Carrying the little lucky star, leading the villain on the road to exile

Chen Dafu knew this kid was good at provoking people, and he had suffered quite a few losses from him. But his status was different now, and this kid still dared to talk to him like that, it was simply...

"You know your father has returned to the capital, so you should also know that he is now just an ordinary citizen."

Gu Kaiyuan nodded, "Of course I know that. We are just ordinary people now, so we are only doing what ordinary people do, and we haven't overstepped our bounds, have we?"

This is a veiled accusation that Chen Dafu has overstepped his bounds.

Chen Dafu could tell that he shouldn't have come today, nor should he have blocked Gu Kaiyuan, but his inner voice still made him come.

Don't you want to go back to Beijing?

“I don’t know why you ask this, Lord Chen. But we are all smart people, and you should know what my relationship with my family is like. Now it can be said that it has been completely severed, and I have nothing to do with them anymore.”

Aren't you afraid people will say you're unfilial?

"So what?" Gu Kaiyuan said indifferently. "I don't pursue an official career, so reputation doesn't hold much sway over me. Besides, anyone who wants to know who is right and who is wrong can investigate it thoroughly."

"Don't you even think about your children and grandchildren?" Chen Dafu really couldn't understand why the father and son had to fight to this extent. If this got out, even if Gu Baijiang and his group were in the wrong, everyone would only blame Gu Kaiyuan.

"I only have one daughter now, so I don't think about that much," Gu Kaiyuan said shamelessly. "Besides, my children and grandchildren will have their own blessings in the future. If I have another child, she will take the Bai surname and won't have any connection with the Gu family."

Chen Dafu, “…” I almost forgot, this guy is also a ruthless person. He has already changed his household registration and married into the family, so this will not have much impact on his next generation.

"I've also received news from the capital that your niece has entered the Three Emperors' Palace. Aren't you afraid that one day they'll rise up and come after you?"

"Lord Chen, just say what you have to say. Don't beat around the bush with me. We both know that the other prefers to speak frankly."

Chen Dafu was truly impressed by Gu Kaiyuan's attitude. After all, Gu Kaiyuan was now an imperial envoy appointed by the Emperor. Even if they had some prior relationship, Gu should still have some respect for him.

Judging from their casual manner of speaking, an outsider would think the two were equals.

He didn't care about those things now. He really had important business to discuss with him today. He had thought that with his current status, he could put this kid in his place, but he didn't expect him to be so sharp-tongued and quick-witted, not suffering any loss at all. "I really have something to discuss with you today."

Gu Kaiyuan didn't respond, waiting quietly for the other party to perform.

Chen Dafu continued, "You know my sons are all good-for-nothings. If they were half as clever and ambitious as you, I wouldn't have to worry about them."

However, I have been too busy with my affairs to have time to teach them, which has led to them living in a daze all these years.

But now I'm getting older and I'm starting to feel less capable. I want my sons to succeed, but they're not cut out for it.

Here's what I'm thinking: as the saying goes, every profession has its top performers. With your abilities, you'll excel in any field. I just want my son to learn from you. Even just a little bit he learns will be enough to benefit him for a lifetime.

It was the same old story again. He'd heard Chen Dafu mention this idea before, but he'd refused. He hadn't expected it to come up again today. Back then, they were all exiled prisoners, but now their statuses had changed, so Gu Kaiyuan couldn't very well refuse outright.

Now that he has completely severed ties with the Gu family, most of the information he receives in the court is gathered by his own people, as well as information from his mother-in-law. If he had Chen Dafu as a connection, it wouldn't be impossible.

"Follow me on my trading business? Or do you want them to become small landowners?" Gu Kaiyuan wouldn't make decisions for others. If they followed him, they could learn some trading skills, since he was quite familiar with this line of work. When he was a general, he had led his men to do this many times for military supplies.

And with all the properties and land he's acquired, if he manages them well, he'll definitely become a major landowner.

Although Chen Dafu is relatively honest among officials, he must have some wealth. He could buy one or two small estates and teach them greenhouse techniques. After all, these things don't last long, so it's better to let the Chen family make some money first, which can also be considered as making a good connection.

“If they become small landlords, I’m afraid they won’t be able to keep the business after I’m gone.” Chen Dafu knew his son’s capabilities.

With him watching over them now, no one dares to touch them, but if he's not around, these brats won't be enough for others to take advantage of.

In his earlier years, he had thought that if all else failed, they could return to their clan's territory, be cared for by their clan members, and farm a few acres of land, which would allow them to live a peaceful life. But he was still unwilling to accept this.

After farming, the annual income is limited, making it difficult for future generations to succeed and pursue education.

He preferred his son to be a small landowner rather than a merchant, because a small landowner could at least hold on to a small piece of land for a while longer.

Gu Kaiyuan was unaware of Chen Dafu's thoughts; otherwise, he would have given him a thumbs up. It's truly astonishing that someone would lack such confidence in their own children and grandchildren.

He had met Chen Dafu's sons and grandsons before. To put it simply, they were all honest and hardworking people, straightforward and honest, without any ulterior motives.

Such a person, if they hold onto a business and don't think about getting rich quick, should be fine.

They were just not smart, not stupid. It was just that Chen Dafu's teaching methods and the way he belittled them made them increasingly insecure.

The reason why the Chen family's descendants are in this state is actually due to Chen Dafu.

Otherwise, how could there not be a single outstanding son or grandson among so many?

“Actually, your children and grandchildren are all quite good,” Gu Kaiyuan still wanted to say on their behalf, “Have you discussed with them what they want to do?”

"What do they want to do?" Chen Dafu scoffed. Why bother discussing this with them? "As soon as they were born and reached the age, I started their education and sent them to academies. At first, they performed reasonably well, but as time went on, their shortcomings became apparent. None of them were cut out for studying."

Gu Kaiyuan was utterly speechless. "So you expect them all to succeed in the scientific expedition?"

“Of course, I treated them all fairly, giving them all the same opportunity.” Chen Dafu was quite proud of this; unlike Gu Baijiang, he wasn't biased, and each of his sons received their own chance. (End of Chapter)