Chapter 97 Wrong Speculation
As everyone bowed together, Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun, who were standing opposite each other at the gate of Marquis Fu'an's Mansion, were the only ones left standing upright.

Looking at Cui Shuyun who suddenly appeared in front of him, Zhu Chengwu's eyes flashed with a deep meaning that no one noticed!

Zhu Chengwu did not like Cui Shuyun, and Cui Shuyun was not the person Zhu Chengwu thought could share such glory with him.

Zhu Chengwu can talk nonsense to Cui Shuyun and make deals with her!
But that was just a little spice when Zhu Chengwu was bored.

In Zhu Chengwu's heart, Cui Shuyun was just a trading object, a subordinate-like existence, not an equal partner or a fellow Taoist who could accompany him all the way.

Cui Shuyun also felt embarrassed at this moment!

She was a person who would sooner or later part ways with Marquis Fu'an and his Mansion.

He shouldn't be here, let alone in this situation.

However, even if Zhu Chengwu was unhappy, even if Cui Shuyun was embarrassed!

At this moment, there was no change in expression on Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun's faces, nor did they take any inappropriate actions.

After all, Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun were a newlywed couple who went through the three books and six ceremonies and got married in the hall.

It is impossible for Cui Shuyun to really bow down like Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao, Dai Fayan and others!

That was the behavior of a subordinate and did not match Cui Shuyun's official identity in the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

It was impossible for Zhu Chengwu to give Cui Shuyun a cold shoulder in front of so many people, accusing Cui Shuyun, who was just a business partner, of not being here.

This will undermine the outside world's overall impression of the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

“Hahaha, hahahaha~

As the saying goes, when brothers work together, they can cut through metal!

Chengwu has everyone's help, so there is no need to worry about not accomplishing great things! "

Zhu Chengwu glanced at Cui Shuyun, looked at the huge crowd that were bowing down to him, and laughed loudly.

He gestured with his hands to all those who were bowing to stand up!
He even called them brothers to show his closeness.

Brother, this title is a title that can easily move men.

Especially when this word comes from a higher-ranking boss.

Just like Zhu Chengwu, the founder of a large company in his previous life, liked to call his employees brothers.

These "brothers" also succeeded in making the founder of the large company one of the richest people in the country.

Zhu Chengwu also used the title "brother" for what it is.

After hearing Zhu Chengwu's words, especially the word "brother" in his words, most people present had tears in their eyes.

In this world where hierarchy is important, being addressed as "brother" by a powerful and respected superior like Zhu Chengwu is enough to move them for days.

In this world, the term "brother" is not yet common!

Even some people who value sentimentality would, without any resentment, take the blame and die for Zhu Chengwu when needed tomorrow just because he called them "brother" today.

This is the lethality of the word "brother" in this world where hierarchy and order are emphasized.

Surrounded by the crowd, Zhu Chengwu slowly walked into the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

“Everyone, emotions change with circumstances!

The Fu'an Marquis Mansion will be very busy next!

And because of this war, many people in Xuzhou city suffered!

All of these still require the joint efforts of all brothers!"

After entering the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion, Zhu Chengwu turned the topic to the main topic after everyone's emotions calmed down a little.

"At your command, my Lord!"

Although they were touched by Zhu Chengwu's address of "brother", the education they had received over a long period of time made everyone in the Marquis' Mansion quickly return to the state of obeying orders and being ready to work.

But this time they seem even more motivated!
"Butler Dai!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

Dai Fayan stepped out, clasped his fists and bowed, waiting for Zhu Chengwu's order.

"Chief Steward Dai, you are in charge of external affairs and are also the most important money bag for the Marquisate!

Please work hard during this period!
Assist the descendant of the Salt Marquis named... Zhu Chengcheng to restore the homes and livelihoods of the people affected by this battle as soon as possible.

Don’t let the people who have suffered from the misfortune cry out to heaven and earth for help but get no response!

Also, don't get emotional!
The reason I ask you for assistance is not to question your ability!

But the Marquis' Mansion will surely usher in a wave of expansion in the future, and we need more talents!

This incident was a test for Zhu Chengcheng, the descendant of the Salt Marquis.

That's why he was asked to preside over and coordinate!
When you are assisting Zhu Chengcheng in coordinating the forces of all parties and rescuing the people, you must pay special attention to examining Zhu Chengcheng's abilities to see what his abilities are and whether he can take on such a big responsibility!
Finally, report the situation to me!

At the same time, a batch of silver was transferred to the Marquis' Mansion as the Mansion was going to launch some major projects recently.

The specific amount will be discussed between you and Chief Steward Gao!"

While making arrangements, Zhu Chengwu explained to Dai Fayan why he was not allowed to lead the rescue work of the disaster-stricken people, and tried to calm him down.

"Yes! Lord!
Fayan will definitely live up to your trust!"

Zhu Chengwu didn't need to explain some things to his subordinate in detail, but he did it anyway!
This feeling of being respected is one of the important reasons why Dai Fayan has always been loyal to Zhu Chengwu.

"Butler Gao!"

"Master Hou!"

Dai Fayan returned to the line, Gao Yao stepped out, bowed and clasped his fists.

“Boss Gao, I made a lot of promises when I was rescuing the disaster victims!
In the next few days, there may be many common people, people from noble families, or people from the government office coming to see me. Tell the doorman not to stop them!

Please prepare sufficient money. I have promised many enthusiastic people that they can come to the Marquis' Mansion to claim reimbursement for the expenses they spent on rescuing the disaster-stricken people!
Don’t be unable to come up with the money when the time comes!
If the treasury of the Marquis' Mansion is short of silver and money, you should discuss it with Chief Steward Dai and transfer some money from the Foreign Affairs Office and the Chamber of Commerce to the Marquis' Mansion in advance for emergency use.

Also, you need to make some adjustments, vacate a number of rooms in the mansion, and prepare some jobs, so that those disaster victims who are homeless and have no jobs can work and live in the mansion.

For example, the blind woman whose husband died and whose young son was less than a year old.

Her situation is very specific!

Pay special attention!
How to resettle these poor people and enable them to survive? You, the Internal Affairs Department, must make plans and preparations!
If there is not enough space, the martial arts stage outside the mansion and the martial arts field inside the mansion will be demolished!

Speed ​​up the construction of a batch of rooms.

Just keep a training ground in the mansion!

When the warriors in the Marquis' Mansion are itching to fight, they can have a competition in the training ground!
As for me, I'm afraid there won't be many warriors who will challenge me in the future!"

Zhu Chengwu did not forget the promise he made when rescuing the disaster-stricken people, and gave such instructions.

"Understood, Lord!

But many disaster-affected people lack skills!
I'm afraid the only way to place them is in some light and less important positions.

If that happens, the monthly expenditure of the Internal Affairs Department will probably increase significantly!"

Gao Yao was being subtle, but Zhu Chengwu was not stupid.

I understood what Gao Yao meant.

What are the leisurely and less important positions?
Isn’t it just an optional position?
And resettling those people is not a one-time deal.

The monthly salary expenses for settling those people are not a small amount.

Plus there are three meals a day, shelter and clothes!

The pressure on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to spend money will indeed soar!
"We must provide those people who have suffered from unprovoked disasters with a way to survive!
As for the money problem, let’s find a way to increase the source of income!

For example, cooperate with Cui family and open up more new trade routes for the Foreign Affairs Office!"

When it comes to open source, the first thing Zhu Chengwu thinks of is business!
After all, no matter in the past or present life, businessmen are famous for making money.

And speaking of business!

The first person Zhu Chengwu thought of was the Cui family of Jiangnan.

After all, the Cui family is a well-known wealthy family in Jiangnan, and its wealth ranks among the best in the entire Ming Dynasty! And because of the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", Zhu Chengwu has paid a lot of attention to the Cui family recently and has had a lot of contact with them.

"Yes, Lord Marquis!"

Since Zhu Chengwu had already made a decision and proposed a solution, Gao Yao didn't say anything more.

I heard Zhu Chengwu point to the Foreign Affairs Office.

Dai Fayan stepped out again.

"My Lord, I will contact Cui!

If we want to cooperate with Cui, we may need Madam to coordinate!"

Dai Fayan, who stepped out of the line, was the first to give a preventive shot.

What does try mean?
It just may not succeed!
It is true that the Cui family is wealthy, but who would be willing to give up their own interests for no reason?

Moreover, as Zhu Chengwu deceived the Cui family and the fact that Cui family's "Fire Lotus" was actually the high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus" was exposed, some people in the Cui family's senior management would inevitably have emotions towards Zhu Chengwu and Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

They may not be willing to cooperate with Fu'an Marquis Mansion again!
Even if the rational ones among them knew that the fact was already established and they could not take back the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", their best option would be to maintain closer contact and cooperation with the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

But the Cui family is also a big family. Even if it is for the sake of face, they can't just suffer in silence.

This will make other aristocratic families look down on you.

They need steps!
We need Cui Shuyun as the lubricant and bridge!

“I can try to convince Cui!

But if it works, does that count as accomplishing one of the three things?”

Cui Shuyun noticed the gazes from Zhu Chengwu and Dai Fayan.

After thinking for a while, he said so.

As a collaborator and an outsider, Cui Shuyun did not want to interfere in the affairs of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

Moreover, Cui Shuyun's status in the Cui family is limited, and some things are beyond her ability.

But if this request is one of the three things Zhu Chengwu mentioned, then everything is a different matter.

Cui Shuyun will definitely try her best and leave no stone unturned to make the Cui family and the Fu'an Marquisate reach a cooperation and open up trade routes together.

Because Cui Shuyun now has a vague feeling that if she wants to get rid of Zhu Chengwu, leave Fu'an Marquis Mansion, and gain true freedom, she must do it as soon as possible.

We must not procrastinate any longer. Why wait ten years to obtain enough resources and be able to protect ourselves before completely cutting ties with Marquis Fu'an and his Mansion?

It will be too late!

Just like when Zhu Chengwu was in seclusion recuperating from his injuries, she didn't want to interfere in the affairs of the Marquis Fu'an Mansion, but in the end she had to intervene because of her status.

Just like today, she didn't want to come, but in the end, after everyone's persuasion, she had to come.

As time goes by, this kind of situation will happen more and more!
By then, the relationship between her, Zhu Chengwu, and Fu'an Marquis' Mansion will become really complicated and confusing!
Moreover, they had cut off ties and divorced in advance. As long as Cui Shuyun completed the three things promised to Zhu Chengwu, she could still get ten years of cultivation resources from Fu'an Marquis' Mansion openly and with peace of mind.

“If your Cui clan has no other conditions and agrees to open up a new trade route with the Fu’an Marquisate, then that will count as one of the three things!

But if Cui finally agreed based on other conditions, it means that you didn't play a big role in it...

I'm afraid that can't be counted as one of the three things!"

Cui Shuyun's words made Zhu Chengwu think for a moment.

Then he answered like this.

Zhu Chengwu didn't know that Cui Shuyun was eager to cut ties with the Fu'an Marquisate, but Zhu Chengwu could feel Cui Shuyun's anxiety to complete the three agreements as soon as possible.

Those three things were originally prepared by Zhu Chengwu in order to have an extra Yang Shen fighter and Yang Shen combat power at the critical moment.

Before Cui Shuyun achieved Yang Shen, Zhu Chengwu should not have used those three things.

But there is enough money to resettle those disaster-stricken and poor people, which will make Zhu Chengwu feel comfortable and at peace now!
Therefore, Zhu Chengwu finally half agreed to count this matter as one of the three things agreed upon.

As for whether Cui Shuyun can finally succeed and make one of the three agreed things go away, it all depends on Cui Shuyun's ability.

However, Cui Shuyun clearly expressed her desire to complete the three agreed tasks as soon as possible, which made Zhu Chengwu unhappy but also a little relieved.

The reason for his displeasure was that Cui Shuyun's eagerness to complete the three tasks would most likely result in Zhu Chengwu's investment failing to achieve the expected return.

I am glad that Cui Shuyun's performance at least proves that she is a trustworthy person and Zhu Chengwu did not misjudge her.

Zhu Chengwu's investment in Cui Shuyun is a model of first paying and then getting returns.

In Zhu Chengwu's previous life, under this model, there were many cases where investors ran away with their investments.

For example, a famous leather factory and a video company.

“If you want Cui to agree to jointly open up new trade routes with you, it’s impossible for you to do so without making any conditions.

My Lord, aren't you the one who values ​​fair trade the most?
Wanting to receive without giving is not a fair trade!"

Cui Shuyun disagreed with the conditions in Zhu Chengwu's words.

There were no other conditions for Cui to agree to open up new trade routes with the Fu'an Marquisate and enrich the purse of the Fu'an Marquisate.

Or when Cui was about to learn that the "Fire Lotus" they gave to Zhu Chengwu was actually the more precious "Earth Core Fire Lotus"...

This is too difficult!

It's total hell mode!
Moreover, Cui Shuyun is not the legitimate daughter of the head of the Cui family, but the daughter of Cui Zongyan, the second wife.

According to the conditions in Zhu Chengwu's words, Cui Shuyun felt that the last 99% of her work was in vain!
It's just working for Zhu Chengwu in vain!
This is not what Cui Shuyun wants.

What Cui Shuyun wanted was to complete the three agreements as soon as possible and cut ties with Zhu Chengwu and Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

"Haven't I already paid the price?

Lady!

As long as you convince Cui, you will have completed one of the three things agreed upon.

This price is not small!

If I have to pay a high price to open up a new trade route with Cui, then my lady, what is the role of you as a middleman?"

Zhu Chengwu spoke very bluntly and decisively.

"but…"

Cui Shuyun was about to say something, but was interrupted immediately.

"My Lord, Madam, if it is just to open up new trade routes and increase income!
I don’t think it has to be Cui!
Xuzhou Chamber of Commerce is capable of taking on this responsibility!"

Just when Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun each held their own opinions and were unable to reach a consensus, Dai Fayan suddenly interrupted.

Dai Fayan's interruption made Zhu Chengwu stunned.

Since the Xuzhou Chamber of Commerce, which is led by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion, has the ability to open up new trade routes and increase revenue.

Then why didn’t you do it before?
Then why didn’t you bring it up just now?
This was Zhu Chengwu's misunderstanding of Dai Fayan!
It was not done before because of Zhu Chengwu’s previous strategic requirements.

Low profile!

Several provincial capitals are developing near Xuzhou Prefecture!
As long as there is enough money, it's fine!

The reason I didn’t mention it just now was because Zhu Chengwu used Cui as an example!

Considering that Cui's "Fire Lotus" is actually the much more valuable "Earth Core Fire Lotus", Zhu Chengwu relied on the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" to defeat the Grandmaster...

Dai Fayan thought that Zhu Chengwu used Cui's example deliberately. He had already decided to make a fortune with Cui and let Cui borrow the fame that was about to ferment and skyrocket between him and Fu'an Marquis Mansion!
This is to compensate Cui!
Therefore, Dai Fayan deliberately followed Zhu Chengwu's words!

It was not until he saw Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun confronting each other and refusing to give in to each other that Dai Fayan realized that he had misunderstood.

That's why I suddenly interrupted!
Interrupt Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun!
This is to prevent further conflicts between Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun.

After all, as a subordinate, Dai Fayan also has to consider the possibility that Cui Shuyun will suddenly gain Zhu Chengwu's favor one day or become famous because of her son!

Every word and action of those in a higher position will always be speculated.

This is the same in any world.

　Added update for the seventh milestone (2/2)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)