Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 295 - Two Hundred and Eighteen: Night Talk

Chapter 295: Chapter Two Hundred and Eighteen: Night Talk

The night grew deep.

Apart from those streets specially permitted by the Imperial Court to remain lit all night, the vast expanse of Di’an was submerged in slumber.

Countless pale blue glimmers connected like a sparkling sea at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, with the light from Bright Pattern Lamps seeping from the window sill of the exterior study.

A youth in blood-red garments sat at the desk, writing something with a wolf-hair brush, a bloody light burning in his eyes indicating that he was currently circulating his Cultivation Technique, which made writing significantly faster.

Opposite him sat an old man with snowy white hair and squinty eyes.

The study at Prime Minister’s Mansion somewhat resembled the Emperor’s royal study and was used by Xu Yinhè to receive some of the important aides and court officials.

However, tonight Xu Yinhè was discussing a collaboration with that undying Luo Daofan in the main hall, so Xu Yuan took the opportunity to occupy it.

Hua Hong dragged him over, forcing him to work overtime, not allowing him to sleep unless he wrote.

No choice, couldn’t beat him.

Trying to shake someone awake for help was futile as no one wanted to offend Hua Hong, the god of wealth of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Ah, the first day of missing Sister Lou Ji.

Sighing, Xu Yuan glanced at the messy old man opposite him with some snide thoughts in his heart.

The power structure within the Prime Minister’s Mansion was highly centralized, completely dominated by his old man’s one-man show.

Yet under such circumstances, his subordinates dared to directly throw hands at him, the Crown Prince.

Really unparalleled.

"What are you looking at?"

The old man opposite him, who had been resting with closed eyes, opened his squinty eyes that were almost invisible, glanced at Xu Yuan, "You still have to meet the Ninth Princess tomorrow, write quickly."

"Tch..."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes, picked up the paper with wet ink, inspected it, and passed it to Hua Hong across the table:

"Finished, have a look."

"..."

Hua Hong silently took it, stroking his beard while scanning the densely written content on the paper, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Xu Yuan, having ceased circulating his Cultivation Technique, leaned back in his chair and started to doze off.

He was tired.

Being forced by the old man to write until the crack of dawn through martial coercion.

Nevertheless, Xu Yuan was happy to write the so-called "business scriptures" for Hua Hong.

They were all family after all.

The same information that went in one ear and out the other for most people was already being considered for profit by those with vision.

Innovative reforms in the talent training system were a significant vitality boost for any power.

The Third Prince was preparing for this, and naturally, so was Hua Hong.

It was just unfortunate that these innovations were limited by the capabilities of his underlings and the prevalent attitude of jealously guarding one’s own knowledge inherent in this era.

In this era, control over a particular technique guaranteed a lifelong meal ticket that could be passed down through generations.

The more people who knew it, the worse it became for one’s own family members, and apart from the foolish, no one would willingly share it.

To incite innovation meant facing huge resistance.

For a moment, the study fell silent.

However, just two minutes later, Hua Hong meticulously reread the material that Xu Yuan had taken three hours to write several times over.

High-level cultivators were a tremendous productive force.

Not only capable of the 007 line of work but also their efficiency was leagues beyond that of an ordinary person.

Hua Hong gently folded the paper written by Xu Yuan, stored it in the Sumeru Ring, and after pondering for a while, said:

"Changtian, although this scripture you’ve written contains many practical elements, it seems to be just a framework."

Weary from fatigue, Xu Yuan placed his legs on the desk and covered his mouth to yawn:

"Ahem... It was just a framework to start with. If you old man want me to elaborate, you can ask my father. If he agrees, I’ll help you compile it slowly."

"......"

Hua Hong’s eyes twitched at Xu Yuan’s carefree attitude, feeling somewhat helpless.

He knew Xu Yinhè would never hand over the young man to him.

Compiling trade books was essentially like creating a new grand canon.

Not only was it time-consuming, but it also took a lot of effort.

Right now, Changtian’s most important task was to strengthen his weak Cultivation. Other matters had to be put aside.

After a brief moment of reflection, Hua Hong recalled the content from the paper:

"Still too rough. When you have time, Changtian, write another version for me."

"Sure."

Xu Yuan didn’t object, the slow writing process wasn’t too much effort.

He paused, then asked:

"I can write a framework, but do you have people to fill it in?"

Hua Hong smiled gently, looking very kind:

"Of course, I can. Although the commerce assemblies in the world are still in a state of savage growth, the senior shopkeepers understand what you’ve written. It’s just that without a comprehensive guide, it’s hard to form a system."

Xu Yuan shook his head and said:

"No, what I mean is, will your people really put in the effort? After all, this is a matter of smashing their own rice bowls."

To smash someone’s rice bowl was to cut off their livelihood, just like killing one’s parents.

Upon hearing this,

those squinty eyes of Hua Hong flashed with a cold glint mixed with a trace of a smile:

"If they don’t put in the effort, they’ll have to pay with their lives.

"Right now, the Tian’an Commerce Assembly needs new momentum, new competition, or else when our generation passes, these shopkeepers in power might very well form new aristocratic clans within the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"...."

Xu Yuan laughed softly without responding.

Although the old man was a bit hot-tempered, his loyalty to the Prime Minister’s Mansion was indeed second to none.

Due to the monopolistic nature of knowledge, many of the talents of the senior shopkeepers were indispensable.

Without them, Tian’an Commerce Assembly would suffer great losses.

In the long run, these people could form clans within the system of the Tian’an Commerce Assembly and even the Prime Minister’s Mansion, akin to Sect families within Sects.

If the Family Head was strong, they could be kept under control, but if weak, they would evolve like Sects and Sect families.

Xu Yuan leaned back in his chair, tapping on the armrest:

"Old Hua, are you trying to turn these people into replaceable parts?"