Chapter 95 Long-term planning

Hearing Zhang Shi's words, Wu Zhao couldn't help but glance at Yuan Xi, noticing his lack of reaction and secretly chided himself for becoming corrupted.

Yuan Xi's face remained expressionless, but in his heart, he was overjoyed. If this matter succeeded, it would be a tremendous boon to his future plans.

It was all Yuan Shang's fault for being so ruthless, pushing the Zhen family into a desperate situation. Even a cornered rabbit would bite. Perhaps Yuan Shang was also blinded by his own ambition, eager to frame him, which led to vulnerabilities.

If he had waited a little longer, confirming Gao Lan's death before making his move, Yuan Xi would have found it difficult to negotiate with the Zhen family.

But perhaps Yuan Shang was too arrogant, believing that no aristocratic family would dare to defy the Yuan family?

He said, "Aunt, please don't stand on ceremony. From now on, we are one family and should share weal and woe."

Hearing this, Zhen Mi's face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head.

Yuan Xi then said to Zhen Rong, "General Gao's trip to Beixin City was orchestrated by my third brother, intending to make him offend me and my eldest brother."

"He is doing well in Beixin City now. After a few days, I will speak with my eldest brother and have him return to Ye City to reunite with his wife."

Hearing this, Zhen Rong burst into tears and kowtowed, "Thank you, Young Master, for your great kindness!"

Yuan Xi looked at Zhen Rong's exquisite figure, recalling the scene of them both consuming Five Stone Powder that night and engaging in some intimate moments.

Although Yuan Xing and Wu Zhao arrived in time, preventing a major mistake, Yuan Xi's desires had been fully aroused at that point, leading to the subsequent events with Wu Zhao.

He quickly composed himself and said to Zhang Shi, "Now that the Zhen family has been dragged into the conflict between me and my third brother, Father will not do anything to either of us, but he may vent his anger on the Zhen family."

Zhang Shi quickly bowed and pleaded, "Please save us, Young Master!"

Currently, Zhen Yao is the only adult male in the Zhen family. If Yuan Shang had malicious intentions and sent Zhen Yao to the battlefield to be killed, how could she face the deceased Zhen Yi!

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "In that case, I will help the Zhen family clear up any misunderstandings before Father."

"But if I leave Ye City, it's hard to guarantee that my third brother won't have designs on the Zhen family."

"My idea is that the Zhen family should not stay in Ji Province and would be better off going to You Province."

As soon as these words came out, the Zhen family women, including Zhang Shi, hesitated.

For a merchant family, it's not as simple as just leaving. Leaving aside the loss of wealth, their local connections, trade routes, and relationships would all vanish with the relocation.

Moreover, You Province is not a peaceful place right now. Most of it is occupied by Gongsun Zan, and it is full of foreign bandits and roaming bandits, which is much more dangerous than Ji Province.

Seeing this, Yuan Xi confidently said, "I know what the Old Madam is worried about."

"But even doing business has risks, let alone pioneering a new territory."

"But think about it, Old Madam, if you stay in Ji Province, the Zhen family will only ever be wealthy merchants at best."

"Someone will definitely use the hereditary marquisate of two thousand piculs from the Zhen family's ancestors to threaten you, and it's uncertain whether it can be inherited in the future, right?"

"You Province is different. Most of the aristocratic families are attached to Gongsun Zan. After a battle sweeps them away in the future, these aristocratic families will not have a good end. There will be many vacant positions, which is much more opportunities than in Ji Province."

Yuan Xi certainly would not keep the aristocratic families of You Province. They not only betrayed Liu Yu, but in later years, Yuan Xi's subordinates Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan also rebelled at a crucial moment. Keeping these treacherous fellows would be dangerous, so it would be better to get rid of them.

Hearing this, Zhang Shi began to be tempted.

Because what Yuan Xi said made sense. After the lords occupied a territory, although they would buy over the local aristocratic families, they would also offer a considerable number of positions to their subordinates from foreign aristocratic families to create checks and balances.

The current conflict between the Yingchuan and Runan aristocratic families and the Ji Province aristocratic families under Yuan Shao is deliberately created in this way.

The way to control subordinates is to make them fight each other and compete to show loyalty to the lord, so as to ensure the lord's control over the group.

Therefore, the monarch not only does not prohibit internal strife, but encourages internal strife within a certain range, just like the emperor uses his subordinates' aristocratic families and eunuchs to restrain each other.

The most terrifying thing would be if the aristocratic families and eunuchs joined forces to deal with the emperor one day.

If the subordinates are harmonious and have no disagreements, the lord should be worried. Are these people already preparing to deal with him together?

The way to be an official is to flatter superiors and seduce inferiors. Seducing inferiors means bewitching subordinates to compete with each other, and the subordinates are proud of the internal strife.

Zhang Shi pondered for a long time before opening her mouth and saying, "The old woman has no objection to the Zhen family's relocation, but if we simply sell our property and exchange it for wealth, we will only be living off our savings when we arrive in You Province, which is not a long-term solution."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Wealth cannot be abandoned, of course."

"The Zhen family can slowly transfer their trade routes to the coast within a year or two, focusing on sea transport."

"What!" Zhang Shi exclaimed in surprise, "Not to mention that shipbuilding is expensive, but now the coastal provinces are all enemies of the Yuan family. I'm afraid it will be difficult to control the trade routes in the future."

Hearing this, Yuan Xi praised, "Aunt's vision is indeed sharp, but since I said so, I must have something to rely on."

"Although Ji Province is stable now, it is a place of four battles. The surrounding areas have been plagued by wars for years. I'm afraid the Zhen family's trade routes are not that safe, right?"

Zhang Shi nodded in agreement. Especially in recent years, in addition to the warlords' infighting, there have also been Yellow Turban bandits causing chaos. The Zhen family's trade routes have had to pay huge protection fees in order to pass through, resulting in a sharp drop in cargo profits.

The advantage of sea routes is that as long as the destination port is cleared, it can be smooth sailing all the way.

Yuan Xi added, "Although the coastal You, Qing, and Xu provinces are not currently in the hands of the Yuan family, given time, these will all be controlled. By then, can the Zhen family take action faster than the local aristocratic families?"

"Therefore, the Zhen family can make arrangements in advance. Of course, this is also a gamble. Whether to gamble or not is entirely up to Aunt."

"Moreover, Ji Province might not be safe in the coming years."

Zhang Shi, Zhen Mi, and the others all felt a weight in their hearts. Since Yuan Xi said so, it was clearly not without reason.

After Yuan Xi finished speaking, he looked at everyone with a smile.

The Zhen family was an important part of his plan. Without money and people, nothing could be accomplished.

At that time, there was no Grand Canal, nor could he dig one. And although sea ships were not highly valued due to frequent banditry, Yuan Xi knew that maritime transport had great potential.

It saved manpower and resources, didn't require road construction, was fast, and was less affected by the weather.

If transporting grain a thousand miles by land during wartime resulted in only ten percent surviving, then maritime transport could save at least half.

What was needed was a stable sea route, good enough sea ships, and control of inland waterways connecting the rivers to the sea.

Yuan Xi's next step was to acquire coastal land in You Province and establish ports.

Help Yuan Tan conquer Qing Province and seize the coastal ports of Beihai and Bohai.

Xu Province was more troublesome. It would be best to befriend Liu Bei or use Lu Bu to contain it, but he hadn't decided yet.

Moreover, having good sea ships could quickly transport soldiers, money, and grain during wartime, which was much more convenient than land routes.

It could even be a good move to deal with Jiangdong in the future. If he could share Jiangnan with Jiangdong and control the Yangtze River shipping, he could strangle Jiangdong's lifeline.

Of course, the initial investment in sea ships was indeed substantial, which was why he had his eye on wealthy merchants like the Zhen family. Only a family of the Zhen family's size could afford a fleet.

Zhang Shi was also pondering. Moving the Zhen family's commercial center from Ji Province to the coast was indeed a great risk, but if successful, the benefits would be enormous!

Yuan Xi knew that although the Zhen family was a gentry family, they were also merchants. Without giving some substantial benefits, it would be difficult for a woman like Zhang Shi to make a decision.

Yuan Xi said, "Does Auntie feel that the Zhen family, with only Zhen Yao as the sole male heir, will find it difficult to revitalize the Zhen family even if he regains that two-thousand-stone title?"

"I have an idea that in the future, gentry who go to You Province, if they can contribute to establishing charity schools, dredging rivers, etc., I might be able to strive for some noble titles for them."

"The Zhen family's eldest and second sons died early, and there are also several young sons. I will find a way to let them inherit. At that time, it is not impossible for the Zhen family to have several noble titles."

This was almost like the sale of official positions during the time of Emperor Ling of Han, but Yuan Xi had no psychological pressure. In a place like You Province, who would be willing to be a fool and invest money if you didn't give them benefits?

Zhang Shi was finally moved and bowed down, saying, "In that case, I will entrust the Zhen family to the Young Master!"

She was not stupid. The Zhen family was already on the boat and could not avoid taking sides. Moreover, the Zhen family's size made it impossible to resist the Yuan family.

Compared to Yuan Shang, who directly plotted to harm the Zhen family, Yuan Xi could at least negotiate terms properly.

At this time, Zhen Mi softly said, "I am worried that the Third Young Master Yuan will definitely oppose the marriage between you and the Zhen family."

"Third Young Master Yuan firmly believes in prophecies and is very famous among the gentry."

Yuan Xi had heard about this from Gao Lan and thought, 'The blame is coming from the sky.' The prophecy about himself and Zhen Mi was extremely feared by Yuan Shang.

He felt a burst of annoyance in his heart. Yuan Shang, that dog thing, had no bottom line in his actions, but he had a birth mother, Lady Liu, protecting him.

When you are defeated by Cao Cao, I will not save you!

He said aloud, "Do not worry, Miss. There will always be a way."

Zhen Mi listened and nodded, her face flushed.

Seeing that things were almost settled, Yuan Xi bowed again, saying, "If the Zhen family does not betray me, I will definitely not betray the Zhen family."

Zhang Shi and the others saw this and quickly returned the courtesy.

Yuan Xi got up to say goodbye and left with Wu Zhao.

Zhen Rong and Zhen Mi followed Zhang Shi to the door. After Yuan Xi got into the carriage and left, the Zhen mansion's gate closed, and the three returned to their respective rooms.

Zhen Rong heard that Gao Lan was still alive, and her mood suddenly lightened. Seeing Zhen Mi staring in the direction of the departing carriage, she smiled and said, "What? Is your heart secretly promised to your future husband, who is so powerful?"

Zhen Mi shook her head and said, "Where is Sister thinking? I am thinking that the maid beside the Second Young Master is not simple."

Zhen Rong thought about it and suddenly realized, "Indeed, the Second Young Master asked us to dismiss the idlers, but he naturally left his maid, obviously trusting her extremely."

Zhen Mi thought that it was more than that. The maid and Yuan Xi exchanged glances several times, and their eyes were fixed on each other, with smiles involuntarily appearing on their lips. This was not the relationship between a master and an ordinary maid!

Moreover, when she disguised herself to meet Yuan Xing, she was seen through by the maid at a glance. This was not an ordinary person.

Seeing that Zhen Mi was not speaking, Zhen Rong thought she was shy and teased her a few more times. Zhen Mi became annoyed and said, "Sister, hurry up and take off this dress. Since Brother-in-law is not dead, what are you still wearing it for?"

"You were deceived by the Third Young Master Yuan into this state. If it weren't for the Second Young Master and Sister Yuan Xing saving you, who knows what would have happened."

When Zhen Rong thought about what happened that night, she felt a burst of guilt. She didn't know how much Yuan Xi remembered, but she remembered most of it since she took less of the Wushi powder!

She quickly covered it up and said, "You're already turning your elbows outward before you're even married. I won't talk to you!"

She hurriedly left Zhen Mi and returned to her room, throwing the mourning clothes she was wearing into the corner.

When she changed back into her Ru skirt, her hand touched the place that had been touched that night, and the strange and familiar touch was awakened again.

This forbidden and immoral feeling was so clear that she couldn't help but cry out.