Previously on Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life...
Ye Qiu convinces his uncles that the Ye Family should raise its own army instead of relying on others. He plans to leverage the City Lord of Jing'an, Liu Dong, by offering him valuable gifts, including rare ginseng for his ailing wife, in exchange for his neutrality during the upcoming conflict.
“Brother, why didn’t you ask the City Lord for assistance?” Once they exited the City Lord Mansion, Ye Cheng, who had been holding back his questions, finally voiced his thoughts.
“Didn’t he already agree to help us?” Ye Qiu responded with a calm demeanor.
Ye Cheng knitted his brows. “But the City Lord only promised to remain neutral. If he doesn’t send troops, how can our family possibly withstand the combined forces of Prince Donghe and Prince Linsan?”
“Do you truly believe that a mere piece of ginseng would be enough to entice that sly old fox, City Lord Liu, into helping us?” Ye Qiu shook his head. “As long as the City Lord doesn’t actively oppose us, that is the greatest assistance we can hope for at this juncture.”
“Then, with what force do we counter Prince Linsan and Prince Donghe’s armies?”
“We’ll simply let them eliminate each other!” Ye Qiu let out a soft chuckle.
Ye Cheng still appeared unconvinced. “But I suspect the individuals they’ve dispatched are too shrewd to be easily deceived.”
“Worry not, your elder brother has a contingency plan. With the entire Ye Family’s backing, I would not lightly risk the lives of our kin. Since I harbor ambitions for dominance, it follows that I possess certain advantages others lack. Second Brother, the family’s business will likely fall to your care in the future. You will be responsible for managing all logistic supplies.”
Ye Cheng was taken aback and quickly demurred. “Brother, how could that be? I have no experience managing such crucial affairs. What if I falter?”
Ye Qiu placed a hand on his shoulder. “It is precisely because I trust you that I am entrusting these matters to you. Second Brother, I am well aware of your capabilities, so do not doubt yourself. Henceforth, I shall lead the charge, and you shall manage the rear; our unity will be an unbreakable force.”
Ye Cheng, being born out of wedlock, had never received much consideration, even during their father’s lifetime. Following his father’s demise, outsiders only acknowledged the Eldest Young Master, neglecting the Second Young Master entirely. Nevertheless, Ye Qiu had always treated him with respect, and Ye Cheng, lacking strong aspirations, was content with his tranquil existence.
To his surprise, ever since his brother summoned him for a discussion the previous day, he had been briefed on all significant decisions and was even entrusted with managing the family’s assets. Such a level of trust was truly immense!
Having been overlooked for so long, his brother’s sudden display of confidence deeply moved Ye Cheng. He realized he wasn’t as insignificant as he had perceived himself to be. Since his elder brother placed such faith in him, he was determined to offer his utmost support and never bring disgrace upon him!
“Elder Brother, please be assured, I will dedicate my full effort to every task you assign.”
“Excellent. I have a task for you now. Spread the word that the Ye Family is seeking to recruit guards, aged between twelve and thirty. Their background is inconsequential, and full provision for food and lodging will be made.”
“Brother, isn’t twelve a bit too young? If they were required to fight, they might struggle to even wield a weapon,” Ye Cheng expressed his hesitation.
“It is not too young. Twelve-year-old commoners often appear small due to malnutrition. Once adequately nourished, they will quickly mature into capable individuals. Furthermore, I possess certain cultivation techniques that are particularly suited for younger practitioners, unsuitable for those of advanced age.”
“Cultivation techniques?” Ye Cheng’s eyes widened with interest.
“Indeed. I came across some ancient manuals detailing several potent cultivation methods. Initially, I was skeptical, but after experimenting with one myself, I managed to achieve Qi Sensing. The texts claim that reaching the second stage allows one to contend with ten opponents. It is this revelation that ignited my ambition for dominance. Consider this, Second Brother: if we can field an army of five thousand, their collective combat strength would be equivalent to that of fifty thousand…”
As Ye Qiu elaborated, Ye Cheng’s gaze grew increasingly bright. If his brother’s claims held true… then who in this world would the Ye Family need to fear?
“However, it is crucial to remember that these are merely written accounts, and their true potential remains uncertain. Likewise, I am unsure of the success rate for mastery. Nevertheless, children’s bones are more pliable, and they absorb training more readily than adults. This is precisely why I stipulated recruitment beginning at twelve. Individuals under twelve with exceptional potential are also welcome.”
“Brother, I now grasp your intention. I will commence preparations immediately upon our return.”
“Very well. Come to my courtyard once your duties are concluded for the day, and I shall impart the initial teachings to you.”
Ye Cheng was filled with even greater excitement. “Yes, thank you, Elder Brother.”
The carriage journeyed onwards, its rhythmic swaying accompanying them back to the Ye Residence, where a figure was already awaiting their arrival at the entrance.
“Eldest Young Master, the Lady requests your presence for a visit.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Cheng cast a worried glance towards Ye Qiu. While he might not have harbored ambitions or contended for inheritance previously, it did not preclude others from doing so.
At present, the matriarch is not the birth mother of either of the young masters. Their own mother was merely a concubine who passed away many years prior. The elder brother’s birth mother was the initial lady of the household, who reportedly also succumbed to a weak constitution two years subsequent to his birth.
The current matriarch, on the other hand, was their father's subsequent concubine. She had, in fact, instigated strife against him and his older brother even while pregnant. Nevertheless, due to her gravid state, their father refrained from imposing severe punishment.
Fortunately, divine justice prevailed. This concubine failed to bear a son, yet her disruptive nature persisted. Unable to target the stepsons directly, she shifted her focus to the family's commercial interests. A significant number of managers overseeing the Ye Family's various enterprises were affiliated with the Li family. Ye Cheng recalled his elder brother's instructions from the previous day, contemplating the necessity of gradually purging the Li family's influence. This was particularly pertinent given the Li family's known allegiance to Prince Linsan.
"Proceed with your duties; I shall pay Mother a visit." Ye Qiu's demeanor remained unruffled, betraying none of the decisive actions he had undertaken in recent days.
Ye Cheng observed with concealed admiration, convinced that his elder brother possessed the inherent qualities of a future leader. The concubine's petty schemes, he believed, stood little chance against Ye Qiu's capabilities.
"Mother." Ye Qiu offered a respectful salutation, then turned towards Ye Lu with a smile, remarking, "Third Sister is also present."
"Eldest Brother." Ye Lu performed a graceful curtsy. Internally, she marveled at the affluence of this merchant family, noting the striking beauty of each wife. She had once considered herself a paragon of beauty, yet each encounter with her eldest brother left her in awe.
Today especially, she sensed a subtle alteration in her brother's presence—not a visible change, but an almost palpable augmentation of his aura.
"I did not come to pay my respects this morning. I trust Mother will not take offense," Ye Qiu stated with a touch of deference, omitting any mention of the actual reasons for his morning's activities.
As the current head of the Ye Family, even Madam Li found it difficult to openly create obstacles, despite her seniority. "You are occupied with numerous responsibilities; missing a day or two is of little consequence. I did hear you visited the City Lord's Mansion early today. Was there an issue?"
"Ah, nothing of grave importance. I merely learned the City Lord's wife had taken ill again, so I brought some medicinal herbs to offer my regards. After all, our Ye Family is established in this region and frequently benefits from the City Lord's patronage," Ye Qiu replied with practiced diplomacy.
Madam Li nodded absently. "You acted appropriately. However, regarding the matter I broached with you yesterday, have you given it due consideration?"
