Chapter 327 - 316: Foundation (Part 2)

Chapter 327: Chapter 316: Foundation (Part 2)

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Since our opponent wants to drag the Chen Family into this conflict, why should we play by her rules? Rather than confronting this unknown power directly, let’s toss this hot potato to the people whose job it is to deal with it."

Zhou Shuwei immediately understood Chen Li’s intention and blurted out, "Father means to use the power of the Government Office? Have the Liyang Commandery Magistrate’s Office seize the Sun Family’s assets on the grounds of collecting the silk payment they owe the Qingshui County Magistrate’s Office?

"This way, no matter who is backing the Sun Family, they’ll have to get past the Government Office first. The He Family’s young mistress’s plot to deflect disaster onto us will collapse on its own. We can then retreat from the front lines to the shadows and observe."

"Exactly."

Chen Li nodded. "The Liyang Commandery Magistrate’s Office was able to seize the Zhou Family’s assets with a single official document. Now, the Sun Family owes the Commandery Magistrate’s Office an enormous sum. How could Zhao Yuanhong, as the Acting Governor, possibly stand by and do nothing, for reasons both official and personal? As long as the Government Office makes a move, their schemes will crumble."

"But..."

Zhou Shuwei frowned. "But Zhao Yuanhong... he won’t lift a finger without a profit. It won’t be easy to persuade him to do our bidding. The price we’d have to pay would be considerable."

"A price is inevitable."

Chen Li’s tone was placid. "But compared to a direct conflict with an unknown power, such a price is worth paying. My only concern is that an ordinary incentive won’t be enough to sway him."

Zhou Shuwei suddenly laughed. "That said, this matter isn’t without a potential opening."

"Oh?"

Chen Li looked at her. "You have a way?"

Chen Shouheng and Chen Shouye also looked over questioningly.

Zhou Shuwei said, "While Zhao Yuanhong may seem slick and difficult to handle, he has a weak spot we might be able to exploit."

"A weak spot?"

"Precisely."

Zhou Shuwei nodded. "Zhao Yuanhong has a younger cousin named Zhao Yuanqi, and the two are inseparable. Zhao Yuanqi once served in the Commandery Magistrate’s Office’s Inspection Department, but he’s now the Dean of the Ministry of Revenue and Finance. That man is riddled with vulnerabilities we can use."

Chen Li pressed, "What do you mean by that?"

Zhou Shuwei explained, "From what I know, Zhao Yuanqi once served as the County Captain in Pingzhou County. The man is a romantic fool. He was so infatuated with a woman that he supposedly embezzled military funds allocated by the Court just to see her. The amount he owed became enormous, and when the affair was exposed, he was supposed to be stripped of his post and investigated.

"It was Zhao Yuanhong who rushed around, covering the deficit and pulling strings to save his official post. He then had him transferred to a sinecure in the Commandery Magistrate’s Office’s Inspection Department. Now that Zhao Yuanhong is the Acting Governor, he has arranged for him a position in the lucrative Ministry of Revenue and Finance."

Everyone listened, surprised to learn of such a secret affair.

Chen Shouheng frowned, somewhat confused. "Shuwei, what’s the vulnerability you’re talking about?"

"The woman, of course."

Zhou Shuwei smiled faintly. "If she makes an appearance, Zhao Yuanqi is certain to help. Through him, we can get to Zhao Yuanhong, and our plan might just work. Alternatively, it wouldn’t be out of the question to have Zhao Yuanqi embezzle the treasury silver from the Ministry of Revenue and Finance once more..."

Chen Shouheng was surprised. "Shuwei, you know that woman?"

Zhou Shuwei shook her head. "Of course I don’t. But..."

Her gaze turned to Linglong, who had been standing quietly and listening. "Miss Linglong should know."

Linglong, suddenly called upon, was slightly startled. She looked up at Zhou Shuwei, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

Zhou Shuwei smiled. "That woman is Jiang Nanyue, the most famous courtesan in all of Jiangnan seven years ago. Miss Linglong must have heard of her, right?"

In an instant, everyone in the study focused their gaze on Linglong.

Linglong said softly, "To answer your question, Master, Jiang Nanyue is indeed a member of the Xiang Sect. But she lives in seclusion at the Wangyou Inn in Jiangzhou and rarely makes public appearances. I’ve had no contact with her and have never met her."

Chen Li asked, "What is her Cultivation level?"

Linglong shook her head. "She has never held any position within the sect and is quite mysterious, so I can’t judge her strength. However, by my reckoning, she can’t be more than twenty-six. Even if she practices Cultivation, her level... surely can’t be higher than yours, Master."

Chen Li nodded. ’She’s a woman from a brothel and a member of the Xiang Sect. That means there’s a solution.’

’If all else fails, I’ll do what I did with Linglong and Li Yuniang. First, I’ll plant the Evil Suppressing Seal, then I’ll promise her a great reward. With that two-pronged approach, she’ll have no choice but to submit.’

With a clear path forward, Chen Li wasted no more time.

He looked at his eldest son and daughter-in-law. "Shouheng, Shuwei, the two of you will head to Liyang tomorrow. Find a way to get in touch with Li Yuniang. Tell her we can accept the terms offered by the Sun Family’s concubine—keep her on our side for now. If you get the chance, try to find out the origin of the unknown power behind the He Family’s young mistress."

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei agreed.

After giving instructions to his eldest son and daughter-in-law, Chen Li turned to Linglong, who was standing by respectfully. "You go back and pack as well. Tomorrow, you will accompany me on a trip to Jiangzhou."

"Yes, Master."

Linglong bowed her head in acceptance but said no more.

After everyone had left, Chen Li looked to his second son. "Shouye, wait a moment. I have something to say to you."

Chen Shouye stopped, turned to his father, a trace of bewilderment on his face. "Father, is there something else?"

Chen Li pondered for a moment before speaking. "The family’s enterprises are poised to expand. Whether it’s the matter with the Sun Family or other things in the future, our current strength is no longer enough. We’re short on manpower.

"Find some time to see your master. Ask him to inquire among the hall’s disciples if any are willing to become Guests of our Chen Family. Cultivation is secondary; their character and background must be clean. Gather some first, to have in reserve."

Chen Shouye nodded. "Yes, Father. I’ll go to the martial arts hall tomorrow to speak with Master about this."

After giving these instructions, Chen Li looked at his son but didn’t say anything more for a moment.

The study fell silent.

Chen Shouye waited a moment. Seeing his father had no further instructions, he said, "Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

Chen Li watched his back as he turned to leave.

Just as Chen Shouye was about to step out of the room, Chen Li’s voice sounded again. It wasn’t loud, but it made Chen Shouye freeze in place.

"Next March, you will go participate in the Martial Examination. After that, go to the He Niu Martial Arts Academy to pursue your Cultivation."

Chen Shouye spun around, his face a mask of astonishment, almost thinking he had misheard.

Years ago, when he returned from the He Niu Martial Arts Academy, he had indeed mentioned Duan Mengjing’s invitation to his father, but Chen Li had just shaken his head at the time, telling him to stay home and help his mother manage the family affairs.

"Father, are you saying... you want me to take the Martial Examination, and then... go to the He Niu Martial Arts Academy?" Chen Shouye asked in disbelief.

"Mm."

Chen Li looked at him. "Shouyue has now entered the Spirit Realm as well. The daily household chores can be gradually handed over to her to learn. You can’t stay cooped up in this small place forever."

A mix of complex emotions surged through Chen Shouye—surprise, and a hint of confusion.

But in the end, he didn’t ask any more questions. He just nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father."

"Go on."

Chen Li waved his hand.

Chen Shouye gently closed the door behind him.

The study returned to silence.

Chen Li sat alone behind the large desk, staring at the closed door. After a long while, he let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh.

’He knew very well that both his sons were grown men. They had their own families, their own wives and in-laws. Naturally, their thoughts and ambitions were no longer as simple as they had been in their youth.’

After breaking through to Guiyuan Pass and forming his Primordial Spirit, although he still spent most of his time in Cultivation, no movement in the household could escape his notice.

Shouheng was now a Martial Arts Examination Champion Scholar and a Divine Hall Grandmaster. With the foundation of the Zhou Family and Zhou Shuwei’s help, he held an absolute advantage in terms of strength, prestige, and support from his wife’s family.

As for Shouye, he was introverted and quiet. His wife, Li Jinru, though from a decent background with backing from the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall, ultimately came from a minor family compared to the Zhou Family.

Over the years, whether it was having Shouye manage the medical hall or handle the new Silk Shop, they were, in the end, all minor endeavors.

’You can’t favor one child over another.’

How could Chen Li fail to see the growing gap between his two sons, or understand what was on each of their minds?

’Shouye might not say anything, but did he truly have no ambitions of his own?’

’Impossible.’

When Shouheng became the Martial Arts Examination Champion Scholar, Shouye’s feelings were plain to see on his face.

The larger the family, the more delicate the internal relationships become.

When brothers work together, they can overcome any obstacle.

But conflict between them is the beginning of ruin.

That was a sight he never wanted to witness.

It was crucial to prepare for a rainy day. Even planting a seed now was better than being caught helpless when a crisis finally struck.