Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

The Shen family mansion covers a vast area with numerous side rooms. Even Ye Ci would feel lost without someone to guide him.

Following the eaves, passing through the main hall, and walking along the east side corridor to the end, you stop in front of a room with a plaque that reads "Jing Si Zhai" (Quiet Contemplation Studio).

Manager Chen raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

"Master Shen, Master Ye has arrived."

"Please come in quickly."

Shen Wanzhou's voice came from inside the door, and Ye Ci pushed the door open and entered.

This is a study, with shelves on all four sides filled with various porcelain, bronze, and jade artifacts, as well as rare and ancient books, all neatly arranged, exuding a scholarly atmosphere.

In front of the bookshelf on the west side is a large pear wood desk, with an inkstone and several wolf-hair brushes beside it.

Two pearwood armchairs were placed in front of the desk, with a small table in the middle, and two bowls of tea still steaming.

Shen Wanzhou was dressed in a black brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist. Upon seeing Ye Ci enter, he asked:

"Young Master Ye, tonight a renowned opera singer is coming to your residence to perform. Would you like to come and listen to a piece?"

The Shen family was a wealthy household, and opera troupes would come to their mansion to perform. Li Shi and Yao Yao both enjoyed it, but Ye Ci couldn't stand these "ee-ee-ya-ya" tunes.

"I'm not listening anymore, I'm practicing martial arts tonight."

Ye Ci casually replied, then looked around and asked, "Where are the other two?"

"You mean those two from the Taiping Chamber of Commerce? They just left. Do you know them, Brother Ye?"

"I don't know him. Last night, I was ambushed on my way back from the martial arts school. I felt something was off, and then Manager Chen mentioned the sale of illicit medicine. I was afraid it was related, so I decided to investigate in person."

Then he recounted what had happened the previous night.

After spending time together, Ye Ci felt that Shen Wanzhou was a trustworthy person and there was no need to deliberately hide anything from him.

Shen Wanzhou pondered for a moment, then denied it, saying, "This old man doesn't think it's them."

"The Taiping Chamber of Commerce is a newly established chamber of commerce. The people who just came only wanted me to buy some private medicines, and I've been trying to keep the price down. They have no reason to offend us, and even if they did, they wouldn't need to fight you. They have absolutely no motive... Are they perhaps secret agents?"

He still remembered what the Grand Commander had said: "These southern barbarians don't listen to any of the rules of the Qian Kingdom."

Ye Ci shook his head: "It doesn't seem like a secret guard, but I'm also clueless. Fortunately, we encountered a kidnapping incident last night, and the county constables and soldiers from the Commandant's Office were investigating it together. The Commandant's Assistant who was there said he would investigate the attack."

"Then we'll leave it to Commandant Qin."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanzhou relaxed and said, "Commander Qin has a good relationship with my Shen family. Although we don't have much personal interaction, the tribute I offer him every year will definitely satisfy him. Since he is a servant of my household, he should give me this face. Let's see how well he investigates."

He paused, then said, "But your reminder has reminded me of something. In these chaotic times, anyone who can get involved with a chamber of commerce has an official background. If they want to do business, they only need to make a call. Why would they send someone to discuss it? No one has come to make a call yet. I'm afraid their backgrounds might be a bit problematic..."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and said, "Forget it, let's ignore them and avoid contact with them."

As he spoke, he turned around and went behind the shelf, took out a sandalwood box, and handed it to Ye Ci:

"I heard from Master Yang that your physical constitution isn't very good, so your training is twice as difficult and half as effective. That's why I asked my second son to get you a precious medicine called White Jade Snow Lotus. I heard it can improve your physical constitution."

Ye Ci took the wooden box, opened it, and saw that it was lined with red velvet and contained a snow lotus. The petals were as white as snow, and the heart of the flower had a pale purple luster. It was pure and beautiful, and it was clear at a glance that it was a rare treasure.

Hearing that it could strengthen bones and muscles surprised Ye Ci, because he had never heard of such a thing.

"Master Shen, thank you for your trouble. However, Master Yang said my physical constitution is extremely poor. Could this medicine help me improve it to a superior level?"

He felt it was impossible, but he still asked casually.

Shen Wanzhou chuckled: "I've already inquired about this. If one's innate talent is poor, even if a low-grade talent is improved to a medium-low talent, it's not something that can be fixed by a single herb. But it's better than nothing... If you feel it's not working, don't think I'm lying to you. But I'll try to buy some more. Maybe getting a few more might actually improve one's innate talent."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Shen."

Ye Ci nodded upon hearing this, also guessing that changing one's inherent constitution was by no means an easy task.

Otherwise, why would Master Yang care so much about Xiao Hua?

But since this precious medicine can even replenish bones and marrow, its price must be quite high, so Ye Ci naturally wanted to ask a few more questions:

"Mr. Shen, what is the price of this white jade snow lotus?"

"Price cannot be negotiated."

Shen Wanzhou guessed that Ye Ci wanted to ask a question, and waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "Precious medicines like these can't be bought with money; you need connections. My second son is a businessman outside..."

He paused for a moment, then began to explain: "The reason why our Shen family was able to become the head of the five major families is partly because our second son could provide some connections, giving us an advantage over the other four major families. You should know that business in this world is also divided into different levels."

Take Songjiang County for example. Lower-class merchants deal in everyday items, while middle-class merchants deal in cloth and grain. These are all things that slip through the fingers of us big merchants. It is the good stuff like salt, iron, medicinal herbs, and fine silks that really make money.

For example, ordinary pharmacies can only handle medicinal herbs for treating common people, but our large families can deal in tonics like Qi and Blood Powder. But beyond that, it has nothing to do with our local families and is firmly monopolized by the real aristocratic families and sects.

For example, the 'Hundred Refinement Blood Qi Pills' supplied to you are usually divided up among the major sects. Even my Shen family can only provide you with a single portion. Speaking of the Snow Lotus, it was my second brother who secretly took it upon himself to deduct a portion from his employer under the pretext of wastage.

In his few words, he revealed the truth that there is always someone better. The Shen family was wealthy in the county, but they were nothing in the entire Great Qian Dynasty.

Ye Ci thought to himself: It seems that the Shen family's business still relies heavily on the second son who does business outside...

Shen Wanzhou coughed twice: "My second son, Shen Chongde, doesn't earn much money, not as much as my business in the county. He just occasionally uses his power to take advantage of his employers."

He paused, looking at Ye Ci, and said, "He's a small shopkeeper at the pharmacy of the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce branch in Jiangling City. If you ever want to contact the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, Elder Ye, could you give him a few pointers?"

At this point, Ye Ci finally understood that Shen Wanzhou must have overheard the Black Moon girl's recruitment that day.

However, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Master Shen has indeed treated his family well, so we cannot blame him for that.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but chuckle: "Master Shen, I'll give you that token later."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanzhou adopted a serious expression: "Young Master Ye, you have misunderstood me. If you wish to join the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, then I will have the opportunity to offer some advice to my son, Chongde. If you do not wish to join, then this matter will be dropped. I have been honest and straightforward with you. If you remain in Songjiang County, you will forever be a retainer of the Shen family. If you truly intend to join the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, then it will not be too late to advise my son."