310

This answer was so frivolous that Lu Jian couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Why?!"

Why did he do this when he was about to achieve complete victory and reclaim his inheritance? If he was accused of inciting the refugees to revolt, how would he maintain his position within the family, and how would he interact with other noble families? Hadn't she always been helping him? Why would she suddenly turn against him?

For a moment, Lu Jian thought of countless possibilities and had countless suspicions, but Cheng Xi's answer still exceeded his expectations.

"Because the refugees knew why their families were broken up and they were left penniless. They were oppressed too much, so they naturally raised the banner of rebellion."

Hearing that calm voice, Lu Jian's breath stagnated for a moment: "Did you tell this to the refugees?"

The Red Flag Gang started from the Hungry Tiger Stronghold under Lu's command, and pretended to rebel to catch them off guard. It was precisely because of this commotion that Lu's elite soldiers returned to support, giving him the opportunity to burn the raw silk. However, these should not be made public, and should not be known to those refugees!

This was something every Jiangdong aristocratic family was doing. If the Lu family could be in turmoil because of this, wouldn't other families be affected as well? Thinking of how those refugees would react after their wives and children were taken away, the elderly and weak were killed, all their property was robbed, and they were forced into slavery, Lu Jian felt a chill run down his spine.

Facing Lu Jian's disbelief, Cheng Xi calmly asked, "Why not? They could have struggled to the outskirts of the city, hoping that the officials appointed by the court would give them a way out. Unfortunately, those aristocratic families don't want people, but pigs and dogs."

These words somehow angered Lu Jian, and his voice darkened. "Have you ever considered the consequences of acting so impulsively? Are you trying to cause chaos in Jiangdong, dragging the Lu family and all the noble families into the flames of war? It's true that some people have acted shabby, but the noble families have also protected the people, ensuring countless people have enough food and a safe life. If even Jiangdong were to fall into chaos, how many more would be displaced and lose their lives in vain!"

This was almost a rebuke, but Cheng Xi shook his head: "Do you think I want to mess up Jiangdong? Don't worry, I won't. It's just that the military force is not enough to overthrow the aristocratic families, and we can't even hurt them."

It was like a punch thrown into the air. Lu Jian's brows furrowed even tighter. "Then what do you want to do? What is the purpose of your coming to Jiangdong?"

At this point, Lu Jian would not believe that Cheng Xi came to Jiangdong just to help him take revenge, or even to expand the bank, connect with the noble families, and open up another shipping route. What was the purpose then?

"Of course, it's for a nail that can be driven into the family." Cheng Xi gave the answer.

Lu Jian froze in place. He now fully understood the significance of this "nail." If he instigated a rebellion, everyone in the Lu family would believe he was responsible. They would be enraged, yet also terrified, turning every word he'd said and done into a frenzied threat. The elders wouldn't hesitate any longer. They would quickly agree, giving him everything he wanted, just to preserve the Lu family's foundation.

But did he manage to gain control of the Lu family? Impossible. No one would trust him. Not just the Lu family, but the other families would also be on guard. Someone who could incite refugees to revolt couldn't possibly side with the aristocratic families. He'd gone too far, betraying everyone's interests. No one would believe him, even if he spoke eloquently. With just one simple move, he severed his ties to the Jiangdong aristocratic families. From now on, his foundation, his identity, would be solely with the Red Flag Gang, making him Cheng Xi's spokesperson.

Was this all she did to obey him? Lu Jian felt a bitter taste in his mouth, and his words were bitter too: "You never believed me..."

If you weren't suspicious, why would it come to this?

Cheng Xi said calmly, "I've been in Jiangdong for so long, and I've seen many people from aristocratic families. I've also seen them eat people and drink blood, not even refusing to wipe their mouths. Lu Jian, you're the same as them."

Was it because of these calculations that she also felt fear? Lu Jian closed his eyes and suppressed his turbulent emotions. He was really confused, retreating again and again. Why did he think that Cheng Xi would help him soar to the sky and not be on guard? What she wanted was never an ally, but an obedient subordinate.

But she had indeed believed in him, respected him, praised him, and even spared no effort to protect him. Were those smiles, those heartfelt talks, those casual and spontaneous moments all fake?

Lu Jian really endured it, but he couldn't help it: "If you are worried, there are other ways..."

Before he could finish his words, Cheng Xi interrupted him: "Are you talking about an arranged marriage, the same as your father's?"

Lu Jian shut his mouth, even leaning back slightly, as if he'd been slapped in the face. Unable to suppress the turmoil in his heart any longer, Lu Jian raised his head, his eyes reddening. "Aren't you afraid that I'll resent you for forcing me like this?"

"And then? Disrupt the market and make the merchants in Panyu and Yuhang turn against me?" Cheng Xi smiled, this time sincerely. "If that's the case, I don't mind sending a large army to burn them to the ground."

She was still dressed like a young woman, but the person sitting in front of her had changed. He had become the feared hero who roamed the South China Sea.

Lu Jian opened his mouth and was about to say something, but Cheng Xi had already stood up and looked him in the eye. "Do you think I founded China Merchants Bank to win over the nobles and gain a foothold? Actually, I don't care about that. All I want is for them to dig up the silver buried in the ground and invest it in banks, trading markets, various workshops, or even the vast ocean. I want them to see that there are other ways to make money and other interests to pursue, so that they can take their eyes off the land. Therefore, it doesn't matter who is in charge of China Merchants Bank."

If Lu Jian had previously had room to struggle, then those words had ended all hope. Cheng Xi didn't care about China Merchants Bank; she had handed it over to him long ago. It wasn't because he was the only one with the foresight or talent, but because the bank wasn't something she couldn't let go of. She simply needed someone to hold the business together, someone to mediate the conflict between the Red Flag Gang and the aristocratic families without falling too quickly on the side of the aristocratic families.

If he had not chosen to come to Yuhang for revenge, perhaps she would not have acted so quickly. It was he who put his weakness in front of her.

But why? Why did she do such thankless tasks? Why did she harbor such hatred towards the aristocratic families, refusing to relent even a little?

A flash of inspiration struck Lu Jian, and he blurted out, "You want revenge? It was those noble families who instigated the destruction of General Qiu!"

This was the only possibility he could think of. What led to the extermination of General Qiu's family was not only the reputation and military power that made the emperor wary, but also a series of problems caused by the sea sweep. If it were not for the promotion of the aristocratic families, the foolish emperor might not have taken action.

Facing the question, Cheng Xi sneered: "If the current aristocratic families are gone, there will be others. There will be powerful people rising up, and there will be officials from generations. What I want is not to eradicate them, but to restrain them and let others stand up."

Who should be made to stand up? The common people? Lu Jian thought of Minsheng Bank, Chiqi Primary School, and Zhenhai General Temple. Are all these things he had never interfered with what she really wanted?

If so, he had never walked with her.

What about now? Now that things have come to this point? Lu Jian felt his hands trembling. All his plans, arrangements, and desires had become a joke.

Cheng Xi didn't let him get caught up in these emotions and suddenly spoke up, "I asked you before what you planned to do after your revenge. You couldn't give me an answer, but I figured it was just to inherit the family business and become a clan leader who was even more powerful than your father. Now that your wish has been fulfilled, I'm still willing to hand over China Merchants Bank to you. Are you willing to try this different path?"

Lu Jian suddenly raised his head: "You still want to use me?"

"Why not? Such scheming and such means must have their place." Cheng Xi smiled. "Even I can't guess what this bank will create, but as long as we keep doing it, I think it can change the world, as long as it doesn't get out of my control."

At this moment, Lu Jian understood and came to his senses.

What Cheng Xi wanted was never to defeat him, but to subdue him, just like using an iron whip or a dagger to tame a wild horse, using both kindness and force.

It is precisely for this reason that she scoffed at the topic of marriage, because it was an unreasonable idea and an act of usurpation.

She did not choose to do everything to the extreme, but simply cut off his retreat and gave him a new way out.

Looking at the woman standing in front of him, who was a head shorter than him, Lu Jian was completely speechless.

He should have held a grudge, should have considered this a profound humiliation, and tried to retaliate. But now, he found himself unable to do so, simply because the offer before him was too tempting. Even if the other party manipulated him with power and rhetoric, the path to victory was clear, as if within reach.

He had already achieved his revenge, avenged his mother, and made his father and that bitch suffer. What was left? Should he follow the routine and become the head of an aristocratic family, or should he become a pawn of the Red Flag Gang, facing the suspicion and covetousness of all the aristocratic families?

This shouldn't have been a choice, but strangely, Lu Jian felt dazed.

He had seen such stories in history books. Those brilliant sons of noble families were like being under a spell, forced to assist their lords who were far inferior to them, overcoming difficulties and working hard, but some of them could not even make their families move to a higher level.

Why is this? I just saw a new path, the path promised by my master.

However, his lips trembled, but Lu Jian was unable to respond, because his self-esteem was still there and was still aching. He could not just lower his head and yield to others.

Fortunately, Cheng Xi didn't ask for an immediate answer: "I will leave Yuhang in two days. When you figure it out, just give me an answer."

After saying that, she turned around and left.

After he could no longer see her figure, Lu Jian finally moved. He dragged his feet step by step, walked to the stone table, and sat down heavily.

His gaze was momentarily unfocused, and after an unknown amount of time, it slowly settled on the teacup in front of him. On the white porcelain cup was a faint trace of lipstick, the kind of stain a woman would leave when drinking tea. In a brothel, it would be a popular topic of conversation.

But that red mark somehow twisted Lu Jian's heart and caused him pain, making him unable to help but reach out his hand and want to touch it.

But before his fingertips even touched the wall of the cup, he shuddered and clenched his fists. Even if he had hated her his entire life, he still looked like his father, and Cheng Xi, unlike his mother, was nothing like her.

Lu Jian laughed softly, covering his eyes with his hands.