As the cool breeze blew, a carriage drove out from the back door of the Marquis Jing 'an fu, passing through the bustling Xuanwu Avenue and heading out of the city. The driver was a steward of the Marquis fu's external residence, very experienced in handling matters.
He skillfully held the horsewhip, his body relaxed and his gaze heavy, closely observing the movements in the surroundings. He looked like a skilled driver who had driven for many years. As he drove, he seemed to be talking to himself, calmly saying: "Young master, I will send the two of you to the Willow Pavilion outside the city. The Marquis fu has a pavilion over there where several fine horses are kept, specially prepared for emergencies. The travel expenses and the Marquis fu's token are in the drawer of the short table in the carriage."
A lazy voice came from inside: "Thank you for the trouble … … Aiyo, it's quite a bit, this bowl of soft rice is really fragrant."
"This was personally prepared by Eldest Miss, this small one does not dare to claim credit."
That steward smiled, "You are a deity-like person, just based on your abilities, you can go anywhere in the world. But as the saying goes, money makes the devil turn millstones. Money can sometimes make things easier."
Inside the carriage, Sun Lang opened the small bag in front of him. Neatly placed inside were four pieces of garlic gold, three ingots of official silver, a small bag of broken silver and half a string of copper coins.
Sun Lang nodded, praising: "Young Miss Zhao is meticulous."
The main currency in circulation in the Empire was still copper coins. Gold and silver were mainly used to make large payments and act pretentious, so of the four types of currency, copper coins were used to buy candied haws and other snacks, broken silver was used to stuff themselves and stay in luxurious hotels, official silver was used to exchange, and as for garlic gold, it was used to bribe and buy people.
This money was complete and had different uses, but the amount was just right — — too little would make it seem shabby, too much would be too burdensome. If there was a situation where this money could not solve the problem, then … … go rob it.
That steward smiled and said: "If you can praise Eldest Miss like this in front of her, she will be very happy."
Sun Lang smiled but didn't say anything. In addition to money, there was also a token and a silk scroll with lines of small words written on it. He asked curiously, "… a token?"
The steward nodded. "The marquis' estate has properties all over the various manors in Mingzhou. Let's not talk about anything else, but we can still help you out and do some dirty work. If you need it, sir, you can use this token to give orders, and the entire marquis' estate will follow your orders. Sir, this silk scroll records the locations of the various properties of the marquis' estate. Please keep it well."
Sun Lang nodded and put everything into the pocket of his windbreaker. He glanced at the silk book a few more times and nodded to himself. Marquis Jingan fu was indeed a prestigious family in Ming Zhou. The business that they had managed for several generations was truly luxuriant. He had once instructed Zhang Jianyuan to start the construction of branch companies and offices in various places, but how could it be so easy to start from scratch?
They lacked manpower, money, and time.
He muttered to himself for a moment, dipped his hand into the tea, and wrote the words "Embroidery Spring Hall," "Marquis Jingan fu," and "Zhang family" on the table.
Zhang Jianyuan viewed him as a benefactor and was intimidated by his martial strength and intimidation. Under the combination of kindness and threat, his loyalty could be temporarily guaranteed … … as long as CEO could always remember that a certain person could blow his dog head off at any time.
Marquis Jingan fu was Young Lady Zhao's property. After several years of competition, the entire marquis fu was firmly grasped in Young Lady Zhao's hands. Therefore, Marquis Jingan fu was also a power that could be trusted and supported.
The Zhang fu had established close business relations with Lihuo Nation. Because of Old Master Zhang's attitude and the interests of the entire family, Zhang Yinluo, who acted as the link between the Zhang fu and Lihuo Nation, had already been personally appointed as the next general secretary … … I mean the head of the family. In other words, the Zhang family was definitely also mine hehehehe … …
Therefore, these three powers could all be controlled by Sun Lang. But due to various reasons, the three powers could not merge, nor did they need to merge. They only needed to work together … …
The Zhang family had already established an exclusive trade route between Houtu and Lihuo.
The Embroidery Spring Hall, which had all kinds of striking products and whose scale of production was growing by the day.
And the Marquis Jingan fu, which had businesses all over Bulumin Prefecture and had mature personnel and systems.
A smile appeared on Sun Lang's face. He knew what he should do … … Let these three cooperate with each other and balance each other out to form a perfect industry and sales chain. Not only could each family display their advantages, it could also prevent the overlapping of industries and internal friction to the greatest extent. It could also put a bridle on a certain rapidly developing capital.
Moreover, the Ranger Guild controlled by Hu Shouxin was well-informed and had shocking hidden power. It was also a power that could be borrowed. In addition, there was also the military commander Qi Guanyan who was about to join the group … …
Ah, elder brother, it couldn't be any more stable.
Sun Lang seemed to see that a large multinational business group with patriotism as its guiding ideology, resolutely obeying the law of the market, and upholding the concept of fair competition, which was strongly supported by the army and the government, had gradually taken shape. A ghost, a ghost of capitalism, was wandering over the vast Divine Land.
This group had a completely new guiding ideology. It was ambitious, had a pure structure, and had great prospects. It was to the extent that it had an even wider market, both horizontally and vertically … … Following the continuous expansion and southward expansion, the board of directors could completely stuff in many more people to be responsible for different directions.
For example, Gao Qiu could be responsible for sports, Yan Song could be responsible for cultural and entertainment publishing, Wei Zhongxian could be the financial director, Dongfang Wansheng could be in charge of fashion design and fashion, and as for Tong Guan … … he could be the director of the security department, SHIELD.
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Then he couldn't help but sigh. People were really different. Some people were just too troublesome. Look at Old Hu, he'd already made a fuss a few times. Look at Long Wande, he still hadn't recovered from his chuunibyou. But if it was Gao Qiu, Yan Song, and the others, they would definitely be fine. Not only that, they would definitely be in high spirits and do whatever they were told to do.
— — Unconsciously, he didn't seem to be so resistant to meeting old friends.
— — Of course, this was only limited to the pillars of the imperial court that he had single-handedly raised, the dream team that protected the nation.
Just as Sun Lang was imagining the beautiful future, he heard a puzzled voice, "What are you laughing at?"
Sun Lang was jolted awake from his beautiful and emotional future. He looked up and found Courrier staring at him motionlessly. Her blue eyes, which were as blue as the sky, reflected his shadow. It was as beautiful as a painting.
He smiled, "I'm just thinking about some things in the future."
Courrier looked at the short table. The water stains on the table hadn't completely subsided yet. She looked at the remaining words and said faintly, "Are you thinking about how to unify the forces in your hands now?"
Sun Lang shook his finger, "I can't call them forces yet. I'm just making some arrangements out of interest and making a few idle chess pieces. Perhaps in the future, they will achieve unexpected results. But right now, these are just a few seeds. They need to be carefully nurtured and watered before they can grow … … We still need time."
Courrier hit the nail on the head, "You lack a well-trained and organized regular army. You also lack enough high-end combat power. Just like now, the task of defending the rear actually depends on that idiot Lone Walker … …"
Sun Lang smiled, "Long Wande is just a little naive. I'll teach him a good lesson later.
As for the organized army and high-end combat power … … "
He paused for a moment. His eyes became serene, and he said faintly, "There will be."
Everything was predestined. What kind of cause would lead to what kind of effect. Back then, most of the generals and troops under his command in the northern theater of operations didn't participate in the battle of the Great Desolate Mountain for various reasons.
Although things remained the same, people had changed, and there weren't many people who could be completely trusted. But sometimes, there was no need for undying loyalty … …
Let them know that I'm still alive, let them know that I'm back, let them know that I can still win, let them know that there is meat to eat by following me. That's enough.
Courrier narrowed her eyes and said slowly, "I'm getting more and more curious now … …"
"What are you curious about?" Sun Lang asked calmly.
Holding her chin with her slender hand, Sister Mao looked at Sun Lang and smiled, "Of course I'm curious about who my future husband is … … Your martial arts are very strong, stronger than anyone I know. Also, you're so young. It's shocking that you've achieved so much at such a young age. But I've never heard of your name … … You know that the Flame Order keeps the files of almost all the experts of the empire."
Sun Lang laughed and said, "It's you, a foreigner, who is ignorant and inexperienced. With your crude spy system, what can you find out?
The Empress Dowager is colorful and filled with countless strange people and romantic legends. If you jump off any cliff, you might just run into an old thief who's about to die by Head Baptism … … "
Courrier shook her head. "But you're definitely not some nobody. Hu Shouxin is an Imperial Great General and has an extremely high status and seniority in the empire's military. He knows you, and the lone traveler … … During the war, that retard went to the northern war zone of the empire for military observation and cooperation. During that time, he made friends with a group of high-ranking generals of the empire. Judging from his attitude just now, although he was yelling at you, it's obvious that … …"
"He must respect and fear you," Sister Mao said resolutely, "and you're used to lecturing him. In other words, you must be one of the high-ranking generals of the northern war zone, and your status must be even higher than Hu Shouxin's. Then, in terms of age and rank, your identity must be …"
Sun Lang sighed. "You truly do have the right to call him a retard … …"
Courrier was silent for a moment. She had so many questions that she wanted to ask, but she chose to remain silent because she knew that she wouldn't get any answers.
In the end, this knight of the highest military rank in the Kingdom of Lifire sighed. "I didn't expect that I would be qualified to face a legend directly. It's like a man from a myth suddenly appeared in front of me … …"
Sun Lang glanced at her and snorted, "You're really smart."
Courrier smiled. She understood the implication of Sun Lang's words, and she enjoyed such communication.
— — Sun Lang praised her for being smart, not because she had deduced the truth and Sun Lang's identity, but because she actually said it out directly.
— — The legendary general who was dealt with by the Houtu Empire in a low-key manner and was greatly commemorated by other countries, the legendary soldier who carried countless honors and was madly worshipped and missed by the soldiers of various countries, was still alive, and he had some subtle bad intentions toward the Empire. If this matter was spread out, it would definitely cause a huge uproar in the world and shock all the countries. It might even become the fuse of a new round of international changes.
— — Courrier had deduced Sun Lang's identity, so no matter what, Sun Lang wouldn't let her go. There were only two endings for her. She could either follow Sun Lang wholeheartedly, or she could die.
— — Therefore, Courrier's goal had been achieved.
Sister Mao smiled. "Since there's no way back, to prevent being silenced by you, I'll try my best to show my value and offer my loyalty to you. Please wait and see."
Sun Lang snorted. "Your shamelessness is also very similar to a person I know."
Creel smiled disapprovingly. After discovering this secret, it was as if she had discovered a new continent. She stared at Sun Lang from left to right, just like a little girl who had seen her idol. She pointed to the corner of her lips with her finger and said doubtfully, "I was wondering why it looked so familiar. It really is the one standing in the victory square …"
"Huh? There's a statue?" Sun Lang asked curiously, "Why didn't I see it last time I was there?
Also, Yinluo didn't recognize me either … "
Courrier looked a bit unhappy when Zhang Yinluo was mentioned, but she still said, "When did you go to the Kingdom of Fire?
The large-scale commemoration and statue of you only became popular in the past year, and it also caused the Houtu to secretly protest and intervene … Aijiro had already returned at that time. "
Sun Lang nodded. "I see … I'll go and see it some other day. It's actually a good thing that they can't recognize me. When I was awarded the medal, a foreigner drew a portrait of me. Obviously, the portrait was ugly, so the statue was also ugly. It couldn't restore my handsome face at all …"
Creel glanced at him and said seriously, "Speaking of which, the face is quite similar. It's just that the hairstyle has changed. The temperament and demeanor are also like that of a different person, so it's hard to recognize …"
Sun Lang said with a serious expression, "You mean, I'm not handsome?"
Kuril nodded. "To be honest, when I was in the Lifire Kingdom, with my appearance, strength, status, and courage, the male dogs that came to my side were all at the level of handsome men. Compared to them, you can hardly be considered handsome.
But it doesn't matter, a man's true charm comes from his strength and desire. In this aspect, even the Divine Emperor can't compare to you … "
Sun Lang complained, "You mean, I'm the most capable pervert in the world?"
Courrier pretended not to hear and said seriously, "So, I'm attracted by your inner qualities, so I'm filled with good feelings and love for you. Even when I look at your face, the more I look at it, the more handsome it becomes …"
"…" Sun Lang was silent for a moment, then said indifferently, "Forget it, I've met many people before, and they all said I'm not handsome … It's hard to know what's in a person's heart, so I can't take it all seriously. Don't you think so?"
Courrier revealed a subtle expression and wanted to say something more, but he felt the carriage stop.
The voice of the steward of Marquis Jingan fu holding back his laughter came from outside. "Young master, we've arrived."