Embers Ad Infinitum

Shang Jianyao said "Oh":

"Your father is a good dancer, but people should not be judged by their appearance."

He seemed not to hear clearly what Zhao Yide said.

Seeing that Xue Shiyue and others were unconvinced, Zhao Yide had no choice but to repeat:

"My father has something to ask you for help. I wonder if you are willing to see him."

Jiang Baimian's thoughts changed and he said slightly narrowly:

“As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand behind a dangerous wall.

"It's okay to meet, but it can't be in the Zhao Mansion. We have to find a place where everyone feels safe."

Zhao Yide thought this was reasonable, so he nodded and agreed:

"good."

He was about to propose a meeting place when Shang Jianyao suddenly tapped him on the shoulder:

"Eat first and talk about it later. It won't taste good when it's cold."

Zhao Yide slowly turned his head and looked at Shang Jianyao, only to see the sincerity and seriousness on his face.

Looking away, Zhao Yide picked up a small spoon and struggled to finish the potato stew.

This made him almost burst into tears.

"If you don't like meat, I can help you." Shang Jianyao glanced at him and made timely suggestions.

Zhao Yide, like Feng Lunyin, hurriedly replied:

"good!"

Jiang Baimian looked at it and quietly curled his lips.

…………

After the sun sets, we are in the central square of Yecao City.

Zhao Zhengqi, who was wearing an autumn hat and loose robe, was sitting on a sidewalk chair, blowing the cool night breeze, looking at the bodyguards around him who were trying hard and without leaving a trace to prevent the citizens of the city and the relic hunters from approaching, with a slightly dull expression. .

This was the meeting place chosen by Jiang Baimian.

When she and Shang Jianyao walked towards Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen spontaneously dispersed and monitored the surroundings.

Their focus is on several tall buildings around them, mainly to prevent snipers.

As for the square area, most of it is within the scope of Shang Jianyao's "lack of hand movements", the awakened person's ability, so there is no need to pay too much attention.

"Two, long time no see." Zhao Zhengqi saw Xue Shiyue and Zhang Qubing approaching and stood up with a smile.

Shang Jianyao opened his arms, as if he wanted to hug him.

The fat Zhao Zhengqi touched his gray beard, smiled, and accepted the warm hug.

"I'm deeply impressed by your dancing." During the hug, Shang Jianyao patted Zhao Zhengqi on the back.

Zhao Zhengqi quickly retracted his hand, stood up straight, smiled and sighed:

"When I was a child, everyone lived in poverty and often relied on singing and dancing to adjust their mood."

While speaking, he stretched out his hand and shook Jiang Baimian's hand.

After the four of them took their seats, Jiang Baimian asked straight to the point:

"Member Zhao, I don't know why you want to see us?"

Zhao Zhengqi glanced at his eldest son Zhao Yide, considered his words and said:

"Forgive me for asking, where are you going next and what are your plans? You can't let my request delay your business."

His posture was very low.

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied:

"We are going to take a chance with several big powers, hoping for better development."

Zhao Zhengqi showed a clear expression:

"Then I would like to invite some of you to go to the First City, uh, the real city."

"Are you having trouble?" Shang Jianyao asked with concern.

Zhao Zhengqi took advantage of the situation and said:

"Our Zhao family has several manors on the outskirts of the original city, on the south bank of the Red River."

Seeing Jiang Baimian's expression that looked like a smile but not a smile, he hurriedly explained:

"There is an old saying among us Graylanders: You cannot put your eggs in one basket."

Jiang Baimian nodded lightly, and Zhao Zhengqi continued:

“Those manors had some problems some time ago and failed to hand over last year’s income as scheduled. It was said that it was due to weather conditions and the production was severely reduced.

"I sent the steward there, and he reported that it was indeed the case. I also sent Yide's younger brother, and he also sent a telegram back saying that there was nothing abnormal.

"I originally believed it until a friend of mine in the original city happened to pass by those manors and noticed unidentified people coming in and out.

"I secretly found a team of ruin hunters in the First City. They monitored those manors for a week and confirmed that unknown people often appeared there.

"I found another team of relic hunters and asked them to go into the manor to investigate. The result was that there were no strangers."

"It sounds weird." Shang Jianyao touched his chin thoughtfully.

Zhao Zhengqi looked like he had found a savior:

"Yes, I was very worried about my children and a few confidants. I was thinking about whether to ask the guild's 'senior hunters' to take action, but Yide told me that you are back.

"In my mind, you are stronger than the 'Advanced Hunters'."

He remembered that Odike also became Zhang Qubing's "friend".

Shang Jianyao entered a contemplative mode, while Jiang Baimian looked at Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide with a smile, without speaking.

Zhao Zhengqi gritted his teeth and said:

"I know that I am not very trustworthy in your hearts, and I am willing to be influenced by that ability again and 'become' your friend.

"That way you'll know if I lied."

This attitude is really hard to fault... Just as Jiang Baimian was about to reply, Shang Jianyao's eyes suddenly lit up:

"Can brothers inherit the Zhao family's property?"

"..." Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide were stunned for a moment, and then felt regretful.

Since the awakened person's ability can "make friends", it can definitely make the two parties become half-brothers or biological fathers and sons with no genetic relationship.

In their imaginations, the "father" is of course Zhang Qubing, and they can only be the "son".

"He was joking." Jiang Baimian came to an end, "There's no need to do this. Just give us a promise to give up the mission at any time without paying any price."

"Are you willing to take over?" Zhao Yide asked in surprise.

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied:

"It depends on what price you can offer."

Zhao Zhengqi thought for a while and said:

"I'm not sure what you're interested in. Why don't you come up with a price? As long as the Zhao family can afford it, it'll be fine."

This attitude... Jiang Baimian couldn't help but secretly praise it.

She still remembered how arrogant and cold Zhao Zhengqi had been in the noble meeting hall, but now, he had completely lowered his figure, making people feel like spring breeze.

One person has two completely different faces.

It was not easy for someone to gain a certain status and become a noble in the early days of the New Calendar... Jiang Baimian didn't know Zhao Zhengqi's age very well, and had no way of knowing whether he had experience in the chaotic era, so he could only sigh casually.

After pondering for seven or eight seconds, Jiang Baimian said the answer he had thought about for a long time:

"A sum of funds and the use of the Zhao family's power network in the First City to do us a favor."

It was because of the inextricable relationship between the nobles of Yecao City and the "Primary City" that she was willing to meet Zhao Zhengqi.

"How many Oreis are there approximately? What help is needed?" Zhao Zhengqi asked.

Jiang Baimian smiled:

"I can't say how many Ore specifically, after all, we haven't figured out the degree of danger of this matter yet. Don't worry, it won't be too much, and you will definitely be able to bear it, because once the degree of danger exceeds our expectations, we will Just give up.

"The help is the same. In short, the Zhao family will not be put in danger."

It sounds nice now, but when the time comes, I will have to decide how to set the price... Zhao Yide muttered in his heart.

He really had the feeling of seeking skin from a tiger.

Zhao Zhengqi recalled what Qian Bai's team had done in Wild Grass City and everything he knew about his words and deeds, and said after careful consideration:

"no problem."

"Congratulations." Shang Jianyao stretched out his hand to him.

What is congratulations? Zhao Zhengqi shook hands with him hesitantly.

"If you can often help the refugees, then we can be true friends." Shang Jianyao said truthfully.

In response, Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide could only respond with smiles and did not dare to say anything.

"Remember to tell us the situation of the Zhao family's liaison officers in the original city later." Jiang Baimian raised his head and glanced at the moon hanging in the sky, and stood up slowly.

Zhao Zhengqi stood up and stretched out his right hand:

"It's okay now, happy to work with you."

Shang Jianyao replaced Jiang Baimian, shook hands with him, and then said with a smile:

"Since we have a happy cooperation, how about we all dance to celebrate?"

Zhao Zhengqi's expression froze at first, then he smiled and said:

"Okay, let's go dance at my house."

Shang Jianyao shook his head:

"Then we have to wait for a while. Let's do it here."

He smiled brightly and pointed at the central square where people were coming and going.

At the same time, he took off his tactical backpack and prepared to take out the small speaker.

Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide imagined themselves and others dancing in the square, and their expressions became a little ugly.

Jiang Baimian slapped Shang Jianyao's hand away:

"Don't disturb the people!"

She turned to Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide and smiled:

"You don't have to listen to him."

Zhao Zhengqi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly told Jiang Baimian about the Zhao family's liaison in First City.

Then, with Shang Jianyao's disappointed eyes, he pulled Zhao Yide and hurriedly left the central square surrounded by bodyguards.

The four members of the "Old Tune Group" then walked back to South Street in a strolling manner.

At this time, the lanterns have been turned on, and the streets are alternately light and dark, either dim or gloomy.

Some people huddled in the corners of the streets, wrapped in torn and dirty quilts, brewing sleepiness. Some people gathered on the streets, looking at the passers-by, reaching out for relief.

"There are more beggars in the city than before..." Long Yuehong looked around and sighed.

Bai Chen looked ahead and said calmly:

"Most of those who sleep outside in winter die."

Long Yuehong thought of the wanderers in the wilderness outside the city and fell silent. Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao also remained silent and walked forward quietly.

Returning to the second floor of the "Afu Gun Shop", Jiang Baimian turned on the radio transceiver to see if Gnawa or the company would send a new telegram.

Just after eight o'clock, a radio wave suddenly came in.

After receiving the telegram and translating the content, Jiang Baimian moved his eyebrows and said to Shang Jianyao and others:

"It's not Gnawa's, and it's not the company's."