Chapter 1 A Short Meeting

After exchanging a few words with his father and senior brothers, Ye Tao followed Qi Zhentao to a small side room connected to the main hall. In Zheng Yuan, which did not employ the common architectural structures of the era, Ye Tao had designed this room specifically for short, important conversations. The open and aboveboard nature of traditional architecture, after all, couldn't conceal the need for conversations that merchants and official families alike had to keep from reaching the ears of others.

"Old Man, is something the matter?" Ye Tao was, after all, very familiar with Qi Zhentao. If something urgent hadn't happened, Qi Zhentao would most likely have thrown a large banquet to celebrate Ye Tao's return, rather than wanting to leave in such a hurry.

Qi Zhentao nodded and said, "There's trouble with the business in the South. The reputation of the Seven Seas Trading Company has spread down there, and there's a trend of people wanting to band together to suppress us. The first to make a move were pirates connected to several large southern merchants. We lost two ships last month, and the news came last night that we lost another four. Those bastards really think that just because I've been doing business for so many years, I don't know how to fight anymore."

Ye Tao frowned. Not to mention the Seven Seas Trading Company, even Qi Zhentao alone had unparalleled influence in the entire sea area. Pirates appearing and causing constant losses to the Seven Seas Trading Company might not truly shake the overall strength of all its members, but it could affect the confidence that the members of the Seven Seas Trading Company, and those who intended to join it, had in Qi Zhentao as their leader. Now, while the Seven Seas Trading Company had not yet formed a solid reputation or influence, and was merely a simple superposition of the reputations of all its members, unable to fully exert the effect of one plus one being greater than two, this kind of method could be considered very effective.

Ye Tao asked, "Old Man, is there any way to deal with it?"

Qi Zhentao chuckled and said, "Coming to Danyang this time certainly cost us a lot of money, but we also got the design blueprints for the Cangshui-class and Lanshui-class warships. After we go back, we'll build ships while returning to our old trade of fighting." Qi Zhentao paused and said, "If possible, once you're done with things here in Danyang, come back to Yicheng. I do want to take this opportunity to establish a large-scale, developing shipyard, but you know, I'm just an old pirate; doing business is just a side job. Although there's someone in the Seven Seas Trading Company who's built ships before, well, I don't quite trust him. Anyway, now whenever we want to build something, big or small, the first person I think of is you."

This was high praise, and Ye Tao chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed. He said, "I'll go as soon as I'm done with things here. But… I'm afraid it won't be very soon."

Qi Zhentao nodded and said, "It's okay. I'll hold the fort for now. You go at your own pace." Qi Zhentao sized up Ye Tao and asked, "Although you were able to get away unscathed this time, not only did you not suffer any punishment, but leading the army on the expedition was even counted as your achievement, if there's another situation like this next time, I'm afraid it won't be so simple."

A hint of doubt appeared on Ye Tao's face. Qi Zhentao explained, "Everyone helped you escape punishment, first of all, because they knew you had no ambition, and that you're not a member of the officialdom. It's entirely because of your personality, and your good relationship with them. And His Majesty pardoned you, partly because of your talent, and partly because, apart from Her Highness the Princess, you don't have deep ties with the court, especially with the various factions within the court. But now, you've become a member of the court no matter what. Unless you don't interact with people, you're bound to have friends and enemies. And this time, the court's show of favor and grace towards you, and your influence over the sons of the major families, will probably make many people wary. Some people may have stood on your side this time, or said nothing at all, but it's hard to say what they'll do next time. Do you understand?"

Ye Tao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand. I was already planning to keep a low profile after I got back, steadily doing business and making money, and never meddling in things I shouldn't. Anyway, to be honest, I'm not that interested in high office and noble rank."

Qi Zhentao agreed, saying, "That's right. You don't have to chase after power; let power come to you… But, you don't have to be too careful either. You're still young, after all. Being too reserved is too fake. Just be yourself. Your personality isn't that sharp to begin with. If you restrain yourself any further, it'll be too much."

Qi Zhentao was sharing his experience of many years. This great merchant, who had transitioned from being a pirate, was able to navigate smoothly among officials, merchants, and thieves, and still create his own world. His ability to deal with people was truly admirable. In Qi Zhentao's opinion, it was really unnecessary for many people to bide their time and hide their abilities, even to the point of crippling themselves. If a person became unlike themselves, it would neither guarantee their safety nor allow them to gain the trust of others.

Qi Zhentao left after a brief conversation with Ye Tao. It was already not easy for him to stay in Danyang for an extra day just to meet with Ye Tao. When he was handling his own business, Qi Zhentao was indeed a bit careless, but managing the Seven Seas Trading Company was a completely different experience. Qi Zhentao's dedication to the business of the Trading Company made everyone around him not quite understand.

After seeing Qi Zhentao off, Ye Tao wanted to have a good chat with his family and a few senior brothers who were practically family, but Ye Lao Geng smiled warmly and said, "Let's all have dinner together tonight. There are still people waiting for you later, so don't keep them waiting."

Seeing that his father and senior brothers all had encouraging and supportive expressions, Ye Tao walked suspiciously towards the backyard.

In Ye Tao's courtyard, Tan Weixin and Tan Weishi were chatting happily with Dai Qiuyan and Sophie. Ye Tao's arrival caused everyone's eyes to focus on the same point.

"Brother Ye…" Dai Qiuyan, who had become a gentle and charming young woman, threw herself into Ye Tao's arms without any hesitation. For Dai Qiuyan, Ye Tao was undoubtedly the most important person, even more important than her father, Dai Yuege.

Ye Tao felt a little awkward. Dai Qiuyan's unreserved reliance made him feel both pleased and proud, but when this reliance and intimacy was suddenly exposed in front of the Tan Weixin and Tan Weishi sisters, embarrassment seemed unavoidable. As for Sophie… Sophie and Dai Qiuyan were already too familiar with each other.

"Hehe…" Tan Weishi covered her mouth but couldn't stop the soft laughter from escaping.

The laughter made Dai Qiuyan's face turn red. Although she jumped out of Ye Tao's arms, she still grabbed Ye Tao's sleeve with one hand, as if afraid that Ye Tao would leave her at any moment. In these days, the various news she had constantly heard about Ye Tao had really scared her to death. This fear even overwhelmed her jealousy towards Ye Tao for doing such a sensational thing for another woman.

Ye Tao gently took Dai Qiuyan's hand and cupped his other fist in his palm as a greeting to Tan Weixin and Tan Weishi, which was considered a greeting to the two princesses. If such a crude etiquette were seen by others, especially those censor officials in the court, it would inevitably become a basis for attacking Ye Tao, but between them, it was the most ordinary thing.

"It's really not easy to see you again," Ye Tao said, finally squeezing out such a sentence after thinking for a while.

Tan Weishi said happily, "Yes, I heard that you even ran to the city walls to fight, and were injured by the palm force of an enemy expert. Are you okay now?"

Ye Tao nodded and said, "I took a lot of medicine, and applied countless ointments. I should be okay now."

Tan Weishi then asked, "Anyway, you've been on a long trip. Did you bring us any gifts?"

Ye Tao was stunned, and said embarrassedly, "This… I didn't think of it at all this time. I'm sorry."

Tan Weishi was not so innocent as to be naive, she was just trying to make the topic lighter. She waved her hand dismissively and said, "Forget it. Don't forget next time you have a chance like this."

Tan Weishi was extremely curious about Ye Tao's experiences on the battlefield. Although she was not the kind of little girl who would crazily treat the battlefield as a sightseeing spot, these days, Ye Tao's name had constantly appeared in the continuous court discussions. With many sons of noble families attributing all the achievements to Ye Tao, Ye Tao was simply a legend on the battlefield.

Ye Tao did not reject it, and generously pulled Dai Qiuyan to sit next to the two princesses. Sophie naturally poured tea and prepared snacks for everyone. Following Tan Weishi's questions, Ye Tao roughly talked about the actual combat experience of the Blood Unicorn Army. The difference between the reality and the rumors made Tan Weishi understand a lot. She said with some understanding and some regret, "So that's how it is. It doesn't sound as exaggerated as the rumors."

Ye Tao smiled. He didn't know what Tan Weishi thought of him, or rather, he, who had never thought in that direction, would not have such sensitivity to discover Tan Weishi's admiration for him. He said frankly, "I'm just an ordinary person, and I don't know any martial arts. When I went to the battlefield, I could only risk my life. It's really great to be able to survive. How could it really be as mysterious as everyone says? This time, I was able to come back alive safely, really thanks to everyone's help. You also put in a lot of effort for my family, right?"

Faced with Ye Tao's gratitude, Tan Weishi said proudly, "Of course, whoever dares to touch Uncle Ye and your senior brothers, I will never end with them." Immediately, she couldn't help but say with some frustration, "But how can there be so many greedy weaklings in your workshops? Seeing that you were in trouble, they were actually poached by the Shi family. I can't do anything about these people. If I go after them, and my father finds out, my days will be difficult."

Ye Tao said with a smile, "It's okay. You can be considered someone who spends all day in my workshop. You should know that the Ye family's foundation cannot be hollowed out by the loss of a few people."

After Tan Weishi and Ye Tao chatted for a while, she took Sophie and Dai Qiuyan away, leaving space for Ye Tao and Tan Weixin to talk alone.

"Thank you," Tan Weixin said. Her forever faint tone could not conceal the deep emotions in her heart. From the moment Ye Tao angrily led his troops to attack until now, she had had plenty of time to let her excitement cool down, and to rehearse in her mind thousands of times how to speak when she saw Ye Tao again. However, when this moment came, she once again found that she was far from having the perfect control over her emotions that she had hoped for.

"Don't you think this is what I should do?" Ye Tao said gently. He sat down next to Tan Weixin, took the cup from Tan Weixin's hand, and gently pinched her slender fingers in his hand. The gentleness of the action fully showed the extent to which Ye Tao cherished Tan Weixin in his heart.

"What you did makes me love this era even more," Tan Weixin said, tilting her head slightly. "In the past, boys in smart clothes fighting for their girlfriends could cause a wave of envy, but now, this is a real war… I'm probably not a good person, after all, so many people died for me. But I still think that these things that happened make me so happy, after all, you did such incredible things for me."

Ye Tao lifted the princess's hand, brought it to his lips, and gently touched it, saying nothing. At this moment, it would be inappropriate to mourn those who died, or to compliment the princess in front of him with any more words.

"To reward you, I think I should reintroduce myself," Tan Weixin said with a smile, "Can we exchange our other identities?"