Chapter 92

“I’d like to hear the details.”

Shen Kangbo wore an expression of eager anticipation.

The others also turned to Lu Fang, curious about his proposed solution.

Lu Fang spoke slowly: “Recruit merchants! If the Shen family has no business promotion in a certain area, or feels its promotion is ineffective, it can open its commercial sector to local merchants, charging a fee to promote them.”

“Brilliant!”

Shen Kangbo beamed with delight.

Lu Fang hesitated, then finally said:

“For the Shen family, controlling a century’s worth of commercial operations can allow you to build countless brands, ensuring the Shen family benefits for hundreds, even thousands of years.”

Shen Squad Leader asked curiously: “What is a ‘brand’?”

Lu Fang expounded: “A brand is, in your terms, a leader in a certain industry—recognized for quality and reputation.”

Shen Kangbo nodded with a smile. “I understand. But this word ‘brand’—it’s truly eye-opening. Lord Wenguan, I sincerely hope you’ll become a patron of the Shen family. Are you willing?”

Lu Fang shook his head: “No need for patronage. It benefits you, benefits me, and benefits the spread of the Great Zhou Gazette.”

“Very well!” Shen Kangbo did not press further, smiling warmly. “Lord Wenguan rarely visits Wuyincheng. Let Squad Leader accompany you on a tour.”

Lu Fang politely declined. Having achieved his goal, he made no further stay, exchanged a brief farewell, and followed the servant away.

…

“No wonder he’s Lord Wenguan—today I’ve been utterly enlightened. Even if I had a hundred heads, I couldn’t have conceived of such a commercial sector.”

Shen Squad Leader sighed in admiration.

Shen Kangbo shook his head with a wry smile. Not only was Shen Squad Leader stunned—even he, a man who had dominated the business world for decades, felt his intellect crushed after hearing Lu Fang’s words.

He had only heard Lu Fang was gifted in literature, having composed multiple Xiang-level poems and elegant essays. He never imagined Lu Fang possessed such talent in commerce.

What a pity!

If only Lu Fang were a son of the Shen family.

Thinking of this, Shen Kangbo sighed: “Alas, one cannot defy old age. Squad Leader, you are now in charge of spreading the Great Zhou Gazette. Follow Lord Wenguan’s advice—aim to spread it across all nineteen provinces of Great Zhou within half a year.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Shen Squad Leader nodded in agreement.

Shen Kangbo turned to his two sons. “You two must do everything possible to assist Squad Leader in ensuring the Great Zhou Gazette’s spread.”

Shen Qicheng smiled: “Father, rest assured. I’ll join forces with my younger brother to help Squad Leader ensure the Great Zhou Gazette spreads smoothly across all nineteen provinces.”

Shen Qiheng replied, his expression grave:

“Father, the men tied to Wang Luo—before I could take control, they bit out their own tongues and died. They were highly trained, like death disciples. I truly cannot believe he managed to plant them right under our noses.”

Shen Kangbo said: “Those men were not Wang Luo’s agents. You must clean house again—look for any hidden death disciples.”

Shen Qicheng frowned: “Father, if these death disciples aren’t Wang Luo’s, could they be from some hidden great clan?”

Shen Squad Leader, hearing this, angrily asked: “Second Uncle, haven’t you found out which clan poisoned Grandfather?”

Shen Qiheng shook his head: “The enemy acted too covertly. I’ve received no clues at all.”

Shen Kangbo: “It was the Xiao family of Shangjing.”

“The Xiao family of Shangjing?”

“The Xiao family of General Xiao?”

“We’ve had no past grudge or recent quarrel with them. Why target the Shen family? What intelligence do they want from us?”

Shen Kangbo sneered: “The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince.”

Shen Qiheng suddenly understood:

“Of course! The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince is Xiao Wanlin’s grandson. The Son of Heaven is still in his prime and has not named a crown prince. The Xiao family seeks to seize the Shen family’s intelligence network to pave the way for the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince!”

Shen Kangbo snorted: “The Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince holds the greatest power among all the princes. He may truly contend for the throne one day.”

“You need not concern yourselves with this matter. I’ll handle it as circumstances require. Do not harbor hatred toward the Xiao family—pretend you know nothing.”

“There are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies. When the situation is unclear, it’s wiser to maintain good relations with all sides.”

“Otherwise, should the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince ever ascend the throne with the Xiao family’s aid, the Shen family’s vast wealth will crumble in an instant.”

“Yet, if I could choose, I would least wish for the Twenty-Seventh Imperial Prince to become emperor!”

…

The next day.

The sun rose high.

Lu Fang sent a message to Shen Kangbo and hurriedly left Shen Family Mountain. Last night, upon entering Grand Void Mountain, he learned the demon clans had sent a letter to the Zhou Son of Heaven.

A letter seeking peace.

The reason Lu Fang rushed to leave was that the demon clans demanded he give his sister, Lu Ling, in marriage to them.

Even more infuriating: some officials at court had actually proposed agreeing to this clearly humiliating condition.

“Damned Xiao family!”

Lu Fang cursed to the heavens, his expression terrifying.

“Lord Wenguan, do not worry. His Majesty will never agree to this marriage alliance.”

At the foot of the mountain, Shen Kangbo smiled.

Lu Fang snapped: “Next time I see one of those demons, I’ll kill it. Targeting me is one thing—but daring to target my family? No one gets away with it!”

Shen Kangbo sighed: “Lord Wenguan, you’ve slain so many demon barbarians in the Lesser Upper Realm—they’re deliberately provoking you. Don’t take it to heart. As for this marriage proposal, His Majesty declared three years ago: Great Zhou will never intermarry with foreign races.”

Lu Fang nodded:

“I know all this. But the Xiao family holds a grudge against me. Their disciples and former subordinates will surely make a great fuss. Old Ancestor Shen, thank you for your reassurance—but I cannot waste any more time. I must return immediately.”

Shen Kangbo: “In Wuyincheng’s auction house, there is a secret teleportation array that can transport Lord Wenguan directly outside Shangjing.”

“Your kindness needs no words of thanks.”

Lu Fang bowed.

“Leave it to me!” Shen Kangbo instantly appeared before Lu Fang. Both vanished from the mountain path.

Shen Family Auction House.

Beneath the ground, a complex Bagua ritual chamber, its channels formed by intricate arrays, exuded an ancient aura.

“Lord Wenguan, these are the Wanda Stones you sold at the auction house.”

Shen Kangbo tossed a storage bag toward Lu Fang, standing at the center.

Lu Fang caught it, glanced inside, and frowned: “Why so many Wanda Stones?”

He had already spent a great many Wanda Stones purchasing two treasures at the auction. Though he didn’t know the exact amount in the bag, it was far more than he deserved.

Shen Kangbo smiled: “Lord Wenguan has done the Shen family an immense favor. How could I charge you for anything you buy here?”

Lu Fang frowned: “One does not accept rewards without merit…”

Shen Kangbo cut him off: “Lord Wenguan, you’re more rigid than this old man. If you refuse, I won’t activate the teleportation array.”