Chapter 326 - 316: Foundation

Chapter 326: Chapter 316: Foundation

In the study.

A long silence followed Linglong’s report.

Chen Shouheng’s brow was furrowed in thought.

Zhou Shuwei’s expression was calm, her lips pressed into a thin line.

As for Chen Shouye, he kept his head lowered the entire time.

Chen Li’s gaze was the first to fall upon his second son, breaking the silence. "Shouye, what are your thoughts?"

Chen Shouye said in a low voice, "Father, this matter is of grave importance. I will follow your arrangements."

Chen Li looked at him and said, "I am asking for your own opinion. Speak freely. There’s no need to be reserved."

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Shouye spoke cautiously. "Since the Sun Family’s businesses are nothing but an empty shell with a mountain of debt behind them, and with an unknown power circling like a predator, getting involved now would be like trying to bargain with a tiger for its hide.

"In my humble opinion, we should bide our time. Most of the Sun Family’s assets will likely be seized and sold by the Government Office. When that happens, we can bid for them. The price might be higher, but the process will be legitimate, ownership will be clear, and we can avoid any future complications."

Chen Li listened without comment, giving a slight nod before turning his gaze to his daughter-in-law. "Shuwei, what is your opinion?"

Zhou Shuwei met Chen Li’s gaze. "Father, what Second Brother said is the prudent course of action. With the enemy’s identity unknown, rashly investing a huge sum of money would indeed be unwise. I agree with Second Brother’s assessment; we should prioritize caution for now."

But then her tone shifted. "However, if we could successfully absorb the Sun Family’s assets, they would undoubtedly become a cornerstone for the Chen Family. If we focus solely on playing it safe, there are too many variables.

"Putting aside the question of whether that unknown power will seize the assets first, even if we wait for the Government Office’s auction, there will be many other interested parties. It’s uncertain whether we could successfully acquire them then.

"Therefore, I believe our top priority is to identify this unknown power as quickly as possible. Only by knowing our enemy and ourselves can we properly weigh the pros and cons and make a decision."

Chen Li looked at Linglong. "Did Li Yuniang manage to find out which power it was that lent money to the He Family and is now demanding compensation?"

Linglong immediately replied, "To answer you, Master, Zhuo Yuan doesn’t know either. The only one who might truly know is the eldest daughter of the He Family."

Chen Li turned his gaze to his eldest son. "Shouheng, what is your opinion?"

"Father..."

Chen Shouheng took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled before looking at his father with determination.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. It’s true that the Sun Family is an empty shell, and it’s also true that the He Family set a trap to lure us in, using us as a weapon.

"But with Liyang in turmoil, this is the perfect opportunity for the Chen Family to pull the chestnuts from the fire—to swallow the Sun Family’s assets, drive out the tiger, and lay the foundation for a Noble Family."

He paused, then said, word by word, "If we hesitate and wait for the dust to settle, it will be infinitely harder for the Chen Family to acquire a foundation like this!"

At these words, Chen Shouye looked astonished, seemingly taken aback by his older brother’s radical idea.

Zhou Shuwei, however, merely furrowed her brow.

Chen Li listened in silence, lost in thought.

All three of them had made valid points.

’Shouheng’s idea, while radical, got to the heart of the matter. Liyang is in a power vacuum, the situation is chaotic—it truly is the perfect time to pull chestnuts from the fire.’

’Shouye’s cautious approach was certainly safer, but we could miss our chance. Once that unknown power gained complete control over the Sun Family, the cost for the Chen Family to interfere would increase tenfold, even a hundredfold.’

’Shuwei’s suggestion to investigate first was the most reasonable, but time waits for no one. Besides, a secret of this magnitude was something that Sun Family concubine probably wouldn’t be privy to.’

Of course, the most crucial issue was a simple one.

The Chen Family desperately needed the Sun Family’s assets.

’Leaving aside the scattered shops, there was the Textile Workshop with its two thousand looms and skilled weavers, as well as twenty-nine thousand acres of fertile farmland.’

’If they could successfully acquire it all, the Chen Family could immediately escape their current precarious situation of relying on plunder and robbing Peter to pay Paul.’

’With these assets, the Chen Family would finally have a true foundation to join the ranks of the Noble Families and solve their most pressing financial crisis where expenses far outstripped income.’

’The Chen Family of today was a far cry from what it once was...’

’Back then, he could support the family’s expenses, and even have a small surplus, just by preying on a few petty thieves now and then.’

’But now, the family was growing, daily expenses were rising, and Cultivation Resources were a money-devouring beast.’

’Didn’t everything require cold, hard silver?’

’The income from just eliminating those inconsequential bandits was but a drop in the bucket.’

’Relying on murder and robbery to support a family was a joke in itself.’

’The Noble Families of Jiangzhou were certainly rolling in wealth, but every one of them was deeply rooted and interconnected. Disturbing one would mean disturbing them all.’

’Besides, how many Noble Families were there in Jiangzhou to begin with?’

’A path of plunder was no long-term solution, much less the foundation upon which to build a family.’

’There were several million taels of silver hidden in the secret chamber of Hidden Emperor Castle. If they could retrieve it, it would certainly support the family’s development for a long time.’

’But three Elders and over a hundred disciples of the Celestial Sword Sect had been killed outside Hidden Emperor Castle. How could the Celestial Sword Sect possibly let that blood debt go?’

’For a long time to come, the Celestial Sword Sect would inevitably dispatch even stronger masters to stand guard, sealing the area off for a thorough investigation.’

’Trying to access that chamber now would be walking right into a trap. The risk was far too great.’

’Being reactive, just waiting to see what happens, would only put them at a greater disadvantage and ultimately lead to a dead end from which there was no escape.’

These thoughts and more flashed through Chen Li’s mind in an instant.

After a long while.

Chen Li raised his head and turned his gaze to his daughter-in-law, Zhou Shuwei, asking a seemingly unrelated question. "Shuwei, have you had any contact with the current Acting Governor of Liyang County, Zhao Yuanhong?"

Zhou Shuwei was taken aback for a moment. After a moment’s thought, she replied, "I have had dealings with him a few times, but I wouldn’t say we’re well-acquainted."

A flicker of confusion crossed her face. "Father, why do you suddenly ask about him? Are you planning...?"

Chen Li nodded slightly. "What the three of you have said all has merit. However, this is the current state of affairs: we are exposed while our enemy remains hidden. If we are purely defensive, I fear we will miss this golden opportunity. If we advance blindly, we risk falling into a trap. And if we wait to investigate, the moment may pass us by."