Chapter 181: I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice
Changsun Mei was speaking the truth; this kind of reality certainly didn't happen by chance.
The situation that occurred at the trade association today will undoubtedly continue to occur in the future, perhaps even more intensely.
No one specified that only Yuchi should be beaten. It must be noted that Yuchi wasn't attacked because of his own conduct but because of his identity.
What is identity?
It is power.
Power is a double-edged sword without a hilt, and it's basically impossible to hold it with absolute calmness in your hand; otherwise, it wouldn't be power.
Yuchi was assaulted because he was the president of the trade association, not because he was Yuchi.
Once he steps down, others will forget him while simultaneously losing their target.
"So from my perspective, I just can't understand the issues occurring with our Zhangsun Family!"
"Why is Grandfather so adamant in believing that the trade association he governs can avoid such occurrences?"
"Today these towns can unite to attack families other than the Wei Family."
"Isn't it possible for them to unite tomorrow to attack families other than our Zhangsun Family?"
"Miss, I have something to say," the handmaid said weakly, nibbling on candied fruits.
"Speak," Changsun Mei nodded.
"It's like this, the Zhangsun Family is stronger than the Wei Family, so maybe we can withstand such attacks."
"After all, we are the Zhangsun Family."
"Miss, you have also said that the Zhangsun Family is very strong, and we should be grateful for everything it provides us."
Changsun Mei: "..."
The handmaid hid the candied fruits and said even more weakly, "That's what you said, not me."
Wow, this little girl is about to make me so mad today.
Alright, I admit it, it was me who said it.
Okay, I said it, are you satisfied now?
"Look, Miss, you're getting angry, you are angry, a beauty's brow is furrowed," the handmaid said.
"...do you still want to eat?" Changsun Mei glared with wide eyes.
"Eat, eat, eat," the handmaid quickly bowed her head.
Only then was Changsun Mei somewhat satisfied, and she decisively said:
"I am determined to convince you today."
"You think that what the Wei Family can't achieve, our Zhangsun Family can."
"The things that the Wei Family doesn't dare to handle, our Zhangsun Family will handle."
"In one sentence, the things the Wei Family doesn't dare to handle, we will, and the things the Wei Family doesn't dare to do, we will do."
"Imperial privilege, is this what our Zhangsun Family stands for?"
Chewing on candied fruits, the handmaid looked at the young lady sitting in front of her, utterly astonished: Miss, where did you learn all this from?
Changsun Mei sneered at this notion:
"What makes us think we can withstand such pressure?"
"Look at our five major families, united together, and still scared to this state."
"Let's put aside the matter of whether Young Master Wei is helping us; can we alone withstand the combined attack of several towns?"
Withstand?
With what would we resist, how to resist? The Zhangsun Family indeed had a foundation in Xufu Town, which was something Changsun Mei was rather proud of.
But such a foundation can't be used as food.
They are now unable to withstand the united price suppression from other towns and still hope for Yuchi's help.
If others don't help, there is nothing but anger and resentment.
Isn't this just absurdly laughable?
Changsun Mei: "Do you oppose my view?"
The handmaid, eating melon: "I don't oppose it anymore... It seems like we really might not be able to withstand it."
Changsun Mei was satisfied: "So you think that once Yuchi falls, they will come to attack us, right?"
The handmaid originally wanted to say she wasn't sure, but seeing Changsun Mei's fierce and imposing demeanor, she softened her stance.
In a small voice, she said, "They definitely will."
"Smart!"
Changsun Mei took a long breath, looking at the handmaid in front of her with eyes that seemed capable of teaching an eager student.
Spending so many years by her side hasn't been in vain; it really isn't easy.
But there is now such an intelligent thought; it's all thanks to my good teaching!
Handmaid: You're the one trying to snatch my candied fruits and melon.
Changsun Mei didn't care about any of this, drifting along with her thoughts, both leisurely and peeved, saying:
"So my point of view becomes perfectly normal."
"Why can't they attack the future trade association?"
"In the world, any, all things are either something that has never been done or has been done, and it's certainly never just once."
Old Wei silently gave a thumbs-up.
Changsun Mei exclaimed even more sternly:
"Remember what I said, everything is like this."
"Today, if you've done something and got caught, it's definitely not the first time you've been caught in this situation."
"Putting it in terms of crime, it certainly won't be your first offense!"
She looked at the handmaid with eyes that seemed to see through everything.
The handmaid was frightened: "Miss, don't pin the blame on me, I haven't committed any crimes."
"..."
"Don't be afraid."
"I was just giving an example."
Changsun Mei pinched a roasted chestnut between her thumb and index finger, "Do you understand what giving a chestnut means?"
The handmaid shrank her neck: "Yeah."
Yeah, right, do you really understand, still pretending to be cute?
Handmaid: "Understood!"
"That's right!"
"If this is the case with crimes, then how likely is it that the other towns who've gained benefits would abandon their attacks on us?"
"They definitely won't!"
It seemed that Changsun Mei had already envisioned the future, with a worried expression on her face.
Under the attentive gaze of the handmaid, she seemed somewhat fearful.
Her tone suddenly softened a notch.