Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Chen Xuening nodded slightly.

Indeed, although the Lu family has amassed a considerable amount of money over the years, it is not inexhaustible and cannot be exploited indefinitely.

Chu Xuan is still in the early stages, but he has already started spending money in large sums. In the future, he will face a bottomless pit. The little money he got from the Lu family will not last long before it is all spent.

Chu Xuan looked at Chu Ling'er and nodded in satisfaction.

"That's right, that makes perfect sense. Entrusting the household chores to you was definitely a good choice."

Chu Ling'er's cheeks flushed slightly.

The three women looked at Chu Xuan and couldn't help but smile wryly, feeling somewhat helpless.

It was clearly an extremely serious problem, but Chu Xuan was still able to laugh. It was hard to say whether he was optimistic or just carefree.

Chen Xuening coughed lightly and said seriously.

"My lord, stop joking. Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan suppressed his smile and said meaningfully.

"Xue Ning, you've worked in the cabinet before, so you must have a good eye. In your opinion, what kind of work pays well?"

Knowing that Chu Xuan wanted to test her, Chen Xuening was not intimidated and chuckled a few times.

This really hit her where it hurts.

"Throughout history, profitable businesses have always been those that offer something others don't, more than others, or better than others. Businesses like salt and iron, porcelain kilns, and brocade have consistently contributed a significant portion of the national treasury in tax revenue over the years."

At this point, Ah Leng couldn't help but interrupt him, saying coldly, "I asked you to give me a solution, not to show off. Of the ones you mentioned, which one is actually usable in Wuming Village right now?"

Giving A Leng a glare, Chen Xuening continued, "What's the rush? I haven't finished yet. Those people either need skills or connections in the court, which we can't do. But there's something that's even more profitable than those, and we can do it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Xuan and Chen Xuening exchanged a glance, both revealing meaningful smiles, clearly understanding each other's meaning.

The two said in unison, "War profits."

What Wuming Village needs now is a quick buck, but unfortunately, they don't have any substantial assets to offer.

Since that's the case, there's only one path to choose from.

Rob.

"Yup!"

Ah Leng also realized what was happening, and her eyes lit up immediately.

Although the nameless village is not particularly strong, it now has the black powder developed by Chu Xuan as its foundation, making its actual combat power extremely formidable.

Chu Ling'er gasped in disbelief and asked, "Husband, are you perhaps planning to go down the mountain and plunder?"

"No."

"Could it be that they intend to offer gunpowder to the imperial court or the Chu family?"

"Not at all."

Hearing that both of her guesses were denied, Chu Ling'er was momentarily confused about his meaning.

Chu Xuan shook his head and smiled.

"Offering it to the Chu family or the imperial court would be short-sighted and detrimental. Even if we gave it to them, we wouldn't be highly regarded, and we would even lose a trump card. This path is not viable."

There was one more thing Chu Xuan didn't say.

After arriving at Wuming Mountain to take up his post, he had already excluded himself from the Chu family. Chu Xuan had no sense of belonging to the Chu family and naturally had no intention of cultivating a good relationship with them.

Besides, if the Chu family knew that they possessed such a powerful weapon as gunpowder, it would be extremely kind of them to even pay for it. More likely, they would send someone in the name of the family to make Chu Xuan make sacrifices and contributions. That's how big families operate.

"As for plundering down the mountain, although your husband sometimes resorts to unscrupulous means, I have not reached such a bottomless level."

“We can make money, but what’s the point of robbing ordinary people? If we’re going to rob, we should rob the rich.”

Who has money?

Ah Leng tilted her head in confusion.

Chen Xuening gave him a disdainful look: "It's true that all you know how to do is fight. Have you forgotten that there are more than just the One-Eyed Dragon bandits on Wuming Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, the remaining two women suddenly realized what was going on.

Indeed, there are many bandits on Wuming Mountain, and One-Eyed Dragon is just one of the more powerful ones.

Those bandits have been plundering in the nameless mountains for many years, and they have amassed a fortune from the people. What Chu Xuan needs to do is make them return whatever amount they have taken. Then the money will come in.

Chen Xuening nodded approvingly, but also expressed her concerns.

“I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. You are indeed very decisive. You’ve outmaneuvered those bandits, getting both money and prestige. It’s a win-win situation. But you should think about this: sooner or later, we’ll wipe them out completely. Then, this risk-free business won’t be sustainable.”

Chu Xuan stood up and looked at the traces left from the gunpowder experiment in the courtyard.

A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Heh, this business doesn't need to continue indefinitely. It's enough to get through this current difficulty temporarily. Wuming Mountain is still too small and too remote. Staying in the mountains all the time will make one narrow-minded. Once I've developed, I'll naturally leave this place. At that time, I'll have money, food, and power. What do you think I'll do then?"

This was the first time Chu Xuan had expressed his thoughts so clearly.

Although the voice wasn't loud, it carried an irrefutable domineering and certainty, and for a moment it was like a thunderclap that struck A Leng and Chen Xue Ning's hearts heavily.

A surge of passion coursed through them, causing their hearts to tremble slightly.

Surprisingly, they became excited afterward.

Although Chen Xuening was a scholar, she was accused of treason due to political differences and was exiled to the Chu family as a slave to be chosen by others.

After a series of setbacks, they had long since lost all hope in the current state of the Great Xia Kingdom. Even if they had no intention of rebelling before, they should have now.

As for A Leng and Chu Ling'er...

The former was originally from a barbaric background and had never had any feelings for the Great Xia. When she heard that Chu Xuan would lead her to overturn the Great Xia, she was naturally very excited.

The latter has practically become Chu Xuan's little shadow. Judging from this trend, if Chu Xuan says he wants to be the founding emperor, Chu Ling'er will probably agree without hesitation that her husband is right and she will listen to him.

When the village chief came, he brought some vegetables he had grown himself and some fresh eggs. After the four of them chatted for a while, Chu Ling'er turned around and went to cook. The family of four enjoyed a rare moment of harmony.

Little did they know that the outside world was in complete upheaval because of Chu Xuan's decision.