The Marquis smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's too early to talk about this now. I was the Emperor's study companion in my younger years, but I returned home after being injured. I can get a sense of the Emperor's character. In my opinion, these princes should have been excluded long ago."
Xu Di never expected that his grandfather would have such a thought. Xu Di had the memories of the original owner's later years, so he naturally knew which prince would eventually sit in that position, and it really wasn't one of the current adults.
Seeing Xu Di's surprised expression, the Marquis of Yongning couldn't help but laugh and said, "Everyone thinks that our Marquis of Yongning's mansion has declined. In recent years, I have focused my energy on the shops and estates at home. I can tell you, among so many aristocratic families in the capital, none can compare to our mansion in terms of making more money."
Upon hearing this, Xu Di's doubts deepened. If the Empress Yongning dared to say such a thing, it meant that some of the businesses in the manor had indeed made a lot of money. Since the Marquis of Yongning had some connection with the Emperor, why did the Marquis of Yongning's manor end up in such a state?
In a flash, Xu Di realized something: the final fate of the Yongning Marquis's mansion was probably due to the wealth it controlled. Money can move people's hearts. If you want to seize that position, you have to put up some real money. Otherwise, who would be willing to fight for you? Without enough incentive, who would be willing to put in their effort?
Xu Di didn't know where the Yongning Marquis's wealth ended up, but he guessed that someone was already eyeing the Yongning Marquis's mansion.
Seeing that Xu Di showed no excitement after hearing his words, but instead looked deep in thought, the Marquis of Yongning asked him, "Brother Di, what are you thinking about?"
Xu Di said, "Grandfather, you personally manage the shops and estates in the manor and have earned so much money. Do many people outside know about this?"
Lord Yongning shook his head and said, "Of course, we can't let outsiders know. There are a few shops that I haven't let anyone from the manor handle; I've been operating them through outsiders."
Xu Di nodded and said, "Grandfather, you have been cautious enough, but I think we should still be careful."
Upon hearing this, the Marquis looked at Xu Di with a puzzled expression. Xu Di sighed and said, "No matter when it comes to war, whether it's a war big or small, it all comes down to financial resources."
Upon hearing Xu Di's words, the Marquis's expression changed instantly. It was because the two were in the presence of his own grandson, sharing weal and woe, and that the Marquis could not control his facial expression.
Seeing that the Marquis immediately understood his meaning, Xu Di felt that as long as he was careful, with the Marquis's abilities, wouldn't he be able to lead the old and young in this mansion to fight his way out?
After pondering for a while, Xu Di poured out the tea in the cup in front of him and replaced it with a hot one. The Marquis picked up the cup and said, "Then, in your opinion, how should we deal with this?"
Xu Di smiled as he looked at his grandfather. Xu Di understood very well that the Marquis was now aware that his thinking was fully capable of serving as a staff member by his side. There were even some things that the staff members could not know, because you did not know the true identity of the staff member. Who knows who might be a spy sent by someone.
Xu Di said, "Grandfather, trouble often starts from within. Many times, things go wrong from the inside. Although all the uncles and elders in our household are talented people, they are driven by self-interest. What if someone deliberately instigates them? Grandfather, we must be wary of these things."
The Marquis listened with great interest and asked, "Then tell me, what should we do?"
Xu Di laughed and said, "Grandfather, you really think too highly of me. I'm just a teenager, how could I have such abilities?"
The Marquis chuckled and said, “It’s not that I underestimated you, it’s that you really have such ability. I know all about what you’ve been doing in Hexi. Di’er, you are the eldest grandson of our family. Although your father was born out of wedlock, I have never treated your family as such. Over the years, I have done my best to cultivate your father so that he could make a name for himself through his talent in the future.”
Xu Di nodded and said, "We all understand what Grandfather is thinking."
The Marquis nodded and said, "It is very difficult for illegitimate sons in a family to stand out. Some are afraid that illegitimate sons will steal the limelight from legitimate sons, while others feel that illegitimate sons should not enjoy the benefits of the family. In our family, there is only one illegitimate son, your father. The reason why the family tries its best not to have illegitimate sons born is to prevent the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate sons from hurting the feelings of brothers."
Xu Di wanted to ask how Xu Rao was born, given such concerns, but seeing the Marquis's graying temples, he ultimately didn't ask.
Seeing that Xu Di remained silent, the Marquis sighed and said, "From now on, I will restrain the young men in my household."
Xu Di waved his hand and said, "Grandfather, have you ever heard the saying, 'It's better to guide than to block'?"
The Marquis said, "Of course I've heard of it."
Xu Di said, “Our family has so many properties. Our eldest uncle is the heir and needs to accompany you to social events. Then there’s our second grandfather’s second uncle, our fifth uncle, and our fourth uncle. Our second uncle and fifth uncle have their own jobs. Fourth uncle, you should either find him a job or let him learn to manage household affairs. If he’s always idle, something bad is likely to happen.”
The Marquis said, "Of course, I will make arrangements later."
Xu Di thought for a moment and said, "Grandfather, I have an idea to share with you. I'm just sharing it with you, so please listen to it as if it were something unusual."
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