Chapter 137 A Loyal Man

There is a restaurant in the backyard.

The window was wide open, and the wind blew through the open window slats on the opposite side, blowing the gauze curtains hanging by the window.

Bai Hongzhi was sitting at the desk by the window at this time.

Bai Hongzhi was obviously in a good mood. He spread out a Kunqu opera on the desk, tapped the beats on the table with his fingers, and hummed softly.

There was the sound of footsteps, and the elderly steward came in with a food box in his hand.

Seeing Bai Hongzhi’s rare relaxed demeanor, the old steward smiled, put the food box on the low table beside him, opened the lid, took out a porcelain cup from the food box, opened the lid, walked to Bai Hongzhi, and said softly: “Master Sun, medicinal food.”

Bai Hongzhi then stopped singing, closed the music score, took the bowl, picked up the spoon in the bowl, scooped half a spoonful and put it into his mouth.

“It’s hot. Drink slowly, Master Sun.” The elderly steward instructed.

Bai Hongzhi didn’t say anything and drank slowly.

The old steward glanced at the music score and said with a smile, “If Master Sun likes it, we can also support a small opera troupe. It won’t cost much.”

Bai Hongzhi smiled and said nothing.

Seeing that Bai Hongzhi did not object, the old steward continued, “This backyard is a bit small. Once the cloth is sold, we can buy the yard next to it and turn the front into a fur shop.” At this point, he lowered his voice and said, “We can form another caravan and bring King Zhongshun to do grain business.”

Bai Hongzhi put down the bowl and said, “You mean to sell the grain to the Jurchens?”

The old steward said: “Yes, we can sell the grain to the Jurchens, and then sell their ginseng, furs and other goods to the interior. Not only can we make a lot of money, but we can also increase our voice with the Jurchens.”

Bai Hongzhi thought about it and said, “Okay, but be careful. We can’t reveal our true identity to the Jurchens for the time being.”

The old steward nodded. They finally got in touch with the Jurchens and told them the information they got from the third prince.

The old steward suddenly remembered: “The Jurchen leader doesn’t look like an ordinary person. He is likely a Jurchen noble!”

Bai Hongzhi’s eyes lit up and he was about to speak.

There was a sound of hurried footsteps, and then a man with sweat all over his forehead ran in.

Bai Hongzhi frowned: “What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?”

The man fell to his knees and said, “Something happened at the headquarters.”

Bai Hongzhi was stunned for a moment: “What did you say?”

The man had tears in his eyes: “There was a sudden fire in the main temple, the leader, the leader…” As he said this, he burst into tears loudly.

Bai Hongzhi’s expression changed drastically, and he stood up suddenly: “Who is in charge of the headquarters now?”

The man took a deep breath and said, “The White Tiger Hall Master happened to be nominated by several elders at the main hall to be in charge temporarily.”

Bai Hongzhi was stunned: “It’s over!”

The old steward exclaimed: “It’s bad, Qinglong Hall Master——”

Bai Hongzhi also panicked and shouted, “Someone come!”

Several strong men ran in.

Bai Hongzhi: “You guys go to the south right now and stop the Azure Dragon Hall Master. Don’t let him go to the main hall!”

Several men shouted in response: “Yes.” Then they turned around and strode out.

Just as a few men walked out, a servant came in hurriedly.

Bai Hongzhi looked at him: “What happened again?”

The servant said, “Someone has come from Prince Zhongshun’s mansion.”

Bai Hongzhi: “What’s the matter?”

The servant said: “It is said that Prince Zhongshun invites you to go to the opera.”

Listening to opera? At this time, he still has the mood to listen to opera?
With a humph, Bai Hongzhi said, “You go and keep me company first. I’ll go after I change my clothes!”

A melodious music floated from Huitong Hall, followed by the sound of pipa and singing.

Suddenly, there was laughter again.

At this time, Jia Yucun walked out of the moon gate of the courtyard with a grim face.

An official from the Huitong Hall followed closely and said angrily, “Master Jia, the Huitong Hall is a government office. How can they allow singing girls to come in? If this gets out, it will be disastrous! We must kick those bitches out.”

Jia Yucun’s eyes turned red and he said angrily: “She has paid to redeem herself, why are you chasing her away?”

Officials of Huitong Hall: “Damn the Jiannu! I don’t think they are here to negotiate at all! They…”

Jia Yucun shouted, “Shut your stinky mouth! Do you think you don’t have enough trouble?”

The officials of Huitong Hall were still unwilling to accept it, but they had to swallow their anger. After leaving Huitong Hall, Jia Yucun suddenly stopped, looked back at the deep courtyard gate with annoyance, and turned around to walk towards the imperial city.

As soon as he entered the Meridian Gate, Jia Yucun stopped and was stunned.

A group of guards from the Imperial Household Department came over here, carrying more than a dozen officials who had been stripped of their hats, robes and robes.

As they got closer, Jia Yucun could see clearly that there were blood stains on the officials’ inner garments, and it was obvious that they had been beaten with a stick in the court.

Looking at those familiar faces, Jia Yucun immediately understood that the provocation of the Jurchens had angered the emperor, and these officials who demanded that the soldiers of the Southern Camp pay with their lives became the targets of the emperor’s anger.

Jia Yucun felt relieved. Now that these people were in trouble, they were safe.

Just as he reached the Zuoye Gate, Jia Yucun ran into the Minister of Rites and stopped.

Jia Yucun bowed and said, “Minister.”

The Minister of Rites looked at him and asked, “Are the Jurchens still unwilling to give in?”

Jia Yucun nodded.

“Hmph,” the Minister of Rites said, “I hope they can stay this tough.”

Jia Yucun was very smart. He immediately heard the hidden meaning and asked tentatively, “Don’t want to talk about it anymore?”

Minister of Rites: “The Shangshufang is discussing the sale of the land in the Xitao Plain to raise military funds to fight the Jurchens.”

Jia Yucun’s eyes flashed. Was he really not going to talk anymore, or was he just doing it for the Jurchens to see?

“I heard that you have a good relationship with General Li Hu?” the Minister of Rites suddenly asked.

Jia Yucun was puzzled.

The Minister of Rites looked up into the distance and said, “This is a man who cherishes the past. If you maintain this relationship, he may be able to save your life in the future.”

Jia Yucun was startled, then he bowed and said, “Please let me know.”

Minister of Rites: “It was Li Hu. His words played a crucial role.”

Jia Yucun was stunned again. Li Hu entered the palace?
Minister of Rites: “Do you know why he went to the palace? Because those Southern Camp soldiers, their families ran to the Li Mansion to tell the truth. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I really couldn’t believe that even Prince Zhongshun didn’t speak for them. Li Hu, the former Southern Camp Lieutenant General, was willing to take a huge risk to go to the palace to plead for mercy. He, Li Hu, is a loyal and honest man!”

At this point, he suddenly laughed, “You will suffer for what you have done. If the Jurchens had not gone too far and brought the singing girl into Huitong Hall, Your Majesty would not have agreed to Li Hu’s advice.”

Jia Yucun nodded. It was indeed too much. Bringing a few whores into Huitong Hall was like treating the imperial government as a brothel!
The Minister of Rites was silent for a moment and said, “When you see General Li, thank him for me.” After that, he walked straight out of the imperial city.

Jia Yucun stood there for a while, then went in through the Zuoye Gate.
There is pleasant music in the flower hall of Huitong Hall.

Several singing girls were sitting in a row in front of a screen, performing the unique “Eight-tone Combination” stunt.

Fu Kang’an sat on a chair in the middle of the hall, tapping his fingers and clapping his hands, nodding with satisfaction from time to time.

A group of Jurchens crowded outside the door and watched the singing girls perform.

Hong Zhou appeared and shouted at the Jurchens (in Manchu): “What are you looking at? You have no manners at all!”

Those Jurchens disappeared in an instant.

The music in the flower hall suddenly stopped.

Fu Kang’an’s smile froze, and a trace of worry flashed across his face. In an instant, he smiled again, stood up, and bowed to Hong Zhou: “Greetings to the prince!”

Hong Zhou shouted to his followers, “Shoot these singing girls away!”

The attendant spoke in stiff Chinese: “Get out of here!”

The singing girls didn’t dare to pack their things, they just left in a hurry, hugging each other, on their bound feet.

Hong Zhou then looked at Fu Kang’an and said, “Get up.”

Fu Kang’an stood up and said with an apologetic smile: “I am sorry to disturb your peace, Your Majesty.”

Hong Zhou raised his hand and said, “I’ve told you many times, but you just won’t listen. Don’t be too drastic or overdo anything. If you overdo it, you’ll inevitably lose something.” He pointed outside and said, “What kind of place is this? You actually brought a bunch of bitches in here! Han people value their face and dignity the most. Now, the Han people have turned the table over. We won’t talk anymore!”

Fu Kang’an was startled: “Don’t talk about it anymore?!”

Hong Zhou: “Accurate news, the Han emperor wants to sell the land of Xitao Plain to raise military funds.”

Fu Kang’an’s expression suddenly changed: “Son of a bitch, how dare the White Lotus bug deceive us!”

Hong Zhou: “The news you brought back is correct. The Han emperor and officials don’t want to continue the war, and their treasury is indeed empty. It was Li Hu who gave the emperor advice. Whether it was a show or not, we have to bow our heads and reach a peace agreement with the Han people as soon as possible. Once the Han emperor has money, he might really continue the war.”

A cold light flashed in Fukang’an’s eyes. It’s Li Hu again. Very good, you have successfully attracted my attention!

Fu Kang’an snorted and said, “You can bow your head, but you can’t let them get away with it.” Then he leaned close to Hong Zhou’s ear and spoke.

(End of this chapter)