38: Chapter 40: Lord Guan Warms Wine and Slays Hua Xiong 38: Chapter 40: Lord Guan Warms Wine and Slays Hua Xiong Li Xiaoqiang walked up to Li Guo’an and explained the purpose of the visitors.

Li Guo’an approached the group of wealthy individuals, leaned on his walking stick, and said indifferently, “Young fellows, you all had better leave quickly.

We native farmers fancy this land and have no grand ambitions.

To live a quiet life is a blessing.

You should accumulate some virtue instead of harming your descendants for money that you cannot bring along at birth or take away at death.”

The rich men, expecting Li Guo’an to speak some polite words out of fear, were taken aback.

To their surprise, Li Guo’an started his encounter with them by giving a moral lesson.

With just one sentence from the old man, the dignity they had built with their money was instantly shattered.

What astonished them even more was the look in the old man’s eyes as he watched them; it was a profound indifference as if he saw through the mundane world.

In front of him, they felt like transparent paper.

They couldn’t imagine that such a wise man existed in this remote valley.

One of the middle-aged men sneered, “Old man, you’ve lived most of your life and are close to your coffin.

Don’t you know that we are the nobles of Gancha Town, and we can improve your lives?

Don’t be ungrateful.”

Li Guo’an, smiling, examined the middle-aged man and sighed, “Life?

Yes, everyone comes to this world desiring to live well—eat, drink, and be merry.

But everyone has a different view of life.

The rich can use money, power, women, and clothes to make themselves look splendid or decent.”

“For the poor, life is about enjoying nature’s blessings, experiencing a bumper harvest, selling a few copper coins, buying new clothes, having a fat pig to slaughter at the New Year, eating a piece of meat daily, and seeing the children lively and jumping—that is a good life.

The children of Gancha Town aren’t fortunate enough to experience the former lifestyle.”

These businessmen, having achieved success and seen much, and the bent old man gradually loomed larger in their eyes.

The person who could utter such words, they believed, was not as simple as he seemed.

The woman wearing a medieval hat frowned and said, “Old sir, that is feudal thinking.

Look at your poor condition.

If we manage it, every household can lead a decent life.”

Li Guo’an stared at the sky, shook his head, and replied, “Child, you don’t understand.

Do not impose your own lifestyle on others.

A decent life doesn’t guarantee happiness and joy.

At least now I know, they are carefree, without having to worry about silver, cars, or houses.”

The middle-aged man next to her snorted indifferently upon hearing this, “Humph, truly a stubborn fool.”

Although spoken softly, it was still heard by Liu Anfu.

Li Guo’an’s cane suddenly flicked, and a stone the size of a fingertip struck the man’s knee, causing him to instantly fall to his knees.

This unexpected scene made the nobles step back in fear.

Ouyang Mingyue’s brow furrowed deeply as she stared at Li Guo’an, as if she was facing a mighty dragon.

The old man’s move just then, in her eyes, was definitely not a mere stone throwing.

Given his control of strength, accuracy, and the speed of throwing, even by her standards, it was rare.

She instantly concluded that this old man was not to be underestimated.

Li Guo’an, looking at the man kneeling on the ground, said calmly, “Don’t think I am just a temperless old bone.

Even if I were in my coffin, you wouldn’t dare touch Gancha Town.

Not to mention, this old bone is still much alive.

Leave now!”

After Li Guo’an finished speaking, the frightened nobles helped the kneeling, pain-faced middle-aged man into the sedan.

The car started soon after, and as it did, the middle-aged man stuck his head out and said, “Old man, remember this, I will definitely buy this land.”

Hearing this, Li Guo’an turned to Li Xiaoqiang and said, “Calf, have the villagers drive these beasts out of Gancha Town.

They’re an eyesore!”

Hearing this, Li Xiaoqiang shouted to a hundred villagers, “Everyone, Grandpa says to smash hard.

Whoever smashes the hardest, Grandpa will personally name your children.”

As Li Xiaoqiang’s words fell, the shabbily dressed villagers picked up stones from around them and chased after the sedan.

Suddenly, a barrage of stones, like hail, fell upon the car, creating loud banging noises of metal being struck.

Immediately, some of the sedan’s windows were smashed, clanging loudly.

The car, running wildly on the rugged and steep village road, bounced high, jolting the passengers inside so much that their heads constantly hit the roof.

From inside the car came angry voices: “Damn it, these obstinate peasants, these obstinate peasants!”

“How can they be so unreasonable?”

“Ah, my head.”

“Bastard!”

The car kicked up thick, rolling smoke, and behind it, over a hundred people chased crazily.

Only after chasing for a good two hundred meters did the villagers of Gancha Town finally stop.

Li Xiaoqiang stood at the front of the group, took a deep breath, and said aloud, “Everyone, let’s head back.

If they dare come here again, we’ll dismantle their car and break their limbs.”

“Oh!

Oh!

Oh!”

The crowd howled loudly, just like wild people.

They scared Ouyang Mingyue and her companions badly, like the saying goes, it’s not the poverty but the shamelessness to fear.

These farmers were the very picture of that.

When Li Xiaoqiang returned to the Li Family courtyard, Li Guo’an was in the study, writing with a brush.

As Li Xiaoqiang approached the desk, Li Guo’an had already sealed the letter and handed it to Li Xiaoqiang, saying, “Calfling, take this letter and mail it when you go to school.”

Li Xiaoqiang looked at the address written to someone in Jiangsu Province and asked with curiosity, “Grandpa, who are you writing to?”

Li Guo’an smiled and shook his head, “Just a friend.”

“Oh!” Li Xiaoqiang followed his grandfather’s words unquestioningly, understanding there must be a good reason behind his actions.

Then Li Xiaoqiang drove the old ox from the cattle pen up towards the slope.

At that moment, Gouwa, herding a Black Mountain goat, chased after Li Xiaoqiang.

Gouwa shouted loudly, “Uncle Qiang, wait for me.”

Li Xiaoqiang stopped to let Gouwa catch up, smiling, “What’s up, you want to herd the animals with me?”

“Hehe,” Gouwa laughed simply, “Uncle Qiang, it’s been a long time since you’ve told me a story.

Could you tell me the one about Guan Yu slashing Hua Xiong after drinking?”

Li Xiaoqiang nodded, “Alright!”

So Li Xiaoqiang rode the old ox and Gouwa rode the Black Mountain goat, heading up the slope.

The mountain path was lush with trees and dappled with sunlight; the two on their beasts, one tall, one small, seemed like a father and son, making a beautiful scenic picture.

“So, Guan Yu, holding his Crescent Blade, stroked his beard, and called out to the lords below with a clear voice, ‘Hold the wine, I shall return shortly.’ No sooner had he finished than a thunderous roar shook the heavens, and the earth changed color…”

Gouwa, listening to the classic segment from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, mimicked various moves on the back of the goat and laughed, “Uncle Qiang, your storytelling is really good.”

Li Xiaoqiang laughed, “You little rascal, learning to flatter now.”

Gouwa, touching his head, said, “Uncle Qiang, I’ve got a secret to tell you, but you can’t tell anyone.”

Li Xiaoqiang smirked, “You’re just a little kid, what kind of secret could you have?

It’s definitely not interesting; I’m not interested.”

Gouwa immediately looked unhappy and asserted, “Uncle Qiang, I’m not lying.

Liu Feng and Liu Yuanyuan often meet behind the old temple.

I’ve seen them many times; they just went there again.”

“Really?” Li Xiaoqiang said, astonished.

“Uncle Qiang, shall we go have a look?

Maybe they’re up to something naughty,” Gouwa suggested, scratching his head.

Li Xiaoqiang smacked Gouwa on the head, “You little rascal, always up to no good.

Next time you try that, I won’t tell you any stories.”

“Oh,” Gouwa replied, sounding like a scolded child.

Li Xiaoqiang thought for a moment, then suddenly said, “Gouwa, come on, let’s go take a look.”

“Ah?” Gouwa exclaimed, “Uncle Qiang, didn’t you just say…”

“What did I say?

You little rascal, quick, follow me!” Li Xiaoqiang said sternly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep