Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1190: Chapter 402: Building a Strong Army and Short Breaks, Everyday Life in South City, Ji Jiang’s Romance, Lowered Defenses (Part 5)

Upon hearing about the thirty percent business tax, Ji Hong immediately nodded. He had been puzzled just moments ago; such large profits were apparent to him, and surely the Camp Supply Department couldn’t miss it either. Even if for simplicity, they handed the business dealings to others, it couldn’t be just a single operating permit fee. After all, one glance at the goods in these shops and it’s clear they come from the Craftsmen Department, suggesting these shop operators are merely middlemen.

If a monthly profit tax needs to be extracted, it would make sense.

”Brother, since we’ve talked about me, let’s talk about you. You mentioned before that once you break through the Cold Resistance Level, you’d consider marriage. Now that your top-grade battle body has finally become reality, don’t forget about Sister Xiao Rou!”

His sister suddenly switched the topic, teasing him. Ji Hong instinctively looked up at Zeng Rou, and a hint of emotion flashed through his heart.

”Ah Jiang, if you keep up this nonsense, I’m leaving.”

Zeng Rou, already shy by nature, was particularly embarrassed in front of her beloved. With Ji Jiang airing their private matters so openly, she immediately felt ashamed and couldn’t help but voice her annoyance at Ji Jiang.

Ji Hong’s face, too, couldn’t help but flush. To maintain his dignity as an elder brother, he retaliated against his sister, saying, ”Ahem... stop talking about me. What about you and Brother Xu?”

Upon hearing the three words, ’Brother Xu,’ Ji Jiang’s face instantly turned gloomy.

Seeing his sister’s expression, Ji Hong’s smile immediately disappeared.

”What’s going on? Did Xu An bully you?”

Xu An is the current Director of Wuyuan Civil Affairs Bureau. Ji Hong calling him directly by name was indeed inappropriate, but he clearly felt his sister was being wronged and didn’t think much of it.

Like him, Xu An was an elder from the Mud Slope era. In earlier years, both his sister and him got along well with Xu An. But because Xu An was two years older and broke through the Cold Resistance Level earlier, plus had elder brother Xu Ning’s support, their positions grew further apart.

Considering Xu An’s increasingly high rank and busyness, Ji Hong gradually reduced his interactions with Xu An, partly to avoid suspicion and partly due to a man’s pride.

But his sister Ji Jiang was different.

Ji Hong knew his sister had liked Xu An since childhood. Xu An also had affection for her. So, although he reduced his interactions with Xu An, he restricted nothing when it came to his sister.

Given Xu An’s current status, if his sister could marry him, it would be great. Hence, Ji Hong not only didn’t restrict but even encouraged it.

But now, his sister’s reaction clearly indicated a problem in their relationship.

”What happened?”

”Brother, I don’t want to talk about it.”

”If you don’t tell me, I’ll go to Wuyuan in a few days to ask Xu An.”

”Brother, don’t force me; I really don’t want to say!”

With her brother’s insistence, whether out of grievance or something else, Ji Jiang directly broke into tears. Since they had already moved to the shop’s inner room, there was no need to worry about outsiders.

”You...”

Ji Hong’s face flushed with fury, but seeing his sister crying so sadly, he couldn’t continue to force her to speak.

After hesitating briefly, Zeng Rou couldn’t help but speak.

”Brother Ji, you know Zhao Yuanxiu?”

At the mention of Zhao Yuanxiu, Ji Hong instantly realized the implication. His expression darkened before he signaled Zeng Rou to continue.

”Her father, Lord Zhao Bao, serves in the Wuyuan Camp Supply and Military Equipment department alongside Xu An. She often takes advantage of this to pester Xu An and subtly obstruct Ah Jiang from approaching him. Last month, Zhao Yuanxiu urged her father and two uncles to visit Bashang to propose marriage to Vice Director Xu.”

Thunk...

Upon hearing this, Ji Hong’s heart thumped heavily, and he promptly asked, ”Has Vice Director Xu agreed?”

Zeng Rou nodded, and instantly Ji Hong clenched his fists, understanding why his sister’s demeanor was so downcast.

The Xu brothers, Xu Ning and Xu An, had situations quite similar to his and Ji Jiang’s. Xu An’s marriage decisions naturally had to go through elder brother Xu Ning’s approval.

The elite families within Xia City had become numerous, and among them, the Zhao Family stood out significantly. The main Zhao Family brothers—Zhao Long, Zhao Hu, and Zhao Bao—had long supported Lord Xia Hong, earning distinguished achievements. Now, all three were granted noble titles and each commanded an army; by family influence, there was no match in all of Xia City.

Furthermore, the Zhao family’s members were many, with children of the three brothers and the next generation of ’Yuan’ descendants totaling easily over thirty or forty.

Disregarding Xu An’s thoughts for now, compared to Zhao Yuanxiu backed by the mighty Zhao Family, sister Ji Jiang only has him as a useless brother. Any practical-minded person knows what choice to make.

Though Xu Ning’s agreement to the Zhao Family’s proposal was expected, Ji Hong, with clenched fists, stubbornly asked, ”And Xu An? Did he obediently comply? Was all those years of feelings for Ji Jiang just pretended?”

”Brother, I beg you not to say anymore. Being arranged by the elder brother, Xu must be torn inside. I don’t want to force him; regardless of his final choice, I accept it. I’m not going, and neither should you find him, okay?”

No way I’ll not go!

Ji Hong abruptly stood up, ready to shout in anger, but seeing his sister teary-eyed, he ultimately softened his stance, slightly nodding as he planned to calm her first.