Chapter 469

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong were stirred with emotion, springing up from their chairs suddenly, and only stabilized their figures after taking three steps back, the hem of their robes sweeping across the floor, bringing up a faint sound of wind.

Chen Zhunxu's hands crossed quickly over his chest, his arms held straight when cupping his hands, and he looked up at Chen Yan, his eyes without a trace of hesitation, only burning, hot determination, his voice sinking as if it had hit the ground: "This subordinate will certainly not fail the trust!"

Before the words fell, his Adam's apple rolled, and he took another half step forward, his tone becoming even heavier, "If there is any failure, I will bring my head to see you, Master!"

They had originally thought they were going to be marginalized; who could have expected the surprise to come so suddenly...

He had to live up to the new Master's heavy use!

Chen Tong cupped his hands almost simultaneously, his elbows held straight, his fingertips gripping his wrists tightly, even the falling fabric of his clothes carrying a sense of tense respect, his eyes surging with the same hot heat as Chen Zhunxu's, his voice clear and striking the wooden beams of the study: "This subordinate is the same!"

Immediately, he took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly, his tone adding a touch of determination to burn the boats: "I will certainly go through fire and water for the Master!"

"I will not fail your trust!"

After speaking, when he lowered his head, his shoulders and back were still held straight.

That appearance of preferring to be a broken jade rather than a whole tile made it seem as if as long as his Master gave the order, he would be willing to go through fire and water immediately.

Chen Yan looked at the tense yet determined posture of the two, first a layer of smiles spreading in his eyes, then a hearty laugh rolling from his throat, "Hahahaha!"

He paused, with one hand behind his back, and said loudly: "You must keep these fine heads of yours well!"

"Our Chen family still needs you to serve with loyalty!"

After speaking, he turned and walked slowly back behind the desk, sat down, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

In fact, Chen Zhunxu did not feel wrong; before Chen set out for Hezhou, he had specifically instructed Pei Suiwan in secret to deliberately neglect these private soldiers who were old subordinates of the Old Master...

It was all to pave the way for today!

A version of "degrade first to use later" is necessary to fully win their loyalty.

Completely transform their loyalty to the Old Master into loyalty to himself!

The core essence of why a certain eternal half-emperor could succeed, especially in winning the most thrilling "innate coup," lies in two words: "family slaves"...

"Family members" and "servants."

These are existences that can truly risk their lives for you at critical moments!

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong maintained their cupped-hand posture throughout, responding in unison upon hearing this, their voices sounding even more clanging than before: "We will strictly obey the Master's orders!"

Chen Yan raised his hand to press down lightly and spoke calmly: "Back to the main point, the raw materials for ice making, such as saltpeter, sunshade sheds, pottery vats, wooden racks, and other items..."

He paused and continued: "Muzhi will solve them for you!"

Not only the collection of raw materials, but even a large amount of startup capital was approved...

After Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong sat down, they responded almost simultaneously: "Yes."

As soon as the words fell, they turned to look at Liu Mu Zhi standing beside Chen Yan, their eyes full of respect, and their tone added a touch of earnestness: "We have troubled you, Mr. Liu!"

As for Old Liu, the private soldiers in the mansion were all familiar with him, and they often sought Old Liu's advice on matters.

Liu Mu Zhi had been standing quietly to the side, his fingertips twisting the corner of his sleeve; hearing this, he nodded slightly, his voice gentle but steady: "You two are too polite!"

Chen Yan leaned over and took out several neatly folded land deeds from the wooden box at the corner of the desk, pushed them forward, and they stopped just in front of the two: "I have selected several residences in the suburbs, which occupy a large area, just right to be used as the initial production site!"

He paused and continued: "As for the expansion after the business gets going, you will have to manage it yourselves..."

Having confiscated so many families before, the foundation had been accumulated...

One of the things least lacking now was residential land!

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong pinched the land deeds with both hands, their fingertips applying slight force, and their voices were even more solemn than before as they bowed and reported together: "Understood!"

Seeing this, Chen Yan tapped his fingertips on the table, the crisp sound causing the two to focus their eyes immediately, and he said: "As for the market channels for selling in Chang'an, the current Mingjing Si Chief Li Tan and Azure Dragon Mirror Master You Xian will solve it!"

"You only need to focus on production!"

It was not just pulling Li Tan and You Xian into the partnership, but also Yu Xuan, the Houmochen brothers, A Ze, A Xiang, and others.

As the saying goes, make money together, and it just happens to bind interests.

This was also the second reason why Chen was not afraid of the technology being stolen, and it was the most important reason...

After all, to mix in society, one must have power and background.

Even if one is gifted, if it is stolen, it cannot be kept.

The two looked at each other, then straightened their backs and responded in unison: "Yes."

Chen Zhunxu's hand hanging at his side clenched quietly, and waves had already risen in his heart: "As expected of the successor designated by the Old Master!"

"Everything has been considered!"

The respect in his eyes deepened a bit more.

At that moment, his admiration for the Old Master's vicious eye for talent increased even more...

At the same time, he was even more glad that his bet at the time had not been misled by Chen Tongyuan's performance, that he had chosen a wise master and preserved his future wealth!

Chen Yan raised his hand to tap his forehead lightly, as if remembering something, lowered his eyes to ponder for a moment, then narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone sinking, but adding a layer of consideration: "Miss Lu Ning is also idle in the mansion; you can discuss with her when selling!"

He paused and added: "Miss Lu has a delicate mind and a deep family heritage; having her help can save a lot of detours."

The "switch" to control the human-shaped Gundam must also be bound.

It was necessary to make that woman develop a bond and sense of belonging with the Duke's Mansion...

If necessary, he could sacrifice his looks...

Moreover, keeping that woman busy could also prevent the possibility of her causing trouble!

Liu Mu Zhi, standing to the side, paused slightly, his brows furrowing lightly, as if pondering the intention behind the two words "Lu Ning."

A moment later, a flash of light suddenly crossed his eyes, and he understood instantly: "The Master wants this daughter of the Wu Jun Lu clan to offer advice and make the best use of her talents!"

The two heard clearly and nodded together immediately, their voices efficient: "Understood!"

As soon as the words fell, Chen Tong leaned forward slightly, cupped his hands, and offered advice with a touch of caution yet firmness: "Master, this subordinate thinks that we can gradually lower the price according to the increase in production to occupy the market as quickly as possible!"

In Chen Tong's view, the biggest advantage they had in doing this business, besides technology and cost, was that they were backed by the Duke's Mansion and had a Master with overwhelming power to support them!

There was no need to worry about being retaliated against or sanctioned by those guys banding together; they could completely use a price war to squeeze out competitors and dominate the market...

She twisted her body desperately, trying to break free, her hands waving wildly and slapping the bailiffs' arms.

But the bailiffs remained as motionless as if cast in iron, instead increasing the force of their grip, pinning her firmly to the ground.

Su Linyue struggled to lift her head, her hair disheveled and sticking to her tear-stained face, her gaze passing through the surrounding bailiffs and looking straight at Chen Yan, who was standing not far away, her voice trembling with urgency: "Lord Chen Yan, you've arrested the wrong person!"

After speaking, fighting spirit burned in his eyes.

After occupying the Chang'an market, they could quickly spread to other prefectures and counties...

They could even take the business to the Qi State in the east and the Liang Kingdom in the south.

Chen Yan seemed to remember something, raised his hand suddenly, tapped his fingertips lightly in the air, and his tone instantly added a touch of solemnity: "There is one more thing to remember—after the first batch of ice is produced, don't be in a hurry to sell it; you must pack it properly and send it to the mansions of the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, Grand Guardian, and other lords immediately!"

"And supply their mansions regularly!"

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong looked at each other, understood the intention instantly, nodded solemnly, clenched their hands involuntarily, and responded in unison: "This subordinate understands!"

Whether they accept it or not is not important; the point is to be sensible...

Chen Yan blinked and said calmly: "By the way, there is one more thing for calling you here!"

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong stood up immediately to cup their hands, their backs held straight, and responded respectfully: "Please give your instructions, Master!"

The smile on Chen Yan's face faded a bit, his gaze became stern, and his tone also sank, but added a layer of consideration: "In these few days, from the private soldiers of the Duke's Mansion, plus their descendants, pick three or five eighteen or nineteen-year-old talents who are highly skilled in martial arts, loyal and pure in thought, and have brains, and hand their names to Muzhi!"

After speaking, he raised his finger to point at Liu Mu Zhi, who was standing quietly beside him.

Chen Zhunxu furrowed his brows, a touch of confusion appearing on his face, but he still maintained the cupped-hand posture and asked cautiously: "Master, are you planning to...?"

Chen Yan slowly hooked a smile of profound meaning at the corners of his mouth, that smile hidden in the depths of his eyes, the light beneath it becoming increasingly deep, his body leaning forward slightly, and he said word by word: "I want to recommend them into the Imperial Guard!"

It was time to start laying out the plan...

The Imperial Guard would be the most critical link in the future...

Chen Zhunxu and Chen Tong's pupils shrank suddenly, light bursting from their eyes instantly, the excitement in their chests almost breaking through their throats, but they still forcibly suppressed it, only letting their voices carry a touch of uncontrollable tremor, bowing and cupping their hands together, their movements even more urgent than before: "Yes."

They didn't know what Chen Yan's plan was...

But they knew that this would lead to key cultivation and a limitless future!

Chen Yan raised his hand to wave lightly, "Go!"

Liu Mu Zhi also walked over, the three stood side by side, and bowed to Chen Yan together: "This subordinate takes his leave!"

Immediately, without further words, they turned and walked out of the study together.

Chen Yan had just closed his eyes to rest his mind, and not even half a cup of tea had passed when a soft, gentle call came to his ears: "A Yan!"

"Mingyue?"

He opened his eyes slowly, looked in the direction of the sound, his gaze landing on the pretty, long-legged figure beside him, and asked with a smile: "Why are you here?"

Saying this, he reached out to pull her in front of him and took the opportunity to pull her into his arms.

His nose was filled with the faint scent of fragrant soap; he lowered his head to sniff lightly, the corners of his mouth hooking into a playful smile: "Still after bathing..."

He paused, his fingertips scraping lightly across Dantai Mingyue's cheek, and teased: "Don't tell me that seeing Zhiqing give birth to a son and Suiwan pregnant with twins, you are anxious and ready to find me to work hard together?"

Dantai Mingyue was teased until her cheeks instantly flushed, even the tips of her ears turning pink; she shook her head hurriedly to deny it, her voice light and urgent: "No!"

Saying this, her eyes drifted unconsciously elsewhere, carrying a touch of obvious guilt.

She gripped Chen Yan's sleeve before lowering her voice, her tone adding a touch of seriousness: "There is serious business..."

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows, his fingertips rubbing lightly against her long legs resting on his knees, his tone carrying a touch of lazy teasing, the tail of his voice rising slightly: "Oh?"

Dantai Mingyue took a deep breath, the flush on her face gradually fading, replaced by a touch of seriousness: "Young Master Ze has come to the mansion carrying a jar of wine!"