Chapter 24 - Hidden Undercurrent (2)

Ji Sheng fixed his sitting position before he looked at Shi Yan. "I need you to hurry and establish the trade route with Xiong Tribe."

"That fast?" Shi Yan was stunned. He looked at Ji Sheng with an incredulous expression. "Do you think that I can prepare so many things so easily? Xiong Tribe wouldn't want to accept newcomers so quickly."

"If we want to stop the war, maintaining an amicable relationship is important. If we can establish a trade route, we'll be able to minimize the number of tribes who still come to fight with us in the north," Ji Sheng said calmly.

Xiong Tribe was the current largest tribe in the north. Even though they all lived nomadic, they still formed several tribes with several thousand people at each of them. Their biggest threat was the Xiong Tribe followed by several other smaller tribes that also attacked their northern border.

Shi Yan groaned. "Fine, I'll do my best."

Yang Xian chuckled. "Don't worry, I have already prepared some men for you to use in the North. I'm sure that you'll be able to form the trade seamlessly."

"Haha," Shi Yan let out a bitter laugh. He could never trust this seemingly amiable young man at all. The last time he trusted Yang Xian, he almost vomited blood with how ruthless his devious scheme was.

Ji Sheng looked to the side and looked at the manuscript on the table. There were only a few authors whom Manager Xin would treat with respect like this. "Whose author came here not long ago?"

"Ying Liu," Manager Xin said.

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. He had read a lot of books and the couple of books made by Ying Liu left a deep impression on him. "Oh, is it the newest book from Ying Liu? Can I take a look?"

"Yes, you can."

Seeing Manager Xin handed the manuscript to Yang Xian without hesitation, Shi Yan felt like crying. "That's unfair! How come you gave him the manuscript when he asked, but you didn't give it to me when I wanted to see?"

"That's because you're stupid," Manager Xin said seriously.

Shi Yan: "…" stop insulting me!

Yang Xian flipped the bamboo scroll and read the content seriously. The others also didn't disturb him as they began to talk about the preparation that Ji Sheng wanted Shi Yan to do on the border.

"Shi Yan."

"Yes?"

"Ying Liu is that lady from just now, am I right?"

Shi Yan nearly spurted out the tea that he was drinking. He looked at Yang Xian with incredulous expression. How come he finds out just by reading the manuscript within a few moments?

Yang Xian didn't need Shi Yan to reply as he could read from Shi Yan's expression. His lips curled up in amusement. "Wei Liuying from Wei Household. I never knew that a concubine daughter can have an even broader mind compared to men."

As Yang Xian handed the manuscript back to Manager Xin, Shi Yan's mouth was still wide like a fish. "You… how did you…?"

"I met with Third Lady Wei when I'm searching for information regarding Ji Sheng's arrival in the capital city," Yang Xian said with a smile. "I tried to ask several noble ladies and young masters who were roaming on the street. She's the only one who's polite and respectful without keeping any airs."

Most young masters, even if they were born from concubines, naturally held a high position in their household. As for the noble young lady, except for the main daughter, they all didn't have high positions. However, it didn't mean that there was no one who would flaunt their nonexistent position. In fact, there were a lot of ladies who would put on airs despite not having real background.

"How did you even guess their identities?"

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "Every family has their family banner and different clothing style. If you can't differentiate the nobles, you can look at the servants behind them."

Shi Yan: "…" who had the time to memorize so many different clothing styles of the noble families here?

"I want to meet with her to discuss the book."

"I promised her that I'll keep her identity a secret," Manager Xin said hurriedly. Even Shi Yan also nodded repeatedly. They didn't want to face Wei Liuying's wrath.

She's also a very devious young lady.

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. He turned to look at Ji Sheng. "Can you give an imperial edict?"

"Fine," Ji Sheng agreed without any hesitation.

Shi Yan: "…"

Manager Xin: "…"

Yang Xian was in a jovial mood when he heard the answer. "You shall arrange the meeting, Manager Xin. Please inform Third Lady Wei when she came to visit here again."

"I understand," Manager Xin said weakly. He didn't have any other option but to comply. Internally, he apologized to Wei Liuying countless times because he knew that it would be impossible for him to refuse this matter.

Ji Sheng tapped the table. "Get serious now."

With that, the three of them turned their head to the third prince. They knew that it was already time for them to discuss the problems in Han Shi Kingdom. Aside from wars, there was also the inevitable battle for the throne.

It was unavoidable.