Tao Chuting couldn't bring himself to contact Tao Feng, mainly because cooperating with Cao He would be more beneficial to the Tao family than cooperating with Tao Feng.
But the current situation forces him to make a choice.
If Tao hadn't said the same thing, Tao Chuting wouldn't have been able to make a decision.
Tao Chuting gently patted Tao Shi and said with great satisfaction, "I originally thought you only focused on your embroidery, but I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable."
Tao couldn't help but laugh: "Husband, I'm only going to such lengths for you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't bother with all this."
Tao Chuting was even happier.
Many people were dissatisfied with his appointment as head of the Tao family.
Because he was young, only twenty years old, he was considered too young compared to the older members of the family.
The alliance with Tao Feng was also a secret arrangement made by those old guys in the clan.
We informed him only after the clan connection was established.
He was furious at the time; he looked down on Tao Feng's character.
Even if his family's social standing required him to have his cake and eat it too, he wouldn't necessarily choose Tao Feng.
He can choose other prominent families in Jianming Prefecture or other prominent families outside Jianming Prefecture; either is acceptable.
Therefore, he maintained a lukewarm relationship with Tao Feng.
Tao Feng was even more unwilling to see him, as she disliked people from these aristocratic families the most.
They all acted superior to others.
Therefore, Tao Chuting and Tao Feng could never see eye to eye.
But the changes in his wife over these three months surprised him greatly.
Tao's original hobby was only one thing: embroidery.
When asked why, she said that embroidery helps her pass the time and forget many of her worries.
However, during these three months, Tao gave him a lot of good ideas, which made him increasingly influential in the family.
Moreover, Tao made him a lot of money, with tea alone accounting for more than half of his total income.
When asked, Tao said that the world is in chaos these days, and accumulating more wealth will make it easier to establish oneself.
So his wife is so intelligent.
Now that Tao has brought up Tao Feng, Tao Chuting is not offended.
Instead, she said with satisfaction, "Madam's consideration is indeed thorough. Regardless of any past grievances between Tao Feng and me, choosing to join forces with Tao Feng at this time is the best course of action."
Tao smiled gently and said, "It's good that you've made your decision, my husband. I just couldn't bear to see you in such a dilemma."
Tao Chuting patted Tao Shi again, finally smiling, and whispered in her ear, "Tonight, your husband will keep you company, my wife."
Tao blushed and quickly went back to her room.
Tao Chuting liked the Tao family even more now, and couldn't help but laugh heartily.
After returning to her room, Tao finally managed to get the redness off her face.
Smiling, she beckoned one of her maids over and pulled her to sit down: "Xiaoqiao, it has to be you. You've only been here for three months, but you're better than all my maids."
Now my husband's status in the Tao family is getting better and better, and he's earning more and more money, all thanks to you.
Su Xiaoqiao only sat on half a stool to show respect to the mistress of the house.
She smiled and said, "Mistress, this is what I should do. If you are well, we will be even better."
Tao pulled out a hairpin and put it directly on Su Xiaoqiao's head: "My Xiaoqiao is really, really good. Once you get through this hurdle, I'll find you a perfect husband."
Su Xiaoqiao blushed and said shyly, "Madam is so good at teasing me. I haven't had enough time to stay by your side yet."
“It doesn’t matter. Even if you get married, you can still be the person in charge by my side. I really can’t live without Xiaoqiao.”
Su Xiaoqiao changed the subject: "Alright, mistress, you must persuade the master to make a decision as soon as possible. If the master can cooperate from the inside and outside next time General Tao attacks the city, I believe General Tao will be extremely grateful. Then the master will naturally benefit."
Tao smiled and nodded: "Tonight, when the master comes to my place, I will gently persuade him."
Although Tao Chuting has agreed to contact Tao Feng, a real alliance and coordinated action from within and without is not just a matter of words.
It is necessary to mobilize guards and forces.
The Tao family also had two thousand private soldiers.
Powerful families all have private armies, but they don't announce it publicly.
The Cao family's private army existed under the guise of protection. But the actual number of private soldiers far exceeded that of the guards.
Some powerful families even have private armies that far exceed the size of the imperial army.
Although the Tao family had two thousand private soldiers, which was much fewer than the Cao family's, they were all elite troops.
They would have enough strength to attack Cao Changyu's south gate.
After all, Cao Changyu's permanent garrison at the south gate was only about five thousand men.
When Tao Feng attacks the city, we can launch a coordinated attack from within and without, and surely deliver a heavy blow to Cao Changyu.
The Cao family, Cao Changyu's residence.
Cao Changyu was in a state of great distress at this moment.
His subordinate Zhao Lian brought him a message.
Cao Qiang is not dead, and has secretly returned for many days.
Cao Changyu's mind went completely blank.
How could Cao Qiang not die? If he were alive, half of the power he currently controls would belong to Cao Qiang.
These people were all loyal to his father, Cao Ying, and the vast majority of them were also loyal to the successor chosen by his father.
If Cao Qiang doesn't die, he will be the successor.
Cao Qiang has been back for many days, but he has kept it a secret. What is the reason for this?
And how did Cao Qiang manage to enter Jianming Mansion when it was surrounded by people at all four gates?
Furthermore, now that Cao Qiang has returned, have those who supported him secretly switched sides to his side?
Thinking of this, Cao Changyu broke out in a cold sweat.
"Zhao Lian, have you found out how Cao Qiang got into the city? And where is he staying now?"
Zhao Lian was his bodyguard for three months. He was clever, quick-witted, and agile. If it weren't for Zhao Lian, he might have lost his life in that assassination attempt.
It was because Zhao Lian risked his life to save him that Cao Changyu took Zhao Lian as a confidant.
“Master, the Cao family members have not been completely purged from Tao Feng’s army. These people are all the head of the family and naturally obey Cao Qiang.”
Cao Changyu couldn't help but feel envious and jealous.
His father loved him very much, but almost all of the family's power was given to Cao Qiang.
Cao Changyu worked exceptionally hard and used certain methods to gain a following among some people.
Have you found out where he's staying?
Zhao Lian could see Cao Changyu's envy and jealousy, so he waited until he asked before answering: "I found out that it was a former residence of the patriarch called Cuizhu Manor."
Cao Changyu became even more jealous.
Emerald Bamboo Manor has always been the place he wanted.
But his father had never given it to him. He never expected that Cao Qiang would be able to move in there as soon as he returned.
It seems this was saved by his father for Cao Qiang.
How many people are guarding that area?
"I've learned that there are a hundred elite guards protecting them."
"Alright, you take three hundred men and capture Cao Qiang. If..."
Cao Changyu hesitated for a moment, then hardened his heart: "If they resist fiercely, kill them without mercy!"
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