Chapter 1445: Winning Without Lifting a Blow (Part 1) [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Lin Feng paused in his pouring of wine.

Lin Chun kept her head down the whole time.

He continued, “Before coming to see you, I had been thinking about this question. You have a bright future in Kang. For a scholar, it is far better to establish yourself in the court than to struggle in the countryside. Why did you resign? Your great-grandfather and the others are in the northwest. Can you really bear to leave them there and ignore them? Is it because you are unhappy in the Kang royal court and have been framed by your colleagues, or are you here with some mission? I think it is unlikely to be the former. You must eliminate the root of the problem. If it were really persecution by political enemies, how could they allow you to leave unscathed? Besides, I have also heard about my second brother looking for you. He did not try to curry favor with you, and your lord trusts you.”

Lin Chun seemed determined to pour out all the words that had been bottled up inside him while he still had the courage. He was also afraid that if he missed this opportunity, he would back down and keep things bottled up inside, wasting this rare chance for the siblings to communicate: "The letter my great-grandfather sent was full of praise for you, saying that you have a bright future in the court, so it is—"

Lin Chun finally looked up and stared directly into Lin Feng's eyes.

"Did the King of Shen order you to come?"

Although it was a question, it was phrased with certainty.

The so-called thieves were actually a force secretly supported by the Kang State.

Lin Feng didn't want him involved. Lin Chun wasn't one of his own anymore, and the more he knew, the less likely he was to have a good ending. The beautiful young woman, bathed in candlelight, seemed even more mysterious: "Brother, why bother digging into this? This has nothing to do with you."

Lin Chun's hand holding the wine glass showed no flaws, but the subtle ripples on the wine betrayed him: "How can it be unrelated to me?"

How could it not be related to him?

He wasn't some ignorant commoner from within the city!

He was ordered to come and negotiate!

How could it be unrelated?

Lin Feng gazed at Lin Chun's eyes, which still held a vaguely familiar quality. If his older brother's eyes once held a hint of youthful spirit, now they held only weariness, an unspeakable dejection, and a hint of wounded pride that Lin Chun desperately tried to conceal. Lin Feng was momentarily lost in thought. Though young, she had long held a high position and remained spirited; naturally, she couldn't immediately understand the feelings of a disheartened soldier.

When they finally understood, they didn't offer any gentle comfort.

It was not a very polite statement.

"In this matter, my elder brother has no say whatsoever, so how is it any of your business?" Lin Chun was pushed out as a scapegoat; whether he lived or died was of no concern to anyone except the Lin clan members within the city. Perhaps his colleagues would even be relieved that it wasn't them who came, or secretly think that Lin Chun had lost his life because of his clumsy tongue. "If you were to die today, would the city send troops?"

Lin Chun's face was deathly pale, and her fingers gripping the corner of the table were turning blue.

The urge to crawl into a hole in the ground was even stronger.

He could pretend nothing had happened when mocked by his colleagues, but when his own blood relatives pointed it out, he couldn't stay calm at all. If he were his younger brother Lin Su, he could have gotten angry and stormed off, but he was Lin Chun, and he could only bite his lower lip and endure it, unable to make any other reaction.

Yes, he's a complete waste.

He has no noteworthy talent or ability, and even less political value.

In chaotic times, worthless ornaments are disposable materials that can be easily discarded. If they have survived to this day, one should be grateful for the blessings of one's ancestors.

Seeing him on the verge of collapse, Lin Feng felt a pang of pity, but she didn't forget he was an adult, and no one was obligated to accommodate him, especially since the siblings were on opposing sides. Lin Feng's only thought now was to extricate Lin Chun from the situation and prevent him from involving his clan. The more they interfered, the more difficult it would be for her. On one side were her blood relatives, and on the other, her deeply grateful lord.

"They will not and dare not send troops; they are in dire straits themselves."

If even the boss is like this, what about the lowly subordinate Lin Chun?

Seeing that Lin Chun had spilled most of his wine, Lin Feng casually filled his cup: "Things have come to this point, brother, you should think about a way out for yourself and your clan. To die for a wise ruler is a noble thing, to die for a fool is a waste. Father is old and can't withstand any more setbacks."

As for what twists and turns?

It's nothing more than the white-haired burying the black-haired.

Lin Su is already on the master's blacklist, and her fate is uncertain. If her elder brother also loses his life, it will be a huge blow to the old man. Lin Feng didn't say it too bluntly, but he believed Lin Chun would understand.

Lin Chun tried to find a trace of warmth beyond reason in Lin Feng's eyes, but to no avail. This result frustrated Lin Chun, and she began to speak recklessly: "Father is old, but with my little sister here, I think the medical experts can bring him back to health."

Even if you don't want to accept it, you will gradually accept reality.

Lin Feng knew he was just being stubborn. He watched as Lin Chun downed glass after glass of wine, soon becoming completely drunk. Even undiluted Kangguo wine had a strong aftereffect. Lin Chun rarely had the chance to taste such good things and couldn't handle it at all, becoming thoroughly intoxicated without even realizing it. Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, Lin Feng slowly finished his meal by himself, then helped Lin Chun to a small couch to rest.

I looked closely at my brother's face by candlelight.

Lin Feng felt a sense of unease that seemed out of place.

"If you can reach the pinnacle of life just by looking good, why bother with ability?" After stumbling and falling, getting bruised and battered, and feeling frustrated and helpless, even a face with ten points of brilliance will be reduced to seven.

For someone like Lin Chun, who is far from being good enough and barely manages to be good enough, having the opportunity to give up is not a bad way out.

Lin Feng's intense gaze caused Lin Chun to show signs of waking up.

I quickly cast a spell on him.

"Big brother, sleep well."

This incantation will allow him to sleep soundly for three days and three nights.

Lin Feng visited Shen Tang late at night, intending to ask his master for a task: "I will pretend to be my elder brother Lin Chun and open up this city."

Shen Tang: "Why bother with all this?"

The other side didn't want to fight either; they just wanted to please both sides.

Shen Tang was prepared to feign agreement, then use the signal of smashing a cup while they passed by, before turning on them and killing them. Lin Feng knew this was the most decisive method, but it wouldn't be good for his reputation. Besides, the enemy would be at their most vigilant then, and his side would suffer some losses.

We might as well break in when it's dark.

Shen Tang didn't agree, but looked at the child she had watched grow up with a half-smile—even though Lin Feng was already an adult, he was still a child in Shen Tang's eyes. If she could, Shen Tang would even wish that Lin Feng was her blood relative.

This way, we can avoid the trouble of finding a crown prince.

Lin Feng never hid anything from Shen Tang: "...I still have a selfish reason, which is for my elder brother. After all, we are siblings, and our fate is one that will last forever. I can't give him immense wealth, but I can still offer him small favors."

So I wanted to borrow Lin Chun's identity for a while.

A little bit will also be included when rewarding merit.

"...A small favor done casually?" Shen Tang chuckled and tapped Lin Feng's forehead. "I didn't know he was such a stingy person!"

Lin Feng said awkwardly, "...I don't really want them to go back."

It's a good thing for Lin Feng that his elder brother's branch of the family can establish itself outside. If his brother goes back, his father and the clansmen will also have to go back. They have the advantage of seniority and status, and Lin Feng doesn't want to ruin things by tearing apart relationships without any real grudges.

Rather than making both parties uncomfortable, it's better to keep a distance.

She can occasionally bring her father over to fulfill her filial duties.

"...We haven't spent much time together, and forcing us to be together could easily damage the little affection we have left." Lin Feng is no longer the little girl she used to be, and she can't feel much closeness to another unfamiliar adult man. Moreover, because of the unbreakable blood ties between them, they can't be truly separated. "It's better to let him have a better life outside."

Let's skip the idea of ​​spending every day together.

Shen Tang nodded: "Alright, be careful."

It wouldn't be difficult for Lin Feng to impersonate Lin Chun; the Gu worms she raised could do it, though the effect wouldn't be as flawless as Qi Shan's, and the duration would be shorter. Impersonating others might expose him, but Lin Chun was practically invisible in the workplace; most colleagues would be lucky to even remember his name, let alone bother to get to know him.

Lin Feng asked someone to help him strip Lin Chun of her clothes.

"...It is indeed a bit small, and it's uncomfortable to wear."

Tu Rong painstakingly pulled off Lin Chun's clothes and then put his own on him. The standard military uniform was way too big for Lin Chun; anyone who didn't know better would think he was a teenager playing house in his parents' clothes. Tu Rong crossed his arms to observe him and then helped him adjust the clothes.

After all that effort, he was sweating profusely and complained, "Junior sister, your brother isn't that fat, so why is he so heavy?"

Lin Feng replied dismissively, "After all, he's an adult man."

Tu Rong took off his water bag to quench his thirst.

He muttered to himself, "She's good-looking, but she doesn't look much like you."

Lin Feng, who was tidying up his accessories, had a strange expression.

Her senior brother, who had been as wooden as a log for over a decade, actually knew about beauty and ugliness? If the target was another woman, she might be eager to find out, but targeting her brother... that's not quite right.

"Junior sister, what kind of look is that? Is your eye twitching?"

"You've got your eye on my brother?"

Tu Rong almost spat out his saliva: "Don't talk nonsense! You're a girl, what are you thinking about all day? Don't I, your senior brother, deserve to like pretty girls who are of the opposite sex?"

Lin Feng pouted: "Oh, then why did you praise him for being handsome?"

"I suddenly felt that this face was quite suitable for marrying into a family."

Lin Feng: "..."

To be honest, they really are worthy of being fellow disciples.

Their thought processes are quite similar.

"...It is indeed very suitable." The siblings aren't particularly close, but blood is thicker than water. With Lin Chun bearing the title of "Brother Lin Feng," no shortage of women would be drawn to her. Even if Lin Feng only helps once, the political value she provides would drive people crazy.

"Is Junior Sister angry?"

"No, I think your idea is right."

With everything prepared, Lin Feng set off for camp under the rising sun.

Tu Rong lay in wait in the shadows.

Shen Tang originally wanted to find a reliable protector for Lin Feng, such as Gong Xi Chou or Luo Sha. In case of any trouble, they could definitely lead Lin Feng to fight their way in and out of the city. Lin Feng declined and instead took his senior brother to work.

Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? This is a trivial matter; there's no need to trouble you two generals. My senior brother is just bored; let's find him something to do.

Lin Feng had no difficulty infiltrating the city.

The city gate guards checked the token and then let him pass.

Upon hearing that Lin Chun had returned alive, the garrison commander hurriedly summoned someone: "Did the bandits agree? What did they say?"

Lin Feng presented the Lord's letter.

The letter was entirely evasive, offering only a small taste of the benefits without explicitly agreeing or disagreeing, merely implying that the garrison commander's offer wasn't enough. This "greedy" demeanor provoked the commander to clap his hands and laugh heartily: "Brilliant, brilliant! Truly shallow-minded!"

Upon hearing the good news, the officials offered their congratulations.

Great, we don't have to fight to the death anymore, and our reputation is preserved.

They rushed to flatter the garrison commander, praising his wisdom, bravery, and skillful leadership. They also flattered the person who recommended Lin Chun, calling him a discerning talent scout. They exchanged pleasantries and acted modestly with each other, but never mentioned Lin Chun himself, who had been terrified after his visit to the thieves' den.

No one noticed anything wrong with "Lin Chun".

There wasn't even a hint of suspicion.

Lin Feng: "..."

If they weren't unsure of the opposing thief's temperament, they would have all wanted to find someone to replace Lin Chun in handling the remaining negotiations and steal the credit. Even so, some couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

While outwardly congratulating Lin Chun on his great achievement, promising a hefty reward from the government and a rise in status for his entire family, they secretly harbored sarcasm and ridicule. A scrawny chicken, no matter how much it flaps, can't fly.

Lin Feng: "..."

My fists are about to crack.

No wonder the eldest brother was so frustrated.

Being bullied in the workplace every day means either going crazy and killing your colleagues, or staying cowardly and continuing to earn a pittance to support your family.

Lin Feng thought that was the end of his troubles, but then a colleague caught up with him and started chatting. He implied that the clothes suited "Lin Chun" very well, and that he should just consider it a gift and not bother washing them to return them.

Lin Feng: "..."

If her older brother heard this, he'd be in deep trouble again.

She smiled faintly: "How could I? A gentleman does not take what others cherish. I'll take it home and have someone wash it thoroughly before sending it over."

His colleagues assumed that Lin Chun was just putting on a brave face, and their smiles were malicious: "Actually, there's no need to be so clear about things. Why should we be so distant? I've always admired you and wanted to invite you to my home for a deep conversation, but I could never find the opportunity."

Lin Feng: "..."

It felt like something sticky crawled over the back of my hand; it was disgusting.

She forced herself not to have an attack.

Little did they know that their expression at that moment was exactly the same as the person in question.

"...Brother, you've really worked hard." Lin Feng washed his hands more than a dozen times before he could barely suppress the nausea. He wrote the culprit on the list of those who must die, and decided to kill this person first on the night the city was opened, and kill him with his own hands!

She has never experienced sexual harassment in officialdom during her more than ten years in Kangguo!

It was still early, so she went home first.

It's a good opportunity to see where Lin Chun and the others have lived all these years.

result--

Lin Feng was incredulous: [Did I go to the wrong place?]

The small house was located near the city gate, in a less than ideal location, but it appeared respectable from the outside. However, upon entering, it became clear that the facade was flawed; the interior was quite impoverished. While there were some furnishings, they were not expensive items, barely managing to lend a semblance of elegance.

Anyone with a little knowledge would know that this family doesn't have much money.

As soon as Lin Feng sat down, someone served him tea. Although the family was poor, they still kept a few young servants. These servants were either picked up from piles of corpses or forced upon them; they only needed food and were paid for free. Lin's father, having heard the news, also rushed over. The joy on his face visibly froze the moment he stepped over the threshold. Gripping the doorframe, his face was deathly still, and he questioned in a trembling voice.

"Who are you? Why are you impersonating my son?"

Lin Feng asked in surprise, "How did you recognize me?"

He exclaimed angrily, "What father wouldn't recognize his own child?"

Lin Feng said "Oh," and then smiled sweetly at Lin Chun: "That's right, a leftover in the workplace, but a precious treasure in the eyes of parents. But Mr. Lin's words are not entirely true—what father wouldn't recognize his own child? So why didn't you recognize me?"

(▽｀)

You were wrong about what I said yesterday about slacking off.

Haha, the lazy way is to borrow elements from the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions _(:з」∠)_

Star map for local map use