Madam Lan did not speak today. Although she was much older and more confused, she understood that her grandson was more reliable than her son.
Traveling north to Dongdu City might be another way out for the fifth branch.
Although it didn't look promising now, if Chi Lingying and Chi Lingyou could do well, it might be an opportunity.
There were far more influential people in Dongdu City than in Jinling City. If they could accidentally get involved with a wealthy and noble family, wouldn't her fifth branch also prosper? Then, using the influence of their in-laws, they could return to Jinling City to properly divide the family property with Chi Zimo, which might be a considerable help.
Thinking of this, she did not object.
She spoke to Chi Lingyou in a gentle tone, "Lingyou has grown up and naturally needs to go out and gain experience. He will never learn to grow up by staying by our side. Moreover, given Lingying's current situation, it's best to leave Jinling City, this place of sorrow. You two go, but be sure to bring more people to protect your safety on the journey."
Chi Lingyou was somewhat surprised. Why was his grandmother suddenly so understanding?
But he couldn't say it directly, so he could only nod in agreement and left after sitting for a short while.
After he left, Master Chi Wu began to curse again.
"Mother! How could you agree? We don't know what kind of place Dongdu City is. What if Lingyou is bullied there?"
The Chi family's reputation was naturally effective in Jinling City.
But in Dongdu City, even the most powerful merchant was insignificant.
"Your brain must have been drained by the vixen in your room. Lingyou is representing the Chi family when he goes to Dongdu City. Although our foundation in Dongdu City is not deep, our peers will still give us some face, so it won't be difficult for him to do things there. This is the first reason; you only see the dangers of Dongdu City, but I see opportunities everywhere. If nothing else, if Lingyou were to win the heart of a noble lady from a prominent family, wouldn't our fifth branch ascend to heaven? This is the second reason."
Madam Lan explained calmly, which quieted Master Chi Wu's agitated mind.
"Mother is right! How could I have not thought of that? If Lingyou's wife's family is powerful, Chi Zimo wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!"
The mother and son had indeed formed a deep enmity with Chi Zimo.
Especially with Chi Lingying's marriage this time, Chi Zimo had opposed it before, but now, in Master Chi Wu's eyes, he was blamed for most of the fault.
If he hadn't been in constant conflict, why would the fifth branch have had to join forces with the Zhu family?
If they hadn't joined forces with the Zhu family, Chi Lingying wouldn't have suffered this calamity.
In short, everything was other people's problems, other people's faults, and they, the fifth branch, were always the most innocent.
"So, you just need to arrange some reliable people around Lingyou and send him to Dongdu City. This time, it might be a good opportunity for our fifth branch to turn things around!"
The mother and son's ambitious plans were in full swing, while on the other side, Chi Zimo had just received news from the southwest.
"To the family head, the ten million dan of grain that was previously stockpiled has been secretly sent to the southwestern region. However, that place is very damp and hot, and the grain might not be stored for long and could spoil."
"Don't worry, I have my reasons for doing this."
From the day he started stockpiling grain, he had been secretly inquiring about the Min family's movements.
Upon learning that they had stockpiled over thirty million dan of grain, he accelerated his actions.
The Min family was the maternal clan of Prince Ding. They must have had their reasons for doing this, though he didn't know them yet.
Thirty million dan of grain was enough for the southwestern army to fight for three months.
Therefore, while he was raising grain, he was secretly transporting it to the southwest.
The Min family was naturally aware of the Chi family's actions, but Prince Ding had already given instructions, so they turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.
The capabilities of the Chi and Min families were such that even though they had stockpiled so much grain, the merchants of all sizes in Jinling City had not noticed.
Therefore, this matter did not attract anyone's attention.
Especially the Cao family, they were completely focused on how to please Liang Quanbin.
Upon hearing that he had been assassinated, they sent medicine to him daily in various ways. Anyone who didn't know would think that Liang Quanbin had some blood relation with their Cao family.
The Cao family was also generous with their rewards, and over time, the servants of the Governor's Mansion and the people from the Cao family became very familiar with each other.
Outsiders increasingly believed that the Cao family had extensive connections with Governor Liang, and naturally, they were quite wary of the Cao family.
Liang Quanbin woke up after two days of unconsciousness. His entire body was in so much pain that he cried out.
In his current state, he was no different from someone paralyzed in bed. Fortunately, he held a high position and had no shortage of people to care for him. Thus, with daily care, his injuries had recovered considerably, though he was still advised to move as little as possible.
"Damn Huo Chong! When I catch him, I will tear him into eight pieces and make him wish he had never been born!" m..oΓg
Su Cheng's maneuver had indeed confused him, so Liang Quanbin poured all his hatred onto Huo Chong. Little did he know that the one who truly plotted against him would be Prince Ding.
Feng Jinlin had now become a distinguished guest at Liang Quanbin's residence.
It was a pity that he couldn't have another daughter, otherwise, he would have been willing to offer her as a concubine to Feng Jinlin.
"Nephew, it's all thanks to you, otherwise, I might not have survived today."
This was the eighth time Feng Jinlin had heard this. Every time he visited, he would repeat it a few times.
As the county magistrate of Jinling City, Feng Jinlin naturally had to handle many affairs within the city, especially with the grain collection season approaching, and matters were piling up.
The position of the Zhu family had been vacant for a long time, which had led to some chaos in many matters.
Feng Jinlin had come today hoping that Liang Quanbin would make a decision and find someone to fill the position of the affairs official.
The Cao family, having heard the news, was already waiting to have this position given to their Cao family, and they would naturally not be stingy with their offerings to Liang Quanbin.
Feng Jinlin observed silently, his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart.
He was now a seventh-rank county magistrate, and the affairs official was also a seventh-rank position. Therefore, he could not hold both positions. Otherwise, with Liang Quanbin's current trust in him, this position might have been his without him even having to ask.
After much deliberation, Liang Quanbin agreed to let someone from the Cao family temporarily fill the role.
The word "temporarily" delighted everyone in the Cao family.
If they performed well, this temporary appointment would naturally become permanent.
They didn't know exactly how much the Zhu family had profited from this position, but they could guess from the grandeur of Zhu Xiaoxian's wedding. Therefore, this was a great opportunity for the Cao family!
"Lord Liang, rest assured, the Cao family will not fail in this mission!"
Today, the head of the Cao family and Cao Sanlang had come. The father and son were now diligently attending to Liang Quanbin.