870 Couple's Night Talk Part 2

His heart was heavy, but his expression remained unchanged. He didn't want his wife and children to be anxious and fearful every day because of this.

He continued softly, "But ever since the Holy Emperor went into seclusion and the First Prince took over the reins of government, the situation has never been completely stable. The same is true for Nanhe Prefecture; initially it was just the towns and villages, but now it has spread to the outer and inner cities."

After a moment of contemplation, he deliberately filtered out the fighting, machinations, and gang warfare in the outer city. He was a sixth-level martial artist, and his family also provided considerable support and protection for these clansmen, which allowed him to gain a foothold.

A moment later, she continued softly, "In just half a month, things have changed a lot in Xuzhou. A letter came from there saying that after Lord He and Commandant Guan took over Xuzhou, it is now under the administration of Prefect Wang."

Fortunately, the Lin family tradition has been passed down in an orderly manner, and Lin Fanqie couldn't help but let out a slight smile.

An indescribable sense of pride and joy welled up in my heart.

The Lin family has always prioritized filial piety, respected the elderly and cared for the young, maintained harmony and mutual assistance, valued integrity, kept promises, and ensured consistency between words and deeds. They also advocated diligence and thrift, avoided extravagance and waste, and cherished every resource.

They value education and encourage their children and grandchildren to be diligent in their studies and constantly seek knowledge and progress. The younger generation in the family is respectful and polite to their elders, but they are respectful without being subservient.

He further encouraged his disciples to cultivate diligently, hoping to produce another Martial Emperor or even someone above the Martial Emperor level.

Seeing the hint of smugness that couldn't be hidden on her husband's face, Madam Lin smiled inwardly and rested her head against his strong chest.

Lin Fanqie felt her blood rush to her head, her face flushed slightly, and she trembled involuntarily. She quickly changed the subject in a low voice, "A few days ago, the Lin family in Xuzhou asked me if I wanted to move to their area."

Now that Xuzhou is in dire need of development, Lord He has cleaned the area up and down very thoroughly.

Just like the border town and Dalong Prefecture that we know, the area has been basically cleared up, and some hidden saboteurs are still being slowly investigated.

Moreover, several capable members of the Lin family over there have also obtained considerable positions, and they are doing quite well now.

If we go there, and they're willing to vouch for us, it would be quite easy to get a minor leader position.

Madam Lin nodded slightly and said softly, "My lord, you are the best person to decide. My child and I will obey your decision."

Lin Fanqie nodded, a hint of responsibility and tenderness in his eyes. "Thank you, Madam. To have such a wife is truly a blessing I, Lin Fanqie, have accumulated over many lifetimes."

He said slowly and softly, "I was originally planning to observe for a few days. If the situation in the city worsened, I was prepared to go there immediately. It's safe and stable there now, much better than here."

However, the path that has been painstakingly established here will probably have to be started all over again.

However, wife and children are the most important; everything else can be started over.

Today, Nanhe Prefecture is likely to undergo a complete transformation.

He whispered in his wife's ear, "Behind Dalong Prefecture, Lord He of the border city is rumored to be Emperor Wu. Although he has not personally confirmed it, it is said to be true."

This is also why the Yu and Cheng families were so flustered when Commander Guan sent troops to Nanhe Prefecture the day before yesterday. Otherwise, the Yu family would have been backed by the Fire Spirit Sect, and this place was the Fire Spirit Sect's secret territory.

It is said that the Yu family sought help from the Fire Spirit Cult, and the outcome will likely be decided soon.

The Cheng family is the prefect of this area, so they must have also sought help from the capital. I wonder what the outcome will be. I guess there's no hope.

It's precisely because this place is resource-poor and lacks spiritual energy that the Cheng family wouldn't have been able to become the prefect; the Fire Spirit Sect behind the Yu family would likely have already intervened here.

Qingqing thought to herself that this place was much more barren than the land to the south, but she had also heard that the spiritual energy in the south had become thinner recently, making this place much better.

He thought to himself, 'The southern lands will probably become even more crowded and fiercely contested in the future. While the northern lands are vast and populous, cultivation resources are not concentrated, and the spiritual energy is so thin that it will be difficult to find better geniuses.'

However, that's also true. There aren't enough martial artists here, and some are even unwilling to come. That's why I've been able to find a foothold here. Otherwise, if I went south to a big city, I'd probably just be a high-ranking guard.

Thinking of this, Lin Fanqie felt a glimmer of anticipation. She thought to herself, 'I came out here to make my way in the world, but alas, my grandfather's talent was a bit lacking; he couldn't get into the elite trials. He was young and impetuous, and after suffering some setbacks, he couldn't resist the urge to venture out.'

Lin Fanqie shook her head at this thought, thinking to herself, 'Father went back to the family a while ago, I wonder what they talked about, he still came back unhappy.'

If I were more talented, I probably could have entered the elite trial, and my family would likely have received more resources.

He shook his head, clearing his mind of these complicated thoughts, and listened attentively, thinking to himself, 'I hope Lord He wins, so that the people here will have another way to survive.'

Gripping the sword hilt tightly, my thoughts burned like a raging flame.

At this moment, fighting raged throughout the city. Five teams of soldiers, each with nearly a thousand men, were fighting. Prefect Cheng was furious. The soldiers in the city had long been replaced by their own men, who had taken their pay and their positions.

Aside from the extra, or the hard and tiring work done to save face, it was only given to the lower-class peasants as a way to win over some of the more talented ones among them.

It's both a way to win them over and a way to bind them. They're brought into this group, and they're given cultivation techniques, but they're very poor. There are layers of restrictions, and you have to make a big contribution to exchange for them, or you have to spend money to exchange for subsequent cultivation techniques.

Furthermore, those talented individuals promoted are required to be honest and incorruptible, and to not embezzle. If they do, they will be severely punished, forcing them to barely make ends meet. If they want money, they must work hard to complete tasks and take on great risks.

By promoting a few lucky individuals, bestowing upon them an adopted daughter, a large mansion, and several maids and servants, they instantly become the envy of everyone.

Seeing the heavy casualties among the Cheng family's soldiers, guards, and relatives of the empress, he was filled with extreme anger.

Prefect Cheng stepped forward to face Yun Baiyi and his group, roaring, "Insolence! Do you intend to rebel? You dare to invade my Nanhe Prefecture with guns and armor! I will petition the capital and make you pay!"

Wearing the official robes of a prefect, an official of a prefecture, he should have been protected by the dragon's aura. The local energy was also protecting him, preventing him from being disturbed by evil spirits.

Now, however, he possesses no aura whatsoever, having received no other support besides his own cultivation.

The dozen or so constables or subordinates following behind him all bore a resemblance to him; otherwise, they would be worthy of being members of the entire family. The fact that the aristocratic family and the Holy Emperor jointly ruled was quite evident at this moment.

Yun Baiyi and Zhang Dazhuang remained silent and unmoved. With the Five Blessings Formation empowering them, many of the things that had been puzzling them suddenly became clear.

At this moment, the martial arts and swordsmanship seemed to become instinctive, and the true energy in his body moved at will, eager to try and touch the mysterious acupoints.