"We’re all blood-related siblings; saying such things, how would outsiders see us?" After a pause, he took a sip of his drink and said: "It’s just, the second sister doesn’t seem like a second young lady of the Duke’s family. She’s already eighteen this year, yet she stubbornly refuses to discuss marriage..." "She’s more eager about the affairs of the world." His third brother said casually: "Since she’s a daughter, eventually, she has to belong to an outsider." "Brother, don’t worry. Come, drink, drink." Li Jianwen said nothing. Over there, Li Zhaowen bid farewell to older brother and father, then turned and smiled: "For many rules, just let Mr. Li’s people handle that, but let’s make it clear beforehand..." The girl, adorned in a white brocade robe with large clusters of peonies embroidered in gold thread, a jade belt around her waist, and a golden vertical mark in the middle of her eyebrows, truly had the presence of a dragon and phoenix. She smiled: "This is an alliance; it’s reciprocal. I won’t comply unconditionally." "Mr. Li must offer something too." Changsun Wuchou said: "Indeed, I will report to the Lord." Trade routes, the prestige of the alliance, and the movement of talents. With these three points secured, Li Zhaowen was able to leverage Li Guanyi’s influence to some extent in the Western Regions, allowing the forces of the Duke Mansion to enter the chaotic world of the Western Regions; the predicament Li Guanyi faced was also eased, enabling him to rise like a dragon ascending to heaven. However, looking thus far, both of them are individuals with strategies for the world at heart, exuding immense confidence. Now, they have a common formidable enemy, and they can join forces; but in the future, if it truly comes down to a final moment, there might be a fierce battle to decide the higher and lower positions. Changsun Wuchou, caught in the middle, thought of that day and felt a stomachache. If in the future, armies clash, it won’t just be a stomachache. Minister Changsun advises— Why can’t the two unite through marriage! He sighed, already resigning, leaving these matters for his future self to worry about, then bowed and planned to depart soon, to report the alliance matters back to the Lord. As for defining the details. Mr. Po Jun would handle that. Li Zhaowen, however, smiled and urged him to stay: "No rush to leave, there are still some gifts." Changsun Wuchou waited for several days, Li Zhaowen loaded several carts of treasures, among which were many luxurious items. Li Zhaowen also sent forth the Guest Elder recruited over the years and smiled: "The previous discussion was official business; I am the second son of the Duke Mansion." "What is being discussed now is private matter." "These talents, Changsun, you also know them, they are precisely the ones you recognized during your travels around the world, each capable of commanding troops, though not a famous general, they can command several thousand men, leading an independent division. I am confined here." "Over the years, even going out of the city has become gradually forbidden by older brother and father." "These people are under my command, wasting time in vain, it’s better that they go to Mr. Li and become Guest Generals, and seize opportunities to achieve success. If they are willing to stay, there’s no harm... " Li Zhaowen smiled freely: "Let’s see who between him and me has more grandeur." "If he can make them stay, it’s his skill; if I can call them back, it’s my method." "As for these things." "Jade and red hairpin, some are gifts from the royal family, some entrusted by noblewomen, useless to me, might as well pawn them to obtain plenty of gold and silver." Changsun Wuchou was stunned, opened the carriage, and exclaimed: "This!" "Are these gifts received by you, Second Miss?" They were Li Zhaowen’s personal stash. If spoken of, they were the dowry a noblewoman brings when marrying into others. Li Zhaowen said freely: "Not as good as this handful of golden curved knives." Changsun Wuchou’s eyes lit up, his heart rising with a hint of hope, only to see Li Zhaowen pat the curved knife at his waist with a calm demeanor, saying: "Can you see the world? The heroes contend, if I can’t step into it, what use are these gold and silver objects?!" "Hundreds of years later, achievements linger, and so-called gold and silver are nothing but a handful of yellow earth." "Better to exchange for armor and weapons, pushing into this world." The excitement within Changsun Wuchou suddenly died. He pursed his lips, feeling that the Lord and Second Miss were quite compatible in some respects, bowed, and escorted these tens of generals, along with the six carts of treasures, and stepped on the road back. Li Guan held his long sword, facing a silver-haired man with a look of impatience. Whale Hunter held only a straight wooden stick in his hand, and said: "I’m leaving, this is the last time I’ll tidy you up, kid—" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel[f]ire.net "Kid, your martial skills among your peers are just fair enough to be seen." "But when placed in the world, it’s not enough." "The Western Regions still have the Wolf King, who is at the Nine-layered Heaven Realm, not to mention Yuwen Lie, He Ruoqinhu, Jiang Su, those renowned generals. Compared to them, you ultimately fall short, but there’s nothing that can be done, you’re still too young." Originally, Whale Hunter intended to speak very aggressively, reconsidered and took back part of the emotions of Shaking Light, and held back forcefully: "You’re just a very nice and still a presentable look, after I leave, Shaking Light will stay, but with your current skills, it’s still insufficient." "Let me show you something good." Li Guan approached suspiciously; Whale Hunter suddenly let out a cold laugh. The formation unfolded under his feet. He pointed with two fingers towards Li Guan’s forehead.