Chapter 46

......

Such a provoking expression made Wang Shuzhe's lips twitch twice. After taking a few deep breaths to steady his emotions, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, you didn't do anything wrong. Sit down and let's talk."

Wang Lici immediately found a stool and sat down, only perching a little on it, putting on a meek and obedient look, ready to listen to her uncle's teachings.

"From what I can see, the Old Ancestor quite likes you," Wang Shuzhe said. "While on the ship, try to chat with her more and make her happy."

So it's about this? As long as I'm not being scolded.

Wang Lici relaxed from her tense state, nodding repeatedly in agreement. She shifted her bottom further back on the stool, sat up straighter, and habitually took out a piece of honey candy to calm her nerves, then ate it with a calm and contented look.

Such a carefree appearance made Wang Shuzhe's eyelids twitch.

Thus, he silently took out two books from his pocket and tossed them to her: "These are 'Selected Poems and Verses of Longzuo' and 'The Hermit of Cuizhu Mountain's Notes.' Uncle bought them in Donggang just now. They are said to be quite literary."

He paused for a moment and continued, "This morning, when I heard you recite 'Ascending Tianlan to View the Heavens,' your voice was full of emotion and rhythm. It seems you are quite good at literature. Why don't you read these two books as quickly as possible and recite them to the Old Ancestor to entertain her? The Old Ancestor loves studious children the most, and I'm sure she will be very happy."

"Huh?"

Wang Lici's eyes widened, and she stopped chewing the honey candy. Her slightly chubby face was full of shock. Uncle, Uncle, Uncle... Are you a devil?

"Hmm, your surprised and delighted expression is very gratifying to Uncle," Wang Shuzhe said with a gentle smile. "Do you like them?"

Tears rolled down Wang Lici's cheeks, but she could only endure the委屈, forcing a "delighted" smile and choked out, "Thank you, Uncle, I really like them..."

"Lici, seeing you so moved to tears shows that Uncle's efforts have not been in vain," Wang Shuzhe patted her head apologetically. "It's all Uncle's fault for the rushed trip. I only managed to buy two books. Once we reach Bai Dao Wei, I'll definitely buy you more. Who knows, maybe our family will produce a literary giant in the future."

Wang Lici felt as if the color had drained from her life, and everything before her turned gray.

Fortunately, there was still honey candy.

The sweet taste in her mouth seemed to be the only bright spot in her future gray life, a source of hope.

"By the way," Wang Shuzhe frowned and said, "Honey candy is fine as an occasional snack, but eating too much can damage your teeth and make you fat. Look at your face, it's already round. Take them all out, and Uncle will keep them for you."

Boom!

These words hit Wang Lici like a thunderbolt, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she fumbled to take out a pack of honey candy.

"More than that?"

Then she took out another pack.

"Hehe~"

Then another pack.

After taking out a total of five packs, Wang Lici, holding the two books, burst into tears: "No more, really no more. Uncle, it's getting late, I, I'll go read the books..."

Then she ran off like she was escaping from a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.

After she ran off, Wang Shuzhe chuckled, feeling very gratified as he poured himself a cup of tea and drank it. "Little girl, Uncle can still handle you."

Taming his niece was just a small interlude.

After a brief rest to compose himself, Wang Shuzhe took out the small booklet given by his future brother-in-law, Chen Fangjie, and began to read it slowly. Although the Wang family had heard of Bai Dao Wei, there was little detailed information recorded within the clan, and the information was quite outdated.

The Chen family of Donggang had more frequent contact with Bai Dao Wei, so their information was more detailed. This small booklet contained records of various forces, families, and situations in Bai Dao Wei, as well as characteristics of people not to provoke casually.

The more Wang Shuzhe read, the more he was startled. The forces in Bai Dao Wei were indeed more complex and intricate than in Changning Wei, starting with the dozens of large and small families.

Some of these families, with weaker strength, occupied a single island. Others, with formidable strength, spanned several or even dozens of islands.

The main island is called Jinsha Island. It is said that a thousand years ago, this island was rich in gold sand, which led to bloody disputes among the Xuanwu families. The Dagan government sent experts to forcefully suppress the situation and established Bai Dao Wei, which stabilized the area. After a few hundred years, the gold sand was exhausted, and the remaining Xuanwu families divided the islands, gradually forming the current structure.

Due to the complex and remote geographical location of Bai Dao Wei and the depletion of gold sand, the Dagan government's control over the area has gradually weakened. Therefore, there are not a few scattered cultivators who have committed crimes and are wanted, exiled family members, or pirates and bandits trying to wash their hands, who come to Bai Dao Wei to seek their fortune.

Fortunately, the Chen family of Donggang has operated on Jinsha Island for many years, with extensive connections and a solid foundation. With the Chen family's protection, ordinary people dare not provoke them easily.

As long as one does not cause trouble, the safety issue is not significant. Otherwise, Chen Fangjie would never have dared to let Wang Shuzhe go to Bai Dao Wei. If something major happened, how could Chen Fangjie come out unscathed?

However, despite the chaos in Bai Dao Wei, it has also given rise to some unique industries not found elsewhere.

For example, the black market!

The Jinsha Black Market is one of the two major families' industries in Bai Dao Wei, with a history of two hundred years. In the black market, all identities can be disguised and hidden. As long as you have money, you can buy what you want in the most secret way, and you can also secretly sell your items, even prohibited items or stolen goods!

The black market does not care who you are or where your money and items come from; they only maintain order and credibility and take a cut.

Order and credibility are the fundamental reasons why a black market can survive.

Since people going to the black market are often very sensitive to the exposure of their identities, any hint of trouble would make them hesitate. Therefore, it is evident that the Jinsha Black Market, which has stood for two hundred years and grown in scale, places great emphasis on credibility and order.

Upon seeing the information about the black market,

Wang Shuzhe had a vague idea. The Old Ancestor Longyan must have come for the black market, and with Wang Shuzhe's intelligence, he had a good guess about her intentions.

His brows furrowed immediately. This was something he did not want to see. Once they disembarked, he needed to talk to the Old Ancestor Longyan. Some things did not need to be taken to such extremes.

However, she was the Old Ancestor, and once she made up her mind, she must have thought about it for a long time. How could he persuade her?

Wang Shuzhe's expression grew increasingly serious as he tapped his fingers on the table, thinking rapidly.

Time passed slowly.

More than twenty hours later, the large sea ship docked at the deep-water port of Jinsha Island in Bai Dao Wei.

Wang Shuzhe and his group walked out of the "Junyao" and smelled the strong sea breeze. The "Junyao" had been quite stable in the sea, arriving at Bai Dao Wei safely and without incident.

At this moment, Chen Fanghua, a member of the Chen family, came forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Young Master Wang, according to the instructions of the young patriarch before he left, I will arrange accommodation and a guide for your group."

Wang Shuzhe smiled inwardly, guessing that his future brother-in-law was worried about him getting into trouble on the island and had specially arranged for a family member to take care of his accommodation and itinerary.

"Thank you, Brother Chen," Wang Shuzhe said. Being unfamiliar with Jinsha Island, it was best to have someone arrange things for him. Moreover, he should appreciate the thoughtfulness of his future brother-in-law.

Chen Fanghua, knowing that "Young Master Wang" had female companions, specially arranged a carriage. The Old Ancestor Longyan, Aunt, and the maid all got into the carriage. Wang Shuzhe and the two family guards, Wang Zhong and Wang Yong, were temporarily assigned three horses.

Then, Chen Fanghua led a family guard and guided Wang Shuzhe's group into the inner city of Jinsha Island.

As they walked, Chen Fanghua chatted with Wang Shuzhe about the local customs and conditions of Jinsha Island. For example, Jinsha Island is the largest island in Bai Dao Wei, but due to the high content of rocks and other impurities in the soil, there are very few arable fields.

"Therefore, half of our cargo is grain and various meats and poultry, as well as some daily necessities. These ordinary items are quite profitable in Bai Dao Wei," Chen Fanghua said, not avoiding these well-known commercial facts, clearly trying to build a relationship with Wang Shuzhe.

"Doesn't the Dagan law prohibit the speculation of grain?" Wang Shuzhe asked, slightly puzzled.

"Young Master Wang, the Dagan law has limited influence in Bai Dao Wei," Chen Fanghua smiled. "Moreover, we are not speculating on grain but trading goods for goods. Although Bai Dao Wei has low grain production, it is rich in various sea delicacies and oyster ash, which can still make a profit when transported inland."

Wang Shuzhe knew that in this era, maritime trade was highly profitable but also very risky and difficult. Building a merchant ship was not only expensive but required deep expertise.

Additionally, training sailors and professional navigators was also very challenging. Even a slight mistake could result in a shipwreck, leading to a total loss.

Therefore, it was almost impossible for ordinary families to enter the maritime trade. It was no wonder that the Chen family of Donggang had become increasingly powerful in just a hundred years.

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