Chapter 1270: Drinking Party and Old Friends

The bustle of this night will be skipped.

Several big deals had arrived long ago, waiting for the Yangshan Clubhouse to open to handle them, and the visiting cards thrown in by various parties were piled up so high the table couldn't hold them. He had transferred Jiang Lishui from Jishi Village to here to be his secretary; he was so excited he didn't sleep all night, working like he'd been injected with chicken blood:

The opportunity he had dreamed of, it had finally arrived.

He took a visiting card from the pile of letters and presented it to He Lingchuan with both hands: "Island Master, the Pei Nation envoy has submitted a card; this is the third one."

He Lingchuan had glanced at the first two, but this time he waved his hand, not even raising his head: "Press it and ignore it."

"Yes." Jiang Lishui also felt it was strange. The Island Master had clearly asked him to pay attention to the Pei envoy's cards, but he hadn't replied to a single one.

The Pei Nation had submitted three times, and all were like stones sinking into the sea.

The Boss Situ family had borrowed a large amount of money and grain to support the war, which was like adding wings to a tiger, beating the Bixia until they retreated steadily. This matter caused a great sensation in the surrounding area, and the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce became famous because of it.

The Pei Nation was also one of the seven nations that conquered the Bixia and was the earliest Boss Situ ally to enter the war, so naturally, they were full of curiosity about the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce and He Lingchuan, hoping to get to know them.

For an outsider to be so prominent in the mid-west of the Flash Gold Plain, they were either a liar or a big spender.

Originally, the probability of the former was the highest, but the money and grain the Boss Situ family had obtained and the battles they had won already showed that the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce truly had strength.

People always flock to the strong, and the visiting cards thrown at He Lingchuan by surrounding forces were countless, and he would selectively reply.

Forces around the Pei Nation had all received replies, only they were not favored.

Not long after, Boss Situ He sent someone to notify him:

The drinking party was arranged, and the people were all invited.

He Lingchuan immediately called for Dou Wenguan: "Put aside the work in your hands; we're going to meet some old friends."

Noon, Bamboo Hidden Tavern.

Ju City had just been recaptured and hadn't yet broken free from the state of war; plus, the population in the city wasn't large, so now only two or three out of ten shops on the main street were open, and pedestrians were sparse.

There were four or five taverns open in the whole city, and Bamboo Hidden wasn't the largest among them, but it was the one with the best business.

Since it was called "Bamboo Hidden," the private rooms were all stilt houses wrapped in bamboo, which was quite distinctive, but they had been built for some years, and no matter who walked up or down, they would creak.

He Lingchuan and Dou Wenguan went up *creak, creak*, and the people inside cried out: "These two have arrived, arrived!"

There were eleven or twelve people sitting in the private room, Boss Situ He was among them, and more than half of the others were old faces He Lingchuan recognized in Lingxu City.

After more than two years of separation, meeting was just a round of intense pleasantries.

For a time, there was laughter, as if they had returned to the good old days.

He Lingchuan grabbed his wine cup and expressed his dissatisfaction to Boss Situ He: "There are so many old friends, why did you only find these few for me?"

Today's party was arranged by Boss Situ He, and the people were also gathered by him.

Yu Hai laughed: "Boss Situ wanted to save you some money."

Boss Situ He clarified: "No, no, I don't have such good intentions. With these few battles fought, our good friends are scattered, and old He was urging me so urgently; it wasn't easy for me to pick up you few, others will have to be found slowly."

Seven-road coalition forces conquering the Bixia, the surrounding area is so turbulent; everyone knows they have to hide far away.

He said to He Lingchuan again: "These ten or so of us are all from the surrounding area, other classmates will have to be found further away."

"Fine, I'll count it as your merit, no rush." He Lingchuan raised his cup: "Come, let's have a drink for old friends and new!"

Today's party was old bringing new; He Lingchuan got to know five or six new friends, all of whom were students who had once studied in Lingxu City or the Mou Nation.

These returned students formed multiple circles and were in contact with each other usually; it wasn't difficult for Boss Situ He to find them to come and drink, it was just that some weren't nearby during the war.

Everyone chatted about old things, then talked about the changes in Lingxu City two years ago, then discussed the situation on the Flash Gold Plain, then sighed about life being like a fleeting autumn, and the sun slowly set.

Wine is a broom for sorrow, but sometimes the more you sweep, the more sorrowful you become. I don't know who took the lead in talking about the future of their homeland, everyone drank silently, and suddenly they all became depressed.

They had all seen the prosperity of Beijia and the strength of the Mou Nation, knowing that the world outside was vast, only the Flash Gold Plain was backward and impoverished, unchanged for thousands of years.

Thousands of years, how many heroes and righteous men had determined to reorganize the rivers and mountains, only to end in failure. Everyone present knew very well that no matter how ambitious they were, they still couldn't escape the old path.

The time loop of the Flash Gold Plain would only cycle once more.

The newly joined student Kang Lang sighed: "Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I really envy those villagers, busy all day in the fields, just busy with their own affairs."

Boss Situ He didn't like hearing this: "Last time the Bixia attacked, more than a hundred people in Cotton Village were abducted to sacrifice to the Ghost King. The Bixia people dug a big pit and buried them all, and their remains were bitten beyond recognition by wild dogs! The villagers you speak of can't even protect their own lives in troubled times! Brother Kang has fertile fields and big houses in the palace, doesn't worry about food and drink, has an army to protect him, doesn't fear bandits, so why envy the small people who are in danger morning and evening?"

He had truly seen enough and suffered enough in these few months.

Kang Lang was choked by him and couldn't answer, feeling somewhat ashamed.

Today's gathering, Kang Lang actually had the highest status. Others lived in mansions, but he lived in a palace—

He was the sixth son of the Po Liu Nation monarch and the son-in-law of the Kan tribe leader; both of these forces were among the seven allied forces attacking the Bixia.

Kang Lang went to Beijia a year later than Boss Situ He, and he didn't study at the Lingxu Imperial Academy, but at another academy.

When Boss Situ He explained his background to He Lingchuan, he clearly stated that this prince was favored by his father, which almost brought fatal disaster, which was why he was sent to Beijia to study.

His marriage was naturally a political marriage, and it was said that "the bride is even stronger than him"—Boss Situ He's original words.

Although he was a prince, he was still not his own master; He Lingchuan understood his sigh.

Yu Hai hurriedly raised his cup to smooth things over: "The worries of the small people are food and clothing, our worries are our path, but when the flames of war ignite and the chaotic situation comes, we are all like duckweed, our lives in the hands of others. Sigh, how much difference can there be?"

Kang Lang nodded: "It was my slip of the tongue, Boss Situ, don't be angry."

Dou Wenguan also said: "Yes, I heard Boss Situ was abducted by the Bixia not long ago, almost having his eyes gouged and tongue cut, hung upside down on the city gate. Did I exaggerate?"

Boss Situ He raised his left hand, revealing three fingers: "Of course not! If it weren't for Brother He's timely rescue, you would have to burn paper money for me now."

Others had noticed his disability early on, but it wasn't easy to ask. However, Boss Situ He held his head high and was proud, treating this as a warrior's medal, so everyone felt relieved to ask about the process.

They chatted enthusiastically, and He Lingchuan gave Yu Hai a wink. The two quietly left the table to get some air by the river.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1271 =====