Fan Xian looked calmly at Yun Zhilan in front of him. Unexpectedly, he thought of the situation many years ago when he first saw this great swordsman in Jingdou's Night Palace. At that time, he was just a young man who had just stepped onto the political stage of the three countries. The first disciple of the Sword Hut, Yun Zhilan, was already famous throughout the world. He was the true leader of the Dongyi diplomatic group.
Six years had passed. Fan Xian had already become one of the most powerful people in the world. Yun Zhilan even had to kneel in front of him and express his loyalty to him. Things had changed with time. It made one sigh with emotion.
Fan Xian didn't know what Sigu Jian had set up before his death or how he had convinced Yun Zhilan, who was a die-hard member of the faction, but he could sense that Yun Zhilan's attitude was not overly pretentious. He understood these warriors who endlessly pursued martial arts. Once they decided on something, it was difficult to go back on it.
He had heard Yun Zhilan's words clearly. He had heard the words "12 swords." Fan Xian's eyes narrowed slightly. Calmly, he looked at him and said, "12 swords. Ruoyun, this heart of the sword is not here. How can I control these 12 swords?"
Without waiting for Yun Zhilan to reply, he had already stood up and solemnly helped the first disciple of the Sword Hut up. Sincerely, he said, "I know you will not believe me because of the sword saint's last words. I also don't need you to believe me. However, if this is a deal, I need the Sword Hut's power, and the Sword Hut needs my protection. If you are not here, how can I hold these 12 swords tightly?"
There was no smile on Yun Zhilan's face. Indifferently, he said, "My teacher has prepared a way to reassure Sir Fan junior."
After saying this, Yun Zhilan turned and left, not giving Fan Xian any chance to exchange feelings or draw his heart of the sword to his side.
Fan Xian stood in the room as if he had lost something. He thought about what Sigu Jian had arranged for Yun Zhilan. In a moment, he guessed one thing. Although Sigu Jian wanted to place a large bet on him, he still needed someone to keep him in check, watch, and supervise him.
Yun Zhilan was the person who drifted away from the alliance of interests. Given his prestige in the hearts of the disciples of the Sword Hut, if Fan Xian's future actions harmed the interests of Dongyi too much, with one order, of the 12 swords Fan Xian had in name, there would probably be only one pitiful and lonely sword left in an instant.
…
…
The second disciple of the Sword Hut entered the room after Yun Zhilan. Fan Xian looked calmly at the middle-aged man and found that his appearance was very ordinary. There was not a trace of anything outstanding between his brows. Even the sword intent on his body was deeply hidden. Wearing a slightly thick cotton robe, he did not look like a powerful swordsman. Rather, he looked more like a housekeeper.
After the eldest disciple brother arrived, it was the second disciple brother. Fan Xian smiled bitterly in his heart. Sigu Jian's arrival had directly pushed him into the fire pit. The disciples of the Sword Hut seemed to have accepted his will and took turns reporting to him.
Out of the corner of his eye, Fan Xian glanced at the brown urn beside him. A sense of loss appeared in his eyes. A sword saint had become a jar of ash beside his hand.
His hand gently stroked the urn. It was as if he could still feel the warmth of Sigu Jian's ashes. Following the movement of his fingers, the gaze of the housekeeper-like second brother also changed. He immediately calmed down. He waved his hand and a few third generation disciples of the Sword Hut carried in a few boxes.
Fan Xian raised his head and asked with a slight smile, "Is this the sword saint's legacy?"
The second disciple brother smiled and didn't say anything. It was not until all of the boxes had been placed in Fan Xian's room that he quietly said, "Of course, the property of the Sword Hut would not be this small. These are just some temporary businesses that can be used. Teacher said you needed silver right now, so I brought it over for you. There are also some accounts that I thought you would be interested in, so I brought them over on my own. "
Fan Xian was slightly surprised and quietly looked at this housekeeper-like Sword Hut ace. He would not underestimate this second disciple brother. On the contrary, of the 13 disciples of the Sword Hut, he had always thought that this second disciple brother was worth paying attention to. Putting aside the fact that this second disciple brother had been able to remain neutral during the internal conflict between Yun Zhilan and Thirteenth Wang and not be implicated, and that Sigu Jian had him stand guard outside the Sword Hut, it was clear that this person was deeply trusted by Sigu Jian.
Silver, accounts? Fan Xian looked at him with narrowed eyes and asked, "Thank you for your trouble. I still don't know what these accounts have to do with."
The second disciple of the Sword Hut said evenly, "It has to do with Taiping money house."
Hearing these words, Fan Xian could no longer sit calmly on the low couch. Abruptly rising, he stared at the second disciple and didn't speak for a moment. In the end, he couldn't resist laughing self-mockingly. In an admiring tone, he said, "Unexpectedly, I don't think anyone would have thought that the owner of the largest money house in the world would be a warrior hidden in the Sword Hut."
Taiping money house, the largest money house in the world. Back then, the Ming family of the Qing Kingdom had such an enormous property. To a certain extent, it had to rely on the support of Taiping money house's cash flow. Ever since this money house appeared in the world, it had been the largest and most reputable money house in the world, bar none. Furthermore, in decades, no other money house had been able to threaten its position.
Even a few years ago, when Fan Xian and the Northern Qi Emperor secretly joined hands and used the old Ministry of Revenue officials his father had sent to manage it, they had created an abnormally large Zhaoshang money house. In front of Taiping money house, it was still like an underdeveloped child.
Fan Xian, who held the right to produce and sell the palace treasury, two smuggling channels, a brothel alliance, and a large-scale money house, was, without question, the richest person in the world.
He knew that although he had a lot of silver in his hands, compared to Taiping money house, it was still not enough.
This was because this Taiping money house was deeply rooted in the commerce of the continent. All of the large merchants had deep connections with it. If the Taiping money house truly exerted its power, the amount of silver it could move could reach an astonishing level.
Fan Xian was not a normal powerful official. He had the business and social economy of his previous life. In this life, he also had dealings with merchants. Thus, he knew better than most people the terrifying power of Taiping money house, as well as the use it could bring to bear.
In the past, he had once had the Overwatch Council investigate the secrets of Taiping money house. However, every time they reached a certain location, the clues would come to an abrupt end. Since the largest money house in the world had its beginnings in Dongyi, it had a connection to the Sword Hut. At least, it had to have Sigu Jian's support. However, Fan Xian had never thought that the largest Taiping money house in the world was itself the property of the Sword Hut.
The master of Taiping money house was the second disciple of the Sword Hut.
Fan Xian looked in a daze at the master of Taiping money house. Endless complicated emotions welled up in his heart. Only now did he know how much Sigu Jian had bet before his death and how much power he had added to himself.
The 12 swords were terrifying. The control of Dongyi was terrifying. What was truly terrifying was probably the boxes of accounts that had been sent into the room.
The accounts of Taiping money house.
Fan Xian took a deep breath and bowed respectfully to the second disciple of the Sword Hut. Evenly, he asked, "I still don't know your name."
This respect was not for his identity as a disciple of the Sword Hut and his ninth-level ace realm. Rather, it was for his position as the master of Taiping money house. In this world, what was most worthy of respect was power. The person who controlled half of the money in the world was, without question, the most worthy of respect.
At least, this was what Fan Xian thought.
"Li Bohua." The second disciple of the Sword Hut, the master of Taiping money house, was not surprised by Fan Xian's attitude. Warmly, he said, "I've been in charge of Taiping money house for 16 years."
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He didn't know what kind of attitude he should use to speak to this person. Based on Sigu Jian's intentions, this person should be of use to him. However, this was a major figure who owned Taiping money house. Could he truly be of use to him?
Immediately after, he thought of something else. His pupils gradually constricted. Using the power in his hands, Zhaoshang money house, and Taiping money house, which faintly controlled the livelihood of countless merchants and commoners, such power should be able to oppose something.
This was a bottom-up confrontation.
Li Bohua looked at Fan Xian's expression and knew what he was thinking. Slowly, he said, "Taiping money house lends to the world. If the situation is difficult, I'm afraid it will not be able to collect those loans. But … "
The book came out. Fan Xian looked at him and waited for his next words.
"Banknotes fly all over the world, but the root of the money is always within Dongyi." Li Bohua did not hide anything in front of Fan Xian. "If Sir Fan junior can gather these powers together, it can indeed affect many things. If you want the world to fall into chaos, it is not a difficult matter. "
Only those with power spoke with confidence. Only now did Fan Xian know that of the 13 disciples of the Sword Hut, the most powerful person was not Yun Zhilan, who had the most prestige, nor was it Thirteenth Wang, who had the most limitless potential. Rather, it was Li Bohua, who held the most silver.
"This is a large gift." Fan Xian had already calmed down from his earlier shock. Slowly, he said, "If Dongyi's demands are too much and I am still unable to do it, I must explain ahead of time."
"This is already your property, sir." Li Bohua looked at him with a not-quite-there smile. Unlike other martial aces, this hidden oligarch of the land's business world immediately saw Fan Xian's cautiousness. Evenly, he said, "Teacher did not ask you to do anything in his last will. Presumably, you have already discussed it. I am just carrying it out."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said self-mockingly, "In my life, I have already been hit by a golden basin that fell from the heavens. Am I going to be hit a second time today?"
"I don't know what you need silver for, but I have silver." Li Bohua was silent for a long time. He then suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Of course, personally, I would like to raise a condition."
Fan Xian looked at him calmly. A moment later, he said, "You have the right and power to raise any condition."
Li Bohua slowly rose and said, "Taiping money house was first the property of the Master of Dongyi's manor. Later, it became the private property of the Sword Hut. I have spent a total of 16 years in it, and the money house has grown larger and larger. Please remember the money house's silver. It is not just the money house's silver. There is also the silver of all the merchants in Dongyi and even the silver of countless people in Northern Qi and the Qing Kingdom. If you want to use it, there must be a limit. You can't dig up all the merchants' silver."
"Of course."
"What I mean is, Taiping money house is, in reality, the money house of the Dongyi people. It is their money, their root." Li Bohua looked at him calmly and said each word clearly. "You only have half Dongyi blood. I want to remind you that our allegiance is only in name. We do not want to become Yanjing people, Jiangnan people, or Weizhou people. We only want to be Dongyi people."
"Speak frankly." Fan Xian looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"We cannot station troops," Li Bohua furrowed his brows and said quietly.
With these words, the corners of Fan Xian's lips twitched into a smile. Looking at him, he quietly said, "You are a smart person. Of course, you know that this is something the sword saint has already approved of. I cannot give in."
Immediately after, he furrowed his brows and said, "You also have to understand me. I have already done my best to convince the millions of people in the Qing Kingdom."
Li Bohua also smiled. What he said earlier was only a method of negotiation. He was sincerely stating his true request.
"If we must station troops, I hope it is the Black Knights," Li Bohua looked at Fan Xian and calmly said. "Nothing else."
Fan Xian shook his head. "There are only a thousand Black Knights in total. Furthermore, the Emperor will not agree."
"Then it would be the Great Prince's old subordinates. It would be best if the Great Prince came personally." Li Bohua also did not give in. "Presently, there are already strange movements in the various vassal states. The hearts of the people are also beginning to fall into chaos. After the funeral, if the Qing army forcefully enters, it will probably cause a great deal of backlash. The situation will become chaotic. How will this problem be resolved?"
"Would there not be this problem if the Black Knights or the original Western Expedition Army entered Dongyi?"
Li Bohua smiled slightly. "The Master of the Black Knights is you, and the Master of the Western Expedition Army is the Great Prince. All of the people of Dongyi know that you are a descendant of the young lady of the Ye family and the Great Prince is Aunt Ning's son."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows slightly. He didn't know what crucial effect this had on the stability of Dongyi's situation.
"It depends on the hearts of the people," Li Bohua said quietly. Li Bohua quietly said, "In these 20 years, Dongyi has produced two famous women. One is your mother. Even today, the merchants of Dongyi still see the old Ye family as the pride of Dongyi. The other is Aunt Ning, a pitiful female prisoner of war in Dongyi. In the end, she became the imperial concubine of a foreign country. Perhaps you find it strange, but in reality, the people of Dongyi have never thought of this as a humiliation. They only think of it as a rare honor."
Fan Xian was silent. Naturally, he thought of the Chinese girls in his previous life who had become the imperial concubines of Northern Europe and the wives of great riches. It seemed that at that time, people's emotions were not conflicted. On the contrary, there was a secret joy. It had nothing to do with worshiping foreign things. It was probably a strange joy of announcing one's country's charm to the outside world.
"It is because the position of the young lady of the Ye family and Aunt Ning in the hearts of the Dongyi people has never changed." Li Bohua looked at him and said, "Thus, in the hearts of many merchants and common people, you or the Great Prince are actually half Dongyi people. If one of you were to station troops here, it would be easier to calm the emotions of the people."
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He then said, "What you say makes sense. I can try to convince the Emperor with these words. Presumably, the Emperor also wants a complete Dongyi and not a city with volunteer armies rising from all sides and rivers of blood."
"Thank you for your trouble." After Li Bohua said this, he bowed deeply and prepared to leave.
As for the specifics of Dongyi becoming a subject, such as whether it would be a yearly tribute or directly incorporated into Jingdou's tax system, they were still being discussed by various levels of officials. Above these matters was, of course, the most important matter of stationing troops. Li Bohua had come freely with Taiping money house and left freely with the chests. This made the burden on Fan Xian's shoulders even heavier.
"Please wait a moment." Fan Xian suddenly asked for his guest to stay. The shock in his heart could not be completely dispelled. He truly did not understand why Sigu Jian had decided to gamble so heavily on him before his death while the disciples of the Sword Hut did not ask for details or reason. Instead, they had bravely and even recklessly brought out Dongyi's wealth.
They were not like Sigu Jian who knew the past and the deep chasm that was difficult to bridge between Fan Xian and the Emperor. Why did they trust Fan Xian?
"We just trust in teacher's intelligence." Li Bohua gazed at him and smiled slightly. "Presumably, you know that teacher has never been an idiot."
Fan Xian was silent. He then smiled and said, "Presumably, you have invested so much, so you have to have some way of monitoring me."
"Of course, it is not Yun Zhilan." Fan Xian narrowed his eyes in thought. "The manor of the Master of the City is going to be rebuilt. Yun Zhilan is the best choice. He is outside the Sword Hut and watches coldly from the sidelines. He will keep me in check from the bigger picture. But, where are your checks on me personally? You should know that I am not someone who can be controlled. "
"We have no confidence in being able to control Sir Fan junior," Li Bohua said calmly. "Thus, we are only following teacher to carry out a grand gamble. Of course, if Sir Fan junior goes back on his word and swallows Dongyi into his belly, it would not be out of our expectations. After all, you are a Qing person and the illegitimate child of the Qing Emperor. The life and death of Dongyi is presumably not that important in your heart."
"Since you have thought of this, why do you still dare to gamble?"
"Dongyi doesn't have any other power. We only have money and swords." Li Bohua smiled slightly and bowed before walking out of the quiet room.
Then, a sword walked into the quiet room.
The tired Thirteenth Wang's face was pale. He looked at Fan Xian and was silent for a long time. In a very low voice, he said, "From now on, I will follow you every day. If you go back on your word, I will kill you."
"Can you kill me?" Fan Xian sighed and shook his head.
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