Chapter 155

This time!

Even for Bu Wan, who had always been steady and calm, his heart was churning at this moment, unable to return to tranquility for a long time.

However, in front of outsiders, Bu Wan still did not show his emotions, forcefully suppressing the excitement in his heart. Judging from the words of the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander this time, Crown Prince Zhu Biao had already regarded him with special favor and high regard.

As long as the day of returning to the capital arrived, his rise to prominence and rapid advancement would be just around the corner.

After all, someone who had gained the regard of Zhu Biao was a future pillar of the nation!

Of course.

Bu Wan also knew clearly in his heart that the political achievements obtained solely from governing this piece of land in Daning Prefecture were far from enough to truly catch the eye of the current Crown Prince.

After all.

The Great Ming Empire had a vast territory, and there were countless Prefects. Although he held great power, wanting to stand out among these many officials and have the Crown Prince personally send someone to convey an oral decree was simply a rare existence.

This time.

The reason he was able to receive this great honor, tracing it to its root, had only one reason, and that was naturally because of one person: Zhu Ying.

Besides this, there was no other possibility.

"Invisibly, I have actually owed that kid a huge favor."

"If it weren't for his dazzling performance on the Liaodong battlefield and his illustrious military merits, how could I, a small Prefect living in a border region, have the honor of entering the eyes of the current Crown Prince?" Bu Wan thought to himself, filled with gratitude toward Zhu Ying.

Being on good terms with Zhu Ying was indeed the most correct thing to do!

Just at this moment.

A burst of footsteps came from inside Zhu Fu.

A group of Jin Wuwei were seen quickly walking out from Zhu Fu.

Among them, one Jin Wuwei ran quickly to the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander outside the mansion, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the Battalion Commander, all the items rewarded by the Crown Prince have been moved into Zhu Fu and properly settled."

"The servants have also all been handed over to Zhu Fu."

Hearing this.

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander nodded slightly, then walked to Shen Yuer, smiled, bowed, and said with a smile, "Lady Zhu, the Crown Prince also has a handwritten letter, specifically ordering me to hand it to you personally."

After saying this.

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander slowly took out a letter from his bosom, held it solemnly with both hands, and presented it to Shen Yuer.

Even if it was not an imperial decree, it was still a letter from the current Crown Prince and could not be neglected.

"This subject's wife receives the Crown Prince's letter."

Seeing this, Shen Yuer's expression also showed respect, and she took the letter with both hands.

After receiving the letter.

Shen Yuer subconsciously looked at Bu Wan on the side, with a questioning intent, after all, she did not know whether she should open it now.

Sensing Shen Yuer's seeking gaze.

Bu Wan smiled slightly and nodded, signaling that she could open the letter directly to check.

Having received Bu Wan's nod, Shen Yuer then reached out and opened the letter.

After all.

Her husband had specifically instructed before going on the expedition that when facing matters related to the government and the imperial court, she could follow Bu Wan's advice and just look for him if there was anything, as for the business in the mansion, it could be left entirely to Lin Fu to manage.

After opening the letter.

Shen Yuer carefully finished reading the letter in her hand, and her complexion changed slightly.

Subsequently.

Shen Yuer walked to Bu Wan's side, with a bit of trepidation on her face, and said softly, "Uncle Bu, the Crown Prince invited me to go to Ying Tian in the letter."

Hearing this, Bu Wan was slightly stunned at first, then a smile appeared on his face, and he immediately laughed, "Yuer, this is a huge good thing!"

"Being able to receive a personal invitation from the Crown Prince to go to Ying Tian, this kind of honor is not something everyone can get!"

After hearing Bu Wan's words, the worry in Shen Yuer's heart eased a little, and then she turned her gaze to the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander on the side.

Seeing this, the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander immediately understood, stepped forward, and said respectfully, "Lady, the Crown Prince specifically instructed that this time we Jin Wuwei will return to Ying Tian with you throughout the journey to protect your safety with all our might."

"Then... I wonder if we can delay the departure for a few days?"

"Now my husband is on a northern expedition, and there are still many things in the mansion that I need to arrange properly."

Shen Yuer asked tentatively.

"I wonder if the Crown Prince set a specific departure date in the letter?" The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander also asked tentatively.

"It was not mentioned." Shen Yuer shook her head, then slowly said, "The Crown Prince only said in the letter that after I arrange the affairs of the mansion properly, I can set off immediately."

Hearing this, the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander immediately smiled, "In that case, we Jin Wuwei will wait for you in Daning City for a few more days."

"The Crown Prince specifically instructed that we must ensure the safety of your family and return to Ying Tian without any mistakes."

"Thank you all for your trouble." Shen Yuer said softly.

"Someone!"

Bu Wan suddenly shouted loudly.

An official wearing official robes, after hearing the shout, quickly ran over and bowed respectfully to Bu Wan: "My lord, what are your orders?"

"Immediately go and tidy up the post house to treat the Jin Wuwei soldiers well."

Bu Wan looked at the subordinate in front of him and arranged immediately.

"Yes! My lord!"

The official responded, turned around, and walked quickly toward the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander, leading the Jin Wuwei to the post house with a warm smile and extreme courtesy.

After everyone left.

Inside Zhu Fu.

Shen Yuer and Bu Wan came to a pavilion.

Shen Yuer looked around, confirmed that there was no one there, and asked softly with a sense of worry in her expression, "Uncle Bu, why do you think the Crown Prince suddenly summoned me to Ying Tian?"

"Just now outside, there were too many people, and it was not easy for me to ask too directly."

"Yuer, just now outside, there were indeed too many people, and I didn't dare to speak too clearly."

"But now I can say it."

"Regarding this summons from the Crown Prince, you must understand this point: when a general is abroad, holding heavy troops and power, the imperial court will inevitably take measures to check and balance."

Bu Wan said with a serious expression, looking at Shen Yuer.

Hearing this.

Shen Yuer was slightly stunned at first, then suddenly realized, and said softly, "So that's how it is, I understand."

"Military power, in any dynasty, is the key point that the imperial court is most wary of."

"Generally speaking, for generals commanding large armies to fight abroad, in order to ensure the stability of military power and the loyalty of the generals, the imperial court will inevitably keep their families in the capital as a means of check and balance, only then can they feel at ease to use them boldly."

"If following past precedents, when Zhu Ying was promoted to Regional Military Commissioner, although he had made many illustrious military merits, he was still young and had no family in the capital, so according to common sense, he had no chance to obtain such a high position."

"But fortunately, the current Crown Prince values him highly and appreciates him exceptionally, which allowed him to be promoted smoothly."

"Now summoning you to Ying Tian, first, it is naturally to check and balance the military power in Zhu Ying's hands, and second, it is also to make comprehensive preparations for Zhu Ying to go to Ying Tian to pay respects to His Majesty after his triumphant return from the northern expedition."

Bu Wan analyzed patiently, his words revealing a deep insight and precise grasp of the court situation.

After all, Bu Wan was also an old hand who had been in the officialdom for many years.

"Uncle Bu, I understand."

"In order to make the imperial court have no guard against my husband, and for my husband's greater future, I must go to Ying Tian, and I must stay there with peace of mind."

"Only in this way can my husband go further and more smoothly in his future official career."

Shen Yuer nodded seriously, having already thoroughly understood the deep meaning of the Crown Prince's summons to Ying Tian.

Bu Wan nodded with a smile and said in a gentle tone, "It would be best if you can understand the pros and cons."

"Zhu Ying has now made great contributions to the country again, and the Emperor and the Crown Prince only rely on and appreciate him."

"Summoning you to live in Ying Tian is also to stop the mouths of those with ulterior motives in the court, so that in the future, when Zhu Ying has another chance for promotion, he will not encounter too many obstacles and twists and turns."

"Speaking of which, I have to congratulate you properly this time."

"Yuer, the status of a titled lady is a great honor that all women in the world dream of!"

"Possessing this status, there is no need to perform the kneeling ceremony when meeting the monarch, and you can also enjoy the generous salary of the imperial court, which is simply as noble as possessing a title."

Speaking of this, Bu Wan could not help but flash a look of undisguised envy in his eyes.

Although he could not get the title, Bu Wan also wanted to get a title!

It's just that.

Except for those founding heroes of the past, the number of people who have obtained titles is becoming fewer and fewer.

Zhu Ying might be the only person in these years to be granted a title, and it is a hereditary title at that.

"All of this was obtained by my husband through his military merits of life and death on the battlefield, I am just lucky to have benefited from his light."

Shen Yuer said softly, with a happy and proud smile on her face.

"Haha, don't belittle yourself."

"You gave birth to a son for Zhu Ying and continued his bloodline, just because of this point, his glory should naturally have a share of yours." Bu Wan said with a smile.

"Alright, I won't delay you in preparing for the itinerary anymore."

"These few days, you can just arrange the affairs of the mansion with peace of mind."

"Taking advantage of the Jin Wuwei protecting you all the way, you can bring more trusted servants to Ying Tian."

"At the beginning, the Emperor and the Crown Prince specifically bestowed a mansion on Zhu Ying in Ying Tian, you can settle down there first, and when Zhu Ying returns triumphantly, you can return directly to your home in Ying Tian."

After Bu Wan finished his instructions, he turned and left with a smile.

After Bu Wan left, Lin Fu walked over quickly.

Looking at Shen Yuer, Lin Fu's expression was respectful, and he said softly, "Young Lady, the Crown Prince's summons is a matter of great importance and cannot be ignored."

"The main thing that needs to be prepared in the mansion now is related to the business dealings with Beiping Prefecture."

"I have already properly instructed these in advance, and there shouldn't be any major problems."

Shen Yuer nodded gently as she listened to Lin Fu's words.

Although she felt a little helpless that Lin Fu always called her "Young Lady," she had long been used to it.

Zhu Ying and his wife had always regarded Lin Fu as the closest elder, not a servant at all. Shen Yuer had repeatedly begged Lin Fu to call her by her name, but Lin Fu always insisted on not changing his address, and over time, it became a fixed habit of address.

"Uncle Lin, do you plan to go to Ying Tian with me?" Shen Yuer asked.

"The Young Lady and the Young Master are the lifeblood of our family. If this old servant doesn't follow, I really can't feel at ease." Lin Fu smiled and said very seriously.

For Lin Fu, he lived his whole life for Zhu Ying and his Young Master.

"But the business in Daning Prefecture and Beiping Prefecture still needs you to manage, this is my husband's hard work." Shen Yuer said with some worry.

"Young Lady, don't worry."

"When we were in Beiping, this old servant had already cultivated some loyal confidants for the Young Master."

"Now those old craftsmen in the winery are all loyal and devoted to the Young Master, and they have also been recognized by the Young Master."

"In addition, this old servant has also cultivated some managers who can stand on their own, they are enough to deal with various affairs of the restaurant and winery, so there will be no problems in terms of business."

"Furthermore..."

When Lin Fu said this, he suddenly paused, scanned the surroundings vigilantly, and after confirming that no one was approaching, he lowered his voice and said, "The mansion is full of death soldiers carefully trained by the Young Master, and arrangements have also been made in the restaurant and winery."

"Once there is any abnormality in the industry, they will naturally take action at the first time to ensure that there is no mistake."

"So, Young Lady doesn't need to worry too much, the Young Master has long been far-sighted and arranged everything extremely properly."

Shen Yuer nodded again as she listened to Lin Fu's words, but there was still some unease on her face: "I only thought about being able to stay with my husband for a long time, but I didn't expect that it would become his fetter now. The imperial court summoning us to Ying Tian, in the final analysis, is to check and balance my husband, sigh..."

"As a subject, this is an unavoidable helpless move."

"But from another perspective, after the Young Lady goes to Ying Tian, the Young Master can build his career on the battlefield with more peace of mind."

"In the future, his path can also go more smoothly and further." Lin Fu comforted with a smile.

…………

Ying Tian Prefecture!

Ying Tian City.

The capital of the Great Ming Empire.

This place is crowded with powerful and noble people, prosperous and flourishing, fully displaying the majesty and style of the royal family.

The Shen family.

Although the mansion they moved to now is not small in scale, the place where it is located is not the most prosperous and bustling core area of Ying Tian where every inch of land is worth an inch of gold.

As a merchant family, the Shen family is restricted and constrained by many strict rules in this capital.

Even if they are rich enough to rival a nation and possess vast wealth, it is difficult for them to purchase a mansion near the inner city and close to the imperial palace.

All this is because the current Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang personally set the law, clearly stipulating that merchants are not allowed to wear gorgeous clothes, and Zhu Yuanzhang has always been extremely disgusted with profit-seeking merchants.

At this moment!

Shen Wansan is sitting upright in the inner hall of the Shen family mansion.

He is flipping through the account books on the table, his brows locked, focused and solemn, and the brush in his hand occasionally circles and dots on the account books, recording various accounts and losses.

It has been more than a year since arriving in Ying Tian Prefecture, and the Shen family's industries have gradually expanded and developed during this period.

However.

Judging from the accounts, many places are still in a state of loss, which makes Shen Wansan worried.

Just at this time.

A burst of hurried and flustered footsteps broke the silence of the inner hall.

Shen Wansan's eldest son Shen Rong and second son Shen Mao rushed in with flustered expressions and hurried footsteps.

"Dad, it's not good!"

The two shouted almost in unison.

Hearing this, Shen Wansan's face sank, he put down the account book in his hand, his brows furrowed, and he scolded sternly: "What's the panic! What kind of decorum is this! What exactly happened?"

"Second brother sent an urgent message that many of our Shen family's merchant teams in Beiping Prefecture have been robbed!"

"All the goods were looted, and the people in the merchant teams were almost all killed, with none spared."

"Moreover, this is not an accidental event, but more than a dozen merchant teams have encountered the same situation, being robbed clean, suffering heavy casualties, with no survivors escaping."

Shen Rong's face was ugly, he held a letter from Beiping Prefecture tightly in his hand, and said with a trembling voice.

"What?"

Hearing this, Shen Wansan suddenly widened his eyes, his old face full of shock and disbelief.

After carefully scanning the expressions of his two sons and confirming that what they said was true, he asked urgently: "How much was lost? Speak quickly!"

"The exact news returned now is that eighteen merchant teams suffered a disaster, more than three hundred servants lost their lives, and the money lost by the merchant teams adds up to nearly three thousand gold."

Shen Rong's voice was heavy, his face full of anxiety and helplessness.

Three thousand gold!

This is not a small amount.

Hearing this.

Shen Wansan fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on Shen Rong, and asked: "Beiping Prefecture has always been peaceful, with very few mountain bandits and evil people appearing, why did so many suddenly emerge this time?"

"Moreover, the servants of our Shen family's merchant teams are all strictly trained and equipped with weapons, even if they encounter ordinary mountain bandits, they should have enough ability to resist for a while, why did they end up like this this time?"

"Father, Beiping Prefecture is indeed always stable, with few disasters."

"Second brother has already checked carefully, in the entire Beiping Prefecture, except for our Shen family's merchant teams that were robbed and killed, other merchant teams are all safe and sound, without suffering any looting, and there are no casualties."

"These mountain bandits that suddenly appeared seem to be specifically targeting our Shen family, just wanting to rob our goods and kill our people."

Shen Rong's expression was solemn, his tone full of anger and incomprehension.

After the merchant teams had an accident, Shen Wang, who stayed in Beiping, launched an in-depth investigation at the first time, and was surprised to find that only the Shen family's merchant teams were subjected to such inhumane robbery and killing.

The merchant teams of other merchant families did not encounter it.

Hearing this.

A look of ferocity flashed in Shen Wansan's old eyes.

As a big merchant who has been roaming the business world and running businesses since the Yuan Dynasty, he is not a soft-hearted person.

In the cruel competition of the business world, in order to compete for interests, things like killing people and seizing goods were not uncommon in the past.

Although after the founding of the Great Ming, the laws became more and more strict, and such bloody things decreased, the secret struggles and contests have never really stopped.

"Have you found out clearly which force is targeting our Shen family behind the scenes?"

"Especially those competitors who have direct conflicts of interest with us."

Shen Wansan asked in a deep voice.

In his rich experience and calculating mind, such behavior targeting the Shen family must stem from hatred or intense conflict of interest, besides this, there is absolutely no other possibility.

"Dad, second brother has already tried his best to check."

"But this group of mountain bandits is extremely cunning, scattered in every corner of Beiping Prefecture, and not a single servant of the merchant teams could escape from their hands, so there is no way to know their origin and identity."

"Second brother's investigation has also reached a deadlock, with no clue."

"Moreover, now the Great Ming is conducting a northern expedition, and the troops stationed in Beiping Prefecture have all set out, which makes Beiping Prefecture even less peaceful." Shen Rong said helplessly, full of frustration and annoyance.

"Dad, judging from the news sent back by second brother, this group of mountain bandits is definitely not ordinary rabble."

"The people we died were almost all killed with one blow, either their hearts were pierced by sharp blades, or their throats were cut, with almost no other way of death."

"These people are well-trained elites."

"Being able to attack so many of our Shen family's merchant teams and train so many elites, they are definitely not ordinary mountain bandits."

Shen Mao also spoke at this time, his face also very ugly, but there was also strong worry and fear in his words.

"Not ordinary mountain bandits?"

Shen Wansan's face became more and more gloomy.

Leaning on the chair, he fell into deep thought, constantly thinking about countermeasures in his mind.

After all.

The robbery incident this time happened too strangely.

And.

Can't find anyone, can't find any trace.

Isn't this too terrible?

……

(End of chapter)