Hua Shunming held a forty percent stake, and to show her loyalty, Jin Qianqian would send the account books to him every year.
Because of this arrangement, anyone who wanted to scheme with the sea trade had to think twice.
Niu Hai'an knew he couldn't evade the question, so he could only play it safe. "You are wise, Holy Emperor. The court has gained so many capable individuals these past two years; you can surely choose from among them."
"That is my intention as well. It would be best to choose officials with no ties to the aristocratic families. Otherwise, who knows who will truly be in charge of Lu City in the future."
Hua Shunming's words were quite pointed, and Niu Hai'an and the others didn't even dare to respond.
Over the years, they had observed dispassionately as this Emperor did his utmost to suppress the noble families. And each time, he managed to strike at their core, leaving these aristocratic families too afraid to resist.
