The Second Collection Misty Canyon Chapter 19 On The Road

  It's early summer, the weather in southwestern Sichuan is slightly sultry, but just after a light rain, the air is filled with a fresh scent, driving away the sultry atmosphere.

  On the slightly muddy official road, a horse-drawn carriage was slowly moving forward, pulled by two old horses that were showing their age. The atmosphere around them seemed weak and lifeless. This was the fourteenth day since Wang Guanlan had safely returned to Ningwang Fu. After resting in the mansion for ten days, he set out on his journey to Yicheng. Although he had caused a big commotion in Ningwang Fu, under Ning Wang's intentional protection, Qiufuren no longer dared to make any small moves. As for that so-called "cousin lady", she became a laughing stock - a merchant's daughter daring to be rude to the young master of Ningwang Fu, which controlled the three states of the southwest. Having her tongue cut off without implicating her family was already considered lucky. Nevertheless, even her family members received a scolding from Ning Wang, and Qiufuren's prestige in Ningwang Fu plummeted to an all-time low.

  Looking back, the status of Qing Song Garden in the mansion has been rising day by day. As for Wang Guanlan's approach, Ning Wang not only did not have a single bit of blame, but also rewarded him, saying that Wang Guanlan's behavior maintained the dignity of the Wang Mansion. At the same time, the action to rectify the family style within the Ning Wang Mansion began, and a large number of talkative, flattering, divisive, and sharp-tongued house slaves were cleared out. The atmosphere in the mansion was purified, but all this had nothing to do with Wang Guanlan anymore, his mind had already been completely put on Yicheng.

  As expected, he sent a servant to Yicheng to receive the property and was met with a soft nail. The servant returned from Yicheng in a dejected manner. The young master of Yicheng was not like the "young miss" who had been dealt with by Wang Guanlan. He was a true member of the Ningwang Fu family, born into a wealthy family in the three southwestern states. Over several years, he had built up Yicheng to be impenetrable and was now reaping the benefits. With such a strong backing, how could he possibly give up such a large share of profits so willingly? Moreover, Wang Guanlan had only sent a low-ranking servant to accept the property without any preparation, how could that be convincing?

  "How much longer until we arrive at Yicheng?!" Sitting in the horse carriage, Wang Guanlan closed his eyes slightly, the four-day journey by horse carriage had already taken a toll on him.

  "Report to the young master, if we hurry, there is still a day's journey, but if we slow down, it will take two days!" A man who looked like a house servant came to the front of the carriage and said respectfully. This person was Wang Qing, the house servant he had sent to Yicheng to receive the property.

  As for Wang Qing, Wang Guanlan was not familiar with him because this Wang Qing was one of the family servants awarded by the government after he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. At that time, Wang Guanlan saw his young and clever appearance and casually sent him out. Although he came back dispiritedly, his gains were enough to make Wang Guanlan look at him with new eyes.

  "Two days? Hehe, no rush, no rush!" Wang Guanlan nodded slightly, "Tell the people in front to slow down their speed, and it's okay to arrive at Yicheng the day after tomorrow. Wang Qing, tell me more about the situation in Yicheng!"

  "Yes, young master!" Wang Qing's heart was delighted, but he didn't dare show it and remained with a respectful expression.

  According to the list of industries provided by the general manager, Wang Fu's main industries in Yicheng include four blocks: one is a money house, which is the largest money house in Yicheng and belongs to Wang Fu's industry; two are three plantations; third is a warehouse; and lastly, it is a dock. Wang Qing said fluently, obviously, he also worked hard on the situation of Wang Fu's industries in Yicheng. "In addition to these four major industries, there are some scattered industries belonging to Wang Fu in Yicheng, but their income can be ignored!"

  "Well, let's talk about these four major industries then!" Wang Guanlan leaned her head against the back of the car compartment and said quietly.

  "Yes!" Wang Qing took a deep breath and described the situation of the Wang family's property in Yicheng.

  Yicheng, a remote and desolate place, was originally not very valuable, but it became a relatively prosperous small county town due to its specialty product, Fengwei grass. The Ning King's mansion's interests in Yicheng mainly consisted of the four major industries mentioned earlier by Wang Qing. These four major industries, whether it be the money house, dock, or warehouse, were not prepared for local people but rather for merchants who came from afar to purchase Fengwei grass, providing financial services such as money exchange and remittance. The three warehouses and docks controlled the entire water and land transportation of goods in Yicheng, and with the addition of the three plantations that monopolized nearly 80% of Yicheng's Fengwei grass income, it can be said that these four major industries earned a huge profit every day. However, when Wang Qing went to take over these industries, he was surprised to find that after deducting the fixed annual payment to the Ning King's mansion, the annual profit was only 8,000 taels of silver.

  In short, Yicheng is willing to pay Wang Guanlan 8,000 taels of silver every year in exchange for Wang Guanlan not interfering with Yicheng's affairs.

  Eight thousand taels of silver, for the former Wang Guanlan, is undoubtedly a huge sum of money, but compared to the annual income of Yicheng, it is just a drop in the bucket. Wang Qing is not a fool, after inquiring about all this, he did not dare to take matters into his own hands and immediately returned to the Wang Mansion. However, at that time, Wang Guanlan had not yet returned from the Wuyin Gorge, and his life or death was unknown, which made Wang Qing wonder what to do. It wasn't until Wang Guanlan returned to the Wang Mansion with a strong hand that Wang Qing finally put down the big stone in his heart and told him everything truthfully.

  It wasn't until now, when he was preparing to go to Yicheng in person to receive the property, that Wang Guanlan's thoughts turned to it.

  "Eight thousand taels of silver, is that to get rid of a beggar?! Wang Guanlan let out a soft breath, and a hint of cold smile appeared on his face, "It seems that young master really has nothing to fear!"

  "Hmm!" Wang Qing was taken aback for a moment. As for the young master of Yicheng, he didn't know much about him, but he had heard many rumors. "From what they said, it seems that this number is not impossible to negotiate!"

  "Haggle? What a joke! At most, I'll just haggle with them again and raise the limit of silver to 10,000 taels. Hmph, do they think I'm begging for food?"

  "Yes, yes, I thought so at that time too, so I didn't argue with them and came back directly!"

  "It's better not to argue, but if we do, it would only show that we're not confident enough!" Wang Guanlan nodded, "This time going to Yicheng, my purpose is not about gaining anything, but to take back all the industries. The industries in Yicheng originally belonged to the Wang Manor, I didn't care when they were messing around with them, but now that the Wang Manor has given these industries to me, it's naturally mine. What belongs to me must be controlled by my own hands, what do you think?!"

  "Yes, young master, it should be in your hands, of course!" Wang Qing hastily said. Although he was a clever person, he had not been with Wang Guanlan for long and did not understand what kind of temperament his suddenly rising master had, so he dared not speak much and could only follow Wang Guanlan's words.

  "By the way, how much do you know about that young master?!"

  "I don't know!" Wang Qing bowed his head and thought for a moment, "I'm just a servant in the palace, my understanding of Young Master Biao is limited to hearsay!"

  "Then let's talk about rumors, after all, you know more than me, a person who doesn't hear anything outside of his window!"

  "Yes, young master!" Wang Qing said, "The eldest son of the Jin Yin Hou family is not the eldest son, but one of the three legitimate sons. The head of the Jin Yin Hou family, Hou Mu Bai, has six sons and four daughters, among whom three are legitimate and three are illegitimate. This young master is the third of the three legitimate sons, and it is said that he was favored by Lord Hou from a young age. He has a deep understanding of the family's traditions and at a young age, his martial arts skills have already reached the late stage of Qi Refining. It is likely that he will break through to the Condensing Qi stage before the age of 18. Although he cannot compare to the two eldest sons, he is still considered one of the outstanding young talents of the three southwestern states. Moreover, he has grown up in the Wang Manor and was a study companion of the second son, with whom he has a deep relationship. He also has the favor of the third madam, who considers him her left arm. His ability to take charge of Yicheng's affairs at the age of 14 three years ago was due to the strong recommendation of the third madam. It is said that in recent years, the power of the third son has increased, which has a very close relationship with the benefits of Yicheng..."

  "So this time in Yicheng, what we are really facing is not this young master, but the third son behind him?!" Wang Guanlan smiled slightly, looking at Wang Qing who wanted to speak but stopped, "Not bad, you see much deeper than ordinary people!"

  "The young master is mistaken!"

  "What you said is not wrong, I went to collect the estate of Yicheng, and what I really faced was not that young master, but the third son!" Wang Guanlan said, "However, you don't have to worry, since the estate has handed over the estate of Yicheng to me, there must be considerations within the estate. The second son's power in the estate is not small, but it's far from being as strong as you imagine!"

  He paused for a moment, seemingly thinking about something, and then said after a while, "Perhaps this time, I was indeed pushed out by some people to deal with the second son as a pawn. But what does that matter? If one's strength is not enough and wants to stand out, they must have the awareness of being a pawn. Not being a pawn, how can you get the opportunity to let people know your value? No one knows your value, how can you stand out? You tell me!"

  "Yes, young master is right!" Wang Qing said, "It's not easy to get ahead without doing anything, such good things are hard to come by!"

  "Not bad, any gain requires a price to be paid, and it's better not to do things that are too easy! Wang Guanlan gently lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at the darkening sky. "Of course, wanting to stand out is a good thing, but one must also act within their abilities. Being overconfident is equally unacceptable. Wang Qing, do you think I'm someone who is overconfident?"

  "Not at all, of course not!" Wang Qing hastily said.

  "Isn't Antun Inn just up ahead?!"

  "Yes, it's Antun Railway Station up ahead!" Wang Qing stuck his head out of the car window and said with certainty.

  "Alright, it's getting late, let's stop at Antun Inn for the night and continue on our journey tomorrow morning!"