Peace Order-Chapter 818 - 101: Reunion at Changfeng Building Again

On this day, after reuniting with Ji Zichang until quite late, Ji Zichang patted Li Guanyi on the shoulder. Ultimately, he no longer addressed him by titles like close friend or brother, but simply said:

"The changes in the world rest upon you and me; what has happened in the Academy is merely a beginning." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"The road ahead is long; take care of yourself."

"The next time we meet again should be in a month’s time, during that autumn hunt."

After parting with Ji Zichang, Li Guanyi returned to the temporary residence of his unit. After accepting Ji Zichang’s gift, he was immediately faced with an enormous problem—

How to extract at least thirty million taels of silver from that mausoleum and then have it transported back to the distant Eighteenth State of Jiangnan. This was not a simple task.

After pondering over this matter, Li Guanyi sought out Wen He.

He briefly explained the situation.

Wen He pondered, nodded earnestly, and then asked:

"Can we dig out the burial items beneath as well?!"

Li Guanyi’s mouth twitched; when he accepted Ji Zichang’s goodwill, he merely sensed Ji Zichang’s determination and, as a descendant of the Red Emperor’s lineage, his audacity to do such a thing. Accepting the sacrificial items of someone else’s ancestors, Li Guanyi still felt a bit uneasy.

And now, he realized that compared to himself and Ji Zichang, Wen He’s moral baseline was indeed quite subtle.

Wen He said, "Lord, you haven’t informed Lingjun of this, have you?"

Li Guanyi curled his mouth and replied, "If I told him, he’d wring my neck."

Even if he couldn’t fight him, Wen Lingjun would be infuriated beyond measure.

In Wen Lingjun’s eyes, even if Ji Zichang took the initiative to do such a thing, as a minister and a citizen, one should firmly refuse this matter. Therefore, Li Guanyi could absolutely not discuss it with him.

Wen He nodded: "The Lord indeed understands Lingjun well."

Li Guanyi said, "Moreover, if you, sir, have leverage over me, wouldn’t it be more reassuring?"

Wen He paused, gazed at Li Guanyi, and revealed a slight smile on his plain face.

The two understood each other tacitly.

Li Guanyi accepted Ji Zichang’s goodwill, but such matters, if spoken of, would ruin one’s reputation. By telling Wen He, Wen He essentially possessed leverage over Li Guanyi.

For him, prioritizing self-planning as the first, it was indeed peace of mind.

Wen He smiled and said, "The Lord understands me well too."

"My master commands no more than fifty thousand soldiers, skilled in strategists and officers."

"Alright, let’s see how much is in there..."

Li Guanyi took Wen He there; after pondering, Wen He responded, "It could sell for fifty million taels."

Li Guanyi was surprised, slightly puzzled, and inquired, "How come? Brother Chang Wen comes from the royal family and should have some judgment on the value of these items."

Wen He said, "The brother Chang Wen you mentioned should be His Majesty the Great Emperor. His Majesty the Great Emperor grew up among the royal family, accustomed to the best Imperial Objects, well-versed and knowledgeable. In estimating the value of these treasures, he’s certainly formidable."

"Sadly, he understands gold and silver but doesn’t understand human hearts."

"To sell thirty million taels of gold and silver items for only thirty million taels is a losing business."

"Just the word ’royal,’ with a bit of maneuvering, can be exchanged for twenty million taels."

"As it happens, I also need something that can make the noble families contend with each other."

Wen He said, "Lord, do not worry; taking so many things out at once would make them worthless. One at a time, a steady stream, will yield the greatest benefit."

Wen He appraised these gold, silver, and jade items, saying, "Not bad, not bad."

"More than I anticipated; many are treasures that were lost to time. Nowadays, the noble families take pride in collecting Imperial contributions. Lord, have you ever heard of the strategy of [Two Peaches Kill Three Warriors]?"

Li Guanyi gazed at the gentle-smiling Wen He.

He felt a tinge of pity in his heart for the aristocratic families of the Jiangnan Eighteen States.

How pitiful they are, having to deal with Mr. Wen He.

After the appraisal, they returned to their temporary dwelling place. Wen He personally took charge, spending a lot of time with Li Guanyi bringing back all these gold and silver items, which naturally involved some twists and turns, with frequent comings and goings inevitably being noticed.

Wen He devised a strategy, taking advantage when the Chen Country and Ying Country were recruiting talents.

He had Li Guanyi in the open, discussing the Tao with the Academy’s scholars, while he himself went on a diversion.

"With the Lord as bait, my strategy is enacted."

"Lord, this move is for the world!"

Wen He’s plain face bore a genuine smile: "Moreover, you should go and have tea with the young ladies of noble families. Please do not waste the face you received from your parents and the Murong Family."

Li Guanyi’s mouth twitched: "Hmm???"

"What is the sir saying? I don’t quite understand."

Wen He succinctly said, "Beauty trap."

"The beauty is not the Lord’s face, although it certainly could keep you fed on charm alone. However, the Qilin Army and the Heavenly Strategy Mansion are not so poor as to have you exchange that for money."

"Of course, mainly because I don’t think your mouth can win jewelry money from young ladies and ladies, you can’t live off a woman."

"Hmm???"

"Hmm???!!"

Li Guanyi concealed his awkwardness by drinking tea, then suddenly realized something and stared at Wen He: "Lady?!"

What did you do?!

Wen He remained unfazed: "A gentleman doesn’t complain of poverty."

"A gentleman follows the Tao."

"But occasionally, for the sake of vitality, one inevitably does things against one’s inner conscience."

"It’s just a pity that the good fortune of trading tea for much silver, the Lord cannot achieve."

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