Chapter 26 Excellent Lobbyist, Playboy (Please collect)

Peng Yaoyao was a little surprised.

After the Peng family arrived in Kunmo Valley, their foundation was indeed unstable.

Although the environment in Trapped Demon Valley is not as dangerous as that in Snake Valley, its political ecology is more complicated.

The Snake Valley would stab you in the face if they have any objections, while the Trapped Demon Valley would trip you up from behind.

The water surface is calm, but undercurrents are surging beneath the surface.

Peng Yaoyao asked , " What do you mean, Mr. Hua?"

Hua Duxiu said , " There are hundreds of cities in the nine counties of Trapped Demon Valley. Government affairs are managed by the mayors and county lords of each city. The governor of a realm should focus on military affairs, right?"

Peng Yaoyao nodded.

Hua Duxiu said , " Someone wants to take over my escort agency, and they are taking advantage of the opportunity of the tax collection in Shushen County."

Peng Yaoyao frowned slightly , " Someone wants to steal the tax?"

Hua Duxiu shook his head , " That's not the case. If my Hua family dares to accept it, we are not afraid of it being snatched away. If we can't protect it after it is snatched away, then it means that our Hua family is incompetent."

Peng Yaoyao was stunned . " So what do you mean?"

Hua Duxiu said , " I haven't figured out what the enemy will do yet, so I don't know what I mean."

“…”

"But if they want to bankrupt our Hua family completely, the tax collection of Shushen County will definitely be in trouble. I roughly calculated that the tax for one county is more than 400,000 taels. Although our Hua family is wealthy, we definitely cannot afford to pay this amount."

"Besides, even if you know someone is going to rob you, you can't hide it at all."

It is impossible to convert all the 400,000 taels of tax into silver notes.

It is impossible to exchange so many banknotes in a short period of time.

Even if only a part of them is to escort gold and silver ingots, the size of the cavalry alone will not be small.

Dozens of loaded horse-drawn carriages were marching forward in a mighty procession, creating the most eye-catching scenery wherever they went.

How to hide?

Can't be hidden.

You can only compete with your strength.

Therefore, from this perspective, it was completely reasonable for Princess Shangguan to veto the Hua's Escort Agency from taking on the escort contracts from two counties at the same time on the grounds that the agency lacked manpower.

Peng Yaoyao asked , " What do you need me to do?"

Hua Duxiu said , " You don't need to do anything. You just need to know that this escort mission is bound to go wrong. And the root of the problem is that the enemy wants to target our Hua family and they want to take advantage of the opportunity to shake the Governor's Office's control over the army."

"There is a problem with the taxation in Shushen County, and there is a huge funding gap of 400,000 taels. Governor Peng has just arrived in Kunmo Valley, and there is a problem with the taxation in one county. The lords of other counties may use the excuse of delaying the time of escorting the tax and watch the contradiction of military pay expenditure intensify."

Peng Yaoyao was shocked: If this is the case, the consequences will be serious.

It's more than just that.

Peng Yaoyao didn't know yet that the army guarding the border between the Demon Valley and the Black Forest had run into big problems.

Governor Peng just came back from outside a few days ago, actually he went to deal with a military mutiny.

The army's wage arrears had accumulated to nearly one million taels, and half of it was not that the money had not arrived, but was deliberately withheld by several local generals.

The purpose is to arouse strong dissatisfaction among lower-level officers and soldiers.

These generals then directed their dissatisfaction towards the new governor.

Finally, half a year after Governor Peng took office, a large-scale mutiny broke out in the border troops. Governor Peng, in a panic, led several of his own generals to combine suppression and appeasement, and it took a lot of effort to control the situation.

Why would a local general fight against a governor?

the reason is simple.

First, the arrears in military spending over the years have accumulated to astronomical figures, and people from all levels are complaining about it. This is a fact.

Second, Governor Peng was transferred from Snake Valley, but he did not come alone. The five generals under him were destined to replace the local generals.

Third, Shangguan Jie has been working in Kunmo Valley for decades and has already made higher promises to the local generals.

Therefore, the governor, who seems to be in a glorious and powerful position, is actually not much different from sitting on a charcoal stove.

Even his daughter, Peng Yaoyao, would be in danger of being kidnapped by bandits if she took a step out of the Demon City.

The army is out of control, officials are ganging up on him, and the external environment is extremely dangerous. This is Governor Peng's current situation.

Of course, outsiders can't see this.

Hua Duxiu couldn't see it either, he just combined all the information and inferred this situation.

Peng Yaoyao only knew that her father was very busy and had a headache, but she was not very clear about the specific situation.

Governor Peng deliberately hid the truth from his daughter because he didn't want her to worry about him.

Therefore, when talking about it at this moment, neither Hua Duxiu nor Peng Yaoyao were very nervous, and they both felt that these were things that might only happen in the future.

Hua Duxiu continued , " I don't know why Governor Peng was transferred from Snake Valley to Trapped Demon Valley, but Governor Peng is obviously blocking someone's way."

"But now, he has come to the Devil's Valley and blocked some other roads."

Hua Duxiu glanced at Peng Yaoyao.

Peng Yaoyao's face turned pale. Some very bad things happened in Snake Valley, which led to the Peng family being transferred to Trapped Demon Valley.

But these things are not convenient to say out loud, and Hua Duxiu doesn't want to ask.

He continued , " Do you remember those bandits who robbed you when we first met?"

Peng Yaoyao nodded , " I remember!"

Hua Duxiu said , " They are not ordinary bandits, or rather, they are not pure bandits."

Peng Yaoyao said , " I know. I sent someone to investigate afterwards."

"Oh? So awesome?"

"It's alright."

Hua Duxiu said , " After I returned to Yanyu County, I encountered them once again. Even when I beat them away for the first time, I felt that these people had extraordinary martial arts skills and high quality. They didn't seem like bandits who were just robbing people for money."

"So, they robbed you that time, maybe not for the money, but for you as a person."

Peng Yaoyao lowered her eyes and said softly , " Yes..."

Hua Duxiu sighed , " Last time I encountered that guy who robbed me, I couldn't remember who he was. When I remembered him, I forgot to deal with him. Now that I think about it, it seems that he got away with it."

Peng Yaoyao laughed and said , " Young Master Hua, you are too careless."

Hua Duxiu sighed , " Yes, I have always been quite broad-minded. Many people praise me and say that I have a broad mind."

Peng Yaoyao said awkwardly , " Uh, I...that's not what I meant."

Hua Duxiu asked , " If that's not what you mean? What does that mean?"

Peng Yaoyao said , " I mean, you are too honest. You are so tolerant of the enemies and let them escape time and time again."

Hua Duxiu said , " That's right, I'm too honest. Once someone gives in, I'll go easy on them."

Peng Yaoyao , " …"

Hua Duxiu was surprised , " Why do you look like that? Don't you like me because I am tolerant and honest?"

Peng Yaoyao was angry and anxious. What a disgusting person! Who likes you?

What nonsense are you talking about!

Peng Yaoyao pretended to be angry , " No way!"

Hua Duxiu nodded , " I understand, you are simply coveting my beauty."

Peng Yaoyao blushed , " You...!"

Why are you speaking so directly?

shameless!

"Yaoyao, you are so elegant and kind, don't be as superficial as those silly girls out there!"

Peng Yaoyao , " …"

What does dot dot dot mean?

Yes, I don’t want to talk anymore.

That's what I mean.

Hua Duxiu continued to talk to himself , " You must learn to see the essence through the phenomenon, and try to appreciate my temperament and talent through my handsome appearance. That is the real me."

Peng Yaoyao didn't know where to put her hands.

Her jade hands were nervously clenched into delicate little fists.

I want to hit someone!

I want to punch Hua Duxiu’s handsome face with my pink fist and give him a hit!

But seeing that Hua Duxiu had a serious expression and didn't seem like he was deliberately teasing her, Peng Yaoyao gritted her teeth and endured it.

Peng Yaoyao held her forehead and said , " Hua... Mr. Hua, let's get down to business."

Hua Duxiu said , " Okay. Let's get down to business. No matter how much you praise me, I will not be moved. I am not surprised by praise or criticism. That's me."

Peng Yaoyao: Brother, who praised you?

You're the one who's always praising yourself, aren't you?

Let’s talk business!

well.

Hua Duxiu took a sip of tea and nodded:

"I don't have any evidence, so I can't say who is trying to mess with your Peng family. But don't worry, our Hua Escort Agency will definitely do its best on this escort mission, and there will be absolutely no problems. If there are any, the Hua family will sell everything they have to compensate you."

Hua Duxiu finally got down to business, but Peng Yaoyao couldn't help but feel agitated again.

Her face turned red , " Taxes are the government's business, not for my family."

Hateful, it's just like giving a bride price.

Hua Duxiu waved his hand , " Oh, it's all the same."

Hua Duxiu suddenly noticed that Peng Yaoyao was wearing an exquisite little ornament on her head.

An embroidered little yellow chicken, very cartoon-like.

Round and trembling.

Hua Duxiu thought to herself: What a unique little yellow chicken, with a hint of mischief. If I give it to Erxi, she will definitely like it.

Hua Duxiu looked straight at Peng Yaoyao and couldn't help but take two steps forward.

Peng Yaoyao was stunned , " What...what do you want to do?"

Hua Duxiu was also stunned. He looked at Peng Yaoyao's red face and said hesitantly , " ...I don't want to."

"ah?"

Peng Yaoyao understood immediately and her face turned even redder.

That damn Snake Valley accent!

Hua Duxiu scratched his head, feeling a little awkward: Miss Yaoyao is so unrestrained?

We agreed to be just friends, but you actually covet my body?

So quickly, from appearance to body?

That won't work.

There are four big guys guarding outside. How can this be convenient?

Peng Yaoyao quickly changed the subject and asked , " What you said sounds very urgent. Is there anything the Governor's Office needs to do to cooperate with you?"

Hua Duxiu pondered , " It depends on what the enemy wants to do."

"Ah? What do you mean?"

Peng Yaoyao was also a worldly-wise person, so she immediately got back to business.

Hua Duxiu said , " If they are robbing us openly on the way, you don't have to worry about it. Protecting the escort is the mission of the escort agency, and we, the Hua family, will take care of it. If they are plotting something else, then... let's discuss it in detail."

Peng Yaoyao stamped her feet , " How can you take such a long time to plan for such an important matter? Do you have a plan at all?"

Hua Duxiu confessed , " No..."

Peng Yaoyao sighed , " Ah, you are such a weird person."

Hua Duxiu smiled , " You don't understand, do you? Real masters are always ready to counter attacks, and don't bother to plan ahead. Planning ahead is like fighting conspiracy with conspiracy, and fighting crime with crime. It's not good for people's mental health."

"If your mental health is not good, your appearance will also be affected."

Peng Yaoyao was stunned: What kind of theory is this?

Hua Duxiu said , " So many politicians have sinister looks. It's not that they are born that way, but they are always thinking and calculating. They even laugh sinisterly when they are calculating. Over time, their looks change."

"It's like he's ready to smile sinisterly at any time. Even if he pretends to be serious, there's a sinister look in his eyes."

Peng Yaoyao , " …"

Hua Duxiu waved his hand , " Of course, there are many people who disdain to engage in conspiracy. Such people do things openly and honestly. People who engage in open conspiracy are called politicians. They also have more majestic looks, like me."

“…”

After all, Peng Yaoyao didn't have much contact with Hua Duxiu. She was interested in Hua Duxiu, but she didn't know him well.

During this period, she ordered people to collect a lot of information about Hua Duxiu.

In addition to Hua Duxiu's unique personal charm and extraordinary martial arts, it also includes the Hua family's financial resources and influence in Kunmo Valley, as well as the generations-long friendship between the Hua family and the Moliu Mansion.

After all, Peng Yaoyao is not the daughter of an ordinary family. If she likes someone, she must look at him comprehensively.

Moreover, when the Peng family first arrived in Kunmo Valley, they also needed to win over and cultivate some indigenous roots.

Peng Yaoyao asked , " Do you mean that the Governor's Office will not intervene and just watch quietly?"

Hua Duxiu thought about it and said , " That won't work! Is it appropriate for us to work hard while you drink tea and watch the show?"

Peng Yaoyao choked: Didn’t you say you would counter the opponent’s moves?

Peng Yaoyao asked , " Then...then I'll ask Uncle Lu to arrange a team of warriors to protect you?"

Hua Duxiu said angrily , " What's that? We escort people to do business and make a living. If you send warriors to escort them, what do you want us to do?"

"Besides, my escort agency is full of experts. If something goes wrong, we can't handle it. It would be useless for you to send a team of warriors!"

Military warriors are suitable for large-scale battles. If they encounter high-speed martial arts masters, they will be useless if they have fewer people.

Peng Yaoyao pouted and said , " Then what do you want?"

Hua Duxiu said , " I came here today just to meet you, to express my gratitude for the gift you gave me, and to chat about what's going to happen soon."

"As I said before, deal with it as it happens. If something happens that I can't handle, I will send someone to contact you. At that time, for the sake of the overall situation, you have to listen to me."

"Of course, there is basically nothing I can't handle."

Hua Duxiu glanced at Peng Yaoyao with ulterior motives.

Peng Yaoyao's heart was moved: Listen to you?

What do you want to do?

Bah! Bah! Bah!

Why this sentence again?

The two chatted for a while. Hua Duxiu wanted to invite Peng Yaoyao to take a bath together, but after thinking it over, he decided not to and said goodbye and left.

Because the hot springs in the Demon-Breaking City are really not that good and are not worthy of Hua Duxiu's delicate figure.

I don’t mean anything else!

Hua Duxiu simply believed that soaking in a hot spring was the most wonderful enjoyment in the world, and inviting others to soak in a hot spring was the greatest goodwill that he, Young Master Hua, could show to the outside world.

The pool behind his bedroom is not allowed to be touched by anyone except Erxi!

Hua Duxiu came inexplicably, spoke inexplicably, and left inexplicably.

Is he here for help?

Not really.

Is he here to complain?

Not really.

To bring people closer?

A little bit.

But as soon as Hua Duxiu arrived, he took the initiative and made decisions, making powerful statements. Peng Yaoyao was the governor of a country, but she had no status in his eyes.

Is there a way to bring people closer together in this way?

Peng Yaoyao thought about it and finally came to a conclusion: What a weird person.

Hmm, very attractive weirdo.

But his words are very informative.

A lot of them coincide with the information that Uncle Lu secretly investigated.

There are some things that you have to guard against and be prepared for!

Hua Duxiu took a carriage directly back to Shenquan City without staying in Pomo City for a moment.

This time, as long as I can meet Peng Yaoyao, my goal will be achieved.

Hua Duxiu is a rather proud person. If the government above had not deliberately suppressed him and the Hua's Escort Agency was facing a huge crisis, Hua Duxiu would never easily seek external help.

But Master Hua’s way of recruiting foreign players is different from others.

Even the most important foreign players have to act according to his rhythm.

I plant a seed today, and in the near future, the Governor's Mansion will dance with me!

Hua Duxiu snorted coldly , " Shenwei Escort Agency, Heqi Gate, Lord Li, Princess Shangguan! You bad guys, this time, let's decide the winner in one go!"