Water Margin: Gao Yanei is actually a Gal Genius

After finishing their meal, Lu Qian led Lin Chong to the second floor to sit down and chat.

Although the implication of house arrest and surveillance was obvious, Lin Chong didn't care.

After all, if Grand Commandant Gao wanted to harm him, he could simply take him to the courtroom of the Imperial Guard.

Lin Chong understood this simple truth, so he chatted and laughed with Lu Qian.

When Lin Chong met Gao Qiu, the sun was already past noon.

Gao Qiu, with a stern face and his hands behind his back, went up to the second floor. Upon seeing Lin Chong, his expression became even more gloomy. He then turned and headed towards the third floor.

"Lin Chong, come up here."

After bowing and saying "Yes," Lin Chong quickly followed Gao Qiu's footsteps and headed up to the third floor.

Upon reaching the third floor, Gao Qiu was already seated in a beanbag chair.

Lin Chong quickly went to Gao Qiu's side, bowed his head and saluted, "This humble one greets the Grand Commandant."

Gao Qiu looked at Lin Chong and said, "Lin Chong! Do you know that treason is a capital offense?!"

Lin Chong was startled upon hearing this and quickly protested, "Grand Commandant, I did not do that..."

Gao Qiu waved his hand to interrupt Lin Chong, "Of course I know about this. The people who tortured you know, and even the people who escorted you to the Kaifeng prison know..."

He paused, then continued, "...Since everyone knows this, why was you still accused of treason by Cai Xiu?"

"Because I am just an instructor, I am of low rank and have little influence, so he can do whatever he wants to me." Lin Chong lowered his head.

Gao Qiu scoffed, "Yes and no. There are hundreds of thousands of nameless people in this capital city, so why would Cai Xiu single out Lin Chong to find a pretext and frame him?"

Lin Chong hesitated for a moment, then said, "This humble one does not know."

"Do you really not know? Among these dozens of instructors, Cai Xiu approached you precisely because of your relationship with my son. Since he couldn't harm my son, he naturally turned to you."

"That's why we said 'yes and no' – if you were simply someone of low rank and insignificant status, Cai Xiu might not have approached you."

"But who told you to associate with my son? You suddenly became an eyesore in Cai Xiu's eyes."

"I am filled with trepidation. What is the meaning behind your words, Grand Commandant?"

"My son is always kind and honest, much like I was when I was young, and he values ​​loyalty and gratitude. I'm explaining this to you only because I'm afraid you might develop a rift with my son in the future."

"I will not have any grudge against Brother Gao Jin."

"...No way?... "

Seeing that Lin Chong seemed about to speak, Gao Qiu waved his hand to stop him, "Very well, you don't need to tell me how you get along."

"By the way, do you know why I'm having someone replace you today?"

"I am unaware."

"I originally planned to use another method to rescue you, but Cai Xiu insulted my son terribly at the banquet last night! I must seek justice for my son and have a good talk with Cai Jing..."

Lin Chong was stunned. What did the court struggle between the two powerful ministers have to do with him?

Gao Qiu glanced at him and continued, "After careful consideration, I will remove this handle against you first."

"Why is this happening, Grand Commandant?" Lin Chong asked anxiously. At this moment, he was unaware that Cai Xiu was dead. He only felt that he had been sacrificed to save the king, and he was the 'pawn' that was abandoned.

"Didn't I just say that Cai Xiu went too far in humiliating my son at the banquet last night? Could it be that your friendship with my son is all fake? Now that my son has been humiliated, you're still worrying about your future?"

Gao Qiu frowned, his expression displeased.

Lin Chong immediately bowed his head and said, "This humble one dares not."

Gao Qiu snorted coldly, "As expected of a brute in the army, he has no patience at all."

Lin Chong pursed his lips, not daring to say anything more.

"Lin Chong, who committed treason, is dead and has been executed in accordance with the law..."

Lin Chong hesitated, but ultimately remained silent.

Upon seeing this, Gao Qiu nodded in satisfaction. "...Your Lin Chong and that Lin Chong have no relation whatsoever. I originally had no intention of interfering with you, but my son begged me to spare your life, so I went to great lengths to do so."

"Thank you, Grand Commandant!"

Gao Qiu continued, "If you want to express your gratitude, go thank my child."

"As for your future, I'll give you two paths; think it over yourself."

"I'd like to hear more details!"

"Go away and lay low for a year or two before you come back. I'll arrange a position as a deputy commander for you. That's the first option."

"As for the second point, I intend to eradicate the banditry in the Song Dynasty, and I recently devised a brilliant plan..."

"You will change your name and infiltrate the bandits, gather them together, and make it easier for me to wipe them out in one fell swoop. If this plan succeeds, you will at least be a commander."

Lin Chong knelt on one knee, his mind filled with questions.

Isn't this the "Infernal Affairs" that Brother Ko Chun mentioned before?

"I will choose the second option and am willing to share the burden for the Grand Commandant!" Lin Chong has the help of his brother Gao Jin's adoptive father, so whether he is a thief or not is not up to him to decide.

This strategy is the best option if the merits are not embezzled.

Gao Qiu remained noncommittal, saying calmly, "This is a crucial matter; how can it be decided lightly? Think it over these next two days. I'm not in a hurry..."

"...By the way, during this time you must remember not to go out and show your face. If I were to fight with that Cai Jing, you would all lose your lives if you were not careful."

"Thank you for your protection, Grand Commandant!" Lin Chong said gratefully.

"Tell my son what you're thanking me for... I'll have someone bring your wife over. You two can stay in this little building for a while."

"I will never forget the kindness of the Grand Commandant!"

Gao Qiu glanced at Lin Chong, "I only judge by actions, not by words... It's getting late, I have to go now, you'd better take care of yourself."

After saying this, Gao Qiu got up from the lounge chair and walked downstairs.

"Grand Commandant, please wait..."

After Gao Qiu's footsteps faded away, Lin Chong slowly straightened up.

He now had a question in his mind: how exactly did Cai Xiu humiliate his elder brother to make Grand Commandant Gao look like he was ready to fight Cai Xiang to the death.

He wanted to ask Gao Jin for some information, but since Gao Taiwei hadn't explained things clearly, he didn't dare leave the small building and cause trouble for Gao Taiwei.

They could only retreat to the second floor, where they would sit and sigh for a while, and then get up and pace back and forth.

During this time, a maid from the Gao family came to serve tea and snacks. She clearly did not know who Lin Chong was, but simply addressed him as an honored guest.

Just as Lin Chong was feeling uneasy, his wife Zhang Yao arrived.

Upon seeing him, she threw herself into Lin Chong's arms, her voice choked with sobs, "Husband...you're out?"

Lin Chong knew that his wife was always very timid. When he was imprisoned in Kaifeng Prefecture, his wife must have been terrified.

Feeling Zhang Yao's slight trembling, Lin Chong temporarily put Gao Jin's matter out of his mind, holding her tightly to give her a sense of security. "My wife, you've had a hard time. I'm sure you've been worried sick these past two days!"

Noticing that no one was around, Zhang Yao lowered her head and said softly, "The Grand Commandant's messenger was in such a hurry that I didn't bring any of the sheep intestines and fish bladders from home. My husband has been..."