The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 226: Being in the midst of blessings and not knowing the blessings

Although Lin Ruhai controlled the salt administration in Yangzhou, the salt tax revenue did not go into his Lin family's treasury.

Moreover, although the Zhen family in Jiangnan was in charge of the textile industry, it was the Zhen family that secretly did the most underhanded things in the salt industry.

To a certain extent, the Zhen family was nothing more than the emperor's money bag.

The father and son not only engaged in secret power struggles in the imperial court, but also fought over taxes in the local areas.

Therefore, Lin Ruhai did not actually achieve much during his years handling salt affairs in Yangzhou.

They also had irreconcilable conflicts with the salt merchants and the interest groups behind them.

Otherwise, in the original story, Lin Daiyu wouldn't have been the only orphan left in the family, while the rest of them all died in Yangzhou.

Moreover, if Lin Ruhai hadn't sent Lin Daiyu to the Rongguo Mansion in the capital, Lin Daiyu, a young girl, most likely wouldn't have lived long.

But in this life, Lin Ruhai lives, and Jia Min lives.

Having also learned that his family had been betrayed, it would be strange if Lin Ruhai didn't retaliate.

This is probably one of the reasons why the emperor summoned him back to the capital.

If this continues, more and more high-ranking officials will be implicated.

It even involved important officials in the imperial court.

If the sordid dealings within were exposed, it wouldn't just be the interest groups behind the salt administration that would be humiliated.

It will most likely also involve royal scandals.

Thinking of this, Li Jingxiao couldn't help but smile and shake his head.

Politics, to put it bluntly, is the art of compromise. Whether it's an emperor emeritus, an emperor, or a high-ranking official in the court, the last thing they want to see is someone overturning the table.

Since that's the case, then transfer Lin Ruhai away.

As for his desire for revenge, he wants to kill the person who attacked his family back then.

Moreover, Li Jingxiao married Jia Yuanchun, thus becoming Jia Min's nephew-in-law.

Lin Ruhai is Li Jingxiao's uncle.

The significance of a hereditary duke might be in the eyes of many salt merchants and the interest groups behind them.

Although it carries weight, it is not particularly important.

He held military power, was the Left Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and was also a renowned Taoist master.

If the Jiangnan salt merchants and other interest groups wanted to harm Lin Ruhai again, they would have to face the situation where Li Jingxiao, a more powerful enemy, would personally intervene.

Since we can't fight, we can't just let Lin Ruhai stay in Yangzhou.

Then we should find a way to get rid of him.

The trick of promoting someone in name only while demoting them in reality is very common in officialdom.

Moreover, being transferred back to the capital is clearly a promotion.

The emperor was probably also worried that Lin Ruhai and Jia Min might be poisoned again in Yangzhou.

Then the morale of the people below will be shattered.

Therefore, Lin Ruhai was also transferred back to Beijing.

Moreover, by protecting Lin Ruhai, Li Jingxiao, the Duke of Xingguo, will undoubtedly stand even more firmly on the emperor's side.

This is more important than the extra tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan in salt tax each year.

Thinking this way is good for everyone.

Moreover, with Lin Daiyu returning to the capital, it was virtually impossible for Li Jingxiao to marry her.

It was even more impossible for him to take her as a concubine.

But playing chess with a young girl and gaining some experience is still no problem.

However, just thinking about the monster in the Demon Locking Tower, that wild boar monster could easily give 1.2 experience points.

Li Jingxiao suddenly felt that he had no need to care about a little girl who was only seven years old after the New Year.

But despite his thoughts, Li Jingxiao still cared quite a bit about Lin Daiyu.

He smiled at Yuan Chun and said, "Later, have Erfu send a message by carrier pigeon and have the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Jinling send someone to escort it."

Even if someone takes advantage of your situation, there's nothing to worry about.

Consider it as relatives helping each other out.

Yuan Chun was relieved to hear her husband say this and continued speaking.

"The Lin family's old residence in Beijing has been maintained by only a few old servants for many years. When Uncle Lin wrote back, he was asking Father to find someone to clean and tidy it up."

Secondly, considering that the old lady often misses my aunt and cousin, it would be a good opportunity to return to Beijing for the New Year and fulfill my filial duty to the old lady.

By the way, I would like to ask you, sir, to take my aunt's and cousin's pulses to see if there are any hidden dangers.

Li Jingxiao nodded, "Alright, when your aunt goes to visit the old lady, I'll take you back to visit relatives."

Yuan Chun nodded happily.

Qin Keqing didn't mind at all; in fact, she felt that sometimes it was a good thing that she didn't have many close relatives.

There's no need to grieve over the pain of separation.

After chatting for a while, Yuan Chun suddenly remembered something and spoke again.

"By the way, my lord, in your letter, Uncle Lin mentioned that last year he hired a retired scholar who had passed the imperial examinations to be my cousin's tutor."

This gentleman also happened to be surnamed Jia. My uncle had many conversations with him and greatly admired his talent and learning.

Now that my aunt and cousin are returning to Beijing, that gentleman's job is over.

My uncle-in-law then recommended Mr. Jia to my father.

However, since the gentleman couldn't return to the capital with his aunt and cousin, he asked Mr. Jia to take his uncle's letter of recommendation and go to the capital a few days earlier.

Judging by the time, we should arrive in the capital within the next few days.

Li Jingxiao knew it was Jia Yucun as soon as he heard it.

Now that the letter from Yangzhou has been sent to the Rongguo Mansion.

Even if Jia Yucun walks slowly, he won't be slow for long.

Moreover, Li Jingxiao believed that Jia Yucun, having received Lin Ruhai's recommendation, would travel to the capital alone at full speed.

Lee Kyung-hyo nodded, signaling Won-chun to continue.

Yuan Chun then continued, "After reading the letter, Father had someone investigate this Mr. Jia, but he was unsure of what to do."

It was said that although they trusted the judgment of Lin's uncle.

However, Mr. Jia was dismissed from his post because he was "arrogant and disrespectful to his superiors, and also had the vices of greed and cruelty".

Moreover, after being dismissed from office, instead of staying home to reflect, he went out to travel around.

Some, some, etc.

Seeing that Yuan Chun was stammering, Li Jingxiao knew that she was embarrassed to talk badly about people behind their backs.

So he said with a smile, "Does Father-in-law think that this Mr. Jia is too ambitious?"

Is his travels merely a means to curry favor with the powerful and influential, hoping to regain his place in officialdom?

Yuan Chun nodded hurriedly, thinking to herself that her husband was so clever and understood so quickly, and she couldn't help but feel very proud.

Li Jingxiao laughed heartily, though he naturally held a very bad impression of Jia Yucun.

But thinking about himself, he shook his head and sighed, "Even a Taoist priest like me can't escape the temptations of fame, fortune, and beautiful wives and concubines."

Moreover, after more than a decade of hard study, passing the imperial examination in one fell swoop makes one a superior person.

If you want to let go of your desire for fame and fortune, you'd have to enjoy all the riches and honors of the world, just like your father-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun became furious.

She gave a coquettish cry, "My lord!!!"

He knew that Li Jingxiao was saying that his own father was oblivious to the suffering of the people and didn't know how many talented people were buried in the world.

Only someone like Jia Zheng, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, would think that Jia Yucun was too ambitious.

Although Qin Keqing wanted to laugh, she knew she couldn't, lest she anger Yuan Chun.

Li Jingxiao laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, I misspoke. If we're talking about enjoying all the riches and luxuries of the world, it's that rascal Baoyu."

After saying that, he deliberately counted on his fingers and continued, "Grandfather, Duke Rongguo; brother-in-law, Duke Xingguo; elder brother, son-in-law of the Dragon Palace—this brat has taken all the good things in the world." Yuan Chun was immediately annoyed again, knowing that her husband was indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction with Bao Yu's lack of ambition.

Qin Keqing quickly pulled Yuan Chun to sit beside her: "Sister, don't mind your husband, he's just envying Bao Yu."

Li Jingxiao rolled his eyes after hearing this.

However, he always looked down on Jia Baoyu, probably because he and this guy were saying the same thing – that they both looked down on officials.

On the one hand, they enjoy the power and wealth created by their ancestors and parents.

In the end, his family fell into ruin and his property was even confiscated, but he was completely helpless and utterly useless.

Moreover, Lin Daiyu is about to go to the capital, and that boy Jia Baoyu will definitely pester Daiyu all day long.

Given the Jia family's current situation, Lin Ruhai and Jia Min might actually be happy to see it happen.

If Lin Ruhai hadn't died, Lady Wang would most likely have been eager for Baoyu to marry Daiyu.

Firstly, Lin Ruhai's return to the capital will definitely lead to a promotion.

Secondly, Wang Ziteng had been sent back to his hometown of Jinling to live as a peasant, and the Wang family wanted to return to officialdom.

They might end up following in Lin Ruhai's footsteps.

Thirdly, the Lin family's only male heir died young, which meant there was no heir.

He was a marquis of five dynasties and also in charge of the salt administration in Yangzhou, so he must have had a family fortune of two to three million taels of silver.

In the future, these family assets will belong to Daiyu's husband or Daiyu's son.

In this way, Xue Baochai appears to be far inferior to Lin Daiyu.

Given Madam Wang's cunning, it would be strange if she didn't have some designs on her.

Li Jingxiao couldn't help but recall the scene when he saw Baochai in Jinling at the beginning of the year.

But after a short while, he shook his head again. At this point, Xue Pan had not yet killed anyone, so he was sentenced to a sudden death to escape punishment.

Therefore, it's unlikely that he would want to take Xue Baochai as a concubine.

When Qin Keqing saw Li Jingxiao shake his head, she thought that her words had upset him.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li Jingxiao yawn and say, "Alright, let's not gossip anymore."

"I've had a long day, who will serve me tonight?"

Qin Keqing and Yuan Chun simultaneously spat at Li Jingxiao.

Then Yuan Chun stood up and bowed to Qin Keqing, saying, "Sister, I'm tired too, I'll go back to rest first."

Qin Keqing smiled and nodded. It had already been decided who would accompany Li Jingxiao tonight.

There's no need to argue about this, which naturally reduces a lot of open and covert struggles.

Qin Keqing saw Yuan Chun, Baoqin, You Erjie, and You Sanjie off at the door.

Then he instructed Baozhu, Ruizhu, and the maids to help Li Jingxiao wash up.

Li Jingxiao, unusually, simply slept soundly with Qin Keqing in his arms all night.

But his honesty made Qin Keqing uncomfortable.

Li Jingxiao used to indulge in nightly revelry, so he even secretly wondered if his husband had found a new lover.
In the morning, Li Jingxiao appeared at the training ground looking energetic.

Not only Yuan Chun, Bao Qin, You Er Jie, and You San Jie were all there.

Jingxi, Jingyue, Jingrong, and Qinzhong were all getting up earlier than him, which was quite rare.

As soon as she saw her older brother arrive, Jing Rong immediately jumped up and down to greet him, grabbing his hand and asking him questions.

"Brother, your two sisters-in-law said you made progress in your cultivation yesterday and went to find a place to break through. Did you go to the sea again?"

Li Jingxiao immediately understood that the little girl wanted to go to sea to play.

He smiled and picked up his little sister: "I went to Maoshan yesterday. If you want to go out to sea, I'll take you all out for a day trip when I'm done with my business in a few days."

Jing Rong immediately nodded vigorously with delight.

Jingxi, Jingyue, and Qin Zhong were all beaming with joy.

Yuan Chun and the other three pouted slightly, but they didn't want to argue with their sister-in-law.

He could only mutter to himself that Li Jingxiao was being unfair.

The four little ones, Jingxi and his brother, became much more enthusiastic about practicing martial arts after receiving the promise.

Lee Kyung-hyo had actually noticed the expressions of Won-chun and the other three long ago, but he didn't say anything.

After finishing his morning exercise, he smiled and said to Yuan Chun, "My lady, these past few days, I have been going to Maoshan to practice martial arts every day during the day."

If you and Keqing have nothing else to do, how about I take you to visit Maoshan?

Yuan Chun was taken aback, then overjoyed. She not only nodded without hesitation, but also agreed on Qin Keqing's behalf.

Now it was Jing Rong's turn to be unhappy. She took a few steps, narrowed the distance, and grabbed Li Jingxiao's arm, refusing to let go.

They insisted on going together.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Chun suddenly had a thought.

He said with a smile, "My lord, although it is winter in Jinling, the weather is not as cold as in the capital."

Why don't we all go to Nanjing for a few days?

As for Jia Min and her cousin from the Lin family returning to the capital, Yuan Chun had long forgotten about it.

At this time, all he wanted to do was travel outside Beijing.

Moreover, Jinling not only had Aunt Xue as her aunt, but also Wang Boteng as her maternal uncle.

With the addition of the twelve branches of the Jia family in Jinling, Yuan Chun had too many relatives to visit in Jinling.

Most importantly, Yuan-chun wanted to see Jia Zhu.

Compared to her aunt and cousin, her older brother is definitely more important.

Last time, Li Jingxiao took Jingxi and the other three to fly on swords and play in the East Sea for a day.

So everyone in his family knew that he could easily fly people to places thousands of miles away.

Li Jingxiao nodded after thinking for a moment.

For me, it doesn't matter where I live, whether it's the capital or Nanjing.

Home is wherever your family is.

However, Nanjing is not the capital, so some things are not so convenient.

Moreover, the issue of guards would also arise when going to Jinling.

Although Qin Keqing, Yuan Chun, and others already had good internal strength, their swordsmanship, lightness skills, and fist and foot techniques were also quite good.

But being a woman, she would avoid fighting if she could.

After thinking about it for a while, a thought suddenly struck me.

He took out a dozen or so rune-inscribed gold beans.

Jingrong thought her older brother wanted to give her gold coins as pocket money, and was about to reach out and ask for them.

But then Li Jingxiao activated a golden bean and handed it to Jingxi, saying, "Big sister, this is the Golden Armor Warrior, also known as the Yellow Turban Warrior."

Try activating it with your inner energy, then throw it out and see if you can summon the golden-armored warrior.

Jingxi and the others were taken aback, then overjoyed.

Jingxi nodded hurriedly and took it, then poured in his true energy as Li Jingxiao had instructed.

Sure enough, the golden bean flashed with divine light, and Jingxi quickly threw it out.

It transformed into a 2-meter-tall strongman, clad in golden armor and wearing a yellow turban, and appeared in the training ground.

Jingxi, Jingyue, Jingrong, Yuanchun, Baoqin, and You Erjie and You Sanjie all exclaimed in surprise.

They stared in disbelief at the golden-armored warrior.

As soon as the Yellow Turban warrior appeared, he bowed to Li Jingxiao and said, "This humble general greets the esteemed master."

If these Yellow Turban warriors are summoned down and slay demons and evil spirits, they will have some merit when they return to Heaven.

Li Jingxiao had summoned hundreds or even thousands of Yellow Turban warriors to exterminate zombies on several previous occasions.

Therefore, in the Heavenly Court, among the lowly servants, Li Jingxiao was already quite well-known.

(End of this chapter)