Chapter 642 Extra: The man on the road is as beautiful as jade, and the young master is unparalleled in the world
Autumn of the tenth year of Hongde.
The western border of Beiyue, the western capital is Shifang County.
The county town was particularly lively that day, with foreign carriages entering the town one after another since morning.
Before noon, the lobby of Yongsheng Teahouse at the intersection of the county town's cross street was already packed with people, and the private rooms upstairs were also fully booked.
Even the tea shops and street inns around the teahouse were crowded with people, everyone was looking forward to it.
"Today is the middle of the month. Every year at this time, our county is especially lively. It's all thanks to Master Huo. Otherwise, how could we see so many wealthy people in this remote little county?"
In the back hall of the teahouse, the errand boy joked with the tea-making master while serving tea.
The tea master smiled and said, "Of course not. Not only are there nobles from all over the country here, but also young ladies from aristocratic families and daughters of wealthy families who have come here because of your reputation... Only Master Huo, the most handsome man in the West Capital and the most talented man in the world, deserves such support."
"The Huo family has produced many talented counselors for generations. Even after they retired from the imperial court for over a decade, dignitaries from various countries still flocked to invite them out. You can imagine how famous the Huo family is. Young Master Huo is the most outstanding of the Huo family's younger generation, with extraordinary talent. A humble figure like me can benefit greatly from attending his lectures once a month, taking advantage of the convenient location. He truly deserves such patronage."
"Enough of talking! Hurry up and serve the tea! If you're slow, be careful the boss will deduct your wages!"
The waiter didn't dare to delay and hurriedly took the tea to the front hall.
As the partition curtain was lifted, the noise from the whole room rushed in, stinging the eardrums.
"Oh, Master Fang! I didn't expect you to be here this time? Your father was the prefect of Xuzhou, which is not close to here. If you want to catch up with today's lecture, you must have left in twenty days."
"Hahaha, what's the big deal about leaving twenty days earlier just to listen to Master Huo's class? The Second Young Master Yang from the Shanghuai family is here too. It takes him nearly a month to get here, and he's even more sincere."
"Someone from Changjing Feng's family has also arrived. The person sitting next to Master Feng must be his sister Feng Qian'er, right? Isn't the person at the table next to them the young and famous King Mobei from Beixiang?!"
"It's him. The one sitting at the same table with him, wearing a dark blue brocade robe, is the Crown Prince of Dongpu. I heard that Princess Shuangshuang of Dongpu is here too. She's in the private room on the third floor."
"It's not surprising. I've heard Princess Shuangshuang once declared in public that she would marry a man from the Huo family. And she's not the only one who wants to marry a young master from the Huo family. In the private room on the second floor, Nansang's most beloved little princess is also there, as well as the legitimate daughter of the Beixiangshuo Palace, Princess Caiyuan of Darong..."
"It's strange. We've been waiting for so long today, but Mr. Huo hasn't shown up yet? He always comes on time at noon."
"Yeah, why are you so late today? It's already 4 p.m.... Could something have delayed you?"
The lively atmosphere in the lobby became subtle, and everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Just as everyone was hesitating and wondering, an inconspicuous carriage quietly drove past the street outside the door and soon disappeared into the street.
After leaving the county town, voices were heard from inside the car.
"Sir, those people are here to wait for you. If they really leave like that, don't you want to go and see them?" asked the servant Qingsong.
Sitting diagonally opposite him was a young man wearing a jade-green long gown with hidden patterns. His black hair was simply tied up with a jade-colored headband, and his elegant temperament was refreshing.
A gentleman is upright and dignified, with his brows raised and a faint smile on his face, just like a green lotus blooming on the top of a snow-covered mountain, clear and cool.
His voice was also very pleasant, deep and pleasant. When he spoke, his tone was neither hurried nor slow, natural and calm, as if he was calm and relaxed. "Everyone in the world is here for profit. If we are not of the same mind, there is no need to meet."
The servant looked towards the county town, frowning in displeasure. "Those people are really weird. They clearly know that our Huo family will no longer participate in the power struggle, but they still try their best to get involved... But there are too many people coming this time. The carriages from other places are almost filling up the streets."
The man's smile faded slightly, his brows visibly furrowed, and a hint of worry flashed across his eyes. "It's true that there are too many of them."
Since leaving the temple and retiring here, Huo has not participated in any disputes. He only gives lectures in the county once a month, but he discusses poetry and prose with local literati, talking only about music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and never touching on court affairs or current affairs.
In the past, there were nobles from various countries who came to participate in the lectures, but most of them came once or twice and then disappeared after finding it boring.
Things have been a little abnormal in the past one or two months.
The Huo family hid in a valley ten miles south of Shifang County.
The house was built and the plaque was inscribed - Huojiazhuang.
There are more than one hundred people in the village, including the servants.
There are many people, but the atmosphere is harmonious and friendly.
That night, the light in the study of the old man of the Huo family was on and was not turned off until midnight.
The study door opened and the old man walked out first. The moonlight in the autumn night was soft and bright, shining on the old man's silver hair.
Behind him walked a young man who was walking steadily. He was handsome and elegant, with a temperament like a green lotus.
"Heng'er, you are the most talented and strategic person among your peers in the clan, but you are naturally indifferent. Grandfather hopes that you can always be like this. No matter what time, never forget your original intention and never lose your integrity."
The corridor next to the study is winding and there is a lantern every hundred steps along the corridor, with a warm yellow halo. An old man walks in front with his hands behind his back, his back straight and a noble character.
Huo Ziheng said respectfully, "Grandson will remember grandfather's teachings."
"Well, what you just mentioned worries grandfather too. You've seen the visiting cards from various countries in the study; they're all tests. Although the Huo family had an agreement with each country, agreeing not to disturb each other after the Huo family retires, times have changed. With the power of the royal families of various countries changing and new emperors ascending the throne, it's not impossible for them to break their previous agreement. I'm afraid the Huo family will be in turmoil. Tomorrow I will discuss with your uncles and aunts and find a safe way to withdraw from this as soon as possible."
"Grandfather, although our Huo family is renowned for our strategic plans, we are all scholars. It is difficult to be completely effective against the ruthless tactics of other nations. We should discuss this matter as soon as possible. I believe that the safety of our clansmen is the most important thing. As a last resort, we can disperse our clansmen and move them out of the city, hiding their identities and living in the market."
The old man didn't say anything, just nodded, his face full of worry.
Heng'er is still too young after all.
The Huo family is a family of scholars who, when it comes to strategy, can stir up trouble in the world.
But no matter how clever the mind or how ingenious the strategy, it cannot stop the knife falling from the head.
Since the countries are as ruthless as tigers and wolves, how could they allow their prey to escape?
The Huo family has more than a hundred people, and facing other countries is like facing a behemoth.
To resist is like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm.
The Huo family is running out of time and needs to find a way out as soon as possible.
As the night deepened, the lights in Huojia Village went out one by one. Most of the tribesmen were still unaware of the approaching danger and slept soundly.
At midnight, a shrill cry broke the tranquility of Zhuangzi.
The ground was covered in blood and flames shot up into the sky.
In the wooden pavilion by the stream on the back mountain of Zhuangzi, a man who was sitting alone came out because he was worried. He looked at the fire that illuminated the night sky red, his eyes were bloodshot, and he staggered towards Zhuangzi.
"grandfather--!"
“Dad! Mom—!”
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