Chapter 225: Chapter 194: It’s You, Shameless Scoundrel!?

Chen Yi glanced over, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

’A Xiao Family Hidden Guard is being hunted by the Evil Demonic Dao in the western part of the city?’

’A Hidden Guard...’

His first thought was of the man in black wielding a long spear whom he had encountered in the West Market.

’And now he’s being hunted by Evil Demons...’

’Is this related to Black Tooth from the Bright Moon Building?’

’Did he find out about the plot to burn the summer grain in the Three Towns?’

Chen Yi frowned inwardly. While calculating the hour, he said impassively:

"Lord Xiao, time is of the essence. I hope you’ll get straight to the point."

Xiao Dongchen had no objection. He was also worried that a delay could lead to unforeseen problems, so he began reciting the speech he had prepared on his way over:

"The Xiao Family is currently facing two critical issues."

"First, the Dingyuan Army’s monthly pay and provisions."

"Second, the Mutual Market being built in cooperation with the Mountain Race..."

Chen Yi listened quietly, recording Xiao Dongchen’s words with a brush and paper.

Xiao Dongchen was puzzled by this but didn’t dwell on it. He simply assumed Chen Yi was afraid of misremembering the details and being unable to give a proper report to Liu Wen.

Even when he spoke of "burning the Three Towns’ summer grain" and saw Chen Yi’s eyes light up, he didn’t give it a second thought.

"If everything goes smoothly, your Young Master can use the chaos within the Xiao Family as an opportunity to press the issue. I believe there’s a good chance the Old Marquis will agree to this marriage."

When Chen Yi finished listening and writing, he set down his brush, clapped his hands, and said with a smile,

"Truly, Lord Xiao. With your level of cunning and skill, you could become the Patriarch of the Xiao Family one day even without my Young Master’s assistance."

Xiao Dongchen replied noncommittally, "You flatter me, Young Master Liu. I was merely speaking of a possibility."

"After all, ’burning the Three Towns’ summer grain’ is no easy feat. With my capabilities, however... it’s not entirely impossible."

He knew full well that joining forces with the Jing State Liu Family was tantamount to making a deal with a tiger.

But there were two sides to every coin.

If he wanted to succeed, he would have to take some risks.

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Lord Xiao, if you have something to say, please speak freely."

"I have some eyes and ears in the Dingyuan Army. If your Young Master is interested in pursuing this, I can lend a hand. It’s just..."

Xiao Dongchen said, feigning difficulty, "The cost in silver coins will be somewhat higher."

Chen Yi paused, then asked with a faint smile, "Three hundred thousand taels isn’t enough?"

Xiao Dongchen replied, "To be frank, Young Master Liu, those brutes in the Dingyuan Army haven’t seen silver in a long time. They have huge appetites."

"Three hundred thousand taels of silver may seem like a lot, but it doesn’t amount to much when split among certain people in the Three Towns."

"Besides, I also need some silver coins to grease the palms of my superiors and other key individuals."

Chen Yi said, "Lord Xiao, just tell me how much silver you need."

"Another three hundred thousand taels."

As his words fell, silence descended upon the hall.

Chen Yi and Xiao Dongchen met each other’s gaze for a moment. Then, Chen Yi smiled, nodded, and wrote this new demand on the paper.

At the end, he added a line: "This plan requires a total of six hundred thousand taels in silver coins. A deposit of three hundred thousand taels is to be paid upfront. Upon completion, the Jing State Liu Family will pay Xiao Dongchen an additional three hundred thousand taels of silver."

After he finished writing,

Chen Yi set down his brush, picked up the paper, blew the ink dry, and handed it to Xiao Dongchen.

"Lord Xiao, please review this."

Xiao Dongchen took the paper and read it, his previously relaxed expression instantly shifting.

He looked at Chen Yi, hesitating. "You... what is the meaning of this?"

Chen Yi gestured for him to finish reading, then said with a smile, "Lord Xiao, you’re asking a question to which you already know the answer."

"My Young Master is putting up hard cash; he requires some assurance. Consider this your pledge of loyalty. Sign and leave your thumbprint at the bottom, and you can take the silver notes with you tonight."

As he spoke, he took out three hundred thousand taels in silver notes from his breast pocket and placed them on the table.

In the flickering candlelight,

the stack of silver notes seemed to gleam, shimmering as if they were made of pure silver.

It wasn’t just Xiao Dongchen whose gaze was drawn to them; Liu Lang was also staring intently at the stack of silver notes.

The two could even smell the faint, grassy fragrance of the paper and the subtle scent of the cinnabar seal paste.

Chen Yi, however, paid the stack of silver notes no mind. His eyes were fixed solely on Xiao Dongchen.

It was as if he didn’t value those silver notes in the slightest.

After a long silence,

Xiao Dongchen finally pulled his gaze away. He mused, "In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "That’s the spirit."

He then handed the brush to Xiao Dongchen and pushed a pre-prepared box of Seal Paste across the table.

Once Xiao Dongchen had signed his name and pressed his thumbprint,

Chen Yi confirmed that everything was in order. He folded the paper, put it away, and pushed the silver notes across the table. "Lord Xiao, please take them."

Although Xiao Dongchen’s expression was somber, the sight of the stacked silver notes before him forced a smile to his lips.

"Please thank your Young Master on my behalf."

"Once this is done, if it is convenient for your Young Master, I will be sure to pay him a personal visit."

Despite his fine words, Xiao Dongchen’s hand couldn’t help but press down on the silver notes.

Feeling the smooth texture of the paper, the smile on his face became a little more genuine.

With this silver, he could accomplish a great deal.

He could raise a private army or buy off some of the Xiao Family’s collateral branches.

If he could leverage the power of the Jing State Liu Family to connect with Governor Liu Hong, his path as an official would be wide open. It might not even be impossible for him to take Yang Ye’s position.

In short, he believed the risk was worth taking.

Chen Yi didn’t bother trying to guess Xiao Dongchen’s thoughts. Seeing that it was getting late, he rose to his feet and said:

"Lord Xiao, I must go report to my Young Master. Will you be returning on your own, or shall we two escort you?"

"It is three hundred thousand taels in silver notes, after all. If you were to be robbed on the way, you might suspect my Young Master of burning the bridge after crossing it."

Xiao Dongchen secured the silver notes and waved his hand with a smile. "No need to trouble yourselves. I have my own methods."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.

After seeing Xiao Dongchen out of the residence, he and Liu Lang boarded their carriage and headed north.

「Not long after.」

Outside the now-empty and secluded residence, Xiao Dongchen’s figure emerged from the shadows.