"elder brother……"

Zhou Nuo hesitated, but ultimately did not reveal that Yuan Xiu wanted to make her empress.

"Xiao Nuo, don't worry, traveling to the Western Regions with a sword is something I've always wanted to do."

Zhou Chuan comforted his sister, saying, "Have you forgotten the prince from the Great Yue Kingdom that we met at the state banquet?"

"Ximen Fusu?"

“It’s him. I’ve decided to go to Dayue as the first country to establish a good relationship with Prince Ximen. This way, I’ll have someone to look after me, and I can also familiarize myself with the situation in the various Western Regions through him. My safety is really not a concern, sister. But you…”

Zhou Chuan raised his hand to cover Zhou Nuo's face and said softly, "You must take good care of yourself!"

Tears streamed down Zhou Nuo's face as she said in a trembling voice, "Can't my brother not go...?"

"No need to say more."

"elder brother……"

Zhou Nuo stepped back and then said loudly, "Take care!"

After saying that, he turned and quickly left.

Watching his younger sister's retreating figure, Zhou Chuan shook his head and sighed deeply.

The day after Zhou Chuan left Changsui City, Yuan Xiu was about to start his meal when Dian Chen rushed in.

"Your Majesty, something has happened!"

Yuan Xiu asked suspiciously, "Dian Chen, you are usually so composed and reasonable, what's wrong with you today? What's the matter that you're in such a hurry? Have the Southern Zhou people attacked Changsui City, or have the Yedan people been resurrected?"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, Fu Zheng just came and said that Zhou Nuo... she ran away!"

Yuan Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean by 'ran away'?"

"She's left the palace!" Dianchen said, head bowed. "She asked Fu Zheng to leave a message for His Majesty, saying that it was her dereliction of duty that she hadn't trained the Imperial Guards' archery skills to the level His Majesty desired. Leaving without saying goodbye was her immoral act. A woman like her, who is both derelict in her duties and immoral, is not worthy of His Majesty's concern. The world is far away; please let her go home!"

"You bastard! You bastard!!" Yuan Xiu immediately went berserk, overturning the dishes all over the floor and shouting angrily, "She's an orphan, where does she have a home?!"

Dian Chen clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, she shouldn't have gone far. This humble servant can lead men to pursue her!"

"Go quickly!"

Before Dian Chen could turn around, he added, "By the way, Fu Zheng said Zhou Nuo also said something else."

Yuan Xiu said angrily, "Can you finish it all at once?"

Dian Chen lowered his head and said, "Zhou Nuo said she wants to kill someone."

"Kill someone?"

Yuan Xiu said something suspiciously, then walked to the window, panting heavily.

After a while, Yuan Xiu raised his hand and said, "Stop chasing. My heart is in the martial world, what's the point of chasing me?!"

"Should we... issue an arrest warrant?"

"Fine, the first female coach of Da Jing has run away. Aren't you ashamed?"

Yuan Xiu calmed down, his gaze darkening, and said, "Let her owe me. One day, she will have to pay it back."

“Yes…” Dian Chen turned and walked out.

Watching Dian Chen's retreating figure, Yuan Xiu gradually revealed a smile on his face, muttering to himself, "Zhou Chuan was sent to the Western Regions by me because of the Mujing Bay incident, and Zhou Nuo stayed in the palace as an instructor because Zhao Cheng got married."

"Is the person you want to kill my dear brother-in-law?" Qian Qianran sneered.

...

Just as Park Moo-di returned to Changsui from Jiangcheng and Mujing Bay changed hands, Zhao Cheng's business in Jiangcheng successfully took off.

The price of the Immortal Wine wasn't low, but it still sold like hotcakes in Jiangyang County. Although the Miao family only had this one product, their total profits were higher than those of the Tu and Lu families. Miao Shaohua had already chosen a location to build a winery in Jiangcheng.

Soap and floral water also sold very well. Tu Ziming selected some suitable merchants and spread the network throughout Jiangyang County.

Although lip balm and bras are not selling like hotcakes, they have gained recognition and the market has been opened up. All that's left is to wait for further development.

As a result, Jiangyang County was truly incorporated into Zhao Cheng's business empire.

After arranging everything, Zhao Cheng decided to continue south.

Yunjing County will be the last stop on Zhao Cheng's trip.

With his child with Yuan Yun soon to be born, Zhao Cheng was also eager to go home.

"Ma Cong, you will stay in Jiangcheng and assist Wu Sisi in managing the business."

Inside the elegant and unpretentious courtyard, Zhao Cheng was giving instructions to everyone. Wu Sisi had already arrived from Jingdong County.

Zhao Cheng had promised her that after Jiangyang County was acquired, it would be handed over to her to manage.

Wu Sisi was extremely excited. Over the past six months, she had learned a great deal from Xiao Luomu, like a nobody who had mastered a unique skill and was eager to challenge various masters to achieve fame.

Jiangyang County is a big stage, and she can't wait.

Ma Cong nodded and said solemnly, "Don't worry, boss, I will listen to Sisi's every word."

Zhao Cheng laughed and said, "There's no need to blindly follow her orders. Having you as her assistant is just to fill in any gaps in her knowledge."

Ma Cong said, "I understand!"

"Do you really understand?" Zhao Cheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Don't forget, Sisi served as Xiao Luomu's deputy for half a year."

Ma Cong was a smart man, and his eyes lit up immediately as he understood Zhao Cheng's intention.

Xiao Luomu is the head of Jingdong County. Wu Sisi served as Xiao Luomu's deputy for half a year and has now become the head of Jiangyang County.

Now that he's Wu Sisi's deputy, does that mean that after Zhao Cheng takes over Yun Jing County, he'll become the head of Yun Jing County?

Ma Cong became increasingly excited as he thought about it. He immediately knelt down on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "I will definitely not let the boss down!!!"

Zhao Cheng nodded, glancing at Miao Shaohua, Tu Ziming, and Lu Chen.

"I'll be leaving Jiangcheng tomorrow, but my promise to the three of you still stands. When the time comes, I will hand over the 'Yingyingying' business to one of you."

"yes!!!"

"Although Wu Sisi helps me manage the business in Jiangyang County, the three of you are the most important. I hope you will always maintain healthy competition and not overstep your boundaries."

Zhao Cheng's tone hardened, and he said sternly, "I have rewards like 'Yingyingying,' and punishments like those from the Prefectural Governor's Office."

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately composed themselves.

Although the three knew what was going on, this was the first time Zhao Cheng had made a promise in front of everyone that Prefect Deng Fugui was his man!

Zhao Cheng smiled again and said, "Ms. Wu Sisi is also very familiar with Lord Deng."

Lu Chen declared, "Young Prime Minister, rest assured, whether you are in Jiangcheng or not, it doesn't matter to me! From the day you helped me, I have no gods or ancestors in my heart, only you!"

Tsk tsk...

Zhao Cheng clicked his tongue in amazement, thinking to himself that this sycophant was really good at flattering.

Not to be outdone, Tu Ziming immediately added, "Young Prime Minister is like my second parents, I promise I won't be naughty!"

Miao Shaohua, being of advanced age, was not as shameless as the two of them. He said earnestly, "Young Prime Minister, rest assured, I will stay true to my duty and do my job well in this area of ​​business."

"Mm." Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "In that case, I won't say any more."

The next day.

Early May of the eleventh year of the reign of Emperor Shang.

Zhao Cheng went south to Yunjing County.