Chapter 18: Three Big Households

Han Du closed his eyes as he enjoyed the music, his head swaying slightly to the rhythm, looking quite pleased with himself.

Xu Lian, who was used to modern pop songs, found it hard to appreciate these ancient style tunes, especially when they were accompanied by the local accent of Green Bamboo Town. It was almost unbearable.

He had Chuntao sit beside him, whispering to her as a way of building their rapport and favorability.

However, the music was full of noise, leaving Han Du helpless. “Since Brother Xu doesn’t enjoy the music, why not take her to the back room for some fun?”

“There’s no rush.”

Xu Lian shook his head. He had just used up all his grain the night before, and now there was no surplus left.

They chatted for a while, and as noon approached, neither Han Du nor Xu Lian were eager to return to the mine for lunch. They called Aunt Fang to bring up some food so that they could eat here instead.

Xu Lian invited Chuntao to sit and eat with him.

Chuntao hesitated, but didn’t want to leave. She moved a small stool over, took a bowl and chopsticks, and sat behind him, eating with her head down.

Xu Lian picked up food for her occasionally.

“Brother Xu really knows how to treat a lady,” Han Du said with a strange look. It was the first time he had seen someone so attentive to a woman in this way.

Xu Lian didn’t explain. He just raised his cup to drink a toast. In Green Bamboo Town, most of the relationships were based on lust and profit. He couldn’t accept that; he preferred relationships that had some emotional warmth, especially since the system’s ” favorability” feature was involved.

“Hey, I heard that Brother Han came to Lichun Brothel to listen to music and didn’t invite me.”

A voice called out from downstairs, and a young man in a black cotton jacket rushed up. When he saw Xu Lian and Chuntao in such an odd arrangement, he paused in confusion. “What’s going on here?”

Han Du smiled and stood up, introducing the young man, “This is Xu Lian, the new manager of the mine. And this is his newly purchased women.”

He continued to introduce the young man, “This is Pei Huan, the young master of the Pei family.”

Xu Lian had heard of the three prominent families in Green Bamboo Town-the Su, Fang, and Pei families, who controlled all the land in the area. Although he hadn’t met any of them yet, he knew he should be respectful. He stood up and made a gesture of respect, “Greetings, Young Master Pei.”

Pei Huan looked at him. “Since you are a friend of Brother Han, there is no need for such formality. You look a few years younger than me, so just call me Brother.”

Xu Lian addressed him as “Brother Pei”, marking the beginning of their acquaintance.

Aunt Fang hurried up the stairs like a fly attracted to a scent, her voice already calling out, “Oh, Young Master Pei is here! Hurry, bring him a bowl and chopsticks, and add some more dishes!”

“I’ve already eaten. Go away, don’t bother me!”

Pei Huan took a piece of silver from his sleeve and casually tossed it to Aunt Fang.

She caught it with both hands, her face lighting up with joy as she turned to leave.

Pei Huan pulled out a chair and sat down next to Han Du.

“Brother Pei, since we’re meeting for the first time, let me toast you,” Xu Lian said, standing up and pouring a drink for Pei Huan, Han Du, and himself. He drank first out of respect.

He didn’t want to flatter people, but since Pei Huan was the young master of the Pei family, he had no choice. His own status wasn’t high enough to disregard others.

Pei Huan took a drink and smiled. “I have heard about your exploits. I heard that you went from being a stone mover to a stone carrier in just a few days, and now you’re the assistant manager of the mine. It seems that Brother Han really appreciates you.”

Han Du immediately waved his hand, “I don’t have that kind of ability.”

“Oh?”

Pei Huan’s interest was piqued. “Does Brother Xu have any other connections?”

Han Du looked at Xu Lian, his eyes asking if he could reveal more.

Xu Lian shrugged his shoulders, signaling that he didn’t mind.

Han Du lowered his voice. “Brother Xu is under the quarry patrol inspector, a very important person.”

Pei Huan’s eyes narrowed in surprise. He immediately poured a drink for Xu Lian and returned the toast. “My apologies.”

“Brother Pei is too polite,” Xu Lian responded, drinking his wine hastily.

In his mind, Xu Lian couldn’t help but wonder. The Quarry Patrol Inspector, that white fox, seemed to have considerable weight in the Yi Sect, to the point that even the Pei family’s young master showed some respect.

But he still couldn’t figure out who was truly in charge of Green Bamboo Town.

Was it the Yi Sect?

Or the three prominent families?

Or the Night Patrol?

His current status was too low, and his knowledge was limited.

Xu Lian hesitated to ask, unsure whether it would reveal his “lack of background”. If he asked, Han Du and Pei Huan would know that he wasn’t someone of great status, which might lead them to look down on him. It wasn’t just about being looked down upon, but he also feared losing potential benefits.

So he decided not to ask and kept his identity a bit mysterious, letting Han Du and Pei Huan draw their own conclusions.

“Come on, let’s drink,” Han Du urged, and the three of them exchanged toasts and chatted merrily.

They drank until the sun began to set. Just as they were about to leave for the mine, one of Han Du’s trusted overseers rushed in. When he saw so many people present, he hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak.

Han Du waved at the female singers, signaling for them to leave.

Xu Lian slipped some silver to Chuntao, giving her a few quiet instructions before sending her away as well.

Pei Huan raised an eyebrow. “Do you need me to leave?”

“No need,” Han Du replied. He then turned to the overseer, “Young master Pei and Brother Xu are not outsiders. What’s going on?”

The overseer said in a low voice, “We found meat!”

Han Du’s expression changed. “Have we stopped working? Is the news sealed?”

The overseer nodded. “Yes, the work has been stopped, and the miners involved have already been quietly dealt with.”

“Good.” Han Du nodded in agreement. He turned to Pei Huan and cupped his hands. “Young Master Pei, there’s a problem at the mine. We have to go back now. Let’s continue drinking next time.”

Pei Huan smiled. “Congratulations, Brother Han Ge. Your mine has already found meat four times. After the fifth time, you’ll be promoted.”

Xu Lian was surprised. A mine could be promoted after finding “meat” five times? He silently noted this detail.

“I’ve managed this mine for over ten years, and it’s only found meat four times. The fifth time is not easy. It’ll probably take a few more years,” Han Du sighed, not saying anything more as he hurried off with Xu Lian and the overseer.

When they reached the bottom of the Lichun Brothel and mounted their horses, they headed back to the mine.

Upon returning to the mine, they found a crowd of miners gathered, shouting and screaming.

“We are about to finish our work for the day. Don’t stop us. We need our rations!”

“Don’t stop the rations!”

Han Du dismounted and raised his voice to announce, “Don’t worry, the rations will not be cut. However, since there have been many accidents in the mine lately, with miners dying every few days, the mine has decided to suspend operations for a period of time to carry out safety reforms. Once the reform is completed, we’ll resume work.”

The miners were confused.

“But our families are waiting for grain. We can’t stop working or we’ll starve!”

“People dying in the mine is normal. We’re not afraid. Please, Manager Han, don’t stop work!”

Han Du raised a hand to silence them. “Calm down. The halt won’t be long, just a few days at most, and you can take your rations home.”

With that, he issued the order, “End of work. Distribute the rations.”

The miners continued to plead with him to keep working, but Han Du ignored them. They had no choice but to line up to receive their rations.

Han Du waved at the overseers. “You can also take your rations and go home. Come back in a few days.”

In the end, the big mine was left with only Han Du, Xu Lian, a trusted overseer, and a few guards watching over the grain storehouse.

Han Du turned to the overseer. “Ride quickly and report this to the higher-ups immediately.”

“Yes!”

The overseer rushed off.

Xu Lian was curious where the report would be sent, but he didn’t ask. He silently followed Han Du to inspect the mine where the “meat” had been found.