Chapter 38: Chang Lei Wang Han Changyan

  "Boss?" Looking at his excited face, Zhao Gou's expression sank, and he couldn't help but feel a little strange and worried, saying in a low voice.

  Delighted, he glanced at Zhao Gou, and the solemn expression on his face dissipated. Looking at Zhao Gou's still sweaty face, which had been roasted red by the scorching weather, Delighted's mouth curled up into a smile as he patted Zhao Gou's shoulder vigorously, praising: "Well done! Come sit down and tell me carefully, where has the envoy from the Imperial Capital gone?" As he spoke, Delighted handed his handkerchief to Zhao Gou, gesturing for him to wipe away his sweat.

  Upon hearing the joyful praise, Zhao Gou's face lit up with excitement. He took over Gao Xing's handkerchief and carelessly wiped his face before sitting down to say: "According to their pace, they should have already arrived at Nanxun Prefecture. To reach our Xuanyin, it will probably take another five days."

  "Five days? That's enough time to get a lot done, I hope the one who comes is clever, otherwise my preparations will be for nothing."

  "Master, is there anything else you'd like me to do? I won't let you down!" Zhao saw the excitement in his eyes and quickly leaned in closer.

  Look at Zhao Gou, like a cat that has smelled something fishy, he smiled with joy and said: "Eating well every day is such a happy thing, but you're thinking about running around, really don't know how to enjoy life!" He sighed with emotion, looking at Zhao Gou with some doubt: "Look at this trip of yours, rushing around day and night, tired to the point of exhaustion, are you okay?"

  Zhao Gou suddenly stood up, patted his chest with a loud "thud", and looked at Gaoxing seriously and firmly: "Boss, you see, with this physique of mine, how can I get tired after riding horses for several days? I've been following you to practice martial arts for more than three months. If it's just like this, won't I be embarrassing you?"

  "Wonderful! Alright, Zhao Gong, you've even learned the art of inspiring others! If I were to say that you're not capable, it would be like saying that I myself am not capable. Not bad, not bad at all!" He stared at Zhao Gong with wide eyes, seemingly seeing him for the first time, and clicked his tongue in admiration.

  Zhao Gou felt embarrassed under the excited and inquisitive gaze, his already red face turned even redder, like a hot iron pan, he smiled awkwardly, scratching his head while looking around.

  "Since you're so willing, I'm naturally delighted." Zhao Gou immediately became excited upon hearing this, his eyes gleaming with eager flames.

  "Come closer and listen." Zhao Gou hastily put his ear forward, excitedly lowering his voice. As he listened, he nodded along, but as time went on, the expression on his face became increasingly perplexed.

  "Do you remember everything clearly?"

  Zhao Gou nodded seriously and smiled happily: "That's good, go, the faster the better!"

  "Yes, Master, I guarantee to complete the task!" Zhao Gou's body straightened up, and he didn't even bid farewell to Gao Xing, turning around and running off. However, due to his excessive speed, his body scraped against the door frame, causing the door to creak loudly, but his speed didn't decrease in the slightest.

  Looking at the still shaking door, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly. This Zhao Gong, it seems that he has been holding back for a long time, but it seems that he needs to strengthen his Qigong skills, being so impatient, how can he write good calligraphy?

  In August 8, 573 AD, a joyful news spread in the city: The envoy from the imperial capital of Ye City was about to arrive at Xuyi, with the purpose of rewarding Lanling King for his relief efforts in Yangping and fighting against Chen's army. Now he is Zheng Changgong, Marquis of Xuyi.

  Early in the morning, both sides of the main road from the north gate of the city to the Neishi government were filled with people. Everyone's face was filled with sincere smiles, they wanted to witness their beloved Lord being praised by the Emperor, and share this honor and excitement with him.

  Although Gao Changgong had been in Xuzhou for only three months, the whole city was politically stable and harmonious. As for those large landowners who were once oppressed by Gao, they had long since cast aside their grievances and firmly united behind Gao Changgong.

  Guangling County was originally under the jurisdiction of Huai Prefecture, governing four counties: Kaicheng, Xuyi, Yangcheng and Zhidu. Five days ago, Gaoxing summoned all the wealthy merchants and landlords from the four counties to the Neishi Mansion.

  Everyone entered the inner history department, one by one was frightened and pale. Why? This Lord is too "greedy". The common people admire him with respect and love, but they don't know that Gao Changgong is a sinister and ruthless person!

  Think about it, people like us haven't even entered the imperial court once, and yet we're already expected to shed blood, or even worse, suffer a great loss of blood. How can they not feel terrified? They've also thought about resisting, but when they look at those fierce soldiers in the military camp outside the city, their legs turn weak.

  They were in awe of how Gao Changgong was able to train such an extraordinary army in such a short period. At the same time, they felt even more terrified. Most importantly, hadn't those pioneers who had been so arrogant and unyielding, the vanguards of the "revolution", been accused of treason and were now desperately repairing roads outside the city? Those predecessors hadn't even had a chance to put their plans into action before Gao Changgong had them beheaded. The affairs in Xuyi County were under his control, which was a terrifying thing that made them surrender, or rather, go underground and wait for an opportunity to take revenge.

  But five days ago, almost everyone thoroughly abandoned the idea of revenge, all because of money. Gao Xing and Ye Jin agreed to cooperate with everyone to do business.

  This news was like a powerful C4 explosive, shocking everyone, almost making them think they were hallucinating, and then came the wild joy. Throughout Xunyang, Ye Jinnuo was undoubtedly the richest man, of course, Gaoxing was not included, Xunyang County was all his family.

  Months ago, everyone was pessimistic about Ye Jin and Gao Xing's collaboration, thinking it was just a way for Gao Xing to exploit her financially.

  But now, they are filled with regret, wishing they could turn back time and remake themselves. Gaoxing is very generous, he had recorded all the donations of thousands of taels of silver from those wealthy people in his account book, converting them into shares. Every month, Gaoxing would distribute their dividends. Looking at the tenfold return on investment, everyone was speechless with regret. If they had invested 50,000 taels of gold back then, how much would they have earned by now?

  The fabrics and wooden furniture of this city were popular all over the state of Qi in just three months, and countless officials and nobles competed to buy them. This also has to be thanked for the Emperor Wu of Northern Wei, who likes what the emperor likes, do ordinary people still need to pick?

  Now that Gaoxing has once again extended an olive branch, how could they not be shocked and delighted? The result is self-evident: most of the landlords and wealthy merchants stood behind Gaoxing. As long as their vested interests were not harmed, it didn't matter to them who was the governor or who was the internal historian. Compared to the profits they would make in the future, the previous payments were just a drop in the bucket, not worth mentioning; everyone considered that money an early investment.

  At around three o'clock in the afternoon, the silhouette of a belated messenger finally appeared within sight.

  A more luxurious carriage, flying the official flag, slowly drove towards Xuyi City under the escort of dozens of soldiers.

  The carriage soon arrived at a point twenty meters before the North City Gate.

  "Dad." Standing under the city gate, Gao Xing looked at Gao Chang Gong beside him and called out softly.

  "Huh? What's up, Xing Er?" High Long Gong turned his head around, asking in a daze.

  Looking at Gao Chang Gong's somewhat sunken eye sockets, the dense and unresolvable worry in his eyes, just a few days had passed, yet he had aged significantly. A man barely over thirty years old, with temples that were almost as white as those of a fifty-year-old. Gao Xing clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves, silently saying: I absolutely will not allow anyone to destroy my family, absolutely not!

  "The messenger has arrived, let's go and greet him!" He hinted with his eyes.

  "Oh, right, let's go!" Gao Changgong's expression turned serious, he took a deep breath, adjusted his clothes and strode towards the horse carriage. Behind him, the officials of Xunyang County didn't dare to slack off, they all concentrated their minds and followed together.

  A man in his thirties, of medium build and not very tall, stepped down from the carriage. He was not wearing official robes, but a suit of exquisite workmanship made from expensive fabrics. His skin was fair and clean, his features handsome, with two thick, black whiskers shaped like the Chinese character for "eight", and a pair of eyes that shone brightly when he opened or closed them. He carried himself with an air of authority, as if he were accustomed to being in high positions.

  Watching the person walking down from the carriage, Gao Chang Gong's whole body shook, a flash of surprise on his face, but more was bitter and helpless, however, it flashed by quickly, and soon he regained his composure, a forced smile spreading across his mouth.

  The messenger who got off the carriage looked at the people surrounding both sides of the road, and his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily. When he saw Gao Zhang Gong, a bright smile suddenly burst forth on his originally expressionless face, and he hastened his pace by several steps.

  "It turned out to be King Chang of Lei who had arrived, Zheng Zhang Gong was remiss in welcoming him from afar and begged for forgiveness, forgive me!" Still three meters away from the messenger, Gao Zhang Gong bowed and apologized with a remorseful face.

  "Your Excellency is too polite, Yang Ping's victory over you is a great achievement, the Emperor is extremely pleased, that's why he specially sent Chang Luan to visit you!" The envoy hurriedly returned a courtesy and said with a smile.

  Delighted that he had understood the identity of this messenger, he was none other than Han Changyuan, the King of Changlei, one of the Northern Qi's scattered nobles who stood before Gao Wei.