Chapter 731 - 727: Severing Brotherhood Banquet_2
Hua Yuanming said perplexedly, "Big brother, we didn’t do anything wrong. It was you who were dragged into prison because of us, but eventually the injustice was cleared, and you were fine! What did we do wrong?"
Even though their hearts now leaned towards Huangfu Yuxuan, they hadn’t done anything to harm Haotian Village.
Gu Hongxin seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes flickered.
With Huangfu Yuxuan present, certain words couldn’t be spoken directly. Xia Wanqing said, "It seems the two brothers only remember the oath of ’sharing blessings, enduring hardships together’ made during our vow of brotherhood, but have forgotten the rules of Haotian Village!"
"I haven’t forgotten: ’Advancing and retreating together, living and dying side by side, united in heart, without suspicion, if violated, we should drive ourselves away!’"
After speaking, beads of sweat suddenly trickled down Hua Yuanming’s forehead. Advancing and retreating together, living and dying side by side seemed like something they hadn’t accomplished. After all, for the whole village to advance and retreat together, Xia Wanqing had to make the decisions, yet they had hurriedly chosen to enter governmental roles!
Gu Hongxin said with a hint of grievance, "Big brother, we haven’t forgotten, but at that time, we asked you about it, and you didn’t oppose!"
Xia Wanqing said slowly, "Indeed, I didn’t oppose. No matter what different paths any of you choose, I won’t object! Brothers take different paths, and each goes his way!"
"Big brother, are you forcing us to resign from our positions?" Gu Hongxin sensed in Xia Wanqing’s tone an irrevocable finality.
Xia Wanqing chuckled and said, "Third brother, how could I force you to resign? Even if a brother wants to seek refuge with you, I won’t stop them. Just, Jianghu and governmental roles should not be entangled!"
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin could not help but glance at the young man behind them. Big brother, speaking in front of Young Master Xuan, indicated he had made a firm decision, and it was irreversible.
Moreover, it seemed that big brother and Young Master Xuan couldn’t become father-in-law and son-in-law?
Gu Hongxin’s eyes flickered, and he said, "Big brother, I have a question, and I don’t know if I can ask it!"
"What question?"
Gu Hongxin sighed and said, "Our brothers in Haotian Village are all Jianghu people, that’s true. But we didn’t originally choose to be Jianghu people; we had no choice. Now there is a choice, a better path. Why not lead the brothers in Haotian Village out? We are seven-foot men filled with passion; who doesn’t want success and fame? Big brother, have you really asked everyone? Do you really think the decision you’ve made is what everyone wants?"
Xia Wanqing smiled. He knew the third brother was thoughtful and had a more sophisticated mind than the second brother. Asking this now was less about questioning and more about trying to stir up old four, old five, old Li, and old Hu at this moment.
He shook his head and chuckled, "The brothers in the village gathered due to righteousness; if they feel my decision is unacceptable, they will naturally choose to leave, and I won’t make things difficult! You’re right, it does seem like there is another path now. If they’re willing to go with you, take them! Those you take will no longer be brothers of Haotian Village!"
Gu Hongxin said, "But have you thought about Sichen? Have you considered Wenjin? They’re still young, and they surely have better prospects in the Capital City. Are you really going to bring them back to the village, to live in Haotian Village for the rest of their lives?"
Xia Wanqing frowned and said, "Let’s not worry about that, third brother! Sons and grandsons have their blessings; their choices are theirs to make!"
What he meant was that they could return, but this didn’t include Sichen and Wenjin, though there was no need to say that.
A clear voice interrupted, "Excuse me, Uncle Xia, you’re discussing matters, and I shouldn’t interrupt, but listening to your conversation, I’m rather puzzled!"
Xia Wanqing responded amiably, "What puzzles you, Young Master Xuan?"
Huangfu Yuxuan said, "Uncle Xia, actually, what you’re discussing isn’t contradictory. Uncle Hua and Uncle Gu, even if they enter governmental roles, can still be brothers of Haotian Village; likewise, brothers of Haotian Village can enter governmental roles. Jianghu and governmental roles are not mutually exclusive, so why must you sever the ties?"
Xia Wanqing smiled and said, "Young Master Xuan, is this what you ask? Well, it’s like this: I haven’t been in the Capital City long, but in these days I’ve had quite the realization. I feel Jianghu and governmental roles are entirely different paths, and moreover, the Capital City isn’t very peaceful with Imperial Grandsons being attacked in the streets, Uncle Hua and Uncle Gu defending injustice and then imprisoned, and Wenjin being abducted from home. These incidents are indeed shocking to those who know, and unsettling without knowing how many other things may be hidden."