Chapter 6

Sure enough, as expected, the Mei family siblings came to visit when I was in a difficult situation. How could it be that they were here to help in my time of need? It turned out they were here to break off the engagement.

"Truly, when the wall falls, everyone pushes. Tao Qian, Tao Qian, if you could see your son being bullied like this from below, would you regret giving the governor's seat to Liu Bei..."

Tao Shang felt a deep sorrow for Tao Qian. The Mei family's decision to break off the engagement was something he had anticipated, and it did not shock him too much.

What truly surprised Tao Shang was that, according to the parents' command and the matchmaker's words, such a significant matter as marriage would be personally handled by Mei Zhen, a woman.

He had vaguely heard that Mei Zhen was extremely intelligent, skilled in accounting from a young age, and naturally suited for business. The Mei family was one of the wealthiest in Xuzhou, and half of their wealth was earned by Mei Zhen. It was no wonder that in this era of male dominance, she could personally handle her own marriage.

She was a woman who had a say in the Mei family...

Tao Shang's thoughts raced, but his face remained calm, showing no trace of emotion. He coldly smiled and said, "The engagement between me and Miss Mei was arranged by my late father. How can it be so easily broken off?"

Tao Shang was not trying to攀附 the Mei family, but he was defending his own dignity, which he could not easily give up.

"Rules are made by people; why can't they be changed?" Mei Zhen's star-like eyes stared directly at him, calmly countering.

Tao Shang did not get angry, and he calmly replied, "Miss Mei, you said it yourself, rules are made by people, but not by you alone. Why should I change just because you want to?"

His words clearly indicated that he did not want to break the engagement. Mei Fang, standing beside him, immediately turned grim and pointed at Tao Shang, shouting, "Tao Shang, you should see your own situation. Do you even deserve to..."

"Second Brother!" Mei Zhen raised her hand, cutting off her brother's arrogance, "This is my engagement, and I will handle it myself. Second Brother, please do not interfere."

Mei Zhen indeed had a commanding presence, even scolding her own brother. Mei Fang, being scolded by his sister, did not dare to argue back and could only sulk in silence.

Mei Zhen's expression softened slightly, and she stepped forward with a smile, "Mr. Tao is a wise man and should understand that this engagement between us is essentially a business deal. The engagement was made because both our families could benefit from it. Now that the situation has changed, continuing the engagement would only result in a loss for the Mei family. As businesspeople, we do not engage in losing deals. I hope Mr. Tao can understand."

Indeed, she was the daughter of the richest family in Xuzhou, and her words never strayed from the concept of "profit." She truly lived up to her reputation as a financial genius...

"Very well said, worthy of a businessperson," Tao Shang praised sarcastically, a cold smile on his lips, "Though I am not a businessman, I know that in business, one must not only seek profit but also value integrity. How is it that in Miss Mei's eyes, there is only profit and no integrity?"

Mei Zhen's expression flickered, a hint of surprise in her star-like eyes, seemingly not expecting Tao Shang to react so quickly and show some debating skills.

The surprise quickly faded, and Mei Zhen smiled faintly, "In business, integrity is certainly important, but in the eyes of a businessman, everything can be measured by profit. Integrity is just a form of profit, and the key is to see how much it is worth."

With that, a playful smile appeared in Mei Zhen's almond eyes, and she raised her delicate arm, gently clapping three times.

Subsequently, a group of Mei family servants carried several large chests into the main hall, placing three or four heavy wooden chests on the steps.

Mei Zhen lightly waved her sleeve, and the servants opened all the chests. The chests were filled to the brim with copper coins, their golden glow illuminating the entire hall and making the guards' eyes widen with greed.

"Here are three million coins, a small compensation from the Mei family for breaking the engagement. There are several more chests outside. As long as Mr. Tao nods, they will all be yours," Mei Zhen pointed at the golden coins, her tone exuding a sense of wealth and power.

Tao Shang stood up, slowly walking down the steps to one of the chests. He picked up a handful of copper coins, playing with them in his hand, and sighed, "Indeed, the richest family in Xuzhou, truly wealthy and powerful. To break an engagement, you are willing to pay so much."

"Looks like you are a greedy person, just an ordinary man. I, Mei Zhen, want to marry a hero, not someone like you..." Mei Zhen's red lips moved slightly, her corners of the mouth lifting, a hint of satisfaction and a subtle trace of sarcasm in her star-like eyes.

It seemed she had already anticipated that Tao Shang would be swayed by the money.

Hua Mulan, who was following behind, saw Tao Shang playing with the copper coins, her brows furrowing in disappointment, her eyes gradually showing disappointment. Her loyalty to Tao Shang began to decline.

A woman of valor like her could not tolerate her lord abandoning his dignity for money, making a concession that would tarnish his reputation. If Tao Shang agreed, it would be strange for her loyalty not to decrease.

"Three million coins, indeed, is not a small sum. I need money and supplies to recruit soldiers, but three million to buy my dignity? The Mei family underestimates me..."

Tao Shang threw the last copper coin back into the chest, took a half-step back, and slowly lifted his leg. In front of everyone, he kicked the chest of coins, overturning it.

Clatter—

The chest fell, and tens of thousands of golden copper coins spilled out like a stream, covering the ground.

His action clearly indicated his refusal of Mei Zhen's proposal.

The main hall was in an uproar.

The guards on both sides looked at their county magistrate with astonishment, their expressions showing disbelief that Tao Shang was unmoved by the three million coins.

Hua Mulan, who had been frowning, suddenly relaxed her brows, her originally disappointed eyes instantly replaced by admiration.

"Beep... System detected Hua Mulan's admiration for the host, loyalty increased by 10, rising to 25."

Tao Shang was pleasantly surprised, not expecting that his refusal of the money would earn Hua Mulan's admiration, significantly increasing her loyalty, even 5 points higher than the initial level.

"I now understand, a fierce spirit like Hua Mulan cannot be swayed by material benefits. I must show my integrity and backbone to win her heart. Who would have thought that refusing money would bring such an unexpected reward..."

As Tao Shang was delighted, Mei Zhen's expression also changed. Her star-like eyes suddenly looked at Tao Shang, the original satisfaction and sarcasm fading, a hint of respect appearing in her eyes.

Tao Shang's unexpected reaction left Mei Zhen momentarily stunned, unsure of how to react.

At this moment, Mei Fang, surprised and angry, jumped out, pointing at Tao Shang and shouting, "Tao Shang, do you still think you are the governor's son? Look at your current situation. The Mei family is already giving you face by compensating you with three million coins. Don't be ungrateful!"

Mei Fang, enraged, openly insulted Tao Shang in the main hall.

His arrogance immediately angered Hua Mulan. Her brows furrowed, and her eyes filled with killing intent as she gripped her sword hilt, saying in a deep voice, "Lord, these two are untrustworthy and dare to insult you. Should I kill them all?"