Fu Changqin suddenly felt hopeful, "Is there anyone else?"
"The Lord Marquis is urging you as well," Fu Shinian reminded him, "The old lady said that Mr. Changshan has assigned you homework, so stay in the Lord Marquis's study to finish it before returning."
"The Lord Marquis is not in good health, you must study diligently and not make the teacher angry like before. If the Lord Marquis's health worsens because of you, it would be returning kindness with ingratitude, and that would be a grave sin."
Fu Changqin: "!!!"
He's under a lot of pressure; is it possible not to go?
Mr. Fu eagerly asked, "When can your elder brother go to study with Mr. Changshan?"
"He can go tomorrow," Fu Shinian replied, "I think this matter should be sooner rather than later. It's rare for the old lady to bring it up voluntarily; if we don't quickly send elder brother over, it would seem ungrateful."
"Right, you're right," Madam Fu quickly stood up, "I'll prepare the apprenticeship gift for tomorrow, we can't be discourteous."
"There's another matter." Saying this, Fu Shinian's expression rarely turned serious, "While dining at the Marquis's residence, I heard the Lord Marquis mention that His Majesty is currently troubled about sending supplies to the army."
"The journey from the capital to the front lines is long, and the potential for unexpected incidents along the way is high. While man-made disasters are not likely, natural disasters are common, causing delays and often leading to shortages of supplies at the front lines."
"The soldiers risk their lives on the front lines, yet the basic supplies can't even be guaranteed," Fu Shinian said, "His Majesty is troubled by this issue and has been discussing it these past few days."
"Yes." Mr. Fu nodded, "In the morning court sessions these days, we've been discussing this matter continuously, yet we haven't found an effective solution."
Fu Shinian pouted, softly complaining, "Why didn't father mention this before? If it weren't for the Lord Marquis mentioning it, I wouldn't have known."
"The Lord Marquis talks about public matters with the old lady when he returns," Fu Shinian said.
"I thought even if I mentioned it, it would be useless?"
"Who said it's useless?" Fu Shinian immediately said.
"Do you have a solution?" Mr. Fu asked involuntarily.
"Father, would you like to hear if it could work?" After Mr. Fu nodded, Fu Shinian said, "The Cheng family's businesses and warehouses are spread throughout Great Xi, they have businesses and warehouses in all notable towns."
"Weapons, the Cheng family naturally wouldn't dare involve themselves with. But food and clothing are civilian supplies, and the Cheng family has business in those areas," Fu Shinian said, "The court could buy from the Cheng family instead, eliminating the need to transport supplies from the distant capital. The Cheng family's warehouses could adjust stocks locally."
"Wherever the garrison needs supplies, the Cheng family could send them from the nearest warehouse. If the stock is insufficient, the Cheng family could transport them from one station to another, using their trading advantages," Fu Shinian said.
"This matter carries risks. The risk is that the Cheng family must ensure no substandard products appear; if they do, it would be a catastrophe, and the Cheng family couldn't bear it," Fu Shinian first pointed out the risk, "But simultaneously with the risk comes huge benefits."
"On the surface, the court's transactions can't profit much," Fu Shinian said, "But the Cheng family could use this to establish connections with the military. The Cheng family has trade routes to the Western Regions and deals with border trade, where the journey is fraught with danger. But if they could get some protection from the military, not necessarily a military escort, even a slight intervention if goods run into problems would be very beneficial."
"The benefits this would bring are long-lasting and immense."
Mr. Fu took a deep breath, never imagining his young daughter to be so bold!
Indeed, it could bring enormous benefits, but accompanied by risks.
But if it succeeds, the Cheng family would be more than just ordinary merchants!
They could strive to become a royal merchant!
If the Cheng family prospers, how could the Fu family not follow?
Mr. Fu, who dealt in business, received much financial support from the Cheng family.
And in commerce, the Cheng family was protected by Mr. Fu, naturally benefiting both.
Mr. Fu looked towards Aunt Cheng, "This matter involves the Cheng family's interests, requiring careful consideration from the Cheng family."
Aunt Cheng, listening to Fu Shinian, couldn't recall when she had forgotten to breathe.
Now, with everyone looking at her, Aunt Cheng came to her senses, taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.
She stood up and said, "Father used to say that to achieve great things, one must take risks."
"Back then, the Cheng family was just a small merchant. It was father who took the risk and traded at the border, borrowing money to grow the Cheng family." It was also Mr. Cheng who bet on Mr. Fu's ability and future, making her, his only daughter, his concubine when Mr. Fu was just a minor sixth-grade official.
The Cheng and Fu families supported each other, resulting in the present situation.
"I'll send someone to call my brother over immediately." Aunt Cheng looked at Fu Shinian, "We'll need Niannian to explain it to my brother later."
"Is it urgent?" Fu Mingzhu checked the time, "It's pouring rain outside and so late; we could wait until tomorrow."
"No, the sooner the better," Mr. Fu said, "His Majesty has been troubled by this for days, and the current situation is such that whoever proposes a good solution first wins. We must seize the opportunity and not let others get ahead."
"It's best to make a decision immediately." Mr. Fu stood up and summoned Housekeeper Zhou, "Go personally to the Cheng Mansion and invite Master Cheng over, with haste."
"Yes." Housekeeper Zhou complied, donned a raincoat, mounted a horse, and went off swiftly.
In less than thirty minutes, Cheng Yuanshan came hurriedly following Housekeeper Zhou.
Arriving under the eaves outside the house, Cheng Yuanshan handed over his raincoat to Housekeeper Zhou.
"How did you come so quickly?" Aunt Cheng asked as Cheng Yuanshan entered.
"Seeing Housekeeper Zhou arriving in haste on horseback, I knew something urgent was at hand, so I rode over instead of taking the carriage." Cheng Yuanshan took the tea offered by Ting Qin, but didn't pause to drink, "What happened?"
"Niannian, you tell him," Aunt Cheng said.
Fu Shinian then recounted what had been said to Cheng Yuanshan again.
Cheng Yuanshan fell silent for a moment, unconsciously frowning as he paced in the hall.
No one else interrupted.
After all, this was a risky affair, with high rewards and high risks.
Cheng Yuanshan finally stopped, gently clenching his right fist, "Let's do it!"
"Father, tomorrow my brother goes to study at the Marquis's residence, I'll go with him and explain this matter to the Lord Marquis, seeking his opinion," Fu Shinian said, "It's not appropriate for father to handle this personally."
The relationship between the Cheng and Fu families was too close.
It was best for Mr. Fu not to propose this to His Majesty directly.
And Mr. Fu going personally to the Marquis's residence would be too conspicuous.
Mr. Fu nodded, "You're right, this matter is up to you then. Hopefully, the Lord Marquis will agree swiftly so we can settle this matter, as delays may bring changes."
"It's still your fault." Madam Fu complained, "If you had returned earlier and shared, Niannian would have thought of this long ago, and we wouldn't be rushing now."
Mr. Fu pleaded for pardon, "I'll definitely relay any important court matters early in the future."
With things settled, the next day, Madam Fu prepared the apprenticeship gift for Fu Changqin to take with him.