Chong Guang watched the two in the room start discussing academics again, and he politely excused himself and walked towards the door.
Seeing He Nuan standing in the corridor, Chong Guang sidled over and asked mysteriously, "Does the chubby girl read history every day?"
Reading history makes one wise! Chong Guang suspected that Zhan Feiyu's mind was filled with knowledge learned from history books. He himself had disliked reading, which was why he was so simple and straightforward.
He Nuan looked at Chong Guang's changing expressions, completely unaware of what he was thinking, and replied, "It's inconvenient to go out, so I'm only bringing books needed for the imperial examinations."
Although they were classics, historical texts were too thick and inconvenient to carry. Zhan Feiyu was currently focusing on the Four Books and Five Classics.
"Is that so?" He glanced back into the room, stroking his chin in thought.
At first, he thought Lord Qi favored the chubby girl because she was simple-minded. Having seen the darkness, ugliness, and bloodshed in the Imperial Dragon Guard, he found the chubby girl's harmless smile quite pleasing.
But upon closer reflection, Chong Guang felt he was completely mistaken. Although the chubby girl was young, she was no different from the ministers in court when it came to cunning and deceit. Wasn't Lord Qi worried that she would scheme against him or use him in the future?
Yin Wuyan glanced outside, his clear voice ringing out, "Was Guan Zhong frugal?"
Frugal, stingy. The sage Confucius once said that Guan Zhong had a small capacity, and stinginess was a sign of a small capacity. Zhan Feiyu replied, "Guan's three residences were managed by three different people; neither frugality nor stinginess applies."
Guan Zhong had three residences, each managed by a different person. Neither frugality nor stinginess applied. Therefore, Confucius's statement that Guan Zhong had a small capacity was not due to stinginess.
"Did Guan Zhong know propriety?" Hearing Yin Wuyan's question, Zhan Feiyu frowned. "The sage said: 'When the ruler erected a screen at his gate, Guan also erected a screen at his gate. When the ruler had a counter-shelf for wine cups for the sake of friendship between two rulers, Guan also had a counter-shelf.' If Guan Zhong knew propriety, who would not know propriety?"
The ruler had a screen at his gate, and Guan Zhong also had a screen at his gate. When the ruler held a banquet, there was a shelf for wine cups in the hall, and Guan Zhong also had such a shelf when he entertained guests.
If Guan Zhong knew propriety, then who wouldn't? In fact, the screen at the gate and the counter-shelf were both royal rituals, but Guan Zhong imitated them as a monarch, showing he did not know propriety.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu, who was frowning in thought, Yin Wuyan did not urge her. The young girl indeed had a thoughtful mind, but her methods were too naive and clumsy, like this time.
She used her being framed and thrown into prison to control the Liu family and Prefect Chu, thereby successfully obtaining five hundred thousand taels of silver. However, she didn't consider that this put her in danger, and someone might take the opportunity to kill her. If she hadn't had means to protect herself, she would have been in grave danger this time!
"Guan Zhong's capacity is small!" Zhan Feiyu recalled the passage in "Guanzi: Xiao Kuang Pian" which stated, "Shi Bo said to the Marquis of Lu, 'Guan Zhong is a wise man of the world, and has a great capacity.'" This made her realize that Guan Zhong was definitely not of small capacity or ignorant of propriety.
Yin Wuyan pointed to the "Commentary on the Analects."
Zhan Feiyu was startled and, after a while, understood. "Qi, once changed, reached the state of Lu; Lu, once changed, reached the Way."
Prompted by Yin Wuyan, Zhan Feiyu's thoughts became clearer. "This is the difference between the Kingly Way and the Hegemonic Way. Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn period, and Duke Huan of Qi, as the leader of the Five Hegemons, ultimately achieved hegemony. However, Confucius admired the Confucian Way of benevolent governance and hoped that Qi's hegemonic power would eventually lead to benevolent rule, ultimately realizing the Kingly Way where the world returns to benevolence."
"Guan Zhong's capacity is small!" It wasn't that he was truly of small capacity, stingy, or ignorant of propriety, but rather because Confucius was disappointed that Guan Zhong's capacity did not reach the realm of the Kingly Way. His so-called small capacity was merely because he stopped progressing after achieving hegemony.
Watching Zhan Feiyu speak eloquently, Yin Wuyan continued, "Confucius pursued the Fourfold Governance."
"Benevolent governance, virtuous governance, ritual governance, and human governance." Zhan Feiyu, having thoroughly studied the "Analects" and its commentaries, her eyes darted around. She was about to say that compared to Confucian governance, she agreed with Legalist governance.
But before she could speak, she met Yin Wuyan's unfathomably deep black eyes. Zhan Feiyu gave a guilty smile, not daring to "talk nonsense," especially since the current emperor also favored Confucian governance over the strict Legalist approach.
In the courtyard, Liu Heyu listened to the conversation in the room. Her exquisitely made-up face showed both astonishment and admiration. If the Liu family's sons possessed Zhan Feiyu's scholarly talent, why would the Liu family not prosper?
He Nuan stood quietly by the door. As a guest, whether friend or foe, He Nuan should have announced their arrival out of courtesy, just as Madam Wu and Madam Wei had done before.
However, Liu Heyu was clearly more astute and tactful. She quietly stopped He Nuan, thinking it was better to wait a little longer and not disturb Zhan Feiyu's studies.
Chong Guang maintained his usual lazy demeanor, now sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, his gaze fixed on the gift boxes in the maid's hands.
Tsk, they say a clean prefect earns ten thousand taels of silver in three years! The chubby girl had received almost ten thousand taels of silver this morning. Sitting in prison was truly worth it.
When He Nuan led Liu Heyu into the room, Zhan Feiyu had already risen to greet her. Yin Wuyan had quietly retreated to the inner chamber.
"Miss Liu, please forgive me for not greeting you sooner." Zhan Feiyu's round face broke into a smile, her manners impeccable.
Since Liu Heyu had come to seek cooperation, she adopted a more humble posture and said with a crisp laugh, "It is I who disturbed Miss Zhan's studies by arriving uninvited. I should be the one to apologize."
Chong Guang listened to the polite pleasantries between the two in the room and rolled his eyes in boredom. The chubby girl was quite convincing, actually.
"Miss Zhan, I am a straightforward person. I have come today to apologize to the Seventh Branch of the Liu family." Liu Heyu understood Zhan Feiyu's personality to some extent. The young girl disliked circuitous methods, but this didn't mean she lacked shrewdness; it meant she was too lazy to waste time and energy on trivial matters.
Just as Chong Guang had guessed, Madam Wu had given two thousand taels in bank notes. Madam Wei, representing the Jin family, had offered twenty thousand taels. Liu Heyu's contribution was even more generous: a full fifty thousand taels in bank notes.
Combined with other gifts, the ten thousand taels of silver had truly been received.
Zhan Feiyu smiled, neither accepting nor refusing, allowing Liu Heyu to hold the gift box containing the bank notes. "The assets of the Seventh Branch of the Liu family are probably around fifty thousand taels. Miss Liu, with such a generous gift, do you have a hidden request?"
Chong Guang, in the courtyard, really wanted to add: "Offering gifts without reason is either bribery or theft!"
The Seventh Branch of the Liu family was considered decent among the collateral branches of the Liu family. However, apart from houses, shops, fertile land, and two manors, the total cash and profits recorded on the books of the Seventh Branch were estimated to be around fifty thousand taels.
Liu Heyu subtly glanced into the room. The teacher who had been instructing Zhan Feiyu, and possibly her advisor, was not present. This meant only one thing: this person had retreated to the inner chamber.
It was absolutely unreasonable for a man, even an elder, to enter a young girl's living quarters, especially as a scholar. Therefore, there was only one possibility: this person held an extraordinary position in Zhan Feiyu's life.
Having figured this out, Liu Heyu felt a pang of envy. No matter how brilliant Zhan Feiyu was in her studies, she was still from the countryside. Her conduct and demeanor must have been specifically taught and guided by someone to prevent her from making mistakes.
No wonder the Jin family wanted Jin Guixuan to apprentice under Prefect Chu. A good teacher could indeed save a lot of trouble and avoid many detours.
"Miss Zhan." Liu Heyu knew that Zhan Feiyu had guidance from someone behind her and dared not deceive her. She directly stated her true intention.
"Before Hefeng passed away, he gave you all his properties. Perhaps it has been registered with the yamen. I estimate that Hefeng's assets are worth about five hundred thousand taels of silver."
"I know. Young Master Liu mentioned it before." Zhan Feiyu did not believe that Liu Hejin's stealthy late-night visit could be hidden from Liu Heyu.
"As the saying goes, everyone has their specialty. Miss Zhan, you excel at reading, while I excel at making money." Liu Heyu smiled kindly and was very candid. "I can guarantee that these five hundred thousand taels of silver will be given to Miss Zhan."
Liu Heyu did not hide the information she had found. "As for whether Miss Zhan stays or hands it over to Young Master Deng the Second, that is up to you. However, if this money remains with the Liu family, I can guarantee that it will become a million taels and more in the future."
Taking the money away would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs! And Zhan Feiyu was a scholar; she was not suited for business. Therefore, it was best to let the money grow within the Liu family.
"Using the five hundred thousand taels that will soon belong to me as capital, while the Liu family gains the protection of a Grand Scholar of the First Rank, and can also use the pretense of supporting the Southwest Military Region to deter troublemakers. Miss Liu is indeed a shrewd businesswoman." Zhan Feiyu smiled and looked at Liu Heyu. This was a plan with multiple benefits.
The Liu family was not short of money, but five hundred thousand taels of cash was still a considerable sum. It wouldn't cripple the Liu family, but it would sting. If they had to use their assets to compensate instead of cash, the Liu family would be even more reluctant. One was an egg, and the other was a hen laying eggs. No matter which one they gave, they would be reluctant.
And by adopting Liu Heyu's method, the money would remain with the Liu family. In the future, the Liu family would act under the names of Scholar Gu and General Deng, and both the yamen and local powers would have to give them some face.
Each prefecture had garrisons. Some of them were retired soldiers from the frontier, and some would go to the frontier in the future. If the Liu family's money supported the Southwest Military Region, then these garrisons would certainly provide convenience to the Liu family within their capabilities. Local gentry or ruffians, as long as they feared the garrisons, would not dare to interfere with the Liu family's business.
Liu Heyu had never doubted Zhan Feiyu's intelligence. A young girl could win the "Little Three Yuan" in Nanxuan Prefecture not because of Scholar Gu as her teacher, but because of her true talent and learning.
"Although the Liu family benefits from this, Miss Zhan, you also suffer no losses." Liu Heyu, with the shrewdness of a merchant, began to persuade her.
Compared to the connections the Liu family had established in the past, Liu Heyu preferred to cooperate with Zhan Feiyu.
Looking at Zhan Feiyu, she saw herself from years ago, equally intelligent and ambitious. However, women in this era were too harshly judged, and they had to pay more to succeed.
"Miss Zhan, as the saying goes, money makes the world go round! Whether you pursue a career in the imperial examinations or become a reclusive great scholar by writing books, it all boils down to money." Liu Heyu had taken over the Liu family's business and had visited many court officials over the years.
They all claimed to be upright and incorruptible, but in private, they were like insatiable dogs. The Liu family's money flowed out like water, but what made Liu Heyu indignant was that they not only showed no gratitude but also carried themselves with an air of superiority, looking at her as if she were a dog, and receiving the Liu family's money was a great favor.
What made Liu Heyu even more furious was that some of them even tried to take advantage of their official status to flirt with her, wanting to make her their concubine and the Liu family their money bag.
"I am not short of money." Zhan Feiyu was indeed that wealthy! Even if Liu Heyu spoke eloquently, she truly wasn't short of money.
Not to mention the money earned by Meiren Zhuang selling scented soap, her teacher frequently sent gifts and bank notes, and her elder brother was even more so. Zhan Feiyu suddenly wondered if she had met Scholar Gu and Yin Wuyan earlier in Jinlin Village, would she still have pursued studies and the imperial examinations?
Zhan Feiyu's words blocked all of Liu Heyu's arguments. She didn't lack money, so there was no need to cooperate with the Liu family. What if money made money? If she didn't lack money to spend, any more money would just be piled up in the storeroom gathering dust.
Liu Heyu lowered her head, pretending to pick up her teacup and drink tea, but in reality, she was thinking rapidly.
A woman's most important thing was marriage. However, as a disciple of Scholar Gu, Zhan Feiyu lacked nothing in terms of status or dowry. It seemed the Liu family had nothing that could impress Zhan Feiyu.
Time passed slowly, and the room was quiet.
"However, I can agree to your terms." Zhan Feiyu changed the subject.
Liu Heyu was completely stunned. This sudden turn of events caught her off guard, and she couldn't keep up with Zhan Feiyu's rhythm, nor did she understand why she had changed her mind.
"Even thieves have their code of honor, and I believe merchants should also have their code of honor. If I cooperate with Miss Liu, I do not wish to see any instances of forceful acquisition or disregard for human life in the future." Zhan Feiyu knew that it was impossible to completely eliminate such things, but at least with Liu Heyu, there should be principles and bottom lines. Once someone in the Liu family committed a crime, they must be severely punished, setting an example for others.
Seeing Liu Heyu fall into thought instead of answering immediately, Zhan Feiyu did not rush her. She glanced nervously towards the inner room, wondering if her elder brother would mock her for overthinking and not growing taller again.
Before coming, Liu Heyu had made many speculations and discussed them with her six advisors. Zhan Feiyu's refusal was within her expectations. However, after refusing, she had agreed. Liu Heyu couldn't help but overthink. She wanted to seek Scholar Gu's protection but did not want the Liu family to change ownership.
In the silence, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out from outside. Zhan Feiyu slightly started, followed by a clamor. Even through the courtyard and the wall, she could hear clearly.
"Immediately surround the inn! Anyone who tries to escape will be killed without mercy!" The rough voice was loud, and not only the small courtyard but also the inn in front could hear it.
"Please excuse me for a moment." Zhan Feiyu got up and walked towards the door. Chong Guang also jumped down from the tree in the courtyard.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu craning her neck to look outside, Chong Guang chuckled. "Alright, you shorty. Even standing on a stool, you can't see what's happening outside. It's the soldiers from the Huaian Garrison, led by Wei Kuan."
"Vice Commander Wei?" Zhan Feiyu recalled Madam Wei, who had left after offering her apology that morning. The couple was interesting. Was this a case of diplomacy before force?
The garrison soldiers did not immediately break in but surrounded the entire Xinglong Inn. The remaining soldiers guarded the alley, a dense mass of them. Chong Guang had estimated from his perch on the tree that there were at least two hundred people.