New and dark light years

Chapter 274 Having Seen Through Human Hearts
Li Lin stepped forward and shielded Huang Qing behind him.

He looked at Huang Yan and said, "Taishan, Qing'er didn't steal anything; it was I who took a liking to her."

Huang Yan smiled and said, "I know that even without Qing'er, you probably wouldn't be interested in Ling'er, but in any case, we originally wanted to betroth Ling'er to you."

Li Lin didn't say anything, but he had already sensed it.

After all, Huang Yan did have Huang Ling approach him first.

As for Huang Qing, that was an accident.

Li Lin asked, "What was the purpose of Taishan and Qing'er saying these things?"

“Ling’er is spoiled and will likely encounter many misfortunes in the future.” Huang Yan looked at Huang Qing and said, “I just hope that Qing’er can take good care of Ling’er in the future, after all, she is your sister.”

Huang Qing's face turned even paler: "Ah Da, even if you didn't say anything, I would still take care of my sister. You don't need to specifically remind our daughter..."

"It wasn't a special reminder," Huang Yan said to Huang Qing in a friendly tone, "I'm asking you for a favor."

Huang Qing was so frightened that she knelt down, her eyes filled with terror: "Ah Da, why do you say such a thing?"

The father asked his daughter for help, knowing that this incident would surely be seen as a grave offense, and Huang Qing was naturally afraid.

Li Lin frowned.

Huang Yan said softly, "I have a feeling that Ling'er will encounter a major incident in the future, and when that happens, the only one who can help her is you."

Huang Qing looked at Huang Yan with a puzzled expression.

My younger sister is going to marry into the Fang family. Even if it's a marriage of convenience, given the current situation, as long as she's not arrogant and domineering, she should have a good life.

As for the knife and its handle that were mentioned earlier... Huang Qing felt that things shouldn't have gotten to that point yet.

Huang Yan pulled Huang Qing up: "Don't blame your father for speaking harshly just now. Only in this way will you remember."

He then looked at Li Lin and said, "My dear son-in-law, let's leave it at that for now. You can go to Yulin County first. If anything happens, I will send someone to inform you."

"Ada..."

Huang Qing wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say.

Huang Yan turned and left.

Li Lin sighed and said, "I guess Mount Tai thinks the situation is very serious now."

"What's so serious?"

Li Lin said in a low voice, "If nothing unexpected happens, there must be some problems in the imperial court that we are unaware of for the time being."

Huang Qing's face was full of worry.

"It's alright. With the Tree Fairy Goddess here, with me here, and with Yan Jing here, nothing will happen to our family."

Huang Qing finally showed a slight smile.

Hongluan walked over from the side and asked, "Husband, can we go back now?"

"Tianjin is a bustling city, wouldn't you like to stay here a few more days?"

Hongluan shook her head: "It's bustling, but it's not very comfortable to live in. Home is still the best."

This is natural.

So the three of them went to the Huang residence, got a carriage, and headed out of the city.

After joining up with the local militia outside the city, the group of more than two hundred people headed towards Yulin County.

With no prisoners this time, there was no one to attempt a prison break.

Upon returning to Yulin County, Li Lin sent Huang Qing and Hong Luan home first, while he led the local militia to the camp.

In the camp, Li Lin said to Su Bei, "Could you keep an eye out for any suspicious people in or around Yulin County?"

Su Bei's expression hardened: "Is someone plotting against the county magistrate?"

Li Lin said, "It's not clear yet, but if there are any suspicious people acting suspiciously, keep an eye on them and then tell me. Don't alert them."

"Yes!"

After leaving the village militia camp, Li Lin returned to the county government office and said the same thing to the yamen runners.

The yamen runners are living a good life now, and they all look radiant.

The main thing is that with money, the food naturally gets much better.

The constables trusted Li Lin completely, who was willing to share the money with them. They immediately patted their chests and said they would definitely handle the matter properly.

Li Lin nodded in satisfaction.

Although these yamen runners were not particularly powerful individually, they were true local bullies.

Everyone has their own network of contacts, and once they spread the word, almost the entire Yulin County is under their 'surveillance'.

If there's someone acting suspiciously, they'll naturally notice.

Li Lin then went to the courtroom.

Jiang Jili was handling official business when Li Lin looked around and asked, "Where is the county magistrate?"

"Is he resting at home?"

"Not going to work?"

“I did it for him.”

Li Lin said helplessly, "The more you act like this, the harder it will be for the county magistrate to be on our side."

"Why?" Jiang Jili asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Everyone needs their own 'place'. If you take his place away, he'll probably be angry."

Jiang Jili chuckled and said, "County Commandant... Kun Ge, let me tell you the truth."

"Please say."

Not everyone has a personality like yours.

Li Lin was somewhat puzzled: "What kind of personality do I have?"

“They have their own principles.” Jiang Jili snorted, then laughed, “Do you know how difficult it is for a poor student to pass the imperial examination?”

"heard about it."

The truly exceptional are those who are one in ten thousand, especially among scholars.

How fierce must the competition be?

“No, you still don’t understand,” Jiang Jili sighed. “Unlike those of us with connections, children from poor families carry the hopes of their entire family or town. Their relatives and clansmen do everything they can to provide them with resources so they can go to school, hoping that one day they will pass the imperial examinations and repay them by making their lives better.”

Li Lin raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Jili continued, “Behind every student from a poor family stands at least dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of relatives. Once they pass the imperial examinations, they will have to repay these people. Having received so much help, anyone with a conscience would not ignore these eager eyes.”

Li Lin remained silent.

Jiang Jili stood up and said, “I’ve investigated the county magistrate. He doesn’t have many relatives or clansmen, but the fewer relatives or clansmen he has, the greater the favors he has received. He was idle in the capital for two years, unable to help his family at all. He had no money and no power. He finally came here and then met the two of us! Do you know how desperate he must have been at that time?”

A nobleman from the capital.

One was the legendary Li family of Jin County, and also the son-in-law of a direct descendant of Shangguan.

The two managed the place so well that it was like an impregnable fortress, and everyone in the county government trusted them.

What does he have to offer to compete with these two for power and profit?

We have no choice but to admit defeat and try to integrate.

That's why he disregarded his dignity and bowed to two men of lower rank than himself in the restaurant.

At this moment, Jiang Jili suddenly laughed and said, "I'm doing these things for him to put his mind at ease. Believe me or not, if I return all these tasks to him, he will be uneasy and might even become hostile to us!"

After hearing this, Li Lin thought for a moment and said, "You're right."

“That’s for sure,” Jiang Jili said with a smile. “In terms of martial arts and literary talent, you are better than me. But in terms of judging people and experience, you have to learn from me.”

Li Lin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I have learned a lot."

"By the way, I heard you were attacked while escorting prisoners?"

Li Lin nodded.

Jiang Jili took a deep breath: "This matter has nothing to do with me, but I think... the officialdom in our Yulin County should be rectified."

"You decide."

"Alright, I'll go and inform the county magistrate right away."

(End of this chapter)