National Division

Chapter 55 Shen Xian: I shall be the strategist on this journey! (Seeking monthly votes and to continue reading!)
Inside the cabin, the group enjoyed tea and conversation while the sounds of boats clattering outside the window drifted in.

Xue Zhihua said, "Madam, from now on, just live a good life in Guhe with Tianxia and don't get involved in this kind of thing."

Princess Qing hummed in agreement, her heart heavy with sadness.

Xue Zhihua changed the subject, saying, "The Valley River is just ahead. The mansion hasn't been cleaned yet. You and Tianxia can stay at my place for now, and we'll go over after the servants have finished cleaning."

Princess Qing's voice was soft and sweet: "You can arrange it, Niece Xue."

Xue Zhihua turned to look at Shen Xian, who was quietly sipping tea and remaining silent, and asked, "Is the Shen residence adequate for the time being?"

Shen Xian quickly replied, "We can accommodate you, we can accommodate you."

Princess Li Tianxia of Anyang secretly glanced at the young man and wondered what kind of story he was writing.

Xue Zhihua comforted Princess Qing and Li Tianxia, ​​while their boat approached the ferry.

“Let’s go to the Shen residence first,” Xue Zhihua said.

A carriage prepared by the servants was also unloaded from the large ship.

Xue Zhihua helped Princess Qing and Princess Anyang walk towards the Shen residence.

……

……

Shen Residence, Back Hall

Yu Qingchan changed into a plain white dress with wide sleeves and was drinking porridge at a rectangular table. The girl's pink lips were slightly pouted, and her fair and smooth skin seemed to have a rosy glow.

Because of the mysterious voice within her mind, there was a way to treat her blindness, and the girl's mood had improved these past two days.

Lin Jing took the newspaper into the back room and said, "Qingchan, the newspaper has been released."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingchan was overjoyed and quickly put down her spoon, saying, "Uncle, let me see."

Lin Jing handed over the newspaper he was holding.

Yu Qingchan took the newspaper, feeling the smooth texture of the paper and the faint scent of ink, and was overjoyed.

Lin Jing smiled and said, "This newspaper has already been printed in the first few thousand copies. I have already had people distribute it along Guhe County to Anzhou. Before long, Mu Zhi will be famous throughout Anzhou."

Yu Qingchan nodded, suppressing the joy welling up in her heart, and asked, "I just heard from the manor that Young Master Shen went out with that Miss Xue."

It's like a woman worrying that her husband is too outstanding and might be snatched away by someone else.

Lin Jing said, "This Miss Xue is the daughter of Duke Xue. Recently, Magistrate Lu of Guhe County was dismissed from his post and Assistant Magistrate Liu was arrested and imprisoned. It was all thanks to Miss Xue's efforts."

Yu Qingchan pursed her pink lips slightly, her heart filled with sadness.

She can't help him right now.

Lin Jing said, "I've already had the perfume stocked. I'll discuss it with Mu Zhi later and see what we can say."

Yu Qingchan asked, "Uncle, wouldn't the highly profitable perfume industry attract thieves?"

Lin Jing said, "Mu Zhi has already thought this through and is going to do business with that Miss Xue."

Yu Qingchan: "..."

Lin Jing, being worldly-wise, understood the young woman's thoughts and comforted her, saying, "Take it slow. You can help Mu Zhi when he takes the imperial examination."

Yu Qingchan hummed in agreement, secretly resolving to cultivate diligently.

At this moment, Green Pearl rushed in from the outer room, entered the hall through the covered corridor, and said happily, "Miss, the young master has returned."

Yu Qingchan turned her head at the sound, feeling both surprised and delighted.

Green Pearl said, "But I brought a girl with me along with that Miss Xue."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingchan was puzzled, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and her heart filled with doubt.

Lin Jing said, "Qingchan, you stay here for now, I'll go take a look."

Yu Qingchan gave a soft "hmm" and then watched Lin Jing leave.

In the front yard, Shen Xian and Xue Zhihua arranged for Princess Qing and her daughter to come to the courtyard where Xue Zhihua lived.

A group of exquisitely embroidered old women and maids, along with several servants, carried boxes containing clothes and cosmetics from the carriage.

Shen Xian said, "This should be the safest place in Guhe County. You two can stay here for now. If you need anything, just let me know."

Princess Qing turned her beautiful face, her voice soft and sweet, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Shen. We have brought a cook who can help with the cooking in the kitchen. You can bring all the supplies yourself." As the saying goes, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Although the Qing Prince's Mansion was in decline, it still had a considerable amount of gold and silver in savings.

But giving it directly to Shen Xian would be too insulting and undignified.

Shen Xian said, "Your Highness is too kind."

While they were talking, he also introduced the local customs and culture of Guhe County to Princess Qing, and then tactfully handed the conversation over to Xue Zhihua and Princess Qing and her daughter.

Shen Xian left the mansion and hadn't gone far when he ran into Lin Jing.

"Uncle, where are we going?" Shen Xian asked with a smile.

Lin Jing smiled broadly and said, "I've come to discuss the newspaper and perfume with you."

They didn't ask about the new guests at the Shen residence right away.

Shen Xian nodded and said, "Let's talk in my courtyard."

The newspaper should have already been printed, and the merits recorded in the Yin-Yang Millstone should have already reminded him.

As the two talked, they arrived at Shen Xian's residence and sat down in the hall.

Lin Jing said, "The newspaper has already been distributed by merchant ships along the Gu River throughout Anzhou. I have purchased a spice shop and started hiring some female workers. However, the method of making perfume is a secret. If it is taught to these female workers, it will be easy to leak over time."

This is also the reason why production was carried out in small family workshops in ancient times.

Shen Xian said softly, "Don't worry about leaks. The perfume's blending ratio, as well as its packaging and brand, are all unique."

He never thought about monopolizing the market; he just wanted to maintain technological upgrades and brand positioning.

"Even if someone in the industry does produce a counterfeit, there's no need to worry. There are many businesses in the world, and the money shouldn't all go to one person." Shen Xian smiled faintly and said, "Money is something that only needs to be enough. Even if you eat meat yourself, you should also give the people of the world a bowl of soup."

He created the perfume to quickly amass wealth and help him through his initial development phase, and also to connect with like-minded people and exchange resources.

They always seem afraid of being robbed when they start any industry, which reveals a petty, narrow-minded attitude.

The allure of business lies in connecting more people through shared interests and exchanging value.

The key lies in whether the value of the exchange is equal, whether the price offered by the other party is fair, and whether it is appropriate to try to seize it.

He arranged for the Xue family to collaborate on perfume, essentially using the Xue family's connections for his own benefit.

Perfume is just a starting point; it can be perfume or other valuable mediums.

Glass mirrors, wine, soap, perfume... or other seemingly novel or high-end things, are no different at all.

They were all just bargaining chips he used to exchange for resources.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing was filled with respect and said, "Mu Zhi truly has a broad vision. If he continues to do business like this, he will surely become incredibly wealthy in time."

He and his niece Qingchan were right about him; he was truly no ordinary person.

He could sense a calm and composed demeanor, as well as a shrewd and deliberate approach.

Shen Xian said, "Wealth is something you can't take with you when you're born or when you die. It's not mine to own, but for my use."

He only uses money to pursue martial arts and immortality, to vent his anger and make the world operate according to his will.

If he were Lao Tzu or Zhuangzi, would the abbot of Qingyang Temple bow down and listen to his teachings?
In fact, compared to buying life experience cards filled with desires, the true allure lies in one's own power, in governing the country and benefiting the people, in controlling the rise and fall of the masses, and in being praised by the world for generations to come, leaving a lasting legacy.

Of course, being both refined and popular, and having picturesque landscapes and countless beauties, are not mutually exclusive.

Lin Jing looked at the young man's handsome, cold, and sharply defined face, which seemed to exude a calming power, and for a moment he was captivated by him.

Shen Xian said, "Uncle, I will be going to the capital in a few days. I hope you will take good care of my family."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing was startled and asked, "You're going to the capital?"

Shen Xian's expression remained calm, as serene as Xuan Shui, and he said, "I have some business to attend to."

A true man who doesn't live on the wealth of five tripods is destined to be cooked in them!
He had only one purpose for this trip: to become a close advisor to the Empress.

This mission should be led by a strategist!

On the same day, Dapeng rose from the wind and lifted up to 90,000 miles.

The way of the novelist is but a minor one!
His true nature lay in the schools of strategists and legalists.

(End of this chapter)