The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 311 A Flash of Inspiration

Lady Wen was an extremely rational person. Even though she saw through Tang Kuo Shan Ying's nature and was indeed persecuted by him, and even had her reputation ruined, Lady Wen insisted that she should not be killed.

"The Tangkuo clan has been a noble family of the Jin Dynasty since its establishment. The branch I belong to is actually a collateral branch, while the direct line is still in Zhongdu, holding a high position and great power."

Our branch was always under the shadow of the Zhili clique when we were in Zhongdu, and we were controlled by the Zhili clique in every aspect. At that time, our branch was in a really bad situation.

Later, I overruled everyone's objections and led this branch out of the Zhongdu area to Tongguan County, which is close to the border. There are no great nobles in this place, so the Tangkuo clan's status is a unique advantage here. With my careful management, we have finally achieved the current situation.

This is also why I have a very high status in this family and can become the head mistress of the household as a Han Chinese woman.

But this is, after all, a Jin dynasty family. Tangkuo Shanying is the head of this branch and the only heir of the head family. So no matter how much the people below support me, in their eyes, the future head of the family can only be Tangkuo Shanying.

This is also why Tangkuo Shanying received so much support from his clansmen immediately after he came of age. They could support me for the sake of their interests because I am a Han Chinese and have no children. Therefore, this family business will eventually be handed over to Tangkuo Shanying.

So, if Tangkuo Shanying dies, no matter the reason or method, even if they can't find evidence to prove that I killed him, they can't do anything to me.

At that time, all they will do is report to the Tangkuo clan's direct line in Zhongdu, and then have a member of that line take over as the head of the branch.

According to the Tangkuo clan rules, other collateral descendants cannot become the head of the family. Even the head of a branch family is a descendant of the direct line. Therefore, other clan members here dare not covet the position of head of the family.

Therefore, as long as Tangkuo Shanying is alive, the direct descendants of Zhongdu have no reason to interfere in our affairs. But once he dies, I have no reason or ability to resist those sent down by the direct descendants.

I don't care about the Tangkuo family's current business in Tongguan County, but this place is related to the development of the entire Jingzhao Prefecture rebel army. Over the years, we have been doing things for the rebel army in the name of the Tangkuo family in Tongguan County, including collecting and transporting supplies and gathering information.

Even now, a large portion of the industries under Tang Kuo's control belong to the rebel army, but I am in charge of them and they are used to provide funds for the rebel army.

Therefore, if I lose power, whether it's Tangkuo Shanying or the direct descendants of the Tangkuo clan in Zhongdu who take control, the blow to the rebel army will be devastating.

Wu Chengyu now understood that Madam Wen was actually the main financial supporter of the Shaanxi rebels, and that she could not be lost, nor could she be exposed to the public eye.

Therefore, it seems that Tangkuo Shanying really shouldn't be killed.

"So, Madam Wen, how should we break this deadlock? How can we regain control of Tongguan County without killing Tang Kuo Shanying, while also ensuring that Tang Kuo Shanying will obey us in the future?"

In this situation, even if we drive this guy insane, the direct descendants of Zhongdu might have a reason to intervene. After all, the industries in Tongguan County are already quite substantial, and I believe Zhongdu will also be eyeing them.

At this point, both of them fell silent. Wu Chengyu's only purpose in coming here was to ensure Madam Wen's safety. He couldn't think of a solution for the time being, since he couldn't stay in Tongguan County indefinitely.

"Unless I can find a fault to punish him, send him to another place for training, and agree on a time during which I will still control the family, and Tangkuo Shanying can only return when the time comes, then I can appease the family members and prevent the direct descendants of Zhongdu from interfering."

The key to this plan is that Tangkuo Shanying is absolutely obedient, willing to accept punishment, and at least for the time being, he won't oppose me.

At this point, Wu Chengyu had a sudden inspiration. He seemed to have come up with a good way to both help Madam Wen and solve the problem of his base lacking supply channels.

"Madam Wen, Ziwu Ridge in Tongguan County is very close. As far as I know, some of the bandits in Ziwu Ridge are supported by your Tangkuo clan." "Actually, it's not the Tangkuo clan, but some landlords and gentry under the Tangkuo clan who organized the bandits. The Tangkuo clan's current industries are mainly focused on mining iron ore and coal mines, so they don't need to organize bandits to plunder at all."

But now that I think about it, the fact that some bandits have been using the Tangkuo clan's name in the past two years is probably related to Tangkuo Shanying.

"So, did the Tangkuo clan have any businesses in the Ziwu Ridge area?"

“In the past two years, a coal mine was discovered on the eastern foot of Ziwu Ridge, near Youyan Ridge. I bought it and built a fort there. It has just taken shape in the last two years. Although there are many bandits there, no one dares to target our Tangkuo clan.”

Wu Chengyu was overjoyed. The Centipede Ridge was right next to the mountain range where he was. If they took the main road, it would be more than 30 miles away. But if a hidden mountain road were developed between the two mountain ranges, the distance would be much shorter.

Wu Chengyu secretly made plans in his heart, becoming more and more excited as he thought about it.

If he could use Madam Wen to establish the coal mine as his own sphere of influence, the route used to transport coal back to Tongguan County would become his supply route.

The supplies he needed were transported from Tongguan County to that fortified village, and then secretly transported from the fortified village to his own territory, so that his base would never have to worry about a lack of supplies again.

“Madam Wen, if I say that I have found Tang Kuo Shanying’s fault, and he is willing to take responsibility for it, then you can punish him by making him work as a manager in the coal mine at Youyan Ridge.”

He could stay there for five or ten years. During this time, Tangkuo Shanying could occasionally return to Tongguan County to show his face and let his clansmen know that he was still alive.

In this situation, your clansmen certainly won't object, because in their view, Tangkuo Shanying will definitely be able to return to the clan as the head of the family in five or ten years, and the direct descendants of the Zhongdu Tangkuo clan will find no excuse to interfere in the local business.

Do you think it's possible for what I'm describing to happen?

Madam Wen was a little confused by what Wu Chengyu said; in her opinion, Wu Chengyu was having some wild ideas.

"That would be even better. If he makes a bigger mistake, 10 years would definitely be enough. He would be under 30 then, while I would be over 50. In the eyes of the clan, this would be the best time for the head of the family to hand over the reins."

But how can we let him make a mistake? This guy is a master of disguise; his past behavior has fooled me as well, and the family has a very good impression of him.

Moreover, he couldn't possibly be willing to stay in the coal mines of Ziwu Ridge for so many years; he'd definitely come up with some more vicious ideas to continue opposing me.

Wu Chengyu wanted this very statement: as long as the method works, it doesn't matter whether Tangkuo Shanying makes a mistake or is willing to be punished. What matters is the crucial issue of establishing supply channels for the base area. Tangkuo Shanying must die so badly that not even his ashes remain.

"Madam Wen, what do you think of me replacing Tangkuo Shanying?"

　Since the 20th of last month, I've been writing 10,000 words every day, five times a day. Today marks 41 days of this commitment, and I've truly reached my limit. It's exhausting.

　　Starting next month, I need to ease the pressure a bit and update twice or three times a week. Of course, when I'm in a good state, I'll also update 10,000 words. I hope everyone will continue to support me. The better the results, the more motivated I'll be. Maybe when I get excited, I'll start updating 10,000 words again.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)