Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 19 Wu Baihu's Change
Jingbian Division.

Zhang Hu and Chen Bao had just finished a long-distance mission escorting goods and hadn't even gone home. They dragged their exhausted bodies back to Jingbian Division and were immediately summoned to Wu Baihu's duty room.

The two looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

He was summoned as soon as he got back; he's probably going to be assigned some arduous task again.

Even the most resilient person couldn't withstand Wu Baihu's torment. Upon returning from this mission, they all considered leaving the Jingbian Division.

Inside the duty room, Wu Baihu's face was unusually full of smiles. He patted the two men on the shoulders and said, "Zhang Hu and Chen Bao, you two have been escorting goods on a long and arduous journey. I have seen it all. This time, I am granting you a special ten-day leave to go home, rest, and recharge your energy!"

Zhang Hu and Chen Bao looked at each other, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

A ten-day holiday?

Last time, Commander Chen had just approved half a month of leave for them, but Commander Wu canceled it. Why would he be so kind as to let them rest?

Could there be a trap here?

Before they could react, Wu Baihu took out two heavy money bags from the drawer and slammed them on the table: "This is compensation for your half-year salary. The department's finances have been good these past few days, so it's time to make up for it."

Half a year's salary?!

Zhang Hu and Chen Bao exchanged a glance, their unease deepening.

Not only did they give them a ten-day holiday, but they were also compensated with half a year's salary. Is this still Wu Baihu?

Even the honest and simple-minded Zhang Hu sensed a conspiracy.

Zhang Hu's face was pale. He swallowed hard and said in a trembling voice, "Sir, we can't accept this..."

Commander Wu stuffed the money pouches into the two men's hands and said with a smile, "Take them, this is what you deserve!"

This unusual behavior made Zhang Hu even more uneasy, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Sir, we were wrong, we will resign immediately, please don't do this..."

……

Before long, Zhang Hu and Chen Bao walked out of Wu Baihu's duty room in a daze.

The two looked down at the money pouches in their hands, then looked up at each other, their eyes filled with doubt and confusion.

He only went on a mission, how come Wu Baihu seems like a completely different person?

Seeing Lin Xuan approaching from afar, Zhang Hu immediately went up to him, lowered his voice, and said seriously, "Lin Xuan, Wu Baihu has lost his mind. He gave us ten days off and even compensated us with half a year's salary. What do you think he's trying to do?"

Lin Xuan understood that this was Wu Baihu taking the initiative to extend goodwill.

His words at Black Stone Village had the desired effect.

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and patted Zhang Hu on the shoulder: "This is what you deserve. Take it and go home to rest. Don't worry, it's nothing."

Although Zhang Hu and Chen Bao were still full of doubts, seeing that Lin Xuan seemed to know the truth, they were somewhat relieved and planned to immediately find someone to ask what had happened to the Jingbian Division while they were away.

At the entrance of Wu Baihu's duty room.

Before Lin Xuan could even knock, Commander Wu came out himself and said with a smile, "Lin Xuan is here, come in quickly!"

He grabbed Lin Xuan's sleeve and personally welcomed him in, guiding him to sit down on a chair nearby, and even personally poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him.

Lin Xuan accepted it with both hands: "Thank you, sir."

Wu Baihu sat back in the main seat, his smile unchanged, and said, "Yesterday, the commander praised you highly. The new salt law is of great importance, and you have made such a great contribution. Your future is limitless!"

Lin Xuan said, "Thank you for your praise, sir!"

Commander Wu paused, leaned forward slightly, and said in a deep voice, "In the past, I was a bit strict with you, but you must understand that it was my test for you. Now it seems that you have indeed not disappointed me..."

Both of them were fully aware of what had happened in the past.

However, Lin Xuan still went along with him, cupping his fists and saying, "Your Excellency has put in a lot of effort and has cultivated me. I am deeply grateful and will always remember your kindness."

"well!"

Wu Baihu was very satisfied with Lin Xuan's reaction, and his smile became even more genuine. He took a money pouch from the drawer, stuffed it into Lin Xuan's hand, and said, "You've worked hard mediating the conflict between the two villages. I'm granting you ten days' leave. The compensation for the six months' salary owed to you last time will also be paid to you. In addition, there are one hundred taels of silver notes, which is my personal reward..."

Lin Xuan did not refuse, accepted the money pouch, and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Commander!"

Commander Wu waved his hand: "No need to thank me, you deserve it..."

……

Not long after, Lin Xuan slowly walked out of Wu Baihu's duty room.

He weighed the heavy money bag in his hand. Rather than dealing with the black-robed man he couldn't understand at all, Lin Xuan actually preferred dealing with an old fox like Wu Baihu.

He is also better at dealing with people like that.

From today onwards, Wu Baihu should no longer make things difficult for him, Zhang Hu, and Chen Bao.

Lin Xuan has now established a firm foothold in the Jingbian Division.

As he walked out of the Jingbian Commandery gate and turned the corner, he saw Zhang Hu and Chen Bao squatting by the roadside, glancing up at the Jingbian Commandery gate every now and then, clearly waiting for him.

Upon seeing Lin Xuan emerge, Zhang Hu and Chen Bao immediately stood up.

The two had learned from their subordinates what had happened during the days they were away from the Jingbian Division.

Zhang Hu put his arm around Lin Xuan's shoulder and said happily, "You're amazing, Brother Lin! You've accomplished such a big thing without making a sound!"

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and said, "I was just lucky."

Chen Bao also smiled and said, "We benefited from your help this time."

Zhang Hu said casually, "Zui Xiang Lou, it's my treat! Let's celebrate!"

Chen Bao glanced at him and said, "Since you're treating, I'm going to make sure you get a good meal!"

Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. In this unfamiliar world, he was all alone, walking the line between life and death with every step. Having two true friends brought him a rare sense of comfort.

Lin Xuan waved his hand and said, "Forget about Zuixianglou. Buy some wine and dishes and come to my house. I'll cook for you myself and let you taste my cooking."

Zhang Hu and Chen Bao looked at Lin Xuan with surprise, clearly distrusting his cooking skills.

Half an hour later, in the small courtyard where Lin Xuan lived.

Zhang Hu and Chen Bao stared at the delicious-looking dishes on the table, their throats churning wildly.

Zhang Hu swallowed hard, looked at Lin Xuan in surprise, and asked, "Brother Lin, when did you learn this skill?"

Chen Bao was also quite surprised, saying, "This aroma is so wonderful, even the chefs at Zui Xiang Lou couldn't match it..."

The three sat around the stone table, filled their bowls with wine, and were about to start eating when a knock sounded at the door outside the courtyard.

Zhang Hu, who was closest to the courtyard gate, stood up, walked to the gate, opened it, and saw the figure standing outside. His eyes lit up, and he asked with a smile, "Miss A Luo, is there anything I can help you with?"

A Luo blushed and said somewhat shyly, "Brother Zhang, I'm about to cook, but I'm out of salt. Could you lend me some? I'll go to the salt shop this afternoon and buy some and return it to you."

Zhang Hu waved his hand and said, "Miss A Luo, you've come at just the right time. We were just about to eat. It would be too much trouble for you to go back and cook by yourself. You don't need to borrow the salt. We can have some together!"

Faced with Zhang Hu's enthusiasm, A Luo quickly waved her hand, her face turning even redder: "No, no, Brother Zhang, how could I accept this? I just wanted to borrow some salt, I'll be leaving right away, I won't disturb you brothers' drinking..."

Without waiting for a reply, Zhang Hu stepped aside to clear the doorway, gestured for them to enter, and said, "We're all neighbors, no need to be so polite. There are three of us grown men who can't possibly finish all this food. Your presence is a great help to us, consider it a favor!"

After hesitating for a moment, A Luo finally stopped refusing and nodded shyly: "Then... then I'll have to bother you."

A Luo followed Zhang Hu in and sat on the last stone bench.

Lin Xuan got up, went to the kitchen, and took out a new pair of chopsticks.

The arrival of this new neighbor, though unplanned, undeniably made the meal more enjoyable with such a beautiful woman of stunning figure sitting next to us…

(End of this chapter)