Chapter 240: Hot Potato
The spring sun was bright, and the warm breeze was pleasant.
In the courtyard, the fragrance of tea wafted.
“Haha, Brother Chu, I thought you were going to go to that pair of siblings from Ruixian Count, it seems that my, Fei Yangyang’s, face is more important than theirs!” In the courtyard, a young man in a brocade robe laughed loudly.
He was the second young master of Yongjia Count Manor, Fei Yangyang.
The young man who had previously delivered the invitation to Chu Liang was his attendant.
“Young Master Fei.” Chu Liang cupped his hands.
“Brother Chu, don’t worry about formalities, sit wherever you like!”
Fei Yangyang was in an excellent mood, his laughter clear and bright, and he was very enthusiastic towards Chu Liang.
The two sat facing each other.
After a brief conversation, Chu Liang’s impression of this Young Master Fei was quite good. This person was not as arrogant as the others from noble families.
Fei Yangyang said straightforwardly, “Brother Chu, I won’t beat around the bush. I invited you here to ask you to join my Yongjia Count Manor. What do you think?”
Chu Liang replied, “Young Master Fei, please state the conditions first, and let me consider.”
“Right, I was too hasty, haha, I almost forgot about that, Brother Chu, don’t blame me!”
Fei Yangyang slapped his thigh and immediately instructed his attendant.
The attendant entered the room and brought out a contract, his expression respectful, and placed it on the stone table in front of the two.
The contract was very thick, so thick that it was almost comparable to a cultivation manual!
Ordinary contracts were only a thin page.
“Brother Chu, don’t be alarmed. The more valuable a contract from my Count Manor is, the more additional conditions it has.” Fei Yangyang explained with a smile, “Ordinary contracts for guards and servants are only a few pages, but the contract I’m offering Brother Chu is different.”
He took a sip of tea and immediately began to introduce it.
This contract was particularly valuable.
If Chu Liang signed it, his future status in the Count Manor would be equivalent to Fei Yangyang’s advisor.
Anyone who met him would have to treat him with the courtesy due to a young master of the Count Manor, just as if they were meeting Fei Yangyang himself.
This status was much higher than that of a servant, house servant, or guard, even higher than Fei Yangyang’s attendant.
If Fei Yangyang were to inherit the position of Yongjia Count in the future, then Chu Liang’s status would also rise, becoming an advisor to the entire Count Manor.
At that time, even the legitimate offspring of the Count Manor would have to respectfully address him as Master.
“That’s why this contract is so thick.” Fei Yangyang smiled and personally opened the contract for Chu Liang, explaining it in detail.
This attitude could be considered a model of courtesy to a worthy scholar.
But, the higher the status, the more restrictions there were.
Chu Liang was not born into the Count Manor, he did not have the Count Manor’s bloodline, he was just an outsider.
The first condition on this contract was for Chu Liang to move his relatives and family to the Count Manor, to live in a specially designated courtyard for relatives, under the protection of the Count Manor.
It was said to be protection, but in reality, it was surveillance.
With relatives and family under the surveillance of the Count Manor, outsiders who joined the Count Manor would naturally not dare to harbor rebellious thoughts.
In addition, the Count Manor had some fixed tasks that needed to be completed each year. For advisors like Chu Liang, the tasks were to inspect industries, oversee branches, etc., each of which was very time-consuming.
In comparison, the tasks of guards and guest elders were more focused on martial prowess, such as entering the mountains to hunt demons, searching for treasures, protecting the Count Manor’s offspring during training, etc.
Of course, no matter which one, they all took time and effort.
After all, the status and resources of the Count Manor were not free. To obtain them, one had to pay a price.
“Brother Chu, don’t worry. When the time comes, I will ask the steward to be accommodating and give you the simplest tasks, it won’t take up too much of your time.” Fei Yangyang saw Chu Liang’s concern and immediately made a promise.
But even so, Chu Liang would ultimately be controlled, without freedom.
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And the time stipulated in this contract was at least seven years.
Once he signed, he would have to stay in this position for at least seven years, during which time he could not sign a contract with any other major power.
Other martial artists might not care about this amount of time. After all, this was an opportunity to join the Count Manor, the longer the better, they would be happy to stay in the Count Manor for the rest of their lives.
But Chu Liang was different, he did not want to be tied down for too long.
Looking further, there were many other restrictive conditions in this thick contract. All together, they were like a large net, making one feel uncomfortable.
Fei Yangyang occasionally observed Chu Liang’s expression. Seeing that Chu Liang remained unmoved, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Brother Chu, this is already the best condition I can prepare for you. The rules of the Count Manor are too strict, even I can’t directly violate them, I can only try to find loopholes for you.”
Chu Liang nodded, “I understand, without rules, there is no order. Young Master Fei, you’ve been very thoughtful.”
A large family like the Count Manor would have long since fallen apart without rules.
The two talked for a while.
Fei Yangyang took out other contracts and analyzed the pros and cons for Chu Liang, but Chu Liang shook his head at all of them.
Finally, Fei Yangyang sighed, “Brother Chu, freedom is precious, but life is more important!”
He put down the various contracts, slowly stood up, and personally poured tea for Chu Liang, full of sincerity.
“Brother Chu, troubled times have arrived. Today, natural disasters are frequent, refugees are everywhere, and the situation is precarious. The north is already in chaos.” He said sincerely, “Although my Yangzhou is located in the south, prosperous and peaceful, it is only a temporary peace. Ultimately, we cannot escape this chaos that is sweeping the world. You and I are both in the flames of these troubled times!”
“I understand.” Chu Liang nodded.
“Brother Chu, you don’t understand!”
Fei Yangyang looked at him directly, “In these troubled times, how can you protect your life alone? So-called freedom is just a joke in the face of a large army. You will eventually have to join a force. Even if you don’t choose now, you will be forced to make a choice in the future!”
He waved his hand, as if the entire Great Liang was in front of him.
“In these troubled times, there are no outsiders, all living beings are just ants!” Fei Yangyang said bluntly, “Brother Chu, only ants that stick together can survive in these troubled times!”
He was very sincere, looking at Chu Liang, hoping that Chu Liang would sign the contract.
But in the end, Chu Liang still politely declined.
Fei Yangyang had no choice but to give up, sighing helplessly.
“Brother Chu, I won’t force you on this matter.” Fei Yangyang sighed, “Just know that the doors of my Count Manor are always open to you, you can join at any time.”
“Alright, thank you, Young Master Fei!” Chu Liang expressed his gratitude.
“No need for thanks, Brother Chu, your coming here today has already made me very happy. This promise is only natural.”
Fei Yangyang picked up his teacup, drank it in one gulp, his voice carrying a hint of regret.
He waved his hand, instructing the attendant to take all the contracts back.
Finally, Fei Yangyang looked at Chu Liang and asked a question, “Brother Chu, I want to know, did you really obtain that treasure?”
Chu Liang shook his head, “I did not.”
“Brother Chu, don’t lie to me.” Fei Yangyang lowered his voice, “Brother Chu, although the treasure is good, it is just a hot potato for you. If you can’t protect it, it’s best to discard it as soon as possible.”
“I really did not obtain that treasure. If Young Master Fei doesn’t believe me, I can swear an oath.” Chu Liang said.
“There’s no need for that. I don’t want to take Brother Chu’s treasure, I’m just reminding you.”
