Chapter 54

Feng Jueyu praised without any restraint: "Tong'er is truly smart. When it comes to business acumen, you are no less than Miss Shangguan. In the future, the operation of Jishi Workshop will rely entirely on you."

Flattered by Feng Jueyu's praise and being compared to Shangguan Ruomeng, Tong'er's face flushed, her bashful appearance resembling a bud about to bloom, or a young, blushing apple, which stirred Feng Jueyu's heart once again.

"Master, you flatter me. How can I be compared to Miss Shangguan?" Tong'er said.

Feng Jueyu frowned and said, "Tong'er, you must not undervalue yourself. What's so great about Shangguan Ruomeng? She just has a good family background and someone to teach her, which is why she has achieved what she has today. You, without any guidance, can apply what you learn to new situations. In terms of intelligence, you are no less than her. You must have confidence in yourself."

Xiao Yuanshan's eyes darted around, noticing the affectionate looks between the two. He suddenly brightened and slapped his thigh, saying, "Master is right. Sister, once Jishi Workshop grows, you will be a young lady of the Li family, no less than Miss Shangguan."

As he spoke, Xiao Yuanshan winked at Tong'er, who understood and lowered her head, her neck turning red.

Gongyang Yu looked at the two and sighed helplessly, thinking to himself: "It's over, a good cabbage has been taken by a pig..."

After that, Feng Jueyu arranged his plans for the next few days and left Xiao Yuanshan's residence, returning to the Shangguan Manor...

...

In the Shangguan Manor, the old man, Shangguan Lingyun, sat in his study. On the table was a thick stack of registers, listing all the names involved in the recent destruction and theft of supplies from the four states, three provinces, and six counties. He picked it up, flipped through it, and then angrily threw it on the table, his mood extremely poor.

Shangguan Ruomeng sat below, silently sipping tea, not saying a word, as if deep in thought...

The sun was setting, and it was just past noon. The courtyard was unusually quiet, with the masters of each room taking their midday naps and the servants taking a rare break. Shangguan Lingyun sat up from his chair and said in a hoarse voice, "The Gold and Silver Guild started attacking the Shangguan Manor this morning."

Shangguan Ruomeng listened quietly and asked, "How severe are the losses?"

Shangguan Lingyun said, "Seven of our key branches were destroyed by experts, three medicinal gardens were set on fire, and the goods on the main roads to Dongzhou and Xuzhou were seized. It seems we have seriously offended the Gold and Silver Guild."

Shangguan Ruomeng's body trembled. The Shangguan family had many branches across the country, but only ten were key. Seven being destroyed was already a heavy loss, not to mention the three medicinal gardens, which were the bases for cultivating medicinal herbs. The goods seized on the main roads were also crucial for the Shangguan family's recent earnings.

The Shangguan family's industries across the country suffered devastating blows in just one morning, a blow that even a super family could not withstand. How could Shangguan Lingyun not be angry?

Shangguan Ruomeng's face turned cold, and she was puzzled, "The Gold and Silver Guild is the largest assassin organization in the country, taking money to eliminate troubles for others. We can't afford to offend them, which is why we deployed the Mu family's troops along the canal. We didn't kill any of their people, so why are they attacking us?"

Last night's supply transport had already been adjusted to address the unfavorable conditions. The Shangguan family requested the Mu family's troops to help because they couldn't afford to offend the Gold and Silver Guild. They had heard that the Gold and Silver Guild had sent trained assassins this time, and if they suffered significant losses, they would certainly blame the Shangguan family.

The Shangguan family wouldn't be afraid if they stayed in the capital of Tiannan, but their vast business across the country was at risk. The fear was that the Gold and Silver Guild would act recklessly.

Despite all the preparations, they couldn't understand why the Gold and Silver Guild had gone mad. Shangguan Ruomeng couldn't figure out why.

Shangguan Lingyun tapped the table and said, "The Gold and Silver Guild has spread the word that two of their hall leaders' children were killed by a mysterious person along the canal. This person is not Mu Qianjun but has the talent to lead an army. More suspiciously, this person is not from the Mu family's troops."

"Not from the Mu family's troops?" Shangguan Ruomeng was stunned.

"No," Shangguan Lingyun said firmly. "So the Gold and Silver Guild mistakenly thought that the Shangguan Manor sent an expert, and thus they blamed the Shangguan family. This is understandable. I had already anticipated that we would stand against the Gold and Silver Guild after this incident, but I didn't expect them to go so crazy."

"Also, according to rumors, last night, along the canal, Mu Qianjun was held back by Xue Xuejian Yan Wuming. The Mu family's troops, led by Yang Huayi, were about to be wiped out, but this person's appearance not only saved Yang Huayi and others but also turned the tide, forcing the Gold and Silver Guild to retreat in disgrace. This person became the key to ensuring the safe departure of the supplies. Ruomeng, who do you think this person is?"

Shangguan Ruomeng thought for a moment and shook her head. "I can't think of anyone. Grandfather, have you sent a letter to the border? If this person really exists, the people of the Mu family's troops must know who he is."

Shangguan Lingyun said, "I have already sent a letter to the border. It will take at least ten days to get a response. But the Shangguan Manor's industries outside are in grave danger. How do you think we should solve this problem?"

Shangguan Ruomeng thought for a moment and said, "This matter involves two major issues. First, the safety of all the people in the Shangguan family's industries outside. Since the Gold and Silver Guild doesn't intend to leave us a way out, and we are not as powerful as they are, we might as well withdraw all our industries outside to ensure the safety of the people."

Shangguan Lingyun nodded. The Shangguan family was indeed large and powerful, but compared to the Gold and Silver Guild, a nationwide assassin organization, they were still inferior. The key was that the Gold and Silver Guild was unpredictable, with countless assassins, even the emperor of Tiannan was troubled by them. The Shangguan family was naturally no match.

"Second, the election for the president of the Tiannan Chamber of Commerce will be decided in a month. In the past, we were slightly ahead of the Xu and Chen families, but now, the pressure from the Gold and Silver Guild is unexpected and devastating. If we withdraw all our shops across the country, we can reduce our losses, but it will be a significant blow to our sales in the next month. Even if we had an advantage before, we will ultimately lose. The president of the Tiannan Chamber of Commerce will be chosen from the Xu and Chen families."

"Grandfather, I have heard that this consolidation of the chamber is related to the future development of the pharmaceutical industry. In Tiannan, the Shangguan, Xu, and Chen families are in a tripartite balance. The emperor clearly intends to leave only one family. Whoever wins will survive, and the other two will gradually decline. We cannot give up. The West Border supplies are personally assigned by the emperor to the Shangguan family. For the sake of the country, we have offended the Gold and Silver Guild, affecting the election for the president of the chamber. We cannot sit idly by. I plan to find Chancellor Zhang Changling, and even the emperor if necessary. Even if we cannot secure the leading position in the pharmaceutical industry, we must at least try to reduce the sales impact and turn the tide."

Shangguan Lingyun closed his eyes, feeling very frustrated. The issues Shangguan Ruomeng raised were also what he had been considering recently. However, Zhang Changling was the emperor's brother-in-law and the Chancellor of the Wenyuan Pavilion, as well as the Grand Marshal, overseeing the entire commerce of Tiannan. He was a figure equivalent to a prince, and even more formidable. If there was anyone in Tiannan who dared to defy the emperor, it would be Zhang Changling.

Meeting him was difficult, and trying to influence him through back channels was even harder...

He was a man who was impervious to bribes...

Shangguan Lingyun slumped in his chair, feeling powerless. As the Seventh Prince of Tiannan, he was skilled in military affairs but lacked business acumen. The Shangguan family's rise was entirely due to the support of the royal family. When it came time for him to step down, he could only rely on someone in the family with the right mind.

Undoubtedly, Shangguan Ruomeng was the standout. This matter still depended on her.

Shangguan Lingyun sighed, "The Shangguan family started with the support of the Tiannan emperor. Now, we can only rely on ourselves. Fortunately, we have Shangguan Ruomeng. Ruomeng, I won't put pressure on you. If you can solve the chamber issue, do so. If not, it's fine. As long as I am still here, even if the family business fails, we can still ensure temporary peace. As for those who only know how to eat and wait to die, I can't take care of them forever."

Shangguan Ruomeng paused and said, "I will do my best to persuade Chancellor Zhang."

Shangguan Lingyun did not respond. The two were silent for a while. Shangguan Lingyun then asked, "Did you go to Jishi Workshop today? Did you find anything?"

Shangguan Ruomeng shook her head and smiled, "It's quite amusing. It seems the Gold and Silver Guild was unlucky. They had no specific goal, just because a young man accidentally discovered a spy in the Shangguan family and wanted a reward, they sent a letter. I have already investigated the background of Jishi Workshop, and there is nothing suspicious."

"Oh? So the Gold and Silver Guild was really unlucky, such a big matter was ruined by a young man."

The conversation about Jishi Workshop was brief. Shangguan Lingyun then asked, "By the way, I heard you went boating with Feng Jueyu yesterday. How did it go?"

Later? Shangguan Ruomeng smiled wryly and took out an invitation from her bosom, saying, "Speaking of Brother Feng, I really can't figure him out. Grandfather must have heard about how he left Ma Yuanru speechless and even said, 'Worry before the world worries, and enjoy after the world enjoys.' It was truly impressive."

Thinking about Feng Jueyu's eloquence and integrity in the small pavilion on the lake, Shangguan Ruomeng's mood brightened, and her previous frown disappeared. She said, "Grandfather, in my opinion, Brother Feng's change is likely related to the mysterious expert who taught Shangguan Ruofan. We have been observing him for a long time, but he always eludes us. Further tracking won't yield any results. I think it's better to be straightforward and avoid unnecessary speculation. I believe the expert won't be displeased."

Shangguan Lingyun thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll think about how to talk to him. Oh, by the way, the Seventh Prince recently contracted a strange illness, and even the imperial physicians are at a loss. Ruomeng, gather all the doctors from Huairen Hall, especially Kong Qiao, and have them take a look. And one more thing..."

Shangguan Lingyun suddenly paused, his tone becoming very low, "I heard that Xu Ziyang is coming back..."

"Xu Ziyang?" Shangguan Ruomeng was slightly taken aback, and a pained expression appeared on her face...

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