After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 957 New Developments

The next day, Haijiao got up early, had a simple breakfast, and went out without bringing anyone with him.

When Ma learned about this, she couldn't help but complain to her husband Hai Xiya and granddaughter Haitang: "I finally got a three-day vacation. I told Baoshun to rest at home, but he left without even saying hello. I don't know what he was busy with. He didn't even eat lunch at home."

Hai Xiya was having a day off today and was eating his breakfast leisurely, letting his wife get angry and not interrupting her.

Haitang did say a few fair words for her brother: "He has been working non-stop in the palace for so many days that he has not been able to take care of things outside the palace. Now that he has finally returned home, he must go around and take care of things. Otherwise, when he finishes his vacation and goes back to work, what will he do about things outside? Isn't grandma urging him to find someone to inquire about Qiao Fu's news?"

Ma finally shut up and sighed, "What is the origin of Brother Qiao? We have been asking people for a few days, but we only know that he has been a guard for other caravans, but we can't even find out where he lives, who is in his family, or whether he is married. Is this so difficult?!"

This matter is not that difficult, but Qiao Fu is a spy of the Jinyiwei. With such an identity, even if Haitang already knew where he lived from Zhang Lurong, it would be difficult to tell her grandmother. Otherwise, she would go directly to his house and it would be easy to violate taboos. It is better to wait until Haijiao returns home and then contact him through the Jinyiwei channel. Besides, Haijiao has become a centurion now, and can recruit people from the Jinyiwei spies. He can find a way to directly pull Qiao Fu under his command. At that time, whether the Hai family wants to propose marriage or something else, it will be much easier.

There was no need to rush about this. During the period of national mourning, marriage was forbidden among the people, and Hai Baozhu still needed to recuperate.

Haitang took the opportunity to bring up the topic of Fang's mother and daughter, diverting her grandmother's attention. When Haijiao returned home after noon, he obediently went to the upper room in the main courtyard to listen to his grandparents' admonitions, and the matter was over.

Haitang did not ask how Haijiao mentioned the recent events in the palace to her grandfather, grandmother, and uncles. She took the time to write a secret letter to Jin Jiashu and asked Haijiao to be the messenger. Haijiao took it without saying a word.

Since he had already accepted the marriage between his younger sister and Jin Jiashu, there was no reason for him, the elder brother-in-law, to make things difficult for them. Whether Jin Jiashu could successfully detoxify and recover his health was related to his younger sister's lifelong happiness. He naturally hoped that he could get better soon.

Towards evening, Haijiao reported to his grandparents that he had made an appointment to have dinner outside. This time, Ma did not complain, probably because Haijiao had explained it to her before.

Haitang escorted Haijiao out of the front yard and asked curiously, "Who did you meet tonight? Where are you having dinner? No entourage? No wine?"

Hai Jiao said with a smile, "Who dares to eat and drink meat openly during the period of national mourning? After all, I am an official and a person who is used by the emperor, so I will not do such a stupid thing. Don't worry, I just want to meet with a few colleagues in the Jinyiwei and have a simple meal. I mainly want to chat. They have some people they don't value very much, or they are relatives and friends who are difficult to promote. I will recruit them and fill in the gaps. I am a centurion, and my subordinates can't all be small soldiers who were spies. I need a few capable people to support the occasion."

Haitang reminded him of Qiao Fu: "Grandma is still waiting for news. Cousin and Sister Baozhu are probably waiting anxiously too. If Qiao Fu's identity as a Jinyiwei is confirmed as soon as possible, it will be much easier to handle the following matters."

Haijiao nodded: "Don't worry, I know what's going on. Among the people having dinner tonight is Qiao Fu's immediate superior. He and I have a pretty good relationship now, and he owes me a big favor. I'm just asking him for two people, there's no way he'll refuse."

Although it was a period of national mourning and meat and alcohol were prohibited, Haijiao could not only serve radishes and cabbages when entertaining his colleagues. He had to have a few decent and exquisite vegetarian dishes to support the occasion. This dish had to be brought from home. Haitang had recently "researched" the dish, and Cui Dazhuang's wife in the kitchen was already very good at making it. At this moment, six plates and six bowls were placed, and they were packed in two large portable food boxes. When they arrived at the place, they only needed to be steamed and heated, and they could be served directly. Haijiao went to the kitchen and watched people pack the dishes. At this time, the doorman sent a message in, saying that Zhang Lurong had arrived.

Haitang guessed that Haijiao would bring Zhang Lurong with him to run errands tonight, no wonder he had no plans to bring any more attendants from home. She was also familiar with Zhang Lurong, so she asked him to wait in the gatehouse. It was better to have a brazier to keep warm than to be outside in the cold wind.

Zhang Lurong was wearing a cotton-padded jacket that was 80% new, and he was dressed neatly and cleanly. His whole mental outlook seemed different, with a happy smile on his face, looking even more likable than before.

Seeing this, Haitang understood what was going on and said with a smile, "You are going to be promoted soon, right? When can you wear the official uniform of the Jinyiwei?"

Zhang Lurong smiled and bowed to her: "To answer your question, Miss, the captain said that when I return from vacation, I and another brother's name will be reported to the post, and I will be able to become a regular employee before the end of the year!"

It turns out that the future is set and bright. No wonder Zhang Lurong was so happy that he changed his mind directly.

He also said to Haitang: "Although I have a job, the captain has been very kind to me, and the old lady and the young lady have always been kind and generous to us. If you have any instructions, just tell me, and I will do my best to do it!"

Haitang said, "Since you have an official job, you should focus on it. I just need someone to run errands and get some information. What's the big deal? Why should I bother you?"

Zhang Lurong said hurriedly: "Although I have to do the regular work, I still have many familiar brothers, all of whom are smart, good at fighting, and know the rules. If the young lady has any instructions, I am not available, but my brothers are all free and can be ready to receive instructions at any time. Young lady, please don't be polite to us. We will all be the centurion's people from now on, so why should we talk about family members?"

He and another person were the first to be transferred to Haijiao and become regular employees. Who among the familiar spies and family members would not envy them? Even his adoptive father said that he was lucky and met a reliable benefactor. Seeing that he had a bright future, his friends were all envious. Knowing that Hai Baihu was short of people, everyone hoped to follow his old path and become a Shanghai Baihu! Isn't it just running errands for the Hai family? What's the big deal? Miss Hai was generous in giving rewards. They didn't have to take risks, and they got the benefits safely, and their future was promising. Anyone who doesn't do such a good thing is a fool!
Haitang smiled when she heard Zhang Lurong say that, and she was quite satisfied. She actually just needed someone to run errands and inquire about things, but she didn't necessarily need someone as capable as Zhang Lurong. If she could find a few more smart and tactful people to run errands, it would be more convenient for her to do things.

As they were talking, Haijiao came out, and when he saw Zhang Lurong, he told him to go to the kitchen to get a lunch box.

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As soon as Zhang Lurong left, Haijiao said to his younger sister, "I will call a few more people home tomorrow. They will replace Zhang Lurong and do errands for the family. You just tell them to do some daily chores, and don't use them for official matters for the time being." The newcomers may not be as reliable and know the rules as Zhang Lurong, and they still need to be trained.

Haitang agreed and said with a smile, "What official business do I have that requires me to send someone for help? My brother is no longer on duty in the palace, and can go on duty as usual. If there is anything you want to know, I will ask you when you get home tonight. At the very least, my cousin uncle can get the news from Elder Tao."

Hai Jiao smiled and said, "There might be some movement over there, Second Uncle. I was afraid that you would hear the news and couldn't hold back, so I sent someone to inquire. There are now heavy troops ambushing over there, and they are guarding against it. Why bother to attract attention?"

Haitang couldn't help but be curious: "What about Second Uncle? Will there be any new developments from the Sun family?"