New and dark light years

Chapter 527 Happy to see the results
The woman was so angry that she trembled all over.

Lianxin looked at the middle-aged man and said, "Third Uncle, there are indeed people looking for us at the beach."

"Who knows if you're taking this opportunity to eliminate your rivals?" the middle-aged man shouted angrily. "Your family has long disliked us, always feeling that we're taking advantage of you. You won't let us sell seafood, nor will you let us live on land, always thinking we're in your way."

These words immediately resonated with a group of people.

In order to conceal their identities, the Li family cannot do many things.

Business can only be done on a small scale; we dare not expand too much.

They also forbade key personnel from moving ashore, leaving them with an extreme lack of freedom, and so on.

Thirty or forty years ago, such problems were not problems at all.

At that time, survival was the most important thing.

But after two or three generations, this becomes a problem.

Human nature always yearns for freedom and greater benefits; constraints can only last for a limited time and will always provoke a backlash.

The woman listened to the arguing and cursing of these people, her face showing exhaustion.

She was exhausted not only physically, but also mentally.

Since her husband passed away five years ago and her eldest son went out to "make a living," she has had to personally engage in insincere dealings with these so-called clansmen.

She wasn't a very capable person; she was just a pretty, obedient, and sensible "vase" (a person who is only good for show).

She's good at managing the household affairs, but she's not good at handling other matters outside the home.

Over the past five years, the conflicts between the main family and the various branch families have been accumulating little by little, and now they have finally erupted.

Lianxin sneered, "My uncles and clan leaders, the young master anticipated your actions. One hundred Black Guards are already waiting outside. He said that anyone who refuses to undergo a heart search will have their entire family perish."

"How dare he!"

"Let Xiaofeng come to see us."

"Yes, what's the point of sending a woman to deliver a message?"

Lianxin snorted, and then the door was flung open.

Dozens of men in black robes with cold expressions walked in.

They were like extreme cold, instantly making the air in the entire house frigid.

“If you have any opinions, talk to Black Guard,” Lianxin said with a cold laugh.

Looking at this group of emotionless people, everyone fell silent.

Then, following Lianxin's 'suggestion,' they went to other rooms one by one to conduct 'heart searches.'

Everyone who returned had a very unpleasant expression on their face.

People are all vulnerable to scrutiny; if you 'search their hearts,' you'll always find something out.

For example, petty theft, or doing something wrong that you feel guilty about.

At this point, many people felt that they were doomed.

But to their surprise, Lianxin did not 'settle' these matters.

Instead, she said, "Fortunately, none of the masters were traitors. Lianxin apologizes to everyone here."

After speaking, she gave a graceful bow and then prepared to leave with her black guards.

Someone asked in surprise, "That's it?"

Lianxin turned around: "Young Master only asked me to find the traitor. As for other matters, those are matters for the main family to handle themselves. I have no authority to manage them. By the way, Madam and Second Miss, please come here."

Upon hearing this, most of the people in the room showed a sense of relief at having escaped death.

The woman and the second young lady left with the black guard.

Lianxin went into another room not far away.

The two followed them inside.

Once inside the room, Lianxin closed the door.

"Lianxin, what exactly happened?" the woman asked.

The second young lady also had a curious expression on her face.

Although she didn't like Lianxin very much, she also understood that Lianxin was very loyal to her elder brother.

"Young Master said he has found the most suitable person to become the head of our Li family."

Upon hearing this, both of their eyes widened in surprise.

Lianxin walked to the side and took out a small booklet from under her pillow.

"This is all the information we have recently gathered about that person. You two should study it carefully."

The woman took the booklet and asked, "What does Feng'er mean by letting an outsider be the head of the family? What will happen to him then?"

Lianxin lowered her eyes and said, "Young Master's health won't last more than a few years. If things continue like this, something bad will easily happen. The Li family needs a truly capable and decisive patriarch. He is very suitable. Now, people outside already regard him as a descendant of the Li family, and he can't even defend himself."

"What do you mean by 'unable to defend oneself'? That person must be coveting the reputation and heritage of my Li family, and wants to seize it..."

Lianxin said helplessly, "Second Miss, you'll understand after you see it. They don't even care about the Li family's assets."

"What do you mean? My Li family is a prestigious family. Whether it is martial arts or alchemy, we are among the best in the world. Why does he look down on us?" the second young lady said angrily.

In contrast, the woman was more composed. She picked up the booklet, carefully flipped through a few pages, and then her expression turned somewhat shocked.

Is everything written here true?

Lianxin nodded.

The woman sighed softly, "That is indeed impressive."

Seeing her mother like this, the second young lady stopped talking.

Lianxin continued, "Young Master means that after some time, the two of you will go ashore, and he will find a way to get to know you and make him accept our Li family."

"Then why send two women like us?" the second young lady asked. "Can't he come to us himself?"

Lianxin smiled wryly and said, "Now it's our turn to show our sincerity."

"Sincerity?" The woman's eyes held a hint of disbelief: "Feng'er means to let Hong'er become someone's..."

Upon hearing this, the second young lady immediately raised her eyebrows: "I refuse, I would rather die than do that."

The woman took a deep breath: "Feng'er was so proud before, he would never stoop to such methods, how could he..."

"Young Master believes that person deserves it."

"Then why should I go too?" the woman said angrily. "You can't expect me and Feng'er to be sent away as well."

"The young master said that if the eldest mistress can do it, he would be happy to see it happen!"

Upon hearing this, the woman's eyes rolled back and she fainted.

"Mother, Mother, what's wrong!"

…………

Li Lin was practicing his spear skills. After performing three sets, he was about to practice the White Tiger Fist when he heard the steward say that a noble young master named Chu Feng was requesting an audience.

"Please ask him to sit in the courtyard for a moment, I will be right there."

The butler left.

Li Yanjing emerged from the void, holding a wet towel to wipe Li Lin's sweat.

She is becoming more and more visible in the sunlight, thanks to the spiritual energy brought by dual cultivation, which is continuously changing her soul.

She is no longer purely eccentric, but has acquired some inexplicable characteristics.

Li Lin wiped away the sweat, changed his clothes, and then went to the front courtyard.

People in this world value etiquette highly; meeting guests unkempt is considered impolite. Chu Feng is Li Lin's friend, so he cannot be rude.

It didn't take Li Lin long to change his clothes before he arrived at the main hall of the courtyard.

Chu Feng was dressed in a white Confucian robe, making him look more like a scholar than a martial artist.

He was drinking tea when he saw Li Lin coming over, so he stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Li, it's been a while since we last met."

Li Lin returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Brother Chu, please sit down."

Chu Feng sat down, fanning himself with a fan: "Brother Li, the main reason I've come to bother you this time is to repay a favor."

He didn't mince words and directly stated his purpose.

Li Lin was a little curious: "Logically speaking, I should be the one thanking you. I originally wanted to find you, but considering how elusive you are, Brother Chu, I was waiting for you to come to me."

Chu Feng actively helped in the attack on the branch of the Immortal Slaughtering Society and put in a lot of effort.

Li Lin wanted to repay the favor, but couldn't find anyone to help him.

Now that the other party has come to him on their own initiative, he is naturally very happy.

"That's not how it works. Brother Li, the pills you provided were a great help to us," Chu Feng said earnestly. "Our help that time was just icing on the cake. Even without us, with Brother Li's arrangements, we could have easily wiped out those villains."

Li Lin waved his hand: "These are two different things. I will remember your kindness in coming to help me. I have a batch of refined spirit pills here. Although the quantity is not large, please accept them."

After saying that, the steward came over from the side carrying a brocade box.

Spiritual Energy Pills are now a regular supply in the Immortal Seekers' Guild.

Although the quantity is small, other forces will surely find out over time.

Chu Feng will find out sooner or later.

Rather than waiting for Chu Feng to ask about it later, it's better to send him a batch now to repay the favor from back then.

Chu Feng opened the brocade box, inside which were four porcelain bottles. He opened one of them, took a sniff, and felt a refreshing fragrance enter his dantian, followed by a surge of energy in his meridians.

He was immediately shocked: "This Spirit Energy Pill... what is it?"

"The spiritual energy of cultivating immortality."

Chu Feng was shocked at first, then fell silent.

After a while, he closed the box and pushed it back in front of Li Lin: "This is too valuable, I can't accept it."

Li Lin laughed and said, "Don't worry, I've already refined a lot of this stuff."

"Really?"

There's no point in lying to you.

Chu Feng took a deep breath, clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Li. By the way... I also have some gifts I'd like to give you this time."

After saying that, Chu Feng also took out a brocade box from his clothes.

He placed it on the table and pushed it toward Li Lin, saying, "It's just a small token of my respect."

Li Lin didn't rush to open it, but smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Chu."

"Compared to your pills, the contents of this are insignificant." Chu Feng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Brother Li, you should know that my health isn't very good."

Li Lin nodded. He had taken Chu Feng's pulse last time, and the other party did indeed have a congenital physical defect.

They won't live long.

"Even with your body-strengthening pills, I already feel like I don't have much time left to live."

Li Lin reached out and pressed his hand on the other person's left wrist pulse.

After a while, Li Lin sighed.

His medical skills were decent, but he was helpless when faced with patients with congenital defects.

I just don't know if the Spirit Pill can fix it.

At this moment, Chu Feng cupped his hands and said, "I plan to buy a house in Yulin County and will bring my family here soon. I will trouble Brother Li to take good care of them then."

Li Lin nodded: "Don't worry, Brother Chu's family is my family too."

Chu Feng smiled and said, "Then I can rest assured."

He stood up, turned to the side, covered his mouth, coughed, and then said, "Brother Li is currently in a high position and has many affairs to attend to, so I won't disturb you any longer. I'll bother you again when I have time next time."

"Sure, I'll take you."

Li Lin saw Chu Feng to the door and watched him leave before returning home.

This was just a minor incident, and Li Lin subsequently resumed his disciplined life.

Handling government affairs, cultivating oneself.

In summary, it boils down to just these two things.

Ten days or so later, while he was handling government affairs in his office, a messenger came to report.

"Governor, news has been received from the border city that the Tang army has set out and is heading towards Dian County."

Li Lin raised his head and said, "Summon all civil officials to a meeting."

Not long after, the sound of drums came from the White Tiger Hall.

Soon, all the civil officials holding official positions in the government office gathered there.

Standing in the very front row, right in the middle, was naturally Chiang Chi-li.

Li Lin sat on a high chair covered with a white tiger skin and said, "The Tang family army has launched an attack on Dian County. What are your thoughts on this?"

"We should send a large army to hold the flanks, and if there is an opportunity, we should launch a surprise attack."

"We must rush to aid Yunnan Prefecture and prevent the Tang family from gaining more territory, otherwise they will surely become a major threat to our Jin Prefecture."

“We can bypass the Tang family and attack Guangning County from the rear. If we lose Guangning County, the Tang family army’s logistics will be disrupted.”

A dozen or so staff members each offered their own opinions.

Regardless, they all supported sending troops.

After listening for a while, Li Lin asked, "Secretary Zhang, what are your thoughts?"

Jiang Jili stepped forward and said, "Sir, my idea is simple: ignore it."

Li Lin smiled and said, "What's your explanation?"

“A year ago, we would have sent troops, since our strength was no match for the Tang army. Only by joining forces with the troops of Dian County could we possibly deal with the Tang army. But things are different now. We have occupied the three counties of Jin, Gui, and Xiang. Whether it is food or tax revenue, we are much stronger than the Tang army. As long as we rest and recuperate for another year, recruit enough troops, and manufacture enough weapons, no one will be our match, even if the Tang army swallows up Dian County.”

At this point, someone objected, saying, "The Tang army is already very strong. If they occupy Xia Dian County, their strength will increase significantly."

“Occupying territory takes time to appease and integrate people; it can’t be done in less than a year or two,” Jiang Jili explained. “Just like when we occupied Xiang County, we also had to spend time stabilizing the area. But we have plenty of money and grain, so time is on our side.”

The civil officials nodded; they had been working hard on the Xiang County matter for quite some time now.

Various population migration issues, population surveys, etc.

Not to mention things like road and city construction, or grain transport.

None of these are easy official duties.

Li Lin nodded and said, "That's what I think too. We need time to develop. As for the Tang family army, let them take over Dian County. I guess they guessed we wouldn't make a move, which is why they dared to send troops. Tang Qi really knows military affairs."

Jiang Jili laughed and said, "But he doesn't understand politics. Their internal affairs are a complete mess. Sending troops now is partly to divert attention from internal conflicts."

Just then, another soldier rushed in and said, "Report... Yangxu Military Town has been captured."

Everyone was shocked.

Yangxu Military Town, located on the border between Gui County and Dian County, was a large military town with a thousand soldiers stationed there. How could it have been inexplicably captured?

Li Lin asked with a cold face, "What happened?"

(End of this chapter)