New and dark light years

Chapter 374 Only the one wielding the knife can remain calm

In Li Lin's command tent, in addition to the four military commanders, sixteen other commanders were also invited.

Li Lin sat down, while the others stood.

The atmosphere in the command tent was somewhat heavy, and anyone could see that Li Lin's expression was not good.

"I've only been gone for a little over ten days, and your training has already fallen behind," Li Lin said with a serious expression. "What are you thinking?"

The group of people dared not speak.

After all... soldier training is normal.

They were a little lazy at times, after all, they had been training for more than ten days and thought they would rest for three or five days. But after only two days of rest, the commander-in-chief returned from outside and saw the whole camp lazily sunbathing.

“Now the troops are well-fed and warmly dressed,” Li Lin said. “Then you must show the same attitude and get your training going. I don’t expect you to train for six hours a day, but three hours a day is essential.”

The twenty people dared not speak, and listened quietly.

Li Lin continued, "If you don't want to work anymore and want to slack off, I can help you change positions. As the Zhenyuan Envoy, I have the authority to make some minor adjustments to the positions of local military officers."

Hearing this, everyone knew that Li Lin was truly angry.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have said something like he wanted to be transferred.

In official circles, this is already a very serious 'warning'.

Immediately, all twenty people broke out in a cold sweat.

"Remember, daily training is necessary. You can have one day off every ten days, but the daily training time must not be less than three hours."

The officials quickly clasped their hands in agreement.

At this moment, Xiao Chunzhu said, "Commander-in-Chief, why are you making us train the soldiers so diligently? Is something big about to happen?"

Xiao Chunzhu was Li Lin's confidant, a fact known to everyone. When he spoke up to ask a question, no one felt he was being offensive.

Li Lin pondered for a moment and said, "You don't need to think about so much for now. Just focus on training the soldiers."

Although Li Lin didn't say anything, everyone else understood something.

Guo Yuan, in particular, went to Bobai Military Town and saw some very unusual things there.

"Alright, all of you, go down now. Remember, make sure to focus on regular training." Li Lin said, "Our army has enough to eat and wear, and we have enough weapons. The next step is to become a strong army."

Everyone nodded.

"Then go and get to work," Li Lin said, dismissing the guest.

Most people left, but Mu Tianen remained in the same spot.

After everyone else left, Li Lin asked, "Supervisor Mu, is there anything else?"

Mu Tianen stepped forward and said, "Chief Supervisor, this is a secret edict from Her Majesty the Empress!"

Secret decree!

In other words, things that others cannot know and cannot be made public.

"What is Your Majesty's decree?" Li Lin asked.

Mu Tianen whispered, "Her Majesty the Empress has two things she needs you to do."

Li Lin frowned slightly: "Please speak."

"The first thing I want is for the Grand Commander to double the quantity of the Youth Preservation Pills."

“That’s impossible.” Li Lin shook his head: “I would be spending almost all my time refining pills that way.”

"Her Majesty the Empress said that the price could be increased by 10%."

Li Lin shook his head again: "I really can't do it."

"Her Majesty the Empress hopes you can do it." Mu Tianen said with his head down, "In her decree, she said that if you can't do it, the supply of the Youth Preservation Pills to others will be stopped, and from now on, the Empress will distribute them uniformly."

Li Lin laughed, waved his hand, and said, "I have always respected Her Majesty the Empress, but this matter is really too difficult for me."

Mu Tianen sighed and said, "The second thing is... Her Majesty hopes you can deal with someone?"

"Who?"

"Li Zhongsheng."

Li Lin pondered for a moment and then said, "Li Zhongsheng, the Assistant Prefect of Jin County!"

"Yes, that's him."

Li Lin's eyes sharpened: "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

The so-called "assistant prefect" means someone who is equivalent to a prefect, that is, a deputy to the prefect.

Huang Yan, as the prefect, did not go through the 'assistant prefect' stage. He was able to take office as the prefect directly because of the Huang family's powerful background.

Li Zhongsheng's appointment as co-prefect was naturally due to the fact that he was cultivated by the Huang family.

The Empress ordered him to deal with Li Zhongsheng, which meant that Li Lin should break away from the Huang family and turn against them.

Mu Tianen took a deep breath and said, "Her Majesty the Empress said that the Huang family is likely to be in trouble. The Chief Military Supervisor is now taking action against Li Zhongsheng. She has a way to protect your position in the future."

Li Lin narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Please tell Her Majesty the Empress that I cannot accomplish either of these two tasks."

Mu Tianen said helplessly, "Chief Supervisor, Your Majesty the Empress has contributed greatly to your position."

Li Lin also laughed and said, "Not only the Empress, but also the Jiang family and the Huang family. Without their secret support, even the Empress herself wouldn't have been able to make me the Commander of the Garrison so easily."

Mu Tianen was silent for a moment, then said, "Then I will report to Her Majesty the Empress the truth."

"It's alright, go ahead." Mu Tianen withdrew.

After sitting in his chair for a while, Li Lin got up and went to Tianjin, arriving at the Huang residence.

Huang Yan happened to be home, so the father-in-law and son-in-law met in the backyard.

"My dear son-in-law, what brings you here today?"

"The Empress asked someone to persuade me to take action against Li Zhongsheng."

Huang Yan raised an eyebrow and asked, "To die or to live?"

"He didn't say, but I guess he's going to die."

Huang Yan chuckled: "So, what does my son-in-law intend to do?"

"I refused."

Huang Yan nodded; Li Lin's answer was exactly what he expected.

He knew his son-in-law very well; he wasn't the kind of person who was fickle and heartless.

"Her Majesty the Empress's ambitions have grown too," Huang Yan laughed.

"How to say?"

"Consort You Rong has been imprisoned in the Cold Palace... Although it's called the Cold Palace, she has everything she needs in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, and she hasn't suffered any grievances. It's just that her title doesn't sound very good." Huang Yan said with a smile, "This gave the Empress an opportunity. She used the Youth Preservation Pill you gave her to almost completely control the entire harem. She also used the Youth Preservation Pill to form alliances with many wives and daughters of important officials. Now, quite a few ministers in the court have sided with her."

Li Lin nodded slightly. No wonder the Empress wanted to monopolize the Youth Preservation Pill.

Huang Yan continued, "The Youth Preservation Pill and the Body Strengthening Pill have already caused a stir in the capital. Although you are not in the capital, you are already a very important person. Many nobles are inquiring about your identity. However, both the Empress and the Jiang family have kept this matter well hidden."

Li Lin said self-deprecatingly, "An important figure? In the eyes of those so-called nobles in the capital, I should just be a relatively important pawn."

Huang Yan burst into laughter.

Li Lin was so clear-headed that he didn't seem like a young man, but that was also what Huang Yan admired about Li Lin.

He couldn't even imagine how such a talent could be cultivated; his two sons were far inferior to him.

It can only be said that the legendary Li family of Jin County has a profound heritage and is indeed extraordinary.

"Taishan, what are your thoughts on the Empress's coercion?"

"If I were you, I would try to re-establish a relationship with Consort Yourong."

Li Lin raised an eyebrow: "A check and balance?"

“That’s right. Consort You Rong doesn’t actually have a real mortal feud with you,” Huang Yan said. “I once read a sentence in a miscellaneous book: ‘Only profit lasts, no enmity lasts.’ Consort You Rong can effectively keep the Empress’s attention occupied. You should understand what I mean.”

Li Lin nodded.

"Do you need the Huang family to help you re-establish your relationship with Consort Yourong?"

Li Lin bowed and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Tai."

Huang Yan nodded and said, "Also... I'm thinking of having Xiao Ying take a position in your military force, is that alright?"

Li Lin nodded and said, "Of course, I happen to be short of a transport commissioner, so let him take on the role."

The so-called Transport Commissioner was responsible for coordinating the movement of money and grain distributed by the imperial court, a highly secure logistical position.

Huang Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, "You are a few years older, so teach him more about how to conduct himself in society. If possible, also teach him some self-defense techniques."

"No problem," Li Lin said with a smile.

"He will take up his post in the government army within five days."

Li Lin was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is the Huang family in the capital... already in great danger?"

"Did you see it?"

"Otherwise, you wouldn't have put Yingdi here with me."

Huang Yan sighed and said, "When the elders in the family make mistakes, the younger generation can't really help much. That's how it is. This is a problem that no large family can avoid. Don't worry, at least for the next five years, my Huang family can guarantee that your position as Chief Supervisor will not be in trouble. As for after five years, I dare not say."

“That’s enough.” Li Lin’s eyes shone brightly. “If I can’t protect myself in five years, then I’m truly a useless person.”

"Haha, it's good that you have this ambition." Huang Yan stroked his beard with satisfaction.

Li Lin suddenly thought of something and said, "Does Mount Tai have any way to let me talk to the military governor of the Demon Extermination Bureau?"

"Oh?" Huang Yan asked, "What do you want with him?"

"Let's talk about strange creatures."

Huang Yan thought for a while and said, "The Demon Extermination Bureau is divided into two parts, the South and the North. The Southern Demon Extermination Bureau is located in Yu County. Their military governor usually does not leave his post, so it is difficult to see him."

Li Lin sighed softly.

"However, if you have any thoughts, you can tell me, and I will send someone to inform him."

Li Lin thought of the fact that someone from the Huang family worked in the Demon Extermination Bureau, so he said, "The Blue Scale True Lord Temple guards an official road, making the road between Yulin County and Jincheng smooth. Not only is it easier and safer for people to come and go, but it also increases tax revenue. I want to build more temples like this to connect all the counties and cities in Jinjun, but there are not enough True Lords and altars."

Huang Yan thought for a moment and said, "This is a great thing, but the higher-ups may not approve it."

Li Lin laughed and said, "I don't need funding from above. I'll just contribute part of it myself, and then the gentry from various places will contribute the rest, and that will be enough."

"What if those gentry are unwilling to contribute?"

Li Lin laughed and said, "None of those gentry have clean hands. If they're unwilling to pay, I'll investigate their assets... I'll actually get more money from confiscating their property."

Huang Yan laughed again: "In that case, I'll do you a favor and use my old face to ask you for some altars and True Lords."

(End of this chapter)