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Such a provoking expression made the corners of Wang Shouzhe’s mouth twitch twice. He took a few deep breaths to stabilize his emotions before waving his hand and saying, "Alright, alright, you didn’t do anything wrong, sit down and let’s talk."
Wang Lici imdiately found a chair and sat down, barely perching on it, putting on an obedient look, ready to listen to her fourth uncle’s teachings.
"I can see that Ancestor really likes you." Wang Shouzhe said, "While on the ship, talk to Ancestor more, keep her happy."
Oh, is that all? As long as I’m not getting scolded, that’s good.
Wang Lici relaxed from her tense state and repeatedly nodded in agreent. She shifted her seat slightly towards the back of the chair to sit properly, habitually pulling out a piece of candied fruit to calm her nerves, and then complacently started eating it.
Such a carefree deanor made Wang Shouzhe’s eyelids twitch uncontrollably.
With that, he nonchalantly pulled out two books from his arms and tossed them to her: "This is the ’Selected Poems of Longzuo’ and ’Cuiju Mountain Hermit’s Pen Talk,’ books your fourth uncle just bought at East Port. They say they have quite a bit of literary depth."
He paused and added, "This morning I heard you reciting the famous piece ’Ascending to Celestial Mist to View the Vault of Heaven’ with much emotion and rhythm, it seems you’re quite good at literature. Why not quickly get familiar with these two books, and recite them to Ancestor to relieve her boredom. Ancestor loves hardworking children, I’m sure she’ll be very happy."
"Huh?"
Wang Lici widened her eyes, montarily forgetting to chew the candied fruit in her mouth, her slightly chubby face full of shock. Fourth, Fourth Uncle... Are you the devil?
"Hmm, your look of surprise and delight makes your fourth uncle very pleased." Wang Shouzhe said kindly, "Do you like it?"
Tears rolled down Wang Lici’s cheeks, but she could only hold back her grievance and forced a ’joyful’ smile, chokingly saying, "Th-thank you, Fourth Uncle, I like it very much..."
"Lici, seeing you so moved to tears, shows that your fourth uncle’s good intentions didn’t go to waste." Wang Shouzhe patted her head apologetically, "I admit, it’s partly my fault for the rushed journey, only managing to buy two books. Later, when we reach the Hundred Islands Guard, I’ll be sure to buy you several more. Who knows, maybe our family will produce a literary giant soday."
Wang Lici felt utterly defeated, feeling like the colors of life had drifted far away, leaving only a gray haze before her.
Fortunately, there was still candied fruit.
The sweet taste in her mouth seed to be the only bright spot, a source of hope, in her otherwise gray future.
"By the way." Wang Shouzhe frowned again, "Candied treats are fine to have occasionally, but too much can harm your teeth and lead to weight gain, just look at your round face. Hand them over, your fourth uncle will keep them for you."
Boom!
This statent struck Wang Lici like lightning, releasing an uncontrollable gush of tears. She reluctantly pulled out one bag of candied fruit.
"Is that all?"
Then she pulled out another bag.
"Hehe~"
And another bag.
After taking out a total of five bags, Wang Lici clutched the two books and, bursting into tears, said, "No more, there really isn’t. Fourth Uncle, it’s getting late, I, I’ll go read now..."
Then she dashed away as if escaping from a sea of knives and flas.
Only after she ran out, did Wang Shouzhe chuckle, feeling fully satisfied, brewing a pot of tea to enjoy. Little girl, is there any way your fourth uncle can’t handle you?
Teaching a wayward niece was just a small episode.
After taking a short break to clear his mind, Wang Shouzhe took out the small booklet given to him by his future brother-in-law Chen Fangjie and began to read slowly. Although the Wang Family had heard of the Hundred Islands Guard, there wasn’t much related intelligence docunted within the clan, and the information was relatively outdated.
The East Port Chen Family had more contact with the Hundred Islands Guard, so their intelligence was naturally more detailed. This small booklet recorded information about the forces, families, situation, and characters to avoid provoking within the Hundred Islands Guard.
The more Wang Shouzhe read the booklet, the more surprised he beca; the forces of the Hundred Islands Guard were indeed much more intricate than those of the Changning Guard, starting with the dozens of large and small noble families.
So of those families were relatively weak, occupying just one island alone. Others were powerful, spanning several or even dozens of islands.
The main island is called Golden Sand Island. It is said that a thousand years ago, this island was rich in gold sand, which sparked bloody competitions among so Black Tortoise Clans. The Daqian Governnt Office dispatched experts to strongly suppress the conflict, and stability was only achieved after the establishnt of the Hundred Islands Guard. After several hundred years, the gold sand had been completely mined, and so remaining Black Tortoise Clans fragnted the Hundred Islands, gradually leading to the current situation.
Due to the complex and remote geography of the Hundred Islands Guard, and the depletion of gold sand, the Daqian Governnt Office’s control power here has gradually weakened. Therefore, there are often so Loose Cultivators wanted for cris, expelled descendants of Noble Families, or so pirates and bandits seeking to launder their identities who venture into the Hundred Islands Guard.
Fortunately, the East Port Chen Family has been operating on the main island of Golden Sand in the Hundred Islands Guard for many years, with extensive connections and a solid foundation. With the Chen Family’s protection, ordinary people do not dare to easily provoke them.
As long as you don’t recklessly cause trouble, the safety issue isn’t very significant. Otherwise, Chen Fangjie definitely wouldn’t dare let Wang Shouzhe go to the Hundred Islands Guard. If sothing major happened, how could Chen Fangjie bear the consequences?
Although the Hundred Islands Guard is chaotic, it has also given rise to so unique industries not found elsewhere.
For example, the black market!
The Golden Sand Black Market is one of the two industries owned by Celestial Human Families in the Hundred Islands Guard, with a history of two hundred years. In the black market, all identities can be disguised and hidden. As long as you have money, you can buy whatever you want in the most secret way, or secretly sell your items or even contraband and stolen goods!
The black market doesn’t care about who you are or where your money and items co from. They only maintain order, reputation, and take commissions.
The fundantal reason a black market can survive is because of its order and reputation.
Since people who visit the black market are often very sensitive to exposing their identities and origins, any little sign of trouble would make them hesitant. It can be seen that for the Golden Sand Black Market to stand for two hundred years and grow in scale, it must highly value reputation and order.
Upon seeing this news about the black market.
Wang Shouzhe felt a vague suspicion in his heart. Ancestor Longyan was likely heading for the black market, and using his wisdom, Wang Shouzhe mostly deduced her intentions for this trip.
His brow imdiately furrowed, as this was sothing he did not want to see. After getting off the ship, he’d need to talk with Ancestor Longyan, as so things simply didn’t need to reach that point.
However, she is the Ancestor after all, and once she has made up her mind to do sothing, she probably has thought it over for a long ti. How could he persuade her otherwise?
Wang Shouzhe’s expression grew heavier as his fingers tapped the table in rapid thought.
Ti passed little by little.
More than twenty hours flashed by, and the gigantic rchant ship docked at the deep-water port of Golden Sand Island in the Hundred Islands Guard.
Wang Shouzhe and his party disembarked from the Junyao, inhaling the strong scent of the sea breeze. Speaking of which, the Junyao rchant ship was quite stable at sea, making the journey to the Hundred Islands Guard safely and without incident.
At this ti, a Chen Family mber, Chen Fanghua, ca forward, respectfully cupping his hands and saying, "Young Master Wang, as per the Young Clan Leader’s instructions before departure, I am here to arrange accommodations and a guide for you and your party."
Wang Shouzhe chuckled inwardly, guessing that his future brother-in-law was worried he would wander around the island and face danger, so he specially arranged for family mbers to even organize his accommodations and itinerary.
"In that case, I trouble Brother Chen," Wang Shouzhe said. Unfamiliar with Golden Sand Island, it was best to have soone arranging matters for him. Moreover, it was important to accept Chen Fangjie’s future brother-in-law’s thoughtful gesture.
Knowing that "Young Master Wang" had female companions, Chen Fanghua specially arranged for a carriage, and Ancestor Longyan, the fourth aunt, and the Big Girl all got on. Wang Shouzhe, along with Household Generals Wang Zhong and Wang Yong, were assigned three fine horses.
Afterwards, Chen Fanghua led a Household General, guiding Wang Shouzhe’s party toward the inner city of Golden Sand Island.
As they walked, Chen Fanghua chatted with Wang Shouzhe about the local customs of Golden Sand Island, for example, how despite being the largest island in the Hundred Islands Guard, because the land had many rocks and other impurities, very few arable lands could be developed.
"So, half of the cargo we shipped consisted of grain products and various ats and poultry, as well as so daily necessities. These ordinary items actually bring decent profits in the Hundred Islands Guard," Chen Fanghua openly shared these well-known business facts, clearly wanting to get closer to Wang Shouzhe.
"Isn’t it against Daqian Law to speculate on grain?" Wang Shouzhe asked curiously.
"Young Master Wang, the Daqian Law doesn’t hold much sway in the Hundred Islands Guard." Chen Fanghua replied with a smile. "Moreover, we’re not speculating on grain; we’re bartering goods. Although the Hundred Islands Guard’s grain yield is low, it has an abundance of sea treasures and li. Transporting these inland can still yield a small profit."
Wang Shouzhe also knew that in such tis, sea trade was bound to be very profitable, but it was also very challenging and risky. Building a rchant ship was not only expensive but also required deep expertise.
Furthermore, training mariti shipbuilders and professional seafarers was also incredibly difficult. Even the slightest mistake could lead to the loss of a ship, resulting in a complete loss.
Thus, for ordinary families to cross over into the sea trading sector was almost impossible. It’s no wonder that the East Port Chen Family had grown stronger over a re century.
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