhi said straightforwardly.
Qi Haoran pursed his lips and said, “I don’t care whether you are greedy or Emperor Jingyan has no talent or morals. Anyway, we’re about to establish a new dynasty. All we want is for the people to live and work in peace, so you better not reach your hands too far.”
To think a little kid dared to threaten him like this.
Cui Zhi, who was already over 30 years old, had an ugly expression.
Qi Haoran suddenly said with a smile, “Do you know why I’m so sure that your Cui family is going to rebel?”
Cui Zhi instantly raised his head and looked at him. Qi Haoran’s expression was cold as he said, “I only went to buy some small items, but I was actually schemed against. Their wish was for me to confiscate the Cui family assets, but I didn’t do as they wished. Really, the Cui family should be glad.”
Qi Haoran stood up and said, “Isn’t the Immortal Inn of Dongting County owned by your Cui family? You really ought to change the partition in the private rooms. This time, I accidentally heard something I shouldn’t have. Next time, it will be someone else.”
Seeing that Qi Haoran was about to leave, the icy-faced Cui Zhongshui hurriedly stood up and stopped him. “General Qi, can you let me keep the three people you took away?”
Qi Haoran frowned. Cui Zhi gritted his teeth and said, “Since you brought them all the way from Chengdu Prefecture to the east., I’m sure you’re short on rations. Even though I’m not talented, I am willing to support the army with 1,000 quintals of grains.”
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and bargained, “5,000 quintals.”
“2,000 quintals.” Seeing that Qi Haoran still wanted to raise the amount, he hurriedly said, “General Qi, the Cui family is in trouble this time. 2,000 quintals is already the limit.”
Qi Haoran pursed his lips and said, “Your Cui family has siphoned plenty of wealth off the country.”
‘Yeah, but I was stealing from the Great Zhou Dynasty, not from you.’
Cui Zhi cursed in his heart.
In the end, Qi Haoran agreed. However, he said, “2,000 quintals will only be exchanged for two of them.”
Cui Zhi frowned. Qi Haoran mysteriously said with a smile in a low voice, “Don’t worry, you definitely won’t lose out even if it’s just two. I’m still counting on you to fight with them. When the time comes, just let me know if you need my help.”
Brother Qi Haoran patted Cui Zhi’s shoulder in a buddy-like manner, as if he was not the one who was confiscating the Cui family assets.
In the end, Cui Zhi nodded. After the three-day deadline, Qi Haoran let the Cui family out. The manor’s door had been destroyed. Seeing Cui Zhi staring at the door, Qi Haoran explained, “I originally wanted to destroy the walls. After all, the servants of your Cui family are not the only ones living inside now. Since there are even more commoners than servants living here, what’s the point of keeping this wall? But since the two of us have already come to a cooperation, I decided not to make things too ugly and let the walls remain.”
Cui Zhi, who was originally dissatisfied, heaved a sigh of relief.
Qi Haoran handed Cui Zhong and Huang Hu, who was obviously a traitor, to Cui Zhi before bringing the remaining person back to the court.
Before leaving, Qi Haoran stared at Jin Xin for a long time before saying, “Dongting County will be handed over to Lord Jin for the time being. You should know what to do and what not to do. Although the Great General is benevolent, there is a limit to his patience.”
Jin Xin knelt on the ground with tears in his eyes and said sincerely, “General, don’t worry. I’m willing to sacrifice my life for the Great General.”
Qi Haoran forced a satisfied expression on his face before leaving on his horse. However, he was cursing in his heart. If not for the fact that they had newly established the regime and there were no talents left, he would have long ordered for this corrupt official to be chopped into pieces.
The Cui family suffered a huge blow because of this matter. Qi Haoran was ruthless and almost reassigned two-thirds of the Cui family’s fields to the hidden households. In addition, those soldiers barged about the place and moved a lot of the Cui family’s things. Though livid, the Cui family did not dare to utter a word. They all hoped that Cui Zhi would ask the Imperial Court for an explanation after he was released.
Unexpectedly, Cui Zhi was chatting merrily with Qi Haoran as though they were best buddies. This made the rest of the Cui family very dissatisfied.
However, Cui Zhi did not explain anything. He first found Cui Zhong and interrogated him. Cui Zhong swore that on that day, he only mentioned how many hidden households he had recorded and how many more hidden households they planned to recruit. He denied mentioning anything about a rebellion.
With a cold face, Cui Zhi asked, “What about the other two?”
Cui Zhong’s expression froze and he said, “Huang Hu did casually mention that our Cui family’s hidden households are numerous enough in numbers to form an army. Even if the bandits in Jiangling Prefecture make a move, our Cui family have nothing to fear.”
Cui Zhi really wanted to throw a teacup at his face. What was this if not a rebellious remark?
“But Uncle, this isn’t the first time Huang Hu has said this. I really didn’t know that there was someone next door who could hear us.”
Cui Zhi snapped angrily, “I told you to be careful outside, but you actually said such confidential things in the Immortal Inn.”
Cui Zhong lowered his head and cried bitterly, “Uncle, Dongting County is our Cui family’s territory. How would I know that someone would scheme against us?”
“Shut up.” Cui Zhi said angrily, “You still dare to say such things. No wonder Qi Haoran said that he can determine that we have intentions to rebel.” Only now did he realize that he didn’t impose strict enough restrictions on his clansmen previously, which was why they were so smug.
“Let me ask you, who suggested going to Immortal Inn? Who booked that private room?”
“It’s Huang Hu. As for the private room, whenever I go to the Immortal Inn, I’d ask for that private room. The shopkeeper will always keep it for me.”
“Did Qi Haoran interrogate you after you were arrested?”
Cui Zhong shook his head. Seeing the suspicion in Cui Zhi’s eyes, he hurriedly said, “Although Qi Haoran didn’t interrogate me, he circled me twice early the next morning. He clicked his tongue in wonder and had a strange expression on his face. Then, he went out. After that, I heard the sound of troops mobilizing outside. Clearly, he had interrogated others.”
“I want to see who’s plotting against the Cui family.” Cui Zhi’s voice was as cold as ice.