Chapter 655: Settling Down in the Land of Exile (6)
The main helm of Pier 12, Stone Fort.
The man in blue silk brocade strode into the fort with his head held high. The gang members on both sides shouted in unison, "Welcome back, gang leader!"
After entering the stone fortress and stepping onto the steps of the inner hall, the man turned around and sat on the stone chair at the top. His face was covered by a beard, so his true appearance could not be seen. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and he looked down coldly.
"What do you want to report?" he asked in a low voice.
Wan Fu, the owner of Wanjiazhuang, who was standing in front, immediately bowed and said, "Boss, Huo Ziheng has taken up residence in Tubei Mountain in the outer city! I have invited him twice, but was rejected both times! Since you are away, I dare not touch him without your permission. Wait for your permission!"
"What are the attitudes of Bai Xiaofeng and Bai Kui?"
"Bai Xiaofeng and Huo Ziheng met once, but the two sides probably didn't reach an agreement. After the meeting, Huo Ziheng left the city with his wife and has been living at the foot of Tubei Mountain ever since! Bai Xiaofeng hasn't made any further moves, so I can't guess what he's up to for now. As for Bai Kui, he's just like me." Wanfu spoke of Bai Kui with a hint of gloating. "Even after three visits to the Bai Mansion, they still couldn't persuade Huo Ziheng to join the Bai family."
I invited him once more than he did.
The bearded man stretched his arms and leaned against the back of the stone chair, his beard tugged at the corners of his mouth, as if he were trying to force a smile. "Humph, Huo Ziheng is the hardest person to guess. Since the two forces in the inner city haven't made a move on him, there's no need for Pier 12 to rush and offend them. It's a good thing he's happy to live in the outer city. At least Pier 12 is closer to home. Keep an eye on Bai Xiaofeng and Bai Kui. When they make a move, we'll make our move. No matter what we fight for, we may not win, but we absolutely cannot lose."
All the hall masters and stewards at the twelve docks responded in unison, "Understood!"
What the gang leader meant was that no one could have it, but it absolutely could not be that only one party had it while Pier 12 did not.
Everyone fights for good things, and when they can't win, they do bad things to each other.
They have been living like this for so many years and are so used to it.
…
Bai Mansion.
Martial arts training ground.
The man was dressed in black training clothes and walked around the field with a long sword in his hand. His body was as agile as a dragon.
The butler of the Bai Mansion was waiting by the side with a handkerchief in his hand, diligently waiting to serve his master as soon as he came down.
"Master, do you still want to invite Huo Ziheng?" After the man put away his sword and walked down, the butler stepped forward and handed him a handkerchief. "We've invited him so many times, but he hasn't softened. He doesn't give our Bai family any face at all. He seems like a man who won't accept a toast but will accept a penalty. If you want to tell me, then don't come. Don't ask me to come. It will only lower your status as master."
The man was about thirty years old, with a handsome face, strong features, a tall and strong figure, and a natural and bold air when he raised his lips and smiled.
He took the towel and casually wiped the sweat off his face, his tone sounding casual as well, "What status do I need to compromise? In terms of status, Huo Ziheng is no less than mine. He's from an aristocratic family, and I'm a bandit. It's humiliating to be rejected repeatedly for asking for favors, but if Huo Ziheng ever changes his mind, the first place he'll consider will definitely be my Bai Mansion. Sincerity must be continuously accumulated to move people's hearts, and this applies to everything we do."
With a snort, he threw the handkerchief into the butler's arms and walked out with a swift, powerful stride. "Next month, I'm going to Xiling in person to pick up the goods. If you have time, come with me. You've been staying in this house all day, never leaving the house. Your horizons have become as narrow as those of a girl in seclusion."
The housekeeper said, "..." Is it appropriate for a master to scold a servant like this? Who is the boudoir girl?
The housekeeper hurriedly followed his master, "Master, you are already thirty years old this year, and it's time for you to have a mistress in your house——"
"Prepare the car, go to Tubei Mountain again and invite Master Huo into the city!"
"The head of the family—"
"If you can't hire one, I'll fine you one month's salary!"
“…” The butler shut up obediently.
Even though he is narrow-minded and narrow-minded, his loyalty is unquestionable.
Isn’t it because the master feels it’s not worth it?
The master does not understand the servant's heart.
The housekeeper was worried about his monthly salary, so he didn't dare to delay any longer. He quickly ordered the servants in the mansion to prepare the car and prepare to leave the city to be turned away again.
As soon as he got on the carriage and left the house, he turned around and saw Master Huo standing out from the crowd on the messy street.
Master Huo also saw the butler sticking his head out of the small window of the carriage and nodded to him with a smile.
The butler pulled his lips stiffly.
The monthly salary was saved.
…
Master Huo entered the Bai Mansion.
Bai Kui came to greet them personally and ordered people to prepare good tea in the hall. The kitchen immediately got busy and prepared a table of delicious dishes as quickly as possible.
"Mr. Huo, you've kept me waiting for so long. I finally got you here, hahaha." Bai Kui laughed heartily and offered tea. "My Bai Mansion is so prosperous today!"
Huo Ziheng picked up the teacup and returned the greeting. After taking a sip of the tea, he put the cup down, stood up and bowed to Bai Kui. "I came to you this time to ask for something else."
"Sir, please don't be so polite. If you need my help with anything, please feel free to tell me. I will do my best to help you."
"In that case, I will speak frankly. My wife and I have settled down in Tubei Mountain, but we need to make a living. That's why I came here to ask Master Bai to lift a hand and allow my wife to do some short-term business in the city."
Bai Kui raised his eyebrows and looked at the man opposite him calmly.
This was actually the first time he and Huo Ziheng met. Because there was a rival in the inner city who was always keeping an eye on him, he was unable to go to Tu Beishan in person to ask for help.
Today, I see that Huo Ziheng is a true scholar, and his every move exudes a strong scholarly air.
He stood there with his back straight and his posture calm and generous, like a bamboo standing quietly in the mountains, neither humble nor overbearing, pure but not arrogant.
A dying man still retains his integrity.
Bai Kui withdrew his gaze, lowered his brows, and smiled, "Young Master, you are different from the scholars I have met before. You do not look down on unsophisticated people like us. I, Bai Kui, love talents. If you are in financial difficulty, why not accept my invitation and become my retainer? As long as you nod, I will ensure that you will have a worry-free life for the rest of your life."
Huo Ziheng smiled and sat down opposite Bai Kui. "If I agree to Patriarch Bai's request, I'm afraid it will only harm him. How can Wangque Tower and the Twelve Piers stand by and watch the Bai Mansion grow stronger? Only if I stay out of this can the three forces maintain their balance."
"Sir, do you think I, Bai Kui, am incapable of fighting two enemies alone? I might not have dared to say so before, but with your help, it remains to be seen who will prevail."
"No," Huo Ziheng shook his head and sighed, "It's because I, Huo, am going to die soon. Patriarch Bai insisted on recruiting me. He might gain temporary benefits, but he will suffer endless troubles later. It's truly a losing proposition."
This time Bai Kui didn't speak for a long time.
He really loves and cherishes talents.
After meeting Huo Ziheng, he wanted to recruit him even more.
Huo Ziheng added, "Master Bai is renowned for his generosity, resourcefulness, and determination, making him a local hero. I, Huo, do not ask for much; I do not want to be involved in disputes or disputes, nor do I want to be left alone. If Master Bai is willing to lend a hand, I will remember this favor for the rest of my life."
"Why?" Bai Kui asked, "Young Master, a scholar with a proud character, why would you bend down and seek a way to make money?"
The scholar's eyebrows softened a little, "My wife wants to support me, there's not much I can do for her, so why not bend over backwards?"
"In that case, let's talk business, Mr. Huo. I, Bai Kui, am a businessman."
"Outside the land of exile, it has nothing to do with the disputes here. One day, Huo can offer a plan to Master Bai to break the impasse."
"Okay, I agree!"
When leaving Bai Mansion, Huo Ziheng had a faint smile in his eyes.
Ah Xian will be happy.
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