pdf-ebookys Chapter 475 Agreed
Chapter 475 Agreed
With the intelligence network left by Li Xian, plus the intelligence network he created, if the two are combined, then he will truly be invincible.
With the most crucial intelligence issue resolved, it's only a matter of time before she conquers the six kingdoms of Kyushu.
Shen Tianjiao looked up at Li Ziyan and found him more and more pleasing to the eye.
"Ziyan, besides Southern Chu, how are the other properties and businesses of Ziyun Manor in the six kingdoms of the Nine Provinces doing?"
"I really don't know anything about those industries and businesses."
“My grandfather never let me get involved in these things before, and now the old housekeeper is in charge of them.”
"If Your Majesty wishes to know, I will go and fetch the old steward right now."
Li Ziyan used to only be responsible for studying, and he was never allowed to manage the family business.
This was also Li Xian's intention. Nowadays, the status of merchants is low. Even though Li Xian is already incredibly wealthy, in the eyes of outsiders, he is nothing more than a lowly person who has disgraced his ancestors and willingly degenerated.
Therefore, Li Xian never intended for Li Ziyan to take over the family business from the very beginning.
Li Xian's vision for Li Ziyan was to make him a scholar.
Even if Li Ziyan were to study, he still wouldn't be able to participate in the imperial examinations, but as a scholar, his status in Yunli would be significantly elevated.
"No need, I will have someone ask about these things later."
Shen Tianjiao was in a great mood, as if she had been hit on the head by a pie falling from the sky.
This isn't just making a quick buck, it's making a killing.
Shen Tianjiao's elation had not yet subsided when the Marquis of Zhenbei arrived.
Looking at Shen Tianjiao and Li Ziyan in the room, the Marquis of Zhenbei wondered why the two of them would be here at the same time.
“Father, Ziyan wants to go to Southern Chu with us.”
Before Marquis Zhenbei could speak, Shen Tianjiao directly revealed Li Ziyan's thoughts.
Time was of the essence, and it was almost time to depart. Shen Tianjiao couldn't afford to comfort the Marquis of Zhenbei anymore, so she stopped taking detours.
The important thing now is to resolve these issues quickly.
Marquis Zhenbei was taken aback, turned to look at Li Ziyan and asked, "Is this your idea?"
He didn't ask Shen Tianjiao directly because he knew that Shen Tianjiao would never suggest that Li Ziyan go to Nan Chu.
"Yes, that's my idea."
Li Ziyan was nervous in front of Shen Tianjiao, but when he arrived at the Marquis of Zhenbei's place, his nervousness turned into fear.
The Marquis of Zhenbei possessed a fierce and ruthless aura honed over many years on the battlefields of the northern frontier, which was extremely intimidating to a frail scholar like Li Ziyan.
Moreover, Li Ziyan no longer has a grandfather, so the Marquis of Zhenbei is essentially his patriarch. In front of the patriarch, how many people are not afraid of the patriarch's authority?
The Marquis of Zhenbei scrutinized Li Ziyan, who stood before him with his head down like a child who had done something wrong, and remained silent for a long time.
Looking at the Marquis of Zhenbei's expression, Shen Tianjiao knew the inner turmoil her father was experiencing.
If Li Ziyan isn't allowed to go, given his current personality, it will be very difficult for him to keep Ziyun Manor afloat.
Although Li Xian has given the entire Ziyun Manor to Shen Tianjiao, as Li Xian's grandson, Li Ziyan still needs to take charge of Ziyun Manor and become a person in charge who can stand on his own.
He is too weak-willed to shoulder great responsibilities.
He needs to experience some things so that he can grow up quickly.
This trip to Southern Chu was a great experience. It's better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books.
Much of our growth comes from experiencing certain things and gaining profound insights.
However, if Li Ziyan were to go along, the journey to Southern Chu would be extremely dangerous. What if something happened to Li Xian's only son?
Then how will the Marquis of Zhenbei have the face to meet Li Xian in the afterlife?
“Father, this is actually a good thing. Ziyan will eventually grow up and learn to support this family.”
"Although we can protect him and support him, it's not as good as him becoming strong on his own."
“We can’t protect him for a lifetime. Even if we could, there would always be areas we couldn’t take care of.”
“He has become stronger, which not only allows him to support the family, but also to better protect himself, which is a good thing.”
Shen Tianjiao helped the Marquis of Zhenbei to a seat on a nearby stool.
“I know what you’re worried about, Father. Going out to broaden your horizons always involves some dangers.”
“But we can’t just confine Ziyan to Ziyun Manor for the rest of his life and not let him go anywhere because there is danger.”
"He is only sixteen or seventeen years old, which is the age when he should go out and make his way in the world."
“Father, when you inherited the title of Marquis of Zhenbei and led people to the northern frontier, you were only about the same age as him now.”
"And my three older brothers, which one of them didn't pick up a sword at a very young age, fight among thousands of troops, shoulder their responsibilities, and protect their country?"
"Although the journey to Southern Chu is perilous and we will encounter many troubles along the way, Ziyun Manor has plenty of capable guards. If we send more people along, wouldn't we be able to avoid any dangers?"
Marquis Zhenbei lowered his head and remained silent in thought. He had to admit that what Shen Tianjiao had said earlier made a lot of sense, and he had taken it to heart.
Li Ziyan is indeed too weak now. Let alone guarding Ziyun Manor, he doesn't even have the ability to protect himself in the event of any trouble.
If he is kept at Ziyun Manor and protected indefinitely, he will only grow weaker and weaker, becoming a timid and cowardly person.
This is not what Li Xian wanted to see, nor is it what the Marquis of Zhenbei wanted to see.
As a man, one should aspire to travel far and wide.
Indeed, as Shen Tianjiao just said, she cannot protect Li Ziyan for a lifetime.
Each generation is responsible for its own affairs, and no one can predict what will happen after they pass away.
Only by gradually making Li Ziyan stronger will he be able to protect himself and survive, no matter what happens in the future.
Thinking of this, the worries in the heart of the Marquis of Zhenbei gradually dissipated.
With so many guards following him, Li Ziyan was just going out to broaden his horizons; what big deal could possibly happen?
If these guards can't even protect one of Li Ziyan, then it will truly be a joke.
"Alright, since Her Majesty the Empress has pleaded for you, then you can come with me to Southern Chu this time."
As soon as the Marquis of Zhenbei uttered these words, Li Ziyan's eyes lit up instantly.
He stared at the Marquis of Zhenbei, nodding his head vigorously, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress and the Marquis."
"Don't be too happy yet, I have conditions."
Seeing Li Ziyan's great joy, the Marquis of Zhenbei couldn't help but give him a few words of advice before his departure.
"I promise you I'll let you go to Southern Chu, but you have to promise me you won't be willful along the way and you'll have to listen to Yu Po in everything."
"Do whatever Yu Po tells you to do, and you absolutely cannot do anything she forbids you from doing."
"Furthermore, one should never be a domineering person, nor should one associate with strangers. Remember, one should never have the intention to harm others, but one should never be without the intention to guard against others."
"When you're out and about, you always need to be more careful. Don't be like a naive girl who believes everything she's told."
It's no wonder that the Marquis of Zhenbei said that. When Li Ziyan stood there, people could tell from his face and his clear, foolish eyes that he was an easy fool to deceive.
Not just a fool, but a fool with a lot of money.
"Yes, Ziyan will heed the Marquis's teachings and obey Lady Yu Po's words. I will absolutely not do anything she forbids me to do."
"In short, if she tells me to go east, I will never go west."
"I won't have much contact with strangers, let alone become very close to them."
Li Ziyan's current mindset is that as long as the Marquis of Zhenbei allows him to go to Southern Chu, then everything is negotiable.
If you tell him not to do something, he won't do it; if you tell him to do something, he'll do it.
Absolute obedience is required; simply follow the orders of the Marquis of Zhenbei.
Moreover, Li Ziyan is actually very clear about his own situation.
She knew that, just as the Marquis of Zhenbei had said, she was an easily fooled, naive girl with no cunning or social skills.
Since it was my first time going to such a far place, I naturally had to behave myself.
Seeing that Li Ziyan agreed so readily, the Marquis of Zhenbei was at a loss for what to say next.
Shen Tianjiao looked at the old man and the child in front of her and couldn't help but shake her head and smile.
"Alright, now that you know, hurry back and pack your things. We're leaving soon."
"Remember what you promised the Marquis, you must keep your word."
After saying this, Shen Tianjiao waved her hand to let Li Ziyan leave.
Seeing Li Ziyan's cheerful demeanor, even her back view exuded happiness, the Marquis of Zhenbei smiled, a rare occurrence for him.
“Father, I heard from the servants that you often stay up late at night, sometimes even until dawn before you go to rest.”
"Is there some problem you can't solve, or something you can't get through?"
Shen Tianjiao looked at the Marquis of Zhenbei, wondering what had made her father so worried.
Faced with Shen Tianjiao's question, the Marquis of Zhenbei lowered his head and coughed lightly twice, looking very uncomfortable.
He was quickly calculating in his mind how to answer Shen Tianjiao's question.
In this situation, he couldn't very well tell Shen Tianjiao the truth, that she was the one who caused him all this trouble.
“Oh, Father doesn’t often stay up until dawn. It’s not because of the trip to Xirong. There are many places and details that need to be discussed with your second brother.”
“Last night, you suddenly told me to have Madam Duan return to Southern Chu this time and resolve the matters there as well.”
"Your second brother and I were inevitably a little worried, so we discussed the personnel deployment and what might happen on the road, and how to minimize the losses."
"To prevent things from spiraling out of control and affecting our progress, or to prevent others from discovering our intentions."
"In that case, even if Madam Duan returns to Southern Chu, it will be very difficult for her to complete what she wants to do."
Marquis Zhenbei's answer did not arouse any suspicion from Shen Tianjiao. Going to Nan Chu was a hasty decision she made because it was too rushed and would indeed cause trouble for her father and brother.
"It's my fault, I've caused trouble for Father and Second Brother."
Shen Tianjiao looked up at the Marquis of Zhenbei, and seeing his full head of white hair, she felt a pang of sadness.
My father is at the age where he should be enjoying his retirement, but he still has to worry about his daughter and work tirelessly all the time.
This is truly her fault as a daughter.
"Jiaojiao, what are you saying? This is all for Yunli's long-term plan."
"Father is not only your father, but also a subject of Yunli. As a subject, it is his duty to share the burdens of the country."
"You don't need to worry about your father, he's in good health."
In order not to make Shen Tianjiao worry about him, and also because he was afraid that Shen Tianjiao would send someone to keep an eye on him in the future.
Marquis Zhenbei quickly added, "Once this matter is over, Father will have nothing to worry about. I will make sure to eat and sleep on time, so you don't need to worry."
"Ah."
Shen Tianjiao nodded. Once this matter was over, the Marquis of Zhenbei would also be returning to the capital.
When the father and daughter are both in the capital, are you afraid that the Marquis of Zhenbei will not obey?
"Let's go out and see how their preparations are going."
“Your second brother didn’t sleep a wink last night, and he went to supervise the work again early this morning.”
"Going to check on the rations, medicine, and equipment they need for the journey."
“During this period, your second brother was the one who was the most tired.”
Previously, because Shen Tingzhi was not by his side, although the Marquis of Zhenbei knew that he was very busy every day, he did not witness it firsthand, so he did not feel involved.
However, during this time, Shen Tingzhi stayed by the side of the Marquis of Zhenbei, and the Marquis of Zhenbei watched him work so hard every day that he was constantly on the go.
Only then did I gain the most genuine and objective understanding of how busy Shen Tingzhi really was.
The two busiest people in their family right now, besides Shen Tianjiao, are Shen Tingzhi.
Seeing his son so busy every day, unable to eat or sleep well, how could the Marquis of Zhenbei not feel sorry for him?
But there's nothing we can do about it. These sacrifices are the bare minimum if we want to realize Yunli's dream of becoming the strongest nation among the six kingdoms of Kyushu.
There is no such thing as instant success or a one-time solution in this world. Only through careful planning and hard work can one achieve peace and stability.
"My second brother has really worked hard. Once this busy period is over, let him have a good rest."
This is all Shen Tianjiao can do for Shen Tingzhi now.
Before the overall situation stabilizes, it is clearly impossible for Shen Tingzhi to unload his burdens and live a more carefree life.