Chapter 596 - 598: Cannot Be Too Greedy

Chapter 596: Chapter 598: Cannot Be Too Greedy

Yu Ligao shook his head with a bitter smile and walked toward the mansion, his hands clasped behind his back. ’As for that runaway brat,’ he thought, ’he doesn’t have much silver on him. He’ll be back before nightfall.’

"Housekeeper, an opportunity was laid right before me not long ago. But I’m always so guarded, so afraid of others scheming or approaching me with ulterior motives. I never thought that in doing so, I’d be blocking another path for my son."

The housekeeper standing behind him didn’t understand. He simply thought his master was worried about the young master and quickly offered some words of comfort. "The young master is still young. He’ll mature in a year or two."

"He’s not that young. Others his age have already become the top scholar in the imperial exams, but look at him! He’s accomplished nothing.

Sometimes I truly envy Mr. Cao. His children and grandchildren may not be the brightest, but they’re grounded. They’re willing to swallow their pride and start from the bottom as a simple clerk.

And look at them now! They’ve made a fortune these past few years. Even if they were to stop right now, they’ve earned enough to keep the family wealthy for generations."

The housekeeper behind him remained silent. He understood why his master had been so anxious all these years.

A man like him, holding a high-ranking position all by himself with no exceptional heirs to follow, knew what would happen when he retired. The entire Yu Family would either fade into obscurity in the Capital City or be forced to retreat to their ancestral home and live as idle country gentry.

Yu Ligao didn’t expect a servant to understand his troubles. He sighed and disappeared into his study again.

The moment Cao Xiangqian arrived at his mansion, he bypassed the rear courtyard and went straight to the training grounds. After blowing off some steam, he summoned his housekeeper.

"Old Qin, pack your bags. Tomorrow, take some men and head to Lu City."

Housekeeper Qin had been an old soldier in his unit. After injuring his right hand, he could no longer fight on the battlefield, so he had stayed by Cao Xiangqian’s side ever since. He was the man Cao Xiangqian trusted most.

"Master, is something wrong with the young masters over there?"

"Go there and bring them all back. While you’re at it, sell off all their shares in the sea trade."

"This...?" Housekeeper Qin was surprised. "The young masters have worked hard to make a name for themselves these past few years. Is it really appropriate to bring them back just like that?"

"Over the years, with Mrs. Gu’s help, they’ve managed to build a small fortune for themselves.

But a man can’t be too greedy. Right now, that whole business is a juicy slab of meat on the table, and everyone wants to carve off a piece. Those boys of mine are simple-minded. If they get caught up in it, they’ll just end up as cannon fodder.

I know they’ll be reluctant to leave, which is why I need you to go there personally and drag those boys back.

When you get to Lu City, don’t forget to pay a visit to Mr. Gu. I’ll write a letter for you to take. He’ll help you handle things."

Housekeeper Qin asked, "We’ve never had any dealings with the Gu Mansion. Won’t it be improper to approach them so rashly?"

Housekeeper Qin was well-versed in such social customs, and the two families had never exchanged formal pleasantries.

"Don’t worry. For the sake of those brats of mine, they’ll show us some courtesy.

Besides, I’m not asking for anything difficult in the letter. I’m just asking them to either buy back the shares or find a reliable person to transfer them to."

Housekeeper Qin didn’t understand why his master was so confident, but he didn’t question it further. "How many men should I take? Will I need to use force?"

Cao Xiangqian was covered in sweat from his training and just wanted to get cleaned up. "Come to the rear courtyard in a bit. I’ll give you the details then."

The moment Xu Zhiwen arrived at his mansion, he immediately called his son into the courtyard.

"Don’t go out for the next few days. Request a leave of absence from your superior at the Tai Le Bureau. You need to focus on studying and figure out how you’re going to write that policy essay."

"Father, what is this all about?" Xu Yangguang asked. "I haven’t written an essay in ages. You’re asking me to write a policy essay now? You’re just trying to make things difficult for me."

"I always tell you to read more and play those instruments less, but you never listen.

This time, the Holy Emperor himself has put out the word regarding the position of Prefect of Lv City: anyone with ideas and the inclination can compete for it.

It seems my previous schemes have come to nothing. From now on, we can only rely on ourselves.

In the past, many were promoted through recommendations, but things are different now. After several rounds of imperial examinations, the court has seen a rise in officials from common backgrounds. How can you compete with men who have spent a decade in arduous study?"

"Father, the worst-case scenario is we just don’t go," said Xu Yangguang. "You all make Lu City sound so wonderful, but I doubt it’s all that great. How could it possibly be better than Shangjing?

Besides, we don’t even need to compete for these things. As long as Xin’er secures her position in the harem and raises the Fifth Prince well, the Xu Family will have no shortage of glory and wealth."

"You’re being foolish!" Xu Zhiwen retorted. "How old is the Fifth Prince?

Besides, as the Prince’s maternal family, we should be striving for more right now. We need to increase the leverage for both Xin’er and the Fifth Prince."

’If this son of mine weren’t already a grandfather himself, I’d smash this inkstone over his head,’ Xu Zhiwen thought furiously. ’He’s a grown man, yet he never uses his brain. Why do you think I’ve been pulling strings and calling in favors all this time? It’s all to ensure the Xu Family remains prosperous for several more generations!’

"He’s just a child..." Seeing his father’s expression darken, Xu Yangguang trailed off, muttering, "Even if I start cramming now, it’s too late.

Father, why don’t you see if you can win a few people over to our side? It’s exhausting for the two of us to take on everything ourselves."

’This worthless son! Can’t he use his brain?’ Xu Zhiwen fumed. ’We have nothing to offer right now. Why would anyone want to align themselves with us?

Based on the Fifth Prince, who’s still in swaddling clothes?

These are not matters we can discuss openly right now. What’s important is that we build a solid foundation.

I don’t care. Get to the study and stay there. If you can’t win the post of Prefect of Lv City, then you’d better figure out a way to compete for Deputy or Assistant Magistrate!"

"Father, I’m a fourth-rank official! You want me to demean myself by competing for a fifth or sixth-rank position?"

Xu Yangguang began to wonder if his father had gone mad. He had struggled for years to attain his current rank. To actually compete for a lower position would make him a complete laughingstock.

Xu Zhiwen took a deep breath. He knew it was impossible.

It was just something he’d said in the heat of the moment. He knew perfectly well what his son was, and was not, capable of.

His son’s current rank was only thanks to his own years of constant maneuvering.

"Regardless, you will go to the study and stay there. I’ll have a few tutors sent over shortly.

And don’t you dare just go through the motions. I’ll have someone keep an eye on you."

Xu Yangguang was speechless. ’He’s really gone mad.’

「Ancient Mansion of Shangjing」

Seeing Xu Dawang bustling about, Gu Lehuan decided not to go to his shop today.

"Housekeeper Xu, if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know."

"Young Master Huan," replied Xu Dawang, "we’re just about finished with everything. We’re only renovating the main courtyard. You have plenty to deal with at your shop, so I daren’t trouble you."

Gu Lehuan had started out as a street peddler. With the help of the shopkeeper from one of Jin Qianqian’s stores, he had finally managed to open his own small general store this year.