Qin Mu understood that the large number of Li family relatives, including the brother-in-law, returning from the wedding to the bride's home was a form of provocation to him, deterring him from bullying Princess Changning. He had no objection to this, as they were her family and cared about her.
“Some people want to go to Lingnan with you. What do you think?” Li Shentong asked.
"Come with me to Lingnan? How could you have such an idea? Lingnan isn't exactly a great place." Qin Mu asked in astonishment.
"It's not just envy. Look at those who met you first and arrived. Haven't they all made great progress? Some have been promoted and made a fortune, while others have greatly increased their strength. Many people know about the pills you sent back. In Chang'an, it's said that you have the same talent as your father, Meng Chang. Nowadays, Taoists and doctors who know alchemy are sought after by countless people. Of course! There are also some who are younger members of their families, whom they don't have the energy to train, so they want you to take them out and hone their skills," Li Shentong explained.
Qin Mu then understood the reason. He hadn't expected Li Shentong to bring him to the study to discuss this matter. Since Li Shentong had spoken up, it was clear that many people had come seeking his help. As for why it was Li Shentong and not Qin Qiong, it was because many people knew that Qin Qiong generally didn't show favoritism. To put it bluntly, he lacked emotional intelligence.
“My son-in-law is going to Lingnan to take up an official post this time. Although it is not as dangerous as Shuofang, it is not something to be taken lightly. If something happens to him while he is away, we will not be able to explain it to his family,” Qin Mu said with a frown.
Li Shentong understood his concerns and said seriously, "Of course I wouldn't harm you. If I really didn't have any ability, I wouldn't agree. You should know most of them: Liu Hongji's nephew Liu Renjing, the Xiao family's twins, Cheng Mingzhen's son Cheng Wuting, and a couple from the Cui and Lu families have come to plead for you, but they are concubines. There is also a special group who hope to follow you to Lingnan to develop, and their families will fully support them!"
"Special groups?"
"After Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, established the Han Dynasty, in order to eliminate the remaining power of local strongmen, he relocated more than 100,000 people, including the descendants of the kings of the six states of Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, and Wei during the Warring States period, as well as powerful clans, to Fangling in Guanzhong. These people did not get along with those in the northwest, so they started their own families and adopted surnames from first to eighth according to the order of their relocation," Li Shentong explained.
"So that's how the surname came about. What do they mean by this?" Qin Mu nodded, then asked with some confusion.
“There are so many powerful families in Guanzhong. These eight families can only be considered small families, and they are not even well known to outsiders. Now that so many years have passed since they left Han, they probably want to find another way out. Going to Lingnan with you is undoubtedly a good place. After all, apart from the Feng family, there are no other major families in Lingnan,” Li Shentong guessed.
"What do you think, Father-in-law?" Qin Mu asked.
"Of course I agree. After all, these companies have some resources and support, so it will make things much easier for you."
"Since they're not afraid, then it's fine for me to bring them along. But why does the Xiao family also want to get involved in Lingnan? Aren't they worried about His Majesty's anger?" Qin Mu asked, somewhat puzzled. Of course, he knew who the Xiao twins were—Xiao Yu's grandsons, Xiao Buyan and Xiao Buyu.
"That's not surprising. The Jiangnan families have always been quite united. The Xiao brothers are just their representatives. In the past, the Jiangnan forces were at odds with Lingnan. This time, taking advantage of Lingnan's loyalty to the court, they want to extend their reach." As an old and shrewd man, Li Shentong saw through the motives behind these people clearly and said it casually.
Qin Mu naturally trusted Li Shentong's deduction, and he was also glad that he hadn't made a hasty decision. After listening to Li Shentong's explanation, he felt much more confident. Regardless of what those families thought, as long as they were obedient and didn't hold him back, that was fine. As for those who were disobedient, they wouldn't be able to handle things once they arrived in Lingnan. Therefore, after a little thought, Qin Mu agreed, which would be a good opportunity for Li Shentong to do him a favor.
After two days of preparation in Chang'an, consulting with the imperial palace, and bidding farewell to Li Gang, Qin Mu set off with his men. He had originally planned to take only two hundred heavily armored cavalry, plus the maids of Princess Changning, totaling about three hundred people. However, when they departed, there were over five hundred. Some people from Shuofang would also accompany him to Lingnan; these included various technical personnel, ten students, and several dozen guards.
"Brother, if you need anything, just tell me. Why bother Prince Li?" Qin Mu asked with a smile.
The journey to the south of the Yangtze River would naturally involve traveling by boat. The imperial ships would take them to Yangzhou, from where they would then travel by land to Lingnan. Originally, Li Shimin intended to go directly to Lingnan by boat, but Qin Mu did not trust the ships available at the time. Inland travel was fine, but going out to sea, even near the coast, was out of the question.
"I'm just embarrassed. You've already helped the Liu family a lot, so I'm really too embarrassed to ask for help. That's why I was thinking of doing something small for you, Brother Qin, just like everyone else," Liu Renshi said, scratching his head.
Although only three years have passed, a lot has changed. Cheng Huaimo and Yuchi Baolin have both gotten married. Liu Renshi, who is slightly younger than Qin Mu, got married earlier. However, Qin Mu could not leave Shuofang, so he only sent a gift through someone.
"Your father is sometimes too calculating. Although it's true that relationships fade with time, we're friends, so we can't be too calculating. By the way, how's the Bad Guys doing these days?" Qin Mu asked curiously. He knew Liu Hongji somewhat; he had a strong江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) spirit. Although he seemed a bit shameless, he actually valued relationships and was quite loyal. That was probably why he had indirectly put Liu Hongji under Li Shentong's wing.
Liu Renshi, of course, couldn't comment on his father, so he smiled and introduced him, saying, "Thanks entirely to the plan you gave me back then, Brother Qin, things have gotten much better these past few years. My father also had them learn from the Six Doors, which has improved their reputation in Chang'an considerably."
The Bad Guys are actually quite similar to the city management in another world; cracking down on misconduct does make them less repulsive. Liu Renshi's decision to go to Lingnan with Qin Mu was also Liu Hongji's idea, presumably because he also saw the limitations of the Bad Guys. Over the years, the Bad Guys have remained the Bad Guys of Chang'an, while the Six Doors have spread everywhere, establishing branches across the country.
The support from prominent families was indeed very helpful. The Cui and Lu families each produced ten scholars, and the Zheng family, thanks to Aunt Zheng's connections, produced thirty people in one go. The most impressive were the first to eighth families, with over a hundred people at the forefront, and reportedly another five or six hundred behind them. They had not only scholars and warriors, but also people from almost every profession. They were determined to open a branch of their family in Lingnan, and a branch no less impressive than their ancestral home.
With ten thousand strings of cash around their waists, they rode cranes to Yangzhou. Yangzhou, under the previous dynasty's management, was in no way inferior to Chang'an or Luoyang, only lacking in city defenses. Nevertheless, it remained an important transit point for north-south transportation. After resupplying in Yangzhou, the group continued their journey, heading south.
Panyu was Qin Mu's destination. Compared to the prosperity of the Central Plains, it was much more desolate, much like Shuofang back then. There were some dilapidated thatched huts, bamboo fences, and ragged people with sallow complexions, few facial muscles, and prominent cheekbones. There were also many people wearing animal skins living in the mountains.
Panyu City was smaller than Shuofang, and its city walls were not high, but this was normal, since Shuofang was Liang Shidu's stronghold. Qin Mu was quite surprised to find Feng Ang, with his white hair and beard, waiting in Panyu.
At fifty-three, Feng Ang looked just like any other ordinary person, with dark skin and a face full of wrinkles. When he wasn't smiling, his face carried a sorrowful expression, but when he smiled, it was kind and sincere.
Aura is something you can't see or touch, but you can feel it. You could sense a majestic aura emanating from Feng Ang, but it vanished the moment he smiled.
"Hehe, the visitor is none other than the Governor of Annam."
"Qin Mu greets Duke Geng." The two must have inquired about each other's appearance and build beforehand, for they quickened their pace and exchanged a greeting upon meeting.
Feng Ang cupped his hands in greeting, while Qin Mu bowed deeply. This was not only because of Feng Ang's official rank, but also because of Feng Ang's age. Qin Mu always held the elderly in high esteem.
"I've long heard of your extraordinary talent, my nephew. You are indeed a young genius. When I came to the capital last time, I asked Uncle Bao about you and learned that you were in Shuofang. I was quite disappointed that I didn't get to see you." Feng Ang took Qin Mu's arm, looked him up and down, and smiled.
"A little bit of fame, Duke Geng, you flatter me."
"Feng Ang greets Princess Changning." Feng Ang gently patted Qin Mu's arm, stepped forward, and bowed to Princess Changning as she stepped down from the carriage.
"No need for such formalities, Duke Geng. Changning has come to Lingnan on official business; she is merely my husband's wife. I am only causing you trouble," Princess Changning replied.
Princess Changning meant that she was merely Qin Mu's wife, so you didn't need to care about her status, nor did you need to care about Qin Mu's status as his consort. Just do what you normally would. Neither of them would use their status to pressure anyone.
Hearing Princess Changning's words, Feng Ang felt a slight sense of relief. Although his status was a notch above the princess's, outsiders couldn't compare their royal status to hers based on rank. If Qin Mu and his wife used their status as leverage, it would be a real problem for Lingnan.
"We are here on the orders of the imperial court to assist you, Lord Feng. Please give us your instructions if needed," Qin Mu said sincerely.
Seeing Qin Mu's sincere face, Feng Ang was very pleased and said with a smile, "We'll talk about this later. You've come all this way, so please go into the city and rest first."
"Respect is not as good as obedience."
"please."
"Please, Mr. Feng!"
Upon entering the city, Feng Ang naturally hosted a banquet to welcome them, introducing his two sons and officials from Panyu. Qin Mu also introduced some of the people he had brought. Afterwards, they moved into the large mansion that Feng Ang had prepared in advance.
····················
For Qin Mu, the best course of action was to make the best of it since he was already there. On the other hand, Feng Ang and his son went to their study after the banquet.
"Father, what does the court mean by this? Not only have a princess and a prince consort come, but also five sons of dukes," said Feng Zhiyu, Feng Ang's fourth son, with a displeased expression. The five sons of dukes he was referring to were, of course, Cheng Huailiang, Yuchi Baoqing, Li Dejiang, Liu Renshi, and Cheng Wuting, who had come with Qin Mu. In fact, he was unaware that there were also two grandsons of dukes behind them.
"Hehe, the more this is the case, the more at ease we should be. The imperial court has no other intentions towards us." Feng Ang raised his hand to stop his son from venting his dissatisfaction and said with a smile.
“Father is right. If the court really wanted to seize power, it wouldn’t have sent so many young masters here,” the second son, Feng Zhidai, agreed.
"Second brother, you're not young anymore, why are you still so judgmental about people's appearances? Do you think these young people are all playboys from Chang'an who came here to get a 'gilded' resume?" Feng Ang raised an eyebrow and said with dissatisfaction.
Feng Zhidai was slightly taken aback, and said somewhat unconvinced, "Isn't that right? What kind of official brings hundreds of people when he's serving in a different region? Anyone who doesn't know better would think it's a prince on an inspection tour." Feng Zhidai assumed that the people Qin Mu and his group brought were there to help them with their work, while Qin Mu and his group only needed to rest and wait to receive their results.
"You can't judge a book by its cover. You've forgotten Qin Huaidao's achievements. The sealing of the wolf's lair—that's something that hasn't happened in many years," Feng Ang reminded him.
"It was just a coincidence. The main battlefield tied up the wolf clan's energy, so there's not much they can do about what to do about the rear. After all, the wolf clan doesn't have any cities, and the vast grasslands are at the mercy of others," Feng Zhiyu said disdainfully.
“There’s no smoke without fire. Even coincidences require strength, after all, Golden Wolf Mountain’s defenses aren’t weak. Father is right, I shouldn’t have underestimated people,” Feng Zhidai said after a moment of silence.
"Hmph, that's just hearsay. Who knows what really happened back then? If it were a group of experts and elites, anyone could go," Feng Zhiyu said, still unconvinced.
"You're not convinced?" Feng Ang asked calmly.
"Of course I'm not satisfied. Why should that kid be the deputy governor? Just because he's the prince consort?"
“Since you’re not convinced, I’ll make a bet with you,” Feng Ang said.
"What does Father want to bet on?" Feng Zhiyu asked.
"Let's bet on whether they have real skills."
"Great, shall we bet?" Feng Zhiyu asked with a smirk of interest.
“Starting tomorrow, you can only watch, not speak. Just do what you are told and see how it goes,” Feng Ang said.
"What if you lose, Father?"
“Then I will let you lead an army on your own to attack those monkeys in the forest,” Feng Ang said with a smile.
Feng Zhiyu stood up impatiently and said, "It's a deal."
"There must be a reason why Father thinks so highly of them, right?" Feng Zhidai asked curiously.
“No, there’s no other reason. What you know about Qin Huaidao’s background and experiences is just as much as what I, his father, know,” Feng Ang said, shaking his head.
The imperial court was going to send a deputy governor, so Feng Ang naturally wanted to find out the details. He even sent someone to Chang'an to inquire about it. He and his son had read and discussed all the information, but they both knew how unreliable rumors were, so they remained skeptical.
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