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Chapter 95: Am I Heavy, or is the Da Kun Kingdom Heavy?

Why were there suddenly so many people?

Slowly, Zhong Shan walked to the front of the small courtyard.

He gently opened the courtyard door.

"Uncle, you're finally out of seclusion," came Ying Lan's excited voice from outside the courtyard.

Upon opening the door, Zhong Shan saw Ying Lan's delicate face. He smiled slightly, but he also noticed two figures behind Ying Lan.

Zhong Zheng and Zhong Tian? When did Zhong Tian return?

"Father!" Zhong Tian and Zhong Zheng exclaimed simultaneously. Their expressions were somewhat anxious, but more so, they were excited.

The initial confusion in Zhong Shan's mind was instantly replaced by seriousness. From the expressions of everyone, it was evident that something had happened, something significant.

"Let's go, let's go to the Yi Lan Hall first," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes," everyone replied.

An hour later, in the Yi Lan Hall.

Zhong Shan sat on the chief's chair on the left side, while Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Ying Lan sat below, all looking at Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan closed his eyes, lightly tapping the table beside him. Just now, he had listened to everyone's reports. Zhong Shan couldn't help but sigh heavily. All his adopted sons had abandoned the residence and left. Cowardly and weak, although most of them were probably incited, their hearts had momentarily weakened and were then taken advantage of by Zhong Jin. Perhaps they were regretting it now, but what was the use of regret? Once they left, they left. Those who abandon me, will never be kept.

Since they stepped out of the Zhong residence, then this father-son relationship should be severed.

However, Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a little sad.

"Uncle, I ordered strict vigilance around the city gates. After the traitors left the Zhong residence that day, I was worried that if some people left the city, more people would be afraid and flee, causing panic among the soldiers. So, I didn't allow anyone to leave the city," Ying Lan said as she looked at Zhong Shan.

Opening his eyes lightly and looking at Ying Lan, Zhong Shan smiled faintly. "You did the right thing."

"But the civilian unrest has already begun. Four days ago, the city gates were closed, and food and firewood couldn't enter the city. With food shortages, public grievances have risen. Some agitators incited the people to break out of the city, while others incited them to rush into the Zhong residence. The mob is rising, Xuan City has nearly a million people, and eight thousand soldiers are still guarding the city. They can't maintain the city's public order at all," Ying Lan shook her head.

"But didn't some civilians break in?" Zhong Shan said calmly.

"They're not causing trouble. Many wealthy merchants in the city have spontaneously organized their servants to dismantle furniture for firewood and distribute food, calming most of the people. However, they are still making a ruckus outside the Zhong residence. It's hard for us to deal with them. After all, they haven't caused any trouble and have helped appease the people. They're just making noise outside," Ying Lan said, frowning.

"What are they clamoring about?" Zhong Shan asked Ying Lan.

"They want to see you," Ying Lan said.

At this moment, both Zhong Tian and Zhong Zheng were sitting quietly because, in their view, with Zhong Shan in charge, that was sufficient.

"They want to see me? Then let's go meet them. Lead the way, Ying Lan," Zhong Shan said solemnly, getting up.

"Yes," Ying Lan nodded.

Then, the four of them walked toward the Zhong residence's entrance.

Arriving at the gate, sure enough, there were nearly a thousand people surrounding the Zhong residence's entrance, led by a large group of well-dressed wealthy merchants.

"Mr. Zhong is coming out, that's Mr. Zhong."

Zhong Shan might have appeared less frequently, but he had appeared before, and those who had seen him recognized him.

Sure enough, the previously noisy crowd stopped talking and stared at the much younger Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan was still Zhong Shan, just much younger, appearing in his thirties, the prime of his life. An innate expert. Almost everyone's mind flashed with this thought: could one truly return to youth with innate abilities?

The leading elder immediately recognized Zhong Shan because he had seen Zhong Shan's youthful appearance before. Although decades had passed, Zhong Shan could always bring a strong sense of shock in any form.

"Elders of the Eight Major Families, it's been many years. Don't you recognize me?" Zhong Shan spoke calmly.

"Grandfather, is that Mr. Zhong?" A young man behind the elder suddenly spoke up.

"Shut up!" The elder immediately scolded the young man angrily, his eyes glaring. The frightened young man quickly shut his mouth. He was the most favored young master in the family and the most beloved grandson. This was the first time he had seen his grandfather in such a stern manner.

"We've seen Mr. Zhong," the leading eight elders respectfully said.

"We've seen Mr. Zhong," the other secondary merchants immediately echoed respectfully.

Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Ying Lan followed behind Zhong Shan as he walked slowly to the central square in front of the gate. Zhong Shan glanced at everyone and respectfully clasped his hands, saying, "Thank you all for your efforts in these past few days. The shortage of food and firewood in Xuan Cheng is the responsibility of my Zhong family. I will immediately send enough food and firewood. Anything lost during these days will be compensated by my Zhong family."

"You're too kind, Mr. Zhong," the eight elders said respectfully. As for the others, no one dared to interrupt.

Looking at everyone, Zhong Shan smiled faintly and said, "However, since you are willing to share the hardships with Xuan Cheng, why surround my Zhong residence?"

At this point, one of the elders spoke up, "There were rumors circulating earlier that Mr. Zhong was seriously ill, so we just came to check."

"Yes, we just came to see Mr. Zhong," another elder added.

Zhong Shan smiled faintly, not exposing the truth but nodding directly, "Eight hundred thousand troops are at the city gates, and Emperor Su Zhengde is leading them personally. Merchants are profit-seeking, and we all understand that very well. Now, you can see for yourselves, who is more valuable, me or the Great Kun Empire?"

"Is it me or the Great Kun Empire?"

Zhong Shan's words were unprecedented. In this prosperous era, which merchant dared to equate themselves with a nation?

There have been wealthy merchants who could rival nations in history, but who dared to make such a statement? And this was even in a seemingly disadvantaged situation.

Zhong Shan's words deeply shocked everyone's hearts. What kind of courage did it take to say such words? From now on, Zhong Shan's image would be etched deeply in everyone's minds once again.

"Is it me or the Great Kun Empire?"

Zhong Shan was still forcing everyone to make a choice!

The atmosphere became quiet, and no one dared to speak. Although all the merchants were profit-driven, who would dare to utter such treasonous words?

Everyone looked at the eight elders in the front.

The eight elders looked at Zhong Shan and took a deep breath. Although they had experienced countless storms, facing Zhong Shan's tsunami-like statement was like facing a small ripple in a lake.

Zhong Shan patiently waited. Finally, after ten breaths, one elder spoke first.

"Mr. Zhong, I respect you as a person. As for which is more important, I dare not say. However, I can assure you that as long as Xuan Cheng stands, my business will fully support you, Mr. Zhong. I swear, may the heavens bear witness," the elder said solemnly.

"We support Mr. Zhong," the other elders immediately followed.

"We support Mr. Zhong," the other merchants echoed.

Yinglan stood behind Zhong Shan, watching as he, with his own presence, intimidated numerous merchants. Her heart was filled with excitement. When Zhong Shan, with his dominant attitude, asked, "Is it me or the Great Kun Empire?" her admiration for him became even more evident. In the eyes of everyone present, what had just happened would surely be recorded as a significant event in history.

Without any use of force, without any selfish motives, and without much personal connection or emotion, it was solely based on reputation. Zhong Shan's reputation, these two words, had garnered the support of everyone present. It was truly unbelievable.

Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Ying Lan also showed excitement.

"All right, since that's the case, I ask you all to return to your respective residences first, reassure your servants, and prevent any civil unrest," Zhong Shan said, breaking the silence.

"Mr. Zhong, take care,"

"Mr. Zhong, farewell,"

...everyone said in succession. Then, the more than a thousand people who were just here quickly left, led by the heads of the merchants.

Zhong Shan and the others watched as the merchants left.

"Steward," Zhong Shan called out to the steward standing behind him.

"Yes, Master," one of the stewards immediately stepped forward respectfully.

"Open the underground mechanism in Cuiyin Courtyard and use the train from Qingcheng to bring all the emergency supplies. Distribute them to the people of Xuan Cheng. At the same time, have someone tally the losses suffered by the people of Xuan Cheng this time and make up for them later," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," the steward responded promptly.

During their previous inquiries to the steward, Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Ying Lan hadn't managed to extract this secret measure from him. Now that Zhong Shan had ordered it, the steward obeyed immediately. It was clear that the steward had kept this secret from everyone, but Zhong Tian, Zhong Zheng, and Ying Lan didn't blame him in the slightest.

"Uncle, you once said that there are ruthless merchants and righteous merchants. Which category do these merchants belong to? They are risking rebellion against the entire Great Kun Empire just because of a word from you. Your reputation is so powerful," Ying Lan couldn't help but express her excitement.

Looking at Ying Lan's flushed face, Zhong Shan smiled faintly and said, "Reputation power? If it were just a matter of reputation, they would have left the city with their servants long ago."

"Huh?" Ying Lan was taken aback.

"Remember, profit is the nature of merchants, and righteous merchants are only a very small minority. This time, all the merchants are willing to take risks for me. It's not just about reputation; the most important thing is still profit. All the world acts for profit, and all the world's turmoil is driven by profit. In the Great Kun Empire, the business world respects me. Most of their industries have shares owned by me. Once I die, these industries will surely be nationalized. At that time, they will suffer heavy losses. Compared to all the current losses, the losses in the future will make them feel worse than death. In their minds, I am not only synonymous with profit, but also mysterious. They believe in my strength, so they are willing to take a chance with me," Zhong Shan explained solemnly.

"So this is the binding of interests?" Ying Lan immediately recalled a phrase she had heard from Zhong Shan when she was younger.