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Chapter 318: Guo Zixing, the Hated One
Through the warning from the military supervisor Xie Jinzhong today, Chang Yuchun also realized the urgency of Lan Yu's situation, and guessed in his heart that it might be his employer Suning who asked Xie Jinzhong to warn him.

That night, Chang Yuchun immediately wrote a letter to his wife who was far away in Chuzhou City, explaining in detail the seriousness of the matter and asking her sister to strictly discipline Lan Yu.

You must know that Lan Yu is the hope of both the Chang and Lan families. At the age of seventeen, he has become the captain of the navy, and is also a powerful general leading two thousand elites. His future is conceivably bright. If he angers his boss because of his rebellious character, it would be a loss.

Only after writing the letter home did Chang Yuchun feel relieved, and then he looked forward to Hu Weiyong's arrival, because he knew that only if Hu Weiyong reached an agreement with the Red Turban Army north of the Huai River could he continue his career on the battlefield.

The next morning, just as Chang Yuchun handed the letter from home to his personal soldiers to send out, he heard the news that Hu Weiyong had arrived in Haozhou City. He hurriedly followed the military supervisor Xie Jinzhong out of the city to greet him.

When Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong arrived at the city gate, they found that Guo Zixing and his son Guo Tianxu, two wealthy families in Haozhou City, were also there. Then they looked at each other in surprise.

"My Lords, I heard that your army's special envoy, Hu Weiyong, was about to come to our Haozhou City, so I brought my son out of the city to greet him."

"Haha, Mr. Guo is very well-informed!" Military Supervisor Xie Jinzhong looked at Guo Zixing meaningfully.

"Haha, what are you talking about, Mr. Military Supervisor?

It is true that Special Envoy Hu was welcomed by dignitaries from all over the country along the way, so Guo would have gotten the news."

After hearing Guo Zixing's explanation, Xie Jinzhong and Chang Yuchun were both quite helpless. At this time, they also realized that this new celebrity around their boss was so high-profile. It seemed that Hu Weiyong knew his boss's temper too well, and sooner or later he would suffer a great loss at his hands.

Soon Hu Weiyong's team appeared. Seeing the people coming out of the city to greet him, Hu Weiyong felt very proud and thought that this was the life and status a man should have.

"Haha, I'm really guilty of tiring Commander Chang and Supervisor Xie to come out of the city to greet you!"

Although Hu Weiyong kept saying that he was guilty, his expression was very proud. When Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong saw Hu Weiyong's expression, they knew that Hu Weiyong was not a person they should make close friends with. They thought that he was just a scholar who became arrogant when he succeeded.

"Haha, Special Envoy Hu, that's not right.

You are a popular figure among our boss, who would dare not give you face? "

“Haha, we all work for the boss.

So everyone, stop being polite to each other!"

"Special Envoy Hu is right!
Please invite the envoy into the city!"

"haha okay!"

"Special Envoy Hu, I am Guo Zixing from Haozhou. I have come here specially to admire your demeanor." At this time, Guo Zixing took the opportunity to salute Hu Weiyong and introduce himself.

"Oh? You are Guo Zixing?
Both the boss and Mr. Hu have heard of you.

The boss also asked me to bring you a message, hoping that you can live and work in peace and contentment." Hu Weiyong looked at Guo Zixing meaningfully, then said Suning's "greetings".

"Ah?" Hearing these suggestive words, Guo Zixing's face suddenly turned ugly.

Hu Weiyong did not continue to pay attention to Guo Zixing and his son, but followed Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong into Haozhou City, leaving Guo Zixing at the city gate to meet his match.

"Father, the Hu envoy has already left." Seeing that everyone had left, Guo Tianxu pulled Guo Zixing's sleeve.

"Eh? Oh!

Just go!

It seems that there is no hope for our Guo family anymore."

"Father, what did Hu Weiyong mean by that just now?"

"Huh! What else could it mean?

It's just to make us father and son behave ourselves."

"Ah? Suning, the owner of the Red Flag Army, has no dealings with our Guo family. Why would they reject us, Guo father and son, so much?"

"Hey! You ask me, who should I ask?" Hearing his son Guo Tianxu's question, Guo Zixing felt a little annoyed, "By the way!
I asked you to contact Hua Yun and the others. Have you made any progress?"

"Father, I feel overwhelmed just talking about this matter.

Hua Yun and the others were all locked up in a military camp, training themselves in the same "one, two, one, left, right, left" pattern every day. I don't know what the Red Flag Army's training of this kind is really worthwhile!

"Huh? So you have contacted Hua Yun and the others?" Guo Zixing suddenly looked at his son with anticipation.

“That’s not the case!
There are always Red Flag Army guards at the entrance of the military camp, and I can't get close to it!"

"You idiot! You can't even do this!

What's the point of me giving birth to you?"

"Father." Guo Tianxu suddenly felt aggrieved.

But the irritated Guo Zixing ignored his son's grievances and walked away with a huff. "Hmph!"

After returning to the Guo Mansion, Guo Zixing became more and more angry. He sat down in the study and sulked. At this time, his adopted daughter Ma Xiuying hurriedly brought him a cup of hot tea.

"Godfather, please have some tea."

Guo Zixing looked at his well-behaved adopted daughter Ma Xiuying, and only then did he feel relieved. "Xiuying, you are still the most sensible!"

Guo Zixing praised with a smile and was about to drink a cup of tea to calm himself down. He stopped suddenly just as the cup was near his lips, and then looked meaningfully at his young and beautiful adopted daughter.

"Godfather, what's wrong?" Ma Xiuying was shocked by Guo Zixing's sudden behavior.

"Xiuying, my adoptive father is in trouble now.

Can you help your father?" Guo Zixing put down his teacup and looked at his adopted daughter Ma Xiuying expectantly.

"Godfather, what do you need your daughter to do?" At this time, the clever Ma Xiuying had more or less guessed what Guo Zixing was thinking, and then she forced a smile.

Guo Zixing was an old and experienced man, and of course he could see the bitterness on his adopted daughter Ma Xiuying's face, but thinking of the honor and disgrace of his Guo family, he had no choice but to let this adopted daughter sacrifice herself.

"Xiuying, today I have confirmed that the Guo family is disliked by Suning of Jiqing.

But our Guo family now has to rely on others to survive, so I want to marry you to Su Ning from Jiqing as a concubine."

"what?"

Although she already had some guesses in her mind and knew about the Guo family's recent frustration and unwillingness, Ma Xiuying couldn't help crying when she heard these words from her adoptive father.

"Xiuying, why do you have to do this?

If you really don't want to, just pretend your father never said anything."

"Godfather, I agree!" Ma Xiuying stopped crying and nodded in agreement.

"what?"

"Godfather, my daughter says she is willing.

If I can use my own life to help the Guo family escape this predicament, I am willing to sacrifice myself for it."

"Xiuying, I have failed you and your father.

I feel so sorry for you and your daughter!" Guo Zixing felt a little ashamed and shed a crocodile tear.

"Foster father, it is my honor to be able to repay your kindness in raising me."

Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong held a welcome banquet for Hu Weiyong. The three of them toasted each other happily at the banquet. Chang Yuchun was a big drinker and soon he was completely lost in the wine and food.

The Red Flag Army's military regulations were too strict, which actually made Chang Yuchun feel very depressed. He just wanted to go out and fight happily, but now he not only had to guard Haozhou City, but also had to endure the iron rule of not drinking alcohol in the army every day.

"Haha, that feels good! It feels so damn good!"

Seeing Chang Yuchun's addiction to alcohol, the military supervisor Xie Jinzhong didn't say anything, because he also felt aggrieved and wanted to go out and make achievements.

"Haha, Special Envoy Hu, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you!
It is an iron rule in the army not to drink alcohol, and today I am only relying on you."

"Haha, we are all family.

There's no need to be so polite, it's all understandable."

At this moment, a Red Flag Army guard walked in, looked at the three giants, and saluted to report, "Sir, Guo Zixing is outside the door asking to see you."

"Who? Guo Zixing?" Chang Yuchun, already drunk, was most annoyed by Guo Zixing. He had long seen that he had great ambitions but little talent. "What is this old fellow doing here again?"

"The division commander said he wants to see Special Envoy Hu."

"Huh? Special Envoy Hu, what do you think we should do about this?" Military Supervisor Xie Jinzhong looked at Hu Weiyong with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Haha, since this Guo Zixing is so persistent, it wouldn't hurt for me to go out and meet him."

"Hmm! That's a good idea!" Military Supervisor Xie Jinzhong also agreed with Hu Weiyong's idea. "Special Envoy Hu, there's a side room next door that you can use as you please."

"Haha, how about the three of us meet this Guo Zixing together."

"Huh? Forget it!

In this Haozhou City, the one that bothers Master Chang and me the most is this Guo Zixing. "Well! In that case, I'll go see what Guo Zixing is up to."

Soon, the Red Flag Army guards brought Guo Zixing to the side hall. Hu Weiyong looked at Guo Zixing and asked with a smile, "Mr. Guo, we just said goodbye at the city gate. What's going on?"

"Sir, there were so many people at the city gate just now that I didn't take out the gift for you."

"Oh? A gift?" Hu Weiyong looked at the small box Guo Zixing was holding with interest.

Guo Zixing had found out about Hu Weiyong's personality and preferences early in the morning, and brought gifts to please him. Guo Zixing opened the small box on the spot, revealing the golden cakes inside.

Hu Weiyong looked at the box of gold cakes and did not think they were "rubbish". Instead, he was extremely happy and felt that this was what he was pursuing in life.

"Haha, Mr. Guo gave Mr. Hu such a valuable gift. I guess he must be asking for something, right?"

"Haha, my Lord, you are so quick-witted!

That’s right! Guo has something to ask for! "

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"Sir, I have an adopted daughter named Ma Xiuying, who has always admired heroes and great men.

I recently heard about the deeds of the Red Flag Army's leader, and I felt a special admiration and joy in my heart.

Therefore, Guo boldly betrothed his adopted daughter Ma Xiuying to Su Dongjia as a concubine.

"What? This is not something I, Hu, can help with!" Hearing Guo Zixing's request, Hu Weiyong smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Ah? Why is this?"

“Mr. Guo, to be honest, our boss is notorious for being henpecked.

If our wife doesn't agree, the boss won't take a concubine."

"Ah? There's actually such a thing?"

"Yes! I believe Mr. Guo also knows this.

My uncle's ancestral home is in Shandong. His family was suddenly persecuted by the Mongols, and only he and his wife are left.

Then the host and his wife, deeply in love, overcame numerous hardships and dangers along the way and finally settled down in Chuzhou City."

"So, the relationship between the boss and his wife is not something that ordinary people like us can imagine."

"I see. Does that mean my daughter has no chance?"

"This..." Looking at the gold cake in front of him, Hu Weiyong was really reluctant to part with it.

Guo Zixing was such a shrewd man that he easily sensed Hu Weiyong's greed. He then placed a box of gold heavily on the table next to Hu Weiyong and said with a smile, "Sir, whether this succeeds or not, this gift is yours."

Seeing Guo Zixing being so sensible, Hu Weiyong was quite satisfied, and then explained with a smile, "This matter is easy to resolve."

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it!"

"Mr. Guo, the focus of this matter lies on your wife.

Our wife, Madam Liu, is in Chuzhou City right now. As long as Mr. Guo sends someone to take your daughter there, the matter will be almost settled.”

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Mr. Guo, most women are jealous.

Our Madam just wants a way out. As long as you hand your daughter over to her, she will definitely not treat her badly."

“Thank you for your guidance, sir.

The Guo family will definitely remember this."

"Haha, when Mr. Guo becomes the father-in-law of the boss, I hope Mr. Guo will take good care of Hu in the future!"

"Haha, of course! Of course!"

As soon as Hu Weiyong left the banquet, Chang Yuchun showed a sober expression again, then looked in the direction where Hu Weiyong left with a cunning look on his face, and at the same time had a thoughtful expression.

Military Supervisor Xie Jinzhong seemed to have expected that Chang Yuchun was pretending to be drunk. He looked at Chang Yuchun with a wry smile and said, "Old Chang, I guessed you were pretending to be drunk!"

"Tsk! This little bit of wine isn't even enough for me to rinse my mouth!" Chang Yuchun drank the whole glass of wine and said with disdain.

"Haha, why are you like this?"

"Humph! Old Xie, aren't you a consultant?

I don't know why the boss hired such a young man!"

"Well! This Hu Weiyong must be talented, otherwise he wouldn't have caught the eye of our boss.

But his shortcomings are also obvious, and he can easily be exploited by those with ulterior motives."

"Hehe! Isn't Guo Zixing a man with ulterior motives?

If the boss hadn't repeatedly stressed the need to not persecute the locals, I would have killed this ruthless Guo Zixing with a knife long ago."

"Hey! I don't know why Guo Zixing has such a strong obsession!
It's as if Haozhou City belongs to the Guo family, always jumping around with thieves' intentions." Speaking of Guo Zixing, Xie Jinzhong was also quite troubled.

Ever since they entered Haozhou City, they discovered that Guo Zixing was constantly making small moves. First, all his private armed forces were directly eliminated by Chang Yuchun, but Guo Zixing still did not give up. He often secretly sent people to contact his old subordinates who were training in the military camp. Now he has set his sights on the fledgling Hu Weiyong. I really don't know where Guo Zixing got so much energy.

Villains always do things clearly and openly. Hu Weiyong was a true villain through and through. Despite his great talent, he was even more obsessed with the pursuit of wealth and status.

Today, Hu Weiyong accepted such a generous gift from Guo Zixing. Of course, it was impossible for him to just give Guo Zixing an idea. After meeting Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong again, he directly told Guo Zixing his idea.

"What? Guo Zixing is going to be the boss's father-in-law?" Chang Yuchun no longer cared about pretending to be drunk. His eyes were as big as cow's eyes, which showed that he was really shocked at this moment.

The military supervisor Xie Jinzhong's temper was no better than Chang Yuchun's, and he was also shocked by the cleverness of Guo Zixing's methods, which indirectly showed that Guo Zixing was really a man who would do anything to achieve his goals.

"Special Envoy Hu, did you agree to him?" Chang Yuchun swallowed hard and looked at Hu Weiyong in disbelief.

"Commander Chang, who do you think I, Hu Weiyong, am?
Am I the kind of person who makes decisions for my boss without knowing my own limitations?"

Looking at Hu Weiyong who was pretending to be angry, Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong looked at each other with a wry smile, and then both wanted to say loudly, you are just that kind of person!

"Special Envoy Hu, how are you going to handle this matter?"

“Humph! There’s no way to handle this!
Guo Zixing plans to send his daughter directly to Chuzhou City and then let his wife make arrangements. I can't say anything about it!"

At this time, Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong knew that this strategy was devised by Hu Weiyong to help Guo Zixing, because people outside the Red Flag Army did not know the relationship between his wife and his boss.

Seeing that things had come to this point, Xie Jinzhong and Chang Yuchun stopped talking. After all, at most they would offend a figure like Chen Boda. They believed that their employer Suning would not pay attention to this kind of "pillow talk".

"Hey! Commander Chang, thank you, Military Inspector. I think we should also establish a good relationship with Guo Zixing."

"Huh? What does Special Envoy Hu have in mind?" Xie Jinzhong looked at Chang Yuchun, who was lowering his head. He knew that Chang Yuchun was the one who had offended Guo Zixing the most, and he also understood Chang Yuchun's frustration at the moment.

“Haha, I heard that the Guo family’s private armed forces were recruited by our Red Flag Army.

We might as well let Guo's adopted daughter bring them all to Chuzhou this time, and it can be considered as her dowry."

"." At this time, Chang Yuchun and Xie Jinzhong had no choice but to agree.

Hu Weiyong did not plan to stay in Haozhou City for long. He left Haozhou City happily the next day. He wanted to go to Yingzhou through the Huaihe River ferry as soon as possible because Liu Futong, who had just come from Bozhou, was waiting for him there.

At the same time as Hu Weiyong left Haozhou City, Guo Zixing's offspring Ma Xiuying and the armed forces of nearly 2,000 people that Guo Zixing had painstakingly assembled also followed Ma Xiuying to Chuzhou City.

Hua Yun rode on a tall horse and led a team of two thousand people to escort Guo Zixing's adopted daughter Ma Xiuying. After a few days of training, Hua Yun and the other two thousand people had changed a lot, and they felt more like a regular army.

"Sister, are you really going to marry Su Ning as a concubine?"

"Ning'er, this is my destination, I really have no choice!" Ma Xiuying withdrew her gaze from the escort team outside, and looked at Guo Ning, who was only thirteen years old beside her, with a bitter expression.

"Sister, if you don't want to get married.

I will let my brothers Guo Xing and Guo Ying take you and escape together."

"Haha, silly Ning'er!
Perhaps your two brothers will become successful this time."

"Huh? Why?"

"Ning'er, you and your two brothers haven't seen each other for just a few days. Haven't you noticed any changes in them?"

"Huh? There's a slight change!
But I can’t tell what has changed.”

"Well! They have become more like a regular army." Ma Xiuying's eyes suddenly became deep and wise.

(End of this chapter)