Chapter Thirty-Nine

During Liu Jinhuai's time in Yancheng, time seemed to stretch out.

His initial plan was merely to fulfill his "friendship" by escorting the injured Yu Mobai to the border and then returning home.

But seeing the man's eyes light up because he had gained military power, he felt a strong urge to do the same.

I just couldn't bring myself to say "farewell."

This delivery went straight to Yancheng.

Here, he met a Yu Mobo who was completely different from his previous understanding.

Not a clever and witty "puppet" at a banquet, nor a gentle and attentive confidant in the study.

Instead, it was on the mountain path where they were suppressing bandits that Yu Mobai, who led from the front and whose swordsmanship was fierce.

He witnessed firsthand how, during a bandit-suppression encounter, Yu Mobai risked his life to save a young soldier threatened by a stray arrow, resulting in a deep, bone-revealing gash on his arm.

Blood gushed out, but he simply tore off a piece of his clothing to tie it up, then turned around and continued to calmly direct the battle.

At that moment, the complex expression on Yu Mobai's face, a mixture of pain, determination, and responsibility, seemed to glow in the setting sun.

That wasn't a feigned composure, but a power that emanated from the depths of one's soul.

Liu Jinhuai could hear his own heartbeat, pounding against his chest like a drum. He knew that something was different.

He was no longer the "puppet" who needed his protection, but a true leader with a deadly charisma.

He did not regret relinquishing power; rather, he was shocked and even deeply thoughtful…

However, a letter from her mother arrived.

The words conveyed a restrained unease and a reminder that undercurrents were already stirring within the family.

Back in the central area, Liu Jinhuai felt like a fish thrown into a goldfish bowl.

Outside the vat lies the vast expanse of Yancheng, while inside lies the exquisite yet suffocating central urban area.

He sat in the most bustling restaurant, listening to the familiar sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, watching the people at the table chatting and laughing, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.

All of this used to be his favorite pastime, but now he finds it all noisy, jarring, and utterly boring.

His thoughts always drifted away involuntarily.

When the musician played the elegant melody, he was reminded of the rugged battle songs that the soldiers in the Yancheng military camp shouted around the campfire.

When others flaunt their newly acquired antiques, he remembers Yu Mobai pointing to the newly built terraced fields, his eyes sparkling with a brilliance more captivating than any treasure.

As the dancer's flowing sleeves fluttered, what appeared before his eyes was that man's dark hair, ruffled by the wind, and his bright, unrestrained smile as he looked back from horseback.

No matter how lively the banquet was, he only felt lost.

The place in my heart that was once filled with the free spirit of Yancheng and the figure of that person is now empty.

All that remains is a wildly growing longing with nowhere to go.

It turns out that when someone truly enters your heart, all other worldly pleasures and distractions become a dull and tasteless background.

Liu Jinhuai sat alone in his once proud study, surrounded by priceless antiques, which now felt like a cold prison.

A crazy idea uncontrollably surfaced in his mind—to use the power of the Liu family to issue an order to forcibly recall that radiant person who was far away in Yancheng.

Lock yourself away, just like Song Guansui did to Jiang Manyan.

The thought sent a shiver down his spine, yet it also carried a hint of decadent temptation.

But then, Yu Mobai turned back on horseback and showed him that unbridled, carefree smile, which clearly shattered this delusion.

"No……"

He muttered to himself, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force he exerted.

"What you get in that way is nothing more than a beautiful shell without a soul."

He had seen the light in Yu Mobai's eyes when he was in Yancheng—the light of his commanding presence, the sincerity of being loved by his soldiers, and the unwavering determination to protect the people of the region.

If he extinguished that light himself, then Yu Mobai would no longer be Yu Mobai.

An unprecedented clarity and determination, like cold water poured over his head, instantly calmed him down.

He suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the power field where he was born and raised.

A mixture of jealousy, resentment, and intense longing surged within him.

They were envious of the soldiers and civilians of Yancheng, who could see Yu Mobai's true self every day.

I am unwilling to be just a distant, fading admirer.

I long to stand before that person again, in a stronger, more needed form.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite invitations to the cocktail party on the table, a cold sneer flashing in his eyes.

Those meaningless social engagements and the insincere gestures among women now seem utterly ridiculous.

"I should... really start making something of myself."

This is not an empty boast, but a man's most solemn vow after he has come to understand his own heart.

From that day on, the young master of the Liu family was no longer seen in the brothels of the central district.

He devoted all his energy to family affairs, which he had once found incredibly tedious.

He swiftly and decisively reorganized the industry, eliminated long-standing problems, and ruthlessly severed the tentacles of power that the collateral branches and illegitimate sons were trying to seize.

He is more clear-headed, more ruthless, and more skillful than ever before.

What sustained him was a simple yet powerful belief.

As long as I am powerful enough, and hold enough power and resources, I will become a pivotal figure in Cangzhou.

Therefore, Yu Mobai and his Yancheng will always need me.

At that time, I will no longer be a prisoner in the name of love, but a guardian based on strength.

I want him to come to me willingly!

— — — —

Time flies like an arrow; a year has passed since Jiang Manyan was rescued and returned to Jincheng.

This year is enough to ignite a prairie fire and completely transform the game.

In the Southeast District

The city walls of Jincheng were reinforced by another three zhang (approximately 10 meters), and the newly reclaimed fertile fields outside the city stretched as far as the eye could see.

Inside the city lord's mansion, Jiang Manyan and Qin Lingfeng stood side by side, with the newly selected Jincheng administrators behind them. They stood in front of the city map, and a tacit understanding slowly developed between them.

This city has grown from a frightened bird into a majestic eagle with increasingly strong wings.

In the East District

The city gates of Yancheng were bustling with carriages and horses.

The solemn promise Yu Mobo made is gradually becoming a reality.

The new medicinal fields are fragrant, caravans come and go in an endless stream, and the banditry that had plagued them for many years has almost disappeared.

He stood atop the city wall, gazing at this land that had been revitalized, his gaze firm and far-reaching.

In the central area

The power struggle has become clear.

Song Guansui sat atop the tower, his gaze beneath the silver mask revealing all.

With an iron fist and unfathomable cunning, he sorted out the chaotic forces and made them clear. The will of the Song family is now the unquestionable rule of the central district—a council hall headed by Song Guansui has been established in the central district.

Inside the Liu family mansion, Liu Jinhuai sat upright in the study that he once found restrictive.

With fingertips gliding over ledgers and maps, commands are issued precisely.

He shed his glitz and glamour, revealing a cold and hard side.

Those half-brothers and clan elders who attempted to challenge his authority have now fallen into complete silence.

He firmly grasped some of the Liu family's power, no longer the dashing young master, but a formidable young heir.

In Yancheng

A force that has always remained hidden behind the scenes—in Yancheng, far from the strife in the city center.

Qin Moxuan and Shen Qingyuan, a married couple, were quietly examining the fruits of their twenty years of hard work.

When Qin Lingfeng was fighting hard in Jincheng, and when the Qin family's main residence in the central district was reduced to an empty shell, they had completed the final step.

The wealth, connections, and most importantly, the artisans and technology accumulated by the Qin family over generations were quietly transferred here.

Yancheng, a city that never flaunts its strength, now boasts warehouses overflowing with goods, advanced workshops, and a wealth of talent that surpasses even the once-prosperous Qin family.

It was like a lurking beast that finally opened its calm eyes.

Shen Qingyuan picked up her pen and wrote the last line on a secret letter, her writing sharp and understated, just like her personality.

"The foundation is laid; we await the right opportunity."

— — — —

Jiang Manyan in the past was a frail and delicate woman.

Having just returned to Jincheng, Jiang Manyan was poisoned and injured, making her appear fragile and weak even when she raised her hand. Her skin was a porcelain white that had never felt warm, as if it would break at the slightest breeze.

But looking at him now, the gentle nourishment from Jiang Zhong's medicinal diet has dispelled the sickly look between his brows.

Her skin remained beautifully fair, yet radiated a healthy glow.

Qin Lingfeng personally taught him boxing and swordsmanship, and also wrapped a thin but firm layer of muscle around his slender bones.

The lines of the shoulders and neck are no longer as thin as before. When raising the sword, you can see the smooth undulation of the muscles in the shoulder blades, and there is also a faint sense of power in the waist and abdomen.

Yet her beautiful face remained unchanged—the corners of her eyes still held a touch of elegance, and her delicate jawline appeared even more refined due to the contours of her skin.

It has become a vivid image of "jade bones wrapped in strength, and vibrant colors concealing sharpness".

And Jincheng, under this comprehensive care, is radiating an increasingly vibrant vitality.

At the same time, Jincheng's rapid development has attracted a large influx of people from other places.

Seeing the people of Jincheng in the southeast district living in peace and prosperity under Jiang Manyan's leadership, the people of the surrounding barren lands were filled with longing and flocked to the area.

Jincheng Council

"Brother Jiang, this is great news! Jincheng is short-handed for construction right now, why the sudden order to ban people from entering the city?"

Lin Xiu, the sixth brother, was one of the earliest subordinates to follow Jiang Manyan. He was young and outspoken.

The third brother spoke up to stop him: "Sixth brother, the city lord has his own reasons, don't make things worse."

"It's alright."

Jiang Manyan explained patiently and gently.

“Lin Xiu, Jincheng today is no longer the Jinxi Town of the past. The city not only has the original residents of the three towns, but also the former subordinates who have joined Ling Feng, as well as the refugees who have been taken in over the years.”

When he mentioned the name "Ling Feng," his gaze unconsciously drifted to the tall man sitting opposite him, and sure enough, he met the man's eyes, which were full of approval and a gentle smile.

"The city's population is now diverse, with various motives. If we rashly accept a large number of refugees at this time, it is hard to guarantee that there won't be any unscrupulous individuals planted among them."

Jiang Manyan spoke frankly, as everyone present was a trusted confidante.

"Although Jincheng has taken shape and is easy to defend but difficult to attack, its foundation is not yet stable. If internal strife breaks out, it will be a catastrophic disaster."

These words awakened everyone, and the confidants all turned serious, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Jiang Manyan then worked with everyone to develop a detailed defense system and personnel vetting mechanism for Jincheng.

And the resettlement plan for those who sought refuge outside the city: although they were not allowed to enter the city, experienced and skilled people were sent back to their hometowns with them to guide the construction and to provide them with grain seeds and seedlings.

Naturally, all of this comes with corresponding conditions.

The disaster victims were overjoyed. If they weren't desperate to survive, who would willingly leave their homes? Now that they had a better option, they left with immense gratitude.

Initially, Qin Lingfeng's former subordinates only recognized their old master and looked down on Jiang Manyan, this "vixen who uses her beauty to please men." This was mainly because Qin Lingfeng, the young master of one of the three major families in the central district, had given up his comfortable position to "retire" to this remote and impoverished area for love.

However, as time went on, everyone was captivated by the young city lord's intelligence, decisiveness, and benevolence, and developed a deep sense of awe. Appearance was, after all, Jiang Manyan's most insignificant advantage.

Sure enough, the calm didn't last long.

Accidents occur frequently in the city, and water conservancy facilities are vandalized.

Various malicious rumors spread, all under the banner of "punishing the traitorous slave who stole the Song family's property" and "purging the rebellious son of the Qin family who was bewitched by Jiang Daji and deviated from the right path," inciting internal rebellion.

Suddenly, the once prosperous city of Jin was filled with unease.