Si Fengwu couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Lu Qingwan's enthusiastic and money-grubbing demeanor whenever the topic of wealth arose.
With a smile, he finished reviewing the memorials before him, having gained a thorough understanding of the Lin family's business and Lin Dongye himself. He then said, "The Lin family's business is indeed deeply rooted in Xindu, but it's not entirely untouchable. You suspect the Princess Consort might stumble; do you believe there's a problem with her proposed solution?"
Lian Yu glanced suspiciously, not seeing Lu Qingwan, nor Li Su and Ying Yi who had accompanied her out of the palace yesterday. After a moment, he asked in a tone of existential doubt, "Did the Prince already tell you about her solution?"
In reality, Lu Qingwan had been so drowsy upon her return that her eyes could barely stay open. Neither Li Su nor Ying Yi had mentioned the matter. Before Lian Yu returned, Si Fengwu hadn't even known that Lu Qingwan intended to target the Lin family's business. However, this did not prevent Si Fengwu from deducing Lu Qingwan's plan. Therefore, he offered no comment on Lian Yu's words, but instead continued, "No matter how powerful the Lin family's business is, they are merely commoners. The Princess Consort has the Nightless Continent, and I have the Half Moon Pavilion. With our combined strength, it would not be difficult to absorb the Lin family's assets and take control of their influence over the people near Xindu. The only concern would be if the Lin family heard wind of our plans and incited a premature riot. But with the strength of the Nightless Continent and the Half Moon Pavilion, the possibility of leaking information and alerting the Lin family while investigating them is virtually negligible, isn't it?"
The Half Moon Pavilion had been built by him personally, with most of its members being former retainers of Prince Chengan's estate. The remaining members were either retired Xuanjia Army veterans or war orphans whom Si Fengwu had personally rescued. None of them would betray him. As for the people of the Nightless Continent, they were all terminally ill patients whom Lu Qingwan had saved from all corners. It could be said that every life in the Nightless Continent had been personally saved by Lu Qingwan. At least the disciples of the Nightless Continent of this generation would never betray Lu Qingwan.
Lian Yu knew this as well. Upon hearing Si Fengwu's words, he sighed deeply, "It's not an issue with the Half Moon Pavilion or the Nightless Continent, but rather that Lin Dongye and the Lin family's business behind him possess an absolute advantage in the Xindu region that we cannot contend with."
Si Fengwu dismissed this with a wave of his hand, "What advantage is there that neither the Prince Consort nor I can contend with?" Whether out of his own pride or his trust in Lu Qingwan, Si Fengwu could not tolerate anyone underestimating Lu Qingwan. His words clearly indicated displeasure.
However, Lian Yu, despite his social graces, was not the type to disregard a problem and protect himself when Si Fengwu became displeased. Therefore, he continued under Si Fengwu's warning gaze, "It is because Lin Dongye, like the tens of thousands of people near Xindu, are all from the Wu tribe. This ethnic group is extremely insular. For many businesses related to the Wu tribe, even if other merchants offer them more money and resources, they will not cooperate. They only trust their own kin. Coincidentally, Lin Dongye is from the Wu tribe. It can be said that Lin Dongye is the most successful Wu tribesman businessman in the new dynasty."
This answer was something Si Fengwu had never expected. Having lived in Da Gan for twenty-three years, he had heard of the Wu tribe. However, he asked, "If that is the case, why did the intelligence report not indicate that Lin Dongye was from the Wu tribe?"
Lian Yu replied with some helplessness, "Eight or nine out of ten people near Xindu are from the Wu tribe. Moreover, if the Lin family's business hadn't become involved in court affairs, who would care what kind of person Lin Dongye was?" Si Fengwu found this statement difficult to refute. However, a lapse in intelligence was a mistake. He said coldly, "The intelligence lapse almost harmed the Princess Consort. Convey my order: Tang Xiao will not receive his salary this month!"
Li Qing smirked gleefully and replied with a cheerful "Yes, Your Highness." But the next second, he could no longer smile. This was because Si Fengwu seamlessly assigned him a difficult task. "Let Tang Xiao focus on the missing persons case. You will investigate the Lin family's business and be responsible for specific negotiations with Wu Ying and Shen Tangzhou. You must thoroughly understand the hierarchical system and the taboos of the Wu tribe near Xindu. The Lin family must be dealt with, and Xindu must not fall into chaos."
Among the people around Si Fengwu, dealing with minority ethnic groups with different cultural backgrounds was the most dreaded task. It had been the same when dealing with the Yunqiang people. Language barriers and cultural differences were one thing; at worst, one could find translators in areas where the two cultures overlapped. However, language barriers were far from the most troublesome issue. What worried them most was that while they could understand what the other party said, the other party, though understanding their words, might completely disregard them. They had their own complete and mature cultural system, and what was said to them sounded like a fairy tale. If they were in a good mood, they might listen to it as a story to pass the time. If they were in a bad mood, they might even accuse one of offending their deities and start a fight.
As for the Wu tribe, which Lian Yu had just mentioned, Li Qing had some understanding of them. Unfortunately, the Wu tribe was precisely the type of ethnic group Lian Yu feared the most: strong xenophobia and numerous language barriers. The key was that they had their own totem culture. If their words were not heeded, they would only listen to their own people, and even if they suffered losses at the hands of their own people, they would not benefit outsiders. As a result, upon hearing Si Fengwu's words, Li Qing's shoulders slumped. "Your Highness, this... I will investigate the customs and taboos of the Wu tribe thoroughly, but to do business with the Wu tribe, shouldn't we consult the Princess Consort?"
Si Fengwu raised an eyebrow, "You want the Princess Consort to risk herself?"
"No, Your Highness, I just feel that the Princess Consort seems to have a special talent for interacting with unfamiliar groups!" Fearing he wouldn't be able to cling to Lu Qingwan's strong support, Li Qing began to praise her profusely to Si Fengwu. "Look, Your Highness, when the Princess Consort first arrived in Da Qin, she was liked by everyone in the Crown Prince's estate. Later, she thrived in Northern Wei. In the past six months, accompanying you to Yunqiang and Xiliang, even in tense situations, the atmosphere immediately eased as soon as the Princess Consort spoke. Perhaps, if the Princess Consort takes charge of the Wu tribe this time, it will yield twice the result with half the effort?"
Li Qing blinked his oily eyes, attempting to use Lu Qingwan's cute tactics to gain Si Fengwu's sympathy. However, he was met with a volley of white eyes and kicks. It turned out that both Si Fengwu and Lian Yu were disgusted by his sickeningly cute display and couldn't resist giving him a good kicking. Li Qing, clutching his backside and yelping, ran out. Just as he reached the doorway, his sharp ears caught Lu Qingwan's sleepy inquiry, "What's happening outside?" Li Qing ran out in a panic. Damn it, he had woken the Princess Consort! He was destined to inherit Li Yang's bad luck!