Chapter 849: You're going to be a grandfather!

Xiao Ningxun smiled faintly: "Yesterday, after Wu Shuang went back, he could have reported to you right away."

"But you delayed it until evening with the excuse of letting him eat and rest first."

"I thus guessed that Mr. Cai had already anticipated that someone had been following him."

Cai Tong nodded silently: "Third Young Master, you are perceptive; when I was speaking with Wu Shuang, I already heard someone on the roof."

Xiao Er's face full of surprise: "Mr. Cai, your martial arts are superb!"

"Your skills are not inferior to mine," Cai Tong shook his head: "If I hadn't been prepared and listened attentively, I would never have noticed someone on the roof."

"I was merely guessing," Xiao Ningxun continued: "But this morning, seeing Wu Shuang at the gold shop, I realized this was Mr. Cai extending goodwill."

"That is why I today told Wu Shuang where we are staying."

"Since Mr. Cai intended to show goodwill but did not inform Wu Shuang, I suppose he is not someone you trust."

"In that case, whatever you want to do, you must naturally do it yourself."

"Therefore, tonight we have not slept, awaiting your arrival here."

Cai Tong, thoroughly convinced: "Third Young Master, at such a young age, your thoughts are so meticulous; I admire you."

The two smart individuals exchanged a glance, and a feeling of mutual admiration instantly arose.

Xiao Ningyuan slapped the three papers Cai Tong had written onto the table, beaming: "Starting tomorrow, I will follow this list, go door to door, and intercept all the goods the Red-haired Barbarians intend to buy!"

"Not a single item will be left for them!"

Xiao Ningxun looked at Cai Tong: "But how will you explain things when you go back, Mr. Cai?"

Cai Tong laughed at those words, waved his hand: "Why would I need to explain?"

"With those two trips to the cloth shop and the gold shop, Wu Shuang will chatter on endlessly, describing you all as celestial beings."

He paused, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes: "If you feel that's not enough, I could also order him to run a few more places tomorrow, letting him suffer another day."

Everyone laughed upon hearing that.

Xiao Ningyuan waved his hand: "No need for that."

"Today at the gold shop, his face had already broken out into a rash."

"If I frustrate him for another day, I fear he might become so despondent as to jump into the river, and then Mr. Cai would lose his errand runner."

Cai Tong burst out laughing.

After laughing, he composed himself: "In that case, we will set off back tomorrow."

He looked toward Xiao Ze: "Your Highness, will you personally go to Taiyuan next?"

Xiao Ze gave a slight nod: "That is only natural."

"This time we will not resort to weapons, but use this method, precisely to avoid reigniting the flames of war."

"Having just heard Mr. Cai's words, we learned that both Han civilians and indigenous tribes have suffered for thirty-eight years at the hands of the Red-haired Barbarians."

"Thus we must not let them, because the Imperial Court seeks to recover lost lands, suffer further at their own hands."

Cai Tong fell silent for a moment, rose, and bowed deeply to Xiao Ze: "Your Highness, your heart is benevolent; on behalf of the people of Taiyuan Island, I thank you."

"This plan is most excellent; the Red-haired Barbarians came only for wealth, so if their source of income is cut off and the islanders bear deep resentment toward them, they will not stay."

Xiao Ze said: "Mr. Cai, no need for excessive courtesy."

Cai Tong straightened up, his expression somewhat solemn: "But they are likely not to give up easily."

"After all, these goods shipped to Ouluoba Zhou yield at least triple the profit," he said, holding up three fingers.

"Triple?" Xiao Ningyuan sprang upright, eyes wide: "Can a cargo worth one hundred taels of silver earn three hundred taels?"

"That's the minimum," Cai Tong nodded: "Here we have nothing that Ouluoba Zhou possesses; even the most ordinary silk and porcelain become rare treasures there."

"As the saying goes, rarity breeds value; I have heard that many goods shipped there are untouchable by commoners, only available to royalty and nobility."

"Thus many are of price but no market; once the goods arrive, they sell out immediately."

Xiao Ningyuan sucked in a breath of cold air, muttering: "I had thought doubling would already be good..."

"No wonder they haul goods back and forth across ten thousand li; if this trade were mine, I would also be reluctant to let go."

Moments later, his eyes flashed with sharp light as he slapped his thigh: "Excellent!"

"Once we drive off the Red-haired Barbarians, we will go straight into doing business in Ouluoba Zhou!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, unable to keep from gesturing wildly: "I can sell our fine goods to them in small portions."

"By keeping the stock and releasing only a little each time, letting them scramble to buy, we could earn at least fourfold—more than the Red-haired Barbarians make!"

Xiao Ningxun gave him a sideways glance: "Older brother, your thoughts are truly far-reaching."

"The Red-haired Barbarians haven't even been driven off yet, and you're already scheming about trade in Ouluoba Zhou."

Xiao Ningyuan disagreed, speaking with conviction: "In business, you must eat from the bowl while eyeing the pot."

"The Red-haired Barbarians occupy Taiyuan Island, isn't it just because it's a transit port?"

"Once we reclaim Taiyuan, won't this trade be ours? With such a shortsighted barbarian tribe holding silver and waiting for goods, how could we not sell?"

Xiao Ningchen rarely interjected: "Older brother, your calculations are such that Father in Spring Prefecture would surely have heard them."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at? Why aren't you sleeping?" A chubby-cheeked little one, rubbing sleepy eyes, appeared dazedly at the inner room's doorway.

Xiao Er sprang to his feet, took a few steps over, bent down and scooped up Tuan Tuan: "Miss, let's go sleep now; be good, I'll accompany you inside."

Tuan Tuan lay on his shoulder, big eyes blinking as he looked toward the interior: "Who are you?"

Cai Tong was startled: "How come there's also a child?"

Lu Qi hurried over: "He is a person from Taiyuan Island."

"Oh." Tuan Tuan perked up, stared wide-eyed at Cai Tong, examining him carefully: "Your son's wife has a baby, or maybe two! You're going to be a grandfather!"

Cai Tong was utterly stunned: "How do you know my daughter-in-law is pregnant? Her belly…… could it really hold two children?"

"Exactly!" Tuan Tuan gave a puzzled look: "Why would I lie to you? It's really two babies—a little brother and a little sister."

Cai Tong steadied himself on the edge of the table, his lips muttering, completely at a loss for what to say.

Xiao Ze laughed, "Congratulations, Mr. Cai; your son will soon have both a son and a daughter."

The three brothers also hurriedly offered their congratulations.

"Th‑thank you," Cai Tong said, staring intently at Tuan Tuan, wondering what this child's background truly was.

How could he be so immensely capable? He actually knows everything!

"But," Tuan Tuan frowned slightly.

Cai Tong's heart thumped, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"

"You should let her eat less; she eats too much! The two babies cramped in the womb feel uncomfortable."

Everyone exchanged glances and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Cai Tong: "…"

"I—I understand; I'll go back and tell her."

Tuan Tuan let out a small yawn, and Xiao Er, holding her, walked inward: "Sleep, miss, I'll stay with you."

Lu Qi also followed.

Cai Tong watched their backs fade, then turned to the others: "Who is this miss?"

Xiao Ningxun said proudly, "She is my sister."

Xiao Ze replied, "She is the Princess Protector appointed by the Father Emperor."

"Immortal Envoy of the Fiery Nation," Xiao Ningyuan added.

"Immortal Envoy? No wonder," Cai Tong nodded deeply, "Truly impressive."

Xiao Ze pondered briefly, then asked, "Mr. Cai, are there any other people on the island we can use? After we arrive, if something arises, how should we contact you?"