Chapter 206

Qin Yutong took the wooden box he handed over and put it away, then said softly, "At the latest in three days, I'll give you an answer."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Qin Yutong said, "By the way, I have something to tell you: Yan Boguang can already get out of bed and walk." She said this with appreciation; if Hu Xiaotian hadn't performed abdominal surgery on Yan Boguang, he would likely have died.

Hu Xiaotian didn't care whether Yan Boguang lived or died, and smiled indifferently, "He's just lucky to have met you!"

Murong Feiyan, however, dared not take credit, and said softly, "His life was saved by you."

Hu Xiaotian stared into Qin Yutong's eyes and asked, "Do you know that Yan Boguang is the son of Yan Kui, the bandit chief of Heavenly Wolf Mountain?"

Qin Yutong said, "The reason Mister Meng insists on saving him is because of Yan Nujiao; she once saved Mister Meng's life back then."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Many mouths can melt metal; accumulated slander can destroy bones. Qin Miss probably doesn't realize how dangerous rumors are. If someone with ulterior motives learns of this and frames you as colluding with the Heavenly Wolf Mountain bandits, things will surely become troublesome."

Qin Yutong gazed into Hu Xiaotian's eyes and asked, "In your opinion, Sir, what is most important for a physician?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "People are different, and so are the ways they view problems."

Qin Yutong said, "Sir, since you possess such extraordinary medical skills, why don't you use your talents to relieve patients from their suffering?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm not interested in saving people."

Qin Yutong looked at this strange boy and could only sigh silently in her heart.

The arrival of Prince Long Yefang was not for sightseeing, nor was it to show support for Hu Xiaotian's charitable auction. Ande Quan indeed did not deceive Hu Xiaotian; on the third day afternoon after Prince Long Yefang arrived in Qingyun, a delegation from the Western great country of Shajia reached Qingyun.

When the Shajia delegation entered Qingyun City, Hu Xiaotian was still outside the city, settling accounts with Xiao Tianmu and Zhou Batian for their gains from the previous night. While the charitable auction was underway, a theft operation planned by Hu Xiaotian and carried out by Murong Feiyan, Zhou Batian, and Xiao Tianmu unfolded, resulting in seven Qingyun officials being robbed. The total value of the stolen goods amounted to 13,000 taels of silver, with County Lieutenant Liu Boju's residence yielding the most. This 13,000 taels did not include the property lost by County Magistrate Xu Qinglian; if it were included, the total would reach 20,000 taels.

Although they lost so much silver, the reported theft numbers were far below the actual loss. For example, Liu Boju had at least 6,000 taels worth of property stolen from his home, yet he reported losing only fifty taels. Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected to seize so much ill-gotten wealth, which shows that even if all these officials were arrested and executed, none would be innocent.

Hu Xiaotian had a clear understanding of these officials' habits, which is why he planned this. Given the current developments, this case is very likely to become a cold case. With the investigative abilities of Xu Qinglian and his associates, they will never solve it.

Hu Xiaotian's reason for choosing to cooperate with these two people was also carefully considered. First, he held Zhou Batian's secret, so he wasn't afraid of being betrayed. Second, he truly had no better options in Qingyun. He had also considered the worst-case scenario: if the plan were exposed, he could completely reveal Zhou Batian's secret, and who would believe a fugitive? He had investigated Zhou Batian's background thoroughly beforehand, confirming that this man was the commander of the Tiger Head Battalion under Li Tianheng, and official records had long listed him as dead in the Battle of Seal Wolf Valley. As for Xiao Tianmu, information about him is scarce; he likely is, as he claims, a native of Qingyun.

Zhou Batian sighed, "The problem with Dakang lies in the hands of these corrupt officials. In a small county, they have embezzled so much silver. When they come and go, seeing that greedy beast, do they feel no shame?"

Although Hu Xiaotian was the overall planner of this operation, he hadn't expected it to yield so much wealth. Hearing Zhou Batian's tirade against corrupt officials, he coughed and said, "Everyone has greed in their heart; the difference lies only in their self-control."

Xiao Tianmu recalled Hu Xiaotian's identity, realizing that Zhou Batian's remarks had embarrassed him, and he couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Sir, you're right—greed is an obstacle no one can avoid, it's human nature; we should still consider how to deal with this ill-gotten wealth."

Zhou Batian said, "Naturally, we should take from the people and use for the people. All this wealth was forcibly taken from the common folk by these corrupt officials, so we ought to return it to the people." As he spoke, he looked at Hu Xiaotian, evidently seeking his opinion.

Hu Xiaotian actually had no idea either; he was the one who came up with the idea, but he hadn't thought about what to do with this illicit money.

Xiao Tianmu said, "Although the idea is to take from the people and use for the people, if we simply return these assets to the individuals, it won't be long before these corrupt officials scrape them clean again. Having lost so much, they will only become more rapacious, and the common folk have no means to protect their property."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Mr. Xiao is right; taking from the people and using for the people is fine, but we must devise a proper method that gives the common folk real benefits without them noticing."

At this moment, Jia DeWang entered, wanting to report something, but upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, he immediately hesitated. Although Hu Xiaotian, Zhou Batian, and Xiao Tianmu had privately reached a cooperation agreement, to Jia DeWang and his ilk, Hu Xiaotian was still an official, and they remained wary of him deep down.

Zhou Batian said, "Just say whatever you have to say!"

Only then did Jia DeWang reveal the information he had just gathered.

Hu Xiaotian actually already had the information in mind; he had received it from Ande Quan two days earlier.

After Jia DeWang left, Zhou Batian asked, "Sir, have you heard this news?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head.

Xiao Tianmu said, "It seems the true purpose of Prince Long Yefang's visit to Qingyun is precisely this." He didn't believe Hu Xiaotian had received no hint, and thus inferred that deep down Hu Xiaotian still harbored reservations about them.

Hu Xiaotian and Zhou Batian both turned their gazes toward Xiao Tianmu.

Xiao Tianmu's eyes dimmed, his hands clasping a cup of now-cold tea: "I've heard the Seventeenth Prince has traveled throughout Dakang's mountains and rivers, visiting famous temples to pray for the current emperor, but Qingyun lies in a remote frontier and lacks any renowned scenery. Since you, Sir, say you weren't previously acquainted with him, Prince Long Yefang must have another motive for this visit."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Are you referring to the Shajia delegation?"

Xiao Tianmu slowly nodded and said, "That must be them."

Zhou Batian's face grew solemn, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

Xiao Tianmu said, "Sir, I have a question I'm not sure whether I should ask or not."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Mr. Xiao, feel free to speak; there's no need for hesitation."

"'Sir, what is your relationship with the Grand Marshal Li of Xichuan?' Xiao Tianmu's posing this question is not surprising; after the charitable auction, everyone knows Hu Xiaotian's background is extraordinary, with the Prefect of Xizhou, Zhang Ziqian, coming to show support, and even the Seventeenth Prince, Prince Long Yefang, personally attending, which makes people increasingly curious about his origins and background."

"Hu Xiaotian said, 'I've never seen Grand Marshal Li, nor do I know him!' Hu Xiaotian wasn't lying; although Li Tianheng is his future father-in-law, he has no memory of this person, and even if he had met Li Tianheng before, it would have been before he regained consciousness."

"Xiao Tianmu said, 'I've heard that Grand Marshal Li and the current Minister of Revenue have become in-laws through their children; Sir, coming from the capital, you must have heard about this, right?'"

"Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian already understood; Xiao Tianmu must have deduced his true identity from various clues, lacking only the final confirmation. It seems his identity can no longer be concealed. While he investigates them, they are also investigating his identity."

"Zhou Batian looked at Hu Xiaotian, his expression not surprised; it seems he had already prepared himself mentally."

"Hu Xiaotian chuckled, nodded, and said, 'Given that, I came from the capital and naturally heard about these matters; I also know that the current Minister of Revenue bears the surname Hu, and his son is named Hu Xiaotian!'"

"A smile crept onto Xiao Tianmu's lips; Hu Xiaotian is a smart man and didn't dwell on this issue, he softly said, 'We share the same name, Sir!'"

"'That's me!' Hu Xiaotian said, then leaned back in his chair and calmly gazed at Zhou Batian."

"Zhou Batian asked, 'Why didn't you say so earlier?' His face had lost its smile."

"Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly and said, 'None of you ever asked me; I don't have it written on my face, and I'm not crazy—I can't just go up to anyone and say I'm the son of the current Minister of Revenue.'"

Zhou Batian frowned, but Xiao Tianmu laughed and said, "Lord Hu is absolutely right!"

Zhou Batian asked, "Why didn't you inform the Xizhou side about our affairs?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Why should I tell them?"

Xiao Tianmu said, "I might be able to help Lord Hu with this. First, he doesn't know any Grand Marshal Li. Second, he thinks we still have some use."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "Using each other goes both ways; nobody's a fool. No one in this world wants to be used by others. I don't care what you've done; I only know you harbor no ill will toward me. We have a common enemy. I believe I can help Big Brother Zhou clear his name and restore your reputation." Then he added, "Actually, I've long considered you two my friends."

Zhou Batian's eyes brightened at the mention of friends.

Xiao Tianmu said, "Because of the word 'friends,' I trust Lord Hu."

Hu Xiaotian took Xiao Tianmu's long, cold hand in his, then reached out his left hand to Zhou Batian.

Zhou Batian asked, "Aren't you worried we'll get you into trouble?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "If you consider me a friend, I'm not afraid."

Zhou Batian pursed his lips, nodded heavily, stretched out his hand, and grasped Hu Xiaotian's left hand.

There are only two days left; the monthly tickets in your hands will expire if not cast—please hurry and cast them for Medical Union! (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)