Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

Wayne simply refused the so-called "living expenses for Swire's trip" that the Swire Group subsequently offered, which clearly went beyond the scope of daily living. He also sent someone to warn him afterwards not to use this incident for publicity, and then sent another invitation to Swire.

Sure, go ahead. If you want to cultivate a good relationship with the royal family and me, I don't mind. But since you said you're attending as a classmate, don't try to "buy" the favor I gave Swire. After all, I invited her simply because of our classmate relationship and the fact that I treated her to dinner before. Taking money changes the nature of the situation.

Wayne didn't know what the Swire family thought afterward, but they certainly didn't bring up the "living expenses" issue again. As for how they would use Wayne's connection, and whether they would strictly keep the secret of their trip together, Wayne would have Unicorn observe and assess that.

If they keep the secret, then this family is worth talking to, and Wayne might even help them in the future. If possible, Wayne might even discuss with them the possibility of nationalizing the SWIRE Group.

Don't think this is a bad thing. Nationalization means having real official backing. As long as the person in charge isn't incompetent, rapid development and market expansion are a given. Although the takeover of a family business like Swire by the Victorian government will certainly cause some growing pains, there are pros and cons. At least in the long run, the current status of giant private enterprises in Terra, which are destined to be suppressed in the future, will definitely be replaced by state-owned enterprises.

After all, in this not-so-peaceful land of Terra, stability is always paramount. If Swire's grandfather hadn't developed Alzheimer's, he would have understood this.

If they only made limited, veiled hints—which is the most likely scenario—that wouldn't be a problem, but Wayne would simply categorize them as ordinary companies. His connection would then be limited to Beatrice, not the SWIRE family.

Of course, if—and I mean if—they were to be so tactless as to ignore Wayne's warning.

Hmm... Wayne wouldn't mind some necessary restructuring and dismantling of the SWIRE Group, which has been overreaching, under the upcoming Antitrust Act. This would make way for his nationalization plans.

After talking about Swire, what surprised Wayne the most was the rest of the list.

Theresa deliberately divided the list into two parts: one part was for tourists heading to Lungmen, and the other part was for tourists heading to the Ursus Tundra.

Currently, there are only two names on this second list:

"Bozokasti, Theresa."

"You're planning to go to the tundra? That's Ursus territory."

"I know. I understand."

"Do you think I would agree, Theresa?"

Wayne placed the list on the table, looked at Theresa's face, and asked seriously,

"We can resolve the issue of Bozokasti later; if necessary, we can try diplomatic means. But your going to Ursus is absolutely out of the question! It's too dangerous, and I will not agree to it!"

Chapter Seventeen: My Blockhead

Great Yan, Longmen.

Wei Yanwu was also preparing to receive the Aslan royal family.

If we're talking about history, Wei Yanwu doesn't actually have a very good impression of the Aslan royal family; he might even have some animosity towards them. After all, it was the Aslan royal family that killed his sworn brother, Edward Atrias.

Although Wei Yanwu understood that Edward's identity was too sensitive for both Victoria and Yan, and knew that the person who had truly taken action, schemed against him, and informed the True Dragon of Yan and the Northern King of Victoria about Edward's existence was none other than his nemesis, Koschei, understanding did not equate to comprehension. Despite the passage of time, Wei Yanwu still harbored resentment over this matter, driven by personal feelings.

But personal feelings are still personal feelings. After ruling Longmen for decades, Wei Yanwu had long since learned to put personal feelings under the guise of reason. Just as the Rat King Lin Gerui and the fish ball stall owner Lao Dong had said about him, the Wei Yanwu of today was no longer the hot-blooded, dragon descendant who would rather die than live in dishonor, but a governor who was skilled in politics and had mastered the art of power.

His personal feelings may have already become numb when he hardened his heart and chose the citizens of Lungmen over Edward's orphan, Talulah.

But who can criticize him? Who can punish him? To exchange the death of one person for half a lifetime's work and the lives of half a city's people—this is righteousness. Wei Yanwu chose righteousness, which inevitably meant abandoning the promise between brothers and abandoning personal loyalty. Edward Atrias had already been killed by him with his own Dragon-Slaying Sword. His former friends, except for the Rat King who still maintained a distant personal relationship with him, were all deserted, some dead, some returned to the Yan Kingdom, and some lived overseas.

He reached the summit, but found himself all alone. That's why he was so accommodating to Wen Yue, the only woman who had accompanied him all the way. There was indeed love involved, but it was also a form of atonement, a way to find solace in her presence.

Perhaps one day in the future, the seeds he sowed will bear bitter fruit, but that is something no one but Wayne can know. And now that Wayne has arrived, Lungmen in 1092 will not repeat the mistakes of Lungmen in 1096.

"Knock knock." The door of the tea room was knocked, and Madam Wenyue led Chen in.

"Please come in... never mind." Wei Yanwu's words were a beat too slow. He could only shake his head, look at his niece and wife, and ask, "Is there something you need?"

Lady Wenyue stepped aside to make way for Chen, who immediately stepped forward and angrily questioned her:

"Wei Yanwu, why have you been avoiding me?"

Wei Yanwu took a leisurely sip of tea and replied, "Look at the question you asked. I'm very busy. Officer Chen, please be mindful of your address and wording when dealing with your superiors."

Chen gritted his teeth, reluctantly nodded, and said again:

"So, Commander Wei, why have you been ignoring my request for a meeting?"

"Because I'm very busy."

"Busy drinking tea?"

Wei Yanwu raised an eyebrow, put down his teacup, and counted on his fingers as if reciting a familiar story:

"Busy observing the international situation, busy analyzing fiscal revenue and expenditure, busy managing investment businesses."

Lady Wenyue nudged Chen's waist with her cane and whispered in her ear:

"It's all about reading newspapers, doing accounting, and trading stocks."

Wei Yanwu, with his keen hearing, immediately blushed and glared at Madam Wenyue, expressing his protest with his eyes.

Don't you dare ruin my chances, ma'am, or I might not sleep with you tonight.

Lady Wenyue gave him a knowing look: You dare to sleep with someone else?

Wei Yanwu stiffened his neck. "How could I not dare? A man's word is his bond. You sleep in the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa. If I say I won't sleep with you, I mean it. The sofa's narrow enough; you won't even have room to squeeze in!"

"Well, you, Wei Yanwu..." Upon hearing this, Chen Yi was immediately filled with anger.

"Hmm?" Wei Yanwu snorted coldly.

Chen gritted his teeth and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Commander Wei! I have something important to ask you!"

“Then ask me now,” Wei Yanwu nodded and said.

Chen retorted sarcastically, "Aren't you busy?"

"What a coincidence, I'm having tea right now, aren't I? Superintendent Chen, would you like a cup so we can talk slowly?" Wei Yanwu smiled slightly. Seeing Chen's restrained expression, his mood immediately improved.

Hmm, experience counts. If I can't handle the wife, I can certainly handle you.

Don't get me wrong, I really wasn't implying that your wife is old!

Chen felt that if he didn't get to the point soon, he might really get so angry at Wei Yanwu that he'd have a serious problem. Why were all these politicians so annoying? They just kept spouting off one thing after another; couldn't they just be a little more direct?

If everyone were as easy to communicate with as Wayne, that would be wonderful.

Although he was a fraud too.

Chen composed himself and asked seriously, "Commander Wei, the task you gave me is to be responsible for the escort of the Victoria Aslan royal family during their stay in Lungmen, but the task list you gave me doesn't indicate which places to go. How am I supposed to arrange the work?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yanwu sighed in disappointment.

He was truly exasperated with his niece; how could she be so straightforward?

Use your brain, think outside the box. You don't really think I'm leaving you to be in charge of the royal family's security all by yourself, do you?

Don't be ridiculous. The day after Victoria submitted her visit request, Unicorn sent someone to make contact. How could Victoria be so careless as to entrust the security of her royal family to a mere guard in Lungmen?

From beginning to end, Wayne's safety was the responsibility of Unicorn, assisted by Wei Yanwu's shadow guard Black Cloak. The Lungmen Guard Bureau was merely a figurehead, and Chen, who was supposed to be in charge of Wayne's safety, was actually there to act as a tour guide.

Your responsibility isn't just security; it's planning the tour routes so the lions of Aslan can have a great time in Lungmen. I didn't give you a specific route map; I just wanted you to be in charge of planning, right?

Wei Yanwu had no doubt that if he entrusted this task to Jiu, she would immediately understand his meaning. Even if he gave it to Hoshiguma, she would figure out Wei Yanwu's intentions within a couple of days. Yet, his niece was actually planning security...

"You'll have to figure this out yourself, Superintendent Chan. All I can tell you is to think it over carefully."

Wei Yanwu nodded his head, offering a hint.

Chen frowned. "You need to think more. Think about what?"

We can't just declare martial law in Longmen because of Wayne's arrival, can we? Wayne is from the Victorian royal family, not the Great Yan royal family. Besides, even if they were the Great Yan royal family, Chen wouldn't agree to them using such a disruptive method to demonstrate their authority.

Seeing that Chen still didn't understand, Wei Yanwu glanced at Wen Yue and could only nod.

There's no other way, let's activate the backup plan.

Find Chen a helper (wingman).

"Superintendent Chen, how about this, you go back first, and your Aunt Wenyue and I will discuss it further and give you an answer tomorrow, okay?"

Wei Yanwu said. Seeing this, Chen could only nod, bid farewell to Madam Wenyue, and leave the tea room.

"Xiao Chen is just a bit too straightforward, but otherwise there's nothing wrong with him."

Lady Wenyue sighed softly and shrugged.

Wei Yanwu shook his head:

"But how will she take over my job in this state... Forget it, I'd better find her an assistant first."

Fumizuki nodded: "Who are you looking for? Nine or Hoshiguma?"

Wei Yanwu frowned slightly: "They won't do. Jiu is in charge of the slum case, which is almost solved. I just transferred Huijie away, and at least Xingxiong can fill the gap. If I transfer her away now, who knows what kind of trouble those infected might cause, which could affect the reputation of the Guard Bureau."

Wei Yanwu pondered for a moment, then said:

"Find Swire. That girl told me a few days ago that she'll be back soon. She's classmates with Hui Jie, and she's a bit smarter than Hui Jie... Most importantly, Tiger's family lives in Victoria now, so they understand the habits and preferences of Victorians better."

Wen Yue nodded. She agreed with this viewpoint.

"Then it's decided. I'll call Old Sick Tiger right now."

As Wei Yanwu spoke, he took out his phone.

A few minutes later, he hung up the phone with a strange expression. Mrs. Wenyue asked疑惑地问道:

"what happened?"

Wei Yanwu scratched his beard, his eyebrows bobbing up and down, and shook his head, saying:

"It's nothing, he agreed. It's just that I feel like he's a little...excited?"

More than just excited, Wei Yanwu even wondered if the old guy who'd been bedridden for almost a year had just been dancing wildly at home. His voice was like he'd swallowed a dynamite. Was this guy having a final burst of energy before his end?

He also said he had a surprise for me.

"What surprise?"

Wei Yanwu shrugged: "How would I know?"

Chapter Eighteen Mostima!

Da Yan, Longmen, Penguin Logistics Headquarters.

Oh, Penguin Logistics doesn't have a headquarters. This armed transport company, founded in Lungmen by the famous Colombian rapper The Emperor, doesn't actually have a "headquarters" in the strict sense.

The Emperor owns numerous properties in Lungmen, including three bars and an entire floor of apartments used for storing traded goods. However, these are not Penguin Logistics' headquarters; they are merely their "bases." After all, the employees of Penguin Logistics are all very independent individuals!

Workspace of "RAP KING" bar, Penguin Logistics base, Lungmen Third Street.

While changing clothes and getting ready for work, Exusiai was discussing with Croissant whether they should finish tonight's orders and then stop by "The End of the Earth" for a few drinks.