Currently, the momentum of the Chu Kingdom and the Yue Kingdom is overwhelming. Both have risen to become dominant powers, while the Qin Kingdom has begun to decline. After Chu annexed much of Lu Kingdom's territory, they halted their expansion, and the world started to return to normal.
Meanwhile, the dispute between the Jin and Yan Kingdoms has also ceased, bringing a brief period of stability to the land. Kings and nobles from every country have begun to meet, using negotiations to buy themselves time.
Everyone knows this peace is only temporary. Sooner or later, these feudal states will fight for supremacy over the realm.
Victor Fan saw the opportunity in this brief peace. After turning fine cloth into beautiful garments, he presented them to the nobles of each country, even though he was doing business at a loss.
Ronald Charles grew anxious; losses had dragged on for over a year. Victor Fan spared no expense, using the finest cloth and tailors, embellishing the garments with gold thread—the costs were astronomical.
But as time passed, business at the Charles Textile Shop began to improve. More and more wealthy patrons visited, especially since all the kingdoms were now interacting. Banquets in the royal courts became frequent.
To showcase their nation's strength, beautiful garments became a tool for diplomacy. The Charles family's business revived once more.
"Zane, is something troubling you?"
During a lesson one day, Victor Fan noticed Zane Zhuang was distracted. He knew the reason well: recent events had sparked conflict between Cao Kingdom and neighboring Wei Kingdom, leading to war. Zane's close friend, Eugene Henderson, had already gone to the battlefield.
"How skilled do you think Eugene is in combat?"
This approach worked—Wei took what it could and withdrew. But Victor Fan was helpless; he understood Lord Wu'an's intentions, but it was too late. Because of the Johnson Family's business, Victor Fan hadn't had time to personally intervene and persuade Lord Charles.
The entire Henderson Family was implicated—their titles stripped, their lands reclaimed, their assets investigated. Minister Jay, whose real name was Jay Jian, claimed the defeat was entirely General Henderson's fault.
Overnight, the Hendersons were reduced to commoners in Dintao, everything taken from them. The whole family could only move to a desolate village outside the city to live.
Eugene Henderson returned from the battlefield. Victor Fan immediately took Zane Zhuang to visit the Hendersons, but the Johnson Family kept their distance, showing no sympathy, afraid of getting involved.
Arriving at the now-destitute Henderson home, Zane Zhuang burst into tears. Eugene had been struck in the left eye by an arrow; though the arrowhead had been removed, he was now blind in that eye and barely alive. Henry Henderson was heartbroken.
Even as he lay dying, Eugene revealed the truth: someone had betrayed General Henderson's troop movements, leading Cao's army into an ambush and defeat. The culprit who leaked the information was Minister Jay.
Victor Fan immediately understood why things had unfolded this way. Minister Jay wasn't particularly talented, but he was expert at playing both sides and was a skilled strategist.
Most likely, when the conflict between Cao and Wei began, Minister Jay went to Wei and offered them a plan. Returning to Cao, he used his silver tongue to gain Lord Charles's trust, and he probably had the whole situation figured out from the start.
This scheme—a classic case of sowing discord—was brilliant. Minister Jay became Lord Charles's confidant and helped Wei profit, but Victor Fan could do nothing about it.
He knew that while Yan appeared unwilling to send troops, its ruler was actually waiting for the right moment to strike. Lord Wu'an seemed cold, but he was likely hoping Wei would advance further, so he could justify conquering both Cao and Wei in front of the other major powers.
The fallen Henderson Family had no hope of recovery. Life was bitter. Victor Fan kept helping them, even taking Eugene into his own home to heal, but Eugene remained furious about everything that had happened.
Victor Fan explained everything to him, which only made Eugene burn with even more rage.
"Teacher, why did you tell Eugene the truth? Aren't you just adding fuel to the fire?"
Victor Fan nodded.
"Zane, if he didn't know the truth, the resentment in his heart would only grow stronger."
Victor Fan and Zane Zhuang sat by Eugene's bedside, watching him with deep sorrow.
"Eugene, the Henderson Family won't be changed by this. Just remember one thing—have you heard the story of King Goujian? As your teacher, I will help you."
Stripped of their titles and all privileges, the Hendersons, now commoners, could not do business—only farm. The village outside Dintao was barren, and the whole family, young and old, lived in dire straits.
Victor Fan tried to help several times, but was stopped by Luo Hen. If he persisted, Victor Fan would get into trouble himself, as the Hendersons were branded criminals.
Helpless, Victor Fan came up with a plan: he hired many workers, claiming he wanted to develop agriculture. He went to the Hendersons' village, searched for water sources, and finally found one. He began quarrying and channeling water to the village. Luo Hen couldn't object, and even took a cut for himself.
Eugene recovered, but his once-handsome face was now marred by blindness in one eye. People in the city mocked him, and families who had resented the Hendersons now ridiculed them openly.
With Victor Fan's help, the village land improved, and the Hendersons' lives got a little better. They could sell some vegetables in the city, and Eugene, now healed, would carry produce to market every few days.
He was often bullied in the city, and it was Victor Fan who frequently came to his rescue.
Now, Minister Jay was practically Lord Charles's right-hand man. Zane Johnson came to Victor Fan several times, hoping he could devise a plan to deal with Minister Jay. The Johnson Family had tried to assassinate him, but Victor Fan always managed to avoid involvement.
Lord Charles sent more men to protect Minister Jay. The Johnson Family was frantic, and at Minister Jay's suggestion, Lord Charles began to favor the states of Qi and Lu.
So the Johnson Family was desperate. The King of Chu sent people many times, hoping the Johnsons could persuade Lord Charles to join Chu. Only then could Chu justifiably march in. Lu was no longer a threat—its strength was depleted in the last conflict with Chu, and Qi had also suffered.
It was the perfect opportunity, but Minister Jay's rise made things difficult for the Johnsons. He was even building his own power base in the palace. Watching Minister Jay grow stronger by the day, the Johnson Family was at its wit's end.
But Victor Fan said there would be a turning point. Everything Minister Jay did was just patching holes for Lord Charles.
With Lord Charles so indecisive, Yan was bound to act against Cao eventually. One day, Victor Fan made a bold decision—he wagered all his assets in a bet with Henry Henderson.
As soon as the news spread in the city, it attracted countless attention. While people were still trying to figure out what was happening, Victor Fan lost the bet to Henry Henderson, sold all his assets, and gave everything to the Henderson Family.
But the day after the assets were sold, an order came down. Victor Fan was accused of illegally selling weapons to Yan and manufacturing arms without permission.
It was Minister Jay—Victor Fan had anticipated this. That day, Minister Jay arrived in Dintao with soldiers, swaggering, intending to publicly humiliate Victor Fan. But his hopes were dashed.
When he learned that Victor Fan had lost everything to Henry Henderson in a bet, Minister Jay was furious, pacing back and forth in anger.
At that moment, everyone in Dintao despised the manipulator. To the people, the Hendersons and Victor Fan were a family of great kindness. Minister Jay, frustrated, could only leave in disgrace.
All the Hendersons had was money and grain; they did no business and broke no laws. Minister Jay could do nothing to them, especially with the wealthy of Dintao obstructing him. Many at court said Lord Charles's actions would break the people's hearts, and the real force behind it all was the Johnson Family.
So the Johnson Family was desperate. The King of Chu sent people many times, hoping the Johnsons could persuade Lord Charles to join Chu. Only then could Chu justifiably march in. Lu was no longer a threat—its strength was depleted in the last conflict with Chu, and Qi had also suffered.
It was the perfect opportunity, but Minister Jay's rise made things difficult for the Johnsons. He was even building his own power base in the palace. Watching Minister Jay grow stronger by the day, the Johnson Family was at its wit's end.
But Victor Fan said there would be a turning point. Everything Minister Jay did was just patching holes for Lord Charles.
With Lord Charles so indecisive, Yan was bound to act against Cao eventually. One day, Victor Fan made a bold decision—he wagered all his assets in a bet with Henry Henderson.
As soon as the news spread in the city, it attracted countless attention. While people were still trying to figure out what was happening, Victor Fan lost the bet to Henry Henderson, sold all his assets, and gave everything to the Henderson Family.
But the day after the assets were sold, an order came down. Victor Fan was accused of illegally selling weapons to Yan and manufacturing arms without permission.
It was Minister Jay—Victor Fan had anticipated this. That day, Minister Jay arrived in Dintao with soldiers, swaggering, intending to publicly humiliate Victor Fan. But his hopes were dashed.
When he learned that Victor Fan had lost everything to Henry Henderson in a bet, Minister Jay was furious, pacing back and forth in anger.
At that moment, everyone in Dintao despised the manipulator. To the people, the Hendersons and Victor Fan were a family of great kindness. Minister Jay, frustrated, could only leave in disgrace.
All the Hendersons had was money and grain; they did no business and broke no laws. Minister Jay could do nothing to them, especially with the wealthy of Dintao obstructing him. Many at court said Lord Charles's actions would break the people's hearts, and the real force behind it all was the Johnson Family.