She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

A ruthless glint flashed in Jingyang Hou Gu Bin's eyes as he said, "Brother-in-law, this time I will have my men mix realgar into that batch of newly transported military rations. The color of realgar is very similar to that of millet, and it is impossible to see without careful inspection."

I heard from Master Wuyang that realgar turns into arsenic after being heated at high temperatures. In the early stages of consuming small amounts of arsenic, it only causes fatigue and weakness, which is not easily noticeable.

Once the poison penetrates deeply, it will render the soldiers completely incapacitated, until they finally die. At that point, the border camp will inevitably descend into chaos, and Chu Zhiyi will be preoccupied with his own survival, causing the trade negotiations to fall through.

Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo clapped his hands and laughed: "Brilliant! Marquis Jingyang's plan is extremely vicious. However, this matter must be done flawlessly, so as not to give anyone any leverage."

“Brother-in-law, when have I ever made a mistake in my work? As for those people I sent out, I’ll make sure they shut up forever after the job is done,” Gu Bin said confidently.

"Yes, that's good. However, just in case, we still need to keep a close eye on Xiao Kuo's side and make sure to include our people on the list of those going to Qi Rong for the investigation."

Even if Chu Zhiyi isn't poisoned, we can still use the envoy to Qi Rong to sabotage trade between our two countries.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, brother-in-law!"

"By the way, there's another thing I wanted to ask you today. It's already mid-February, why hasn't the weaving workshop's share of last year been paid yet? Could something have happened?"

“Brother-in-law, the weaving workshop received far fewer orders this year than last year. Therefore, most of last year's profits need to be set aside to maintain the workshop's operation, so…”

"Oh, the Gu family weaving workshop is the largest weaving workshop in the Crimson Flame Kingdom. How could business have decreased? Do those people not need to wear clothes anymore?" Cui Chengdao was clearly not satisfied with Gu Bin's explanation and said irritably.

“Brother-in-law, you don’t know this, but at the embroidery competition held in the capital at the end of last year, an embroidery workshop called Xiu Tianxia from Biancheng Prefecture won first place. They claimed that the silk threads and fabrics they used all came from a small workshop called Jinxiu Zhifang. When many cloth merchants in the capital heard this news, they all planned to order fabrics from Jinxiu Zhifang this year, which caused us to lose a lot of business.”

"What's the background of that Jinxiu Weaving Workshop? Could it be that the silk threads and fabrics they produce are even better than those of the Gu Family Weaving Workshop?"

"I heard that the owners of that weaving workshop are an ordinary farming mother and daughter, who seem to have some connection with the Duke of Ningguo's mansion. The silk threads and fabrics they sell are much cheaper than mine."

"They're just two peasant women. It would be so easy to make them disappear from this world. When did you become so soft-hearted?"

Marquis Jingyang, Gu Bin, hurriedly explained, "Brother-in-law, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm soft-hearted. Although the owner of that Jinxiu Weaving Workshop seems ordinary, she actually seems to have a master behind her. My men have fought against them many times, but have been repeatedly thwarted and haven't gained any advantage."

Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo frowned, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Hmph, two country women can make you so wary? Are you exaggerating?"

“Brother-in-law, I would never dare to lie to you. The fabrics produced by that Jinxiu Weaving Workshop are of the highest quality in terms of both texture and color. Moreover, they operate with extreme discretion. I always felt that this matter was not so simple, and that there must be a mysterious force supporting them behind the scenes.” Gu Bin said with a serious expression.

Cui Chengdao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "No matter what, we cannot allow this brocade weaving workshop to continue to develop, otherwise it will become a major problem. Send people to investigate carefully again, and if necessary, unite with other weaving workshops to resist it. We must suppress it."

I refuse to believe that in this Crimson Flame Kingdom, there is any power that my Xingguo Duke's Mansion and Jingyang Marquis's Mansion cannot overthrow.

"Yes, brother-in-law, I'll arrange it right away." Gu Bin accepted the order.

"Yes, we must hurry up with this matter. Without that money, there are many things I can't do."

"Yes, I understand. This time, I will have Cang'er personally go to the border town to handle this matter."

After returning to his residence, Marquis Jingyang immediately summoned his son, Gu Cang, to his study and discussed with him the matter of going to the border town to handle the Brocade Weaving Workshop.

"Father, rest assured, I will definitely take care of this matter properly."

Gu Cang never imagined that the small weaving workshop of yesteryear would grow into a business that could rival his own in just over a decade. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have given those two silk reeling masters to them in the first place.

In that case, there would be no need for me to travel thousands of miles to find a way to get rid of them. Wouldn't that be like shooting myself in the foot?

"Yes, your father is in the capital, waiting for your good news."

That afternoon, Gu Cang set off for the border town with several capable subordinates.

Meanwhile, Shen Man, busy in the military camp of the border city, was completely unaware that her family's brocade weaving workshop had become the target of Marquis Jingyang and Duke Xingguo.

After she had almost finished helping Chu Zhiyi with the matter of military provisions, she was about to go home when she saw the harpy eagle flying towards her from afar.

"Horned Eagle, how did you know I was going home? You came all the way to pick me up!" Shen Man exclaimed happily when she saw the horned eagle.

"Coo coo... We have a guest at home!" The harpy eagle cried out twice and landed beside her, its powerful gust of wind ruffling her hair.

"We have guests at home? Take me back quickly!" As Shen Man spoke, she had already climbed onto the harpy eagle's back and hugged its neck.

The harpy eagle flapped its wings and took flight, carrying Shen Man swiftly towards home.

Throughout the journey, Shen Man was filled with doubt, wondering what kind of guests would arrive.

Before long, the harpy eagle slowly landed in Shen Man's yard.

Shen Man lightly leaped down from the eagle's back, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and then walked into the house.

The moment Shen Man stepped into the living room, her gaze was instantly drawn to a young couple sitting inside.

Shen Man recognized the woman at a glance; it was Ji Qiuniang, whom she had known for a long time. The man, however, was an unfamiliar face; Shen Man had never seen him before.

Ji Qiuniang, with her sharp eyes, spotted Shen Man immediately. She stood up excitedly and rushed forward with a big smile, saying, "Man'er, you busy person are finally back! We've been waiting for you here for two whole days. If you hadn't come back, we would have turned back!"

Shen Man smiled and replied, "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"

As she spoke, she curiously turned her gaze to the man beside her and asked, "Qiu Niang, may I ask who this gentleman is...?"

Ji Qiuniang turned to look at the man beside her, her eyes full of tenderness, "This is my husband, Zheng Chi."

Upon hearing this, Shen Man quickly bowed and said to Zheng Chi, "Oh, it's my brother-in-law! My apologies for not recognizing you!"