Mr. Ge's old face flushed red. He had long known Xu Yi could infer ten things from one, but he hadn't expected him to be so sharp. He could only laugh and say, "Brother Xu, you give me too much credit. In any case, the initiative is in your hands. I can only offer my advice. Right now, the person I've dealt with who seems most sincere is Elder Xi. I'll speak plainly: Elder Xi once did the Prefectural Lord a kindness, and the Prefectural Lord came to me about this, so I can hardly avoid getting involved. As I said, the initiative is in your hands, Brother Xu."
Mr. Ge was a careful man. Now that Xu Yi had planted a restriction in him, the two of them would inevitably have dealings in the future.
To keep their association from seeming abrupt and arousing suspicion, Mr. Ge had used an inspection visit to Dongshan Prefecture as an opportunity to introduce Xu Yi to him. At the reception banquet, he had publicly shown his admiration for Xu Yi, effectively displaying his support for him in the open.
That was why Xu Yi had been able to harvest his Wish Pearls so smoothly afterward.
The Prefectural Lord knew that he and Xu Yi were on close terms, so he had placed this matter in his hands.
Thus, Mr. Ge's plan benefited both Xu Yi and himself. Only they could weigh in their own hearts which of the two motives counted for more.
Xu Yi smiled. "Brother Ge, there's no need to doubt you. I trust you. If you think Elder Xi is the right choice, then I'll choose Elder Xi. I just don't know where I'm supposed to go after leaving my post as magistrate of Dongshan Prefecture."
"That depends on