Love Lock

Chapter 161 Your Main Battlefield

After subduing Zhang Shiyang, Zhao Zun turned to look at Gou Sheng.

In the dim light, his gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into Gou Sheng's heart. Gou Sheng trembled under that gaze and involuntarily lowered his head.

"Gousheng, come here."

Zhao Zun's voice was cold and authoritative, carrying an irresistible force.

Gou Sheng moved his feet cautiously, each step feeling like he was stepping on a knife's edge.

He walked a few steps away from Zhao Zun, then dared not go any further, only lowering his head, his voice trembling slightly.

"Zhao... Zhao Shuai, I didn't... I didn't mean to, they were trying to escape..."

"Hmph!" Zhao Zun snorted coldly.

“This time, if I hadn’t arrived in time, you would have made a terrible mistake. Zhang Shiyang is a talented man, unlike those two idiots, Cao Xiong and Li Gang, who deserve to die. Zhang Shiyang can make a great contribution to the development of Cangzhou. If you had shot him, the loss would have been enormous.”

Gou Sheng lowered his head even further, his voice almost inaudible: "I...I know I was wrong."

Gou Sheng is actually not a bad person, he's just a bit stubborn and inflexible.

Seeing his trembling, frightened appearance, Zhao Zun's heart softened, and he sighed, his tone becoming gentler as well.

"However, you did manage to stop Cao Xiong and Li Gang from escaping this time, which can be considered a merit. Since your merits and demerits cancel each other out, I will not punish you."

Gou Sheng suddenly raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Really? I really did something?"

Zhao Zun nodded, a rare smile appearing on his lips.

"I hereby promote you to captain of ten. Tomorrow you will lead your troops to escort the artisans of the Ministry of Works back to Yong'an City. From now on, you will be in charge of supervising these artisans' work."

When Gou Sheng heard that he had been promoted, he was overjoyed. The fear on his face vanished, replaced by excitement and gratitude.

"Really? Thank you, Commander Zhao! Please rest assured, young marshal, none of them will escape from Xiao's clutches!"

Seeing his expression, Zhao Zun couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing, but he maintained a serious demeanor.

"Don't be too happy yet. If they don't do their job well or fall behind schedule, I will hold you accountable."

Gou Sheng immediately straightened his back and replied in a loud voice, "Yes!"

Zhao Zun waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

Gou Sheng turned and left happily, his steps light and quick, as if he were walking on clouds.

As he walked, he couldn't help but grin, his heart filled with pride and anticipation.

Zhao Zun watched his retreating figure, shook his head, but the smile on his lips deepened.

He turned and walked towards Zhang Shiyang, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a gentle tone, "Lord Zhang, I'm sorry you were frightened just now."

Zhang Shiyang's lips twitched, and he quickly cupped his hands and said, "General Zhao, you flatter me. I am fine."

Zhao Zun laughed heartily: "Lord Zhang is one of us now. Go back and rest early, we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

"Yes, yes. Zhao Shuai should also get some rest."

Zhang Shiyang breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had finally escaped a disaster. After agreeing, he quickly turned and went back to the shed to rest.

As he walked, he kept grumbling to himself.

Hmph! Family?

A family, and they even sent Gou Sheng to supervise them?
……

More than half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and Princess Chang Le's birthday banquet is getting closer and closer.

The entire Marquis of Champion's residence was immersed in a busy and festive atmosphere.

The servants of the Marquis's mansion moved about in the courtyard, carefully arranging the banquet venue. Flowers, colorful silks, and lanterns adorned the space, as if a magnificent scroll was slowly unfolding.

Meanwhile, May 22nd was an auspicious day, and Han Lei set the opening date of Jinxiufang on that day.

Han Lei has to teach Yang Xiaomei and her daughter how to do nail art, and she also has to prepare for the opening of Jinxiufang.

Therefore, during these days, Han Lei and Da Jiu were as busy as spinning tops, constantly running between Yuanyangzhai and Jinxiufang, preparing for various matters.

Since Yang Xiaomei and her mother had no background in painting, Han Lei selected several simple and easy-to-learn flower patterns for them to practice on their artificial nails.

Once you've mastered the simple flower designs to handle your current business, you can gradually move on to more complex designs.

Fortunately, Yang Xiaomei has a great talent for learning beauty and nail art. She quickly mastered the theoretical knowledge, but lacked practical experience.

So Han Lei came up with an idea for them: to set up a small stall at the entrance of the Mandarin Duck Hairpin shop and hold an event.

Customers who make a purchase at Yuanyangzhai on the first floor can enjoy one free nail service.

The customers on the first floor are mostly casual diners who aren't too picky, so Yang Xiaomei and her daughter can use them to practice and gain experience.

Once they have mastered the skills, they will then provide nail services to high-end clients.

Once the conditions are right, we can start beauty and nail art training classes.

Yang's mother was extremely grateful for Han Lei's meticulous guidance and thoughtful arrangements.

She had always hoped that Yang Xiaomei could learn some skills from Han Lei. Now, seeing her daughter gradually grow up under Han Lei's guidance, she is filled with joy and satisfaction.

Every day, Yang's mother walks with a brisk pace, her face beaming with smiles, as if she has become several years younger.

While Han Lei and the others were busy, Big Fatty wasn't idle either.

He was filled with curiosity about the honeycomb briquette stove and the drinking water pipes that Han Lei had mentioned, and he couldn't suppress the urge to find out more.

After settling his family in the capital, he rode alone, weary from the journey, to Cangzhou.

With the address provided by Han Lei, Big Fatty quickly found the Zhao family's residence in Fufeng County.

The Zhao family residence is simple and elegant, with two lush banyan trees in front of the door, making it appear exceptionally tranquil.

Big Fatty felt a surge of emotion, as if he had returned to the time when he was a child and played and frolicked with Zhao Zun.

The old lady was leisurely reading a book under the jujube tree in the yard. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, dappling her silver hair and illuminating her kind face.

The gatekeeper led the fat man in, and when the old lady looked up and saw him, a delighted smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Hanlin? What brings you here?"

The old lady put down her book, stood up, her eyes filled with joy. She spoke to the fat man in a kind and gentle manner.

In the old lady's eyes, Big Fatty was different from Hua Tianyou.

Hua Tianyou is a spoiled brat by nature and unreliable.

Big Fat Head just doesn't like studying and prefers tinkering with strange and ingenious things, but he is a very steady and reliable person.

Big Fat Man walked forward with a smile and bowed respectfully.

"Auntie, it's been a long time. I've come to see Zhao Zun. Where is Zhao Zun?"

The old lady frowned slightly and sighed.

“Zun’er went to inspect the North Pass a few days ago and won’t be back for a while. I haven’t seen him for quite some time. However, Tianyou is still here.”

"Hua Tianyou is here too?"

Upon hearing this, the fat man was overjoyed.

Zhao Zun, Hua Tianyou, and he grew up together, sharing the same pair of pants, and were as close as brothers.

Although we all went our separate ways after growing up, our deep friendship remained unchanged.

Now that they've reunited here, Big Fatty feels that the bond between the three of them is incredibly strong.

"Yes, Tianyou has been here for quite a while now," the old lady said with a smile, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "He works at the cement factory now, and he's very busy every day."

"Hua Tianyou can do work?"

Big Fat Head's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard.

Hua Tianyou was a notorious playboy in the capital. His family was extremely wealthy, and he only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. He had never been heard of doing any work.
The old lady couldn't help but laugh when she saw him like this.

"Yes, Tianyou gained experience in the military camp and made some military achievements. He originally planned to return to the capital. But for some reason, he stayed here to work and didn't want to leave."

The fat man's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but tease, "No way? When did Hua Tianyou change his ways? He can even get addicted to working?"

Seeing that he didn't believe her, the old lady continued, "Tianyou is quite settled here, he's busy every day."

Upon hearing this, Big Fatty became even more curious and couldn't wait to go and see Hua Tianyou at work.

The old lady glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, why don't we have dinner first? I'll call him back now, and tomorrow I'll have him take you to the cement factory."

As the old lady spoke, she took a small black box out of her bosom.

Big Fatty was taken aback, his eyes fixed on the small box, his mind filled with doubt: "What is this thing?"

The old lady pressed a button on the box and began talking to it.

"Hey, hey! Call Hua Tianyou for me and tell him and Ling'er to come home tonight. Tell them Hanlin is here and is at home now."

Can this thing transmit messages?

Big Fat Head's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't help but lean closer, wanting to see clearly what was in the box.

Just then, a rustling sound came from inside the box, followed by a clear voice.

"Received, received. Madam, I will inform General Hua immediately."

The fat man was completely stunned. He pointed at the box and stammered, "Auntie, what... what is this? Can I take a look?"

Seeing his appearance, the old lady revealed a smug smile on her wrinkled face.

"Hehe. This is called a walkie-talkie. It was given to me by that girl Lei'er. Last time, the Marquis of Champion sent assassins to kill Zun'er, but they failed. They were busy and worried that I wasn't safe at home, so they gave me this walkie-talkie so I could use it to send a message if anything happened. I haven't used it much before, but I didn't expect it to be so useful."

As she spoke, the old lady handed the walkie-talkie to the fat man.

Big Fatty didn't catch the old lady's word "assassination"; instead, all his attention was drawn to the small walkie-talkie.

He carefully took it and examined the magical little gadget closely.

He pressed the button on it and, imitating the old lady, spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Hello, hello! Is anyone there?"

A response came immediately from the walkie-talkie: "Madam, Madam. General Hua said he understands and they will be back soon."

This is really serious!
The big fat figure looked like it had discovered a new continent, as excited as a child, examining the walkie-talkie closely, almost as if it were about to take it apart.

He finally understood why Han Lei had asked him to come to Cangzhou, saying that there were newer and more interesting things there.

These novel gadgets were just right for him, and Big Fatty felt the trip was worthwhile.

Seeing him like this, the old lady couldn't help but smile, her tone as loving as if she were talking to her own child.

"Hanlin, you're still the same as when you were little, unable to move when you see something new."

Big Fat Head chuckled and scratched his head.

"Auntie, this thing is amazing! I have never seen such an exquisite gadget before, that it can transmit messages over such a distance."

The old lady nodded, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

"These were all set up by that girl Lei'er. After the last assassination attempt, she set up two communication stations between the cement factory and her home. Although they were just two simple sheds, people took turns on duty so they could communicate with each other."

The fat man was stunned, and his admiration for Han Lei grew even stronger.

Now that Hua Tianyou and Zhao Ling'er were coming back, the old lady had tea served first, saying that they would have dinner together when they returned.

Whether or not he ate, Big Fatty didn't care at all. He was only focused on studying the walkie-talkie in his hand until he heard Hua Tianyou's voice from outside.

"Hanlin! What brings you here, kid?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Hua Tianyou strode in.

Big Fat Head looked up and was immediately stunned.

The Hua Tianyou before him was completely different from the pampered playboy he remembered.

He was dressed in coarse cloth, his face showing some fatigue, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Tianyou? You... how did you become like this?" Big Fatty asked in surprise.

Hua Tianyou laughed and patted Big Fatty on the shoulder.

"What, don't you recognize me? Working here is much more carefree and enjoyable than living in the capital!"

Big Fat Head twitched his lips, his mind filled with doubt.

Is Cangzhou really as good as Han Lei said? Even a young master like Hua Tianyou doesn't find it hard and even enjoys his work?
Big Fat Head became even more curious.

Seeing that they had all returned, the old lady quickly had hot water brought for them to wash up, and then instructed the maids to set out the meal. Only then did everyone sit around the table and begin to eat.

"You have no idea, things are really complicated at the cement plant right now!"

Hua Tianyou picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into his mouth. As his oily lips opened and closed, his chopsticks were already pointing northwest.

"The No. 3 kiln alone can produce two hundred loads of cement a day! Auntie, do you know that houses built with cement are fireproof?"

Hua Tianyou's movements were nothing like those of a refined gentleman from the capital; he was more like a rough, uncouth man from the streets, leaving the fat man completely bewildered.

Zhao Ling'er covered her mouth and chuckled. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the old lady's furrowed brows and quickly kicked Hua Tianyou lightly under the table.

But the spoiled young master was completely unaware, and instead put a piece of tender bamboo shoot into Zhao Ling'er's bowl.

"Ling'er, try this. It's much better than the pickled vegetables in the army camp."

"Tianyou can eat it himself."

Zhao Ling'er moved herself back a little, her voice barely audible, and the tips of her ears flushed slightly.

The old lady tightened her grip on the chopsticks, a hint of worry flashing in her amber eyes.

She always felt that Hua Tianyou's thoughts were not normal, but since Hua Tianyou was Zhao Zun's good friend and Zhao Ling'er could be considered childhood sweethearts, she didn't know what to say.

But if Hua Tianyou's mind was to develop in that direction, she would never agree, after all, Hua Tianyou had a reputation as a playboy and was not a good match for Zhao Ling'er.

Big Fatty's eyes lit up as he listened, forgetting to gnaw on his braised pork knuckle: "Is it really as amazing as you say? Aren't those cement houses fireproof?"

"More than that!"

Hua Tianyou slammed his chopsticks down on the bowl with a loud bang, splashing a few drops of soup out of the bowl.

"It rained a few days ago, and half of Old Li's thatched house collapsed. We rebuilt the wall for him with cement, and people can live there the next day!"

At this point, Hua Tianyou suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer to the fat man mysteriously.

"Han Lai left behind blueprints before he left, saying that if he mixed in iron bars, he could build a ten-story building!"

"Ten floors?!"

The chicken leg in Big Fatty's hand fell into the bowl with a "plop." "Wouldn't that be so high that it would reach the clouds?"

"Hahaha……"

Big Fat Head's words made everyone burst into laughter.

The next day, just as dawn broke, two fine horses trampled the dewdrops on the grass.

Hua Tianyou took the lead, his chestnut horse's mane flying: "Fatty, keep up! There's a paved road after the turn ahead!"

Just as the fat man was about to laugh at him for exaggerating, he suddenly felt the sound of the horse's hooves beneath him change abruptly.

"Da da, da da, da da."

The crisp tapping sound instantly replaced the muffled thud of the soil.

Big Fat Head looked up and saw a flat, gray-white road winding into the distance like a giant dragon, gleaming with a metallic sheen in the morning sun.

"This...this is a cement road? Drive!"

Big Fat Head couldn't help but stop the horse, then dismounted, knelt on the ground, and stroked the smooth road surface.

He grew up in the capital, where the best roads were paved with bluestone slabs. But even bluestone slabs have gaps between them, while the cement roads here are so rough that you can't even feel the cracks in the ground.

After Hua Tianyou dismounted, he laughed loudly and pulled him up.

"This is nothing! Look over there."

Hua Tianyou cracked his whip and pointed into the distance, and the fat man looked up.

Ahead, a four-wheeled tricycle chugs past, its cargo bed filled with freshly burned cement.

Further away, rows of blue-roofed factory buildings stood neatly, with several chimneys emitting white smoke.

Big Fat Head gasped and stood frozen in the middle of the concrete road, almost getting hit by a passing three-wheeled vehicle.

The old man on the bicycle chuckled and cursed, "New here, huh? Keep to the right!"

Hua Tianyou then smiled, mounted his horse, and rode off again with Big Fatty.

After turning the corner, the scenery becomes even more breathtaking.

Dozens of strong men were chanting slogans as they pulled stone rollers to compact the new roadbed.

The generator hummed, driving the water pump to draw river water into the newly built reservoir.

Looking at everything before him, Big Fat Head's mouth gaped open and remained agape for a long time.

The moment he was able to close his mouth, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"A miracle!"

Everything here is so novel and advanced, like another world.

"Tianyou. I'm not going back." The fat man excitedly grabbed Hua Tianyou's sleeve. "I want to stay here like you."

Hua Tianyou shook his head and said, "You can only stay here for two days before you have to go to Yong'an City in Beiguan to find Zhao Zun."

"Huh? Why?"

The fat man looked at him, puzzled.

Hua Tianyou explained, "Han Lei told me before she left that there was a coal mine in Beiguan. Han Lei said that's where your main battlefield is."

Thank you everyone for the full service!