Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Although it was ostensibly a discussion, Chu Xuan spoke in a commanding tone throughout the entire process.

Ironically, Cheng Han didn't think anything was wrong.

People from the Chu family, don't they treat her the same way they treat servants? Sometimes, even the servants of the Chu family have the right to act arrogantly towards her.

If Chu Xuan were too gentle, he would find it strange.

Actually, Cheng Han didn't think there was anything wrong with the first two points.

A portion of the tax revenue from Lucheng was originally intended to be given to the Chu family. Before Chu Zeng, someone had handled it, and naturally someone else would after him. Now that Chu Zeng is gone, it is only natural that Chu Xuan should take over.

Chu Xuan even understands reciprocity much better.

In the past, the tax money went to the Chu family but didn't even make a ripple. Yet Chu Xuan was willing to give him 30% of it. Logically and emotionally, Cheng Han had no reason to complain.

The second point is the same. Before, with Duan Yu around, those mountain bandits had to be subservient to him in everything. Now that there's no tiger in the mountains, who knows what kind of trouble they'll cause? At worst, it'll just require Liang An to put in a little more effort.

But when it came to the third point, Cheng Han hesitated a bit.

As a prefectural governor, he was indeed a high-ranking official in name, but the salary from the Great Xia Dynasty was limited. He also had many servants and retainers in his household, and the social interactions and rewards in officialdom were all considerable expenses. His salary was far from enough.

That's why Cheng Han got involved in so many things, whether it was Chu Ran Ju or the sachet shop, his shadow was behind them all.

All they did was amass some personal wealth.

But Chu Xuan is now demanding that he stop his business and take over Cheng Han's business, using the channels and connections Cheng Han has built up to sell his products.

This level is a bit too much.

Despite feeling aggrieved, Cheng Han hesitated for a moment before deciding to grit his teeth and agree.

Perhaps noticing the latter's somewhat unpleasant expression, Chu Xuan chuckled.

"What? Does Lord Cheng seem very unhappy?"

Cheng Han stiffened upon hearing this and quickly shook his head in denial, which amused Chu Xuan. Who knew what this man was thinking about him in his heart?

So he simply said it.

"Alright, I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of you. I'll provide the goods, you provide the manpower. No matter how you sell them in the future, I'll take half of your profits, a 50/50 split."

"The thing I'm selling is a million times better than your worthless sachets. It'll make you a fortune."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Han was immediately taken aback.

He was prepared to suffer a huge loss this time, but to his surprise, Chu Xuan offered to take 50% of his profits.

As for whether it would make money or not? He never doubted it.

After all, he comes from the Chu family, and his perspective is far beyond what Cheng Han can match. If Chu Xuan says it's a good thing, then it must be.

Isn't this much better than him selling those sachets?

Immediately, there were no more doubts. Even the account books that she had initially felt a little pained about, which she had prepared as a final bargaining chip to negotiate with Chu Xuan, were simply taken out.

After the meal, Cheng Han's gloomy face disappeared, and he smiled like an old chrysanthemum.

Upon hearing that the three were about to leave Lucheng, and after failing to persuade them to stay, he personally and respectfully escorted them to the city gate.

Inside the carriage, Chu Xuan casually flipped through the account books.

Although I had expected it, seeing it in person still shocked me.

The annual tax revenue of Lucheng is approximately 60,000 taels of silver.

The lion's share was squeezed from the farmers, and a full 15,000 taels of that money ended up in the hands of the Chu family.

Seeing that Chu Xuan's expression was somewhat unpleasant, Chen Xuening sighed and comforted him.

"That's just how the world is, and it won't change overnight. Don't worry too much about it, my husband."

"Ha... Fifteen thousand taels of silver. The Chu family did nothing and yet they got more than 20% of Lucheng's annual tax revenue. They really made a good deal!"

The social hierarchy is scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant. It is often said that merchants are parasites on the dynasty. In Chu Xuan's view, the Chu family members are the real parasites.

When the Great Xia Dynasty first enfeoffed dozens of princes and marquises, it was partly as a reward for meritorious officials, and partly because the Great Xia Dynasty still had foreign enemies and the borders were not stable. Therefore, these people were needed to guard the frontier and ensure the safety of the royal family.

However, several hundred years had passed since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, and things had long since changed.

These vassal kings have transformed from the walls of the frontier into de facto local emperors.

Not only did they receive large sums of silver from the imperial court every year, but they also ruthlessly exploited the people under their rule, causing widespread resentment, yet they could not speak out. Even someone of Chen Xuening's status and reputation ended up like this, let alone ordinary people.

"If the Emperor of Great Xia is not a fool and wants the dynasty to last a long time, the only right way is to reduce the power of the vassal kings. The vassal kings have become a malignant tumor, too powerful to be controlled. Only by eliminating them and bringing their power back to the central court can there be a glimmer of hope."

Closing the ledger, Chu Xuan sighed helplessly, while also admiring Chen Xuening's foresight.

He knew this because there were already such precedents in his time, and the principle remained the same despite all the changes.

But Chen Xuening didn't have those conditions, and it was quite surprising that she came to this conclusion based solely on her own perspective.

Little did he know that when he said those words, Chen Xuening's eyes lit up, filled with even more admiration and affection.

Chen Xuening shook her head with a wry smile.

"My lord is too kind. If the Great Xia Emperor had not granted my request, how could the Chu family have dared to do such a thing when I was treated like that?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

At this time, the Xia dynasty had not yet completely lost its imperial authority like the Eastern Zhou dynasty, and still had the power to deter the vassal kings below.

Therefore, it is true that the emperor's tacit approval was indeed a factor in Chen Xuening being accused of treason.

"So... since he couldn't figure it out, in the end we benefited."

Chu Xuan sneered.

Chen Xuening suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Although she had long known about Chu Xuan's ambitions, hearing about it again now still made her feel a sense of dread.

Before they could finish speaking, the carriage had already arrived outside the nameless village.

Ah Leng then turned to look at the two of them, rolled her eyes, and said aggrievedly, "Husband, you're biased. Why can she be all lovey-dovey with you inside, but I have to drive the carriage outside?"

"Alright, you must be tired after such a long carriage ride. Come to my room later, and I'll give you a good rest."

Chu Xuan spoke as if coaxing a child, then looked at the nameless village that was half-hidden by the night.

It was as tranquil as a mountain stream.

"After enduring for so long, everything I want will begin here."