Chapter One: Perplexity

  Li Tong was scolded by Gao Huaiyuan, and he suddenly became furious in his heart, but he didn't immediately erupt. Although he was just a servant of the Gao family, he really didn't put Gao Huaiyuan in his eyes. The reason why he suppressed his anger was mainly because they had not left Shaoxing Prefecture yet, and he did not dare to do anything to Gao Huaiyuan.

  He wanted to go back, but if he went back, wouldn't Gao Jian beat him to death? This guy didn't dare to turn against Gao Huaiyuan here, but in his heart, he secretly thought, what kind of prestige are you showing off as a foolish young master who was exiled by the Gao family? You got me into trouble along with you, and when we leave Shaoxing Prefecture and your old man can't control you anymore, just wait and see how I'll deal with you! What's there to be arrogant about? Don't think that beating a house servant makes you formidable, that guy was probably ambushed by you! As soon as we leave here and Gao Jian can't control you, you, this fallen young master, will have to listen to me!

  Li Tong thought it was very beautiful, suppressed his anger, turned around and returned to the mule cart, secretly calculating in his heart.

  Huang Yan provocatively raised his chin to intimidate Li Tong, who pretended not to see him. In his heart, he thought: "You little brat, you're still following that fool Gao Huaiyuan to Daye, and you won't be spared either." He snorted, thinking to himself: "Just wait, I'll deal with you on the road!"

  Gao Huaiyuan took a look at Li Tong's expression and knew that this guy was not afraid of him. He might even look for trouble on the road, so he secretly laughed to himself, thinking "Just you wait! If I can't take care of you, then all my years of practicing martial arts would have been in vain! You're just in time to serve as a warm-up for me!"

  He temporarily put down the guy and bid farewell to everyone again, instructing them to take good care of Zhao Yu and Zhou after he left. He then called out to Huang Yan and Zhou Huan to follow him on the road. Zhao Yu and others followed the mule cart for a long distance before being persuaded by Gao Huaiyuan to return. This brotherly affection was indeed genuine.

  It wasn't until he couldn't see the figures of the crowd anymore that Gao Huaiyuan quietly pulled Huang Yan and asked, "Those things I gave you, have you converted them into cash yet?"

  Huang Yan looked around mysteriously and whispered to Gao Huaiyuan's ear, "Don't worry, boss. I've taken care of the things you asked me to do. The goods you produced are really not bad, and they actually sold for 55 yuan. I brought them all back for you. Hehe! Boss, your hands are really ruthless, and you managed to produce so many good goods in one go! Hehe!"

  Gao Huaiyuan had previously snuck into the Li family's small building, exposing the illicit affair between the Lis and Gao Huali. He took advantage of the situation to steal many of the Li family's valuables and some private money, hiding them in a ruined temple. This time, as he was leaving Shaoxing Prefecture, he found it inconvenient to bring these things with him, so he handed them over to Huang Yan to exchange for cash, making it easier to carry on the road.

  Huang Yan has been in Shaoxing Prefecture for a long time, and he knows many people from all walks of life. He has his own way to sell these things without any trouble. Gao Huairen asked him about this matter, and now it seems that using this kid was not a mistake after all. The price he sold them for is not too low either.

  He also knew that if those things were sold through normal channels, they would probably be worth at least twice as much, but the black market had its own rules. Since his goods came from an irregular source, it was impossible to get a good price for them, and keeping them on hand was also a trouble. It was better to get rid of them as soon as possible. What Gao Huaiyuan needed now was cash that he could use, so he had no choice but to accept the loss.

  In fact, this time he gained not only the fifty-five yuan, but also a lot of gold and silver jewelry. He secretly smashed them into small pieces and hid them on his body. These were hard currency, so there was no need to sell them again. It's just a pity that these exquisite gold and silver jewelry were ruined.

  "Listen up, kid. The road isn't very safe right now, so don't go splurging money around. Keeping a low profile is key when traveling, or else you'll attract unwanted attention and end up in trouble!" Gao Huaiyuan knew Huang Yan was used to being extravagant, so he specifically warned him.

  "Alright, big brother, I'll listen to you since I'm out. You decide what to do and I'll follow. My dad also gave me some money for the road, which I'll hand over to you to manage. That servant of yours is really detestable, we'll deal with him later! What a rude thing!" Huang Yan said, nodding in agreement while pointing his chin at Li Tong who was driving the carriage ahead.

  Gao Huaiyuan hummed and didn't take the bait, this matter he had his own measure. He then followed the mule cart with Huang Yan and Zhou Huan, heading northwest.

  The journey of the past two days was relatively calm, they walked and stopped, and their speed was not fast. Gao Huaiyuan took this opportunity to visit and see the scenery of China 800 years ago. Huang Yan, Zhou Huan, and Liu Er also had never been out for a long time, and they were all excited to see the sights. Li Tong did not behave too much, but just followed Gao Huaiyuan's requirements and hurried along, his attitude was neither respectful nor very rude.

  Liu'er is now like a bird released from its cage, always with a smile on her face, taking in the sights while carefully attending to Gao Huaiyuan's daily life. After two days, Huang Yan and Zhou Huan came to understand Liu'er's position in Gao Huaiyuan's heart, and they showed great respect towards her. Such a good girl, who has earned the favor of their leader, naturally won their affection as well, and they no longer treated Liu'er like a maid.

  Two days after leaving Shaoxing, Li Tong began to get a little dishonest, secretly thinking that it was his turn to be in charge. He drove the carriage at an increasingly slow pace and stopped by the roadside before noon, clamoring for rest and food.

  Gao Huaiyuan had been walking with Huang Yan and Zhou Hao, following the mule cart. Firstly, it was more convenient to enjoy the scenery this way, and secondly, considering that Liu Er was a girl after all, it would be inconvenient for everyone to squeeze onto the cart. Walking could also help exercise their physical strength. However, they had only walked a short distance in the morning when Li Tong started making a fuss about wanting to rest. Gao Huaiyuan immediately understood what he was thinking and sneered coldly. He pressed down Huang Yan, who was just about to scold Li Tong, and signaled for him and Zhou Hao not to speak. Then, he walked towards the mule cart himself.

  "Liuer, go get me some water, I'm thirsty! And bring a towel to wipe my face!" Li Tong ordered with a curl of his lip to the Liuer inside the carriage.

  Liu'er thought that on the way out, she and Young Master were not very old, and many things had to rely on Li Tong's care. Although she was dissatisfied with his attitude, she wanted to let things go smoothly, so she still obediently agreed and took the water bag to go to a nearby stream to fetch water.

  "Willow, don't go, get back in the carriage!" Gao Huaiyuan said coldly to Willow.

  Liu'er was taken aback for a moment, then saw Gao Huaiyuan's unpleasant expression and knew that Li Tong was in trouble. However, she was kind-hearted and didn't want Li Tong to be scolded by Gao Huaiyuan, so she whispered to him: "Young master, Brother Li wants to drink water, I'll..."

  "I told you to get back in the car, don't forget that I'm the young master here, and this place isn't where he can give orders!" Gao Huaiyuan made up his mind to establish his own authority, tame Li Tong, or else the road ahead would be long and who knows what kind of humiliation he'd suffer!

  After all these years, he has long been familiar with the truth that good people are often bullied. This era has its own rules, and if he wants to achieve something, hiding and concealing himself will not gain him respect from others.

  Li Tong immediately stopped when Gao Huaiyuan said that, and looked at him sideways with a hint of disdain: "Young Master!..."

  "Shut up! How far have we just walked? You're still driving, how tired can you be? It's not even noon yet, what are you resting for? Let's keep going!" Gao Huaiyuan sternly interrupted Li Tong's words, scolding him.

  "Hmph! Don't put on airs in front of me, this isn't Shaoxing anymore. I'm telling you, your master has already spoken to you about this trip. You're still young and don't understand anything. From here to Daye, the road is long and arduous. It's better if I make the decisions from now on. When I say stop, we stop; when I say go, we go! You'd best listen to me, Young Master! And you two little rascals, don't think that just because you know our Young Master, you can be disrespectful to me. If you dare to provoke me again, watch out or I'll thrash you!" Li Tong didn't take Gao Huairen seriously and got down from the carriage, walking up to him and speaking as if he were the master himself, even lecturing Huang Yan and Zhou Huan who were in the back of the carriage.

  Gao Huaiyuan's mouth curled up in a cold smile, and he turned to stop Huang Yan and Zhou Huan, who were about to get angry. Suddenly, he grabbed one of Li Tong's hands, exerted force, and twisted it behind his back. With another burst of strength, Li Tong was flipped over and landed on the car door with a pained cry.

  Li Tong didn't expect Gao Huaiyuan to be so strong, thinking he was just a kid and would listen to him after a scare. But Gao Huaiyuan took action as soon as he said it, and his grip was incredibly tight. Li Tong felt like his wrist was clamped in an iron vice, and his arm almost broke off. He let out a loud cry of pain.

  "Ahh! Let go! It's going to break... my arm is going to break!" Li Tong's face was stuck on the carriage, unable to move, and he shouted loudly.

  "Hum! Li Tong! I know what you're thinking, and I also know that since you left Shaoxing, you've been unhappy, feeling that following this foolish young master will bring you losses, and not even putting me in your eyes!"

  Since you want to be in charge today, I'll tell you something - don't think I'm still the silly young master from before, letting you all bully and cheat me as you please! Unfortunately, I'm no longer that foolish young master, and I see right through the tricks up your sleeve!

  You think you're a bit older, and since my dad isn't here to protect me, you can show off your authority and bully me? I'm not laughing at you, but with someone like you, it's nothing for me to take care of eight people like you. If I hadn't been too lazy to bring a useless person along on this trip, I would have already crippled your arm by now. If I send you back right now, you know what will happen to you!

  "I'm giving you two options today, either I break your legs and you crawl back to Shaoxing Prefecture on your own, whether you live or die is up to your own luck. Or, from now on, you follow me, do a good job, and Young Master won't treat you unfairly. As long as you are loyal to Young Master in the future, I guarantee that you will live a more prosperous life than Gao Fu! You think about it yourself!" High Huaru said coldly to Li Tong.