Ye Tiancheng found himself burdened with a great deal of work, tasks that held profound significance for him. From the outset, his chosen path had alienated many, and this opposition necessitated deep reflection to identify his own shortcomings and flaws.
He had few alternatives but to accept his circumstances. This acceptance meant re-evaluating everything. He had to proceed and make choices as he did, for little else presented itself. Thus, he resorted to this evasive approach.
The choices he had made offered him little room for maneuver, forcing him to reluctantly accept the challenges before him. For Ye Tiancheng, all issues converged on a single point.
His meticulously designed processes had gone awry, a development he most feared and dreaded: that someone was sabotaging him from behind the scenes.
If such a situation could be easily resolved, it wouldn't be a problem. However, he had no idea who was working against him, which caused him immense distress and left him unable to find a solution.
He suddenly understood—how tragic it was to be in the spotlight, needing others to validate one's existence.
He desperately needed these validations, as they were of paramount importance to him.
Even though he had obtained proof, any accusation of his shortcomings, such as the unhygienic conditions in his production processes, became his Achilles' heel, a weakness exploited by his attackers.
Many things he couldn't do but had to, began to take root in his mind, creating a sense of obligation and immense pressure, along with guilt. He had promised to expand and strengthen his business but had failed to do so, leaving him feeling insecure and unsure how to face his acquaintances.
In truth, he was overthinking. The world only saw his success, not his struggles. He should have been less concerned.
"You're probably overthinking it; those problems won't arise," the divine stone communicated in his mind. "You should believe in yourself and overcome your limitations to seize a new opportunity, perhaps by starting as a village doctor."
"We are in business, we are cultivators of the land; we should approach it from a business perspective," Ye Tiancheng said, deeply disappointed. He had expected the divine stone to offer something useful, but instead, it spoke of trivialities.
"You may be disappointed in me, but I must remind you that without me, you wouldn't exist," the divine stone replied, clearly frustrated by Ye Tiancheng's unreasonable words. It fell silent, yawned in Ye Tiancheng's mind, and went to sleep.
He had to overcome the current difficulties. Despite his reservations, he had to admit the stone was right. He needed to look ahead, to the long term, and not be blinded by immediate concerns.
He resolved to uncover who was behind the sabotage. His current enemies were the Hou family and Feng Huaiyuan's clan.
However, his collaborators, Yao Jingye and Su Muxian, would not intervene to help him, as they understood the consequences of offending the other two prominent families.
Pondering this, he fell silent for a long time before exhaling deeply and saying, "I understand now."
"Understand what, you idiot?" At that moment, Sun Dasheng arrived, a chicken leg in his mouth, swaggering towards Ye Tiancheng.
Ye Tiancheng glanced at him and chuckled, "Oh, it's you. You've grown quite bold, haven't you?"
"What are you talking about? I've only been gone a few days, and you look so pathetic, like a defeated soldier returning from a brutal battlefield," Sun Dasheng mocked, seeing Ye Tiancheng's dejected appearance.
Ye Tiancheng smiled at Sun Dasheng's words, "I happen to need someone to scout ahead. You can help me investigate something."
Hearing Ye Tiancheng's request, Sun Dasheng's interest was piqued, and he immediately asked with a smile, "What matter requires my personal attention?"
"Of course, it's something within your capabilities, and it's quite simple, not complicated at all," Ye Tiancheng stated, having already formed his plans. Sun Dasheng, unsure of Ye Tiancheng's intentions, became very serious, initially thinking he was joking but then realizing Ye Tiancheng's expression was genuinely earnest.
Seeing his serious demeanor, Ye Tiancheng recounted the entire situation to Sun Dasheng.
Upon hearing the details, Sun Dasheng adopted a very serious expression.
After listening to Ye Tiancheng's arrangements, he nodded, "It seems like a relatively easy task. Aren't they your two enemies? We can use the process of elimination. I suspect the Hou family won't make things too difficult for you; the Feng family, however, is another matter."
"What do you mean by that?" Ye Tiancheng immediately paid attention to Sun Dasheng's words.
He was curious about Sun Dasheng's reasoning and wanted to understand his thoughts, which made him exceptionally attentive.
Given the context, it was natural to consider the matter carefully.
Such an issue required meticulous calculation, as any misstep could affect future strategic deployments. This was why Sun Dasheng appeared so serious, not treating it as a game. His primary concern was avoiding errors in judgment that could lead to wasted effort, hence his earnest conversation with Ye Tiancheng.
Sun Dasheng had his reasons, even if Ye Tiancheng hadn't fully grasped them yet.
He explained earnestly, "Actually, the Hou family wants you to succeed. They intend to rely on you as a capable assistant to advance their own fortunes. As for the Feng family, it's hard to say; they have no connection to you and would readily try to eliminate you." Ye Tiancheng understood Sun Dasheng's words but was reluctant to believe the Hou family wouldn't act against him. Sun Dasheng's statement served as a final reassurance, reinforcing his unwillingness to accept the reality he was being told.
"Since you've come to believe it, it seems I don't need to investigate further to report back. I hope you understand my words: the relationship between interests. The world bustles for profit; the world surges for gain. Profit is the pivot of the world; without it, there would be no entanglements, whether between enemies or friends. All connections are driven by self-interest."
Sun Dasheng's words were insightful and logical, prompting Ye Tiancheng to reflect with admiration. He hadn't expected such wisdom from this individual, as it far exceeded his expectations. He couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up.
"Don't be so grateful to me yet. You might be disappointed in me later, as I'm a rather worldly person. I'll likely say more unpleasant things."
This individual was remarkably direct, speaking his mind. It was unfortunate, but Ye Tiancheng wasn't surprised by Sun Dasheng's candor; it aligned with his own thoughts. Despite achieving minor success, he wasn't happy about being a hardworking, resilient person who had endured life's hardships. He understood many things: once certain events became facts, regardless of whether he wanted to believe them or not, those facts would irrevocably alter the situation.
"It seems you're absolutely right. Even though I don't want to believe it, I must. I truly admire you for saying this. If it were me, I'd still be hesitant, wavering in indecisive choices. You've helped me articulate what I least wanted to accept, and for that, I am truly grateful." Ye Tiancheng thanked Sun Dasheng because he had dispelled his doubts. He had initially been inclined to believe the Hou family were his enemies.
He said this because the Hou family wished for his success and would later rely on him as a powerful pillar. At that time, perhaps the Hou family would grovel before him like begging dogs, pleading for his assistance. This was certainly something Ye Tiancheng would welcome. After all, he vividly remembered the humiliation, the desolation, the helplessness, and the burning desire to annihilate the Hou family when Mingzhu had thrown him out.
When one walks alone in the snow, they yearn for a helping hand, but none appears. Instead, they face those who gloat at their misfortune. Thus, Ye Tiancheng would never forget that moment, the hatred and resentment that would forever be etched in his memory.
Therefore, in the end, everything boiled down to self-interest, the driving force behind conflict and struggle. If there were no self-interest in this world, nothing would exist; everything would vanish into nothingness.
For some reason, he didn't feel comforted. Instead, a profound sense of melancholy washed over him, piercing his heart like a knife.
As time passed, this feeling didn't fade; it deepened, making him feel increasingly overwhelmed, as if facing an insurmountable challenge.
Seeing that Ye Tiancheng had made up his mind, Sun Dasheng said nothing more and slowly slipped away. He knew who Ye Tiancheng had chosen as his target. Since he had clarified the situation for Ye Tiancheng, and Ye Tiancheng had made his decision, his presence was no longer necessary. However, shortly after leaving, he was called back by Ye Tiancheng. Sun Dasheng immediately stopped and looked at Ye Tiancheng, wondering why he was suddenly asked to stay.
He wanted Sun Dasheng to stay so they could face difficulties together. He didn't want anyone to disrupt his burgeoning career, especially since he aimed to earn three million within a month.
This sum was insignificant to the wealthy, but for the nascent Ye Tiancheng, it was a daunting task. It was akin to an apprentice learning a craft, starting from scratch, looking up to his master—such was the eagerness for immediate success. At this moment, Ye Tiancheng felt the same way an apprentice did, aspiring to become a master craftsman.
Understanding Ye Tiancheng's thoughts perfectly, Sun Dasheng stopped and waited silently for Ye Tiancheng's instructions. After a long pause, Ye Tiancheng said to Sun Dasheng, "Then we will deal with the Feng family. Let's eliminate this clan that opposes me first."
Hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, Sun Dasheng found it amusing. The families in this city were deeply entrenched; eradicating them would be like slow-cooking pork trotters—haste would be counterproductive. He was concerned and asked, "This is like a mayfly trying to shake a tree; it's completely ineffective. We can adopt a more indirect approach, giving them a warning first. While force might be effective, it won't threaten their hidden capabilities."
The mention of "hidden capabilities" made Ye Tiancheng frown. After a moment, he asked, "Do you know what hidden capabilities mean? Could it be that this person has control over the Imperial Guards or the City Lord in this city?"
"Since you've guessed it, there's no need for me to explain further. If something is stated too explicitly, it loses its meaning. Everything depends on your own interpretation. If you can't figure it out, take your time; you'll eventually understand." This individual made no attempt to conceal his thoughts, clearly expressing his intentions.
Hearing this, Ye Tiancheng could only offer a wry smile, looking utterly helpless because he truly didn't understand what this person was thinking. If he were to truly comprehend it, it would be nothing short of miraculous.
Everything required careful consideration. After all, the established families were deeply rooted, and dislodging them would be an arduous task. He needed to be exceptionally vigilant, as lacking the necessary skills would make it impossible to contend with Feng Huaiyuan.
Mere force would not solve the problem; it required tangible assets.
These tangible assets were sufficient capital. Looking at the Feng family, their financial resources dwarfed Ye Tiancheng's by a factor of ten thousand. In other words, Ye Tiancheng possessed less than one ten-thousandth of their wealth, illustrating the vast disparity in their financial standing.
Ye Tiancheng was no fool; his mind was sharp. After being reminded, he couldn't help but lament his inadequacy.
Sometimes, many things were beyond one's control, and other times, they couldn't be accomplished solely through one's abilities. Often, decisions required careful deliberation. Therefore, the only viable option at present was to endure and wait until he possessed enough capital to confront his opponents. Money, after all, was omnipotent.
Without the manipulation of money, nothing could be achieved.
Prioritizing immediate gratification over responsibility would not solve the fundamental problem; he had understood this clearly over the past year.
"Therefore, my presence here is no longer valuable. I prefer to be a carefree wanderer," Sun Dasheng implied that he wished to travel the world, detached from worldly affairs, indifferent to whatever fate befell it. His statement deeply disappointed Ye Tiancheng, who had hoped for his assistance but was met with this refusal. A surge of resentment welled up within him, and he felt an urge to rush over and smack him on the head.
As the saying goes, a strong general commands no weak soldiers. Ye Tiancheng was not a weakling but a rising star. How could his subordinate lack ambition and drift through life aimlessly?
Sun Dasheng had his own reasons. He chose to distance himself from this chaotic place, seeking a serene and tranquil haven. Ye Tiancheng found this individual detestable because he was completely devoid of worldly ambition, his sole dream being to live as a serene recluse, unburdened by mundane matters.
This individual aspired to be unrestrained, free, and true to himself.
Admittedly, people like him were outliers, meaning only a small fraction of the world's population chose such a lifestyle. The majority feared loneliness and yearned for recognition. Those who evaded reality and societal responsibilities were ultimately few. Consequently, these few individuals would not be remembered, and their impact would be solely negative. Ye Tiancheng wished for his subordinates to possess the same drive for success as he did.
The so-called success was merely wealth, as it held immense allure for people. Therefore, the primary focus should be on how to make money, and pursuing wealth by any means necessary was the ultimate path. Once one had money, others would look upon them with respect. Conversely, without money, one would be looked down upon, rendering their existence in this world valueless. Thus, Ye Tiancheng believed that those begging on the streets should choose to die, as their existence was a blight upon the world.
It was precisely such people who introduced instability into the world. Their existence caused the world to regress. If individuals like them were to hold positions of power, they would undoubtedly eradicate all beggars and vagrants. Only when they completely disappeared would the gap between rich and poor cease to exist. The simplest and most direct solution was their complete physical elimination.
Deep down, Ye Tiancheng disdained those who evaded society and reality, viewing them as trash. Sun Dasheng embodied this very attitude, fueling Ye Tiancheng's anger, his gaze filled with fiery resentment.