Chapter 619: Mutual Probing

Chapter 614: Mutual Probing

Fang Canran smiled, "This Dreamland actually exists in a small town ninety miles northwest of Lingxu City. It still has two to three thousand residents, so it won't disappear anytime soon. The scenery there is beautiful, the people are simple and honest, and the women are gentle and lovely. Young Master He can experience it thoroughly in his dreams."

He Lingchuan was moved: "Thank you, Mr. Fang, this is exactly what I need right now!"

The Nightmare he had left in Panlong City was wailing all day, and he needed to find a place for it.

But Fang Canran's smile seemed a bit strange.

After that, He Lingchuan had to pay.

Dunyuan primarily dealt in rare treasures and was one of Lingxu City's largest jewel merchants. It held regular auctions to establish and maintain its reputation. For unusual items like the Dreamland, Dunyuan would find them if a buyer requested.

Of course, the price for such an item was certainly not low.

This small-town Dreamland cost him nine thousand six hundred taels of silver in one go.

Eight thousand taels were the purchase price, to be transferred to the seller; Dunyuan also charged a twenty percent handling fee, which was sixteen hundred taels.

While Fang Canran's smile was reserved, he showed no politeness when collecting the money.

He Lingchuan also felt a pang of pain, spending nearly ten thousand taels of silver (close to ten million copper coins) on what amounted to a toy. This truly solidified his old reputation as a wastrel.

Of course, he outwardly smiled nonchalantly: "Manager Fang is a very busy man. Since I've finally caught you, how about staying for a casual meal at Pianxiang Villa tonight?"

He had only mentioned it casually, but Fang Canran readily agreed: "That would be excellent. I've already heard that Pianxiang Villa's honey wine is delicious; even Commander Fan San covets it."

This fellow was truly well-informed. "A trifle, there's plenty to go around."

Of course, it wasn't dark yet, not time for drinking. Fang Canran picked up his teacup and changed the subject: "Young Master He, a handsome young man, are you really from Fu Kingdom?"

"Yes, my background is not worth mentioning."

"Heroes are not judged by their origin. Lingxu City has many talents from smaller nations and remote areas who now hold positions in the imperial court." Fang Canran waved his hand, "You see, my ancestors weren't native to Lingxu City either; they just arrived a few decades before you, Young Master He."

"Lingxu City has been established for nearly six hundred years. For people like us, arriving a few decades earlier or later doesn't offer any special advantages; it all depends on our own hard work and effort," He Lingchuan chuckled. "Might I ask where Manager Fang's ancestral home is?"

"My ancestors wandered without a fixed home, making the four seas their home. However, I heard they originally lived in Tabu, which is now near the southern border of Chiyan. Do you have any impression of that place, Young Master He?"

He Lingchuan exclaimed, "Yes, I certainly do! Then Mr. Fang's ancestral home is Chiyan, which means we have quite a connection."

Tabu was the border area between southern Chiyan and Twilight Plain, where Fu Shanyue had clashed with Zhongshen Mou. He Lingchuan's great horned rock sheep had also been ambushed there by Mai Xuewen's (Xi Yunhe's) subordinates and was almost taken by the Snail Toad.

He Lingchuan was surprised because he knew that Tabu had belonged to the former Yuan Kingdom before the establishment of Chiyan!

Strictly speaking, it was part of the Twilight Plain. However, after the fall of the Yuan Kingdom and the establishment of Chiyan, the Demon Emperor annexed it into Chiyan territory.

Therefore, commoners born there, despite living on what was once Yuan Kingdom land, were legally recognized Chiyan citizens, not commoners of the Twilight Plain!

The implications of this made He Lingchuan's mind race.

Was the other party deliberately bringing this up to him? Why?

Fang Canran smiled: "Indeed, the moment I saw Young Master He, I felt a connection."

"For that sentiment, we should drink a big cup." He Lingchuan rubbed his hands together, "Enough talk, let's not wait for dinner. How about we go drink in the middle of the lake first?"

"Excellent!"

So the two walked leisurely towards the back mountain. The fierce tiger, which had been dozing on a large tree outside the courtyard, opened its eyes and let out a soft rumble.

This was Jiao Yu asking if it wanted to accompany them. He Lingchuan waved his hand at it: "Go back to sleep. Brother Fang and I are going to drink on the boat."

The pleasure boat was too small; after two people sat in it, the tiger wouldn't have room to stretch.

Hearing this, the fierce tiger rested its large head back on the tree branch, its four legs dangling, and continued to snore with its eyes closed.

As they strolled, Fang Canran remarked, "The ancient trees in the Prince's garden are all treasures, older than even those in Dunyuan."

"Pianxiang Garden must have had its glory days under its previous owner, too, right?"

"That's right. Twenty years ago, the Chunyu family held their daughter's wedding banquet here at Pianxiang Villa. My uncle brought me here to deliver goods then, and I remember guests arriving like clouds, the scene was incredibly lively. Now—" Fang Canran sighed, "Now that it has changed owners, it's much quieter."

"A mere glance from the Emperor, and two centuries of prosperity and wealth become fleeting smoke." The Chunyu family had chosen the wrong side and their property was confiscated. "It truly is a case of noble families flowing like water, while Lingxu City remains steadfast like iron."

Fang Canran and He Lingchuan exchanged glances, both laughing heartily: "Who could deny that?"

Within their laughter, there seemed to be hidden meanings.

The two walked along the newly built pier to the boat. The attendant had already arranged the wine and dishes, bowed, and stepped away.

He Lingchuan personally poled the boat, guiding the pleasure boat to the center of the lake.

There was a breeze today, so the boat drifted gently with the small waves, adding a unique charm.

The green lake rippled, and autumn light cast fleeting shadows. Fang Canran praised, "You have a beautiful view on this lake."

The osmanthus honey wine had been warmed in a small red clay stove. He Lingchuan poured Fang Canran's cup about seven-tenths full: "Rumor has it that General Golden Horn is easy to meet, but Chief Manager Fang is hard to invite."

Fang Canran was deeply trusted by General Golden Horn and managed vast properties. It was said that "a seventh-rank official at the prime minister's gate" – Fang Canran held considerable power and was usually busy, so his acceptance of an invitation was a great honor.

"Doesn't Young Master He know he's already a hot commodity? I heard even this pleasure boat was personally delivered by the Fifth Young Master of the Ke family, so why shouldn't I make a trip?" Fang Canran raised a toast with him. "Currently in Lingxu City, the Chiyan Crown Prince is the most talked about, and Young Master He is second."

Oh? He had such a high reputation in Lingxu City already? He Lingchuan pointed his chopsticks towards the shore: "I haven't felt any benefits, only various inconveniences."

As they had walked, they had been followed.

Fang Canran also sensed it and looked back at the figures on the shore: "Are those the Tongxin Guards?"

"Yes. They follow me everywhere, even outside the latrine. It's extremely troublesome."

"There are no more than ten people in all of Lingxu City who can get the Tongxin Guards to guard their outhouse," Fang Canran chuckled. "Young Master He should be proud. You should know that young ladies and distinguished women from various families are also inquiring about you. This is a good thing."

"What good thing?" He Lingchuan took a bite of the sour-fried vegetables. This was the cook's specialty, sweet and sour. Besides honey and vinegar, he didn't know what else she put in it, but it was tart without being sharp, sweet without being cloying, soft outside and crispy inside, and especially good with wine. "Can I have a romantic encounter?"

"Maybe," Fang Canran gave him a look that all men understood.

He Lingchuan smiled and swallowed a mouthful of wine.

Fang Canran then asked him: "After the Elixir of Immortality case concludes, where do you plan to go, Young Master He?"

This was the first outsider in Lingxu City to ask about his future plans. He Lingchuan's expression shifted: "My original intention was to broaden my horizons in Lingxu City, but I unexpectedly got caught up in this turmoil. I don't even know if I can get out of it unscathed, so I haven't dared to think about what comes next."

"General Golden Horn is eager for talent and has heard of Young Master He's reputation. If you are interested, I can connect and recommend you."

He Lingchuan asked in surprise: "I don't understand business management and only cause trouble. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to make money for General Golden Horn."

"Every profession has its specialties," Fang Canran said. "Someone with Young Master He's current level of fame and popularity is something others can only dream of. It would be a pity not to make good use of it."

He Lingchuan gently swirled his wine glass: "Is Mr. Fang suggesting that I should wait for a good offer, or choose a suitable patron?"

"Does Young Master He perhaps have other ambitions?" Fang Canran said gently, "Looking back over the past few centuries, talented individuals from all directions have struggled in Lingxu City merely to offer their literary and martial skills to the imperial family." Or, selling them to princes, marquises, or generals was also a noble path.

What right did this young man before him have to be an exception to this common pursuit?

He Lingchuan laughed heartily: "My good fortune is shallow; I'm afraid I can't handle the wealth and splendor of Lingxu City."

"If Young Master He's fortune is shallow and his connections thin, how can he move between these influential families with such ease and still manage so smoothly?" Fang Canran's lips curved upward. "An ordinary person would have long been dragged into the vortex, their fate unknown."

"Vortex?" He Lingchuan sighed with a click of his tongue, "I offended Commander Fan Er, and then Fifth Young Master Ke sent me such a large pleasure boat, which made me the center of attention that very day, and the Fan brothers saw it right there at Pianxiang Villa. Ah, wasn't that just putting me on a hot grill?"

"These two sides have some animosity. Whatever displeases the Fan brothers, the Ke family will do. I estimate that the Ke family probably calculated that the Fan brothers would be at Pianxiang Villa that day, and that's why they did it deliberately." Fang Canran couldn't help but laugh. "Young Master He just happened to be in the right place at the right time, caught in the middle. Otherwise, they would have found something else to spar over."

He took a sip of wine: "I remember one year, Commander Fan Da took a liking to a pair of armguards at Dunyuan, perfect for Fan San. When the Ke family saw this, they thought, 'Aha, an opportunity!' and immediately started raising the price. The armguards, which started at nine thousand, went straight up to one hundred and fifty thousand!"

"Commander Fan didn't get them?" He Lingchuan had fought the Fierce Bear in Baisha Jue and didn't recall it wearing any armguards. Then again, if it had, that one slash might not have severed its forearm. "He doesn't look like he lacks money."

"Commander Fan Da saw how enthusiastic the Ke family was and had no choice but to give up," Fang Canran shook his head. "In terms of power, the Ke family is not as strong as the Fan family; but when it comes to competing in wealth... wanting to challenge the Ke family's financial power in Lingxu City? Everyone has to think twice about that."

"The Ke family's wealth is unparalleled, truly living up to its reputation," He Lingchuan shook his head. "I hear the Ke family has enjoyed imperial favor for over a hundred years. Who wouldn't be envious?"

Fang Canran smiled: "Dunyuan and the Ke family have always had business dealings. The Ke family truly doesn't care much about money when acquiring treasures. However, the quantity of goods the Ke family has regularly ordered from me has significantly decreased over the past decade."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan asked curiously, "What kind of goods were those?"