God of Avarice

Zhao Guangyi entrusted the entire Tang coin confiscation policy to Magistrate Shi. This decision was not without dissent in Kaifeng Prefecture. Though the magistrate was capable, his methods were notoriously harsh, so putting him in charge risked undermining the court's benevolent image. Many suspected he'd won over the young prefect with flattery and cunning. Zhao Guangyi stood firm. With war looming, speed was paramount, and no one matched Magistrate Shi's efficiency in getting results. As for calming public unrest later, victory would provide ample means to mend fences. Yet a nagging unease lingered. The magistrate seemed to understand him too well, his words often echoing Zhao Guangyi's own unspoken thoughts, as if... he'd been created solely to serve him. Unable to shake this suspicion, Zhao Guangyi planted spies around the magistrate. But the spies reported nothing unusual. Was he overthinking, or did the magistrate have deeper networks than imagined? Thankfully... the Tang Coin Confiscation was nearly complete.

"To act in this world, one must do so with a true heart." This was how Shi Zhen's parents had explained the meaning of his name. With a family business and an earnest heart, the young man from Jiangnan had once been a respected merchant, praised by neighbors for his integrity. Until Weiyang City set its sights on his livelihood. If commoners could profit from a trade, so could Weiyang City, and if Weiyang City could profit, it would never leave crumbs for others. Bankrupt, he sold off every possession until he wore nothing but rags. Reduced to scavenging for food with stray dogs, cheating death time and again, he abandoned all pride. He fought through a mob to seize the jade pendant tossed by the Ember of East, blood streaming from his eye as he held the pendant aloft. He knew it could revive his fortune. He didn't care that it belonged to his enemy. And... he even walked into Weiyang City. When Wen Wuhen asked his name, he paused. "Shi Jiu," he said. He has lived a fool's life. Sincerity was worthless. If others were venomous, he would be deadlier. He would rise anew, become the one tossing jade pendants from a golden wagon and make others gaze at him like a god. He succeeded. He watched the lofty Ember of East fall into the mud like rotten flesh. But even then, Wen Wuhen scorned him. Are nobles born, or made? Why should the Wen family rule as the God of Wealth for generations? He refused to accept it. He stole Weiyang City's martial arts secret manuals, bargained with the master of Aureate Pavilion, and assumed two new identities: Mystic Supervisor of Aureate Pavilion, and Magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture.