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Chapter 87 Taking office
After enduring hardships along the way, Sheng Hong and his party finally arrived in Yuzhou. The former prefect and officials of Yuzhou had already been waiting there.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the former prefect, Sheng Hong then introduced himself to the officials of Yuzhou, both big and small, and also saw the low-key Zhao Zongquan in an inconspicuous corner.

Because his current official position was only Yuzhou Tuanlianshi, not an important official in Yuzhou, and because of his embarrassing royal status, he was naturally excluded by officials from all levels in Yuzhou.

Looking at the unwelcome "Qianlong", Sheng Hong just smiled and didn't say much. After all, it was not an appropriate occasion.

After accepting the welcome banquet hosted by the former prefect, Sheng Hong brought his adopted son Gu Changsheng (Gu Tingye) to the banquet.

Looking at Gu Tingye beside Sheng Hong, the officials of Yuzhou all had complicated expressions, and some of them were guessing, "Master Sheng, who is this?"

"Haha, Magistrate Su, this is my adopted son Gu Changsheng!
I will need your continued care in the future!"

After hearing Sheng Hong's introduction, everyone present had an expression of "as expected", and then they just laughed it off.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him and Gu Tingye with avoidance, Sheng Hong didn't care. They were just passers-by, and Zhao Zongquan in the corner was his main target.

Sheng Hong was also a prominent figure in the political arena of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the officials present were willing to get to know Sheng Hong. However, as for being too close to Gu Tingye, they would not be willing to do so.

After all, they don't have the courage to offend Ningyuan Hou's Gu family for no reason.

Sheng Hong had been secretly observing Zhao Zongquan in the corner, and when he saw that he seemed very interested in Gu Tingye, he knew that he was not an ordinary person.

The most underrated character in the original drama is the "Hidden Dragon" Zhao Zongquan. It seems that his decision to go to Tokyo Prefecture was a helpless one after being persuaded by Gu Tingye and his son Zhao Yingce.

Going to Beijing to quell the rebellion seemed to be an unwilling and helpless act, but in fact he was the one with the most meticulous mind, and his intentions were definitely not simple.

The welcome banquet was originally quite lively, but it ended in an awkward atmosphere because the Yuzhou officials felt a little worried after learning about Gu Tingye's embarrassing identity.

On the way back home, Sheng Hong and Gu Tingye chose to walk back. Seeing that Gu Tingye was not very happy, Sheng Hong smiled disapprovingly and said, "What's wrong? Changsheng, are you a little bit overwhelmed by the alienation from others?"

"Yes! Foster father!"

"Haha, that's human nature!
Don’t people just like to flatter the powerful and look down on the weak?

There’s nothing to be surprised about!”

"Yes! Godfather! I understand!"

"By the way! Changsheng, what do you think of Zhao Zongquan, the militia commander?"

"Huh? I feel like this person is quite low-key!
There's nothing else!" Gu Tingye looked at Sheng Hong with some doubt, then said after careful consideration.

"Hmm! Zhao Zongquan is very low-key, maybe it has something to do with his royal status!
Godfather, I plan to arrange for you to be a personal bodyguard for this militia commander.

Changsheng, what do you think? "

"Ah? Zhao Zongquan is just a regimental commander, so there's no need for that, right?

"Could it be that my godfather thinks..." Gu Tingye became even more confused, and then he realized something as he spoke, and then his eyes widened in shock.

"Haha, things are unpredictable!

Who can say for sure? " Seeing that Gu Tingye understood his arrangement, Sheng Hong did not choose to speak out.

Gu Tingye was also a shrewd person. After connecting the dots, he quickly understood his adoptive father Sheng Hong's intentions. He then bowed respectfully and said, "Everything will be arranged by my adoptive father for Changsheng!"

The next day, the former prefect completed all the handovers with Sheng Hong, and then left Yuzhou happily.

After all, the former governor was still very surprised to be able to leave such a barren Yuzhou.

After a few days of busy work, Sheng Hong finally sorted out the things at hand, and then took his daughter Hualan and adopted son Gu Tingye to visit the militia commander Zhao Zongquan in a private capacity.

Suddenly seeing Sheng Hong's family coming to visit them, Zhao Zongquan and Zhao Yingce, father and son, showed surprised expressions, and then also brought their families and opened the door to welcome Sheng Hong's family.

Looking at the lady standing next to Zhao Zongquan, Sheng Hong suddenly thought of his first wife Wang Ruofu.

If the Wang family had not abandoned me, it would have been even more perfect if I had brought Wang Ruofu with me to visit them today!
As for his beloved concubine Xiaodie, she was not suitable to attend such an important occasion, so he did not bring her with him.

"Master Sheng, welcome! Welcome!"

"Haha, Commander Zhao, I, Sheng, and my family have come uninvited. I hope Commander Zhao will forgive me!"

"Master Sheng, what are you talking about?

"The presence of Lord Sheng brings glory to our humble residence!"

Following Zhao Zongquan's family into the living room, Sheng Hong and his family exchanged pleasantries. Sheng Hong suddenly suggested, "Commander Zhao, I am visiting you in a private capacity today!

If Commander Zhao doesn't mind, we can just call each other brothers!"

Upon hearing Sheng Hong's proposal, Zhao Zongquan and his wife were shocked. Then they began to wonder, but finally said, "Brother Sheng, this makes sense!"

"Haha, Brother Zhao!

This is my adopted son Gu Changsheng.

You saw the welcome banquet a while ago, didn't you? "Zhao Zongquan looked at Gu Tingye with bright eyes, then said with a smile, "Brother Sheng, I envy you for having such a talented adopted son!"

"Haha, Brother Zhao, you're too kind!
This is my daughter Sheng Hualan!

Hualan, come over and meet your uncle and aunt!"

"Hualan pays respects to uncle and aunt!"

"Oh! Hualan, you're welcome!
"Please stand up!" Mrs. Shen, the wife of Zhao Zongquan, hurriedly stood up and helped Hualan up.

After some pleasantries, Sheng Hong got straight to the point and said, "Brother Zhao, I believe you also know the identity of my adopted son?"

"Yes! Zhao has heard a little bit about it!"

“In this case, I believe Brother Zhao should also know.

Given the Gu family’s connections in the military, it might be difficult for me, their adopted son, to join the army!
So Sheng wants Gu Changsheng to be a close follower to Brother Zhao!
I wonder what Brother Zhao thinks?"

"Brother Sheng should know the embarrassing status of our Zhao family. Wouldn't it be a waste of your son's talent to follow me?" Zhao Zongquan was a little tempted.

"Brother Zhao may not know something!

My adopted son has a lot of talent and martial arts skills, but he has no chance to realize his ambitions.

Because I am just an insignificant civil servant, it is difficult for me to give him much help!

Now that he has adopted this son, Sheng wants to find a good way out for him!
After much thought, I think it's best to stay with Brother Zhao!" Sheng Hong sighed and explained.

"This..." Zhao Zongquan was becoming more and more excited, but still seemed hesitant.

Zhao Yingce, who was standing by, was also surprised when he heard the conversation between Sheng Hong and Zhao Zongquan. He quickly said to his father, Zhao Zongquan, "Father, there are more and more bandits in Yuzhou recently!
If Brother Gu stays with Father, Mother and I can rest assured!"

"Haha, your son Zhao Yingce is right!

Brother Zhao, please help me with this!"

"In that case, Lingzi will stay with Zhao from now on!"

Seeing that Zhao Zongquan agreed, Sheng Hong knew that the issue of his adopted son Gu Tingye had finally been resolved. From now on, he would no longer need to interfere too much and could just wait for Zhao Zongquan to lead his adopted son Gu Tingye to success.

When they came, they were a family of three, but Gu Tingye was arranged to stay at the Zhao family. When they came back, there were only Sheng Hong and Hua Lan, father and daughter.

"Hualan, how do you feel about Zhao Yingce from the Zhao family just now?"

"Huh? Young hero!" Sheng Hualan, who was already of marriageable age, knew why her father Sheng Hong brought her to visit the Zhao family, and said with a blushing face.

After hearing Hualan's answer, Sheng Hong suddenly dismissed Dong Rong and the others who were following him, and then explained to Sheng Hualan in a low voice, "Hualan, the Yuan family broke off the engagement!
Being a father is actually very happy!

Because I, as a father, am very optimistic about the future of the Zhao family!

I want you to marry this Zhao Yingce!"

"Ah? But, father, it seems that Zhao Yingce is already married!" Sheng Hualan was a little confused.

"Hualan, actually, my father's appointment to Yuzhou this time is the result of the joint efforts of your father and your grandmother!"

"Ah?" Sheng Hualan widened her eyes in shock.

"The reason why I came to the barren land of Yuzhou was because I believed that Zhao Zongquan was a 'hidden dragon'.

As for Prince Yan and Prince Yong of Tokyo Prefecture, there is really no possibility at all!
If I ask you to marry Zhao Yingce now, you may feel a little wronged because you can only be a concubine for the time being.

However, when Zhao Zongquan's family becomes prosperous, your status will be completely different!"

Seeing Hualan becoming more and more shocked, Sheng Hong continued to explain, "Hualan, this is your own marriage after all!

Your personal opinion is definitely needed!
Our Great Zhou society is the most unfriendly to you women!

Even if I arrange for you to marry into a wealthy family and become a lady.

Still can't escape the intrigues and deceptions in the inner house!
Therefore, I, your father, think it would be better for you to marry into the royal family!"

"Of course, this is your own life event.

You definitely need your own opinion!
Your father will not force you!"

After hearing her father Sheng Hong's explanation, Sheng Hualan gradually came to her senses from her shock. She thought about it carefully for a long time, and then looked at her father Sheng Hong seriously. "Father, your daughter will follow your arrangements!"

"Okay! Let's work together!
The Sheng family must prosper forever!

Let those who once looked down on our Sheng family regret it!"

(End of this chapter)