Chapter 488: The City Lord's Nephew

Time flew by like a white colt passing through a crack, and then it was gone.

When a light snow began to fall in the north as the heavens changed, the southbound fleet finally stirred.

In the end, they waited not for the return of the Da Wang, only for countless hauls of fish to be carried into the new beast arsenal south of the city.

Besides that, the court officials only awaited the endless stream of household goods moved by the Tao family and half a boatload of men, women, old and young. It was said, this was the Da Wang's connection household?

Tao Yan had not expected to leave Mianyang alive; dragging his sick body by boat was already easier than by carriage or horse, but this overly long voyage still exhausted the gravely ill to the brink of death, his condition rapidly worsening, and Tao Ying's face grew graver by the day.

No matter how well the Wei brothers spoke, or how good their youth was, not to mention usability, he feared his elder brother might not live to see the auction house reopen.

After disembarking in haste, he rented a large manor in the east of the city to settle his clansmen, then went straight to the Northern Border Medical Bureau.

At this time, the medical bureau had basically entered normal operation, with NPCs training medical students in the rear buildings, and Zhang Tonghe presiding over consultations in the front.

Upon seeing Tao Yan's condition, the divine doctor knew at a glance; after taking his pulse, he only shook his head at Tao Ying. The oil was exhausted, the lamp dried up—even the divine doctor's efforts were in vain.

"... Elder brother, how much longer can you hold on?" Tao Ying felt his throat dry and cracked, his voice breaking as he spoke.

"A little over a month."

Upon hearing this, Tao Ying nearly couldn't stand; a little over a month meant he truly wouldn't make it to the New Year.

Though Zhang Tonghe had seen such regrets half a lifetime in medicine, seeing the driven-out child peeking frequently from outside the house, he couldn't help but feel pity. In his prime, with young children, it was a shame. As he shook his head, he noticed Tao Ying, though his face was ashen, his bearing and attire still revealed he was no ordinary man... this... he must have some family means, right?

The old divine doctor pondered for a moment and said: "It's not entirely without hope..."

In Tao Ying's eager, expectant gaze, the old divine doctor felt embarrassed to quote a price for the Da Wang. Having been here so long, he had encountered many new prescriptions and unseen medicinal ingredients, and knew that refining ingredients for the Rejuvenation Elixir belonged to the rare treasures of the present age, but that price, in this world, was truly... outrageous.

"The Floating Pagoda Tower has a longevity elixir called Rejuvenation Youth. Its starting bid... is one million taels of silver. If your family has the means, you may pay attention to this elixir; your brother taking it might extend his life by about ten years. Besides this, even immortals cannot save."

Tao Ying grew even more bitter: "Before, in Mianyang, I met two Wei family dukes, and they also mentioned Rejuvenation Youth to me, but my brother doesn't know if he can last until the New Year's auction. Do you know where we might seek this elixir before the auction begins?"

Zhang Tonghe recalled they were picked up by the Da Wang in Mianyang, so it was no surprise he knew of Rejuvenation Youth. He shook his head; nowadays, the Da Wang had not returned with the fleet, and he too did not know where one could buy this divine elixir.

The Tao family carried Tao Yan back to the east of the city; the whole household felt no joy of new life, only deeper gloom than before, everyone knowing this time the patriarch might truly be done for.

Little Ah Tan also sensed something; previously his father could still see him daily and exchange words, now his uncle would not let him near. After just a few days, he suddenly thought of the Da Wang.

He produced the safety token given by the Da Wang, "... The Wei family elder brother said this token can settle ninety-nine percent of matters in Youzhou, Ah Tan, take it to find someone to save your father!"

Tao Ying suddenly understood; having daily traversed Youzhou inquiring about the Floating Pagoda Tower's reopening, he still did not know that the boy who visited his home was none other than the Northern Border King—he had been utterly foolish. After all, everyone in Youzhou knew the Northern Border King had followed the treasure ship to sea, and ministers had even personally gone to the dock to see him off.

Upon seeing this token again, now with a 'You' character on its back, he was overjoyed; this was the Tao family's last lifeline, and he no longer bothered to ponder the Northern Border King's motive in deceiving them into coming to Beijiang.

The Da Wang had not deceived them; this token was truly effective.

Tao Ying dragged Ah Tan to Wanxiang City, and soon was brought before the bustling Grand Steward.

The Grand Steward sat in the upper seat, glanced at the arriving youth and child, then immediately fixed his gaze on the child—this one must be the victim.

"Little friend, where did this token come from?"

"From the Wei family elder brother."

"Why did he give it to you?"

"We are pond friends~" Little Ah Tan, seeing such a beautiful older sister for the first time, felt fondness and answered every question.

Zhu Ti sympathizedly glanced at the little friend.

Ordinary friends generally don't receive such treatment, for the Da Wang gains a basket of friends just by going out once, and truly cannot afford to. This little friend must have been severely swindled, or perhaps is a potential mark?

"So you've come now—what difficulty are you facing, that you need my help?"

"Yes! Older sister, please save my father! He, he is ill, very ill..." Ah Tan spoke with a muffled, tearful voice, wanting to cry at the mention of it.

Zhu Ti finally looked toward Tao Ying upon hearing Ah Tan's words; Tao Ying was still staring at the floor tiles, unsure where to focus his gaze. He truly could not discern Zhu Ti's identity, having been brought from Wanxiang City to an office in the southeast corner of the Northern Border King's mansion, where upon entering he saw a plaque reading: Northern Border King's Mansion Commerce Department.

He had never seen such attire on a woman in Donghai Commandery, regardless of clothing or makeup, he felt embarrassed to stare a second time. Though he felt some astonishment—although Northern Border newspapers daily proclaimed they would not discriminate in hiring talent, he had truly not imagined they would go this far—this beautiful woman was obviously the head of the Commerce Department, her status high, plainly a confidant of the Northern Border King.

Upon hearing Ah Tan's words, Zhu Ti knew the Da Wang had come for big business, and the Rejuvenation Youth leeks had arrived.

"So it turns out Young Master Tao came for Rejuvenation Youth; then, do you understand its price? If you can accept, I can authorize taking one from the auction items, and given the little friend's face, I'll sell it to you at the starting bid. Once this item hits the auction, its price will at least double."

"I accept! Thank you, Your Highness, for the life-saving grace!"

Tao Ying nearly jumped for joy; though one million taels was no small sum, they had early planned to seek another refuge, and had already sold off much of their estate—this sum was still manageable. If this vast sum could buy his brother ten more years of life, he would willingly pay it.

Ah Tan also chimed in with thanks for the life-saving grace, his face innocent and guileless. Zhu Ti clicked his tongue, rose, and returned the jade pendant he had been playing with to Ah Tan, "Return it to me? Uncle said if a wish is granted, the brother must take it back!"

Zhu Ti nodded upon hearing this; this family still understood propriety.

"Wear it for fun, this time doesn't count."

Ah Tan listened and was overjoyed, happily tying it back onto his waistband. He only knew his father was saved, and the token remained his.

Zhu Ti then and there gave him one Rejuvenation Youth elixir; the Tao family delivered eighty thousand taels in cash silver and three antique collectibles, worth approximately more than one million taels.

That night, the Da Wang learned of this lucrative deal, just as he had recently participated in a minor 'coup' with dirt on his face.

Seeing him in such a sorry state yet still smiling, Zhu Ti guessed roughly.

"Did Iron Pillar succeed in taking the position?"

"This time it's real!" The Da Wang was very pleased, though he had also wasted some dramatic flair and fist-and-foot techniques.

They had previously lain low in Youchuan for several days, washing away the suspicion of trouble upon joining, first letting the second team assassinate Fang Meng and his close associates, then framing the blackest-hearted third chieftain, then waiting for the second and third to fight over leadership, whereupon they sneakily killed the fourth, whose character was lacking. When they later expanded into surrounding counties, Iron Pillar bravely showed his hand, successfully establishing prestige. After the mission ended and the second team returned, they killed the third, and high-level officials fell one after another—everyone sensed something unusual was afoot!

When human hearts scattered, the simple Iron Pillar stepped forward, raised his voice, and declared: We are here to bring our brothers good days, not to come and slaughter each other over the general's seat!

Our current territory and manpower are sufficient; further expansion would not only mean too many mouths to feed, but also lose the buffer zone with Guangling. Before we finish training our troops, it's best not to clash with the strong-horse, strong-arm Guangling King.

Iron Pillar was extremely simple: "The brothers' lives are what matter most!"

The refugees deeply agreed.

The Pig-Slaughtering Fifth Chief immediately jumped out to support Iron Pillar as general—whoever disagrees, come out and let him beat you down; afterward, everyone must obey Iron Pillar, for only the simple Iron Pillar is truly our own without selfish motives!

The Pig-Butchering Fifth Chief also immediately jumped out to voice support; he only has those two brushes, knows his limits, and if he had more, he couldn't handle them. The Fifth Chief believes Iron Pillar can share a chamber pot with him. This guy is terrified of having no one take that position, for then the next to die would soon be his turn.

"... Like this, we already have thirty-two thousand troops in Youchuan, successfully taking over city defense and the governor's office!"

Zhu Ti expressionlessly said: "Congratulations, congratulations on becoming the nephew-young master of the City Lord's Mansion. Do you still want Beijiang? The ministers have already begun rotating shifts in the Commerce Department."

Da Wang:...

But this guy, seeing money, immediately lit up, at once charging the eighty thousand taels, "Keep it for Iron Pillar to get some inconspicuous armor!"

The remaining three precious treasures were taken in a bundle to Phoenix Collection, and thanks to his status as the city lord's grand-nephew, Da Wang finally didn't have to sleep in the large dormitory; the giant of the street stall immediately went into business.

Bai Yang hadn't seen him in a long time, and upon going, he saw Da Wang setting up a street stall selling bronze ware at a loss.

"Eight-ox Zun wine vessel, a thousand-year-old antique, only four hundred thousand~"

Bai Yang: ……Enough to be the treasure of a first-class museum.

The Western-style scenery of selling bronze ware at a loss was also something Da Wang could see from afar; he stretched out his hand from a distance, "Deal!"