The next day, Heavenly Immortal, drunk and stumbling, along with White Cloud, went to Hu Yun Mountain and "accidentally" t Yu Niang. Gu Shanhai did not follow them; his situation was a bit more dire, now squatting on the beams of the main hall of Luo Mansion, eavesdropping on Luo Huaisong chatting with Gu Nei Zhenren from Japan.
From the way Luo Huaisong nodded and bowed, it seed that the Luo Family had been either supported by Gu Nei Zhenren or rather, more deeply, perhaps by Japan as a ans to plant a stake.
In the exchange, Gu Shanhai learned that Luo Huaisong had continuously used the power in Qingxian Town to help Gu Nei Zhenren gather advanced technology and powerful Cultivation Techniques as outputs of interest, even going as far as overtly searching for certain items.
"This is quite strange, why fixate on Yu Niang," Gu Shanhai grew more puzzled inside. According to this web of relationships, one hundred taels of silver could easily buy soone better than Yu Niang outside, who would be more obedient and less troubleso, not to ntion not having to send Fan Shi away through one’s own network.
Not to ntion, the efforts spent on sending Fan Shi to study in Japan had cost more than one hundred taels of silver.
It must be said, Luo Huaisong was indeed sowhat inscrutable; Gu Shanhai had initially thought that sending Fan Shi to Japan ant selling him off as a piglet, but unexpectedly, it genuinely involved arranging for his studies, a situation far beyond Gu Shanhai’s expectations.
"It’s not impossible, such as Fan Shi joining them through this channel, hence they are willing to help," Gu Shanhai quickly ca up with this.
As they chatted, Fan Shi arrived, summoned by soone sent by Luo Huaisong.
Upon seeing Gu Nei Zhenren from Japan, Fan Shi’s level of enthusiasm was such that, taphorically speaking, the smile on his face could trap flies in its wrinkles.
Complints that Gu Shanhai heard were enough to make his skin crawl.
After a warm exchange, Fan Shi began to criticize Tianzhou for being feudal and backward with all sorts of residues rampant and expressed his deep admiration for the freedom and advancent of Japan, even stating how becoming a Japanese person would truly glorify his ancestors.
Gu Shanhai could only grumble from the rafters, "The likelihood of glorifying your ancestors is slim; I reckon your ancestors’ coffin boards wouldn’t stand it."
Although he wasn’t sure where Fan Shi’s ludicrous ideas ca from, one thing was sure: Japan was not as good as Fan Shi thought.
From the previous conversations, Gu Shanhai concluded that Japan was far inferior to Tianzhou in both technology and civil life, not to ntion that once Tianzhou completed its reforms, the imperial court would erge to suppress the sects, centralize resources, and vigorously develop firearms, then Japan could only await its doom.
If Japan were truly that impressive, why would Luo Huaisong need to secretly gather advanced technology from various sects?
About the upper class living well? That’s nonsense; every upper class lives well.
To think that he, a foreigner, could reach high status in Japan; he would probably end up only fit to toil.
The sects may be sowhat feudal, but when it ca to advanced technology, they had nothing feudal about them; otherwise, how could thermal weaponry talismans be invented?
"Dear Nephew Fan, congratulations. In a couple of days, you will head to Japan with Mr. Gu Nei. However, that place is a free world; surely you aren’t planning to take Yu Niang there as well, are you? Bringing such feudal residue might adversely affect your status," Luo Huaisong seized a ripe mont, revealing his true intentions.
Hearing this, Fan Shi hesitated, hardly understanding the concept of feudal residues. He only knew of these through Luo Huaisong; in his eyes, Luo Huaisong, being wealthy and powerful, must be correct.
"Yes, Mr. Fan, why would you choose a rural feudal tradition? Once you arrive in the land of freedom, you can choose anyone you like," Gu Nei Zhenren chid in.
With Gu Nei Zhenren speaking up, Fan Shi’s hesitation vanished instantaneously, convinced that anything foreign was superior.
"Just abandoning her like that, wouldn’t that be sowhat improper?" Fan Shi thought of Yu Niang’s complete submission to him, and he felt a bit reluctant—which was not so much about losing this relationship but rather losing a useful tool.
"Indeed, it wouldn’t be quite right. If Yu Niang doesn’t mind, she could marry into my Luo Family. You know my son is simple-minded. He lives lavishly every day without needing to work the fields," Luo Huaisong said with a pitying tone.
This made Fan Shi a bit sickened, but he couldn’t resist the carrot and stick approach by the two n, especially after Gu Nei Zhenren promised to introduce him to a fair-skinned, beautiful Japanese noblewoman, and Luo Huaisong’s offer of sponsoring him with one hundred taels of silver. Any reluctances and considerations were quickly abandoned.
Choosing between a plain-looking rural girl who knew nothing and a well-educated, noble lady of notable heritage and beauty—of course, he didn’t need to think twice.
"The truly outstanding Nephew Fan, not only is your future promising, but you also consider even those around you. It just so happens I’ve organized a banquet to welco Mr. Gu Nei. Why not join us for a few drinks?" Luo Huaisong, seeing his goal achieved, felt a surge of relief.
Fan Shi’s face appeared to refuse, ntioning he had other matters, yet his mouth uncontrollably salivated at the thought of the lavish banquet’s fine wines and als, which were far more delicious than any food he could have at ho.
This was a classic case of superficial reluctance contrasting with heartfelt eagerness.
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