Chapter 447 White Stone Sculpture
By the time the old man shook off the officers and soldiers and swaggered back to the restaurant, exactly half an hour had passed and everyone had just finished their meal.
"Grandpa Du, you didn't arrive in time for dinner. Have you already eaten?" Bai Yu joked.
The old man said casually, "When I was touching the seal, I stole half a roast goose from the kitchen. It tasted pretty good. I ate so much that I'm full! I just took a few long walks just now, which is good for digesting the food!"
The eldest princess was curious, "That seal... did you return?"
"It's back, it's back. Why should I eat or drink that thing?"
"Yes, you can't eat or drink, so why do you want to touch the seal?"
Speaking of this Du Buqin, he got angry, his nose and eyes bulging. "When the old man was strolling, he ran into that official near the yamen. The bastard scolded the yamen runner to chase me away, saying that beggars were not allowed to roam around the yamen! He actually called me a beggar and chased me away! I'm not satisfied even if he touched the seal. If he hadn't slipped away quickly, I would have taken off his underwear and hung it on the yamen gate!"
After cursing, the old man suddenly looked gossipy. "On the way back, I heard some gossip. A fight is about to break out in Dongpu. Lingjiang Longyuan and Shangbei have already started mobilizing troops! Hey, Dongpu is really tough. They're not afraid at all. Just like we expected!"
Bai Kui and Bai Xiaofeng exchanged a glance, their optimism diminishing. "Of course, Dongpu isn't afraid, but a few small nations wouldn't dare rashly mobilize their troops. They must be relying on Nansang's support. Nansang is also involved in this mess. If Nansang also sends troops, they'll inevitably have to pass through Dai Viet..."
Nansang is located at the southernmost tip of the Central Plains. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is adjacent to Dai Viet in the north.
If Nan Sang wanted to drive his troops deep into the heart of the Central Plains, he had to either sail or ask Dai Viet for a passage.
But in this case, Dai Viet would also be in trouble.
If we do not allow the passage, we will offend Nansang and other countries.
If I borrow it, I will offend Dongpu.
Diplomatic relations are different from interpersonal relationships. These people in the martial arts world can act arbitrarily to settle scores, but the decision-making of the country cannot be arbitrary.
Especially since Dai Viet doesn’t have the strength to act arbitrarily right now.
Du Buqin couldn't understand their expressions, but he also had his own opinions on the major events of the country. "Even if the sky falls, there are still tall people to hold it up. What are you worried about? This matter will definitely not be difficult for Wei Li! Come on, let's make a bet here today. Will little Ali choose to borrow the road or not? Let's place the bet!"
Bai Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the old man. "It's okay to bet, but what if you lose?"
"Is an old man going to lose? Impossible! If I lose, I'll call you grandpa instead!"
The old man slammed the table and made a bold statement. As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people in his ear said in unison, "No need to borrow the road!"
Old man, “…”
Judging from the situation, he is bound to lose.
But it doesn’t matter, your grandfather is always your grandfather, and there are plenty of people who can help him.
The old man curved his triangular eyes and said, "Bai Xiaofeng, you are the banker. Grandpa is betting and not letting anyone pass by!"
The corners of Bai Xiaofeng's lips, which had just curled up, drooped.
The younger ones, "Puff! Hahahaha!"
Bai Kui knelt over the table, and the eldest princess smiled with her teeth showing.
Because the old man was too shameless, the bet could not be made. Everyone laughed and did not stay in the teahouse for long. After paying the bill, they quickly left the city.
Not long after the group left, soldiers rushed into the teahouse after hearing the news. Unfortunately, they were a step too late. When they arrived at the private room, it was empty and only a piece of paper was left on the tea table.
The handwriting on the paper was sloppy and unruly - Grandchildren, grandpa is leaving!
At the end of the paper, there was also a big seal of their border town government, which was extremely arrogant.
In mid-winter, the temperature on the river is much colder than on shore.
There was a stove in the cabin, and the portholes on both sides were closed, making the cabin warm.
After teasing the officers and soldiers, Du Buqin was in a good mood. He lay by the fireplace with his head propped up and his legs crossed, humming a little tune.
Bing'er and Xiao Maisui sat beside a low table, hatching cocoons together. The eldest princess listened to the three boys from the Su family telling stories with their hands and feet, and laughed from time to time.
Under the porthole, two old men of equal stature were drinking and singing while backstabbing each other.
The cabin was not big, and everyone's voices mixed together, making it so noisy that it seemed to be about to blow the roof off the cabin.
Bai Yu pulled Tianbao to sit under the window on the other side. His ability to block out the noise had reached perfection and was not affected at all.
"What do you think about borrowing the road?" he asked.
Tian Bao crossed her legs and propped up her chin, saying calmly, "Wei Li won't lend it to me."
"Of course I know he won't lend it, but Dai Viet can't be caught in a dilemma because of disputes in other countries."
"What's so difficult? If we only muddy the waters, we won't have the energy or ability to deal with Dai Viet after the Eight-Nation War. Dai Viet by then won't be the Dai Viet we have today."
Bai Yu imitated the girl, sitting cross-legged with his chin in his hand. The distance between them instantly became closer, perfect for whispering, "Tian Bao, you're so mean."
Tian Bao's mouth twitched, and he raised his eyes, "Am I as bad as you? You smile beautifully, but you hide all your evil intentions in your belly."
Did he think she didn't know? When he asked her the question, he already had an idea in mind.
Bai Yu laughed so hard that her peach blossom eyes shone like two handfuls of starlight.
Tianbao held her chin and watched quietly how long he would laugh. Her almond-shaped eyes were quiet and bright, so clear that they seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
They stared at each other for a while.
"..." Bai Yu forced himself to sit up straight, a burning sensation creeping up his ears. He cleared his throat with a cough. "I've only heard rumors about the troop movements from various countries, but I don't know if it's true or not. When we dock at the next pier, I'll go to Wangque Tower to confirm the news. If the news is true, we can discuss it in detail then—"
"Why are you blushing?" The girl opposite tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.
Bai Yu, "...It's not red."
"Red."
"Hot."
"Get on with business."
Bai Yu was unhappy again. He put his handsome face in front of the girl and said seriously, "Tianbao, you can actually ask me twice more."
Tianbao frowned and slapped his head against the deck, "Capricious."
“…”Young Master is so damn wronged!
After walking for half a day from the border town and entering the Chishui River area, we arrived in the territory of Dai Viet.
After entering the country and docking at the first pier, Bai Yu immediately went ashore to receive news. Bai Kui was a little impatient, but finally followed him.
The life scene at the Dai Viet City Wharf is bustling, with people coming and going on the huge wharf and mountains of goods piled up everywhere.
"Son, where is the dark spot? Is it far?" Bai Kui followed his son happily and spoke with a forced smile.
Bai Yu turned his head and glanced at him, "Are you not hiding anymore?"
"Hide? Son, this is a huge misunderstanding! Why would Dad hide from you? This is my first time traveling with you guys. Dad is so excited that I don't know what to say!"
"I've known you for more than a year or two. I know all the tricks you have up your sleeve. Are you still pretending? You don't want to admit it, right? Okay, let me ask you, what business are you going to Xiling for?"
Bai Kui was not afraid. He had drafted a plan for the matter, and when his son asked again, he would blurt out, "Porcelain business!"
"Who is the other party?"
"Meng Yuanhuai, a member of Du'an City!"
"Is everything settled?"
“Absolutely!”
"My mother is not angry with you?"
"She was so happy that she couldn't wait to—"
As their eyes met, a stone sculpture appeared on the dock square.
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