Chapter 476: Du Gou: The Two of Us Still Follow You

"The Money Shop's development is excellent; currently the Money Shop in Weinan County has taken in 700,000 strings of cash and lent out over 500,000 strings."

Xu Lianyue rose and replied, "I have reviewed the depositors' information; about eighty percent of this money was saved by ordinary Weinan County citizens. Some relatively wealthy merchants do have deposits, but only small amounts. I guess they are still watching and dare not deposit on a large scale."

"I think there's no need to force this group; we should quickly open branches in Chang'an and nearby counties. As time passes and the Money Shop's reputation grows, depositing becomes mainstream, and then these people will naturally bring their money in."

She paused while speaking, "Furthermore, under current conditions many of our Money Shop plans remain unimplementable, such as depositing in Weinan County and withdrawing elsewhere."

"We need to expand the Money Shop even faster to achieve that."

Chen Yan pondered, "It's not simple; it's easy to talk about, but implementing will certainly encounter many difficulties."

"We must create certificates that cannot be forged to prevent people from exploiting loopholes to siphon money, and we also need a complete rapid information transmission system and devise a method to handle accounting issues."

"Let's first expand in Chang'an City and the surrounding area; we can still control this region. For farther places… let's think first and discuss a solution before proceeding."

"Alright." Xu Lianyue responded, and sat down again.

Chen Yan glanced at her and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Xu Lianyue… does she look like a secretary?

"Brother Chen, a couple of days ago the old man sent me a message, subtly hinting that we might be returning to Chang'an."

Du Gou suddenly interjected, interrupting Chen Yan's thoughts.

At the same time, Xu Lianyue's complexion turned pale for a moment.

However, neither of them noticed.

Chen Yan mused, "Someone has told me openly and covertly that this return to Chang'an might happen this year."

"Too fast," Du Gou said, not surprised, somewhat sighing, "I thought we'd stay in Weinan County for three to five years, but it's only been a little over a year, less than two, and we're already heading back."

"Plans can't keep up with change, that's normal," Chen Yan said with a headache, "Weinan County's development is too rapid; if it continues orderly, it should become the most prosperous county besides Chang'an in just a few years."

"I recall, the last time, your father and Lord Fang intended to have me take Lord Wei's position; this time returning, even Changsun Wujie said to let me succeed his role."

"More importantly, not only is the Chang'an court's situation changing, but the world's situation is also shifting. War is about to break out, and His Majesty, who has already seen the outcome, will not let us stay leisurely in Weinan County."

"He is definitely eager to grab us and make us ox and horse back there."

Ox and horse…

Du Gou's forehead showed two black lines.

The term 'ox and horse' is indeed fitting, but isn't it a bit harsh?

At that moment, Xu Lianyue suddenly asked, "If you all leave, what will happen to Weinan County?"

Chen Yan hesitated, "They probably won't all leave. I guess the ones departing are me, Du Gou, and Fang Yizhi and Ma Zhou—four people. Li Yifu and his three companions should stay for a while to avoid chaos."

"Let's not talk about that," Du Gou asked brightly, "Have you decided what you'll do when we return to Chang'an? You aren't really going to take Lord Wei's or Changsun Wujie's position, are you?"

Chen Yan rolled his eyes, "The way you say that, as if I could just do whatever I want? Everything is arranged by the higher‑ups."

"Just drop it," Du Gou said, clearly not believing, "Even if you could do whatever you want, that's about it."

"Whatever position you want, aren't you the one who privately discusses it with His Majesty?"

"If my father, Lord Fang, and His Majesty truly want you to take Lord Wei's position, would anyone else have a chance to refuse?"

"I guess this is His Majesty's test, to see your attitude. I recall last year His Majesty wanted you to enter the Ministry of Revenue, first supporting a puppet as Minister of Revenue, and when you're a bit older, let you officially take over."

"Now taking Lord Wei's position isn't excessive."

"He now also oversees a Great Tang Daily, doesn't he?"

Chen Yan waved his hands repeatedly, "Forget it, Lord Wei's position is too high for me. I heard the Director of the Imperial Stables is a good post; later I'll recommend myself to His Majesty."

"…what post?"

Du Gou was stunned for a moment, his voice suddenly rising.

"Director of the Imperial Stables!"

Du Gou: "......"

"Isn't his mother… not raising horses?"

"What's wrong with raising horses!" Chen Yan said earnestly, "Isn't the Director of the Imperial Stables an official? Isn't it a contribution to the Tang Dynasty?"

"As long as I serve the country with one heart, why worry about the rank of the office?"

"I could go to you!" Du Gou, unable to hold back, retorted, "What one‑heart‑for‑the‑country? I think you're just trying to slack off. Self‑recommending? Go ahead and recommend yourself!"

"If His Majesty agrees to let you be that damn Director of the Imperial Stables, from now on, you let me go east and I won't go west!"

Chen Yan made a strange expression, saying softly, "You speak as if you're not already the same now."

Du Gou: "......"

"That's irrelevant." Du Gou waved his hand, came over, and clasped his shoulder, "Stop pulling me into this, just tell me, where exactly are you going?"

"I'll discuss with Brother Fang; the two of us will still follow you."

To be honest, following Chen Yan, Du Gou and Fang Yizhi really went all in.

How to describe it… you can see with the naked eye that their future is boundless.

Think back to when Li Shimin sent them over to implement the so‑called economic circulation, and Chen Yan handled everything splendidly.

Money was earned, the people became rich, and the county's development flourished.

During that time they also did many jaw‑dropping things, such as creating a flagless cavalry.

It far exceeded Li Shimin's original expectations.

Follow Chen Yan; although he doesn't handle affairs directly and they work hard, Chen Yan can lift them up!

Look now, hasn't he already lifted them up?

In less than two years, how many times have they entered His Majesty's and those high officials' sight?

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi have already agreed: they'll still follow Chen Yan when they return!

"I really don't know," Chen Yan shook his head, "It depends on the higher‑up arrangements; I guess it'll be either the Secretariat or the Ministry of Revenue."

"Because Lord Wei's burden has indeed become heavier, and also Wang Gui should step down, the vacant spot could be filled either by Lord Wei's successor or by Dai Zhou."

"Let's send these two up; it will also free a position, and it's the place His Majesty wants me to go, so besides the Secretariat it's the Ministry of Revenue."

Xu Lianyue stared at the two in consultation, her smile becoming increasingly forced, and a bitter feeling welled up inside her.