Chapter 437: Wukeshan's Little Sister, All Neatly Arranged

After hearing Bumbutai's words, the burly man seemed lost in thought. But his face was still full of reluctance.

After a long moment, he finally said, "Don't worry about this. I'll handle it myself. I'm going to teach him a lesson."

Bumbutai looked at her brother with some concern.

She knew her brother's temperament—since he wouldn't listen, there was no point in trying to persuade him further.

Seeing that Bumbutai was still worried, the burly man said, "Don't worry, I won't go straight to him myself. I've already sent people from the Ming side to gather information. I'm sure they'll have results soon. Those people are greedy—they'll do anything for money. When the time comes, let them tear each other apart like dogs. We'll just sit back and watch the show."

Hearing her brother say this, Bumbutai relaxed a little and said, "Then let's leave it at that for now."

Meanwhile, at the inn.

Zhu Youxiao was also listening to Chen Hong's report.

"Your Majesty, our people have found out. Those people are from the Khorchin tribe, and their leader is called Borjigit Wukeshan."

"That little girl in red is called Borjigit Bumbutai—she's Wukeshan's younger sister. They came to Zhangjiakou this time to do business as well."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned for a moment, then an expression of disbelief spread across his face.

Borjigit Wukeshan—many people might not be familiar with that name.

But Borjigit Bumbutai—Zhu Youxiao was all too familiar with that name. Wasn't she the famous Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang?

She was Da Yu'er—and she'd actually come to Zhangjiakou?

Well, this just made things interesting. Perhaps he could use them for something.

At the thought, Zhu Youxiao could no longer contain himself—all sorts of ideas came flooding into his mind.

The Khorchin tribe was a very interesting tribe among the Mongols. If one had to describe them, they were the foxes of the grasslands. Of course, calling them the wise ones would work too.

This tribe's way of doing things was very much in the manner of a cunning old fox.

Back when the Doyan Three Guards invaded from the south, it was the Khorchin who had stirred them up from behind. And they were extremely skilled at picking sides and investing their stakes.

In the events that followed, they navigated everything with ease, and after allying with the Jianzhou barbarians, they accomplished a great deal more.

The saying "In every generation of Qing emperors' harems, the women who held power were all from Khorchin" was no empty talk.

Thinking of all this, a smile spread across Zhu Youxiao's face.

For a tribe as cunning as an old fox, it was impossible that they had no ambition. Judging from what they'd done in the past, their ambition was considerable.

Only, sometimes ambition and strength don't match up. The Khorchin had ambition and wisdom, but not enough strength. Especially at this moment in time—the Khorchin could be said to have no strength at all. Whether facing Ligdan Khan or the Jianzhou barbarians, the Khorchin tribe's strength was insufficient.

But they could still stir up some trouble.

Chen Hong, standing to the side, saw Zhu Youxiao lost in thought and his own mind began to churn.

Could it be that His Majesty has taken an interest in this matter?

Having served by His Majesty's side for so long, this was the first time he'd seen His Majesty so invested.

So Chen Hong said cautiously, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should send General Qi on a trip."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was startled for a moment, then quickly snapped back to his senses.

Turning to look at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Send Qi Yuangong to do what?"

"To seize the person." Chen Hong said matter-of-factly, "In a place like Zhangjiakou, what's so difficult about seizing one person? In this servant's view, with General Qi's abilities, there's absolutely no problem at all."

"Seize someone? Seize who?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Chen Hong with some confusion and asked.

"That little girl called Bumbutai." Chen Hong said with a fawning smile on his face, "A little Mongol girl—if Your Majesty fancies her, just seize her. Send General Qi on the trip, and I guarantee it will be foolproof."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong, not knowing what to say.

Go seize Empress Xiaozhuang?

What a thing to come up with!

She's still just a 10-year-old little girl right now—and he wants to lay hands on her already? Isn't that a bit too beastly?

Zhu Youxiao certainly didn't think seizing someone was for the purpose of making her a maidservant.

Zhu Youxiao glared at Chen Hong and said irritably, "You want me to deploy the army to forcibly seize a beauty? What kind of person do you take me for? Stop talking nonsense. Just have people keep an eye on them and see what business they're doing."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly bowed and said.

He knew what he'd said was too blunt, but keeping an eye on them was acceptable.

If there was any irregularity in their business dealings, they could just be arrested directly. When the time came, dealing with them would be as easy as saying a single word.

Even if they behaved themselves, Chen Hong could make sure they didn't.

Zhu Youxiao looked up at Chen Hong, and seeing his flickering gaze as if he were plotting something, said, "Don't do anything rash. These people are important. We'll discuss this later."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong quickly agreed.

He understood now—His Majesty seemed to want to use these people, not simply take a fancy to that little girl.

But that was fine too. If His Majesty had taken a fancy to her, then he'd taken a fancy to her. A little barbarian girl—Chen Hong didn't think much of her at all.

It was only because she was a Mongol girl. If she were a Han girl, there'd be no need for all this effort, let alone seizing her. A Mongol girl—seize her and it's done. What could anyone do about it?

Zhu Youxiao had no mind to deal with Chen Hong's messy thoughts. He was pondering what to do next.

Originally, coming to Zhangjiakou, Zhu Youxiao had come to deal with people and to make money.

Now that he'd run into Da Yu'er and her brother, perhaps he could think of ways from other angles. At least it gave him something to do.

While Zhu Youxiao was scheming about how to swindle people, Fan Yongdou was pondering how to handle this matter.

Glancing at Fan Si beside him, Fan Yongdou asked, "Are you sure they've taken a fancy to that little girl?"

"Certain." Fan Si nodded and said, "They've definitely taken a fancy to that little girl. That side is quite displeased too, looking like they want revenge. They've asked us to gather information. I estimate they'll be making a move in the future."

"A bunch of brainless fools!" Fan Yongdou snorted coldly.

After thinking for a moment, "Alright, arrange a meeting with that Wukeshan," Fan Yongdou said to Fan Si in a deep voice, "Tell him to come see me tonight. Say I have matters to discuss with him."

Hearing this, Fan Si nodded and said, "I'll make the arrangements right away."

Wukeshan received the news quickly. Upon hearing that Fan Yongdou wanted to see him, he understood that things had found a resolution and agreed immediately.

At nightfall, Wukeshan arrived at Fan Yongdou's residence.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they took their seats according to host and guest protocol.

Once seated, Wukeshan could not contain himself and asked eagerly: "Master Fan, has there been any progress on the matter? Who are those people?"

"Noble guests from the capital." Fan Yongdou looked at Wukeshan and said directly: "People I cannot afford to offend."

Hearing this, Wukeshan's expression turned somewhat grim. He raised his head and looked at Fan Yongdou, saying: "In these northern lands, is there truly someone your Fan family cannot afford to offend? We are partners, you know. You had best speak honestly and sincerely."

Fan Yongdou frowned the moment he heard Wukeshan's words and said: "We are merely doing business. I will not stake my life on your affairs. If we offend those people from the capital, who knows what they might do? Those people have no bottom line at all — if things go wrong, we'll be the ones left holding the bag."

"Don't you forget what you've done together with us." Wukeshan looked at Fan Yongdou with a dark face and said: "If we expose this matter, your Fan family won't fare well either. Whether the Fan family still exists by then is anyone's guess."

This time Fan Yongdou was genuinely angered. A threat, was it?

He frowned at Wukeshan and said: "You buy goods from me, you pay money — that is business. Now you dare threaten me? Do you want to cut off this trade? Or do you no longer wish to do business at all?"

"We're fine without you. But without our channel, what would you use to do business? Let me tell you — the one who dares sell you these goods, the one who dares do business with you, besides me, there is no one else."

"If you sell me out, you won't be able to buy anything at all anymore. Besides, the grasslands are not ruled by your family alone. As long as I can pay the price, there are plenty of people willing to risk their lives for me."

Wukeshan had not expected Fan Yongdou to be this unyielding. But this also proved one thing — Fan Yongdou was not speaking nonsense. The other party's status was clearly extraordinary.

Wukeshan looked at Fan Yongdou, his expression softening slightly as he said: "Then if you called me here today, was it just to make me let this matter rest?"

"Of course not." Fan Yongdou said with a smile: "I called you here, naturally not to make you let this matter rest. If it were merely about smoothing things over, I wouldn't need to consult with you so seriously."

"What I want to discuss with you is a major matter. Your younger sister is not getting any younger. Since the other party has taken a liking to her, why not just give her to him?"

Upon hearing these words, Wukeshan was instantly enraged.

What status did his sister hold?

Wukeshan slammed the table hard, glaring at Fan Yongdou as he said: "Are you insulting me?"

Fan Yongdou's expression also darkened as he said: "That is a noble from the capital, a noble of our Great Ming. Perhaps he is even a meritorious aristocrat of the Ming military. If we win him over, the benefits for us would be immense."

"It's only a younger sister, after all. She has to marry someone eventually — why can't she marry a noble of our Great Ming?"

"Don't even think about it!" Wukeshan glared at Fan Yongdou and said: "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Having said this, Wukeshan flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.

Fan Yongdou watched Wukeshan's departing back, his face dark as he said angrily: "Truly ungrateful!"

As he spoke, Fan Yongdou slammed the table hard again. "Uncivilized barbarians — utterly stupid!"

Fan Si approached from nearby and asked cautiously: "Master, is that noble truly worth us going this far?"