Dugong

Chapter 15 Brothers
After thinking about the young eunuch, Li Ping'an began to think about Eunuch Sun.

"The godsons Godfather has adopted are scattered throughout the various strategic locations of the Imperial Kitchen. They're obviously used as spies, ready to be notified of any disturbances."

"If we adopt a son in the future, we will do the same."

"When the time comes, we'll have ten or eight adopted sons, all kowtow to you morning and night, and be even more majestic and impressive than Sun Baopi..."

Before Li Ping'an entered the palace, the most imposing person he had ever seen was Sun Baopi.

This guy is a tyrant in the village. He always has seven or eight lackeys around him. He will beat and kick anyone he doesn't like.

While thinking.

Xiao Huizi came to report for duty in the kitchen, took out a silver note from her bosom and handed it over respectfully.

"Eunuch An, I didn't bring any money with me yesterday, so I'll give you a gift today. Congratulations on becoming a member of Master Sun's staff."

"Thank you very much."

Li Ping'an took the banknote and glanced at it. It was worth ten taels, not more, not less, and he got an acre of land for free.

At this rate, working in the palace for three to five years would be enough to accumulate hundreds of acres of land, which would be larger than Sun Baopi's family's land.

"Eunuch Hui, you've been in the imperial kitchen for a long time. I want to ask you something."

Xiao Huizi said, "Just ask me anything, I'll tell you everything I know."

Li Pingan nodded and said, "If our family wants to improve our relationship with our godfather, we have to speak well of Xiao Liangzi. Do you know him well?"

Xiao Huizi glanced around and whispered, "Xiao Liangzi was originally kneading dough on the white stove. I don't know how he gained the trust of Master Sun and went to work at the door."

Li Pingan asked again, "Who was working at the door originally?"

"Eunuch Wei, that is, Master Sun's sixth adopted son."

Xiao Huizi explained, "Several of Master Sun's hired men have served as guards outside the master's office. It's said to be a test of observation and character."

Li Pingan raised his eyebrows: "So our family has taken up Xiao Liangzi's place?"

"That's not the case. At most, it will allow Xiao Liangzi to postpone it."

Xiao Huizi complimented him, "Eunuch An is truly remarkable. He was already valued by Master Sun on the first day, even breaking years of convention."

A fierce look flashed in Li Ping'an's eyes. He had originally planned to deal with Xiao Liangzi slowly, but after hearing the news, he had to deal with it quickly.

Otherwise, he would become his godfather's subordinate and cause unnecessary changes.

"Xiao Huizi, do you have a grudge against Xiao Liangzi?"

"It can't be hidden from Eunuch An's discerning eyes."

Xiao Huizi complained, "I've been working in the kitchen for three years, doing my best to be filial to Master Sun. Just when I was about to accomplish my mission, Xiao Liangzi suddenly intervened."

Li Ping'an looked Xiao Huizi up and down carefully, and almost asked her if she wanted to take revenge on Xiao Liangzi, but finally decided to do it himself.

If this kind of thing is entrusted to an outsider who you have only known for two days, it is easy for the news to leak out.

Besides, Xiao Huizi said she had a grudge, but who knows whether it was true or not? She might turn around and vent it to Mr. Sun.

Li Pingan's mind raced as he scolded, "What? Are you dissatisfied with our godfather?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huizi was so frightened that her legs went weak. Thinking of the cruel methods of torture used by Eunuch Sun, she fell to her knees.

"Eunuch An, I am loyal to Master Sun and to you!"

"I'll take note of what you said and see how you perform in the future."

Li Pingan said with a gloomy face: "And Xiao Liangzi, when he becomes your godfather's subordinate in the future, we will be brothers. You must not harbor any resentment!"

"We understand."

Xiao Huizi agreed repeatedly and regretted provoking the relationship between the two.

At this time.

Someone approached the kitchen and saw Xiao Huizi kneeling in front of Li Ping'an, her face pale and frightened. She was startled for a moment and then bent over.

"Congratulations to Eunuch An. I didn't bring any money yesterday, so I came to make up for it today!"

As he spoke, he took out a silver note from his sleeve. He had originally intended to give five taels of silver as a token of appreciation, but seeing this, he involuntarily changed it to a ten-tael denomination.

Li Ping'an nodded and accepted it with a smile, and got another acre of land for free!

After that, eunuchs came in one after another, respectfully presenting gifts, some as much as ten or eight taels, some as little as three or five taels.

Li Ping'an received more than two hundred taels of silver. After weighing the thick stack of banknotes, he was not very satisfied.

"I counted them yesterday and there are over a hundred eunuchs working in the imperial kitchen, but only about sixty of them came to congratulate me today..."

Li Ping'an turned around and looked at each of the eunuchs who did not give gifts.

Those with connections are let off, those with abilities are spared, and those without connections and abilities must be taught a lesson. It's not that they have to accept gifts, but rather that killing a chicken to scare the monkeys is a way to establish authority and avoid being looked down upon.

Since there was nothing to do during the day, Li Ping'an found a quiet place and sat cross-legged to practice his skills.

This is another benefit of working in the kitchen. You are only busy for more than half an hour every day, and the rest of the time you can practice martial arts, read, and increase your energy and knowledge.

evening.

When Li Ping'an met Emperor Wude for the second time, he was not as excited as he was yesterday. He served the soup to the table and left calmly.

Not long after, he ordered the meal to be cleared away.

Today's portion of the Golden Jade Resurrection Soup remained untouched and was poured into the ritual furnace and burned.

"This furnace burns twenty acres of land..."

Li Ping'an looked at the blazing fire and sighed deeply, his admiration for Emperor Wu De weakened even more.

……

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

this day.

Li Ping'an got up early as usual. It was still dark outside and Xiao Fangzi and the other two were still sleeping soundly. He went out quietly.

Come to the imperial kitchen.

The eunuch on duty at the door was already familiar with Li Ping'an.

Especially the young marquis, with Li Ping'an's deliberate efforts to get close to and make friends with him, the two have become as close as brothers.

The young marquis greeted him, "So early again today?"

Li Pingan said, "We have to go and kowtow and pay our respects before Godfather serves breakfast."

The young marquis exclaimed in admiration, "No wonder you're favored by Eunuch Sun. Few can match your filial piety!"

After chatting casually for a while, Li Ping'an came to the door of the master's room and had a cordial conversation with Xiao Liangzi.

My parents said that a dog that bites doesn't bark.

Li Ping'an believed it without a doubt. Before he took action to deal with Xiao Liangzi and Xiao Houzi, he could not curse at them and make enemies with them. Instead, he had to build closer relationships with them.

If something happens to either of them in the future, no one will suspect me.

Mao Shi.

Before breakfast.

Li Pingan entered the room and kowtowed to Eunuch Sun, saying, "I wish you the best of health, godfather..."

Eunuch Sun was all smiles, extremely pleased with his adopted son: "Little Anzi, please get up quickly. Didn't my family tell you that there's no need to get up so early?"

Li Pingan said solemnly: "My son can't get up later than his godfather, it's too unreasonable."

The meaning of his words was very clear. He was mocking the other godsons. Their godfathers had already gotten up to go to work, but they were still sleeping soundly.

Eunuch Sun had been in the palace for many years, so how could he not hear it? However, he thought what Li Ping'an said made sense.

"Ping An, our family has an errand for you."

Li Pingan bowed and said, "Godfather, just give your orders. Even if it's a mountain of swords and a sea of ​​fire, I will rush forward without blinking an eye."

"Jie Jie Jie..."

Eunuch Sun laughed strangely a few times and said with satisfaction, "Godfather is reluctant to send you through fire and water. We'll let you preside over the New Year's Eve banquet. There are over a hundred dishes, and with so many people and so many things to do, don't make any mistakes."

Li Ping'an's eyes lit up and he knelt down and kowtowed again.

"Thank you, godfather, for your cultivation!"

(End of this chapter)