The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 156 Working Together
Noticing Shang Mingshu's gaze, Du Zhong subconsciously straightened his spine.

He grew up with the three Shang sisters, and what he feared most was the third sister, who was usually unassuming and never competed for anything, earning praise from everyone in the family and making them willing to open their hearts to her.

Du Zhong's reaction made Shang Mingshu sigh inwardly. She had only guessed what Shang Wenshu was saying, and Du Zhong's help in analyzing the situation made her feel that the two of them trusted each other and that staying behind to manage the family business would not lead to any problems.

Unexpectedly, Du Zhong was so intimidated and fearful of her...

Shang Jinliang nodded repeatedly as he listened. After Shang Wenshu finished speaking, his gaze fell on the fingertips of Shang Wenshu who was unconsciously twisting her handkerchief tightly. He immediately gave her a sympathetic compliment: "Wenshu is absolutely right. She has thought things through thoroughly."

Shang Wenshu visibly relaxed, a restrained smile appearing on her face.

Turning his head, Shang Jinliang looked at Shang Zishu, who was idly turning her teacup around: "Zishu, what are you thinking?"

"Me?" Shang Zishu had never intended to get involved in these matters. Her mind wasn't on them; she had never been asked about the family's finances or business expansion. Being suddenly called upon by Shang Jinliang, she was slightly surprised. She lowered her hand and pondered seriously, "I've never been particularly good at making a living; I'll just listen to Father, my eldest sister, and my third sister..."

Shang Zishu glanced at the three of them before continuing, "I have a few concerns. The Shi family has produced a whole bunch of Japanese pirates, including Shi Houqiong. Are there any others who have escaped? Will we be implicated in the future if we cooperate with the Shi family?"

This is a crime punishable by the extermination of an entire clan, and Shang Zishu does not want to suffer this injustice.

Shang Jinliang also showed admiration: "Zishu's reminder is of utmost importance."

Changing the subject, his gaze fell on Shang Mingshu, and Shang Jinliang asked, "Mingshu, what about you?"

"Eldest sister agrees to cooperate with the Shi family. It's better to resolve conflicts than to perpetuate them." Shang Mingshu met Shang Wenshu's eyes and received a slight nod from Shang Wenshu. "Second sister doesn't care about cooperation or not, as long as the Shi family is thoroughly investigated."

She paused, then met Shang Jinliang's gaze with a clear smile: "Father shares the same view of cooperation."

"How so?" Shang Jinliang asked calmly, having never mentioned cooperation.

“If Father is unwilling to cooperate with the Shi family, he will not let me meet with the Shi family.” Shang Mingshu smiled. “Father has made up his mind. He must have investigated the Shi family, or... the Prefect prefers Father to cooperate with the Shi family.”

The Shi family's assets were liquidated, and they were accused of treason. The common people would not think deeply about whether the rest of the Shi family were innocent. Even Shang Zishu had doubts, let alone others.
The prefect wanted to submit Shi Houqiong's property as an award to the Shang family, not only to reward the Shang family, but also in the hope that Shi Houqiong's property could be quickly revitalized.

The Shang family is the "great hero" who exposed the Shi family. After these businesses reopened, those who were unaware of the situation would not resist excessively or cause trouble out of hatred.

Shang Jinliang listened to Shang Mingshu's advice and tried to win preferential treatment from the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road. This reward is still undecided and may be rejected. Regardless of success or failure, the Shang family will receive sufficient rewards.

The Shi family's property can no longer be awarded to Shang Jinliang.

The Shang family could not swallow up Shi Houqiong's property, and the prefect hoped that the Shang family could do their best to ensure that the people who depended on the Shi family's property would not be implicated.

If the Shi family cooperates with others, anyone would take on too much risk and squeeze the Shi family's maximum profit. Only by cooperating with the Shang family can they find the greatest chance to breathe. Moreover, Shang Jinliang is not a treacherous person.

"Nothing can escape your eyes." Shang Jinliang's tone was full of pride. Ever since Shang Mingshu stopped pretending to be well-behaved in front of him, he has become more and more satisfied with having Shang Mingshu as his daughter.

“Since Prefect He has agreed, the government should investigate thoroughly.” Shang Mingshu spoke calmly and slowly, “If we do not cooperate with the Shi family, and the Shi family cooperates with other tea merchants or merchants who intend to take this opportunity to enter the tea business, Xiangmingzhai will undoubtedly have another formidable competitor.” Shang Mingshu’s meaning was clear: she agreed to the cooperation.

"They are all happy to cooperate with the Shi family. I will arrange a meeting with them tomorrow." Shang Jinliang felt inexplicably happy. He had never felt this way before. It turned out that this was the satisfaction of a family discussing things together and working towards the same goal.

Shang Wenshu was overjoyed. She grabbed Du Zhong's hand, which was resting on his knee, and squeezed it excitedly, causing Du Zhong to freeze in surprise, staring blankly at Shang Wenshu's tightly clenched hand.

"Do you three sisters want to come along?" Shang Jinliang intended to take Shang Mingshu to learn how to negotiate with others, which could also be seen as sending a signal to the outside world. However, he was worried that taking Shang Mingshu alone would upset his other two daughters, so he decided to take them along as well.

"Father, I'm not going." Shang Zishu was the first to refuse. She was most impatient with these arguments and bickering. Even though both sides were willing to cooperate, they had to argue for a long time over some small benefits.

“When you marry Chen Dalang in the future, you will inevitably have to take care of these things, so you might as well get used to it sooner,” Madam Yu advised from the side. She was usually an extremely quiet mistress of the house, and she would only speak up when she genuinely wanted the three women in the family to be well.

"And Chen Che too," Shang Zishu said nonchalantly.

In fact, she knew that she and Chen Che were the same kind of people, only caring about what they loved. Chen Che loved brewing wine, and she loved making tea.

Everyone hopes to be oblivious to the world around them and focus solely on their loved ones.

With the Chen family's vast fortune falling on their shoulders, one of them is bound to have to grow stronger. Why her? Chen Che should have a greater responsibility to protect the Chen family's business than she does!
Chen Che isn't stupid. He just didn't take it to heart before. When he came before, Shang Zishu had privately discussed with him that it would be more appropriate for him to handle the Chen family.

Chen Che has already agreed.

Before Xiao Yu could continue her persuasion, she noticed Shang Mingshu shaking her head without changing her expression, and swallowed her words.

Shang Wenshu had already stood up. In previous years, she had followed behind Shang Jinliang. However, Shang Jinliang had not taken her along when they were discussing matters involving contracts in public. She wanted to learn more. Shang Mingshu was not always at home, and she did not want the Shang family to be vulnerable once Shang Mingshu left.

She needs to become stronger.

Du Zhong reluctantly looked away from the still-warm hand, and when he looked up, he saw Shang Wenshu, who seemed to be enveloped in a halo of light, and he was captivated by her beauty.

“If Zishu doesn’t want to go, then the two of you will accompany your father tomorrow.” Shang Jinliang did not force Shang Zishu.

Neither Shang Wenshu nor Shang Mingshu refused.

The family drank tea together for a while and chatted about other trivial matters before parting ways. Shang Mingshu deliberately lagged behind, waiting until Du Zhong saw Shang Wenshu off before returning.

Seeing Shang Mingshu standing under the cold moonlight, Du Zhong automatically began to reflect on where he had gone wrong...

"Brother Du." Ever since Du Zhong and Shang Wenshu got engaged, Shang Mingshu changed her form of address. "Brother, there's no need to be so cautious. You're family."

Du Zhong understood Shang Mingshu's meaning. He hadn't said a word just now, so he thought she was just being reserved. He explained, "Wen Shu is sensitive and thoughtful. She needs more praise."