At least he now had someone to talk to. If nothing else, having someone to chase away the loneliness was a good thing. Hu Xiaotian asked, "Brother Zan, do you know the theme of the First Prince's banquet tonight?"
Zan Buliu replied, "It should be an opportunity for everyone to get acquainted. When I go to Great Kang to do business in the future, I hope I can count on your support, Lord Hu."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Of course. Whenever you come to the Kang Capital, Brother Zan, be sure to look me up."
Zan Buliu said, "I can tell at a glance that you're a straightforward man, Lord Hu. My Prosperity Trading House does business in every corner of the land, and we have quite a few branches in Great Kang, too. We've never established one in the Kang Capital, though. I'm planning to get that done this year."
Hu Xiaotian thought that this merchant really was practical and profit-minded; he could barely get three sentences out without returning to his trade. He smiled. "Then you must come see me when you reach the Kang Capital, Brother Zan. I might even be able to make things easier for you." It was only an offhand remark. Few people took banquet pleasantries seriously; they were forgotten almost as soon as they were spoken.
Just then, First Prince Xue Daohong arrived with Black Hu's Fourth Prince, Wanyan Chixiong. Watching the two walk in side by side, chatting merrily, anyone could see that they got along splendidly. Given their positions, however, putting on a show was hardly difficult.
Everyone rose to greet Xue Daohong and Wanyan Chixiong as they entered the banquet hall.
Xue Daohong nodded with a smile, greeting everyone in turn. When he reached Hu Xiaotian, he smiled and said, "You