Chapter 33 Qingfeng Villa
Chapter 33 Qingfeng Villa
Day two.
In the east of the city, there is Qingfeng Villa.
The man stood in front of the window. It was snowing heavily outside the corridor. The plum tree in the yard had lost its last leaf, and long strings of icicles hung on the branches.
"It has been snowing these days, but it was clear yesterday. People say that the immortals in the Dragon Palace are protecting Master Tong."
The old gardener was tending to the beautiful peony and telling some interesting stories about the city from time to time.
After all, this was the first time he met such a generous boss in Pingding City.
He was hired for thirty taels just to make this peony bloom. I wonder what kind of family he is from, but he spends money like water.
He quietly glanced at the back of the person by the window, secretly guessing the other person's identity, he must be either rich or noble.
"What else are people saying about the Tong family?"
"Speaking of Master Tong's 60th birthday, the gifts he received were truly extraordinary. One room was filled with gold, another room was filled with silver, another room was filled with silk and satin, and another room was filled with pearls and agates."
"Four rooms? Interesting."
"Boss, there's something more interesting."
"Ok?"
"Some people say that those four rooms are not as good as four things. Do you know what those four things are?"
"Which four?"
The old gardener said proudly: "A pillar in the north sky, a filial son piercing a sutra, an immortal bestowing scales, and the leader rewarding wine."
“That’s incomparable.”
The young man walked to the table and looked at the peony that was slow to bloom.
Same soil, same pots, same fertilizer, same pruning.
Why doesn't it bloom?
Why him?
He smiled and said, "Boss, you really know a little bit about everything. What else have you heard?"
Gardener Dong wanted to prove that he was worthy of the thirty taels of silver from the owner, so he racked his brains, thinking about the interesting stories he had heard from the Sihai Teahouse.
"There is another story. It is said that at the banquet, the third son of the Tong family made a joke. I didn't hear the details of what happened. I will ask him later and tell him tomorrow."
Tong Yukang smiled even more: "Do you think this peony can still bloom?"
"The weather is getting colder, I'm afraid it will be difficult, I will do my best."
"Forget it then. You don't have to come tomorrow."
"Boss, I am a humble person..."
"get out."
After Gardener Dong left, the plate of peonies fell to the ground, with dirt and porcelain pieces splattering everywhere.
A black shadow jumped in from the window and landed gently on the ground without any sound. He was wearing a cloth robe and a straw hat, and obviously did not want outsiders to know his identity. He walked to the table.
"There are people watching outside the courtyard."
"I know."
"Do you know who it is?"
"My dad."
"why?"
"Maybe it's because of Yang Lianting."
Tong Yukang poured two cups of hot tea: "Pu'er has been stored for more than five years, and has naturally aged, turning from ripe to raw. The tea is mild in nature and has a rich aroma, which is perfect for eliminating the cold in winter."
The man glanced at the mess on the ground, took the teacup, and asked, "Do you have a personal grudge against him?"
Tong Yukang thought about it and shook his head.
"You really lost your temper yesterday."
Tong Yukang sneered: "I'm not a saint, it's normal to lose my composure occasionally!"
The man was silent for a moment and asked, "What's the latest news?"
"Dongfang Bubai went back to Blackwood Cliff and seemed to have left again."
"Dongfang Bubai left Blackwood Cliff? Can you find out where he went?"
"How can you really say that a useless person who can't do martial arts is going to investigate Dongfang Bubai's whereabouts? Why don't you just let me capture Dongfang Bubai for you? Wouldn't that save you a lot of trouble?"
"Hehe, it would be best if we can catch him. I mean start with Yang Lianting. During Dongfang Bubai's absence, there should be some kind of information transmission channel between him and him." "Yang Lianting is not as simple as he looks. If you are so impatient, something will happen sooner or later."
"It's not me who's anxious, it's the higher-ups! As long as Dongfang Bubai is in power, Lord Wan's plan won't work."
The porcelain lid turned around the rim of the cup, and the foam was removed. The tea leaves slowly expanded in the boiling water. Tong Yukang glanced at the man in the bamboo hat and sneered, "What's the use of being anxious? The Sun Moon Divine Sect has a hundred years of foundation. If we really talk about the foundation... Zhang, Han, Zhu, and Peng, but Emperor Taizu was a little luckier back then, so the Han family became the legitimate dynasty in the world—"
The man in the bamboo hat quickly stopped him and said, "Captain Tong, these are not something you and I can say!"
........................
That night.
In the small pavilion in the backyard of Tong Mansion.
Several lines of footprints on the snow extended all the way to the front of the pavilion.
There was a blazing fire in the copper stove, and the lamb chops wrapped in honey were roasted to golden brown, emitting a charming aroma.
The lid of the pot trembled like a jumping little rabbit, pushed up by the hot steam, and the aroma of wine surged out.
The four members of the Tong family, father and son, each lived in one area.
"The expansion of the Divine Religion to the north is not going smoothly. Dalang, you need to pay more attention."
"The most powerful underworld force in Shuntian Prefecture is Zhongxiaotang, which seems to be connected with Jinyiwei. The government has secretly intervened several times, otherwise I would have wiped out that group of people long ago."
Tong Yuhai is in his early forties and looks about 80% like his father. At the age of 16, he followed Tong Baixiong and traveled the world. Now he is a powerful leader of the Sun and Moon Sect and is in charge of Shuntian Prefecture where the capital is located.
Tong Baixiong frowned and said, "The affairs of the martial arts world are the affairs of the martial arts world. This is the tacit understanding between the Jinyiwei and the Divine Cult. If it weren't for the villains in the cult causing chaos and the factions fighting each other, Wanchonglou would never dare to do this!"
Tong Yuhai asked, "I think we should use force to intimidate the Jinyiwei when necessary?"
"Six years ago, it was certainly possible. But now the sect is in turmoil and has gone to war with the Jinyiwei. Big brother, I'm worried that Fengleitang will have to stand alone in the front, dealing with foreign enemies while guarding against Yang Lianting. It will be difficult to cope."
Tong Yuzhong runs a private salt business and is the biggest private salt dealer under the emperor's feet. He makes a fortune every day and is the money bag of his elder brother Tong Yuhai. The two have a very close relationship, but their styles of doing things are different.
Tong Baixiong thought for a moment and said, "I think what Dalang said is right. We should still use force to shock them, but we should be careful about the limits. The Oirat tribe is very strong on the grassland, and the Jinyiwei dare not use all their strength to start a war."
Tong Yuhai smiled and said, "Okay, after the Chinese New Year, I will go back to Shuntian Prefecture to make arrangements."
The father and his two sons drank wine, ate meat and chatted about worldly affairs, having a very pleasant time.
Tong Yukang sat alone in the corner, feeling cold and lonely.
Seeing this, Tong Yuhai joked, "Third brother, you have read a lot and have always been insightful. Why don't you talk tonight? Are you unhappy to see your brothers coming back?"
Tong Yukang chuckled and said, "That's not true, brother. I'm so happy that you guys are back."
Tong Baixiong couldn't bear to see him look listless, so he asked, "Sanlang, do you still remember what happened yesterday?"
Tong Yukang sighed: "Dad, I was impulsive yesterday and shouldn't have said those words at the banquet."
Tong Baixiong asked: "Do you have any old grudges with Zhang Yu?"
Tong Yukang showed a sad look on his face: "Daddy, why do you look at me like this?"
Tong Baixiong frowned and said, "Oh, if it's not an old grudge, then why do you keep making things difficult for him?"
Tong Yukang smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know him at all. I am just worried about my father."
Tong Baixiong was puzzled and asked, "Worried about me? What do you mean?"
"Dad should know that Wu Lianjiang is the most trusted confidant of Ren Jiaozhu. I heard that Miss Ren also favors Zhang Yu. Dad accepted Wu Lianjiang as his disciple into Fenglei Hall. There are already rumors on Blackwood Cliff. If you continue to show him undue favor, I am afraid that Dongfang Jiaozhu will be suspicious of Dad."
Tong Yukang's tone was filled with worry.
Tong Baixiong pondered for a moment and said, "Zhang Yu is Wu Lianjiang's apprentice and also a disciple of the Sun Moon Divine Sect. I don't believe that he can't tell the difference between the important and the unimportant and would join Miss Ren, who is only a figurehead."
"I'm afraid that people will think that Dad is just waiting and watching."
Tong Yukang picked up the tongs and picked up some firewood to make the fire in the stove burn more vigorously.
He glanced at his second brother and gently put down the pliers.
Tong Yuzhong said, "The third brother is right. Even if the immortal bestowed the scales, Daddy shouldn't have mentioned him as the incense master. Someone offered a blue carp back then, and Master Ren promoted that person several levels. If someone with ulterior motives connects the two events, it will be bad for Daddy."
Tong Baixiong nodded slightly: "I didn't expect what you said, Erlang..."
Tong Yuhai smiled and said, "Isn't he the deputy flag master? I think it's more than enough to promote him to the position of flag master. He is really a promising talent. It won't be too late to promote him slowly later."
Tong Baixiong nodded, looked at Tong Yukang with relief, and said with a smile: "Daddy misunderstood you."
(End of this chapter)