Page 728 of Doted By The Regent King

Li’s Blacksmith Shop was open as usual, but unlike before, when Lady Li was often the only one managing the shop, now the couple was together, chatting and laughing, radiating warmth.

When Wufu walked into Li’s, the couple laughed out loud over something they had just said. Upon seeing her, they both hastily put down what they were holding to greet her.

"There’s no need for such formalities; treat me as your customer when we are outside," Wufu said with a smile, raising her hand.

Duan Rong was taken aback. Was she not planning on revealing their master-servant relationship to the public?

"If you’re not busy, let’s talk inside," Wufu suggested.

"After you, miss," they said.

Without any reservations, Wufu led the way inside. Duan Rong and his wife followed, leaving Liu Jin to watch over the shop.

In the inner hall, Lady Li offered Wufu a cup of tea and sat together with Duan Rong, waiting for her instructions.

After taking a sip of tea, Wufu finally addressed them, "I won’t beat around the bush, I’ll get straight to your forthcoming arrangements."

"Please, miss, instruct us," Duan Rong said, bowing his hand in salute.

"I am aware of both your abilities. Before he was poisoned, I suppose Duan Rong also possessed martial arts skills, right?" Wufu asked, looking at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong replied, "You’re right, miss. However, when it comes to fighting skills, I am not as good as my lady."

Lady Li said, "My qinggong and spear technique are both excellent, and I have some knowledge of swordsmanship, though not as refined as my spear technique. Young Master Duan excels in crafting mechanisms."

"Excellent," Wufu nodded with a smile. "Back when I said I wanted to expand Li’s to every town, what did you think, Duan Rong?"

Duan Rong pondered for a moment before replying, "I venture to guess that you intend to use Li’s as a front to build your own power structure?"

A glint of approval flashed in Wufu’s eyes as she nodded.

"Exactly. I want to make Li’s an entity that others would not easily dare to shake.

To create such an entity, we need people, lots of people, not just any people but elites.

I hope it can gather intelligence, have elites to accomplish various missions, including assassination, espionage, selling information, and more, making the impossible possible for outsiders, as long as they can pay the price! "

Duan Rong was not surprised, "Similar to the Misty Pavilion?"

Wufu looked at Purple Jade — she didn’t know what the Misty Pavilion was about.

Purple Jade explained, "Misty Pavilion is an assassin organization."

"It’s roughly like that, but we don’t just kill. We offer diversified services and tend more toward group operations," Wufu said, extending her hand.

Purple Jade then pulled out a scroll from her sleeve and handed it to Duan Rong.

"This is my planning scheme. After you review it, burn it," Wufu instructed.

Duan Rong didn’t rush to open it, waiting instead for what Wufu would say next.

"I am aware that this won’t happen overnight.

Instead, we must build it step by step," Wufu said. "To get things done, we first need people. The first step is to find a good place that can house people, then pick some promising children from the orphans and beggars for you two to train in secret. Regardless of what they grow to be skillful at, that’s what you’ll cultivate in them.

I will allocate a sum of money to you each month for the establishment, and Purple Jade will be in charge of coordinating this with you. "

Duan Rong frowned, "Miss, although we have some kung fu, if we are the only ones training them, I’m afraid what we can teach will be limited."

"I will also look for competent individuals to act as their masters," Wufu thought, then said, "If you have anyone reliable, you can consider them too. However, externally, this system will be under you two, understood?"

This meant she intended to stay behind the scenes.