The banknote was for 50 dollars worth of silver, and it had symbol of the Huixing Bank which was accepted in the entire country.
Gu Yundong's eyes lit up involuntarily. She heard Nie Cong say, "This is a reward from the provincial governor. Your drawing is too useful. We took it and split up to search for him. I didn't expect that more than one person seems to have seen him. Just last night, he was captured by us. Even his subordinates were wiped out."
Nie Cong was still very excited when he said this. Although he had been busy for a few days, he was in high spirits. "The governor said that you've made a great contribution. You didn't know, but that bandit entered the city at an unknown time. If we couldn't catch him until a few days later, something would have happened to us. Take the 50 dollars of silver and buy yourself something good. Look at you. You're quite good-looking. Just your outfit…"
Perhaps because he was a little familiar with her now, Nie Cong spoke much more casually.
Gu Yundong pretended not to hear him and looked at the banknote happily. She had to find an opportunity to exchange it for silver. Anyway, she had a spatial storage and was not afraid of the weight of silver.
Unexpectedly, Nie Cong took out two more silver ingots. "This is for you too. This is the entrance fee you paid when you entered the city. The governor said to return it to you."
Gu Yundong was surprised and hurriedly took it. "Your governor is really a good person. May he have a safe life."
"…" Nie Cong looked at his empty palm. This action of snatching money was too fast and obvious.
He shook his head and laughed. "I didn't expect you to be a money grubber. Alright, I'll give you the money. It's time for me to leave."
Gu Yundong waved her hand and told him to do as he pleased.
However, Nie Cong had just taken a few steps when he suddenly turned back. After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice and whispered, "There's something else I have to tell you first."
Seeing his serious expression, Gu Yundong finally looked away from the banknote. "What is it?"
"I just came back from the government office and saw someone coming from the capital. I vaguely heard that in the capital…" He lowered his voice even more, making her almost unable to hear. "The emperor has passed away."
Gu Yundong was stunned. The emperor was a word that was very, very far away from her.
However, she did not have a good impression of the emperor. There had been a disaster in Yongning Prefecture, and countless people had starved to death. For so long, the Imperial Court had yet to send people over to deal with the disaster. She had heard that even so, the emperor was still drinking and having fun in the palace. He had obtained concubines one after another and even coincidentally wanted to increase taxes. He was an out-and-out fatuous ruler.
It was good that he had passed away.
Nie Cong reminded her, "The notice should be posted soon and spread throughout the city. It might be a little chaotic during this period of time. Try not to go out or walk around. Don't wear red and green, drink, or have fun. The emperor has passed away and the new emperor has ascended the throne. He will definitely take action. Just wait for the news."
"Thank you for the reminder." Gu Yundong knew that he was referring to the drought disaster. The late emperor had not done anything, and it was unknown what type of person the new emperor was. She hoped that he was not someone who treated human lives as grass.
After Nie Cong left, there was indeed a notice posted at the city gate that afternoon.
When the emperor passed away, the world mourned. The commoners had to mourn for three months. During this period, they were not allowed to wear red and green, marry, or have fun.
Two days later, another notice was posted at the city gate. The new emperor would ascend to the throne as Emperor Jinwu. The next year, he would change the year's name to the first year of Xingtai.
Whether it was the death of the late emperor or the ascension of the new emperor, these were all too far away from Gu Yundong. She did not care too much.
Unexpectedly, the new emperor's first action was targeted right at Yongning Prefecture.
The Imperial Court finally sent the imperial envoy to Yongning Prefecture—to provide disaster relief.