Chapter 1161

Do you know what's going on?

Liang Da Zhuang shook his head and said: "I'm just a servant; how would he say that to me?"

Hu Xiaotian thought so too, stood up from the water, and Liang Da Zhuang draped a bathrobe over him.

Hu Xiaotian walked behind the curtain, dried his body and changed into a fresh set of clothes; Liang Da Zhuang had someone move the tub out. At that moment he heard light footsteps; it was Vesa entering, who softly said outside the curtain: "Master, have you finished bathing?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "All right!"

Vesa said: "I'll come over to comb your hair, master."

Hu Xiaotian responded, went to the window and sat down; the afternoon sun shone on his body, warm and very comfortable.

Wei Sa came behind him, first used a clean cotton towel to dry his hair, then combed Hu Xiaotian's hair neatly, and softly said: "After the hair dries, we can tie it up."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's better to keep short hair fresh and clean; saves the trouble."

Wei Sa laughed: "Actually in our hometown, many men like short hair. In the Central Plains, aside from monks, everyone else has long hair."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Actually shaving bald isn't bad either—clean and neat, fresh and crisp, feels great to the touch."

Wei Sa giggled at his words: "Master is always so humorous."

Hu Xiaotian turned and saw Wei Sa already wearing the hairpin he had given her, and couldn't help but smile: "This hairpin really suits you!"

Wei Sa's pretty face blushed slightly as she said: "I like anything the master gives me."

Hu Xiaotian saw Wei Sa's infinitely bashful look, his heart stirred, he stood up and reached out to gently stroke her golden long hair; Wei Sa, bashful, closed her eyes. Hu Xiaotian's gaze fell on her petal-like lovely lips, but at that moment he seemed to have a premonition and looked toward the door. He secretly thought, "Could it be that Liang Da Zhuang is coming again?"

Just as that thought flashed through his mind, he heard Liang Da Zhuang's voice from outside: "Young master, Hu Cai Dong has arrived!"

Wei Sa suddenly opened her ice Lan-colored beautiful eyes, gazing at Hu Xiaotian less than a foot away; her pretty face instantly flushed to the base of her neck. Embarrassed, she wrinkled her nose and turned to leave.

Hu Xiaotian truly admires Liang Da Zhuang; this guy always shows up at critical moments. He really should consider assigning him other tasks, because whenever a crucial moment arrives, this fellow interrupts—regardless of intent, it's really a mood killer.

Of course this time it's not Liang Da Zhuang's fault; it's Hu Zhong Yang coming to visit. Hu Xiaotian had specifically instructed that whenever Hu Zhong Yang visits, he must be reported immediately, and Liang Da Zhuang is merely following his orders.

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang invite Hu Zhong Yang to his Study; only a few receive such treatment, like Zhuge Guan Qi and Yu Tian Xing. Hu Xiaotian values Hu Zhong Yang because in the battle against the Nanyang navy, Hu Zhong Yang provided trebuchets and siege crossbows; without his full assistance, Hu Xiaotian would hardly have won his first victory.

It is also because of that shared battle experience that Hu Xiaotian begins to trust Hu Zhong Yang, although he currently cannot determine whether Hu Zhong Yang is loyal to him. Yet one thing is certain: at least for now, they share common interests.

Merchants seeking profit is only natural; in fact, most people are like that.

Under Liang Da Zhuang's guidance, Hu Zhong Yang came to Hu Xiaotian's study; his attitude toward Hu Xiaotian shifted from initial contempt to later esteem, and now he admires him completely.

Hu Xiaotian was already waiting in the study, tea had been prepared, and he was awaiting Hu Zhong Yang's arrival.

Hu Zhong Yang bowed with clasped hands to Hu Xiaotian and said: "Greetings, City Lord; I have come to wish you an early happy new year."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Hu Cai Dong, you're the first to wish me a happy new year."

Hu Zhong Yang said: "Because I have to leave this afternoon, I hurried to wish the City Lord a happy new year first."

Hu Xiaotian blinked: "The day after tomorrow is New Year's, and you're leaving now?"

Hu Zhongyang said: "There is a single business to be done in Bohai State, so I had no choice but to leave home before the New Year; Zhongyang didn't want to either."

"Just leave after the New Year!"

Hu Zhongyang said: "In business, it's like a battlefield; even a moment's delay is unacceptable."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; Hu Zhongyang's words were indeed reasonable—business opportunities are like fighter jets, fleeting. He had never been to Bohai State, only knowing it lay to his northeast; after exiting the Yong River into the sea mouth, one must head northeast about eight hundred li, and normal sailing also takes six or seven days, making it the nearest island state to this continent. I've heard Bohai State is prosperous and healthy, its people live in peace and contentment, free from conflict, and with neighboring states all valuing harmony; due to its unique geographical position, it is seldom disturbed by the continent's chaotic wars, so it has always developed well.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I've heard Bohai State is indeed a good place to live and work in peace."

Hu Zhongyang said: "That's in the past; these years, due to the rise of pirates on Mangjiao Island, they have continually harassed Bohai State's borders, plundering passing merchant ships and blockading sea routes, so Bohai State's foreign trade has also been greatly affected. Therefore Bohai State had to seek help from Da Yong, presenting much silver as tribute to Da Yong, hoping Da Yong would send troops to help suppress the bandits; although Da Yong agreed, it has taken no action, and likely now lacks the energy to attend to those matters."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then you still want to go?"

Hu Zhongyang laughed: "This time I am escorting a batch of ceramics to Bohai State; the chosen route has been traveled many times, always safe, with no pirate activity."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If necessary, I can send a few warships to escort you." Hu Zhongyang had earned meritorious service defending Dongliang Jun for him, and Hu Xiaotian had always wanted to find a suitable opportunity to repay him.

Upon hearing this, Hu Zhongyang bowed deeply to Hu Xiaotian and said: "No need to hide it from you, Lord; I have come this time precisely for this matter."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "How many warships does Hu Cai Dong need for escort?"

Hu Zhongyang said: "Four small warships and five hundred men are sufficient."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That won't do! Like this: I will send four medium warships to you, and allocate one thousand elite marines to protect your safety."

Hu Zhongyang, feeling overwhelmed by the favor, said: "We don't need that many, we don't need that many."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Don't worry, I will bear all expenses for these ships."

Only then did Hu Zhongyang realize Hu Xiaotian had misunderstood his meaning; he hurriedly explained: "Lord, I am not reluctant to spend money; since it is for my escort, all expenses should naturally be borne by me. Since you, Lord, have such good intentions, I cannot refuse your kindness, so be it—one thousand men it is."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Then good; I wish Brother Zhongyang smooth sailing and a fruitful return."

Zhuge Guanqi returned smoothly to Dongliang Jun on the morning of the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month; Hong Lingxue, who had long been waiting anxiously, specially went to Xia Sha Port to meet him. In fact, since Zhuge Guanqi left, she had almost daily come to the pier to look out, and Weisa teased her, saying that if Zhuge Guanqi did not return, she would become a stone gazing for her husband.

Although Hu Xiaotian knew Zhuge Guanqi had returned, he did not choose to go greet him; it was not because he did not value Zhuge Guanqi enough, but rather to give the couple a private space—absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say.

Hu Xiaotian had Liang Da Zhuang go early to deliver the New Year goods to Chang Fanqi's home and arranged personnel there to prepare the New Year's Eve feast. Hu Xiaotian also kept Chang Fanqi's marriage in mind, having Prefect Li Mingcheng help pay attention to this matter; who would have thought that upon his saying so, Li Mingcheng had already a candidate in mind—his niece by blood, Yang Yingqiong. This niece of his had lost both parents in childhood and was raised by them; she is of a stalwart disposition, preferring to practice spear and staff over embroidery, and her appearance is quite lovely; she is already twenty years old and still unmarried. In today's age, being this old without a husband makes her absolutely an old maid; Li Mingcheng had also mentioned many matches to her, but Yang Yingqiong found none to her liking, for she seeks a true great hero, and thus she has delayed until now.

After some thought, Hu Xiaotian realized this matter indeed had promise; Chang Fanqi is now almost thirty, an appropriate age. Although Chang Fanqi is not among Da Yong's Ten Great Generals, he is a recently risen commander possessing strength to rival the Ten Great Generals; otherwise the Da Yong court would not have entrusted him with the important post of Dongluo Storage. What Hu Xiaotian values even more is Chang Fanqi's deep filial piety—for if a person cannot even honor his own parents, what can he speak of loyalty and righteousness?

Hu Xiaotian likes to strike while the iron is hot; he directly invited Prefect Li Mingcheng and his wife to bring his niece Yang Yingqiong that very evening to Chang Fanqi's home for the New Year's Eve feast.

Since Liang Da Zhuang brought two chefs and delivered so much New Year goods to his door, Chang Fanqi began to realize this New Year's Eve feast was no longer under his control; although he did not dislike liveliness, he never felt a sense of belonging here, deep down he still considered himself a Da Yong general; although Hu Xiaotian treated him well, he still refused to betray his homeland.

The old lady's mood had visibly improved today; she got out of bed early and went to the kitchen to give orders. Liang Da Zhuang, worried that the blind old lady might get hurt, laughed and ushered her outside to sit in the sunny spot, saying just tell him what needs doing and he'll take care of it.

In the afternoon, Hu Xiaotian came with Weisa, and Prefect Li Mingcheng and his wife brought his niece Yang Yingqiong; hearing that so many people had come, the old lady was delighted, her eyebrows rising with joy. Chang Fanqi was no fool; he saw that Hu Xiaotian was using today's opportunity to arrange a match for him, his face flushing as red as cloth—though he is fierce and unmatched on the battlefield, when faced with such a situation he is no different from a young girl.

Weisa and Yang Yingqiong had known each other for a long time; although Prefect Li Mingcheng had intended to speak for his niece, he found it hard to bring up the topic, so it was Weisa who helped say it. Yang Yingqiong, being open-minded, thought that a matchmaking meeting would not cost her anything, and moreover, since Hu Xiaotian had spoken, she did not want to make things difficult for her uncle. (To be continued~^~)