Chapter 1163

Zhuge Guanqi said: "It's best if he came over; having more people for the New Year also adds to the liveliness."

Hu Xiaotian recounted his visit last night to Chang Fanqi's place for the New Year, and Zhuge Guanqi said: "Chang Fanqi is an outstanding general of Da Yong; his strength is not inferior to the top ten fierce generals. If we could win him over, that would be ideal."

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said: "His temperament is quite stubborn; winning him over won't be that easy."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "Where sincerity reaches, even metal and stone open. As long as the lord shows sufficient sincerity, he can certainly be won over."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I understand the reasoning; it seems we can only wait patiently."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "The lord should indeed recruit talents from all over; to develop and grow, relying only on these people at hand is still not enough."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him mention talents, suddenly thought of Zuo Xingjian, and recounted how Zuo Xingjian had gone to Martial Prosperity Commandery to join him. Zhuge Guanqi said: "Gao Yuan stayed in White Spring City; this youngster, though not old, is steady in his conduct and has the bearing of a great general in dealing with people. With him watching over that place, there should be no major problems."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zuo Xingjian may be petty and despicable, but he does have his strengths."

Zhuge Guanqi nodded and said: "Selecting talent requires not being bound by convention; in this world there is no absolutely flawless person. Everyone has their own shortcomings, and likewise unique strengths. How to employ them so as to unleash their maximum potential depends entirely on the lord's wisdom."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If I have done anything improper, Brother Zhuge, please remind me."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "I, a commoner, have noted it down."

Hu Xiaotian knew Zhuge Guanqi did not wish to take an official post, but that was fine; as long as he was willing to help with advice and strategy, there was no need to worry about titles. Hu Xiaotian then brought up Da Yong's lifting of the grain ban, and also shared Ye Tianxing's opinion for Zhuge Guanqi's reference.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Ye Tianxing made a good point; Su Yuchi holding Cloud Yang has both advantages and disadvantages, and from the current situation the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The Emperor's move appears brilliant on the surface, but actually contains a major loophole. Now the lord and Su Yuchi coexist peacefully; if conflict arises in the future, the lord could join forces with Li Tianheng to check him, and then Su Yuchi would be attacked from both front and rear."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; he had also considered this point.

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Da Yong has lifted the grain ban and agreed to the lord's request to borrow a city; it seems they have no plans for southern invasion in the short term, while the court's Emperor is indifferent to affairs. Although he bears the lord some displeasure, he lacks the strength to launch a campaign and has no reason to do so. This period is a heaven-sent opportunity; the lord can seize it to plan development, and Cloud Marsh is of paramount importance."

Hu Xiaotian said confidently: "Within a year we will surely take Cloud Marsh."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and said: "There is one more thing the lord must not overlook. Although Cloud Marsh has a broad lake surface, it is after all an inland lake; the purpose of taking Cloud Marsh is to build a fortress at the heart of Dakang. If the lord wishes to escape the predicament of being squeezed between Dakang and Da Yong, he must broaden his vision even further."

Hu Xiaotian said: "What Brother Zhuge means is."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Has the lord heard of Bohai State?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I only know it's an island nation; the country is prosperous."

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Although Bohai State is prosperous, its military has always been weak. Under the current king, Yan Dongsheng, Confucianism is promoted throughout the domain. Military affairs have been neglected, causing coastal pirates around Bohai State to grow increasingly rampant; they have no choice but to seek aid from Da Yong, offering tribute year after year. Yet Da Yong, while reaping the benefits from Bohai State, has no intention of helping them suppress the pirates."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If we were to take Bohai State, wouldn't that give us the standing to rival Da Yong and Dakang on equal footing?"

Zhuge Guanqi said: "Bohai State lies over eight hundred li from the mainland; to capture it we would need an expeditionary fleet, and with our current naval equipment we are still unable to do so. The lord must not rush."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "No rush; at least I now know what the next step should be—we won't scramble for territory, but first seize control of the waterways." Zhuge Guanqi's words completely opened Hu Xiaotian's mind; developing the navy from the waterways up counts as another path, and thus in the short term we can temporarily avoid conflict with Da Yong and Dakang.

From outside the door came Hong Lingxue's voice: "You two, even during the New Year, still want to discuss some big matter? Don't you want to take a break?"

Hu Xiaotian and Zhuge Guanqi exchanged smiles, walked out of the study, and Hong Lingxue and Wasa invited them to go out and visit the orphanage, bringing some pastries for the children; Hu Xiaotian and Zhuge Guanqi helped carry the basket, arriving at the Children's Hall.

Inside the Children's Hall there were already many people who had come, all local kind-hearted folks coming to do good deeds. Hong Lingxue and Wasa, because they often come here to look after those children, are extremely familiar with them; the kids swarmed over as soon as they saw them arrive.

Standing at a distance, Hu Xiaotian and Zhuge Guanqi saw them energetically handing out pastries and constantly laughing and joking with the children, both feeling a warm glow in their hearts. Hu Xiaotian glanced at Zhuge Guanqi and said: "Brother Zhuge, you're so fond of children—hurry up and have one with your sister-in-law."

Zhuge Guanqi laughed: "This can only be left to nature."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your sister-in-law just had surgery not long ago; we should wait until she recovers. But we have agreed beforehand: no matter whether you have a son or a daughter in the future, I will certainly be their godfather."

Zhuge Guanqi smiled and nodded: "It's settled!"

At that moment Wasa returned to Hu Xiaotian's side: "Master, a female divine doctor has recently come to the Children's Hall; her medical skill is superb. Shall we go see her?"

Hu Xiaotian said intriguingly: "A divine doctor? Then I must see her." He followed Wasa to the rear courtyard, where he saw a slender back standing among the children, speaking softly to them. As soon as Hu Xiaotian saw that back he felt a sense of familiarity, and upon hearing her voice he could be certain that this divine doctor was none other than Qin Yutong.

Apparently sensing the change behind her, Qin Yutong turned around, her clear watery eyes falling on Hu Xiaotian's face, revealing a hint of a smile.

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing: "Who did I think it was? Turns out it's Miss Qin gracing us with her presence. How come you came to Dongliang Jun without looking for me? Do you not consider me your friend in your eyes, Miss Qin?"

Wasa blinked beside them, only then realizing that this masked divine doctor and Hu Xiaotian had known each other all along.

Hu Xiaotian walked slowly toward Qin Yutong; this inheritor of the Xuantian Guan always bears an air of mystery. He has known her for a long time, yet he knows little about her background. However, one thing he can be certain of is that Qin Yutong's visit this time surely has an undisclosed purpose. Based on his understanding of her, Qin Yutong—and indeed the entire Xuantian Guan—are far from being ordinary healers.

Qin Yutong said calmly: "There is a distinction of rank and status; Sir Hu, you are now a regional lord, while I am merely a commoner. You, Sir, are occupied with myriad affairs, and I would hardly dare to disturb you."

Hu Xiaotian fixed his gaze on her eyes and said: "Miss Qin, did you come this time to see me, or for some other reason?"

Qin Yutong whispered: "I happened to pass by this place, so I stayed a few days; I originally had no intention of meeting you, Sir."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Yeah right," you Qin Yutong coming this time is surely aimed at me nine times out of ten; I don't know what scheme she's hatching, but he smiled and said: "Having come, let's be at ease; seeing Miss Qin truly makes my heart rejoice."

Qin Yutong said: "Your way of speaking is still as careless as ever." Her words carried a hint of reproach.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have always been a man of his word; Miss Qin, since you're here, we happen to have a chance to exchange medical skills, and I also have a plan I'd like to discuss with you."

Qin Yutong asked: "What plan?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "We'll talk about it later; by the way, I've heard that the Xuantian Guan is unrivaled in treating eye ailments—could Miss Qin lend me a hand?"

Qin Yutong said: "Your medical skill is superb; why would you need to rely on others?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Knowledge has its order, and specialties differ; ophthalmology is not my forte."

Qin Yutong asked: "Where is the patient?"

The person Hu Xiaotian wanted Qin Yutong to help treat was Elder Lady Chang; Qin Yutong acts decisively, so she immediately accompanied Hu Xiaotian to Chang Fanqi's home.

Chang Fanqi saw Hu Xiaotian come again, and this time he was accompanied by a veiled woman; he assumed Hu Xiaotian was coming to talk about a marriage again, which made his head swell. Taking the moment when Wasa led Qin Yutong to see the old lady, Chang Fanqi pulled Hu Xiaotian aside, wearing a bitter expression, and said: "Sir Hu, please, I'm begging you—stop talking about marriage, because my mother is about to drive me crazy over this."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "You want beauty? She is a senior disciple of Ren Tianqing from the Xuantian Guan; I specially invited her here to treat your mother's illness."

Chang Fanqi said: "Treat an illness?" He felt odd; wasn't the old lady already cured?

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Xuantian Guan is unrivaled in treating eye diseases; I want her to examine whether there is any hope of restoring your mother's eyesight."

After hearing him, Chang Fanqi felt a mix of emotions; Hu Xiaotian has been good to him, and if he could cure the old lady's eyes, he would owe him a huge favor. Chang Fanqi couldn't help but feel torn: if that were the case, how should he face them? Being indebted feels unpleasant as well.

After a short while, Qin Yutong came out from inside; Hu Xiaotian and Chang Fanqi both went up to meet her. Chang Fanqi anxiously said: "Divine doctor, how is my mother's condition?"

Qin Yutong said: "It's nothing serious; just a slight delay. I should be able to let her see the light again."

Seeing her confidence, Chang Fanqi felt half-believing, half-doubting; after all, he had sought out famous doctors before with no result, so this time he could only adopt a "let's try" attitude.

Hu Xiaotian, however, had full confidence in Qin Yutong, and he laughed: "Thank you, Miss Qin."

Qin Yutong countered him: "How will you thank me?"

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