Chapter 116: Old Friends Reunited

Wu Chengyu didn't know how to change the family's current direction. Shi Miyuan's killing of Han Tuozhou was a political struggle between the Peace Faction and the War Faction; political struggles have no right or wrong. Right now, everyone felt this man would become the next powerful minister of the Southern Song Court.

Shi Miyuan only gradually lost the people's hearts and gained the name of a traitorous minister after Qin Gui was posthumously rehabilitated, but he still held the power of the Southern Song Court for over twenty years, and no one could do anything about him. Truly sealing the coffin and judging him, regarding Shi Miyuan as a traitorous minister, is actually a matter for later generations.

From the Wu Family's stance, their backer forming a relationship with a powerful minister means the family's future development will surely advance by leaps and bounds. At least for now, it is an absolutely correct thing; they will definitely benefit from this over the next twenty years. Twenty years later, who can see that far?

The Wu Family is about to rise before their eyes, even becoming the top clan in Gusu City. That is something tangible and visible.

So the Wu Family's current decisions, from the family's perspective, have no error whatsoever.

Even if Wu Chengyu now says Shi Miyuan is a great traitorous minister whose name will be recorded in history, and doesn't want the family to board Shi Miyuan's ship, who would really listen to him? After all, he is still a junior.

The three uncles naturally don't know what Wu Chengyu is thinking; they are still excited beyond measure over the benefits they are about to receive.

Seventh Uncle Wu Zhengfan took out a deed and placed it before Wu Chengyu, saying: "This is a courtyard in Gusu City. Not too large, but located near Guanqian Street, it is a prime spot in Gusu, not far from Wumei Tower."

You fought on the fighting ring for the family, and my Second House gained benefits, so we can't mistreat you. Otherwise, your Fourth Uncle would come scold me.

I'll give you the deed first. I'll have someone tidy it up. After the fighting ring ends, you can move there. From then on, in Gusu City you'll have your own property, and won't have to run back and forth between Wumei Tower and Wu Family Slope every day.

Fourth Brother, my move this time isn't small, is it? You'd better not say I used disciples from your Third House without giving benefits.

Wu Chengyu hurriedly returned the deed, saying: "Seventh Uncle, I haven't even fought on the ring yet, and you're giving me the reward. I feel ashamed to accept it."

Besides, it's just fighting on a ring. It's something a Wu Family disciple should do. Why need a reward?

Wu Zhengliang pushed the deed back again: "Take it. This courtyard is a rare property in Gusu City. Although not large, the courtyard is beautiful and full of fine sights. Courtyards like this are all clutched in the hands of the various families; even with money you can't buy one."

It's not that your Seventh Uncle is truly generous. This courtyard was originally prepared for you. You gave the family those secret manuals, which is a great merit. The family has always been clear about rewards and punishments, but these manuals can't be made public yet, so to reward you we have to find a pretext.

Now it's fine. You helped the family gain benefits, so giving you this courtyard is only natural.

In the future, when you marry your little wife A Ku, you'll have a new house too.

Wu Chengyu blushed and acted shy. Wu Zhengfan and Wu Zhengliang laughed heartily, but unexpectedly, the Head of the Main House, Wu Zhenghong, frowned.

"A Ku, is that the girl who returned to Gusu with Chengyu back then? I heard she's of beggar origin."

Xiao Ershiyi, listen to your Eldest Uncle's advice. Our Wu Family will be incomparable in the future. You are of the direct lineage, and the elders in the family value you greatly. You will be the mainstay of the Third House in the future. Your marriage must be to a lady from a respectable family. How can an ordinary woman be worthy of you?

In my opinion, she can be taken as a concubine, but the position of principal wife cannot be given to her.

Your Third Brother Chenglian has achieved what he has today largely thanks to his wife's family. You can't be muddle-headed."

Wu Chengyu now had a headache. The current situation is that A Ku will inevitably not leave him. Afterwards, Wu Chengyu might really have to marry A Ku, and he's no longer so resistant. But if he marries A Ku and makes her a concubine, Wu Chengyu really can't bring himself to do it.

Seeing Wu Chengyu frown, Wu Zhengliang hurriedly smoothed things over, and the group finally avoided an awkward silence.

But Wu Chengyu immediately felt that another shackle had been added to his body.

Two more days passed. The atmosphere in Gusu City gradually solidified, ready to explode at a touch. More and more figures from the martial world arrived, but Hong Qigong no longer appeared, and Wu Chengyu had kept A Ku at Wu Family Slope.

Tomorrow is the time for the fighting ring. It's said the ring is set up in front of De Yue Lou and has already been built.

"Crack!" The sound of bowls and plates falling to the ground came to his ears. Immediately, someone on the first floor cursed angrily: "You waiter, why is my food so slow? Clearly you look down on me, Tota Jin Gang Liu Mao. Believe it or not, I'll smash your restaurant."

Wu Chengyu upstairs felt somewhat helpless. These past few days, people's hearts have been restless, and those coming to Wumei Tower are even more complicated. In the past two days, quite a few people have caused trouble. This whatever-Jin-Gang is the fourth incident today.

The runner responsible for waiting tables isn't from the Wu Family; just a hired worker. Facing the fierce, burly appearance before him, he trembled with fear and dared not step forward.

Wu Chengyu had to come downstairs. Clearly the boss, lately he's becoming more and more like a bouncer.

Running a restaurant values harmony bringing wealth. There's no conflict that can't be accepted. Things must be smoothed over. Even if you have to bow and scrape, comp the bill and get them to leave.

Wu Chengyu has been doing this these past few days. But when he came to the first-floor hall and his eyes fell on this Jin Gang, the smile on his face suddenly became sincere.

Brother Jin Gang clearly thought the boss had come up to sweet-talk him. He waved the iron hammer in his hand and shouted: "If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll..."

Before he finished speaking, Brother Jin Gang's neck was grabbed by Wu Chengyu and lifted up. A stream of Inner Force brutally roamed inside his body. His body was like it had been electrocuted; he could no longer speak, only trembled nonstop. The iron hammer clanged as it fell to the ground.

The smile on Wu Chengyu's face didn't change. What he had just seen was not really a troublemaker. Wu Chengyu held Brother Jin Gang in one hand, quickly walked to the door, the smile on his face becoming even more brilliant. When he reached the door, he casually threw Brother Jin Gang seven or eight meters away.

Brother Jin Gang fell heavily to the ground. He could finally speak again, screaming miserably, but no matter what, he couldn't straighten his body.

Wu Chengyu cupped his hands and bowed, saying: "Brothers and sisters, why have you suddenly come to Gusu? At least send word in advance so I can prepare properly."

Hahaha, a hearty laugh rang out. Before the laughter faded, a large hand slapped Wu Chengyu's shoulder with a 'pa'.

Wu Chengyu's expression remained normal; his eyebrow didn't even twitch. But the floor tiles beneath his feet shook up some dust.

"Good brother, it's only been a few years, and you've grown so burly. Taking this old lady's slap, few can stand steady. Look at you, not moving a bit. If this old lady were twenty years younger, I'd definitely marry you."

Only Niu Wanrou could have such arm strength and speak so naturally. She is a representative figure of the Jiangnan Wanyue School.

These past few years, Wu Chengyu has only met Niu Wanrou twice, but both left deep impressions. Still, the wine shop of Niu Wanrou's family cooperating with the Wu Family is really quite good.

Besides Niu Wanrou, there are Lu Zhiyi and Yu Qiuyu. The rest are people he knows well—all who went through life and death together in the Broken Temple back then. Also some brought by Lu Zhiyi to help out at Xiao Lingshan, also very familiar faces.

Besides He Zhiyu, all the heirs of the Yue Family Army from back then have arrived.

Over twenty people in all, riding horses, carrying weapons, dusty and travel-worn, with a slight murderous air.

(Chapter End)