Planning
“Pfft—” Feng Zhun sprayed wine all over. “You’re so ugly!” After some thought, he politely refused, “Getting involved in a romantic relationship with someone from the military camp can easily affect official duties.”
“No, it won’t,” Cao Zhan insisted. “I promise, if you violate military regulations, I will punish you, and the punishment will be even harsher than for others.”
Feng Zhun: “…” You’re an idiot!
“What do you think?” Cao Zhan urged.
Feng Zhun solemnly replied, “I think we should drop this matter. I believe that you will always prioritize official affairs. But I don’t believe in myself.”
Cao Zhan: “…”
Yan Ge beckoned to an idle man on the street.
The idle man saw that the three of them dressed extravagantly and hurriedly ran over with a smile.
“Young Master, what can I do for you?”
Yan Ge reached into his purse and pulled out a handful of copper coins mixed with some silver, which he handed to the man. “We’re from out of town and planning to buy some local specialties to bring back as gifts. Inquire about what this place is famous for, in terms of food, clothing, accommodation, and other aspects. If you gather detailed information, I will reward you handsomely.”
“No problem, Young Master. Leave it to me.”
Yan Ge nodded. “We’ll continue walking down this street. You should be able to find us.”
“Yes, yes, you go ahead. I’ll come back and report soon.” The man had plenty of companions nearby, and with a shout, three or four more people emerged and ran off into the distance with him.
Just as Yan Ge was about to put away his purse, a person suddenly appeared in front of him, staring at him with a beaming smile.
“Young Master, ask me anything you want to know. I’ve lived here for several years, and there’s nothing I don’t know about this place. I don’t need any rewards, just treat me to a meal.”
Yan Ge found it amusing. He had seen this person before. Wasn’t he the one who suddenly rushed over to check their identities when they entered the city?
Huangfu Yuchen glanced coldly at Feng Zhun and walked to Yan Ge’s right side, creating a separation between the two.
Feng Zhun didn’t mind at all. He continued to gaze at Huangfu Yuchen, full of admiration, and sincerely said, “Please don’t be offended, I just genuinely appreciate both of you. I absolutely have no ulterior motives.”
Unable to bear it, Huangfu Yuchen returned to Yan Ge’s left side, but he still wanted to express his ownership— he held Yan Ge’s hand.
Cao Zhan followed a few steps behind and noticed that the common people were staring. He rubbed his nose and called over a boy of around eleven or twelve years old that was helping his parents buy groceries.
“General Cao, do you need anything?” Most people in the city recognized Cao Zhan.
Cao Zhan said, “The strategist has had too much to drink today, and I’m afraid he might cause trouble that would damage the image of the border troops. You stick with him. If he gets hungry, use this money to buy some food.”
“Okay!” The young boy happily ran over and followed Feng Zhun from a distance.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen both noticed, but they didn’t pay much attention to a young child.
Yan Ge found Feng Zhun quite interesting and made a gesture of “please,” saying, “Could this brother accompany us for a stroll?”
“Certainly, certainly, please.” Feng Zhun showed a delighted expression. “I am Feng Zhun, the military adviser to General Cao Zhan, stationed here. May I know how to address the two of you?”
Yan Ge replied, “So you are the esteemed military adviser. I offer my respects. I am Shu Shi, and it seems that you have already noticed, this is my husband Fang Zhiyuan. And this little one is our son, Fang Shijie.”
Huang Fu Yuchen nodded, his lips slightly curved.
“So you are Master Fang and Madam Fang. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The happiness and warmth of the Fang family is truly enviable,” Feng Zhun said with a smile. “You can call me Feng Zhun, or Master Feng will also do. Calling me ‘esteemed military adviser’ would be too formal.”
“In that case, we shall address you as Master Feng,” Yan Ge said. “To be frank, our Fang family has been engaged in business for generations, and this time we have come to the Xiguan Pass with the intention of expanding our business here. The trade here is not prosperous, which presents an opportunity for us. We truly appreciate Master Feng’s efforts in enlightening us about the situation at Xiguan.”
“This is indeed a major matter, and I cannot refuse. I will do my utmost.” Feng Zhun showed a pleased expression. “Come, let me take you for a tour. Although the Xiguan Pass may seem desolate, it is actually full of treasures. For example, the locally produced potatoes are tastier than those from other places. They can be roasted, boiled, or stir-fried… they are delicious no matter how they are prepared. Even the potatoes consumed in the palace often come from the Xiguan Pass.”
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen, wondering if it was true or not.
Huang Fu Yuchen nodded.
“Another example is the local hemp, which is used to make clothing…”
Along the way, they encountered the few idle men returning, and Huangfu Yuchen gave them money to send them away.
Yan Jin strolled along, spending money from his pocket to buy delicious food and interesting items, stuffing them into his small backpack. Many of them were gifts for the little prince.
Yan Ge was truly worried that the little prince would not appreciate his efforts and instead scold him for buying so many fun and interesting gifts – wouldn’t it be inviting resentment?
But he and Huangfu Yuchen didn’t stop Yan Jin, knowing that he would stop once his pocket money was spent.
Feng Zhun watched as Yan Jin, a six-year-old kid, counted out the correct amount of copper coins from his purse to pay for each purchase, and be couldn’t help but admire his parents for their good parenting.
After following Feng Zhun through half the city, they took a break and had lunch at a restaurant. Feng Zhun insisted on paying the bill, and Yan Ge estimated that Feng Zhun was afraid they would regret their decision to open a business in Xiguan Pass after seeing its desolation, so he let him pay.
After the meal, they moved to the adjacent teahouse. However, the teahouse did not have separate private rooms, so they had the owner set up a folding screen In the corner to create a secluded space.
Yan Ge didn’t plan to let the First Company compete for profit in the Xiguan Pass with other merchants, so it didn’t matter even if their conversation was overheard by others.
“I wonder if Master Fang and Madam Fang have gained anything this morning?” Feng Zhun asked.
Yan Ge teasingly turned to Huangfu Yuchen and said, “Master Fang, why don’t you speak first?”
Having been together with Yan Ge for a year, Huangfu Yuchen had learned a few tricks, so he had some ideas in mind. He didn’t decline and directly said, “Potatoes are indeed a good item, but due to their abundant supply, the prices are not high. Most people can afford them, and some have already had their fill. Therefore, unless there are new recipes, it’s difficult to make significant profits…”
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhun also found it reasonable but couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.
“Hemp can be grown on a large scale, and as long as the fabric made from it is durable and has novel designs, it will be popular among consumers at all levels, whether they are low-end or high-end consumers,” Huangfu Yuchen said. “Thirdly, we can make full use of the advantage of being adjacent to the Mai Kingdom. If we can sell them things that they don’t have, we will naturally earn their money. However, this point is currently difficult to grasp. The Mai Kingdom has not relaxed its restrictions on our kingdom’s trading caravans, and if we relax the restrictions on the Mai Kingdom’s trading caravans first, they may send spies to our country. Then we will end up losing more than we gain.”
Feng Zhun looked at him in astonishment and praised, “I never expected Master Fang to not only understand the ways of business but also the ways of governance.”
“Master Feng, you exaggerate.” Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge. “What are madam’s thoughts on this?”
“Let’s not discuss the third point for now. The first two points you mentioned are indeed valid options, but the process from cultivation to maturity to sales is a rather lengthy one. If I were to stay and develop in the Xihy Pass, I wouldn’t choose either of them. The returns are too slow,” Yan Ge said with a playful smile as he looked at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen sighed helplessly.
Feng Zhun asked, “Does Madam Fang have any other suggestions, then?”
Yan Ge nodded. “However, before sharing my thoughts, I would like to ask you both a question.”
Huangfu Yuchen and Feng Zhun nodded in agreement.
Yan Ge continued, “The Huangfu Dynasty has a history of over six hundred years, and I’m sure the Xiguan Pass has seen its fair share of conflicts.”
“Indeed,” Feng Zhun replied. “If we were to count, there have been at least sixty occurrences.”
Yan Ge asked, “In that case, there must have been numerous heroic sacrifices and revered heroes.”
“Naturally,” Feng Zhun’s expression turned serious and solemn. “My Great Han Kingdom has no shortage of outstanding individuals. Without going too far back, during the reign of the former emperor, Liao Kingdom trespassed into the Mai Kingdom and violated our borders. It was an ordinary commoner, Huang Sheng, who discovered this situation. One day, while he was on the mountain, he stumbled upon a large patch of wild vegetables. Reluctant to let them go to waste, he dug them all up before returning home under the cover of darkness. It was then that he noticed suspicious torchlights on the mountain. Living on the border, the people have a strong sense of vigilance, and he remained cautious, hiding in the shadows to observe. To his surprise, it turned out to be an enemy army. Without hesitation, he swiftly severed the bridge over the river with an axe, but his actions exposed him to the enemy and he was mercilessly killed. When we discovered his body near the broken bridge, he still tightly gripped the axe in his hand. This incident is widely known among the young and old at Xiguan Pass.”
“Truly an admirable hero!” Yan Ge said with solemnity.
Huangfu Yuchen asked, “Why did you bring up this matter, madam?”
Yan Ge explained, “My idea is to transform the Xiguan Pass into a famous historical and cultural city!”
Huangfu Yuchen’s heart stirred. “So, you mean to promote the heroic deeds of the Xiguan Pass? That’s a splendid idea.”
Feng Zhun’s eyes also lit up. “Madam Fang, please elaborate on your proposal.”
Yan Ge stood up, walked to the window, and pointed towards the distance. “What do you see there? Mountains. And what do mountains have? Rocks. Moreover, there are sturdy marbles and granites among them. We can use these stones to sculpt statues of numerous war heroes and erect them within the city. Firstly, it serves as a commemoration; secondly, it functions as propaganda, educating the future generations of the Great Han Kingdom, making them understand that their current peaceful and prosperous lives were hard-earned, obtained through the countless sacrifices of their predecessors. Even after many years, these stone statues will endure and retain their significance. Thirdly, the soldiers of the border will naturally take pride in these heroes. In the event of future conflicts, they will show unwavering loyalty and dedication without question. If they fall on the battlefield, they would certainly hope that their statues are worthy of admiration by the people. Fourthly, with an increase in tourists visiting the Xiguan Pass, the local economy will naturally flourish. They will indulge in its distinctive cuisine, purchase unique souvenirs—this brings me to another point, stone carving. Carve animals, figures, flowers, plants, trees…and sell them in places where such stones are scarce. Xiguan Pass is abundant in rocks, making it a lucrative trade without any initial investment.”
Feng Zhun stared at him in astonishment, completely dumbfounded. He stood up excitedly, knocking over his chair, and exclaimed incoherently, “Madam Fang! Please, you must stay a few more days at Xiguan Pass. I must report this to General Cao. He will certainly offer robust support for your idea. Please, you and Young Master Fang, wait a moment…”
Without waiting for Yan Ge’s response, he hurriedly ran off, nearly tripping down the stairs.
Yan Ge shrugged helplessly.
Huangfu Yuchen reached out and grabbed the armrest of Yan Ge’s chair, pulling him closer.
“What are you doing?” Yan Ge looked at him in confusion.
Huangfu Yuchen held him tightly around the waist. “Don’t you see how the other guests are eyeing you with greed? I must protect you.”
Yan Ge chuckled and lifted a teacup to his lips. “Drink your tea.”
Planning
“Pfft—” Feng Zhun sprayed wine all over. “You’re so ugly!” After some thought, he politely refused, “Getting involved in a romantic relationship with someone from the military camp can easily affect official duties.”
“No, it won’t,” Cao Zhan insisted. “I promise, if you violate military regulations, I will punish you, and the punishment will be even harsher than for others.”
Feng Zhun: “…” You’re an idiot!
“What do you think?” Cao Zhan urged.
Feng Zhun solemnly replied, “I think we should drop this matter. I believe that you will always prioritize official affairs. But I don’t believe in myself.”
Cao Zhan: “…”
Yan Ge beckoned to an idle man on the street.
The idle man saw that the three of them dressed extravagantly and hurriedly ran over with a smile.
“Young Master, what can I do for you?”
Yan Ge reached into his purse and pulled out a handful of copper coins mixed with some silver, which he handed to the man. “We’re from out of town and planning to buy some local specialties to bring back as gifts. Inquire about what this place is famous for, in terms of food, clothing, accommodation, and other aspects. If you gather detailed information, I will reward you handsomely.”
“No problem, Young Master. Leave it to me.”
Yan Ge nodded. “We’ll continue walking down this street. You should be able to find us.”
“Yes, yes, you go ahead. I’ll come back and report soon.” The man had plenty of companions nearby, and with a shout, three or four more people emerged and ran off into the distance with him.
Just as Yan Ge was about to put away his purse, a person suddenly appeared in front of him, staring at him with a beaming smile.
“Young Master, ask me anything you want to know. I’ve lived here for several years, and there’s nothing I don’t know about this place. I don’t need any rewards, just treat me to a meal.”
Yan Ge found it amusing. He had seen this person before. Wasn’t he the one who suddenly rushed over to check their identities when they entered the city?
Huangfu Yuchen glanced coldly at Feng Zhun and walked to Yan Ge’s right side, creating a separation between the two.
Feng Zhun didn’t mind at all. He continued to gaze at Huangfu Yuchen, full of admiration, and sincerely said, “Please don’t be offended, I just genuinely appreciate both of you. I absolutely have no ulterior motives.”
Unable to bear it, Huangfu Yuchen returned to Yan Ge’s left side, but he still wanted to express his ownership— he held Yan Ge’s hand.
Cao Zhan followed a few steps behind and noticed that the common people were staring. He rubbed his nose and called over a boy of around eleven or twelve years old that was helping his parents buy groceries.
“General Cao, do you need anything?” Most people in the city recognized Cao Zhan.
Cao Zhan said, “The strategist has had too much to drink today, and I’m afraid he might cause trouble that would damage the image of the border troops. You stick with him. If he gets hungry, use this money to buy some food.”
“Okay!” The young boy happily ran over and followed Feng Zhun from a distance.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen both noticed, but they didn’t pay much attention to a young child.
Yan Ge found Feng Zhun quite interesting and made a gesture of “please,” saying, “Could this brother accompany us for a stroll?”
“Certainly, certainly, please.” Feng Zhun showed a delighted expression. “I am Feng Zhun, the military adviser to General Cao Zhan, stationed here. May I know how to address the two of you?”
Yan Ge replied, “So you are the esteemed military adviser. I offer my respects. I am Shu Shi, and it seems that you have already noticed, this is my husband Fang Zhiyuan. And this little one is our son, Fang Shijie.”
Huang Fu Yuchen nodded, his lips slightly curved.
“So you are Master Fang and Madam Fang. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The happiness and warmth of the Fang family is truly enviable,” Feng Zhun said with a smile. “You can call me Feng Zhun, or Master Feng will also do. Calling me ‘esteemed military adviser’ would be too formal.”
“In that case, we shall address you as Master Feng,” Yan Ge said. “To be frank, our Fang family has been engaged in business for generations, and this time we have come to the Xiguan Pass with the intention of expanding our business here. The trade here is not prosperous, which presents an opportunity for us. We truly appreciate Master Feng’s efforts in enlightening us about the situation at Xiguan.”
“This is indeed a major matter, and I cannot refuse. I will do my utmost.” Feng Zhun showed a pleased expression. “Come, let me take you for a tour. Although the Xiguan Pass may seem desolate, it is actually full of treasures. For example, the locally produced potatoes are tastier than those from other places. They can be roasted, boiled, or stir-fried… they are delicious no matter how they are prepared. Even the potatoes consumed in the palace often come from the Xiguan Pass.”
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen, wondering if it was true or not.
Huang Fu Yuchen nodded.
“Another example is the local hemp, which is used to make clothing…”
Along the way, they encountered the few idle men returning, and Huangfu Yuchen gave them money to send them away.
Yan Jin strolled along, spending money from his pocket to buy delicious food and interesting items, stuffing them into his small backpack. Many of them were gifts for the little prince.
Yan Ge was truly worried that the little prince would not appreciate his efforts and instead scold him for buying so many fun and interesting gifts – wouldn’t it be inviting resentment?
But he and Huangfu Yuchen didn’t stop Yan Jin, knowing that he would stop once his pocket money was spent.
Feng Zhun watched as Yan Jin, a six-year-old kid, counted out the correct amount of copper coins from his purse to pay for each purchase, and be couldn’t help but admire his parents for their good parenting.
After following Feng Zhun through half the city, they took a break and had lunch at a restaurant. Feng Zhun insisted on paying the bill, and Yan Ge estimated that Feng Zhun was afraid they would regret their decision to open a business in Xiguan Pass after seeing its desolation, so he let him pay.
After the meal, they moved to the adjacent teahouse. However, the teahouse did not have separate private rooms, so they had the owner set up a folding screen In the corner to create a secluded space.
Yan Ge didn’t plan to let the First Company compete for profit in the Xiguan Pass with other merchants, so it didn’t matter even if their conversation was overheard by others.
“I wonder if Master Fang and Madam Fang have gained anything this morning?” Feng Zhun asked.
Yan Ge teasingly turned to Huangfu Yuchen and said, “Master Fang, why don’t you speak first?”
Having been together with Yan Ge for a year, Huangfu Yuchen had learned a few tricks, so he had some ideas in mind. He didn’t decline and directly said, “Potatoes are indeed a good item, but due to their abundant supply, the prices are not high. Most people can afford them, and some have already had their fill. Therefore, unless there are new recipes, it’s difficult to make significant profits…”
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhun also found it reasonable but couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.
“Hemp can be grown on a large scale, and as long as the fabric made from it is durable and has novel designs, it will be popular among consumers at all levels, whether they are low-end or high-end consumers,” Huangfu Yuchen said. “Thirdly, we can make full use of the advantage of being adjacent to the Mai Kingdom. If we can sell them things that they don’t have, we will naturally earn their money. However, this point is currently difficult to grasp. The Mai Kingdom has not relaxed its restrictions on our kingdom’s trading caravans, and if we relax the restrictions on the Mai Kingdom’s trading caravans first, they may send spies to our country. Then we will end up losing more than we gain.”
Feng Zhun looked at him in astonishment and praised, “I never expected Master Fang to not only understand the ways of business but also the ways of governance.”
“Master Feng, you exaggerate.” Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge. “What are madam’s thoughts on this?”
“Let’s not discuss the third point for now. The first two points you mentioned are indeed valid options, but the process from cultivation to maturity to sales is a rather lengthy one. If I were to stay and develop in the Xihy Pass, I wouldn’t choose either of them. The returns are too slow,” Yan Ge said with a playful smile as he looked at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen sighed helplessly.
Feng Zhun asked, “Does Madam Fang have any other suggestions, then?”
Yan Ge nodded. “However, before sharing my thoughts, I would like to ask you both a question.”
Huangfu Yuchen and Feng Zhun nodded in agreement.
Yan Ge continued, “The Huangfu Dynasty has a history of over six hundred years, and I’m sure the Xiguan Pass has seen its fair share of conflicts.”
“Indeed,” Feng Zhun replied. “If we were to count, there have been at least sixty occurrences.”
Yan Ge asked, “In that case, there must have been numerous heroic sacrifices and revered heroes.”
“Naturally,” Feng Zhun’s expression turned serious and solemn. “My Great Han Kingdom has no shortage of outstanding individuals. Without going too far back, during the reign of the former emperor, Liao Kingdom trespassed into the Mai Kingdom and violated our borders. It was an ordinary commoner, Huang Sheng, who discovered this situation. One day, while he was on the mountain, he stumbled upon a large patch of wild vegetables. Reluctant to let them go to waste, he dug them all up before returning home under the cover of darkness. It was then that he noticed suspicious torchlights on the mountain. Living on the border, the people have a strong sense of vigilance, and he remained cautious, hiding in the shadows to observe. To his surprise, it turned out to be an enemy army. Without hesitation, he swiftly severed the bridge over the river with an axe, but his actions exposed him to the enemy and he was mercilessly killed. When we discovered his body near the broken bridge, he still tightly gripped the axe in his hand. This incident is widely known among the young and old at Xiguan Pass.”
“Truly an admirable hero!” Yan Ge said with solemnity.
Huangfu Yuchen asked, “Why did you bring up this matter, madam?”
Yan Ge explained, “My idea is to transform the Xiguan Pass into a famous historical and cultural city!”
Huangfu Yuchen’s heart stirred. “So, you mean to promote the heroic deeds of the Xiguan Pass? That’s a splendid idea.”
Feng Zhun’s eyes also lit up. “Madam Fang, please elaborate on your proposal.”
Yan Ge stood up, walked to the window, and pointed towards the distance. “What do you see there? Mountains. And what do mountains have? Rocks. Moreover, there are sturdy marbles and granites among them. We can use these stones to sculpt statues of numerous war heroes and erect them within the city. Firstly, it serves as a commemoration; secondly, it functions as propaganda, educating the future generations of the Great Han Kingdom, making them understand that their current peaceful and prosperous lives were hard-earned, obtained through the countless sacrifices of their predecessors. Even after many years, these stone statues will endure and retain their significance. Thirdly, the soldiers of the border will naturally take pride in these heroes. In the event of future conflicts, they will show unwavering loyalty and dedication without question. If they fall on the battlefield, they would certainly hope that their statues are worthy of admiration by the people. Fourthly, with an increase in tourists visiting the Xiguan Pass, the local economy will naturally flourish. They will indulge in its distinctive cuisine, purchase unique souvenirs—this brings me to another point, stone carving. Carve animals, figures, flowers, plants, trees…and sell them in places where such stones are scarce. Xiguan Pass is abundant in rocks, making it a lucrative trade without any initial investment.”
Feng Zhun stared at him in astonishment, completely dumbfounded. He stood up excitedly, knocking over his chair, and exclaimed incoherently, “Madam Fang! Please, you must stay a few more days at Xiguan Pass. I must report this to General Cao. He will certainly offer robust support for your idea. Please, you and Young Master Fang, wait a moment…”
Without waiting for Yan Ge’s response, he hurriedly ran off, nearly tripping down the stairs.
Yan Ge shrugged helplessly.
Huangfu Yuchen reached out and grabbed the armrest of Yan Ge’s chair, pulling him closer.
“What are you doing?” Yan Ge looked at him in confusion.
Huangfu Yuchen held him tightly around the waist. “Don’t you see how the other guests are eyeing you with greed? I must protect you.”
Yan Ge chuckled and lifted a teacup to his lips. “Drink your tea.”
