Xin He hummed lightly, "The brothel is just a start, the future is still so long, who knows what will happen next?"
Shulan looked baffled, "I don’t quite understand, madam."
"Actually, I have a lot of things I want to do. I chose to start with the brothel because, first, I could see the huge business opportunities that others had overlooked. The one who finds the prey first, always earns the most. Secondly, brothels are indeed profitable. Their ability to attract gold is incredibly strong. How often do you see a man throwing thousands of coins at just one woman? Ah Lian in the capital, though born in the dust, lives a life more lavish than most of the city’s renowned girls."
Just imagining the incredible profits derived from a woman being used as a chess piece is mind-boggling.
"But, madam, what are you going to do with such a wealth that it could rival the treasury of a country? Isn’t it better to stay in the capital city if you really desire wealth?" Shulan increasingly felt confused.
However, Xin He’s smile became somewhat colder, "You don’t understand. In this world, only wealth and power can offer you real peace."
In the past, she didn’t care about much, just wishing for her family to have enough to eat and wear, for Xiao Bei to go to school, for her big brother to get a wife, and then live a blissful life together.
But now it’s different. She is a woman of Marquis Mu. Since she married him and chose him, she is prepared to face this world full of deceit.
Duan Lan was not wrong in saying that Marquis Mu Houchu has bloody hands and has clambered to where he is today by stepping on countless bodies. His sins must ultimately be atoned.
From the moment he met her, he began to atone. For her, he nearly died, and he kept backing down. He even gave up the Prime Minister’s seal, abandoned his fame and fortune in the capital, only to have her pardoned once more. And he accompanied her to this remote Yu State to be Prince Pingyang.
Since he has to atone for his sins, it’s only natural that she should share his burden. Now that things have come to this point, and might even get worse in the future, she is willing to face the trials and tribulations with him.
They have already lost the peace and quiet that ordinary people can enjoy. She didn’t mind, because everything is worth it for him. Only when she becomes strong enough can she suppress all her enemies, and thus achieve peace.
She too needs to be strong, strong enough to support him and lend him a helping hand.
Listening to Xin He, Shulan just stood there blankly, not knowing whether she was shocked or stunned.
Xiaoyu, however, quickly grasped Xin He’s thoughts. She said, "Madam, since you have already made this plan, it’s not only the brothel that can make money. Mr. Wu was right earlier when he said that the profit from the brothel is huge, and the power behind it is likely to be complicated. Madam, getting involved in such a thing that you’ve never touched before, I’m afraid you might lose."
Xin He shook her head, "Business is about not being afraid of losses. How would we know if we don’t try? And regarding the brothel, I had this idea when I was in the capital. I am confident that I can do it well."
As Xin He spoke, her eyes were gleaming with determination.
Shulan said, "Madam, it’s best if you are confident, but..."
Xin He laughed, "I know what you’re worried about. You’ve always been cautious and think this is risky. But I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life. If I don’t wager, I won’t know what I can achieve."
Shulan helplessly said, "A servant knows that when madam has set her mind on something, no amount of persuasion will be of any use. What I find strange is why madam is so determined to involve herself in the brothel business. Is it really because you’re sure you can handle it?"
Xin He pursed her lips, her expression slightly hardened. After a while, she said in a deep voice, "A place like a brothel is not simply where men indulge in food, drink, and women, especially the high-end ones, like the Wanhua Tower in the capital. It can be the best place to gather information! The officials and nobles, or even an ordinary rich merchant, their weaknesses and secrets can easily be extracted there. It is definitely the best intelligence agency."
Xiaoyu was startled, not having expected that this was what Xin He valued most.
"An Intelligence Agency?"
"During my visit to the Wanhua Tower in the capital, I discovered many things were not what they seemed. Mr. Wu said that because the brothel is very profitable, the forces behind it are complicated. But those in power may not open a brothel just for profit, but to gather intelligence. No matter how tough a man is, he can spill truths after a few cups of wine. And in the world of women, no man can keep his mouth shut," Xin He said, coldly lifting her lips in either scorn or disgust.
"That explains it!" Xiaoyu finally understood, "so madam is also planning to establish an intelligence network?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
"Yes!"
Xin He firmly said.
She wanted to use this brothel to establish a complete intelligence network for Marquis Mu, to help him collect and use information.
Shulan calcified in place. Her lady’s ambition was not to be underestimated!
"Establishing an intelligence network is one thing. Another is that once the brothel is established, it will stimulate the development of other businesses. If I want to get involved in other industries, it will be a piece of cake."
She had seen the effect of this with Ah Lian when she hosted a performance of the Drunken Concubine. It had lighted up the sign of Qinghe, her small shop, throughout the entire capital! No one could match this type of advertising effect.
After all, a high-end brothel is a place where the powerful gather. As long as one can find a way in, everything else would become convenient.
This is also one of the reasons why she had to put the brothel business at the top of her agenda.
At this moment, Xiaoyu was stunned. She initially thought her lady was acting impulsively. But now, hearing her plans for the brothel and the deeper objectives behind it, she realized that her lady’s predictions were not ordinarily far-sighted.
By the time she decided to go for the brothel industry, she had already thought about so many benefits and risks, as well as its future value and plans. Who could now simply question such a woman?
Xiaoyu’s expression became more serious as she replied, "I will abide by madam’s arrangements!"
Shulan also followed in saluting.
Xin He slightly lifted her lips, "I’m very interested in the Flower House. I want to find out more about it."
Knowing one’s enemy as well as oneself will ensure victory in every battle.
Xiaoyu then quickly tried to reassure her, "I will go, madam, don’t worry."
However, Xin He shook her head.
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