Chapter One: Perplexity

  Look at the sky, it's getting late. Gao Huaiyuan ordered Gao Lao to prepare some wine and dishes for these runners who came from afar, and also treated them as a landlord's courtesy.

  After the exchange of pleasantries, Gao Huaiyuan finally learned that earlier he and Gao Laogen's men had been fighting in the courtyard, which was overheard by neighbors outside. Some busybodies even ran to report it to the authorities, saying that there were bandits trying to rob the old Gao mansion.

  The county government heard that something had happened at the Gao family's old house, and since Gao Jian was an official with a relatively high status, they didn't dare to be slow, so they immediately ordered Xing, the head of the constables, to bring a group of bailiffs to rush to Gaojiazhuang to see what had happened.

  Xing caught the head here, after asking Gao Lao Gen, only to find out that it was a misunderstanding, and then he felt much more at ease. He was also quite curious about this newcomer, Gao Huaiyuan. Although Gao Huaiyuan was not very old, he had a strong physique and spoke eloquently, without the slightest hint of looking down on these bailiffs as rough men. He was very polite, and Xing caught the head had a good impression of him in his heart.

  He didn't want to trouble the Gao family, but seeing how sincere Gao Hua Yuan was, he couldn't decline and so brought his men along, staying for food and drink.

  At the wine table, Gao Huaiyuan and Gao Laogen sat with him, while Xue Ti hid in the backyard because of his past occupation and didn't want to see these official servants, and went to arrange accommodations for those young men with Li Tong.

  "I didn't expect that today's misunderstanding would cause you all to run so far. I, Hua Yuan, feel really apologetic about it, so let me just offer you a cup of wine! As I'm still young, I shouldn't drink too much, but please don't be polite, make sure to eat and drink well!" Hua Yuan said, raising his cup to Xing the captain and others. He knew clearly that in this world, no matter what time it was, human relationships were always essential. Whether it was ancient times or later generations, officials and civilians needed to communicate with each other. Although these bailiffs held low positions in the government office, they were actually the local snakes of Daye County, and the county officials didn't dare to offend them. If he wanted to establish himself here in the future, he would inevitably need to interact with them, so it was better to make friends with them now. It just so happened that today was a good opportunity to get acquainted and build some relationships, which would also be convenient for asking for their help in the future. Therefore, he didn't put on any airs of being an official's son, but instead was very polite to the bailiffs.

  Xing Duotou and others quickly stood up, raised their wine cups to thank him: "How dare I! Being able to help the Gao family is an honor for us, and Lord Gao is so polite that it makes me feel embarrassed! Today, seeing Lord Gao, it's indeed true that he's a noble son, his words are different from ours, these rough men. Since Lord Gao has praised us, we won't be polite either! Let's drink to that!" After finishing speaking, the group of people raised their wine bowls and drank them dry in one gulp.

  "We folks don't have many skills, but we're familiar with the local situation in Daye. If there's anything that requires our assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to instruct us, High Official! We guarantee to help you!" Xing the captain said, wiping his mouth after putting down his wine cup.

  "Xing Captor is really a straightforward person! Gao Mou is not old, although he comes from a noble family, but he likes to make friends with you guys, and I'm also new here, never been back to Daye before, but in the future, I'll have to bother you all again. Everyone doesn't have to call me High Commissioner anymore, that's too formal! Just call my name, it sounds more comfortable! Hehe" Gao Hua Yuan was annoyed by being called "High Commissioner" by them, every time he heard this title, it sounded like something bad!

  This brought everyone closer together, and the atmosphere became even more lively. Gao Huaiyuan took this opportunity to learn about the local situation in Daye, and it turned out that Daye had a long history of iron smelting and copper refining. After the Northern Song Dynasty lost several important iron-smelting sites in the north, Daye's position became even more important. The production of copper and iron has increased significantly compared to the Northern Song period. No wonder when we were on our way here, we saw some places with smoke billowing from furnaces - it was all about smelting!

  Gao Hua Yuan's heart moved slightly, this big Ye is actually a good place, can he consider developing in this direction in the future? However, he soon dispelled this not-so-realistic idea. With the little money he has on hand now, opening a tofu workshop would be just about enough. Thinking of doing this is still a bit too early, but it's worth paying attention to for now!

  A banquet made Xing Duotou and his gang quickly familiar with Gao Huaiyuan, before it was over, they began to call each other brothers, as if they were old friends who had known each other for a long time. No wonder people say that wine is a good thing, it can bring people closer together. Gao Huaiyuan also drank very happily, after all, in his previous life, he was also a colleague with these people, and when speaking, there was a bit of common language.

  These bailiffs also had a certain admiration for Gao Huaiyuan, seeing that he was young and knowledgeable about many things. From then on, they no longer dared to treat him like a child. When Gao Huaiyuan talked about detective cases, he spoke eloquently, as if he had gained some insight, making the bailiffs who dealt with such matters every day feel refreshed. When they bid farewell and left, they already regarded Gao Huaiyuan as one of their own.

  In the Song Dynasty, the alcohol content of wine was not high. Before, Gao Huaiyuan and Huang Yan had drunk a lot, but today they drank so much for the first time. It turned out that this silly boy's body not only had great strength, but also had the ability to drink without getting drunk. After drinking for half a day, except for being slightly excited, nothing else happened.

  Gao Lao Gen had been sitting under Xu Yi's hands, drinking with them. He was already a bit drunk and his eyes were blurry, but in his heart, he was filled with a shocking feeling. After this round of drinks, he no longer dared to underestimate the legendary Gao family's foolish young master. From Gao Huai Yuan's conversation, there wasn't even a hint of foolishness. On the contrary, he seemed even more astute than clever people, and knew things that even someone who had lived for half their life like him had never heard of. Could it be that all the rumors were false?

  Now, Gao Lao Gen is in a very depressed mood. Originally, he had made a good plan, but after the arrival of San Shao Ye, it was completely overturned. The original plan was to become the master of the Gao family's old house, but now that Gao Huai Yuan has come, his position is quite embarrassing. At first, he thought to himself that even if Gao Huai Yuan came to take charge, he was still a young man who didn't know much, and in the past, he had been a foolish kid, so it was unlikely that he would know too many things. In the end, it would still be Gao Lao Gen who called the shots, and this San Shao Ye would still have to follow his lead. If he wanted to continue to reap benefits, wouldn't it still be an easy matter?

  Moreover, only two adult servants followed Gao Huaiyuan, Li Tong was a bit arrogant and not a steady guy. Xue Yan looked like a rough man at first glance, he must be bad at managing accounts. As long as his position as the accountant didn't change, the benefits would still be his!

  After a drink, Gao Lao Gen was almost suffocated to death. From Gao Huai Yuan's performance, all his ideas were ruined. At this moment, he felt resentful and dissatisfied in his heart. He was also a relative of the Gao family and had done so many things for the Gao family over the years. It should be his turn to take charge of the old house now. But why did the old steward die and send back such a clever little fool? Isn't this a clear sign that they don't trust him?

  "What's wrong, old man? Are you drunk now?" Gaohaiyuan looked at Gao Laogen with a displeased face, shaking his head and seeming to be thinking about something. After a rough thought, he understood the old man's mood and what he was thinking about, so he sneered and asked him.

  Gao Lao Gen, who was secretly cursing in his heart, suddenly came to and hastily replied: "Oh... no... I'm not drunk yet!"

  Gao Huaiyuan had the two servants remove the wine table and, after ordering them to withdraw, he invited Gao Lao Gen to sit down. He spoke to him in a very impolite manner: "Today I came over here, it's clear that you're not happy at all!"

  "Master, what are you talking about? Master has come to the old mansion to take care of things, how could I not be happy? You must be overthinking!" Gao Laogen said with a hint of resentment in his tone, trying to suppress the surge of anger rising up within him.

  Looking at Gao Lao Gen's expression, Gao Huai Yuan became even more certain about what he was thinking. He sneered inwardly and reevaluated this old man from the beginning of his entry into the old mansion. With Gao Lao Gen's current behavior, he could confirm that this old man was extremely selfish. Such a person had been in the old mansion for many years without anyone to control him, so he must have become arrogant. Moreover, his desire for power was still strong. Keeping such a person by his side would be a huge obstacle for Gao Huai Yuan's future plans to control this place. He didn't want someone like that around, as it would hinder his actions in many ways. What should he do?

  Gao Huaiyuan looked at Gao Lao Gen's discontented face and thought to himself for a moment, soon coming up with an idea. He then spoke up, "If it's not that, then it's easy! As the manager of the Gao family, you must be very familiar with the situation here after all these years!"

  As soon as he heard this, Gao Lao Gen started to feel a bit complacent again, thinking to himself: "You're just a newcomer here, although you don't look stupid, but if you want to take over all the things in the old mansion, aren't you still going to rely on me? Don't be afraid of you! So he puffed out his chest and replied: "If Young Master asks like this, then I won't dare decline. If we talk about the affairs of the old mansion, there's really no one who knows more than me here. As long as I'm here, all kinds of things can be handled by me on behalf of Young Master, so Young Master doesn't have to worry about it either!"

  "Don't you guys have a red ticket in your hands? Please! Help me out and vote for me! It really doesn't feel good to be exposed like this! Hehe!"