Chapter 56: Father and Son's Secret Discussion

  Having been in this era for so long, Pang Gang also had some understanding of the customs and habits of the time. In ancient times, when a noble guest arrived at a wealthy family's home, the host would usually send out maids or songstresses to accompany the guest to bed, making them feel like they were treated with utmost respect. Of course, in modern terms, this would be considered extremely disrespectful and oppressive towards women, but in ancient times, it was a very common practice. This treatment wasn't something that just anyone could enjoy; only guests who were extremely important or respected by the host could receive such treatment. Without a doubt, Pang Gang at this time belonged to the category of guests who were extremely important to the host.

  Before this, Pang Gang had never thought that the story of "beast and beast are not as good as" which would be widely spread in later generations would actually appear so bloody on himself. Facing Kong Lin's enthusiastic hospitality, he was psychologically unprepared and was stunned for a moment.

  Seeing Mr. Pang sitting silently beside him, Kong Lin thought that the other party still had some concerns in his heart, and explained on the side: "Mr. Pang, these song girls were all raised from a young age in the humble households of commoners, and I can guarantee that they are all intact."

  An An swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and Pang Gang said with great effort: "Forget it, I still have things to attend to, how can I indulge in the gentle village?"

  It seemed that Kong Lin saw through Pang Gang's insincerity, and he just smiled slightly and stopped persuading him. Instead, he raised his wine cup and continued to toast him, but in his heart, his evaluation of this hundred households had increased by a few points.

  It's not that Pang Gang is hypocritical, but when a person first arrives in an unfamiliar environment, he will instinctively be on guard against the people and things around him. Add to that Pang Gang has his own concerns, so he subconsciously rejected it. If Kong Lin had persuaded him a few more times, this guy might have "gladly accepted" it.

  In the midst of Kong Lin and others' toast, time quickly passed an hour, and Pang Gang unknowingly had four or five parts of intoxication. Feeling that he could no longer drink, Pang Gang quickly stood up to bid farewell to Kong Wen, the master of the Kong family. Kong Wen did not detain him and ordered a maid to send Pang Gang back to his room.

  After seeing Pang Gang walk out of the hall, Kong Wen, who had a smile on his face, turned around and said to Kong Lin standing beside him: "Lin'er, follow me to the study." After finishing speaking, Kong Wen walked towards a small courtyard with steady steps.

  "Yes, Father." Kong Lin replied respectfully and followed closely behind Kong Wen.

  Kong Wen entered a small hut with a faint candlelight, sat down on a chair, and placed his arm on the side table. His fingers tapped the tabletop rhythmically for a long time before he asked: "Lin Er, you've traveled with this Pang Baihu for nearly ten days now. Tell me, what kind of person is he?"

  Kong Lin thought for a moment and said: "Although the child can't compare to his father's vast experience, based on what he has seen and heard along the way, this Pang Baihu is still a fair-minded person. Although he loves money, he also talks reason, and the child has been to the Wanghai Fortress under his jurisdiction. Although this fortress was rebuilt less than half a year ago, the military households inside can live in peace and contentment. Moreover, the child heard that this Pang gentleman often talks about his grand ambitions in his daily conversations, so the child believes that he will surely achieve something in the future."

  "Hmm, what else?" Kong Wen continued to ask, a hint of a smile on his face.

  "Is there more?" Kong Lin couldn't help but ask in doubt: "What else is there? The child doesn't know, please enlighten me, Father."

  "Good grief!" Kong Wen sighed and shook his head, "How did I teach you as your father every day, yet you can forget something so important."

  Kong Lin thought for a moment and felt that he hadn't missed anything, so he asked in confusion: "I'm afraid, please enlighten me, Father!"

  "These past few days, you've been with this Pang Baihu every day. The most important and obvious thing, haven't you noticed?!" Kong Wen scolded in a tone of frustration: "It's the soldiers by his side! He has so many elite soldiers around him, how could you not have realized?"

  "But Father!" Kong Lin didn't understand, "As a government official and the head of a hundred households, it's natural that he would have soldiers by his side. As for elite troops, can't they be trained with dedication?"

  "Lin'er, it seems that you still lack experience in your daily life." Kong Lin explained helplessly: "The ancients said that observing one leaf can know the autumn. As a father, I don't dare to expect you to reach this level, but having been by his side for so many days, didn't you notice that the soldiers around him are too elite? At least this explains one thing, that is, he is very good at training troops. Also, think carefully again, among the numerous garrisons in our Yangzhou territory, which one has such elite soldiers? And take a closer look at the attire of those ordinary soldiers, they wear lock-plate armor, even the logistics soldiers wear top-quality scale armor, and the shields held by the shield-bearing soldiers are equipped with excellent swallow-flying knives. Can't you think of anything else from this?"

  "Could it be..." After listening to his father's explanation, Kong Lin suddenly realized that the soldiers who had been following him every day were actually so elite. The armor and weapons they wore and held in their hands were all top-notch equipment. How could a small hundred households like his afford to equip his subordinates with such excellent weapons?

  "Father, you said there is someone else supporting this Pang Baihou after his death?" Kong Lin couldn't help but ask in surprise.

  Kong Lin shook his head, "This is not necessarily the case. From the fact that he accepted your 10,000 taels of silver and personally escorted you back, it can be seen that his financial situation is not very good. Therefore, we can conclude that even if there are people behind him who have power, it will not be too great, otherwise he would not do this kind of work that only a small escort agency would do. However, one thing is certain, this Pang Baihu is absolutely a good commander, otherwise he would not be able to lead such an elite army! As for him, we should try our best to show our goodwill."

  "Be nice!" Kong Lin rubbed his head, "Father, he's leaving in a few days, is it useful to be nice to him?"

  "Idiot!" Kong Wen, who could no longer hold back his anger, slapped a loud slap on his son's head.

  "Didn't you agree to set up a shop in his Wanghai Castle and try to invest in his pioneering efforts? Aren't you afraid that your silver will be wasted if you don't get along with him?"

  "Dad, you promised!" A surprised smile spread across Kong Lin's face.

  Kong Wen's face revealed a hint of bitter smile: "Alas, what can be done even if I don't agree? As your father, you are my only son, and this family will eventually be handed over to you. This time, let's just consider it as letting you practice first."

  Kong Lin hesitated for a moment and asked: "What about the voice of the Treasure Pavilion?"

  Kong Wen hesitated for a moment: "After this batch of goods is sold, the business of Jibao Pawnshop will slowly come to an end. That Mr. Pang said it well, in troubled times there are not many people who will buy those jewels and ornaments that can't be eaten or worn, at this time grain is the most important thing."

  "Uh-huh!" Kong Lin nodded and said: "The child also thinks so, the other day the child saw a large piece of uncultivated land waiting to be opened up in Wang Haibao, the old and young people in Wang Haibao are repairing the water channels, digging wells, it's very lively."

  "That's good, it seems that this Pang Baihu is indeed going to make a big move next year." Kong Wen continued: "Now the Sun family is pressing step by step. This time our Jubaoshan was lucky and barely escaped a disaster, but I can assure you that the little beast of the Sun family will not give up until he swallows us whole. Do you know? A few days ago, after you left, he even sent someone to propose to your sister! Hmph! His intentions are as clear as day!"

  "What, he actually dares to come to our home to propose!" Kong Lin's eyes widened in disbelief, hardly able to believe that there was such a shameless person in the world. On one hand, he suppressed his opponent in business and sent thugs to kill him, while on the other hand, he still had the audacity to form an alliance with his opponent through marriage. What kind of thick-skinned person could do such a thing?

  "Dad, you absolutely cannot agree to it! Once you agree, our family will be ruined!"

  "Hmph, as a father I'm not yet senile, so naturally I won't do something that invites wolves into the house. A shameless lecher like him, even if I were to die, I wouldn't give Yulan to him in marriage." Kong Wen said with disdain, "However, this matter has also reminded me, now that Yulan is grown up too, it's time for me to find a good husband for her..."

  "Find a husband for Rouran?" Kong Lin's eyes flashed with a hint of thought after hearing this!