Chapter 322

First Volume, Chapter 322: Second Sister, You Owe Me Compensation!

Liu Hongyan quickly picked up the draft, carefully counted it, her eyes growing more astonished, thinking she must be dreaming, so she counted again—so stunned that her gaze grew glassy.

Beside her, Qin Tianhu, unable to wait, asked: "Second Girl, how much money did Qin Feng bring back?"

After a long while, Liu Hongyan snapped out of her shock, her hand trembling as she clutched the bank draft, muttering: "Three… three hundred and fifteen ten thousand liang."

Hearing this figure, Qin Tianhu's hand jerked, nearly dropping his tea cup to the ground.

"H… how much?"

Liu Hongyan glanced at Qin Feng, who looked dejected, bit her thin lips, and blushed: "Father, you didn't mishear—it's three hundred and fifteen ten thousand liang in total, all drafts from the top three banks in Jingzhong's thirty-six counties, instantly redeemable for cash, no mistake."

Even Qin Tianhu, who had weathered countless storms, couldn't help swallowing hard, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Half a month ago, the National Treasury disbursed funds to the Front Line garrison.

The Border Army received seventy ten thousand liang; the Cheqi and Piaoqi divisions each received fifty ten thousand liang.

That means the entire Front Line garrison's annual military expenditure was only one hundred and seventy ten thousand liang of silver!

Yet Qin Feng went out for just one day and returned with over three million liang of silver!

As the saying goes: the wool comes from the sheep.

Qin Tianhu felt a faint dread rising in him—he feared that one day Qin Feng would strip Shedynasty bare.

"Feng'er… what exactly happened? Where did you get so much money?"

Qin Tianhu was extremely tense—even his address for Qin Feng changed; usually he called him "little brat" or "wretch," and when in a good mood, at most "damn kid."

Calling Qin Feng "Feng'er" meant Qin Tianhu was now deeply stirred.

Liu Hongyan too was utterly incredulous.

She had spent most of her life dealing with money, yet she had never heard of anyone amassing millions in a single day!

Compared to her wildly excited father and sister, Qin Feng wasn't happy at all—he kept a gloomy face, bitterly complaining: "I've been utterly ruined! If not for the Saint barging in, today I could've brought back seven or eight million liang of silver, and Liuli Workshop would've become one of Tianji Camp's core revenue sources, with endless future profits."

Seven… eight million liang of silver?!

Qin Tianhu and Liu Hongyan exchanged a glance, both stunned, feeling as if they were dreaming.

Qin Feng didn't beat around the bush—he recounted everything that had happened at the Xie Residence, step by step.

Upon learning the full story, Qin Tianhu calmed down, thought for a moment, and said solemnly: "Not a loss! You reckless brat—you first took Li Zhang and Li Lang away from Fuyun County, provoking the Saint's wrath; second, Xu Chang, the Saint's spy, was silenced; then you humiliated the Ministry of Justice and forcibly detained the Imperial Consort's maid… every single one of these acts, if investigated deeply, would be enough to kill you."

"Now the Saint has seized five million liang from you and taken Liuli Workshop—consider it even."

Qin Feng nodded, half-listening to Old Qin, while sneaking glances at Liu Hongyan—he noticed that despite her shock at the fortune, she still wore a faint smile, as if nothing had happened.

Qin Feng became even more certain: his Second Sister was far more complex than she appeared.

As for Liuli Workshop, since the matter was settled, Qin Feng let it go.

To give is to receive.

Only by letting go can you gain.

Qin Feng's mind shifted, and he feigned casualness: "Of these three million liang, sixty ten thousand liang belong to the Duke of Ning."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu frowned: "What's this about?"

Qin Feng shrugged, not hiding it: "Called it a wedding dowry."

Qin Tianhu snorted: "Don't dance around the issue—what do you mean 'called it'? What really happened? The Duke of Ning could afford such a sum only if he emptied his entire life's savings—there's definitely a hidden reason."

Qin Feng gave Liu Hongyan a long look, lips curled: "Hidden reason? Ask Second Sister—you'll find out. It's not really a dowry—it's the Duke of Ning spending sixty ten thousand liang to buy the entire Wuhu Restaurant. Now Xie Yun'er is its true owner."

Saying this, Qin Feng sighed deeply: "Ah! I never make losing deals—but today I lost twice over. The Saint spent two million liang to take my entire Liuli Workshop; the Duke of Ning was even harsher—he spent only sixty ten thousand liang to take the whole Wuhu Restaurant."

"Now Tianji Camp only has sugar and the Book Bureau left. But sugar needs a full year to turn a profit—no matter how much it earns, it won't help now. As for the Book Bureau, forget it—it's a slow, steady stream of income."

Qin Feng had originally planned to get Old Qin to defend him, at least demand to know why Liu Hongyan did this.

But then…

As soon as he heard it was Liu Hongyan's idea, Qin Tianhu simply nodded: "Good."

Good?!

Qin Feng nearly laughed in anger—was that it? Not even a question?

Who's your real son—me or Liu Hongyan?

Qin Tianhu, who knew his son better than anyone, clearly sensed Qin Feng's resentment, but ignored it as always—he gave a few reminders to be cautious, avoid further ties with the Prince Ming family, then stood and left.

When only Qin Feng and Liu Hongyan remained in the Account Room.

Before Qin Feng could ask, Liu Hongyan smiled and shook her head: "This matter has nothing to do with you—just manage Tianji Camp. As for the formation of the Brocade Guard, Third Sister already has candidates; the rest is up to you."

Qin Feng was deeply startled.

Liu Hongyan's words confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Her intimate knowledge of Li Xiaolan meant she had been communicating with her all along.

Not to mention Third Sister's identity—just Liu Hongyan's capability left Qin Feng awestruck: she had secretly exchanged letters while evading the Black Guard, something even Qin Feng couldn't manage.

But since Liu Hongyan didn't wish to discuss it, Qin Feng dropped the matter.

When the time comes, he'll know.

With Liu Hongyan and Li Xiaolan's help, forming the Brocade Guard will be half the effort, double the result!

Qin Feng didn't leave right away—he leaned in shamelessly, squeezing himself onto the chair beside Liu Hongyan.

The chair was small; Qin Feng forced himself in, nearly pressed against her completely.

"Heh… Second Sister, I won't ask about you eliminating Xu Chang—but Wuhu Restaurant sold to Xie Yun'er for sixty ten thousand liang? Am I not losing out? You owe me compensation!"

Liu Hongyan's cheeks flushed red; she shot him a look and scolded: "How do you want me to compensate you?"