I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 308 Xingtai Tower

Gu Ci helped his sister up. "Now that you know, what are you planning to do?"

Gu Xuan was taken aback by the question.

Gu Ci asked bluntly, "Are you still determined to go to Tibet to find Zhuoma's brother?"

Gu Xuan bit her lower lip, wanting to say something but not daring to.

Gu Ci shook his head inwardly, his gaze falling on Shen Jiawen who had rushed over. "Keep an eye on her."

"Fifth Brother, don't worry," Shen Jiawen helped Gu Xuan up, "I won't let Xuan'er do anything foolish again."

The couple watched Gu Ci leave, and Shen Jiawen tenderly wiped away Gu Xuan's tears. "Do you want to stay with your mother and sister-in-law, or come home with me?"

Gu Xuan didn't want to choose either option, and tugged at Shen Jiawen's sleeve, pleading, "Husband, please help me, okay?"

Shen Jiawen lowered her eyes. "What is it?"

Gu Xuan said, "Why don't you secretly send someone to Tibet to rescue Da Hua's younger brother?"

Shen Jiawen said, "No good."

Gu Xuan was taken aback. Since they met, Shen Jiawen had never refused her any request.

This is the first time.

Gu Xuan's tears welled up in her eyes again instantly. "Why?"

Shen Jiawen waited until Gu Xuan had finished crying before saying, "Xuan'er, this is a critical moment, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."

"Once everything settles down, I will definitely help you rescue them."

Gu Xuan didn't understand why this was a critical moment, nor did she know what was so critical, but she knew that every moment later Da Hua was rescued, Da Hua would be in greater danger.

But no matter how much Gu Xuan pleaded, Shen Jiawen wouldn't budge.

Gu Xuan got angry, "If none of you will help me, I'll just go to Tibet myself!"

Shen Jiawen's gaze sharpened. Remembering the message from the guards of the Protector General's Mansion, he didn't ask Gu Xuan's wishes. Instead, he brought Gu Xuan directly to Princess Xuan and Madam Ming, explained the situation, and asked the two of them to take care of Gu Xuan.

Princess Xuan thought Gu Xuan had improved a lot after entering the military camp, but she didn't expect him to still be a fool. Feeling guilty and grateful to her son-in-law, she repeatedly promised to take good care of the troublesome Gu Xuan and told Shen Jiawen to go ahead and do his work.

After thanking Princess Xuan and Madam Ming, Shen Jiawen hurriedly took his leave and returned to the Wuwei government office to continue his official duties.

Princess Xuan gave her troublesome daughter a good scolding. No wonder Zhao Zhao didn't even want to look at Gu Xuan just now. If she weren't her own daughter, Princess Xuan wouldn't bother to look at her either!
Gu Xuan knelt on the ground, her lips trembling with grievance.

Princess Xuan was so angry that her head was throbbing. After thinking for a while, she forcibly brought Gu Xuan back to Lanzhou and kept her under her watchful eye to teach her.

Ningzhou, Yinchuan Prefecture.

Zhang Anzhi welcomed Tang Zhao into the government office and personally served her tea, saying, "Princess, you must be tired from your journey. Please have some tea to quench your thirst."

Tang Zhao thanked Zhang Anzhi for his kindness, picked up the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

While refilling Tang Zhao's tea, Zhang Anzhi told Tang Zhao about the recent salt trade, and finally mentioned the Gao family and Gao Xing.

"I have thoroughly investigated the Gao family. They have poor morals and always try to exploit legal loopholes. Many members of the clan have done a lot of bad things by taking advantage of the protection of the former prefect. Fortunately, no one has been killed."

"Gao Xing is a good person. He repeatedly stopped the Gao family from breaking the law and discipline, and privately helped the people. He is a kind-hearted and sensible person."

Tang Zhao was curious, "It's rare to see Anzhi speak up for someone like this."

“Princess, you don’t know, Gao Xing is in a really awkward position in the Gao family,” Zhang Anzhi explained. “As the next head of the family, Gao Xing has a high status in the Gao family, but he always disagrees with the Gao family members, and therefore he is not favored by Gao’s father. If Gao Xing were not really capable, he would probably have been rejected by Gao’s father long ago.”

Tang Zhao chuckled, "So, Gao Xing is indeed someone who remains untainted by the mud." "Gao Xing requests that I introduce him to the princess; he is willing to offer the princess the Jiangnan salt merchant business that the Gao family possesses."

Tang Zhao tapped the table. "This one is quite interesting."

Zhang Anzhi asked, "Should I send a message to Gao Xing?"

Tang Zhao nodded, "Let's meet at Xingtai Tower."

Xingtai Restaurant, the premier restaurant in Yinchuan Prefecture, boasts fragrant dishes and pure wine, but its prices are also exceptionally high.

But it doesn't matter, since its owner is the Gao family.

Tang Zhao will never let the wealthy families who deserve to be slaughtered go unpunished!

Therefore, Tang Zhao politely declined Zhang Anzhi's invitation to stay for dinner and led a large group of personal guards to a restaurant downstairs at Xingtai Tower.

Having already received the news, Gao Xing personally led the way to the backyard, leaving his personal guards to eat downstairs, and respectfully invited Tang Zhao to a private room on the second floor.

A well-trained maid brought out a table full of delicious-looking dishes.

Gao Xing stood aside and said, "The food is simple, please don't mind it, Your Highness."

Looking at the eighteen main dishes on the table—chicken, duck, seafood, abalone, bird's nest, ginseng, deer antler, and bear paw—as well as the specialty snacks and pastries from various prefectures across the country, Tang Zhao exclaimed, "Young Master Gao is very thoughtful."

Gao Xing said respectfully, "The Princess's honor in dining at Xingtai Restaurant is a great honor for the Gao family and Xingtai Restaurant. How could the Gao family dare not take it seriously?"

Tang Zhao was moved and said, "Young Master Gao, please have a seat."

Gao Xing declined, saying, "This humble commoner is of lowly status; how could I possibly dine at the same table as Your Highness?"

Tang Zhao raised an eyebrow. "I don't look at people's status when I hire them; I only look at their abilities."

Overjoyed and surprised, he thanked Tang Zhao and sat down opposite him.

Tang Zhao picked up a piece of abalone, ham, and tofu with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The aroma of the fried ham was prominent, which combined with the umami of the abalone. The tofu absorbed the soup and had a chewy and tender texture. It was savory and delicious, with an endless aftertaste.

"Xingtai Restaurant truly deserves its reputation as the number one restaurant in Yinchuan Prefecture."

She smiled happily and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It's just small and delicate."

Tang Zhao stopped talking and, after tasting all the dishes and snacks, was full.

Seeing Tang Zhao put down his chopsticks, Gao Xing hurriedly ordered someone to bring him toiletries.

After rinsing his mouth, Tang Zhao looked at the table piled high with food and shook his head. "What a waste."

"Your Highness, please rest assured, the leftover dishes will not be wasted," Gao Xing explained. "Xingtai Restaurant will pack up the leftover dishes and send them to the beggars in Yinchuan Prefecture."

Tang Zhao was surprised, "Oh? Young Master Gao really has a kind heart."

Gao Xing keenly noticed the change in Tang Zhao's address and was delighted. "The Gao family prospered from my grandfather's time. He often taught me to cherish food and treat my neighbors kindly. I was raised by my grandfather since childhood and dare not forget his teachings."

This was exactly what she had investigated. Tang Zhao nodded. "We've finished eating. Young Master Gao, please speak freely."

He swallowed nervously and immediately knelt at Tang Zhao's feet. "This humble subject is willing to hand over the trade routes and business dealings of the Gao family's salt merchants, so as to open up trade routes in Jiangnan for Your Highness!"

The private room fell silent for a moment.

Tang Zhao hesitated for a while before saying, "Does Young Master Gao know the price of fine salt?"

“I know,” he said happily, “ten coins a pound.”

"But Your Highness may not know that there are many powerful and wealthy families in Jiangnan. Shops cannot open without their backing. Even if the fine salt is of good quality and low price, it will not be sold because of the resistance from the powerful families in Jiangnan."