Chapter 96 Baili's Provocation
The owner of the Baili Guild had returned from Fuzhou a long time ago, and Baili Kui was there to greet him at the door with his family.
Zhao Yan got off the carriage, looked at the people in front of him, and said gently, "Everyone, please stand up without being polite."
Baili Kui looked to be about 48 years old, with bright eyes. Although he had some white hair on his temples, he looked very energetic.
He was dressed very low-key today, without a single pattern on his clothes, yet he gave off an aura of majesty for no reason.
Baili Yunzhou also restrained his usual romantic demeanor today. He was dressed in a cloth shirt and looked very respectful. If Zhao Yan had not accidentally received his provocative gaze, he would have thought that Baili Yunzhou had turned over a new leaf.
Zhao Yan made a few casual remarks, and with Baili Kui's explanation, he had a very clear understanding of the procedures and matters of the entire guild activities in the next few days.
"The guild will be divided into two sessions. Starting at noon in the morning, experienced and experienced fishermen will take the stage to share their experiences. They'll cover fish schooling patterns, fish characteristics, netting techniques, sea breeze and seawater observation, and survival skills. We'll also provide tea and food. This open-air shed will be completed tonight and waterproofed. Even those who haven't found a spot don't need to worry. Your Excellency, please take a look."
Zhao Yan looked over and saw a temporary shed being built next to the main one. "Once the storyteller at the main venue finishes, they'll immediately come to this venue to continue their presentation. Even if you're late or haven't heard anything, don't worry. We've prepared a document. The contents have already been submitted. We'll also invite some storytellers and set up stops along the way. If you don't want to go too far, you can listen to them at these stops."
"As for the personnel issue that you're considering, I've also thought about it. My son will lead a group of men, along with some guardrails, to separate the crowd into several routes. That way, it will be safe..."
At this time, Baili Yunzhou said dissatisfiedly, "Dad, when did you arrange this for me? How come I didn't know? Besides, I had something else to do that day..."
Baili Kui's eyes widened with anger. This brat was so ungrateful as to say something he shouldn't have in front of the governor. "This matter is non-negotiable. Everyone in the guild must come. Is there anything more serious than this?"
After saying this, he apologized to Zhao Yan, "Don't blame me, sir. This kid has been spoiled by his mother. Don't worry, sir, I, Baili Kui, promise that nothing will go wrong."
"I've already arranged for patrols. They're all experienced thugs, and they've been in charge in the past. There won't be any theft or other crimes happening."
Baili Kui made the assurance again, fearing that Zhao Yan would be dissatisfied with him because of Yun Zhou's nonsense.
Zhao Yan didn't care about any of this. He had no objection to Baili Kui's arrangement. The government office would also send someone to guard the place tomorrow, so nothing serious would happen.
It was Baili Yunzhou's words that caught his attention. He had just said that he had something to do. Did he want to take Huatang out to play?
This fishermen's knowledge was ultimately aimed at those who went out to sea. Huatang might not come to listen, or she might come. But regardless of whether she came or not, Baili Yunzhou must have other plans.
He thought that he had never gone shopping with her before.
They had been married for three years. In the first year, he took on the flood prevention job in the Ministry of Works and rarely went home. As for Chinese Valentine's Day and other festivals that girls liked, he had never been with her.
The next year, he took on the construction of the imperial mausoleum from the Ministry of Works and stayed in a remote area for half a year. When he returned home, it was already the end of the year. His mother forced him to go to her room, but he became even more reluctant. Not to mention the holidays, he might not even get a good look from her.
In the third year, he was home, working on dam maintenance, and was only responsible for the design of the river project. However, at that time, he lived in a temporary building built by the Ministry of Industry. His meetings with her were rare, and giving her any gifts was even more impossible.
He remembered that she seemed to have given him a lamp before, but he was in a hurry to find a book and forgot where the lamp went.
So where did the lamp go? When he returns to the capital, he must find it himself.
No, he would write a letter now and ask the servant to find it.
So, in fact, as a couple, they should have spent a lot of time together. At that time, she still regarded herself as her husband, but what he was thinking and doing, I am afraid that every one of them broke her heart.
Those days when he didn't go to her room were all excuses. Even if he didn't go, he should have written a letter after being away for such a long time, but he didn't.
Afterwards, Baili Kui talked to him about some personnel arrangements. He forced himself to come back to his senses, listened to Baili Kui's arrangements, and finally gave instructions.
Because of the guild, many shops and vendors came to take up space today. Both sides of the street were filled with items that girls would like, including delicate sachets, brocade bags, and some unique red hairpins and pearl ornaments.
The more he looked, the more he felt that tomorrow this place would be bustling with activity. Baili and her would walk down the street, and everyone would praise them as a couple in heaven. As for him, he would probably stay in his own little courtyard, not daring to come out, not daring to witness the scene with his own eyes...
After all the arrangements were discussed, Baili Kui invited him to dinner at Baoxianglou. In the past, Zhao Yan would have refused, but today it was the guild leader who invited him, and Baili Yunzhou was also there, so he naturally agreed.
When they arrived at the private room of Baoxiang Tower, everything was ready. The room was very large, with a large open space in the middle. As soon as Zhao Yan sat down, he heard string music and a group of dancers entered the dance floor.
It is freezing cold outside, but it is warm like spring inside. The dancers are wearing unique clothes, which are cool and thin, making people very tempted.
Zhao Yan didn't look around, just kept talking to Baili Kui, occasionally taking a sip of hot wine.
At this time, Baili Yunzhou deliberately suggested, "Dad, why are they all so vulgar? They are not worthy of adults' attention."
Baili Kui's brows jumped. He had asked someone before this and found out that Lord Zhao did not like overly extravagant social engagements.
So he deliberately arranged only simple singing and dancing, but throughout the banquet, this adult was serious and only drank a few sips of wine occasionally, which made people really wonder if tonight's arrangement was not good.
Baili Kui calmed down and said calmly, "I think my arrangements were inadequate. I originally thought that since you were from the capital, you would not be able to tolerate people from our small town, so I specially found a dancer who was more refreshing. But it didn't let you do your best. I will go to Baihua Tower and call the courtesan there. Although this lady's talent may not be as great as yours, at least she can talk to you a few words."
He was about to stand up and give orders to the servants, but Zhao Yan, standing beside him, gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you for your trouble. It's not necessary. These dancers can also leave. I prefer a quieter environment."
He said it so clearly, it was obvious that he was not being polite, but really disliked it, so Baili Kui had him taken away.
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