Hu Xiaotian was touched by his words and nodded. His gaze settled on Liu Kuohai. "Shopkeeper Liu, I've only just arrived in Azure Cloud, and I'm unfamiliar with just about everything here. They've chosen me to oversee the repairs to Azure Cloud Bridge, and when handling local affairs, it's best to have someone born and raised here helping me. For one thing, he'll know the area; for another, he'll find it easier to communicate with the locals. So I'd like Kuohai's help."
When Liu Danggui realized that this was what Hu Xiaotian meant, he was overjoyed. His son had always been unruly and hot-tempered, spending his days stirring up trouble outside. If not for Hu Xiaotian's help last time, he would probably have ended up in prison. Having him help Hu Xiaotian was practically the same as getting one foot through the gates of officialdom. Even if he couldn't make a career of it later, at least there would be someone else to keep him in line. Liu Danggui nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes! With you to guide him, my lord, I couldn't ask for anything better. Nothing better!"
Liu Kuohai's eyes widened too, and his broad mouth stretched into a grin that nearly reached his ears. He could hardly have been happier. His father had always wanted to train him to take over Spring Return Hall, but Liu Kuohai had no interest whatsoever in medicine. Father and son had argued about it more times than they could count. Now Hu Xiaotian wanted to bring him into the government, and Liu Kuohai had always dreamed of becoming an imposing constable. He stepped forward and dropped to his knees with a thud. "Kuohai pays his respects, my lord!"
Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily and patted Liu Kuohai's sturdy shoulder. "From now on, you'll