The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 760 Helping Out
Jia Huan gave a soft "oh" and said, "Brother Liu, please feel free to ask if there's anything I can do to help. As long as it's within my power, I will do my best."

Liu Xianglian said solemnly, "Brother Huan is now the Governor-General of Shaanxi, holding military and political power over the entire province. This matter is not difficult for you, but it may involve some risks. If Brother Huan finds it difficult, I will not force you."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "In that case, Brother Liu, why don't you tell me first?"

"Here's the thing, Brother Qi urgently needs a batch of medicinal herbs, but the quantity is quite large. If he buys them from the market himself, it will not only be time-consuming and laborious, but also there will be a problem with how to transport them out of the pass. So, could you please help me, Brother Huan? The herbs can be purchased at the market price, or even at a higher price than the market price."

Jia Huan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "How much?"

Liu Xianglian took out a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Jia Huan, saying, "Just buy according to the list on this."

Jia Huan opened the note and immediately understood. The list of medicinal herbs was mostly for stopping bleeding and treating wounds, and the sheer quantity indicated that it was for military use.

For a long time, there has been border trade between the Great Jin Dynasty and the Tatar tribes beyond the Great Wall. However, military supplies are strictly inspected. For example, small-scale transactions of medicine like this are fine, but if the quantity is too large, it will not be allowed to pass through the border. No wonder Liu Xianglian came to find him.

Jia Huan is now the Governor-General of Shaanxi, holding military and political power over the entire province. This matter would indeed be difficult for others, but for Jia Huan, it is just a matter of a word. Of course, there is also a certain risk, because you don't know who will eventually get these medicinal herbs. If they are the enemy of the Great Jin, it will be a crime of aiding the enemy.

Seeing Jia Huan remain silent, Liu Xianglian didn't take it to heart and simply said, "Brother Huan, don't worry, I'll think of another way."

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "It's not that difficult. How about this, I'll write a letter right now. Brother Liu, take the letter to the Governor's Office in Qingyang, Shaanxi, and find a man named Chen Qiyu. He's a reliable person, and he'll naturally take care of it for you."

Liu Xianglian was overjoyed and bowed deeply to Jia Huan, saying, "Thank you very much, Brother Huan."

"Brother Liu, you're too kind. It's just a small matter. By the way, Hu Zi and Shi Tou are also in Qingyang now. You haven't seen each other for many years, so it's a good opportunity to get together."

Liu Xianglian felt a warmth in his heart. He knew he hadn't misjudged Huan. Brother Huan was still so loyal and righteous. He nodded and said happily, "We must get together. To be honest, I met Hu Zi and Shi Tou when they were both lowly. Now they are both generals, while I have accomplished nothing. I am really ashamed."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "With Brother Liu's abilities, it's only a matter of time before he soars to great heights once the east wind blows."

Liu Xianglian laughed and said, "Brother Huan, you flatter me too much. But I'm used to being unrestrained. If you really gave me an official position, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to handle it. By the way, Brother Huan, do you trust me that much? Aren't you going to ask about the purpose of this batch of medicinal herbs?"

Jia Huan smiled calmly: "No need to ask. If Brother Liu really betrays me in the future, I can only blame myself for being blind."

Moved, Liu Xianglian gave Jia Huan a firm hug and said, "Good brother, thank you. Don't worry, although I, Liu Xianglian, am not good enough, I have never done anything to betray my friends. I will keep the use of this medicinal herb a secret for now and tell Brother Huan later."

Jia Huan nodded and asked, "When does Brother Liu plan to set off?"

Liu Xianglian smiled and said, "There's no rush. We can leave after we finish drinking Brother Huan's wedding wine."

Jia Huan said happily, "That would be perfect. I was just worried that the wedding party was missing a fighter. Now that Brother Liu is here to help, I can rest assured."

Liu Xianglian asked curiously, "Brother Huan is just getting married, not fighting in a tournament, so why does he need someone to help him?"

Jia Huan smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Liu, you don't know this, but I have an amazing older sister, and the Xue family also has a clever and mischievous younger sister. They have already declared that they will not let me take the two brides away easily, and will make me experience the eighty-one tribulations that Tang Sanzang went through on his journey to the West to obtain the scriptures."

As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one," so naturally, more help means more strength. I'm not afraid of their poetry and prose, but when it comes to martial arts, only with Brother Liu around can we be truly secure." Liu Xianglian laughed heartily, "It seems the blessing of having multiple wives isn't so easy to enjoy after all. How interesting! I'm definitely joining in the fun."

At that moment, Jia Huan wrote a personal letter to his advisor Chen Qiyu and gave it to Liu Xianglian to keep. The two chatted for a while longer before Liu Xianglian took his leave.

As a result, no sooner had Jia Huan seen Liu Xianglian off than Prince Min, Xu Wenhou, arrived at the door. Lin Zhixiao dared not be negligent and hurriedly opened the main gate to welcome him. Jia Zheng also rushed over to pay his respects.

Xu Wenhou was dressed in casual clothes, looking like a scholar, while Li Jinzhong was dressed as a pageboy, following closely behind the Prince of Min.

"Old sir, Brother Jia, there's no need for such formalities. I'm visiting incognito today, so please keep the formalities simple," Xu Wenhou said with a smile.

The chubby boy from back then has now become a big fat boy, but he seems to be more muscular and his movements are not as clumsy as before.

Jia Huan and his son welcomed Xu Wenhou into Rongxi Hall, served him the finest tea, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Jia Zheng tactfully got up and left.

As soon as Jia Zheng left, Xu Wenhou immediately let loose, giving a thumbs up and saying, "Brother Jia, you're really capable! Back when Father Emperor appointed you as the marriage envoy, I even pleaded with the Emperor on your behalf. Luckily, the Emperor refused, otherwise my good intentions would have backfired. Little Zhongzi, don't you think so?"

Li Jinzhong said with a grin, "That's right. If Lord Dingyuan hadn't made a trip to Hami, how could he have won the hearts of two beauties and made such great contributions in expanding the territory and being immediately granted a title? It's clear that this is the will of Heaven!"

Xu Wenhou shook his head and said, "No, no, it's because Brother Jia is so skilled. If it were anyone else, they would be lucky to even keep their lives."

"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to the Marquis of Dingyuan's skill. This servant's mouth is useless; it's all nonsense. Please forgive me if the Marquis of Dingyuan is offended," Li Jinzhong said, lightly slapping himself on the face.

Jia Huan chuckled and said, "Are Seventh Master and Eunuch Li performing a crosstalk routine?"

Xu Wenhou glared with his small eyes and said seriously, "What I said is the absolute truth. Brother Jia is quite capable. Hehe, thanks to Brother Jia, I also made a name for myself at the grand court assembly that day (Emperor Qiansheng asked him to read out the list of traitors)."

Xu Wenhou was timid, cowardly, and insecure from a young age. He originally had no hope of becoming the crown prince because he knew that such a good thing could not be his. But now it was different. His chances seemed quite good, and Jia Huan would obviously be a great help to him.

Jia Huan smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Seventh Master, you didn't come all this way just to flatter me, did you? Jia Huan is flattered!"

Xu Wenhou rolled his eyes. You kid don't look surprised at all. He pouted and said, "Of course... impossible. Come on, I've recently discovered a new delicacy. Let me take you to try it."

Jia Huan laughed and said, "Just as I thought, Seventh Master hasn't changed at all!"

"Haha, the only thing in this world that should not be missed is delicious food. I'm afraid I can't change that habit. Let's go, let's go!"

Jia Huan had no choice but to stand up and say, "Your Highness, please wait a moment while I change my clothes."

"You just became a groom on the Lantern Festival, why are you changing into clothes again? Let's go!" Xu Wenhou grabbed Jia Huan and pulled him out, then laughed and said, "By the way, on your wedding day, I will be coming to drink your wedding wine. If there is no good wine and food, don't blame me for making a scene in the bridal chamber."

(End of this chapter)