Free Web NovelChapter 663: Chapter 663: Preparing on Two Fronts
Qin Yao wasn’t asking without reason.
She had just learned about Qin Feng’s family background and was worried about whether he could protect so much wealth.
Ever since returning from the National Master Mansion with Liu Ji yesterday, she had a constant feeling of impending storm.
She was certainly not worried about her own family, everything was within control; only with Qin Feng, she realized she still didn’t know much about him.
After four years apart and reuniting, she and Qin Feng had not had the opportunity to truly chat until now.
Qin Yao felt the timing was perfect today and suggested, "Let’s talk today, and tell each other about these past four years."
"Alright." Qin Feng also had a lot to say to her.
The siblings exchanged a glance, and Qin Feng spoke first, "After we separated, Uncle Qi saved me, and by chance, I ended up in the Salt Gang and went down the salt well. Those days were tough, but at least I could finally have enough to eat."
"Later, the court sent a Salt Transport Envoy, got rid of the Salt Gang, and that’s when I met Guo Hao, who is now the Minister of Revenue. I saved his life, and he allowed me and Uncle Qi to leave the salt well."
"After that, Uncle Qi and I started trading. It was a year later when we returned to Wang City. Guo Hao came again, this time for local salt transport matters in Wang City. The court was preparing to issue new salt permits. Uncle Qi and I took out all our savings from trading, and with a favor from Guo Hao, we finally obtained the salt permit."
"For the next two years, I managed the salt mine and traveled south with Uncle Qi twice a year for business, searching for news about you. In Su City, I met a girl..."
Qin Yao teased with a smile, "Is it Yanhong?"
Qin Feng nodded awkwardly, mumbling, "Did Liu Ji tell you that? How does that kid find out everything."
Qin Yao smiled faintly, indicating for him to continue.
Qin Feng didn’t seek Yanhong for pleasure; at that time, he had a bad feeling because he couldn’t find any trace of his sister. Finding Yanhong was because she could help him keep an eye out for women who had ended up in the brothel.
After meeting several times, an ambiguous atmosphere developed between them.
But Yanhong never mentioned wanting to be with him; she only asked him to visit her when he came to Su City. If she wanted something, she didn’t hide it and would directly write to him to bring it.
Later, Qin Feng had someone send a sum of silver to her every month, enough to cover her expenses for the month.
Yanhong wrote to him more frequently, with her letters full of the names of new girls in the brothels of Su City and casually mentioning her safety, asking if he was well.
Qin Feng felt this connection was both normal and abnormal, but he had many concerns aside from this and hadn’t thought deeply about it.
In any case, that’s how things were. If he had money, he’d give it; Yanhong never mentioned wanting him to redeem her.
"Now that I’ve found you, I’ll have Uncle Qi tell her when he’s in Su City that she doesn’t need to write to me anymore."
Qin Feng seemed to be talking to Qin Yao and also to himself. His brows slightly furrowed, as he always found it a bit strange to talk about a woman from the brothel in front of his sister.
He also feared she’d think he was improper, so he watched Qin Yao’s face, not wanting to miss any reaction.
Qin Yao’s gaze softened, and she asked curiously, "Brother, do you like Yanhong?"
"Wha-what?" Qin Feng was startled, visibly flustered, and his eyes darted around as he waved his hand, "I won’t marry her, rest assured, how could the mistress of our family be a brothel woman!"
The words surprised even him.
He realized he wasn’t much different from those brothel visitors he looked down upon.
Qin Yao showed no particular reaction, as if it was an ordinary matter, "Then end it."
Qin Feng frowned and tentatively asked, "Is it because you don’t like it?"
Qin Yao shook her head, "It’s not about like or dislike; it’s about whether there’s a handle, about being ruined overnight."
Qin Feng was shocked, and his fleeting indecision completely dissipated; no one had ever talked to him like this before.
Uncle Qi, like him, had climbed up from the bottom. Suddenly wealthy, the two lived cautiously, knowing only to keep their wealth hidden, avoid offending people, and make money harmoniously.
As for other things, their vision was limited, and they had never thought about the consequences a brothel woman could bring.
Qin Yao said deeply, "Since ancient times, wealth moves people’s hearts, and the amount from the salt mine is significant. Surely many are eyeing it? Have you left anyone in Wang City?"
Qin Feng calmed his mind, took a deep breath, and nodded, "I indeed left a few trusted people, but the people in Wang City glare at my salt mine like hungry wolves, giving me a headache."
Qin Yao suggested, "Then find someone to deal with them."
According to the news Liu Ji gathered, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel are currently neutral in the court, favoring neither side, but what if?
Qin Feng relied on Guo Hao from the Ministry of Revenue. It’s not easy for those in power to target Guo Hao, but targeting his subordinates would be all too simple.
Moreover, Qin Feng was just a merchant. Once fattened up and then taken down, those two hundred thousand taels of silver would all go to benefit others.
Qin Feng was truly chilled by Qin Yao’s words, murmuring, "That can’t be, we’re serving the court after all..."
For that one salt permit, he had to spend hundreds of thousands of taels each year; surely that was enough for them to feed on?
"I’m not saying it’s definite, just that the court situation is complex now, and we need to be prepared for both outcomes."
Just like her specialty shop and Divine Power Book Box, if the Princess fell from power, it would take down the entire Fulong Trading Company.
However, she’s not afraid now; that’s an army of ten thousand!
Besides, if something happened, Fulong Trading Company would take the hit. As a minor figure below, at most, she’d go bankrupt.
At such times, Liu Ji’s scholar status would be very useful. As long as she destroyed any traces linking her to the Princess Mansion, leaving no evidence of allegiance, forfeiting her scholarly title, her life could be spared.
Of course, that’s the worst-case scenario; in reality, it wouldn’t be that bad.
In comparison, Qin Feng had a much harder time. After all, being neutral meant offending both sides, and it depended on whether others were magnanimous or held grudges against him.
In any case, Qin Yao would remind Qin Feng whenever she could—assets could now be transferred.
"If you have trusted subordinates, brother, you should buy them houses and lands in their names, so that if anything happens, you’ll have the means to start over."
"And even with the person sleeping beside you, don’t speak carelessly." Qin Yao cast a teasing look at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng coughed twice, having already decided in his heart to sever ties with Yanhong immediately upon reaching Su City. He glared at Qin Yao, not allowing her to bring it up again.
The siblings discussed a few more things, resolving Qin Feng’s hidden troubles, before talking about Qin Yao’s past four years.
Her four years weren’t filled with such thrilling moments—killing bandits, building watermills, developing the Divine Power Book Box, helping the local people eliminate bullies, studying rice production, and enjoying the role of village head.
