As he spoke, Shang Yazi handed several documents to Shang Yifan.
Shang Yifan took them and scanned their contents. The documents recorded Shang Yazi's secret assets, the hidden pawns he had positioned, and a number of capable confidants.
"Brother Yazi, this is..." Shang Yifan put on an expression of surprise.
"Brother Yifan, among all our siblings, you are the one most likely to obtain the position of Young Master. Let your big brother lend you a hand here. I hope you achieve swift success. You may make full use of these resources and manpower. When I return in three years, you can hand them back to me then." Shang Yazi said with a sigh.
He had been demoted to the Slave-Catching Brigade for tempering, and naturally could not bring along subordinates or bodyguards. He was not going there for enjoyment — he was going there as punishment.
Now that he had lost the status of Young Master, these forces would sooner or later scatter and fall apart. Better to hand them over to Shang Yifan to manage while he still retained control. That way, when Shang Yazi returned to the family in three years, he would not have to start completely from scratch.
Shang Yifan quickly rose to his feet and clasped his fists, his expression moved. "Brother Yazi's generosity — Yifan will never forget it. If the day comes when I become Young Master, I will repay you tenfold."
"Ah, we are brothers — what need is there for talk of repayment? Hehehe..." Though his lips spoke those words, Shang Yazi's mouth curled into a grin, revealing a deep smile.
After a warm exchange of conversation, Shang Yifan personally escorted Shang Yazi out through the gates.
Watching his departing silhouette, the smile on Shang Yifan's face gradually transformed into a cold sneer.
"Shang Yazi, what a clever scheme — you want me to safeguard your forces for you? Heh. Then I will play along. First, I'll take over your forces, then break them apart and absorb them. Borrowed without return."
He had seen through Shang Yazi's plan entirely.
"Three years? How many things can happen in three years, and you really still think you have hope? Hmph, truly naive! So naive — no wonder he was outsmarted by Fang and Bai. Truly bringing shame to our Shang family!" Shang Yifan scoffed repeatedly.
But when his thoughts turned to Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing, his expression darkened again.
"Shang Xinci..." He mouthed the name, chewing on it.
With Shang Yazi removed from the picture, he had assumed the position of Young Master would fall into his lap without effort. Yet to his surprise, Shang Xinci had risen from an unexpected quarter to become his greatest obstacle.
Shang Yifan narrowed his eyes into slits, a sharp light glinting within, as he murmured his analysis: "Shang Xinci's greatest advantage lies in Father's doting favor. That level of partiality — which other child has ever received such treatment? But the family rules stand firm. With all eyes on the open competition for Young Master, Father cannot openly give her special treatment."
"On the contrary, Father's overt favoritism has earned the resentment — even hostility — of all the other siblings toward Shang Xinci. Her greatest advantage is, in fact, her greatest weakness."
"Shang Xinci's second advantage is her true greatest asset — that would be Fang Zheng and Bai Ningbing! Those two are really..."
At the mention of Fang and Bai, a host of complicated emotions surfaced on Shang Yifan's face — bewilderment, envy, jealousy, sheer incomprehension.
"Those two... I have no idea what they're thinking! They don't even want to be Elders of an outer surname — they rush off to help Shang Xinci!"
It felt as though someone had given up a watermelon only to go picking up sesame seeds.
"How did Shang Xinci win them over? What incredible luck. She effortlessly secured two formidable generals. That Bai Ningbing is already at the Fourth Transformation. And Fang Zheng was even able to defeat Ju Kaibei!"
That was two Fourth Transformation combatants.
Even the eldest brother, Shang Qiuniu, did not have Fourth Transformation subordinates.
Among the ten Young Masters, the current Young Patriarch of the Shang family, Shang Tuohai, also only had two Fourth Transformation powerhouses under his command.
But those two did not belong to Shang Tuohai's private army — they were assistants specifically dispatched by the family. As the Young Patriarch, Shang Tuohai personally managed a merchant caravan, and when venturing out into the wider world, he indeed needed powerful aides to handle all manner of situations.
Now, Shang Xinci had not even become the Shang family's Young Master yet, and already two Fourth Transformation powerhouses were lending her their support.
This situation had made countless of Shang Yanfei's children green with envy and dread.
"But even with Fang and Bai at her side, so what? The position of Young Master will be mine!" Shang Yifan licked his lips, then thought of something, and his spirits lifted.
...
Meanwhile, in the Nanqiu Garden.
"Our Shang family has an elaborate and comprehensive set of rules, particularly when it comes to matters of succession — the regulations are exceedingly strict." Wei Yang stood before Fang Zheng, Bai Ningbing, and Shang Xinci, speaking with eloquence and confidence.