Chapter 750: Piercing the Illusion

Sister Hong Yan and Xiao Hong rarely appeared in public; though they lived inside the Customs Office, Cao Jixiang had only glimpsed them once from afar, let alone the chubby baby in their arms.

Cao Jixiang loved children, and this one was white and plump, with a clever little face, so he couldn't help asking: "Who is this child?"

"Oh, this is the child we adopted. His name is Bangchui."

Cao Jixiang: "Adopted?"

Pan Yun nodded: "You know, Cao my lord, lately Jiangnan has suffered many disasters—natural and human—and there are many orphans. This child's parents are dead, his whole family gone. I saw how pitiful he was, so I took him in on behalf of my senior brother."

Also known as Bangchui, the ginseng doll who had learned to speak smiled at Cao Jixiang, revealing a row of tiny millet-like teeth.

His gaze drifted past Cao Jixiang, drooling at the food on the table.

Cao Jixiang was deeply moved and couldn't help saying: "Master Pan, you're still a child yourself—can you raise a child properly? Why not let me take this child…"

"No, that won't do. This child has already accepted me as his mother. Once a mother, always a mother. Bangchui, call her 'Mother'!"

Bangchui shouted loudly: "Mother!"

Pan Yun's eyes crinkled with delight as she waved: "Come, sit down. Today Young Master Pu is treating us—look at the menu, order anything you want, no need to be polite."

Cao Jixiang wanted to bring it up again: "Master Pan…"

Pan Yun raised her hand to cut him off: "Cao my lord, this child has a celestial connection—he's better suited to Mount Sanqing. Though you, Cao my lord, are wealthy and could give him a better life, everything is best when it's fitting."

Cao Jixiang thought of his own situation: though he could give Bangchui temporary wealth, in the long run, the child truly would be better off with Pan Yun.

Cao Jixiang let go of the thought and sighed: "I have no fortune for offspring."

Pu Si lowered his eyes, concealing the mockery within: A eunuch, hoping for offspring fortune?

But Pan Yun grinned cheerfully: "Not necessarily. I see your Child Palace is weak but smooth—this means you will indeed have offspring to carry on your line, and they will be filial, caring for you till your final days."

Cao Jixiang's eyes lit up brightly: "Really?"

Pan Yun smiled: "Though I'm no Monk, I never speak falsehoods."

Cao Jixiang burst into hearty laughter, and their subsequent discussions flowed much more smoothly.

Pu Si wanted to cooperate with Cao Jixiang and Pan Yun, offering money and land.

As they'd discussed that day by the sea, the vast stretch of land by the harbor was not under strong control of the Customs Office—they could at most claim a portion for warehouses and offices; the rest belonged to the local government.

But Pu Si had money.

He not only had money—he had deep connections in Quanzhou. He could obtain land from the government and develop it.

Once the harbor opened, Pan Yun would need to use these developments.

Pu Si's offer for cooperation with Cao Jixiang and Pan Yun was land and money.

Yet Pan Yun suspected he wasn't just cooperating with them—he wouldn't abandon the Prefect or even the Wu Lin Alliance.

If she had such wealth, connections, and energy, she wouldn't put all her eggs in one basket—she'd spread her flowers wide.

If even we couldn't resist cooperating with him, others elsewhere would be even less able to resist.

In the future, it's likely the entire harbor area will have Pu family shares.

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly—truly, he's everywhere.

Pan Yun lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, then looked up and smiled: "Cooperation is fine, but I want to change the terms."

Pu Si smiled and asked: "What terms does Master Pan want?"

"I don't want a share of the whole. I want direct conversion into shopfronts. For every share you owe me, give me the exact number of shops."

Cao Jixiang's gaze flickered, then he smiled: "The Customs Office will do the same."

Pu Si looked troubled: "This isn't difficult for me, but I fear you, Master Pan, and Cao my lord, will be at a disadvantage."

He lowered his voice: "Master Pan, running a business isn't just opening a door—there are countless subtleties. I know you're a cultivator, your focus is on cultivation, which is why you entrusted your three ships to subordinates. But even my Pu family has had servants—even those bound by lifetime contracts can harbor selfish motives and ultimately kill their masters. How much more so those who merely signed labor contracts with you?"

He turned to Cao Jixiang: "And it's equally disadvantageous to you, Cao my lord. If it's shopfronts, are they under the Customs Office's name or yours? If it's shares, we can easily calculate how much goes to the Customs Office and how much to you…"

His implication: he would manage on their behalf, and Cao Jixiang's portion from the Customs Office's share would be diverted entirely to him personally.

If anyone else were here, they might have agreed—but Cao Jixiang had no obsession with wealth; he longed only to return to the Emperor's side.

So he coldly refused, adding: "All shopfronts acquired through shares must be registered under the Customs Office's name."

He paused, still thinking of the Emperor, and whispered: "If Young Master Pu wishes to show filial devotion, set aside a portion for the Inner Court."

Bribe him? Better to bribe the Emperor directly.

Pu Si's eyes flickered—he naturally agreed.

He turned to Pan Yun.

Pan Yun smiled: "I have no other assets, but I have many nephews and nieces. In the future, I'll hand all these shops over to them to manage."

Pu Si smiled and agreed, promising to convert the shares into shopfronts.

After finishing the serious matters, they finally focused on eating—and only then realized half the dishes were already gone.

Xue Shao and the others sat quietly after taking their seats; though they listened intently, it didn't stop them from eating heartily.

Especially Miao He—this was the most beautiful, most delicious meal she'd ever eaten in her life.

Seeing they enjoyed it, Pu Si, thinking he'd host them again, ordered the kitchen to prepare another portion, ready to replace dishes as needed.

Seeing this, Pan Yun also relaxed and ate freely.

Even Pan Xiaohei got a bowl and chopsticks; Pan Yun and Xue Shao sat on either side, occasionally adding him more food.

The group ate until their bellies were slightly swollen, then left with distended stomachs.

Pu Si smiled warmly: "In a few days, when I've arranged everything, I'll invite you all again."

Miao He: "Will it be pretty food again?"

Pu Si paused, then smiled: "Yes, still pretty food."

Miao He gazed hopefully at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun waved at Pu Si, signaling agreement.

Once they stepped out of the street, she said: "If I'm not here in a few days, refuse his invitation—wait for me to return, and I'll take you to eat again."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Do we pay for this ourselves?"

Pan Yun nodded: "It's only a hundred taels—we can afford it." Seeing Miao Zhen: "Then let's not. When others treat us, we don't mind. But if we spend this money ourselves, it hurts."

Seeing Miao Zhen also nodded: "At current Quanzhou prices, one meal like this buys three hundred dan of rice. A laborer doing heavy work needs one sheng per day. Three hundred dan of rice could feed ten thousand laborers. If the goal is merely to save lives, to keep them from dying, we could save far more."

Once the numbers were calculated, several couldn't help muttering under their breath: "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun—we dare not spend our own money on this meal."

It's simply too sinful.

Pan Yun watched with a smile.

Cao Jixiang stood aside, watching them energetically calculate how many lives a single meal could save, and sighed: "If all people in the world were like them, how could the realm not be peaceful? How could the common folk not grow wealthy?"

Pan Yun had somehow fallen behind with Cao Jixiang, watching the lively backs of Seeing Miao Zhen and the others, and smiled: "Teach a few more."

Cao Jixiang twitched his lips, then said after a long pause: "When His Majesty was young, he was well-behaved and obedient—not only did he harbor the ambition to pacify the realm, he also possessed a benevolent heart for the people."

Pan Yun remained silent.

Cao Jixiang turned to look at her: "You hold deep prejudice against His Majesty."

Pan Yun: "Cao my lord, I've met him. I know what kind of man he is."

"No, you don't," Cao Jixiang shook his head. "Ministers have constructed one world for the Emperor. Wang Zhen has constructed another. The Emperor stands in Wang Zhen's world and believes the ministers' world is false. You came to Jingcheng, shattered Wang Zhen's world—but you don't realize the Emperor doesn't believe you either. He now stands at the intersection of three worlds, unsure whom to trust. He doesn't know which world is real."

Pan Yun: "If the Emperor lacks the ability to discern truth, at least he must maintain the impartiality and benevolence befitting an emperor—learn to judge matters, not people; learn to be utterly selfless."

Cao Jixiang gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Pan Daoist, the Emperor is still human. Don't you think you're too harsh on His Majesty?"

Pan Yun turned her expressionless face toward Cao Jixiang: "Cao my lord, it's you who are too lenient toward the Emperor. Look at emperors throughout history—when was it ever easy to be emperor? Whose life was easier? Is yours? And in this world, countless others suffer more than you."

"You're lenient only because you watched him grow up. You love a child, so you're lenient."

Cao Jixiang: "His Majesty is still young…"

"I was younger than him!" Pan Yun cut him off. "Why doesn't he show me leniency? Why don't you show me leniency? In this world, countless others are younger than the Emperor—many among the rebels. Wang Xiaojing is one. Why are they labeled rebels? Why are they called lowly?"

Cao Jixiang's eyes flashed with fear: "You, you…"

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly as she leaned close to his ear: "Cao my lord, no one says it aloud, but everyone knows: Are kings and generals born of noble blood? Especially since the founding of the Great Ming by the Taizu Emperor—even beggars on the street, when wronged, think it."

Cao Jixiang trembled.

Pan Yun whispered: "So the Emperor must be a good emperor—he must ensure fairness for the vast majority of the people. Otherwise, rebellion will never cease."

Cao Jixiang stared intently into Pan Yun's eyes.

Pan Yun met his gaze calmly and softly: "This truth—you, as loyal ministers, have concealed it from him. That's what harms him."

Cao Jixiang fell into long silence.

Xue Shao turned back and called: "Pan Yun, Cao my lord, hurry up!"

Pan Yun turned with a smile: "Coming!"

She gave Cao Jixiang a slight nod: "Cao my lord, I'm a rare loyal minister—otherwise, I'd never tell you such secrets."

Cao Jixiang laughed bitterly: "You're a loyal minister?"

Pan Yun gave a light nod: "I am a loyal minister~~ You, who have held high positions for so long—do you even know what the world outside is like?

The Great Ming's sickness has reached its heart. Those below know, but have no cure. Those in the middle half-know. Those above know nothing, and prescribe medicine blindly. So when I learned you had come to the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office, I was glad—because you are a loyal minister. Perhaps you can become the eyes above."

Cao Jixiang stared, astonished—he had never imagined Pan Yun thought this way.

Pan Yun smiled, waved her hand, and ran to catch up with Xue Shao and the others, giving Cao Jixiang a carefree wave.

Xue Shao, seeing Cao Jixiang's dazed state, turned and asked: "What did you say to him?"

Pan Yun: "I told him a few little secrets. Don't worry—he'll recover soon. Our Cao my lord has seen plenty of storms."

Xue Shao: "Let's calculate the time—Song Dalin and the others should be nearing Zhang Weigang soon."

Pan Yun nodded: "We'll go there tomorrow."

During this time, we've crisscrossed the seas, and with the sea charts we drew earlier, I've already calculated the fastest flight route to Japan. We don't need Chen Wen to escort us—we can get there ourselves.

Xue Shao: "Aren't we taking Seeing Miao Zhen and the others?"

Pan Yun paused, then said: "Let them stay and cultivate. Sister Hong Yan and Xiao Hong are at critical moments. When they break through, we'll need to take Xiao Hong to Ji'an. I'll go with you alone."

If it weren't for the silver mine needing someone to handle Zhou Xuan, Pan Yun wouldn't have brought Xue Shao at all—she'd rather go alone, fast and light.

Xue Shao seemed to sense her thoughts and smiled: "I've been cultivating rapidly. Once I break through to First Marquis, I'll be able to fly on my own."

Pan Yun: "As if breaking through to First Marquis is as easy as drinking water."

Pan Yun felt the Qi in her Upper Dantian and realized she'd been distracted by worldly affairs—her cultivation had made little progress. Though her merit points flowed endlessly, they couldn't directly boost her cultivation.

So she still had to cultivate.

Pan Yun decided to stay up all night cultivating when she returned.

After all, they'd be departing for Japan at dawn.

Cao Jixiang never imagined that after detonating a mental bomb in his mind, Pan Yun simply dumped the children on him and ran off.

Xiao Hong and the others felt nothing—just leaving for a while? It's like she's in seclusion.

From Xiao Hong down to Bangchui, all patted their chests and assured her: "Go without worry—we'll focus on cultivation until you return."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Little Master Auntie, we still have money. Why not buy property in Quanzhou while prices are low? When Big Brother returns, he can use it."

Pan Yun praised: "Of course it's you. If you want to buy property, go ahead. If you're short, write back and ask Big Brother. But one thing—no matter if you rent or buy, you must not move out of the Maritime Trade Office."

"Why?" they asked. Living in the Maritime Trade Office was inconvenient—especially for Sister Hong Yan and Xiao Hong, one who liked to wander the mortal world, the other who preferred to drift out at night.

If Seeing Miao Zhen hadn't been covering for them, the fox and the ghost would've been discovered long ago by the remaining Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Pan Yun said: "Because you're safest inside the Maritime Trade Office. In short, until I return, you cannot move out. Understood?"

"Oh~~"

They agreed.

Seeing Miao Zhen followed closely behind her: "Little Master Auntie, how long will you be gone?"

"I can come and go easily. This is my first trip, so I'm not taking you. Once I've mapped the route, if you want to train in Japan, I'll come back and take you. Stay here—you're not idle. Watch for news from Jingcheng, Datong, my father's place, the Wu Lin Alliance, and the Celestial Master's Temple. Wait for me to return."

Seeing Miao Zhen agreed. (End of chapter)