Chapter 64: Becoming an Apprentice

  After leaving the Liwu Association, Gao Yuan accompanied Li Yinghong back to Li Mu's mansion and told him about Wu Lie's affairs. Li Mu listened without any objections. Since Gao Yuan now belonged to Li Mu's camp, his establishment of a relationship with Wu Lie was equivalent to Li Mu establishing a relationship with Wu Lie.

  Wu Lie has a deep relationship with both the official and private sides in Handan, and has great influence on both the black and white paths. If we can establish a closer relationship with Wu Lie, it would be a good thing. Moreover, Li Mu and Wu Lie also have a basis for cooperation. After all, Wu Lie was also a military personnel in the past and had some connections with Li Mu, although not very deep. Using Gao Yuan as a connection point between the two sides is also quite suitable.

  As for Li Yinghong, let Wu Hongying accompany her, and Li Mu was overjoyed. This way, Li Yinghong would also have a female companion, which could reduce a lot of trouble, and he himself could save a lot of worry.

  Seeing Li Mu had no objection, Gao Yuan was completely at ease and of course continued to practice with Zhao Xuan. Of course, Gao Yuan was beaten again by Zhao Xuan. After he returned to his own mansion, he let Ge Yan Yu use hot water to apply a poultice for half a day.

  On the second day, Zhong Sun Qi led his disciples and their luggage to the high plain's mansion, and Li Ying Hong and Wu Hong Yan also came together. The high plain had already arranged for Geng Zhong to prepare rooms for them, as they were considered the first batch of guests received by the high plain, and naturally, they would be treated with great hospitality. This was also to set an example for others, as the high plain now needed to recruit more people and receive guests to expand its own strength.

  In the morning, there was nothing to do, so Gao Yuan stayed in the mansion and practiced formation techniques with Du Yi. Zhong Sun Qi and the other disciples were also dispersed into the formation by Gao Yuan. Because this group of people had high personal martial skills and a good foundation, but lacked experience. However, the formation they were practicing was a completely new thing for everyone, so there was no problem with experience. Moreover, incorporating them into the formation could also increase its power. Li Yinghong and Wu Hongying practiced on their own. For a time, Gao Yuan's mansion was filled with intense practice.

  In the afternoon, Gao Yuan handed over the training to Du Yi and brought Li Yinghong and Wu Hongxian to Li Mu's mansion.

  However, Li Mu had not returned from court today, so Gao Yuan was waiting in the mansion again, but he waited until almost dusk before Li Mu and Zhao Xuan returned together. It turned out that at today's court meeting, King Zhao Xiang and his ministers discussed for a long time and finally confirmed several things. First of all, it was the incident where Luo Huan was hijacked, although it can be ruled out now that the main culprit is not Zhao Yang, but he knew about it and did not report it, and even colluded with the hijackers to block Li Xing's rescue of Luo Huan, which is also a serious crime. He was demoted from being a member of the royal family to a commoner and would never be allowed to enter the court again for the rest of his life. Zhao Cong also committed the error of not being strict in discipline, so he was formally relieved of his duties as Grand Marshal, but his title and official rank could still be retained. Li Mu officially took over as Grand Marshal and was fully responsible for military preparations against Qin, and everything could be done according to his own will.

  Secondly, it was suggested by the high-ranking officials that merchants should take the lead in purchasing grain from the State of Qi to fill up the treasury of Zhao. This matter was entrusted to Chancellor Guo Kuo. He invited several of the largest merchants in Zhao to form a consortium, pool their funds together and negotiate with the merchants of Qi.

  Although Guo Kuo felt a bit uneasy about taking responsibility for this matter, as the Prime Minister of Zhao, purchasing grain was now the top priority for Zhao, so it was completely reasonable for Guo Kuo to take charge. However, Guo Kuo only took charge in name, while the actual affairs, such as negotiating with Qi merchants and clearing customs, were still handled by Zhao merchants. After all, Guo Kuo couldn't possibly go to Qi himself, and even if he did, it wouldn't have much effect.

  The last thing is about the envoy of Qin State, King Zhao Xiang also decided to accept the envoy of Qin State and negotiate with Qin State on reconciliation matters. He has already sent a great officer, Shi Chong, as an envoy to welcome Yao Jia to Handan. After all, the current state of Zhao is weak, while Qin is strong. If both sides can reach a reconciliation, it would be a good result for Zhao. At least, Zhao can also gain a few years of breathing space. As for the conditions of the reconciliation, they will be discussed slowly, and even if the final negotiation fails, there will be no loss to Zhao.

  However, Zhao Wang Jian decided to accept the Qin state's envoy and negotiate peace with Qin, but he also agreed with Li Mu's suggestion that negotiations should be made while preparing for war, so preparations for war could not be relaxed either. This point was not disputed even by Guo Kai.

  Li Mubao said, "Gaoyuan, starting from tomorrow, you will go to the military camp outside the city every day to train the troops and continue to expand your cavalry unit. And I will also go to the military camp after the court meeting is over to supervise."

  Gao Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, I'll go to the military camp tomorrow." In his heart, he thought it was better this way. The space in the mansion was still too small, and some things couldn't be fully utilized. Training infantry formations could barely work, but cavalry and archers couldn't be trained at all. It's best to train in a military camp. Gao Yuan said, "General, apart from training cavalry, I also want to train infantry."

  Li Mu was taken aback for a moment and also felt somewhat unexpected. He smiled and said, "So you can still train infantry?"

  Li Yinghong said on the side, "Yes, father, I saw him in his mansion today. He seemed to be training a special formation, but I was busy practicing with Honglian and didn't take a closer look."

  Li Mu smiled and said: "In that case, I also want to take a look at what kind of formation it is."

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Actually, I just want to try it out and see if it works. It's hard to say for now, but anyway, not many people can use it yet. A hundred or two hundred people would be enough, just the soldiers in my mansion would do. Let's wait a month and see some small results before letting General Xiao take a look."

  Li Mu nodded and said, "Alright, you go ahead with your idea, I'll wait a month to see the result."

  Because Li Mu came back late today and had to rush to the evening shift, he also made an appointment at Lin Wenqing's house, so it was impossible for Zhao Xuan to practice with him. Gaoyuan was also exempted from being beaten all over again. After sitting for a while, Gaoyuan set off with Li Mu and others to Lin Wenqing's house.

  Lin Wenqing was one of the wealthiest families in Zhao State, with an extremely large mansion, much larger than the imperial palace on the high plains. If this were during the Zhou Dynasty era, they would be charged with the crime of exceeding ritual propriety, and their property would be confiscated, not to mention that the entire family would be punished and reduced to slavery. However, in this era where rituals have collapsed and music has been abandoned, no one pays attention to these ritual laws anymore.

  When they arrived at the gate of Lian Wenqing's house, Zhou Shan was already waiting for them at the gate and immediately had someone report to Lian Wenqing. After receiving the report, Lian Wenqing also rushed to the gate in person and welcomed them into the main hall, where Wu Lie and Zhong Sun Qi were already present.

  Everyone met and chatted for a while before Lin Wenqing gave the order to start the banquet.

  After Zhu Lai Lu was put on the table, Wen Qing also called Luo Huan out. The two of them walked to the center, Wen Qing holding a wine jug, saying: "This time, my son was able to narrowly escape with his life, all thanks to everyone's efforts in helping him. Such great kindness, I will be unable to repay for the rest of my life. Therefore, if any of you have use for me, I would not hesitate to sacrifice everything, even if it means ruining my family and destroying myself. For now, I just want to offer this cup of thin wine as a token of my gratitude."

  Everyone also drank a cup, Li Mu said: "Wen Qing, since this has happened, we certainly can't just stand by and do nothing. And over the years, you have taken in hundreds of old soldiers and their widows and orphans, making significant contributions to Zhao State. We're helping you is what should be done, so you don't need to worry about it."

  Wu Lie also nodded and said, "Yes, in the past, Lin Dafu made great contributions to our Zhao State. His descendants, of course, we should take care of them too. So from now on, if there's anything difficult, just speak up, don't have any worries."

  Lin Wenqing bowed again to everyone and said, "Thank you all." Then he took Luo Huan and went from table to table, making a toast with each one.

  When they arrived at the seat on the highland, Wen Qing let Huan Ju hold up a cup of wine and pay respects to Gao Yuan, saying: "This child's life was saved by you, sir. The kindness of saving a life is boundless, and there is no way to repay it. Wen Qing has an impertinent request - to have this humble person kowtow to you as his master, and when he grows up, to study under your tutelage and serve you for the rest of his life, in order to repay your kindness."

  Gao Yuan was also stunned for a moment, and did not expect Lin Wenqing to make this request, asking Luo Huan to worship himself as his master.

  Li Yinghong also came over immediately and put his arm around Luo Huan's shoulder, laughing: "Huan'er, do you want to make him your master?"

  Luohuan nodded and said, "I think so."

  "What's the reason? What do you want to learn?"

  Luohuandao said: "Because Gao Daren is so fierce, that bad guy was so big, but he was defeated by Gao Daren. I want to learn to be as fierce as Gao Daren, so in the future I won't have to be afraid of bad guys anymore, and Mother won't have to worry about me either."

  Lin Wenqing listened, her eyes reddening slightly, and she couldn't help but lower her head, gently stroking Luo Huan's hair.

  Gao Yuan listened and also had some misgivings in his heart. Although Lin Wenqing was not short of money, being an orphan with a widowed mother was indeed difficult. Moreover, Luo Huan seemed more mature than children of the same age. Therefore, he took over the wine cup from Luo Huan's hand and said: "Alright, Mrs. Wenqing, I promise you. However, Huan'er is still young now, let him grow up a bit in one or two years, then I will teach him." After finishing speaking, he drank the wine in one gulp.

  Lin Wenqing also nodded and said, "Thank you, sir." In fact, she let Luo Huan worship Gao Yuan as a teacher, first to repay kindness, secondly, it was also because of Gao Yuan's future potential. Luo Huan would have someone to rely on in the future. However, she didn't want her son to go to Gao Yuan now to learn, after all, Luo Huan was only six years old, and he had to wait until Luo Huan grew up to be over ten years old before considering it.