GBP Chapter 64 The Shen Family's Investment
Chapter 64 The Shen Family's Investment
It has to be said that Gu Qinghan found it quite amusing to listen to the two bickering along the way.
Suddenly, Shen Miao felt that she and Xu Tianyi were quite compatible.
I've met all sorts of people over the past ten years.
But the only peers he could argue with were Hu Wei and Xu Tianyi.
People like Hadi, Liu Lian, and Yue Shan—it feels like there's a veil between us when we're with them.
They are not the same kind of people at all.
Liu Lian was a gentleman, Hadi was also polite and even a bit dull, and Yue Shan was even more proper and well-behaved.
This also makes things unpleasant for Wei Qing.
They were almost at their own doorstep.
Xu Tianyi stopped laughing.
"Alright, alright, we won't go in, so as not to cause trouble for your Shen family."
Shen Miao also knew that Xu Tianyi and the others had special identities.
Now, the Shen family is a vassal of the King of Qi.
Merchants are profit-driven, so naturally they listen to whoever is in charge.
The Shen family, with its thousand-year-old tradition, naturally has its own unique rules for survival.
They never interfered with the princes' struggle for the throne.
But no one can remain unaffected.
About three years ago, King Qi ordered the Shen family to smuggle some divine firearms from the Moon Wheel.
The divine ointment was mined by the Hardy family and could enhance the power of gunpowder.
Since it was all done for the Prince of Qi, the Shen family naturally went along with it.
The butler, Shen Ping, was taken to the Moon Wheel.
Shen Miao had longed to travel to foreign lands, so she secretly went up there.
Finally, on Shen Miao's advice, Shen Ping successfully purchased firearms.
However, they were robbed by Canaan and Cui Sanniang's pirate gang on the way.
After her firearms were stolen, Shen Miao volunteered to be a hostage and demand ransom from the Shen family.
As a result, Shen Miao and Hadi were redeemed by the Shen family, but Qi Wang failed to acquire the firearms.
The enraged King Qi mobilized the Wuji Navy to attack Cui Sanniang's Dragon King Ship.
Subsequently, the Wuji Navy was defeated and was taken over by the King of Chu.
Recently, the King of Chu sent his navy to plunder the tribute ships from Yongzhou, and that navy was the Wuji Navy.
Therefore, it seems that the Shen family was not actually that loyal to the King of Qi.
Sending Shen Miao into the Shenji Camp, or rather, wanting Shen Miao to marry Yue Shan, were all means for the Shen family to protect themselves.
In chaotic times, one must possess a certain level of military strength to protect oneself.
Yue Shan's abilities are self-evident.
The Yue family appears to be a single-lineage family.
In fact, many Wuji military officers were promoted by the Yue family.
From his great-grandfather Yue Cheng to Yue Jingzhi in this generation, they were all renowned generals and marshals.
The Shen family of Yueshan had also seen him; he was dignified, walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, and possessed profound cultivation—definitely not a good-for-nothing.
The Shen family has money and weapons, and Yue Shan has ability.
In this way, no matter how Wuji changes in the future, the Shen family will continue to prosper.
Seeing Xu Tianyi say this, Shen Miao felt a little reluctant to part with him.
"You really can't come home with your grandma! Grandma was planning to show you my little treasure chest..."
Xu Tianyi shook his head: "I'll wait for you at the inn..."
Shen Miao looked helpless.
But a loud voice came from behind: "Distinguished guest, why not come in for a chat?"
Shen Miao's eyes lit up: "Oh... Grandpa, what brings you here..."
Xu Tianyi looked up and saw a group of Shen family members.
The leader was an elderly man with half-gray hair, though he wasn't quite old; he looked to be around fifty years old.
He was accompanied by several middle-aged men, who were his children and stewards.
At this moment, all the main figures of the Shen family appeared to greet them, clearly showing that they were taking the matter very seriously.
Shen Haisheng, the head of the Shen family, slowly stepped forward.
Xu Tianyi cupped his hands in greeting: "Old sir, this kind of meeting is not quite appropriate..."
Shen Haisheng shook his head: "It is no longer appropriate for Shen Miao to be with you. Since things have come to this, the Shen family can only personally receive Her Highness the Princess and the Prince Consort."
After saying that, Shen Haisheng extended his hand in invitation.
Xu Tianyi also understood that this matter could not be concealed. The large number of guards in Muhua City must have seen it and could not possibly be unaware of it.
Everyone quickly followed the Shen family inside.
As soon as he entered, Shen Haisheng bowed his head apologetically and said, "Your Highness, the situation is complicated, please forgive the Shen family for not being able to welcome you with the full ceremony."
Gu Qinghan nodded: "Grandpa Shen, there's no need for that. I'm just an ordinary swordsman now..."
Shen Haisheng laughed heartily: "Your Highness is truly magnanimous, please take a seat..."
Gu Qinghan naturally declined, saying, "The guest is the host; how can I overstep my bounds?"
After making these excuses, everyone finally sat down.
The Shen family naturally treated their guests with great hospitality.
Banquets and etiquette are essential.
The old man also evaded the question, not mentioning the important matter.
Xu Tianyi didn't understand these etiquettes either, so he could only watch Gu Qinghan exchange pleasantries with him.
Sometimes he would ask how Gu Qinghan was doing, and sometimes he would sigh and lament about how things were when the Crown Prince was still alive.
He then mentioned that he had seen her when he was a child.
After chatting for a while, Xu Tianyi understood.
The Shen family wants them to speak first.
Indeed, I needed someone's help.
Xu Tianyi was very averse to these procedures; he always spoke and acted directly.
"Sir, we have come here today to discuss the matter of flood control. I wonder if the Shen family has anyone skilled in flood control?"
Shen Haisheng smiled and said, "That's natural. However, I hope that the government will take the lead in all of this. Otherwise, if the Shen family tries to manage the floods on its own, it will be a thankless task."
Xu Tianyi nodded silently. He understood that the Shen family, as the local power in Leizhou, naturally did not want Leizhou to descend into chaos.
However, the Shen family also faced a dilemma, fearing reprimand from the imperial court.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Tianyi spoke up: "I wonder where any renowned water conservancy expert is? It wouldn't hurt to ask them for advice..."
Shen Haisheng looked at him meaningfully: "Just asking for advice?"
Seeing Shen Haisheng's meaningful expression, Xu Tianyi remained silent for a moment before suddenly understanding.
"The old man is right, of course I'll ask for his guidance..."
Shen Haisheng suddenly burst into laughter: "Good, good, good! It's a good thing that a young man is eager to learn. This master's name is Tong Dingshan, and he lives in Baoguang Town at the foot of Liangwu Mountain. You can go and learn from him..."
Xu Tianyi found it quite interesting; this meant he was being asked to steal him away.
It's just to give the Shen family an explanation to the imperial court.
"Then Xu Tianyi thanks you very much, sir..."
"Hmm... since you're so eager to learn, hurry over there, lest Mr. Tong, who's out visiting friends, can't find it..."
"That's alright, I'm not in a hurry..."
"Really not in a hurry?"
"What's the rush? I'm so young, no need to rush..."