The Second World in Ancient Times

While Si Qing's efforts gradually stabilize the business alliance, this rapid growth also creates new challenges within the Si Qing family. With the family's expansion, a flood of new tasks is coming. The family elders' expectations of Si Qing are also growing, hoping that she can continue to lead the family to greater heights.

That day, at a family meeting, an elder looked at Si Qing seriously and said, "Qing'er, our family is developing rapidly now, and it's all thanks to you. But we can't be satisfied with this. We have a lot of business to expand, especially cooperation with several major cities in the north. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

Si Qing frowned slightly: "Elder, I understand, but the northern market is complicated, and we need time to prepare."

Another uncle said anxiously, "Time waits for no one! We have lagged behind other families for too long. We must seize this opportunity. You are the hope of the family, you must do well."

Si Qing felt immense pressure, as she knew the arduous nature of the task. Not only did she have to deal with the complex market environment, but she also had to coordinate family resources to ensure the smooth progress of the collaboration.

Si Qing begins preparing for expansion into the northern market. However, problems arise one after another. Serious disagreements arise within the family over resource allocation.

My cousin, who was in charge of production, complained, "Si Qing, you've invested too many resources in the northern market. We can hardly sustain production here. If there's a shortage of product, the southern market will also have problems."

Si Qing explained, "Cousin, the northern market has huge potential. If we can open up the market, it will be beneficial to the long-term development of our family. We can stabilize the southern market first, and then adjust our resources when the north starts to pick up."

But the cousin was not satisfied: "You say that easily, the southern market is our foundation. If it is shaken, the consequences will be disastrous."

Meanwhile, the people Si Qing sent to investigate the market in the north brought back bad news. Several major northern families had united and were extremely repulsive to the new entrants. They seemed to have sensed Si Qing's intentions and were secretly preparing to give them a warning.

Si Qing decided to go to the north in person to find out the situation. When she brought her family's caravan to the first big city in the north, she encountered trouble.

At the city gate, the guards blocked their way.

The soldier leader said arrogantly, "Who are you? Where are you from?" Si Qing stepped forward and said, "We are a caravan from the Si Qing family, and we are here to do business with your city." The soldier leader sneered, "The Si Qing family? I've never heard of them. Our city lord has ordered that the city has been restless recently, and foreign caravans must pay a high entrance tax." Si Qing frowned, "This tax is too high and unreasonable. We are here to promote trade, and I hope you will be flexible." The soldier leader shouted impatiently, "Stop talking nonsense! If you don't pay, don't even think about entering the city."

Si Qing knew this was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for them, but she didn't want to start a fight at the city gate. She took out some silver and handed it to the soldier leader: "Sir, this is just a small gift, please do me a favor."

The leader of the soldiers accepted the silver but still refused to give in. "Hmph, this little money is not enough. Leave some of your goods behind and I'll let you go."

Si Qing angrily said, "You're robbing!" The soldier leader drew his knife and asked, "What? Are you trying to cause trouble?"

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, a young man passed by. He was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had an extraordinary temperament.

The young master asked, "What's going on?" The soldier leader saluted hurriedly and said, "Young master, these outsiders don't pay the city entry tax and are trying to cause trouble." The young master looked at Si Qing and said, "Are you from the south?" Si Qing nodded and said, "We are from the Si Qing family. We came here to seek cooperation, but they are making things difficult for us." The young master smiled and said, "So you are the Si Qing family. I have heard of your great name for a long time. I am Lin Yu, the son of the city lord. Please follow me."

Si Qing led the caravan and followed Lin Yu into the city. Lin Yu arranged for them to rest in a mansion.

Lin Yu said to Si Qing, "Miss Si Qing, I've heard a little about your business trip to the north. The northern market is difficult to penetrate, especially with several major families banding together to resist outsiders. However, I admire your courage, and perhaps we can cooperate." Si Qing's eyes lit up: "Mr. Lin is willing to help? That's great. But why are you helping us?" Lin Yu smiled and said, "I've long been dissatisfied with the family power in this city. They monopolize the market and the people suffer. I hope that a new force can break this situation, and your Si Qing family may be that opportunity."

Si Qing and Lin Yu begin discussing a partnership plan. However, their actions are discovered by the Northern clans. Deciding to strike first, they send people to secretly sabotage Si Qing's family's goods and spread rumors throughout the city, claiming that Si Qing has brought disaster and misfortune upon the city.

For a time, the people of the city were in a state of panic, and many people were hostile to the Siqing family. When Siqing's caravan members went out, they were often insulted and attacked by the people.

Si Qing was extremely anxious: "These rumors are so abominable! We must find a way to clarify them." Lin Yu also frowned: "This is their conspiracy to force us away. We must find evidence as soon as possible to prove these rumors are false."

Si Qing and Lin Yu began to investigate the source of the rumors, but the rumormongers were very cunning and always destroyed the evidence in advance, making it impossible for them to investigate.

Within the family, due to the unsuccessful expansion of the northern market, some family members began to question the situation.

An elder wrote to Si Qing: "Qing'er, we have all heard about the situation in the north. The family has invested heavily in this operation. If there is no further progress, we will have to reconsider your decision. You must understand that the family's resources cannot be wasted like this."

Si Qing read the letter, feeling aggrieved and stressed. She said to Lin Yu, "I can't let my family down, but the situation is too complicated right now." Lin Yu consoled her, "Si Qing, don't lose heart. We'll definitely find a solution."

At this time, Si Qing's friends sent a message that they had found some clues that seemed to be related to a mysterious organization in the city. This mysterious organization was secretly manipulating everything and had inextricable ties with several major families in the north.

Si Qing decided to investigate the mysterious organization. She and Lin Yu, along with a few agile men, quietly infiltrated the suspected base of the mysterious organization.

The stronghold was eerie and filled with guards. They carefully avoided the guards and found some documents in a secret room.

Si Qing picked up the documents and his face changed drastically. "Lin Yu, look! These documents show evidence of collusion between several major northern families and this mysterious organization. They've not only spread rumors, but also orchestrated a series of actions to undermine our family. They even want to murder the city lord and seize control of the city." Lin Yu said angrily, "They're so audacious! We must hand this evidence over to the city lord."

But just as they were about to leave, they were discovered by the guards. Suddenly, shouts of killing rang out and they were surrounded.

Si Qing yelled, "Everyone be careful!" Lin Yu drew his sword and said, "Fight them!"

A fierce battle ensued between the two sides. Although Si Qing and his men were brave, they were outnumbered and gradually fell into trouble.

Just when Si Qing and his men were feeling hopeless, suddenly, a group of men in black flew down from the roof and joined the battle. These men in black were highly skilled in martial arts and quickly repelled the guards.

Si Qing asked in surprise, "Who are you?" The leader of the men in black took off his mask and said, "Miss Si Qing, we are the city lord's secret guard. We have been investigating this mysterious organization, and today we finally found their lair."

Si Qing breathed a sigh of relief: "So that's how it is. Thank you for your help."

Under the cover of the secret guards, Si Qing and Lin Yu successfully escaped from the stronghold. They returned to the city lord's mansion with evidence and told the city lord everything.

After reading the evidence, the city lord was furious: "These traitors! How dare you attempt to overthrow my city!"

The city lord immediately ordered a crackdown on several major families and mysterious organizations in the north. With irrefutable evidence, members of those families and mysterious organizations were arrested one after another.

The truth was revealed to the world, and the people knew that the Siqing family had been wronged, and their attitude towards them changed dramatically. The Siqing family's reputation in the northern cities was quickly restored, and they were respected by the people for exposing the conspiracy.

Si Qing struck while the iron was hot and began to negotiate cooperation with merchants and dignitaries in the north. With her family's high-quality products and reasonable solutions, she won the recognition of many people.

Upon returning to the family, Si Qing shared the good news. The elder who had previously questioned her said with relief, "Qing'er, we were wrong about you. You've done a great job this time and have made a great contribution to the family." Si Qing smiled and said, "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts. We must continue to work hard to make the family even better."

Although the crisis in the northern market has been resolved, Si Qing knows that the family's development cannot stop, and new problems are facing them.

As the family business expanded across the north and south, the balance of power and resources within the family became more complex. Family members in different regions each desired a greater say in family decision-making, leading to growing conflicts.

An uncle from the south said to Si Qing, "Qing'er, we in the south have always been the foundation of our family. Now that the north has developed, we can't ignore our interests." The cousin from the north was not to be outdone: "The northern market has huge potential. We need more resources to expand and can't be constrained by the old ideas of the south."

Si Qing was caught in the middle, feeling torn. She tried to mediate: "We are all family, and we must proceed from the overall interests of the family. Both the north and the south are important, and we must rationally allocate resources for common development."

In addition to internal balance issues, family businesses also face a talent shortage. As the business expands, more capable individuals are needed to manage and operate the business. However, the talent cultivated by the family is far from sufficient, and recruiting from outside presents trust issues.

Si Qing holds a family meeting to discuss talent issues.

Si Qing said, "We must address the talent shortage as soon as possible. I suggest that we increase our efforts to train family members and establish a comprehensive talent introduction mechanism to ensure we can find reliable talent."

An elder worriedly said, "Recruiting people from outside is too risky. If they harbor ill intentions, it will bring disaster to the family." Si Qing responded, "Elder, we can establish a strict assessment and supervision system to reduce the risk. We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. If the family is to grow, we need fresh blood."

Under the heavy pressure of family affairs, Si Qing and Mo Yu's relationship is also facing a test. Mo Yu hopes that Si Qing can spend more time with him. He understands Si Qing's busy schedule, but the long separation still makes him feel lost.

One day, Mo Yu said to Si Qing, "Qing'er, you've been too tired lately. It's been a long time since we had a good chat like before. I know the family is important to you, but I also hope you can care about our relationship." Si Qing felt guilty and said, "Mo Yu, I want to be with you, but there are too many family matters that need my attention. Let's get together when I'm done with this busy period."

However, some elders in the family have their own opinions on Si Qing and Mo Yu's relationship. They believe that Si Qing should focus on the family business and not be affected by emotions. Some elders even suggest that Si Qing should consider marrying into other powerful families to consolidate the family's status.

An aunt said to Si Qing, "Qing'er, you are now the core of the family. Your marriage cannot be based solely on your own preferences. Being with Mo Yu, although he is talented, will only bring limited benefits to the family. You have to consider the future of the family." Si Qing said angrily, "Aunt, Mo Yu and I are truly in love, and he has always worked hard for the family. I will not trade my marriage for benefits."

The family decided to hold a talent selection contest to attract capable people to join. After the news spread, young people from all over came to sign up.

However, problems arose during the selection process: some family members secretly cheated in order to get their own recommended candidates selected, thus undermining the fairness of the selection process.

A member of the family responsible for the selection process came to Si Qing and told her, "Sister Si Qing, someone is secretly manipulating the results. They've leaked the questions to some contestants and bribed the judges." Si Qing was furious, "This is outrageous! We must investigate thoroughly."

During the investigation, it was discovered that the cheating involved various branches of the family, and the conflict intensified immediately. Those family members who were found to have cheated not only refused to admit their mistakes, but also accused the company of favoring other branches.

A cousin said angrily, "Si Qing, you can't just target our branch. Other branches have problems too. Why are you only investigating us?" Si Qing said calmly, "Uncle, I'm acting according to the evidence. No matter who cheats, they will be punished. We hold this selection to find true talent for the family, and we can't let this kind of unhealthy practices ruin it."

Si Qing continued to investigate the cheating incident under tremendous pressure, collecting more evidence to prove the existence of cheating without favoring any party.

At the family meeting, Si Qing announced the results of the investigation and the punishment measures. The family members who cheated received the punishment they deserved, and the family selection competition was fair again.

Si Qing said to everyone, "We are a family, and the interests of the family are above all else. This selection is for the future of our family, and we cannot let internal conflicts and improper behavior destroy our hopes. I hope everyone can unite and work together for the development of the family."

Her words touched many family members. Everyone realized their mistakes and expressed their support for Si Qing's decision. The conflicts within the family were eased.

After a series of events, Si Qing had a new perspective on the family's future. She decided to establish family academies in both the north and south to cultivate professional business and management talents. At the same time, she also wanted to strengthen family culture, unite family members, and pass on the family spirit.

Si Qing proposed this idea at a family meeting: "We need to fundamentally address the problems of family development, cultivate our own talents, and pass on our family culture. Establishing a family academy will not only allow family members to receive a better education, but also attract outside talent to join us."

After discussion, the family members agreed to Si Qing's proposal. However, establishing a family college requires a lot of funds and resources, which brings new challenges to Si Qing.

Si Qing began to raise funds and look for a suitable venue and teachers. During this process, she encountered some difficulties, but she did not give up.

While Si Qing is busy with her family's academy, she is also thinking about her relationship with Mo Yu. She knows that she can't give up her true love because of family pressure, but she can't ignore her family's expectations either.

She found Mo Yu and had a frank talk with him.

Si Qing said, "Mo Yu, I won't leave you, but we also have to consider the family. We need to prove that being together is beneficial to the family. I hope you can join me in contributing to the development of the family." Mo Yu held Si Qing's hand and said, "Qing'er, I understand. I will work hard to make the family recognize our relationship."

Si Qing and Mo Yu decided to leverage their respective strengths in the construction of their family academy. Mo Yu used his connections and artistic talent to recruit outstanding teachers and design the academy's architectural style, while Si Qing was responsible for fundraising and overall planning.

Their actions were gradually recognized by family members. The family elders saw their efforts for the family and no longer opposed their relationship.

After unremitting efforts, the family college was finally built. At the opening ceremony, family members and new students were full of anticipation.

Si Qing spoke at the ceremony: "The establishment of the Family College is an important milestone in the development of our family. It will cultivate the future stars of our family and inject new strength into the prosperity of the family. I hope that every student will study hard, inherit the family spirit, and contribute to the glory of the family."

There was warm applause from the audience. Si Qing watched all this and felt very happy.