Chapter 91

Night fell.

“Marquis Wenguan, the Elder Ancestor requests your presence in the study.” A servant holding a lantern stood at the door to deliver the message.

Lu Fang gathered the papers on his desk bearing his draft of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” rose, and followed the servant toward the rear of the Shen family estate. Along the way, the Shen family’s patrol squads had not diminished, but their expressions had grown noticeably more relaxed.

To these people, the Shen family’s Elder Ancestor was the anchor that held the sea steady; as long as he was in charge, nothing was a problem.

Indeed, had not Shen Kangbo slain a Semi-Sage just that day?

After walking about the length of an incense stick’s burn,

Lu Fang arrived at the study to find not only Shen Kangbo inside, but also Shen Qi Cheng, Shen Qi Heng, and Shen Squad Leader. For some reason, their expressions were grim, heavy with worry.

“Marquis Wenguan,” Shen Kangbo said with a neutral expression, unreadable as to pleasure or displeasure, “I hear you came this time regarding the nationwide dissemination of the Great Zhou Gazette?”

Lu Fang nodded and smiled. “Yes, I hope Elder Ancestor Shen will fund the spread of the Great Zhou Gazette across the nineteen provinces.”

Shen Kangbo smiled but said nothing.

Shen Squad Leader stepped forward, tilting her chin slightly in arrogance. “Does the Marquis Wenguan not know that our Elder Ancestor has already declared he will not interfere with the Great Zhou Gazette?”

“I know.” Lu Fang gave a wry smile.

Shen Squad Leader snorted. “And do you know our Elder Ancestor’s word is absolute?”

“His Majesty the Emperor mentioned it once in passing.”

Lu Fang appropriately invoked the Son of Heaven—though He Zixuan had advised against it, subtly reminding the Shen family that imperial authority still held weight.

Shen Squad Leader frowned, glancing back at Shen Kangbo’s back, then paused and said:

“Just now, Elder Ancestor and my two uncles agreed to entrust me with managing the Shen family’s business. Given the recent turmoil within the Shen family, and your earnest efforts to aid us, tell me—what benefit would the Shen family gain from funding the Great Zhou Gazette’s spread?”

“Let me remind you beforehand: the Shen family donates sufficient silver to the imperial treasury every year.”

“Moreover, the Shen family conducts relief and charity across Great Zhou. If you cannot convince me, I will not approve funding for the Great Zhou Gazette’s dissemination.”

“Not even you, Marquis Wenguan, nor anyone else, will change my mind.”

Shen Qi Cheng smiled. “Marquis Wenguan, personal favors are one thing, but spreading the Great Zhou Gazette requires enormous expenditure—and whether it yields profit or loss remains uncertain. We must see your plan and guarantees of return.”

Before Lu Fang could speak,

Shen Squad Leader shook her head.

“Don’t say I’m harsh, Marquis Wenguan—you’re talented, able to write captivating elegant prose one after another. But what then? Can you guarantee your next work will still be elegant?”

“I understand.” Lu Fang nodded with a smile.

As long as they wanted to negotiate! If he hadn’t already prepared how to persuade the Shen family, he wouldn’t have rushed here via the teleportation array.

“First, I cannot guarantee that my next story will be elegant prose—but as a format, the Great Zhou Gazette is destined to become a timeless, unerasable model for millennia.”

“And even without me, Lu Fang, Great Zhou has countless capable scholars. If I cannot write elegant prose or compelling tales, can’t they?”

“Second, I hope the Shen family will commit as much capital as possible to ensure the Great Zhou Gazette spreads across all nineteen provinces within half a year.”

Shen Squad Leader waited, but when no further words came, she frowned. “Even if what you say makes sense, how will profits from selling the Great Zhou Gazette be divided?”

“All profits from selling the Great Zhou Gazette must go to the imperial treasury.” Lu Fang’s words left everyone in the room stunned—except Shen Kangbo.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Did I hear that right?” Shen Squad Leader’s wide eyes filled with disbelief. Seeing Lu Fang nod, her face darkened. “May I ask, Marquis Wenguan—what benefit does the Shen family gain if we spend vast sums to spread the Great Zhou Gazette and receive nothing in return? Ha! I see no point in continuing this discussion—the Shen family will not…”

Lu Fang interrupted: “Although the profits from selling the Great Zhou Gazette cannot go to the Shen family, that does not mean the Shen family gains nothing.”

“What benefit, then?” Shen Squad Leader crossed her arms defensively, her tone sharp.

Lu Fang spoke calmly: “The Shen family’s business network spans all nineteen provinces of Great Zhou. With this foundation, you alone can facilitate the Gazette’s spread more easily than anyone else. This is your unparalleled opportunity.”

Shen Squad Leader laughed bitterly. “So according to you, we should thank you?”

“No need for thanks,” Lu Fang smiled faintly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can authorize the Shen family to operate a dedicated commercial section within the Great Zhou Gazette. You may use it to advertise your own businesses—for instance, announcing your operations in each region.”

“Shen Family Auction House: whatever you need, we have it. Nothing is beyond your imagination, nothing beyond your reach.”

“Shen Family Restaurant ‘Century-Old Brand’: exquisite food, fair prices, pleasant ambiance—cuisine from every corner of Great Zhou.”

“Imagine this: the benefit the Shen family gains would far surpass mere silver and gold. What would your influence become then?”

“This…” Shen Squad Leader was speechless.

Shen Qi Cheng drew a sharp breath. “If this happens, our family’s businesses would soar beyond measure.”

Shen Qi Heng said nothing, but his stunned expression and swallowed saliva made it clear he, too, was awestruck by Lu Fang’s proposal.

Not just the three of them—even Shen Kangbo briefly showed signs of deep thought. To them, Lu Fang’s idea was too bold, too novel.

Not just the three of them, even Shen Kangbo briefly showed a thoughtful expression; to them, Lu Fang’s proposal was too bold and novel.

“If I were in charge of the Shen family, I would move at once—deploy every available fund to ensure the Great Zhou Gazette spreads. Only then can we secure true control over it.”

Shen Squad Leader turned to Shen Kangbo, her eyes asking for his judgment.

Her expression betrayed her: had the matter not been so grave, she would have agreed on the spot. This was undeniably a monumental opportunity for the Shen family.

Shen Kangbo hesitated. “Would His Majesty permit the Shen family to control the commercial section of the Great Zhou Gazette?”

Since the matter was now open,

Lu Fang no longer held back. He smiled.

“Complete control over the commercial section? Impossible—even if the court were willing, you should not accept it. Keeping it under imperial authority benefits everyone.”

“But I guarantee the Shen family a hundred-year exclusive right to operate the commercial section—on condition that you pay sixty percent of the imperial treasury’s share to fund military expenses in the northern and southern frontiers.”

“Agreed!” Shen Kangbo declared. “Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have given the imperial treasury seventy percent of our business profits.”

“But only a hundred-year control? Won’t we lose out? Even if business booms, capital is still needed to operate.”

“Only a hundred years of control over the commercial sector—won’t our Shen family lose out? After all, even if business thrives, trading still requires capital.”

“I have another plan,” Lu Fang said confidently, “that will ensure the Shen family gains substantial profits from the very beginning.”

"I have another method that will allow the Shen family to secure substantial profits from the very beginning," Lu Fang said with full confidence.