"I have arranged for the people who came out of Haifang City to be settled in Chen Village and among the surrounding mountain dwellers. These summaries are based on the information they provided about the city's conditions and the shopping lists from the traveler lodge markets and supermarkets."
Xiang Bei helped him create these comprehensive summary analysis tables, which clearly categorized and quantified items for men, women, children, military, household, commercial, and food supplies, along with their replenishment rates.
"Prince Mo, you truly possess extraordinary analytical skills! This table analysis is indeed ingenious. It reminds me of a geographical map that my son Zi Qiu brought. He said it was drawn by Miss Tong based on stories from books, encompassing details of marine islands, ethnic distributions, and customs. Such talent is truly remarkable, and comparing the two, you are a perfect match," General Old Qiao said. He had long noticed the mutual affection between these two talented young people and congratulated the Huo family inwardly for their good fortune. At the same time, he felt a pang of regret that his second son was not as lucky.
"Thank you for the praise, General Qiao. Among friends and family here, I will speak frankly. This analysis chart was also drawn by Xiang Bei. Since we are not in the central command tent, I will boldly make a request: I would like Xiang Bei to participate in our battle strategy discussions. I hope the elders will permit this."
"I've heard that our little Bei is a remarkable business prodigy, but I didn't expect her to possess such profound knowledge. As Uncle-by-marriage, I'm quite eager to hear her explain these charts and the maritime maps in person." Huo Changlin was greatly astonished and spoke with an air of pride, resembling a peacock displaying its feathers.
"Well, I can reluctantly accept being called Bei's great-uncle by marriage, right? Naturally, we consider her part of the family. Changlin, what do you say?" General elder Qiao not only included himself in the family circle to hear the detailed explanations of these charts but also elevated Qiao Ziqiu directly to be Tong Xiang Bei's elder.
Standing aside, Qiao Ziqiu felt somewhat bitter but managed a wry smile as his father effectively sold him out.
"Uncle Qiao certainly deserves the title. The Huo and Qiao families have had generations of close ties, speaking in unison. Not only deserving, but you're also Changlin's great-uncle and, of course, Bei's great-uncle by marriage," Huo Changlin said, surprised that General Qiao would let it go at that. Calling him great-uncle resolved the marriage engagement previously arranged between Bei's mother and the Qiao family, which made him genuinely happy for her.
"Well then, since we're not discussing military strategies here, let's just have a family chat over tea. Bei, why don't you come up and serve tea to the elders?" They say the old ginger is the spiciest. Marshal Prince Mo wasn't an easy person to get along with, and whether those present could truly be considered his people involved matters of ancestral imperial authority. General Qiao's words were spot-on, leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes, yes, please, Uncle-by-marriage and little nephew, come inside and enjoy some tea. I'll call Bei over to make tea." Before the words from Cheng Mo fell, he had already disappeared from the corner of the room, leaving these two stunned for a moment. Wasn't it too quick for this rumored aloof and cold king to take on the role of a family member? How come the host hasn't arrived yet, but he's already rushing to call them uncle and nephew?
"Marshal Prince Mo is indeed a man of character, and he deeply cherishes Bei. He has already treated everyone around Bei as his own family and friends. He deserves our trust and loyalty!" Qiao Ziqiu's words hit Huo Changlin like a heavy hammer. This meant that the Qiao family's troops had decisively stood behind Marshal Mo. It seemed that this nephew-in-law had indeed been recognized.
"Very well, Changlin will accompany Uncle Qiao inside for tea and see what Ah Mo has prepared to entertain us. Hahaha." The representatives of both the Huo and Qiao families as the figures of the navy and army have had a tacit understanding for a long time, making it unnecessary for them to say much; they already knew they would advance and retreat together.
"Absolutely, absolutely. Everything in our house is prepared by Bei. Ziqiu, why don't you go to the kitchen and help bring things out? I'll explain everything to our esteemed elders." Cheng Mo, who had dashed back after informing Bei with those words, was now as happy as a butterfly lost in a garden, enthusiastically continuing his lively chatter, even grinning foolishly after finishing. Hearing that both the navy and army trusted him was certainly gratifying, but what delighted him most was General Qiao personally explaining and dissolving the marriage proposal raised by the Tong-Huo family to Qiao Ziqiu and Bei. Moreover, Huo Changlin had acknowledged this uncle-nephew relationship! Almost hand in hand, Cheng Mo escorted the two to the spacious tea hall.
As the seascape silk curtain facing the ocean was slowly rolled up, a whole wall of green wooden panels emerged, adorned with a map depicting mountains, rivers, and coastlines.
What was even more astonishing was the wall facing the sea, made up of numerous one-foot wide by two-foot long wooden lattices, completely empty between the lattice grids, without even a paper window. Despite standing here, one couldn't feel the cool autumn sea breeze but only the warm sun gently enveloping everyone in its warmth.
"This is an entire wall of glass? How can it be so thin and transparent?" Huo Changlin approached the lattice wall, gently touching the clear surface with his fingers, expressing incredulity and wonder. A piece of LiuLi sword pommel alone is worth a fortune, yet he had never seen such purity before. As someone who prided himself as a dandy from the capital, he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed in the face of Cheng Mo's extravagant display.