Chapter 228: Entering the Grain Merchant Industry
"Now that we're together, why don't you tell me in detail?" A hint of sincere curiosity flashed in Cheng Jingkuan's eyes.
He and Tu Subo grew up together since childhood. People outside only regarded him as a small character who followed Tu Subo to make trouble. However, out of the sight of others, they both called the same elder "Father".
Even Xi Lanfang didn't know about this.
When the Tu Su family was at its peak, Cheng Jingkuan consciously hid himself in the unknown shadows and secretly took care of some matters for Tu Subo that should not be exposed.
Because of this, when the Tu Su family met with an accident and their property was ransacked and liquidated, he was able to cleverly avoid everyone's sight, escape safely, and quietly collect some scattered clues in secret.
It had been nearly a year since they had spoken face to face. All sorts of rumors flooded Cheng Jingkuan's mind, and with a spark of curiosity in his eyes, he whispered, "Why not have a chat?"
"How is my sister-in-law's beauty? Do you treat her..."
"She's a rare good person."
Tu Subo glanced at him coldly: "I don't need to enumerate her advantages to you."
Cheng Jingkuan still seemed a little unwilling, and muttered, "I'm just a little curious."
In the bustling streets of Kyoto, gossip drifts like catkins on a spring day. People are buzzing about your romantic interest with the distinguished eldest daughter of the Gu family, only to be met with the unfortunate intervention of Prince Rui, and the forced marriage of an unknown concubine by the Gu family, leaving you in an utterly awkward position. That unknown concubine remains in your care, uncertain if she will survive for many days. Everyone speculates, filled with regret, about her fate.
"Look at how proud you are now. It's completely different from those rumors of your tragic love story!"
"Is your relationship with her really that deep?"
"You have such a soft spot for her?"
"What does this have to do with you?"
Tu Subo spoke calmly, rubbing his fingertips gently, and asked nonchalantly, "Did Gu Yuwei finally get what she wanted and become the Princess of Rui?"
Cheng Jingkuan couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"How is that possible?"
"When you left Kyoto, didn't that young sister-in-law cry loudly at the city gate? The rumors about her affair with Prince Rui had finally died down, but you got itchy hands and caused an uproar throughout Kyoto. Prince Rui has always been aloof and self-disciplined. How could he tolerate the slightest stain on his reputation? How could he endure such humiliation and make her the Prince Rui's Consort?"
As Cheng Jingkuan recalled the past, the expression on his face became more complicated.
"Speaking of you and Gu Yuwei, you almost became a couple, why did you attack her so cruelly?"
"She was engaged to you first, which was her first sin. Then, she was involved in an ambiguous affair with Prince Rui, which was her second. These two incidents have caused a huge uproar. The once virtuous and pure beauty has now been disgraced. She remains confined to her boudoir, and I'm afraid she will never find a husband of her dreams."
Tu Subo was not a ruthless person, but when it came to Gu Yuwei, he showed no mercy. He attacked the most vulnerable part of a woman's heart, ruthlessly stabbing her most vulnerable part, leaving Gu Yuwei with nothing and heavy losses.
After hearing Tu Subo's profound glance, Cheng Jingkuan curled his lips sarcastically: "Why, are you feeling like cherishing flowers?"
Cheng Jingkuan sneered contemptuously: "Can a woman like that be considered a precious jade that needs to be protected?"
The Gu family is really not that glorious.
If his judgment is correct, the mystery of Marquis Jingyuan's treason seems to be inextricably linked to General Gu.
Gu Yuwei is young and lives in seclusion, but she is entangled with a man. The two forces are competing for power. Such a beauty, no matter how beautiful she is, is cruel and ruthless, which makes people fear her.
Cheng Jingkuan's heart stirred slightly, and his eyes became a little darker. He crossed his legs, looked up at Tu Subo, and said in a deep tone: "You cherish this little sister-in-law so much. What if there is a hidden hatred between the Gu family and the Tu Su family? Wouldn't you be in trouble?"
"Have you ever thought about how to explain this to this little sister-in-law?"
Tu Subo pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "She doesn't need such an explanation."
Gu Yuexuan has a strained relationship with the Gu family. The only things she is concerned about are her mother and younger brother who are suffering in the deep house.
Assuming the day when the truth comes out really comes, as long as the safety of these two people can be protected, Gu Yuexuan probably won't care about the life or death of others.
She simply didn't care.
Cheng Jingkuan was puzzled by the source of Tu Subo's confidence. After a pause, he said, "I will handle matters here properly, and I will also keep a close eye on that young man surnamed Hu. Do you plan to stay for a while, or are you eager to return home?"
Before Tu Subo could speak, Cheng Jingkuan continued, "It's not appropriate for you to show up now. If anyone notices you've left Fangling, it will be very troublesome. However, if you want to stay, there are ways. I will try to arrange it."
"Since the matter is over, why should I stay?"
Tu Subo looked at him helplessly: "Shall I stay with you?" There was a hint of teasing and intimacy in his words.
Cheng Jingkuan's face was filled with a gentle smile: "If you are willing to accompany me, that is of course possible, although..."
"Too many."
Tu Subo glanced at the items in the box, then exhaled a long puff of white air and said slowly, "I will leave for home tomorrow. Please remember the matters I mentioned earlier and make sure to handle them as soon as possible."
Cheng Jingkuan replied softly, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: "You once asked me to quickly explore the distribution channels and business methods of the major grain merchants. What was your purpose?"
"Is my family running out of food? I'm anxious to compare prices and buy rice to meet my urgent needs? Besides, what's the point of exploring this?"
The current clues are concentrated in the armory and those people who were quickly dispersed to various places after the Tu Su family encountered misfortune.
Why study rice trading for no reason?
Tu Subo was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke, "What if I were to get involved in the grain merchant business?"
Cheng Jingkuan looked at him with a hint of sympathy, and said with a hint of ridicule: "Do you know that if you daydream too much, you will easily fall into stupidity?"
"Ancestor, you were banished to Fangling, a desolate and barren land with a freezing cold. How could you find food to engage in trade?"
Fangling is an area with barren land and a harsh climate. The annual grain output is not enough to meet the basic needs of the local people, let alone any surplus grain to be traded on the market.
The Jiangnan water towns, where rice production is even more abundant, have been the domain of aristocratic families and business tycoons since ancient times, making it difficult for outsiders to interfere.
There was nothing he could do.
Tu Subo also felt it was very difficult.
Even if you have silver in your hands, it will be difficult to achieve anything there because the residents there are not short of silver and other valuables.
Moreover, the funds they have available for mobilization are already stretched to the limit.
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