Chapter 467: Chapter 3: Heaven-Sent Baby Girl (Part 3)

"Was she really picked up from a wolf’s den?"

"Yes." Fang Zheng nodded:

"It’s better to mention this as little as possible, lest others look at her differently, which won’t help her growing up."

"By the way."

Linghu Qiuchan nodded, remembering something, and looked up:

"The younger sister came to the mansion yesterday to pay respects; her father passed away, Sister Qiaoyun had someone send some things over."

"Old Liu is dead?"

Fang Zheng was slightly stunned, then sighed softly.

Old Liu was someone he met when he first came to this place, and since the establishment of Fang Mansion, he had been watching the gate for them.

Unknowingly,

nearly twenty years had passed.

In this world, ordinary people establish a family and career in their teens and are called grandparents in their thirties.

By the forties or fifties, they are considered elderly.

Old Liu was over fifty, exceeding the average lifespan of common people, and his health showed signs of decline last year.

He endured the hardest winter but closed his eyes in the days of spring and summer transitioning.

"Alas!"

Fang Zheng sighed softly:

"Master Wuyuan has also passed away."

As the years pile on, more and more people from previous and current generations pass away, inevitably causing him to feel sentimental.

"How’s Qiaoyun?"

"Sister Qiaoyun is unwell. She returned to her room to rest." Linghu Qiuchan remarked.

"I’ll go and see her."

Fang Zheng stood up and went to Du Qiaoyun’s room.

In her youth, Du Qiaoyun suffered a lot, and as she aged, old illnesses surfaced, weakening her day by day.

Lying in bed, her face was sallow, her eyes weary, and she was no longer the heroic figure she was in her youth.

"I’m fine."

Seeing Fang Zheng, she smiled gently:

"Afraid that my illness would affect the children, so I didn’t go over. I’ll visit once I recover. Was she really picked up from a wolf’s den?"

It seems,

everyone is curious about the wolf child.

"Yes."

Fang Zheng sat down by the bed, reached out to softly check Du Qiaoyun’s pulse, then said:

"Nothing major, just need to recuperate. Don’t worry or exert yourself. Feel free to leave household matters to Qiuchan."

"Alright."

Du Qiaoyun nodded weakly.

"Master, at this moment, a maid outside spoke:

"Master Pan from San’an County requests to see you."

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng raised his head:

"I’ll go over immediately."

......

"Brother Fang!"

"Brother Pan!"

In the main hall of Fang Mansion, the two men greeted each other with clasped hands.

San’an County is adjacent to Gu’an County.

The Pan Family is the dominant power in San’an County, and Pan Ran is the patriarch of this generation. He naturally has some ties with Fang Zheng.

In certain respects, the Pan and Fang families can be considered closely connected.

"It’s been over a month, and Brother Pan has a few more strands of white hair." Fang Zheng smiled as he sat at the main seat:

"The Pan family is thriving now. Could Brother Pan possibly have any concerns?"

"Heh..." Pan Ran shook his head with a bitter smile:

"Brother Fang jests; we’re not as wealthy as Fang Mansion, Pan Mou is struggling to manage the current situation."

"Haha..." Fang Zheng laughed heartily:

"How’s that?"

"Has Brother Pan come to me looking for help? If you’re really in need of money, lending you a few thousand silver taels is no problem."

"Money is just one aspect." Pan Ran sat up straight and said:

"Brother Fang must have heard about the Cyan Wolf Gang, right?"

"Of course." Fang Zheng nodded:

"Who would have thought that the Cyan Wolf Gang, which wreaked havoc twenty years ago, would rise from the ashes today."

In the past six months, the Cyan Wolf Gang has reappeared in Zhaonan Prefecture, active in various places, committing arson, murder, and robbery, doing all sorts of evil.

Many trade routes have been disrupted.

That’s why.

Fang Zheng was willing to assign escorting goods to Black Wind Stronghold, thus reducing his losses.

As long as the people are unharmed.

He wasn’t lacking money.

"Indeed!" Pan Ran spoke:

"Back then, Cyan Wolf was already an adept among Martial Artists, and now he’s probably at the Peak of Perfection."

"As the Cyan Wolf Gang runs rampant, the Imperial Court has ordered the assembly of regional elite forces to suppress the bandits. Does Brother Fang wish to join in?"

"Brother Pan jests."

Fang Zheng shook his head:

"I’m just a mere merchant, and Fang Mansion is inconspicuous. We’re not considered elite forces, nor do we have the ability to suppress bandits."

"Brother Fang." Pan Ran furrowed his brow:

"The Cyan Wolf Gang wreaking havoc benefits no one."

Others aren’t clear about Fang Mansion’s strength, but as a neighbor, he knows it far surpasses the Pan Family.

Even...

Looking throughout Zhaonan Prefecture, they’re among the top, only not known due to their quiet restraint.

Fang Zheng stroked his chin, looked at Pan Ran, and said:

"Brother Pan seems to have made a decision?"

"Indeed!"

Pan Ran didn’t deny it, said:

"Today, the world is in chaos; the situation is unstable. It’s said that the situations in Qing and Liang Provinces are completely out of control."

"Rebels emerge in various places, some even proclaiming kingship, not considering the Imperial Court at all."

"However..."

"For us, this is also an opportunity."

Fang Zheng pondered contemplatively.

"Brother Fang."

Pan Ran clasped hands and said:

"Has Black Wind Stronghold visited as well?"

"Indeed." Fang Zheng’s expression slightly darkened:

"Second Master Zhu asked for a ten percent cut of Fang Mansion’s profits."

"Ten percent?" Pan Ran’s eyes flickered, shook his head with a bitter smile:

"Pan Family has been stripped of thirty percent!"

Indeed,

Lack of strength means enduring others’ oppression.

Fang Mansion still has two lucrative industries, the kiln and textile factory.

Pan Family only has the martial arts hall and rental income. With Black Wind Stronghold taking thirty percent, life became immediately tight.

"I received news."

Stabilizing himself, Pan Ran continued:

"King Kang has arrived at Zhaonan Prefecture."

"King Kang?" Fang Zheng sat upright, looking serious:

"That Martial Arts Grandmaster?"

The pinnacle of the Martial Dao is called a Grandmaster, equivalent to a Magical Sage, both among the world’s top figures.

King Kang is of the Great Wei Royal Family, also a Martial Arts Grandmaster, a status extremely noble.

"Indeed." Pan Ran nodded:

"With King Kang presiding, suppressing bandit activity will be effortless."

"Moreover, with the Imperial Court’s recruitment, many benefits are promised; we may even attain positions below the Fifth Grade."

"Then, with King Kang’s backing and official court positions, even Black Wind Stronghold wouldn’t dare easily cause trouble."