Shen Si naturally wants both Silver and life, but having read the two letters, he dared not mention wanting Silver.

The Shi family in the Prefecture could not hold back, and Old Master Shi glanced at Boss Fan, who then asked Shen Si, "Elder Shen, what’s written in the letter?"

Just turning pale with fright doesn’t help; speak up quickly, they’re anxious to hear.

Shen Si glared fiercely at Boss Fan, "Shut up!"

What right does a lowly merchant have to question him?

Boss Fan is infuriated but does not dare to lose his temper, apologizing to Shen Si, "It’s my fault; please calm down, Elder Shen."

Old Master Shi furrowed his brow but had to suppress his dissatisfaction and impatience, continuing to wait.

The noble families of He’an Prefecture and Linhe Prefecture were clever; though anxious inside, they sat pretending not to care, avoiding scolding.

Master Qi also attended today, and he shrank back, quietly tugging the sleeve of Boss An next to him, inquiring what should be done?

Boss An nonchalantly tugged his sleeve back, continuing to sit expressionlessly.

Master Qi cursed in his heart, "Good for you, Third Son An, now you ignore me. Just the other day, when discussing partnership, you were all smiles. A merchant is truly unreliable!"

After cursing Boss An, Master Qi secretly looked at Gu Jin’an. When Gu Jin’an glanced at him, he quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

Unfortunately, Gu Jin’an completely ignored him, pretending not to see, and seemed to roll his eyes as he turned his head.

Master Qi wanted to cry; he felt Shen Si and the others were unkind, like beasts, but the Shen Family was of the royal family and founding nobles. His Qi Family couldn’t compete, so he was forced to follow and act as a henchman.

Shen Si, having calmed down by now, clutched the letter, sneering, "Master Ouyang, you wrote this letter to Elder Ouyang yourself. Whether it will succeed is still uncertain. Is it necessary to rush out and scare people like this? Have you run out of schemes, resorting to scaring tactics?"

"And this other letter, the head of the Ming family now is Junior Minister Ming, while the letter from Old Master Ming is unreliable."

The Ming Family has instilled fear over the past ten years due to the fierce Junior Minister Ming, known for his ruthless actions, without sparing anyone, including high-ranking officials and the Imperial Family.

However, Old Master Ming, compared to Junior Minister Ming, is indeed a gentle, easily deceived elder.

Master Ouyang smiled and waved to Shen Si, saying, "Come over here."

Shen Si hesitated, reluctant to go, but considering Ouyang Hu was a renowned Great Scholar and a leader among scholars, he dared not be treated improperly due to reputation, so he went over, looking down on the chubby old man, "Master Ouyang calls Shen over, what high opinion do you have to share?"

Master Ouyang smiled, stood, and said, "No high opinion, only..."

With two swift slaps, Master Ouyang fiercely slapped Shen Si twice, then with a thud, kicked the stupefied Shen Si to the ground, looking down at him, "Just to teach you, who has acted like a beast, a necessary lesson."

"Elder Shen!" Seven-tenths of the room rushed over to help Shen Si, quickly surrounding him so that he couldn’t leap up to attack Master Ouyang.

Su Vice Magistrate, Judge Tang, County Magistrate Zheng, and others were all dumbstruck. What’s wrong with you, sir? After staying in the countryside for a while, have you become this bold?

Magistrate Gu was not petrified; he knew about some events during Master Ouyang’s travels. Master Ouyang, fond of traveling, practiced swordsmanship for self-protection, having publicly executed an Evil Man abroad after encountering injustice.

Magistrate Gu wiped his sweat, glanced sympathetically at Elder Shen Si.

After hitting Shen, Master Ouyang wiped his hands and returned to his seat.

Master Qi took advantage of Elder Shen Si’s inability to get up, quickly darting over to bow to Master Ouyang, whispering, "Master Ouyang, we meet again, it’s fate. You must save me, I’m innocent~"

After finishing, he hurried back to his seat, not sitting down but facing the direction where Shen Si had been kicked over, putting on a concerned expression.

Young Master Dou: "..."

This Qi fellow must be the reincarnation of a turncoat, swinging this way and that?

Magistrate Gu stepped in to mediate, personally helping Shen Si up, "Elder Shen, please calm down. We are all gathered here to aid the farmers of Great Chu, let’s sit down and talk."

The words were very pleasing; everyone present appreciated it, including Shen Si.

Shen Si knew it was impossible to fight Ouyang Hu, so he swallowed his anger, saying, "Ouyang Hu, don’t rely on your elder brother’s influence among scholars and the Imperial Family..."

"Ladies and gentlemen, since Shen Si is unwilling to disclose the letter’s contents, let me find someone to read it to you." Master Ouyang interrupted Shen Si, walked over, took the letter from Shen Si, and handed it to Master Qi.

Master Qi nearly fainted from fear, looking at Master Ouyang in panic... Are you trying to kill me, sir? How dare I read such a letter?!

Boss An said, "Master Qi, since it’s Master Ouyang’s request, read it boldly."

If you want Master Ouyang’s protection, shouldn’t you pledge your loyalty now?

Dozens of pairs of eyes in the room were all fixed on Master Qi, but many present had status, so they didn’t see Master Qi as a threat, solely glaring at him, urging him to hurry up and read the letter!

Master Qi had no choice but to take the letter, trembling as he began to read...

More than a quarter of an hour later, he finally finished reading the letter Master Ouyang had written to Ouyang Hong, and just this one letter subdued everyone present.

Elder Sang of the noble family Sang of Linhe Prefecture could not believe it, "Master Ouyang, do you really intend to give Dou Ou Bank to the Emperor? This isn’t solely your bank, and starting a bank isn’t so easy; how can you just give it away?"

Moreover...

Elder Sang Er looked at Master Ouyang, reminding, "Such precedence could possibly... Master understands."

Given the Emperor’s knack for acquiring funds, offering a bank might prompt him to target all banks in Great Chu, and even shops, causing those wealthy families to suffer first.

Court Ministers agree with the Emperor imposing additional taxes on farmers, while not mentioning shop taxes, because all court officials have shops, and targeting shops would result in the greatest losses for them.

Everyone tacitly protects their businesses while Ouyang Hu offers his bank, an act of seeking death never seen before.

But Master Ouyang said, "I know this isn’t a good idea, but only this can stop you from setting up another bank to lend money to farmers, eventually seizing farmer’s assets to repay debts, such beastly acts!"

Master Ouyang looked at them, "Both are harmful, but giving Dou Ou Bank to the Emperor causes you harm; only when you feel the pain will you refrain from excess."