Chapter 867 Planning for Her Future

Is there something wrong with it?

Master Han and Lord Zhao exchanged a glance, then looked at Xie Zheng with a half-smile.

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a bit strange." Master Han patted Xie Zheng on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it."

Xie Zheng wasn't that he couldn't understand the talk about generals and commanders; he just found it absurd.

He was a scholar, often ridiculed as a bookworm, so how could he possibly be associated with generals and commanders?

Even if someone has the destiny of a general or minister, he dares not agree.

"Yes, I must have misread it," Xie Zheng said sincerely. "But the advice I received a few days ago was very helpful to me."

Lord Zhao lowered his eyes and smiled, a strange emotion flashing in his eyes, as if he could see an exciting scene in the future.

"It's good that it's useful. Enjoy the New Year these days and don't worry about anything else. We're going to the palace."

After Lord Zhao and Taoist Han left, Fangyue was also about to leave.

"I'll come find you on the fifth day and take you around the capital." Fangyue smiled and glanced at Xie Zheng. "I'm sure you'll be free that day."

Song Chunxue smiled broadly, "Alright, I'll wait for my senior brother."

On the fifth day, Xie Zheng was going to court.

Once on the street, Lord Xie told Liu Chunshu and the others to drive the carriage back first, while he took Song Chunxue around to see the sights.

Where are you taking me?

The two of them walked slowly and leisurely along the streets bathed in the warmth of spring.

Song Chunxue turned to look at him and teased him in a serious tone, "Actually, it's quite nice to stay at home and talk. There are too many people outside, and we can't even hold hands."

Xie Zheng took her hand directly, "Why not?"

"If you are not afraid of wind and rain, you will not be hurt by them. I used to not care about what others said when I was alone, but now that you are with me, I will not care at all."

Song Chunxue stopped struggling. "Yes, what you say is very true, Lord Xie."

They looked at each other's smiles and walked hand in hand down the bustling street.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that nobody actually cared what they were doing.

Everyone is busy enjoying their own happiness; who has the time to care what others are doing?

Gossiping and spreading rumors are simply signs of being too idle and boring.

Being able to become someone's topic of conversation when they're bored is a kind of good deed, isn't it?

Springtime is fleeting, and with the sun already setting, it was soon time to go home for dinner. Xie Zheng took her to meet several long-established businessmen.

Song Chunxue then realized that she knew very little about Xie Zheng.

Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants were ranked last.

She knew that many people looked down on business people, but she had no choice but to fawn over powerful businessmen.

But ordinary people are all the same; they all have to bow their backs, greet officials with smiles, and go to great lengths to flatter and please them in order to protect themselves.

On the surface, the lines between officials and businessmen are clearly distinct, but if one is not careful, one can easily be accused of collusion between officials and businessmen.

However, Xie Zheng had two close business friends.

He introduced Song Chunxue to two refined, humble, and polite businessmen.

Although merchants value profit, those who have been in business for a century must value promises and integrity; otherwise, they cannot go far.

Song Chunxue sat quietly to the side, listening to them talk about the past and present, the changes in the business world, the current prices of grain and oil, and this year's tea, which benefited her greatly.

On the third and fourth days of the Lunar New Year, she and Xie Zheng went out early and returned late, meeting these two formidable businessmen.

One of them was a tea merchant named Duan Wen. He was over fifty years old, but still had a ruddy complexion, a well-proportioned figure, and spoke with elegance, displaying the demeanor of a gentleman.

They were friends of noble character, and also friends who would die for each other. More than a decade ago, Xie Zheng saved Duan Wen's life during a major murder case that involved a wide range of people.

A few years ago, when Xie Zheng encountered difficulties, Duan Wen helped him raise money and found someone to manage his business.

The other man was Li Min, a rising star from the capital. He ran several restaurants and grain shops, and was known for his smooth-talking nature and reliable work ethic. He was about the same age as Xie Zheng, and their friendship began with a misunderstanding. Li Min greatly admired Xie Zheng's scholarly integrity, and Xie Zheng's mother often visited him at his home when she was alive.

This reunion further convinced Xie Zheng that he had not made a mistake in choosing the wrong person.

Having served as an official in other places for many years, he knows that what makes a person human is that they are mortals who cannot escape human relationships, the mundane necessities of life, and the mundane details of daily life.

Dynasties may change, but a powerful merchant family, though it may also change, will continue to exist and thrive in the gaps between them.

Song Chunxue's family wealth grew increasingly substantial, but having all that gold and silver was useless to her.

She has so many children, and in the near future, she will face changes in the landscape. Her descendants will experience profound changes, and if they want to survive better, they must make plans.

People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. Farmers should not forget their roots, but they also should not be complacent.

Moreover, he hoped that Sanwa could gradually make his way to this bustling capital, the center of power and status.

He also hopes that his children can walk more steadily. A hero needs three helpers; one cannot survive long by relying solely on one's own meager strength.

He used to disdain connections and power, but now that he has traveled more and seen more, and has learned the Tao of nature, he knows that within the Three Realms and the Five Elements, no person, thing, or spirit can escape these natural laws.

"This is Xie's lover and fellow Daoist, Song Chunxue. She has some money and wants to establish herself in the capital..."

Upon hearing the word "lover," Song Chunxue was both surprised and embarrassed.

Every time Song Chunxue heard him say it, she felt those two words were burning hot.

"I have already explained those rumors to Brother Duan. Whether you believe them or not is up to you. But I also know that Brother Duan has recently encountered some difficulties, and she is willing to conspire with me to help Brother Duan..."

"I, Xie, have always been grateful for Brother Limin's kindness, and I brought her here today to lend you a hand. You have to give to receive; we value Brother Limin's reliability. We'll need your help in the future..."

Song Chunxue chimed in at the opportune moment, speaking little but with great sincerity.

While reminiscing about the past, discussing the present, and looking to the future, Xie Zheng revealed his purpose. Even without prior discussion, Song Chunxue unequivocally took out two boxes of money and valuables given to her by Song Che, indicating that she would not engage in empty talk.

When Xie Zheng said these words to them separately, they were all stunned.

Duan Wen looked at Song Chunxue in surprise, then at Xie Zheng with a face full of doubt.

“Everyone says you’re bewitched, but I think you’re the one who’s genuinely fooled everyone.” Duan Wen tapped the table. “You’ve clearly found a treasure with a lantern in hand. No wonder you don’t even respect Princess Anyang.”

"Since we've come this far, and you two are both cultivators, let's not waste time with empty talk. I agree to this, and I'll make plans for you after the Lantern Festival."

Xie Zheng tried his best to suppress his excitement and thanked him repeatedly, "Thank you very much, Brother Duan. There's no rush. I just don't want to cause you any trouble."

"You're welcome. This isn't trouble, it's an opportunity," Duan Wen said with a smile. "Wait for my news."

As for Li Min, he needed some money to tide him over, and this was a stroke of good luck, like someone offering him a pillow when he was sleepy. He was extremely enthusiastic.

"Thank you for being so formal, Brother Xie. If you keep saying that, I'll get angry. With all these years of friendship, how could I possibly refuse such a good thing?"