Chapter 2081: Rebirth
To Zhao Shuâs astonishment, the prefectâs brother-in-law eventually relented on his monetary demands, opting instead to leverage his own assets as collateral.
Yet, his audacity reached new heights when he brazenly requested the transfer of Zhao Shuâs prized 100,000 mu of mulberry fields in Yangzhou.
The sheer gall of the request left Zhao Shu reeling. Was this even within the realm of reason? How could someone make such a demand without a hint of shame?
The mulberry fields yielded a substantial income of at least 700,000 to 800,000 taels annually, potentially surpassing a million in prosperous years. To relinquish such a valuable asset on a whim was unthinkable.
It seemed unfathomable that anyone, even an emperor, would dare to orchestrate such a blatant seizure of property.
In a bid to diffuse the tension, Zhao Shu resorted to jests and eventually, with no other recourse, prepared a lavish gift to hasten the magistrateâs brother-in-lawâs departure.
However shameless the magistrateâs brother-in-law may have been, he showed no hesitation in accepting the lavish gift while issuing his ruthless ultimatum.
Granting Zhao Shu a mere three days to deliberate, it was clear his sights were firmly set on the coveted 100,000 mu of mulberry fields in Yangzhou.
Suppressing his urge to resort to violence, Zhao Shu implored for a brief reprieve, begging for an additional two days to consider his options.
Once the troublesome brother-in-law departed, Zhao Shu wasted no time in launching an investigation into the sudden targeting.
There had to be a motive behind the magistrateâs brother-in-lawâs brazen demands. Zhao Shu was determined to uncover the truth, fearing that others might suffer a similar fate.
Quickly, their inquiries revealed that other families remained untouched by such harassment. It became evident that Zhao Shu was the sole target of these aggressive tactics.
It became apparent that the information had been deliberately leaked to Zhao Shu, a calculated move intended to rattle him.
The orchestrator behind these aggressive maneuvers was none other than Zhao Di.
By some stroke of luck, Zhao Di had crossed paths with the prefectural magistrateâs brother-in-law, seizing the opportunity to cozy up to a powerful ally. Fuelled by his deep-seated animosity towards Zhao Shu, Zhao Di wasted no time in weaving a web of deception.
He regaled the magistrateâs brother-in-law with exaggerated tales of his own business acumen, painting himself as a loner, shunned and unloved by his own family. In reality, he was cold and selfish, with no one caring for him.
Envious of Zhao Shuâs vast wealth and convinced of his vulnerability, the magistrateâs brother-in-law saw an opportunity to exploit what he perceived as a fat sheep ripe for the taking.
Thus, the demand for the transfer of the 100,000 mu of mulberry fields was born out of Zhao Diâs deceitful machinations, driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge.
Zhao Di may not have been privy to the full extent of Zhao Shuâs business empire, but he knew that the 100,000 mu of mulberry fields held significant value to him. Losing it would undoubtedly strike a blow to Zhao Shuâs pride and prosperityâa punishment he deemed fitting.
However, this demand for the mulberry fields was just the tip of the iceberg.
The prefectâs brother-in-law, driven by greed and emboldened by his initial success, showed no signs of backing down. Zhao Shu could practically taste the bitterness of his impending misfortune.
Furious upon learning of Zhao Diâs betrayal, Zhao Shu refrained from taking drastic measures against the brothers. Their familial ties posed a risk to his reputation if news of their demise were to spread.
Yet, just as Zhao Yeâs coercion seemed to subside, Zhao Di resurfaced with renewed fervor.
Despite his impulsivity and irrationality, Zhao Di proved himself a useful lackey, poised to serve as a pawn for the prefectâs brother-in-lawâs machinations.
Such lackeys, ruthless and expendable, were valuable assets in the cutthroat world of politics and power struggles. They could be readily sacrificed if need be, sparing their manipulators any remorse or hesitation. In the eyes of Zhao Shu, this arrangement couldnât have been more opportune.
Determined to eliminate the threat posed by Zhao Di, Zhao Shu resolved to end his life.
The execution of this plan was entrusted to Uncle Qing, a trusted associate.
On the very day that the prefectâs brother-in-lawâs deadline loomed, Zhao Di met a fatal accident, plunging into the water and meeting his demise.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Zhao Shu orchestrated this demise with meticulous precision. To all appearances, it seemed like a tragic accidentâan outcome even the prefectâs brother-in-law accepted without suspicion.
Thus, Zhao Shu successfully removed the obstacle in his path, ensuring his own safety while evading any suspicion of foul play.
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