Chapter 5: 5 Seeking Sponsorship

"It's Luoning."

In the room, Lulansi leaned against the head of the bed. Hearing Luoning's voice, he found it somewhat strange that his grandson was so attentive today. "Is there something you need from me?"

"Hehehe~"

Luoning came to the bedside with a chuckle, pretending to be embarrassed.

"Grandfather, I just looked into the situation in Shanlin Town. It is quite poor and dangerous there; it is very unsafe for me to go alone."

"Cough, cough!" Lulansi coughed twice.

He had previously felt that this child had grown, but he had not expected the other to still fear hardship, which made Lulansi somewhat displeased. "So you are not planning to go?"

"No!"

Luoning was very resolute. "Since I want to atone for my sins and want to do something for the family, I will not shrink back because of this little bit of danger!"

"Oh?" Lulansi's expression softened slightly.

Luoning chuckled. "But Grandfather, it is difficult to get things done if I go there all by myself."

He even feigned a girlish manner, shaking Lulansi's withered, aged hand. "So I hope the family can arrange some guards or elite soldiers for me, and also sponsor me with some gold coins so I can buy some food and weapons and equipment."

"Grandfather wouldn't want me, your eldest grandson, to die before I even reach Shanlin Town, right? I still want to come back to attend your birthday banquet this year!"

"Hahaha..."

Lulansi laughed. Firstly, it was because Luoning was already considering his birthday, and secondly, it was because of Luoning's growth. He had not expected this good-for-nothing fellow to actually take the initiative to consider future matters and even know to ask for resources.

He was now certain that this child had truly grown.

"You also know that I have already left family matters to your father for over ten years. Now, the mobilization and assignment of guards are all arranged by him and the Knights under his command. You can only go to your father for this matter; I am afraid I cannot help you much."

This kind of talk was clearly an excuse.

Weijinsi was so afraid of Lulansi; whether or not to give resources to Luoning wasn't that just a matter of a single word from Lulansi?

Luoning had no choice but to put on a pitiful look. "After my mother died, Father has always disliked me. Now if I go to him to ask for resources, not only will he scold me, but he might even beat me up."

Having reached this point, it was time to play the emotional card. He cried out, "Grandfather taught me to read, taught me to ride, and taught me to hunt back then. Now, are you unwilling to even sponsor a grandson who is about to travel far away?"

"If that really won't work, consider it a loan from the family; I will pay it back bit by bit later!"

Is face important?

Of course it is important!

But one must also consider the occasion.

The so-called crying child gets the milk; Luoning now had to play the part of a crying child.

As for the dispute between the Wushan Family and the Border Count's family caused by him, he simply chose not to think about it, treating it as if it wasn't his doing.

Yes, those things were done by his predecessor; what did that have to do with him, Luoning?

Whether the old Marquis was angry or displeased, he was going to be thick-skinned today and get whatever he could.

Fortunately, Lulansi, this old man who did not have long to live, was still quite nostalgic, especially when Luoning mentioned the words about teaching him to read, ride, and hunt; his heart was deeply touched.

He had to admit that he had once invested a lot of emotion into Luoning.

Now, facing the request of this grandson upon whom he had once pinned endless hopes, his heart softened once again.

"Alright, alright, I agree."

Lulansi said helplessly, then turned his head to look at the old Steward waiting to the side.

"Moste, go tell Weijinsi to support Luoning with one hundred gold coins in my name. As for other supplies, such as food, guards, and horses, he, as a father, should also show some support. After all, Luoning is his son and a child of my Wushan Family."

"Very well, My Lord!" The old Steward bowed and exited the room to deliver the message.

Luoning grinned. "Thank you for your support, Grandfather. I will definitely manage Shanlin Town very well!"

"Then do your best!"

Lulansi laughed and slowly lay back down. "Remember to come back to the castle to visit when you have time."

"I will."

Luoning knew this was a dismissal. He stood up, helped Lulansi pull a corner of the blanket over his chest, and then exited the room.

"This child has truly grown up."

Lulansi watched Luoning's departing back and sighed. "It's just a pity it's a bit late, and a pity he hasn't mastered Battle Qi or Magic."

As the pioneer of the Marquis Territory, Lulansi naturally hoped his family could remain strong and not pin its hopes on outsiders.

It was a pity that while he was alive, those former followers would not harbor any ulterior motives, and even if they did, they would not act on them.

But once he died, that was hard to say.

Letting Buleidun inherit and binding the Haide Family to the Wushan Family was the best choice.

As for Luoning, whether it was granting him the title of Baron or giving him 100 gold coins in support, it meant nothing to Lulansi.

If Luoning made progress, he would be happy to see it; if Luoning still achieved nothing, he would not be angry.

On the other side, Luoning walked out of the old Marquis's house and looked at the tranquil garden before him, feeling refreshed.

100 gold coins, plus his own balance, totaled 128 gold coins, which was enough for him to purchase many resources. At the very least, he didn't need to worry about going hungry when he arrived at the remote Shanlin Town.

"Since Grandfather has already given the order, even if my cheap father is unwilling, he will still support me a little, right?"

Luoning thought for a moment and dismissed the idea of going out to browse the market.

For one, it was getting dark, and for another, he wanted to see what items Weijinsi would give him.

If the initial supplies were sufficient, he wouldn't need to go out and purchase anything.

Before long, in the luxurious living room, Weijinsi's angry questioning voice shook the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, causing it to sway uneasily.

"What? You want me to provide resource support to that guy?"

"Is Father senile? This Luoning brought huge losses to the family; it's enough that we didn't banish him from the family, and now you actually want me to support him?"

This rugged man took a large gulp of beer and roared angrily, "Impossible! I will not waste another grain of food or a single soldier on him!"

"But Lord Count, the Marquis says that Young Master Luoning is, after all, of the Wushan Family bloodline. Why don't you provide a little support, Lord Count?"

The old Steward Moste stood to the side, feeling very troubled; on one side was the Marquis's instruction, and on the other was the Count, who had always had a volatile temper, so he dared not speak recklessly or say too much.

"Just do as Father says."

At this moment, the beautiful young woman sitting on the sofa to the side spoke up.

Daianni Haide, this woman over 40 was still stunningly beautiful, her long, curly golden hair draped casually over the sofa, setting off her reclining figure to be even more alluring.

"Father is right. No matter where Luoning goes, he is ultimately still the bloodline and eldest grandson of our Wushan Family. If something were to happen to him before he even reached Shanlin Town, it would not be a good thing for either the Wushan Family or the Haide Family if it got out."

"He caused the death of your niece!"

Weijinsi glanced at his wife with displeasure, "And here you are, speaking up for him."

Huoerhuate stood to the side and wiped away his sweat; he had been waiting for the master and mistress to separate before telling Weijinsi what Luoning had said, as it did, after all, mention the former mistress.

Now it seemed he could wait no longer.

Huoerhuate deliberated for a moment, then bowed and said cautiously, "Master, when I went to see Young Master Luoning just now, he also wanted me to pass a message to you."

"Pass what message?"

Weijinsi said in a cold voice; why had he never noticed before that this son of his was so talkative?

"He said, for the sake of his mother, Fatima Sari, please give him some support."

There were some things Huoerhuate automatically omitted; it truly would not have been appropriate to say them.

But this one sentence alone made Weijinsi pause, and in his mind, a beautiful face involuntarily emerged—it was his Yueguang, his first true love in the real sense.

"Hmph, he is only capable of bringing up his mother!"

Daianni, however, seemed not to care at all about the mention of her husband's ex-wife, and she smiled gently: "That's right, I heard you even made a vow back then to do your utmost to take care of Luoning."

"That depends on what kind of fellow Luoning is!"

Weijinsi downed another mouthful of wine and said to Huoerhuate, "Just do as Father said and give Luoning some support."

He paused, then added, "Don't give too much. You prepare it first, and I will confirm it later."

"Yes, Master." Huoerhuate responded with a smile.

(End of chapter)