Chapter 473

Chen Wuji admitted he was ignorant and inexperienced.

He indeed didn't know that in Da Yu, poetry could also be sold for money.

If he had known earlier, when he first time-traveled he would definitely have immediately chosen to be a copywriter, first turning the poems he could remember into money, improving his life first.

Selling poetry is easier than hunting in the mountains.

However, turning poems written on paper into money, although indeed a good idea, Chen Wuji still felt it was a bit slow.

He needs to quickly open sales channels to increase Hezhou's strength.

"In Zhongyuan, do you have an existing trade route?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Yes, there is, but I suggest you first talk with Miss Qin. First, the Chen Jun Qin Clan's reputation is guaranteed, so we won't lose our things; second, with the Chen Jun Qin Clan's status, they should be able to quickly open sales channels for you, turning paper and poetry into silver, grain, and sending them to Hezhou." Xiao Yuji said.

"If I use my current trade route to do this, it can be done, but it would probably take at least three months. My trade route deals in furs; this line of business hardly connects with those scholars, requiring the merchants there to go through connections."

Chen Wuji shook his head, "You can ask her there, but hope is probably slim."

Qin Zanhong had long since fallen out with her family; although she is still the eldest daughter of the Chen Jun Qin Clan, it would probably be hard to rely on family power.

"Is Miss Qin unwilling?" Xiao Yuji asked.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "No, that's not it; it's unrelated."

"Like this, you start arranging; I'll think again if there's another way."

He actually has a relatively bold idea now.

I don't know if His Majesty the Emperor would be willing to let this rebel become an Imperial Merchant.

If we can make this deal with the palace, there may be no grain, but gold and silver will definitely be indispensable.

As they talked, they walked into Chen Wuji's courtyard in the Government Office, which is the official residence.

"Is the master back?" Yan Qiushui hurried over to greet him.

"Hmm."

Chen Wuji gave a bland response, his eyes quickly sweeping over Yan Qiushui.

Truly, one can see she is actually a woman who loves women.

Xiao Yuji sized up Yan Qiushui from head to toe, asking, "Husband, who is this…"

"Zanhong's former personal maid; we happened to meet in the city recently, and I hired her to do cleaning chores." Chen Wuji explained.

Yan Qiushui's expression stiffened instantly upon hearing Xiao Yuji's address to Chen Wuji.

She looked at Chen Wuji in disbelief, her mouth twitching, but she dared not say anything.

"Are the rooms ready?" Chen Wuji took in her expression changes without saying much more.

Such thoughts from maids of great families are many; he couldn't be bothered to be interested, as long as they don't disturb him, he doesn't care what they think, and it's none of his business.

Yan Qiushui hurriedly said, "They've already been prepared."

"Take the Thus Title: Fifth Lady to settle in first." Chen Wuji ordered.

"Yes!"

Chen Wuji led Xiao Yuji the way, then turned back to Qinzhi Hall again.

He still has quite a bit to do today; for now he has no time to talk with Xiao Yuji about the feelings of reunion after a brief separation.

This major matter is better left to be heated up tonight.

In Qinzhi Hall, he repeatedly examined the paper Xiao Zong had sent, growing more pleased the more he looked.

Although this still has great development potential, for now it is already a very fine product. The ink does not bleed, does not seep through, and has some toughness; this is good paper.

In Da Yu, paper is still at the stage of merely a concept; the literati of Da Yu had thought of this direction, but only stopped at the idea stage, with no substantive progress.

Chen Wuji now producing paper of this level is an absolute dimensional strike.

It will surely become a marvel.

It is not Chen Wuji's arrogance, but historical inevitability.

"Family Head, the grain merchants have arrived."

Chen Li appeared at the doorway, clasping his fists and shouting.

Chen Wuji saw Chen Li covered in blood, his brows knitting sharply, "Do they still dare to resist?"

"Some experts, we killed over half and captured the rest." Chen Li reported, "These people are arrogant; I revealed my identity, but they insulted me, and then they immediately attacked."

"Are you injured?" Chen Wuji asked sternly, stepping forward.

Chen Li shook his head, "I'm fine; several brothers were wounded, the enemy outnumbered us and were all experts, we unwittingly suffered a loss."

"Just wounded?"

"Just wounded." Chen Li replied, "Family Head, our strength is not weak either; we can barely be called experts, and it's actually not that easy to be taken down."

"How high is it? Even after subduing a bunch of ruffians, they still managed to wound several of ours; once healed, everyone will train harder—I'll drill anyone who doesn't die to death!" Chen Wuji shouted.

"…Yes!" Chen Li hesitated, then gave a wry smile, clasped his fists, and accepted the order.

He wanted to say the opponents truly were all experts; since they won, their strength must naturally be greater.

But he also understood Chen Wuji's meaning.

Each of these Personal Guard members is precious.

Chen Wuji walked out of the room, his domineering gaze filled with mighty authority as he looked at the dozen-odd people forced to the ground, "Who is surnamed Shi?"

A young man covered in blood in the crowd glared provocatively at Chen Wuji, "It's me; what do you want? Do you want to kill me?"

"Drag him out and chop him off!" Chen Wuji coldly waved his hand.

The two Personal Guards escorting the young man, without a word, dragged him out backwards.

That young man not only showed no fear, but loudly mocked, "Chen Wuji, your methods are too childish, trying to scare me into submission? Do you think I've been eating your father's rice for free all these years?"

"I tell you, you had better release me at once, or my uncle Lu Jinglve will have your whole family buried with me! Don't think that occupying Hezhou makes you lawless; this Hezhou has always belonged to Nan Jun, it is my uncle's Hezhou, not yours, Chen Wuji!"

Chen Wuji sneered, "Is this dead kid brain‑damaged? Among you remaining, who still can decide? Step forward, or if no one does, I'll have you all chopped."

The crowd fell into utter silence.

Just as yesterday, when Cheng Zhiheng and the other officials stood here, each of them looked like a quail.

"No one speaking? If no one speaks, drag them all away, don't waste time." Chen Wuji said.

"Wait! Wait!" someone suddenly shouted urgently, "Deputy Commander Chen, I can barely make a decision, but Young Master Shi isn't here, and I also dare not be certain whether they are all willing to listen to me."

"It's fine, if anyone is unwilling, I'll help you chop him—just tell me the name." Chen Wuji asked.