Chapter 146

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Back at the Huanxi Villa, Zhang Xiaohua’s life resumed its usual rhythm. He had thought that after being away from the villa for so long, Nie Xiao’er and the others would swarm around him, asking all sorts of questions. He had already concocted a bunch of lies to fob them off. However, the reality was that when they saw his return, their expressions showed only immense surprise in their eyes, and their words were limited to simple greetings and a bit of concern. They didn’t probe further, which left Zhang Xiaohua feeling extremely frustrated, as if he was hitting cotton with his fists. At the same time, he privately admired the quality of these disciples from a prestigious sect, they were indeed quite impressive!

Just as Zhang Xiaohua was considering discarding his lies to protect his own interests, a swarm of human-shaped pesky flies, led by Ma Jing and others from the Huanxi Villa, emerged. Previously, after Zhang Xiaohua was injured, their treatment of him had improved, and they had ceased their harassment. This had puzzled him for a long time. Now, with Zhang Xiaohua missing for such a long time, they thought he had vanished from the world, never to be seen again. But Zhang Xiaohua suddenly reappeared, wasn’t it a shock to them?

Thus, like flies sensing blood, they buzzed around Zhang Xiaohua all day long, eager to learn about his activities over the past two months. Zhang Xiaohua initially ignored them, but his thin skin made it difficult to endure their persistent questioning. Eventually, he had no choice but to spill the nonsensical stories he had prepared for Nie Xiao’er and the others. Once he had satiated their gossiping curiosity, they dispersed with a loud buzz, no longer paying attention to him. Zhang Xiaohua helplessly rubbed his nose and inwardly prayed: “Nose, oh nose, don’t blame me. It’s not that I don’t care about you, I’m also forced into this situation. Living in the Jianghu, one is not in control of their own destiny.”

That morning, Zhang Xiaohua was completely unaware that he had been hit in the head with a huge opportunity. He continued with his usual routine: practicing martial arts, eating, and farming. (Oh, it seems these are all the mainstream trends in fantasy now! Zhang Xiaohua accidentally became quite fashionable.) Although Ou Yan had mentioned that he could manage his own time and didn’t necessarily have to work in the fields, he had grown accustomed to farm life. Even in his free time, he couldn’t stay away from the medicinal fields. Moreover, with spring approaching, many herbs needed weeding and watering. Zhang Xiaohua was more than happy to help out. At that moment, while he was using a small hoe to weed, he heard someone calling his name from the side.

He looked up to see He Tianshu and Qiu Tong standing by the edge of the field. He smiled and walked over to greet them, saying: “Sister Qiu Tong, what brings you here?”

Qiu Tong replied with a smile: “Xiaohua, you’re quite busy. Didn’t the young lady say you could manage your own time? Why are you working so hard in the fields?”

Zhang Xiaohua responded with a grin: “I’ve grown up in the fields since I was a child, and I’m not used to being away from them. It’s still better to help out here.”

Qiu Tong said: “That’s good then. Captain He won’t have to search for more people. Zhang Xiaohua, come quickly. The young lady has something to discuss with you and Captain He.”

He Tianshu, surprised, asked: “And me? What’s the matter?”

Qiu Tong laughed and said: “I don’t know either. The young lady has been quite mysterious and hasn’t said anything.”

Zhang Xiaohua said: “Alright, I’ll head up now.”

After finishing his work, Zhang Xiaohua tidied up and followed Qiu Tong and He Tianshu to the inner courtyard. Qiu Tong pointed to the door and said: “You two go in. The young lady is waiting inside. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you.”

He Tianshu said: “Alright, you go on with your work. This isn’t our first time here.”

After saying that, he was about to lead Zhang Xiaohua inside when Qiu Tong called them again and asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, I’m going to the Lotus Escort Agency. Do you have any messages or anything you want me to pass on to your brother?”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and replied: “Nothing much. Just tell my brother that I’m doing fine and he doesn’t need to worry about me.”

Qiu Tong nodded in agreement and hurriedly left.

Zhang Xiaohua followed He Tianshu into the inner courtyard’s hall.

In the hall, Ou Yan was sitting on a chair, looking somewhat anxious. When she saw them enter, she smiled and said: “You’re finally here. Why so late?”

Zhang Xiaohua, feeling a bit embarrassed, said: “Sister Ou, I was working in the fields, so I got here a bit late. Sorry for making you wait.”

Ou Yan, hearing this, was visibly pleased and said with a smile: “It’s alright. It’s rare to find someone who is neither arrogant nor impetuous and still helps out in the fields. How could I blame you? Come on, you two follow me. There are some things we need to take care of.”

Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu found it strange that Ou Yan didn’t mention what needed to be done. They exchanged puzzled glances and followed Ou Yan out of the hall.

In Pingyang City, at the Lotus Escort Agency, in the house of Fourth Master Wen, Fourth Master Wen and his nephew, Yu Deyi, were enjoying fragrant tea and chatting about interesting matters when someone hurriedly entered the courtyard and came to the door.

Fourth Master Wen heard the footsteps and looked up to see it was Head Escort Luo.

Fourth Master Wen frowned slightly when he saw him but quickly put on a smile and said: “Ah, Head Escort Luo, come in.”

Head Escort Luo entered with a pleasant smile, exchanged greetings, and took a seat. Fourth Master Wen said: “Head Escort Luo, you did a great job on this long-distance escort mission. We’ve gained a lot thanks to you. Your hard work is much appreciated, and I will definitely remember your contribution. When there’s a chance, I will report to the Chief Escort and give you credit.”

Head Escort Luo quickly stood up and said with a smile: “It’s nothing. It’s my duty to do this job well, and it’s all thanks to Fourth Master’s usual guidance.”

Fourth Master Wen smiled and said: “Head Escort Luo, you’re too modest. It’s your own efforts that have made it successful. I only give a little guidance.”

Head Escort Luo adjusted his expression and said seriously: “Fourth Master Wen, you’re mistaken. As the ancient saying goes, ‘Sailing the sea depends on the helmsman’. Without your guidance, we wouldn’t have a direction for our efforts. Even if we worked hard, it would be in vain, and we might end up going further off course. Your contributions far exceed ours.”

Yu Deyi glanced at Fourth Master Wen and said with a smile: “Fourth Master, there’s no need to be modest. Head Escort Luo’s words are quite accurate. As the ancient saying goes, ‘A general’s skill reflects the army’s skill’. Many matters in the escort agency still rely on you.”

Fourth Master Wen, hearing this, felt greatly pleased. He stroked his sparse beard and smiled broadly.

After the guests had been seated for a while, Fourth Master Wen asked: “What brings Head Escort Luo here today?”

Head Escort Luo smiled, glanced at Yu Deyi, and said: “It’s nothing much. Just some matters regarding the escort agency that I wanted to discuss with Fourth Master.”

Seeing this, Yu Deyi quickly stood up and said: “In that case, Fourth Master, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit again another day.”

Fourth Master Wen waved his hand and said: “It’s fine, Deyi. Please sit back down for now. There’s still something I need to discuss with you. Head Escort Luo, go ahead and speak. Deyi is my nephew and also part of the martial arts hall, he is essentially a member of the escort agency. There’s no need to keep him out of the loop, don’t you think?”

Head Escort Luo thought for a moment and said: “That’s fine. These are all public matters of the agency, and Young Master Yu is likely aware of them.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Deyi sat back down.

Head Escort Luo continued: “Actually, it’s not a big deal. It’s just that this time the escort mission was quite far, and we spent the New Year outside. Over time, some people in the escort team who weren’t fully loyal to the escort agency started to think of ways to take advantage of it. They’re clamoring for double the monthly wages. Fourth Master, do you think this is reasonable? You provide food and drink at the agency, and you receive allowances for long missions. The escort agency has been quite generous, so people shouldn’t be without conscience. That’s why I reprimanded them sternly.”

At this point, Head Escort Luo paused, looked at Fourth Master Wen’s expression, and, seeing no change, continued: “But…”

He then gritted his teeth and said, as if having made up his mind; “However, Zhang Xiaohu, the team member you assigned as my assistant, seems to think you’ve made him the deputy head escort. He insists on being called ‘Deputy Head Escort Zhang’ both publicly and privately. To win people over, he’s even gathered many team members and escorts to pressure me into raising their monthly wages. Fourth Master, do you think someone who lacks a broader perspective and only focuses on his own little circle can effectively lead?”

Fourth Master Wen’s expression changed slightly but soon returned to its usual calm demeanor. He said: “I see. I’ll have a good talk with Zhang Xiaohu later. The purpose of making him your assistant is to ensure he cooperates well with your work and guarantees the safety and success of this mission. His behavior of forming factions is definitely inappropriate.”

Head Escort Luo smiled and said: “Fourth Master, you have a far-sighted perspective and can see the essence of the problem. I’m just considering the escort agency’s future. By the way, there’s one more issue.”

Fourth Master Wen said: “It’s fine. Feel free to bring up any issues you have.”

Head Escort Luo then recounted the incident of meeting Zhang Xiaohua in the coastal town and mentioned how he had asked Zhang Xiaohua to pay for his own food and lodging. He continued: “Master Wen, don’t you think I’m right? Zhang Xiaohu’s brother isn’t one of our agency members. Why should we let him take advantage of us? Moreover, I specifically checked with the agency’s accounts office yesterday, and it turns out Zhang Xiaohu completely ignored my instructions. The accounts office hasn’t received his payment. Does he still see me as his superior? Has he really taken the agency’s interests to heart?”

Fourth Master Wen thought for a moment and said to Yu Deyi: “Deyi, please bring Zhang Xiaohu here so I can question him personally.”

Head Escort Luo hurriedly waved his hand and said: “Fourth Master, there’s no need to make such a fuss. I only came to discuss this with you.”

Fourth Master Wen said to Yu Deyi: “Go ahead and call him, but don’t tell him anything about this.”

Then turning to Head Escort Luo, he said: “The issues you’ve raised show that you care deeply about the agency. When helping our brothers in the escort agency, we should adopt a corrective approach. We need to clarify these matters. If Zhang Xiaohu is in the wrong, I won’t protect him in the least.”

Before long, Zhang Xiaohu arrived at Fourth Master Wen’s room with Yu Deyi. Seeing that Head Escort Luo was also present, he was surprised and greeted both men respectfully before sitting down on a chair near the door as instructed.

Once Zhang Xiaohu was seated, Fourth Master Wen looked at him and asked: “Zhang Xiaohu, as Head Escort Luo’s assistant on this long-distance escort mission, you’ve worked hard and done well. However, I have two questions for you, and you need to answer them honestly.”

Zhang Xiaohu nodded and said: “Yes, Fourth Master. Please ask your questions.”

Fourth Master Wen nodded slightly and said: “Are there some people in the escort team who are asking for double the monthly wages? Is this something you’re involved in?”

Zhang Xiaohu was taken aback and thought to himself: “Didn’t I already mention this when I returned?”

Seeing that Head Escort Luo was sipping tea with his head lowered, Zhang Xiaohu suddenly understood and said: “Fourth Master, here’s the thing. This trip was quite long, and we spent the New Year away from home. The morale of the team was quite unstable, everyone was homesick. Moreover, since it was New Year’s, the cost of things over there was naturally high, leading to significant expenses for everyone. So, it wasn’t just a few people but everyone who hoped the escort agency could provide some kind of subsidy, like double or even triple the monthly wages. They were afraid that if there was no precedent and Head Escort Luo refused, they would have no recourse. They came to me first to discuss it. I thought since we’re all away from home, it’s not easy. Even if triple wages were too much, double wages should be something the escort agency could consider. So, I discussed it with Head Escort Luo. At that time, he didn’t agree but asked me to relay this to you. I was busy after returning and forgot about it. If you hadn’t mentioned it today, I would have failed the brothers’ trust.”

Fourth Master Wen, hearing Zhang Xiaohu’s explanation, smiled and said: “The brothers in the escort team have indeed had a hard time traveling far. Their request is reasonable and understandable. I can sympathize with them. However, this matter still needs to be discussed at the higher levels of the agency. I can’t make a decision right now, but we will definitely provide a satisfactory answer in the future.”

Both Head Escort Luo and Zhang Xiaohu nodded. However, their nods might not have shared the same sentiment internally!

Fourth Master Wen nodded in satisfaction and, after a moment’s hesitation, continued: “Also, Zhang Xiaohu, I heard what Head Escort Luo said about bringing your brother. He suggested that your brother should pay a nominal fee, what’s your opinion?”

After hearing this, Zhang Xiaohu was surprised and said strangely: “Well, at that time, Head Escort Luo wanted my brother to pay for food and lodging. I thought he could stay with me, so the lodging fee could be waived. Just covering the meal cost should be sufficient. I’ve already given the meal cost to the accompanying staff. If Head Escort Luo thinks it’s insufficient and insists on a lodging fee, I will make up the difference. As a member of the agency, adhering to the agency’s rules is my basic duty.”

“What? I asked the accounts office yesterday, and you didn’t provide any payment at all.” Head Escort Luo blurted out.

Fourth Master Wen frowned. His earlier hesitation was because he didn’t want to bring up Zhang Xiaohua’s situation, which involved Huanxi Villa. However, since Head Escort Luo had irresponsibly brought Zhang Xiaohu’s shortcomings into the open, not addressing it might appear as if he was favoring Zhang Xiaohu. Upon hearing that Zhang Xiaohu had indeed made the payment, Fourth Master Wen felt that Head Escort Luo was being unreasonable and was jealous of the wise and capable. In contrast, Zhang Xiaohu’s actions were commendable, showing his consideration and proper conduct.

Therefore, Fourth Master Wen turned to Yu Deyi and said: “Deyi, please go to the accounts office and bring over the staff who accompanied the team.”

Yu Deyi smiled and said: “No problem, Fourth Master. I’ll go right away.”

Soon after, the accounts officer who accompanied the team arrived at Fourth Master Wen’s room with Yu Deyi. Seeing the crowd in the room, the gentleman looked puzzled. After greeting everyone, he stood to the side and asked: “May I ask why Fourth Master has called this subordinate here?”

Fourth Master Wen smiled and said: “There’s a matter I’d like you to clarify. Just answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’, without worrying about anyone’s feelings.”

The gentleman looked at Head Escort Luo and Zhang Xiaohu in confusion and nodded in agreement.

Fourth Master Wen continued: “Zhang Xiaohu says he has already given you the payment for his brother’s food and lodging. Is this true?”

The gentleman immediately understood and quickly replied: “Yes, this is true.”

Head Escort Luo, hearing this, was so anxious that he almost stood up. Fourth Master Wen gestured for him to sit down and then asked: “Then why is it not recorded in the accounts?”

The gentleman replied with a smile: “Fourth Master, Zhang Xiaohu handed the money to me that very morning when he returned. However, I had some urgent family matters to attend to and have been on leave these past few days. Today, I finally managed to return to the escort agency, and the money was entered into the accounts this morning. Fourth Master can just have someone check the accounts.”

Head Escort Luo’s face turned pale with regret as he thought; “You had personal matters, fine. But how could you forget this one task? How unfortunate.”

Hearing this, Fourth Master Wen frowned and said: “That’s your fault. How can you leave without entering the agency’s funds?”

The gentleman protested: “Fourth Master, it’s not that I didn’t enter it earlier. I calculated the escort team funds carefully before I left for home. Since Xiaohu’s brother is just a child with limited food needs, the total amounted to only a small sum. However, since it’s a matter of accounts, I couldn’t let Zhang Xiaohu lose out. It took time to sort it out, and I just finished calculating it this morning. I also have a few copper coins left, which I haven’t handed over to Zhang Xiaohu yet.”

With that, he took out a few dozen large coins from his pouch and handed them to Zhang Xiaohu. Zhang Xiaohu accepted them without hesitation.

Fourth Master Wen’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing this. As he was about to speak, footsteps were heard from outside the door. Fourth Master Wen looked towards the door and saw it was Qiu Tong from Huanxi Villa.

Fourth Master Wen quickly stood up, walked briskly to the door to greet her, and said cheerfully: “Miss Qiu Tong, what brings you to our escort agency today? It’s truly an honor.”

Qiu Tong smiled and said: “Fourth Master Wen, you’re too kind. I’m just a servant from Huanxi Villa and don’t deserve such a grand reception.”

Fourth Master Wen replied: “Miss Qiu Tong, you’re being too modest. Everyone knows that in the inner courtyard of Huanxi Villa, your words carry weight and that aside from the Villa Owner, everyone else follows your lead?”

Qiutong said: “It’s all due to the Villa Onwer’s favor, not something I can claim credit for.”

Following this, Fourth Master Wen invited Qiu Tong into the room.

Upon entering, Qiu Tong noticed the room was full of people and furrowed her brow, saying: “Are you dealing with matters right now, Fourth Master? Should I come back later?”

Fourth Master Wen smiled and said: “It’s no problem. We’re just about finished here. Please, have a seat. I’ll send them off first.”

Qiu Tong, after hearing this, was not one to stand on ceremony. She looked around the room, and when she saw Zhang Xiaohu present, her eyes brightened. She then chose a seat at the head of the table and sat down.

Fourth Master Wen noticed Qiu Tong taking her seat and addressed everyone, saying: “The matter of the food and lodging expenses has been clarified. I have other business to attend to now, so you may leave for the time being. I will seek you out later.”

After everyone heard this, the crowd was about to rise and take their leave.

Then they heard Qiu Tong say: “Everyone, please wait.”