At noon, He Wenbing's son, who was the Young Master of the Fishery, returned excitedly to talk about the grand opening of Bai's Fish Stall.
Hundreds of fine goods rushed in like the tide, diving into the big net, it was an impressive sight. Bai Qi even went into the river barehanded, capturing a golden rainbow trout, drawing cheers from everyone.
After today, Bai Ahqi has truly beco famous throughout Black River County!
He Tai had long forgotten who Yangquan was; he only wanted to associate with the thriving Bai Qi, outshining Song Qiying from Chai Market, to save face, so he asked his father for advice.
He Wenbing, cunning and experienced, imdiately thought of a strategy, using Yang ng as a stepping stone to secure the loyalty of the Liang father and son.
Since Bai Ahqi values emotions and repays kindness, they would use Liang Laoshu and Liang Sanshui to bind him firmly.
Thus, this banquet of mountain delicacies was held.
In the main hall, Yang ng sat on pins and needles, clenching his teeth, as if mustering great courage:
"Master, I won't make things difficult for Liang Laoshu, but to apologize to him... I really can't do it.
I've fought with him for most of my life, and in the end, to concede, I'm afraid I won't be able to close my eyes in the coffin."
He Wenbing squinted his eyes, spat out a piece of chewed at residue, and suddenly slapped the table, cursing:
"Call the chef over! How can they serve dishes that aren't cooked through? If they can't even manage the heat, what are they doing with the ladle?"
The Fishery Owner, with a sallow face, seed extrely angry, his imposing deanor was terrifying, shaking the large red sandalwood round table filled with mountain and wild delicacies, almost causing cups and plates to fall and break.
"Old Yang, excuse the embarrassnt, I even hired Baoqing Tower's head chef, but it still turned out poorly."
He Wenbing quickly put on a smile, as a maid with hot water hastily knelt down, holding the copper basin high. He rinsed his mouth with tea water and used the handkerchief beside him to wipe his mouth:
"You know, I'm not exactly from a wealthy background; just from a side branch of the He Family in Yihai Prefecture, with sparse mbers, never produced any notable figures, and as a child, I had to work in the fields."
Yang ng sat with half his buttocks on the chair, his body seeming suspended, responding:
"Master has skills, traversed five hundred miles of mountain roads, escorted herbs past Chouyun Creek, and even traveled eight hundred miles along Black Water River, gifting ten Demon Fish Inner Pills as a birthday tribute to Captain Xu of the Pai Bang for his sixtieth birthday, anwhile repelling three waves of Water Thieves, narrowly avoiding a sneaky arrow, that's how you established your footing."
He Wenbing sighed:
"Indeed, if it weren't for you shielding
from arrows, I might have perished there. The Heaven-defying Saber's Water Thieves were so rampant, at their peak, they gathered over a thousand people, luckily they're now mostly obliterated.
Ah, those old stories are past. Where was I talking about again? My mory is truly failing.
Ah, I rember, my father was relegated from Yihai Prefecture to Black River County to start the fishery business. He was a stickler for rules, if anyone misspoke at the table by even half a word, they'd get their palm slapped with a ruler; I've had that punishnt a few tis, it hurt so much I almost shed tears.
If one wouldn't concede afterwards, they'd have to kneel and be whipped, without a warm al to eat."
Yang ng's straightened back bent down, he said solemnly:
"The old master's teachings and example established such a good family atmosphere. What father wouldn't reluctantly discipline his son harshly, it was all for the children to grow up and beco accomplished."
He Wenbing nodded, seemingly countless feelings within him:
"Indeed, a father's slaps on the palms, asking to kneel, denying als, are all ways to make a son obedient.
If he were truly ruthless, it wouldn't just be those things, he'd directly drive them out of the house, letting them fend for themselves... I've digressed; Old Yang, that piece of venison has gone cold, are you eating it or not?"
Yang ng looked down at the aromatic roasted at in his bowl, shimring with oil, he didn't use chopsticks but lifted it and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing hard:
"Great taste! Master, the head chef of Baoqing Tower indeed has top-notch skills."
He Wenbing laughed heartily:
"As long as you enjoy it, that's fine. By the way, let
introduce you to soone."
The Fishery Owner seed to have a weak appetite, tasting only a little of each dish.
He clapped his hands, and a strong man dressed as an attendant erged from behind the hall.
"He Zhong, a born son of the household, his father you also know, it was Wu Gui, who used to be my steward.
He Zhong is diligent and honest, knows to be grateful, I admire him greatly, and thus gave him the surna 'He'."
Yang ng, with oil all over his mouth, casually wiped it clean on his hemp robe, his face showing the right amount of puzzlent, looking at the Master.
He Wenbing, with his hands on his thighs, sat upright:
"With Ah Quan gone, and you not planning to remarry, how could I bear to see you lonely for the rest of your life?
He Zhong, co and kowtow, call him father."
The robust man in his mid-twenties did not hesitate, bending his knees to bow down.
Yang ng exclaid in surprise:
"Master, what's this about?"
He Wenbing lowered his eyelids:
"I want to make a decision and have He Zhong recognize you as his godfather, to take care of you in your old age. You're getting on in years, and soone should always be by your side to look after you and pay their respects.
Moreover, your expertise in the Tiger-Crane Ten Techniques should be passed down. He Zhong has practiced martial arts for a few years and has a good foundation, so you can guide him more often, as a way of promoting the younger generation."
The strong man in gray attire imdiately kowtowed:
"Godfather!"
Yang ng's throat rolled twice, as if he wanted to spit out phlegm but swallowed it back:
"Alright! Thank you, Owner, for your care and consideration. I, Yang ng, accept He Zhong as my adopted son!"
He Wenbing clapped his hands and smiled:
"Old Yang, you've been loyal to the Fishery, and I will not treat you poorly. There's a two-courtyard house in the Inner City, equipped with three cooks, six maidservants, and seven or eight staff mbers, all purchased through the brokerage, the best at serving people. You should move in and enjoy your later years."
Yet Yang ng did not agree this ti:
"Owner, I've lived on Duijin Street for most of my life, it's really hard to leave."
He Wenbing was slightly taken aback, then laughed heartily:
"It's understandable that when people get old, they don't want to move. Then let He Zhong lead the miscellaneous servants over; you continue to eat. I've had stomach problems lately, the physician said I should eat small als frequently, so I won't accompany you."
"Owner! Take care!"
Yang ng stood up to see him off respectfully.
"Godfather, let
have a couple of drinks with you."
Kneeling on the ground, He Zhong got up, smiling as he poured wine.
Yang ng remained silent, biting into the already cold roasted venison, squeezing out sizzling oil, making it a savory chew.
...
...
He Tai sat in the back hall, saw He Wenbing co around, and quickly stepped forward to support him:
"Father, your skills are superior, just a few words, and you subdued that old Yang ng."
He Wenbing squeezed his son's palm, speaking indifferently:
"A wise man understands the aning behind words. Yang ng has no son, he's all alone. If he doesn't rely on the Fishery, can his future days be peaceful?
You should get closer to Bai Ahqi, best to start with the Liang Family. Have Yang ng apologize to Liang Laoshu and work on winning over Liang Sanshui, so that Bai's Fish Stall can't escape the Fishery's control.
In a few days, promise him a couple of shops, let him indulge in food, drink, and entertainnt, frequent brothels and entertainnt quarters, and then you'll all be friends on the sa boat."
He Tai understood clearly, more and more admiring his father:
"Father, why did you let He Zhong beco Yang ng's godson? He's already reached First Training Great Success. Putting him in the Guard for proper cultivation, he could easily beco a Commander."
He Wenbing furrowed his brow slightly, glanced at He Tai, and patiently explained:
"Yang ng has contended with Liang Laoshu for so long, on the verge of leaving this world, and I forcibly made him bow his head and admit his fault. Would he honestly comply? Keeping him around is ultimately a hidden danger.
Sending He Zhong over, firstly to keep an eye on things, to prevent Yang ng from doing sothing foolish like hanging himself or jumping into the river, which would spoil your affairs;
Secondly, he led the Guard in his early years, traveled across the Black Water River, and received a lot of respect from salt rchants and business associations, having quite a solid foundation.
When Yang ng is no longer useful, his life will silently co to an end, and the remaining family business and martial arts will naturally be inherited by his godson, He Zhong, achieving two goals at once, taking advantage of the situation."
He Tai's heart trembled again, once more admiring, ginger is spicier as it gets older.
A table of mountain delicacies, a round of old mories, and Yang ng was thoroughly calculated.
"This is your father's teaching. You must not overfeed a dog, nor give it a chance to bite back. If it dares to show its teeth, kill it."
He Wenbing's hand was cold, even though he had once been a Second Training expert, now his Qi Blood was inevitably declining:
"Your father's health is still sturdy, enough to last seventeen or eighteen years. I don't intend for you to wallow in the mire of Black River County, so I've been painstakingly currying favor with the Pai Bang, thinking of getting you a tax collector's position.
Tai'er, although we are the side branch of the He Family, if you trace back three generations, we did have high officials in the Daoist ranks.
You must strive and, best of all, co under the tutelage of a Daoist Official, to bring glory to the He Family's na."
He Tai nodded solemnly, seeing his son's sensibility, He Wenbing felt slightly gratified:
"Go now, the kitchen has finished stewing the Ghost Pattern Fish, rember to drink a bowl, nourish your Qi Blood more."
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