Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 72: The Once-and-for-all Strategy

"This..."

A flash of understanding crossed Su Ming's eyes, but was immediately covered by worry. "But what if his appetite is too big, and he thinks one share isn't enough, and instead demands even more directly..."

"That's why it's 'dry shares'!" Lin Yu cut him off. "Only dividends, no involvement in operations. Moreover, it must be delivered through Zhao Chunlan. Zhou Kang cares about his reputation and is self-important; he won't bargain directly with his own wife. He will only hint, and Zhao Dequan just needs to play dumb and deliver the money on time. This is called feeding the wolf meat but not letting it near the sheep pen."

"As for Clerk Sun, that's the 'rule money' fed to the government. Let him know we understand how things work. In the future, if there's any news, he might, for the sake of the silver, leak a hint in advance. This is called spending money to buy an informant."

Su Ming fell silent for a moment, his eyes flickering, clearly digesting Lin Yu's words at high speed. Finally, he nodded heavily, his brush no longer hesitating as he wrote down this strategy in detail.

"Third, technical secrecy. Have him completely separate the core paper-making processes, such as pulping, ingredient mixing, and paper lifting. Have the most reliable families in the village, like your Su family and the Zhao clan elders, each master one step. Establish a blood oath that no one is allowed to pry into the other steps. This way, even if someone is captured, they can't spill the complete formula."

"Finally, prepare a way out. Have Zhao Dequan secretly convert the silver earned by the workshop into grain and ready cash, and hide it in several locations. Prepare for unforeseen circumstances."

Su Ming wrote furiously, recording Lin Yu's words without missing a single character. Every word of this letter felt heavy, concerning the lives of the entire village.

After finishing the official letter, he changed to a new sheet of paper.

"Master, what about the private letter?""The private letter is simple." Lin Yu's tone softened. "Tell your second brother, if... I mean if, things reach the worst point, he should not care about anything—the workshop, silver, or land—they can all be abandoned."

"The first thing is to immediately take your entire family, along with those core notebooks on paper-making from our home, and run! Run to the place I specified for you in the letter, and wait for me to find you."

"Tell him, as long as people are alive and the technology remains, making a comeback is as easy as turning over a hand. If the workshop is gone, it can be rebuilt; if the village is gone... as long as family is together, anywhere can be home."

The tip of Su Ming's brush trembled slightly.

He could imagine how shocked and heavy-hearted his second brother, Su Yang, would be upon reading this letter.

He wrote slowly, pouring complex emotions into every character. He even drew a small mark at the end of the letter using the agreed-upon secret code. It was a symbol he and his second brother had agreed upon in their childhood, representing "highest alert."

After finishing the two letters, Su Ming felt utterly drained, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He carefully folded the letters and sealed them in an envelope. Then, he folded the private letter into a tiny square and tucked it into a hidden layer within the official letter.

After doing all this, he let out a long sigh.

Everything that could be done, had been done.

The rest depended on fate, and on Zhao Dequan's resolve.

Early the next morning, Su Ming found the familiar porter.

He gave an extra ten copper coins and solemnly instructed, "Uncle, this letter is extremely urgent. You must deliver it personally into the hands of my second brother, Su Yang."

The porter weighed the coins in his hand and grinned. "Don't worry, young Su. I guarantee it will be delivered."

After sending off the letter, Su Ming's heart felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted, yet another one remained suspended.

The next few days were a long and anxious wait.

After his initial despair, Zhao Rui returned to his usual slovenly demeanor. His greatest daily pleasure was dragging Su Ming to the liveliest tea house in town to listen to storytelling, claiming it was to "relax his mind," but actually because he couldn't stand the bland food at the inn.

Su Ming did not refuse.

go to crowded places to listen

of his tale. With a slap of

his mouth, mumbling indistinctly,

from a neighboring table where several silk-robed

short on funds lately and is looking everywhere for ways

the Wei Family Cloth Store is the County Lieutenant's money bag. That Young Master Wei has been getting

Su Ming's gaze sharpened.

who

the waters of Qingshi Town were even murkier than he had

person dressed in Zhou family servant attire hurried into the tea house and walked straight to Su Ming's

you Su Ming, Young

down his teacup.

eldest young master requests

Zhou Yulin?

glance, both seeing

in the Zhou Residence still carried

dressed in a moon-white robe, seemed more composed than before. He personally poured a cup of tea for Su Ming,

trust you have been well since

are too kind, Brother Zhou." Su Ming picked up

the point. "Tomorrow, the County School will post the

Ming's heart skipped

strange light in his eyes. "My father said he hasn't seen

word by word, "Brother Su, congratulations. For this County School

Top scorer!

First place!

hearing these two words made

"Master..."

all within your master's calculations!" Lin Yu's voice rang in his mind, carrying barely suppressed pride. "See? This is the power of knowledge! Your policy discussion essay

in negotiations! Ah! But will this make us stand out

cupped his hands towards Zhou Yulin. "Thank you for informing me, Brother Zhou. This is

humility deepened the appreciation

Su is too modest. Fine essays are born of nature, occasionally captured by a skilled hand. Your talent deserves this honor." Zhou Yulin waved his hand,

but his expression remained unchanged. "May I ask

Yulin smiled slightly, but the smile seemed somewhat meaningful. "Brother Su need not be nervous. My father

"A chat"?

turned slightly cold. Zhou Wenhai wanting to see him

scored first? Or because... Zhou Kang had already noticed something, or, Zhou Wenhai had heard

here! Remember, listen more, speak less. Before you understand Zhou Wenhai's intentions, do not

is terrible! Just finished dealing with the junior, and now the senior is personally entering the fray? Isn't this pace a bit too

deep breath and drank the

his gaze already restored to clarity and

case, I dare not keep the Director waiting. Please lead the way, Brother

behind Zhou Yulin, walking steadily along the corridor leading to Zhou Wenhai's study. The bluestone path was cold, but his heart was even calmer than

carefully. Time is short. Zhou Wenhai is ten times more difficult to deal with than his son. His meeting with you is definitely not just to praise your essay." Lin Yu's voice rang

his mind. Even if he is solely devoted to the Sage's Books

Ming kept his eyes forward, silently responding in his heart. "Master,

wolf! This is the superior strategy, the one with the highest risk but also the greatest reward." Lin Yu spoke rapidly. "But you must never mention benefits directly; that's too vulgar

we

the pretext of 'grateful for cultivation, willing to offer strategies for the hometown.' Frame the paper-making technique as a benevolent policy, a 'good governance measure to

Su