I am dying of old age, and I have awakened to the character of longevity.

Click.

Xie An dismounted and helped Liang Zhi up, "No need to be so polite, dispense with the formalities."

Among so many people present, Xie An made a point of assisting Liang Zhi, giving him ample face and subtly indicating Liang Zhi's importance in the Blood Ridge Black Market.

This moved Liang Zhi greatly, "Head, your appointment as Incense Master is a joyous occasion, the formalities cannot be omitted. Moreover, this is everyone's sentiment."

Xie An glanced around, noticing ardent gazes and smiles as radiant as flowers.

When Xie An left this place for the hall in the morning, he didn't expect everyone to have such an arrangement. Actually, Xie An didn't like such displays, but at this moment he felt... holding one was appropriate:

Everyone has been working hard following me for so many days and worrying about someone else replacing me as the Blood Ridge Black Market Incense Master. Now that the matter is settled, it's worth celebrating.

With this in mind, Xie An said, "Alright. Everyone has worked hard. Brother Zhang, bring the money."

Zhang Lin dismounted, took out the fine cotton bag, and handed it to Xie An.

Xie An handed the bag to Liang Zhi, "This is the two hundred taels bestowed by the Hall Master, take it and distribute it evenly among everyone. Let everyone have a good New Year."

Liang Zhi was delighted to receive the task of distributing the money.

Distributing money to the brothers in public was something only superiors could do.

Although Liang Zhi was an accountant, his position was not essentially different from that of ordinary underlings.

Now, this detail already showed Xie An's intention.

Liang Zhi immediately returned the favor, shouting, "Thank you for the Incense Master's reward!" and then took out a scale and steelyard to weigh and cut the silver, distributing it to everyone. The subordinates were naturally overjoyed, shouting, "Thank you for the Incense Master's reward."

Hmm?

Xie An couldn't help but take another look at Liang Zhi, becoming increasingly satisfied with this fellow.

Originally, Fang Baiyu bestowed two hundred taels to each of the four Incense Masters, to be distributed to their subordinates... When the subordinates received the money, they would inevitably thank Hall Master Fang.

Xie An hadn't thought about concealing the source of the reward.

This was a minor detail, unnecessary.

But... Liang Zhi was clever, knew how to handle things.

He directly took the lead in thanking the Incense Master... causing the subordinates to follow suit.

This person is worthy of great use!

After receiving the silver, the subordinates were all smiles, and some even took the initiative to walk up to Xie An and bow deeply in gratitude.

Most of the subordinates did dirty and tiring work, earning only a few dozen taels a year, and after deducting expenses for martial arts and medicinal supplements, little was left. Now, to be able to receive nearly seven taels of silver at once was no small sum.

When it came to Li Shaoyun's turn, he was very embarrassed, standing tremblingly in place, not daring to receive the money, his body shaking non-stop.

Xie An glanced at him, and Li Shaoyun seemed like a rice stalk with its stem broken, kneeling on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, "Thank, thank... Incense Master. I, I'm sorry! I was wrong!"

Bang, bang, bang!

Overwhelmed with nervousness, Li Shaoyun was so scared that he couldn't speak, his mind blank, only knowing to kowtow frantically, his legs and feet trembling violently.

Da, da, da.

Xie An walked towards him step by step.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Li Shaoyun felt as if he were listening to a death knell, immediately lowering his head, his whole body shrinking tightly together. He tried hard to restrain the trembling of his hands and feet, but he couldn't control it at all, instead, he trembled even more violently.

Slap!

Xie An finally reached him and slapped him on the forehead.

The moment Xie An's palm touched his forehead, Li Shaoyun completely broke down, actually crying out "Wah" as if Xie An would slap him to death, immediately scaring him so much that... he peed.

Forced by the fear of death, Li Shaoyun actually spoke a complete sentence, "Incense Master, I'm sorry... I really know I was wrong. I shouldn't have tried to take advantage when you were redeeming yourself, and I shouldn't have provided convenience to Zhang Biao, allowing Li He to arrest He Chunli for severe torture... I'm sorry, really sorry!"

Slap!

Xie An continued to pat Li Shaoyun's forehead, "Go and collect the silver, then change your clothes and come to the feast. In the future, calm down and practice martial arts properly. Strive to pass the martial arts exam in the future, and then... take good care of your mother! Don't let your mother down!"

The banquet hadn't started yet.

Xie An and Lin Yun and Zhang Lin were sitting at the head round table drinking tea, while Yu He was pouring tea for everyone.

Because Yu He was one of the few women here, and with her outstanding figure and appearance, she immediately attracted the attention of countless people. Many people were privately discussing that this was a maidservant Xie An had bought, and were very envious.

"Being an Incense Master is different, even having a maidservant."

"This maidservant is so beautiful, I wonder how much silver it cost..."

"I hope I can be such a master in the future..."

Xie An's senses were extraordinary, and he naturally heard everyone's discussions, thinking that this would make Yu He very uncomfortable, and whether to come out and explain. As a result, he glanced at Yu He next to him and found that Yu He didn't care at all.

Then that's that...

It's impossible to silence everyone.

The more you explain, the more people will think you're trying to cover up.

Taking advantage of the gap while waiting for the banquet to begin, Xie An began to calculate the silver.

The two hundred taels just now hadn't even warmed up before they were gone...

Xie An's current income, with the treatment of the Second Steward doubled again, reached eight hundred taels a year. This was still a legitimate basic income, and with Xie An becoming the Incense Master, fully controlling the Black Market, future income would definitely be even greater.

He won't lack money in the future, the problem is now...

Previously, in order to break through, Xie An had even pre-empted five hundred taels.

The Black Market's year-end review was approaching, and Xie An was thinking about how to fill this deficit...

Just then—

"Congratulations, Incense Master Xie, this is a little token of my esteem, please don't think it's too little."

A shopkeeper walked over, holding silver in both hands.

Xie An glanced at it, a full two large ingots of silver.

Fifty taels per ingot, a total of one hundred taels.

Geez...

This is the treatment of an Incense Master?

Xie An looked up and saw that there was a long queue behind the shopkeeper, a full five or sixty shopkeepers... all holding silver, waiting to present gifts.

Xie An suddenly understood... no wonder Liang Zhi wanted to hold a grand banquet.

There was also a custom of giving gifts at banquets in this world. Many officials, in order to amass wealth, would hold banquets every now and then, and some would even hold grand celebrations when their own dog gave birth to sons...

Before, Xie An was a steward, so it was naturally not good to hold a grand banquet, the level was not enough.

Now that he had become the Incense Master, in charge of all the power of the Blood Ridge Black Market, the weight was completely sufficient.

But, isn't one hundred taels too much?

Xie An didn't rush to accept it, but asked Lin Yun, who said that this was the usual gift money for the Black Market. Previously, Wei Dian had also held a banquet, and the amount of gift money from the shopkeepers was about ten to one hundred taels.

Since this was the case, Xie An felt that there was no need to decline, and immediately asked Liang Zhi to bring pen and ink to record everyone's gift money.

"Everyone's gifts are mainly to show their feelings, don't give too much. Feelings are most important. If you have any happy events in the future, you can also notify me, and I will return the gift."

Although Xie An's words were modest, how dare everyone take them seriously?

With the title of Incense Master here, the shopkeepers would naturally give as much as possible. And those shop assistants also tried to give as much as possible.

As for holding their own banquets in the future, where would they dare to notify the Incense Master? Wouldn't that make it difficult for the Incense Master?

They would just listen to some words.

When the gift-giving ended, the gift money alone reached one thousand three hundred taels!

It simply shocked Xie An.

This was just a banquet held within the Black Market. If he were to notify the wealthy gentry and merchants of the surrounding six towns, wouldn't a single banquet result in... receiving gifts worth several thousand taels?

Xie An secretly clicked his tongue, gaining a preliminary understanding of the benefits brought by power, fame, and status.

It is often said that fame and fortune go hand in hand, with fame preceding fortune.

Clearly, the ancients possessed wisdom.

However, Xie An also knew that maintaining fame required effort and that excessive overdrafting could easily harm oneself.

Soon, the banquet began.

As someone receiving gifts for the first time, Xie An didn't put on airs. He actively led the two stewards, Lin Yun and Zhang Lin, to toast at each table. Especially when they reached Liang Xiang's table, he drank a few extra cups with Liang Xiang, thanking him for forging the great saber.

Xie An's actions genuinely flattered the shopkeepers and managers, who felt that the new Master of Incense was approachable, leading to more conversation.

During the banquet, everyone exchanged toasts, raised their cups, and chatted animatedly, creating a lively atmosphere.

Since Xie An's arrival at the Black Market, it was the first time he had encountered such a bustling scene. People from all walks of life were present, some were shopkeepers, some were skilled workers, some were errand boys, and some were disciples of the Tiger Wolf Gate. They usually worked hard here to make a living, hoping for a good future. But at this moment, they put aside their professional prejudices, forgot their status and identity, and drank and ate meat heartily together.

The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ is ⊥ at ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ first ⊥ release!

This harmonious and lively atmosphere made Xie An feel very relieved.

The meal lasted until the beginning of Shen Shi (3-5 PM) before it ended.

When Xie An returned to the villa, Yu He helped him inside. Xie An repeatedly stated that he hadn't drunk too much, but he couldn't resist Yu He's enthusiasm, so he had to give in.

As soon as he entered the living room and sat down, Yu He busied herself lighting the stove, brewing tea, and preparing a sobering soup for Xie An.

Although Xie An felt it was unnecessary, he did feel much better after drinking a mouthful of the sobering soup.

Okay, it was still necessary...

"Master, would you like to rest for a while?"

Xie An refused, saying that he wasn't that delicate. But Yu He thoughtfully went behind Xie An and gently massaged his back.

Xie An felt it was unnecessary.

Okay, the back massage technique was good, very comfortable...

Although they had only been together for half a day, Xie An discovered that Yu He was truly capable of everything. It was easy to get lost in her gentle embrace and neglect one's duties.

This won't do...

Xie An coughed twice, "By the way, go call Liang Zhi here."

"Yes, Master."

Soon, Liang Zhi came over with the gift money.

Xie An arranged the gift money: return the five hundred taels advanced from the silver treasury. He told Liang Zhi to use another four hundred taels to buy tiger meat broth for Xie An.

Xie An planned to keep the remaining four hundred taels.

After making the arrangements, Xie An asked Yu He to carry a jar of wine to Blood Ridge Mountain in the north to visit A'Bao, and to say a few words in the direction where Wei Dian had left.

Xie An was able to achieve today's success so quickly because he received great kindness from Wei Dian.

Xie An would naturally not forget it.

When Xie An approached the mountain, he found Lin Yun sitting on a rock next to the lonely grave, drinking alone early in the morning.

Xie An reached out to Yu He, and Yu He understood, handing the wine jar to Xie An, then stood in place knowingly, not following.

"Brother Lin."

Xie An walked over with the wine, sat down next to Lin Yun, and opened the wine jar. "I'll drink with you."

The two men clinked the wine jars together and drank heartily.

Drinking from the jar was very enjoyable, and people felt heroic.

After drinking most of the jar of wine, Lin Yun felt very happy. "Drinking like this is really enjoyable. Brother Xie, I want to thank you. On behalf of A'Bao, on behalf of Brother Wei, on behalf of the Blood Ridge Black Market, thank you."

Xie An said in a timely manner: "Brother Lin, I don't know if I should say something."

"What can't you say between you and me? Tell me."

Xie An didn't speak immediately, but raised the wine jar towards the direction where Wei Dian had left, toasted from afar, and then drank two large mouthfuls, letting the wine slide down from the corners of his mouth.

After a big mouthful, a heat flow rolled in his abdomen, and his whole body seemed to be energized.

Xie An then said: "Brother Lin, I know that you and A'Bao and Brother Wei have deep feelings, but in life, there will always be various partings and helplessness. You still need to focus on the path ahead. If you are too immersed in the past, not only will it hurt yourself, but A'Bao and Brother Wei would not want to see you like this either."

Lin Yun suddenly shed tears, and after a long time, he picked up the wine jar and drank two mouthfuls heartily, revealing a sad but relieved smile, "Brother Xie is right. I should focus on the path ahead. Come, Brother Xie, I toast you."

Xie An felt relieved and smiled: "Today there is no big brother, only wine, come."

...

"Toast to A'Bao."

"Toast to Brother Wei."

...

After Xie An officially took office as the Master of Incense, he didn't do anything ostentatious or showy.

His life was no different from usual. In addition to inspecting the Black Market, he spent the rest of his time practicing martial arts and cultivating the Longevity Exercise in the villa. The only difference was that there was Yu He, and the courtyard was a little more lively.

Life was also more quality.

For example, Yu He took care of three meals a day, and also made beds, washed clothes, and cleaned, always keeping the inside and outside of the yard neat and tidy.

But the price was... Xie An was not so comfortable anymore, and it was not good to go alone to find the Immortal Treasure to see.

Time quickly came to December 24th.

Little New Year.

The customs of the Great Qian Dynasty differed between the north and the south. The Little New Year in the north was on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while it was on the 24th in the south. Qingwu County was located on the southeastern border, so it naturally followed the customs of the south.

This morning, Xie An finished practicing the Longevity Exercise, washed up, and came to the yard, and found Yu He sitting under the eaves cutting paper-cut window decorations. The sunlight shone on her beautiful face, making her look extraordinarily beautiful.

When Yu He saw Xie An coming out, she immediately put down her work and bowed, "Master, you're up. Breakfast is warming in the kitchen, I'll go get it for you."

Xie An didn't stop her, but looked at that beautiful figure.

Over the past ten days, Xie An had been paying special attention to Yu He.

Yu He had expressed implicitly that if he wanted her to serve in bed, she could.

But Xie An declined on the grounds of practicing qigong.

On the one hand, it was because Xie An had the values of his previous life, and still felt that if he let someone serve in bed, he had to be responsible.

Of course, if he spent money in a brothel, that would be another matter.

What's more, Yu He was good-looking, but Xie An didn't have that feeling for her, there was no spark.

Besides, at Xie An's age, he really didn't have much interest in matters between men and women.

On the other hand, Xie An knew that this woman's background was not simple, and at the same time she was backed by Chen Qinglang and the Tang Family Fort, a double agent... How could Xie An dare to be careless?

However, after observing for ten days, he didn't find anything unusual about Yu He.

After eating breakfast, Xie An changed into an ordinary brocade robe, "Yu He, take the money and come out with me."

Yu He was responsible for the family's food and daily life for a period of time, so Xie An naturally had to give her living expenses.

Although Xie An knew that Yu He was definitely not short of money, he, a big man, couldn't possibly spend a woman's money.

Yu He took the purse, "It's Little New Year today, Master, are you planning to go out and buy some New Year's goods and festive items?"

Xie An shook his head: "Buy some gifts and go to Wuqiao Town to see my two disciples. By the way, go... see Madam Li."

Xie An naturally remembered Madam Li's kindness that day. Taking advantage of the Little New Year, he should go visit her. As for the two disciples, he hadn't seen them for a year, and Xie An missed them very much.