For a moment, her expression was quite complex.

"Although Qiaan Xuehan’s abilities are not bad, they pale in comparison to Wang Shouzhe." Xiaoyue said, unconsciously revealing a hint of admiration on her face, "Reclaiming the Outer Domain is a time-consuming and labor-intensive project for any Noble Family, yet under Wang Shouzhe’s leadership, the Wang Family completed the reclamation and population migration within just ten years. Everything went smoothly, with hardly any setbacks. Now, the newly established Xin’an Town is flourishing and is hardly any worse than those towns that have been developed for years. This speed of reclamation is simply remarkable."

"Moreover, the newly built ’Shouzhe Pass’ by the Wang Family spans ten miles. Roughly estimating, I believe the Wang Family has invested at least 20 million Qian Gold into it. However, there appears to be no sign of financial stress within the family."

"How is that possible?" Cao Youqing was so shocked that her eyes widened.

This is twenty million!

Even for a Fifth-Grade Noble Family, it would be impossible to come up with such an amount all at once without selling off some assets, let alone the Wang Family, which is only a Seventh-Grade Noble Family. Where did they get so much money?!

Of course, they were unaware that due to a miscalculation of the cost of Foreign Cement, the estimated amount by Xiaoyue was not accurate.

The actual investment made by the Wang Family in the Outer Domain reclamation was only around 16 million. Additionally, the fierce beasts hunted down during the reclamation and the discovered Spiritual Medicine were worth about 2 million Qian Gold, offsetting some of the expenses to a certain extent.

Still, even 14 million Qian Gold was already astonishing enough.

Listening to the conversation between the two women, Gongyang Strategy rubbed the teacup with his fingers, a hint of deep thought passing through his eyes. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Compared to Qiaan Xuehan, it was Wang Shouzhe who was more inscrutable to him.

Apart from Wang Shouzhe’s astounding ability to make money, the skills he displayed in other aspects genuinely caught Gongyang Strategy’s attention.

This person seemed to be born with the knowledge of how to quickly strengthen a family. From the moment he took over the family, his actions were purposeful and never wrong.

The members of the Wang Clan he cultivated were all outstanding, any of whom could become key figures in a Purple Mansion Family. His daughter, Wang Liyao, earned the approval of Celestial River Zhenren upon entering the Academy, and was directly designated as the successor to the Longzuo Academy.

If Wang Shouzhe were the carefully cultivated heir of a Second or Third-Grade Noble Family, possessing such skills and abilities would be understandable. Yet, he came from merely a Ninth-Grade Noble Family.

Moreover, the series of adjustments Wang Shouzhe made to the internal regulations of the Wang Family after taking over gave Gongyang Strategy a strong sense of déjà vu.

If one had to describe it, it would probably be two words – "ambition."

It seemed like Wang Shouzhe never intended to let the family stop at Seventh Grade, but instead aimed directly for Fifth Grade, or even higher.

The problem is, thirty-some years ago, when he took over the Changning Wang Family, it was just a Ninth-Grade Noble Family.

This is the most perplexing part for him.

Where did a Ninth-Grade Noble Family’s heir get such ambition and confidence?

This made him suspect that aside from Wang Liyao, there might be other Great Celestial Prides within the Changning Wang Family.

Perhaps, it was Wang Shouzhe himself.

Only then could all these matters make sense.

But how could a Ninth-Grade Noble Family’s heir, a Black Tortoise Cultivator whose talent had long been measured, suddenly become a Great Celestial Pride, knowing things he shouldn’t know?

However, no matter how impressive Wang Shouzhe was, the Wang Family is still only Seventh Grade.

"That matter" is ultimately more important.

Gongyang Strategy put aside distractions, set down the teacup, and said calmly, "I have some matters to attend to at the Cold Moon Immortal Dynasty. I’ll leave this affair for you two to manage."

Xiaoyue and Cao Youqing were chatting enthusiastically, and upon hearing this, they hurriedly bowed to comply.

"Yes, master."

"Yes, lord."

The plan has been set, and the pieces are in place.

What remains is just to keep an eye on things and make slight adjustments according to actual circumstances. With these two handling matters, things are well in hand. Given the current strength of the Qiaan Family and the Wang Family, they cannot cause much trouble.

When the time comes, both the Qiaan Family and the Wang Family will be at his feet, paving the way for that person’s Struggle of the Imperial Sons~~

When that time comes, he must have a good conversation with Wang Shouzhe. He is a talent, and bringing him into the fold would be greatly beneficial for the future.

...

Meanwhile, two Zuoqiu Family ancestors, who had already left the tavern and were on their way back aboard the ’Jade Claw White Crane’ Flying Chariot, were also discussing the earlier incident.

Zuoqiu Zhenghua wore a stern expression, and his tone was somewhat dissatisfied: "Grandpa Zeng, that Young Master Ce’s plan clearly intends for our Zuoqiu Family to act as his vanguard, using us to deal with that Longzuo Qiaan Family. This matter is probably not that simple, regardless of the truth from back then. I’m afraid that’s just a pretext, and he must have other schemes."

"You’re right. The matter from back then was merely a pretext. At this stage, the truth is no longer important." Zuoqiu Deye nodded in agreement, "He certainly wouldn’t invest his energy to solely help our Zuoqiu Family plot strategies. In my opinion, he either has his eyes on the trading fleet of the Qiaan Family or the territory of Longzuo County."