Chapter 636: A Meal (IV)

Chapter 636: A Meal (IV)

“Really?” Li Hao beamed widely. “I hear that the Four Seas Company is under the Ministry of Finance. Can I lead that trading company?”

“The Four Seas Company...” Minister Liu laughed and looked at a tanned middle-aged man next to him. “Little Wu, are you interested in giving up your position?”

“The head of the Four Seas Company is here?” Li Hao remarked with astonishment. “My apologies for the disrespect!”

The tanned man looked frostily at Li Hao, but soon recovered to a normal expression. “This humble one is Wu Yong. It is my honor to see the true countenance of the Demon Sword! If Demon Sword is interested in this position, I will naturally withdraw and be one of your subordinates,” he laughed. “You don’t need to consider my preferences, minister. If we can recruit such a talent like Demon Sword to the ministry, then it would be my greatest delight!”

“Really?” Li Hao beamed.

“......” The premises quieted down!

“Then I really can join the Ministry of Finance!” Li Hao crowed. “I hear that the Four Seas Company is as rich as nations. Not only that, but pirates don’t even dare run afoul of the golden coin flag. I’ve offended many pirates in the North Sea and the East Sea pirates also want to kill me. If I command the Four Seas Company, none of that will be an issue!”

The young man grew more worked up the more he spoke. “If Minister Liu doesn’t mind, you can send out the order tonight and I’ll report to my station tomorrow morning!”

“......” Minister Liu was still smiling, just that his smile had turned a bit odd. This was simply a pleasantry, one that they’d voiced thousands of times. It was his first time seeing someone treating a polite remark as gospel and strain at the bit so much, to be so... exuberant!

Li Hao really did want the position! If Minister Liu sent out the appointment letter, then the boy would ninety-nine percent show up at the Four Seas Company tomorrow to be their new ranking officer.

The minister suddenly felt that he was a shrewd schemer who’d come across an impulsive brute. There was no way for him to communicate with the other. Instead, he quickly smiled, “I would like to, but I’m concerned that the Inspectorate won’t let you go! Your inspector general has quite the temper...”

“That’s fine!” Li Hao chirped. “So long as Minister Liu gives the command, I can lose the post of peacemaker commissioner if that means I can immediately start at the Ministry of Finance! As for whether or not the Inspectorate will agree to it... Blocking someone’s path of promotion is more vicious than killing one’s parents!”

“Now that’s much too serious,” Minister Liu laughed heartily. “I would love to have you, but it would not be right to clash with that stubborn mule over this matter. How about this, I’ll chat with your inspector general when the right opportunity presents itself. You can come to me anytime if he agrees!”

This provided a way out for both of them.

“Then forget it.” Li Hao drooped. “I’ve never even seen our inspector general, nor am I familiar with him. He probably won’t agree to it. I really am interested in the Four Seas Company! I could even be in a deputy position, but it looks like it’s not in the cards for me!”

Those from the Ministry of Finance suddenly felt quite some discomfort with the young man’s display. Enough was enough! Li Hao was as the rumors stated, a bit thick-skulled and quite bold.

Hou Xiaochen laughed before the minister had a chance to respond. “What Four Seas Company? That’s too far. You just got here, so you should settle down here. And you’ve just become the Skystar vice commander, so it won’t be that easy for you to leave.”

Minister Liu was yet to depart from the room. He looked back at Li Hao with a nod. “Silver Moon martial masters... are indeed what they are reputed to be!”

He left after those words. These people from Silver Moon were much bolder than the average person!

Li Hao chuckled happily and looked at Hou Xiaochen. He couldn’t help but transmit, “Director, you don’t really mean for me to do this, do you? I can be your minion... but I don’t really have the guts to do this. We face two metamorphosis experts, to say nothing of that fatty... I’m afraid of death!”

Hou Xiaochen sipped his tea and didn’t respond. Of course it’s you! What, can it be me?

“I can go back to Silver Moon tonight...” Li Hao’s scalp crawled with numbness.

“Too late!”

Fuck! Li Hao wanted to cry. I just wanted to see how big the world was and if it was pretty here. I don’t want to fight those metamorphosis experts! I’ll die if anything goes wrong! Ole Hou thinks too highly of me!

Hou Xiaochen seemed to be in a lovely mood and ate heartily when the dishes were served. “What are you afraid of?” he asked without lifting his head. “I can give you a guarantee that there won’t be anyone stronger than metamorphosis making an appearance. If there is, I’ll make a move myself and see if I can kill one to boost your confidence!”

The attendants serving them shook as sweat drenched their bodies.

......

The trio ate and drank as various dishes were served in the room. It wasn’t in the spur of the moment that Hou Xiaochen decided to make trouble for the Ministry of Finance. He just lacked an opportunity—one that seemed to be at hand now. As for whether or not there was an even deeper level of plan in the works, Li Hao was currently unaware of any details.

He focused on calculating his gains and losses as he feasted. Hou Xiaochen wanted to use him as a blade. But why him? Golden Spear and Yu Luocha were both good candidates—were they weak?

Golden Spear was undoubtedly strong, and so would Yu Luocha be if she unsealed herself. In that case, why should he be this blade? Just because he happened to be on the scene?

That wasn’t necessarily the case.

Li Hao’s mouth was covered in grease as he ate and he also fed some to Panther. After a while of feasting and thinking, he came to some thoughts on whether or not being this blade was a worthwhile proposition.

Perhaps... it was time to be personally involved if he wished to see more of the world. In his current state, he might not be seeing everything clearly. However, he knew that Hou Xiaochen wouldn’t rashly cause his death. People such as Yuan Shuo, Hong Yitang, and Light Sword were all of the young man’s backers.

What kind of success or benefits would Hou Xiaochen gather if he caused the young man’s death? It would only cause the complete collapse of Silver Moon as the fractures between the martial world and provincial government would widen.