Chapter 58: High Risk, High Reward!

The three members of the Su family were released right in the courtroom!

Dragging their bruised and battered bodies out of the municipal hall, Su Baizhang raised his head to gaze at the firmament for several breaths before cupping his hands toward Xue Yuan. "Your Highness, this humble subject owns a detached estate within the city. I implore Your Highness to honor us with your presence and adjourn there for a chat."

Naturally, Xue Yuan had no reason to refuse. He climbed into the carriage with a hearty laugh and followed Su Baizhang's entourage to the estate.

Upon entering, they found the interior luxurious yet refined, with pavilions, waterside terraces, artificial mountains, and ornate towers visible everywhere—a testament to the wealth of the region's wealthiest family.

Without influential backing, such immense family wealth was equivalent to a child carrying gold through a bustling marketplace. If Li Yuanwang did not target him, someone else inevitably would.

Once inside a guest hall within the estate, Su Baizhang dismissed the servants, dropped heavily to his knees before Xue Yuan, and kowtowed.

"This humble subject, Su Baizhang, kowtows to thank Your Highness for saving my life!" he declared. "I am willing to offer half of my family estate to express my profound gratitude to Your Highness!"

Having spent two or three months in prison, Su Baizhang now felt overwhelmingly astute. He surmised with absolute confidence—needing only a fraction of his smallest toenail's worth of thought—that he had completely seen through this foolish prince!

First of all, the prince was not genuinely slow-witted!

A true fool could never have overturned the Su family's verdict under those circumstances!

Since he was not truly foolish, and crows were black the world over, why else would he help the Su family if not for money?

In that case, he might as well proactively offer a donation to win favor!

Su Baizhang, who had calculated figures his entire life, weighed the options: as long as the Su family could secure the prince as their backer and live in peace henceforth, even surrendering half their estate would make this a wildly profitable transaction!

Upon hearing this, however, Xue Yuan instantly grew furious.

What is this? I merely wanted to buy a few shares, and you straight-up hand over half your property? Wouldn't that make me look like a common bandit?

Do these prominent features of mine make me look like the kind of person who goes around robbing people at every turn? Utterly preposterous!

Well, aside from seizing raw silk, raiding the Li estate, and appropriating the Longsheng Silk Shop, he hadn't robbed anything in three or five days. Why did no one ever acknowledge that?

Nevertheless, reflecting that the man was, after all, Su Ruowei's father, he quickly reined in his temper and said with a genial smile, "Arise, Master Su. I rescued you not out of covetousness for your family fortune!"

Yet Su Baizhang, who considered himself enlightened after three months of introspection in prison and thoroughly awakened to the ways of the world, flatly refused to believe it!

This foolish prince undoubtedly wanted more!

Gritting his teeth, he pressed on, "Your Highness is benevolent beyond measure, and this humble subject is deeply moved! However, I have not finished; I am willing to offer an additional forty percent of my estate to thank Your Highness for sheltering my daughter! I beg Your Highness not to refuse this heartfelt gesture of mine!"

Look here, you take ninety percent and I keep ten—if you are still greedy after this, are you even human?

Su Baizhang had figured it out. Even if the Su family were left with a mere ten percent of their wealth, it would still be enough to sustain three generations of prosperity. As long as they could live in peace hereafter, nothing else mattered!

Observing Su Baizhang's expression—which alternated between resentment and ingratiating flattery—Xue Yuan realized that some truths could no longer be concealed!

For instance, his own noble character!

Decisively turning around, he placed his hands behind his back and raised his head at a forty-five-degree angle toward the window, instantly projecting the classic image of an ancient scholar troubled by the nation's woes!

He then continued, "Master Su, you have truly misunderstood! The world often says that all merchants are unscrupulous! Yet in my view, without merchants, the populace cannot grow prosperous, nor can the country grow strong! In these turbulent times, suppressing rebellion through military might is certainly correct, but fundamentally, pacification requires enriching the people.

"When everyone has enough to eat, who would ever wish to rebel?"

"Your Highness..." Su Baizhang's pupils constricted slightly, and his face registered utter shock.

Since ancient times, the notion of merchants as base citizens had been deeply ingrained in people's minds; this was the first time he had ever heard such a proposition!

Xue Yuan proceeded, "Master Su, I do not want a single coin of the Su family's wealth, and you may continue your commercial enterprises with absolute peace of mind.

"My rescue of you stems from the hope that the Su family will set a fine example for the merchants of Jiangnan, letting them know that as long as I remain in Ningzhou, I will never tolerate anyone exploiting or bullying you!"

With the Su family holding immense prestige in the Jiangnan business community, Xue Yuan understood that winning the hearts of Jiangnan merchants had to begin with the Su family!

Su Baizhang had never imagined that this supposed fool possessed such deep insight and grand ambitions!

He was genuinely impressed!

At the same time, however, he desperately wanted to spit a mouthful of decades-old phlegm right into this foolish prince's face!

How could Su Baizhang, who had floated through the treacherous seas of commerce his entire life, fail to realize that this foolish prince intended to use the Su family's commercial reputation to win the allegiance of the hundreds of thousands of merchants across Jiangnan?

Doing so meant binding the Su family directly to his war chariot!

Why call it a war chariot?

Just think about it: why else would he feign madness while secretly gathering popular support?

Throughout history, who with such political depth and such methods ever failed to end up in rebellion?

And once the Su family helped him, it was tantamount to joining his rebellion!

Su Baizhang frantically clicked the beads of his mental abacus another hundred times, concluding that the probability of this venture resulting in a total loss was exceedingly high, while the potential return was minuscule!

After all, in the current realm, the Emperor held a share, Prince Yu held a share—no matter how one calculated it, there was no share for this foolish prince!

If he lost, the Su family would inevitably be subjected to execution along with their entire clan!

Conversely, even if this foolish prince actually won, what good would it do the Su family?

The Su family's contribution would amount to little more than helping him secure the Jiangnan business sector; when the time came to confer peerages and appoint chancellors, it would never fall to the Su family!

The risk and the profitability were completely disproportionate!

A cold sweat broke out across Su Baizhang's skin. He wanted to refuse, yet knew not how!

At that very moment, a knock sounded at the door.

"Your Highness, Father, I am coming in."

Su Ruowei pushed the door open, placed two bowls of soup from a tray onto the table, and said, "This is osmanthus and lotus seed soup I made myself. Please taste it."

Xue Yuan immediately smiled at her and said, "It must be delicious; I certainly must try it!"

Without another word, he picked up the bowl and began to slurp it down eagerly.

Su Ruowei chuckled softly beside him. "Your Highness, drink slowly; it's hot!"

As she spoke, she drew out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Xue Yuan's forehead, adding, "Why are you covered in sweat again? Did I not tell you that summer calls for tranquility? And your hair hasn't been washed in days; it's all clumped together. You must take a proper bath when we return."

Su Ruowei felt no difference between her actions today and before; she was merely caring for a mentally impaired person out of routine.

Previously, her family had been imprisoned, leaving her no leisure for such "tender care," but now that her worries were lifted and she had agreed to become the prince's "maidservant," she naturally paid closer attention to Xue Yuan.

That said, she of course now knew Xue Yuan was no fool, occasionally acting no more than childish at most.

Yet she still preferred to treat him like a simpleton because every time she saw his silly grin, joy welled up in her heart.

Su Ruowei could not pinpoint when she had developed this "preference"; perhaps it was from the very first day they met, when she first saw him smile so foolishly?

At this moment, her gentle hand, wiping away his sweat, lightly brushed against Xue Yuan's face, sending a sensation of delicate smoothness and softness through him.

Looking once more at that slightly plump, tender, and radiant face, and those clear yet alluring eyes, Xue Yuan felt his heart—dormant for so long that no ripples had stirred its waters—flutter slightly.

President Su can be both dignified and sweet; a wife ought to be just like this!

He could not help grinning foolishly, truly resembling an idiot.

"Hehe, very well, I shall listen to you!"

At that instant, the sound of an imaginary abacus clicking furiously seemed to echo through the air once more!

Su Baizhang stood silently watching this scene, his pupils suddenly constricting sharply once again!

Wait, wait!!

There is a variable in this transaction!

"Princess Consort Chu Qiu'er bullying the foolish prince is no secret; she is bound to be deposed before long!"

"And Ruowei became acquainted with the foolish prince from his humble beginnings, and is reportedly managing the inner affairs of the manor now... she is my daughter!"

"Then, then..."

Su Baizhang finally perceived the far greater and far more seductive reward hidden behind the immense risk!

"If this grand enterprise succeeds, then I shall be the father-in-law of the sovereign!"

For Su Baizhang, who had suffered enough oppression from officialdom his entire life, this temptation was virtually irresistible!

He, too, desired power; he, too, longed to sit high in the hall and watch others bow and scrape before him!

High risk, high reward!

"If one can make such a wager in this lifetime, it cannot be said one wasted the years!"

Thus, as soon as Su Ruowei stepped outside, Su Baizhang dropped straight to his knees on the floor!

He declared with ringing conviction, "Your Highness's immense kindness first, followed by your profound righteousness, has moved this humble subject beyond measure! From this day forth, the Su family and all its assets are entirely at Your Highness's disposal, to command whenever you please! I implore Your Highness not to refuse, so as to fulfill this humble subject's desire to serve!"

Xue Yuan was momentarily stunned.

What the hell? How did the old fellow suddenly see the light?

Yet he was thoroughly delighted!

With the Su family's assets and business network at his disposal, his avenues for making money would multiply.

Furthermore, conducting business through the Su family while he remained safely behind the scenes as the ultimate proprietor would be both more covert and far safer.

He promptly raised Su Baizhang to his feet and said, "Arise, Master Su! Since you have spoken thus, we are a family with no need for divided perspectives. Rest assured, as long as I live a day, the Su family's prosperity shall endure a day!"

Su Baizhang heard none of the rest; he caught only the three words "a family"!

He puffed out his chest and declared resoundingly, "Your Highness may rest easy as well! With Su here, Your Highness shall never need to worry about the manor's finances again!"

Xue Yuan laughed heartily and said, "I have no desire to busy myself with such trivialities! All the manor's enterprises have already been entrusted to Ruowei for management. I still have over two million taels of silver notes here; if you have ways to generate wealth, feel free to take them!

"By the way, that batch of raw silk remains at the manor; you may have it hauled away at your earliest convenience, and handle it however you see fit!"

As a boss, his guiding principle was absolute delegation!

Besides, the Su family's assets were all located in Ningzhou; there was no fear of Su Baizhang running away!

...

The trip to Anhai City had been abundantly fruitful!

After spending a night at the Su family's estate, Xue Yuan set off for home the following day.

Su Baizhang sponsored a luxurious carriage—a three-horse vehicle equipped with a sleeping platform and a small table inside, practically a mobile VIP compartment.

Since Chen Qiluo had already returned to Ning'an City the previous night, the carriage contained only Xue Yuan, Su Ruowei, and Jian Qi.

Along the way, Su Ruowei continuously reported her investment plans for the prince's estate to Xue Yuan!

In Jiangnan, the three most lucrative industries were tea, silk, and water transport, all of which yielded far more exorbitant profits than gambling dens or brothels.

Now, because Xue Yuan had sealed off the Su family's rival, the Yuxxing Silk Shop, the Su family could essentially monopolize the silk industry.

"In this sector, during a normal year, we can expect an annual revenue of roughly three million taels. However, the Yuxxing Silk Shop is backed by the Jiangnan Transport Commissioner. If Ningzhou's silk is to be shipped out, it must inevitably pass through the Commissioner's territory, so Your Highness must be wary of him causing trouble for us."

Xue Yuan nodded and asked, "He will undoubtedly make trouble; does Manager Su have a countermeasure?"

"I do. Presently, I have ascertained that the Transport Commissioner owns five restaurants, two land-and-water wharves, three tea plantations, and one brothel within Ning'an City; there may be others of which I am unaware.

"From a commercial perspective, if he troubles us, we can equally trouble him, so there is room for negotiation."

Su Ruowei's tone was calm and resolute, her demeanor poised and unruffled. Xue Yuan thought she lacked only a professional suit and stockings to look like a corporate executive.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he remarked, "Yet if we wish to branch into tea and water transport, we will encroach upon his interests again. In the long run, he will undoubtedly feel dissatisfied. If we push him too far, he might well prefer to abandon his assets in Ning'an City just to strike back at us."

Su Ruowei nodded. "That is indeed possible. To the Transport Commissioner, abandoning the profits of a single Ning'an City would not be difficult. But forcing him to relinquish his interests across the entirety of Ningzhou would be another matter entirely. After all, within the Jiangnan region, Ningzhou is the wealthiest. I trust his businesses elsewhere do not exceed half of what he holds in Ningzhou."

"You mean that if I wish to make a massive fortune, I must first gain control of Ningzhou?"

"Precisely. Otherwise, we cannot afford to touch the Transport Commissioner's interests for the time being."

"Ningzhou, eh..."

Xue Yuan fell into deep contemplation.

A single Ning'an County was easy to control; one simply replaced the magistrate.

Yet the entire Ningzhou encompassed nine counties, twelve towns, and thirty-one townships, involving not only the prefect and local magistrates but also three garrison commands and three principal generals across the prefecture.

The difficulty could well be imagined.

Yet gaining control of Ningzhou was the essential path he had to tread if he truly wanted a seat at the gaming table rather than remaining a mere bargaining chip!

With this thought, he turned to Su Ruowei and said, "Head Manager Su, excluding the prefect, how much information can you gather regarding the magistrates and military commanders across the various localities in Ningzhou?"

"Not a great deal, but if Your Highness makes good use of the Veterans' Society, we should be able to unearth quite a bit. The Veterans' Society has planted numerous factions across all parts of Ningzhou, and I hear they possess influence within the military as well."

"Are they truly that powerful?" Xue Yuan could not help glancing at Jian Qi, who was reading a book beside them, and asked, "Jian Qi, how powerful must the Heaven Alliance be by comparison?"

Jian Qi replied, "It is different. The Heaven Alliance is composed of martial artists; their combat strength is greater, and their prestige among the underworld and common folk is higher. However, when it comes to infiltrating the imperial court, they cannot compare to the Veterans' Society."

Xue Yuan experienced a sudden flash of insight.

"So the Heaven Alliance is essentially a martial arts organization, and their alliance leader is the equivalent of a martial arts leader... Tsk, if one could sit in that position, that would be truly formidable!"

At that very moment, a sharp whistling sound suddenly cleaved through the air!

Jian Qi's expression instantly tightened; he grabbed Xue Yuan by the shoulder and vaulted upward!

At the split second of crisis, Xue Yuan also reacted, instinctively seizing Su Ruowei's shoulder as well!

With a loud *bang*, the three of them burst right through the roof of the carriage and leaped into the air!

The next instant, with a deafening *boom*, the entire carriage flashed with fire and shattered into fragments!

The hundred-odd estate guards accompanying them finally reacted, hastily drawing their sabers!

Yet the surroundings were utterly empty, nothing visible within line of sight save waist-high wild grass!

Just as Xue Yuan landed, two black arrows—one high, one low—came whistling fiercely toward him!

Jian Qi's longsword flashed with a crisp *clang* as he deflected the first arrow!

Then, twisting his wrist, his sword energy surged like frost cleaving the air, moving at invisible speed to parry the second!

Yet he missed by half an inch!

The second arrow swept past the tip of his sword with a velocity beyond human comprehension!

Jian Qi's pupils contracted violently, the first look of shock ever appearing on his face!

An archer of such terrifying skill—he had never witnessed one in all his life!

Jian Qi whirled around and let out a roar!

"Your Highness!"