Chapter 870: The Dragon-Slaying Saber! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
The old man muttered repeatedly, "Thirty percent has too big an appetite?"
The old man with the cane glanced calmly at Lin Feng.
The child before him, whose bearing and demeanor were impeccable, was a member of the Lin family, but also one of Shen Youli's people. He didn't know how much influence Lin Feng held under Shen Tang, but he could somewhat fathom the latter's thoughts. Lin Feng said that 30% was too much, and he suspected that Shen Youli thought the same thing. He added, "70% isn't bad either..."
Lin Feng said, "Our lord will not agree to this."
Those seemingly harmless, dark eyes made Lin Feng appear gentle and dignified, but the words she spoke carried a strong sense of bloodlust: "If the aristocratic families escape unscathed, my lord can get 70%. If we kill some and support others, I wonder what percentage we can get?"
This sentence sounds like an unconscious murmur.
The old man with the cane said, "Your lord won't kill you. You yourself said that 60% of the government offices within the territory are at a standstill. Do you know how large the vacancies are?"
Lin Feng: "..."
Educational resources were heavily concentrated in the hands of powerful families, making it extremely difficult for ordinary people to find teachers and mentors. The quality of teachers varied greatly, and only a handful of students truly succeeded. Commoners with connections often had to rely on the local elites, using their future as a bargaining chip to secure a chance at advancement. These elite families were happy to nurture such children from a young age to support their lineage.
Lin Feng, having studied under Chu Yao, understands the intricacies of the matter even better.
The lord may recruit talented individuals from among the common people without being bound by convention, but their abilities and whether they have received favors from powerful families are uncertain. The academy founded by the lord himself is too young to be of high quality, so he can only swallow his anger.
Lin Feng quickly composed himself.
He whispered a reminder to his great-grandfather: "Great-grandfather, our lord started from humble beginnings. Back then, he had only a handful of men under his command and was able to maintain his foundation. Who knows if he won't succeed today? Even when he was weak, he was not subject to others. How much more so now? If we just want stability, we don't need any exceptionally talented people. Ordinary poor families can be used. It doesn't have to be a powerful and influential clan."
Lin Feng's eyes curved slightly.
"Big fish eat little fish, and little fish eat shrimp. If you, my lord, kill the big fish and feed it to the little fish, wouldn't the little fish be grateful?"
Ultimately, it's because our lord is too kind-hearted.
The old man with the cane and the old man fell into a long silence, their eyes looking at Lin Feng with unfamiliarity and complicated emotions.
"Jiaojiao, if we had faced off earlier, I wouldn't have allowed you to take charge, yet you insisted on your own way." After a long pause, the old man with the cane asked a sharp question in a low voice, "Would you have let me die on the spot? Would you have drawn your sword?"
Lin Feng subconsciously touched the hilt of his sword.
He lowered his eyes and said, "My great-grandfather was a man of great principle; there are no 'what ifs'."
The old man looked at him in astonishment, but the old man with the cane laughed and raised his hand to stop his younger brother from speaking: "Who is your teacher? You seem to have said that your teacher gave you the courtesy name Lingde?"
Lin Feng spoke with pride: "My mentor is Chu Yao, also known as Chu Wuhui. My great-grandfather may not have heard of him, but more than twenty years ago there was a small country called 'Chu,' a tiny place that produced three outstanding talents of the second rank in literature. My teacher was one of them."
Upon hearing the words "second-rank upper-middle grade," the old man with the cane slightly lifted his drooping eyelids and asked, "Your son is also one of them?"
Lin Feng had mentioned it before, but he hadn't paid much attention.
Lin Feng nodded: "Just lucky."
The old man with the cane stroked it and sighed, "It's such a pity. Your father and brothers led their people south to seek refuge, and they won't have returned unless something else happens. What are your plans, Lingde?"
Lin Feng, unaware of his great-grandfather's purpose and why the topic had suddenly shifted to clansmen of unknown whereabouts, carefully replied, "A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. The Lin branch will surely prosper under the leadership of my father and brothers. We can exchange letters again in the future if the opportunity arises."
The old man with the cane carefully pondered every word Lin Feng said.
Turning his head to look at Lin Feng: "Which one?"
Lin Feng replied matter-of-factly, “With my father and brothers gone, I, as their grandson, will naturally take care of my great-grandfather and several great-uncles, and provide for you in your old age and see you off in your final days, thus fulfilling my filial duty as a descendant. Although the Lin family members are separated by great distances, we are still of the same bloodline, and I, as their grandson, am also part of that family.”
The Lin family in a certain place belongs to the father and elder brother's side.
This area belongs to the Lin clan of Lingzhou.
The Lin family of Lingzhou, even if it's just her and a few elderly people.
She asked the two elders cautiously and nervously.
"Did my grandson say something wrong?"
The old man gripped his cane tighter and laughed, “No, Lingde is right. You are right, and your teacher and lord have taught you very well. The mark left on you by the Lin family should not, and cannot, become a burden that binds you. You are very good…”
Lin Feng bowed and said, "I still have things to take care of, so I will take my leave now. If you need anything, please send someone to summon me."
She stopped at the doorway.
“Jiaojiao was raised by her great-grandfather and was also taught by her mentor. She would never do such an immoral act as patricide.”
Having said that, she lifted her skirt and strode away from the spot.
The old man with the cane sighed softly: "If Lingde were my son or my grandson, the Lin family wouldn't have had to flee south to seek refuge."
Back then, when the war reached this area, only the Lin family chose to relocate and seek refuge, selling off much of their land at low prices. It wasn't that they weren't heartbroken, but the Lin family had declined with each generation, and they were only surviving to this day thanks to a few promising young men adopted by the locals.
But even gratitude can't bind them for long.
Protecting the Lin family for two or three decades can be considered the ultimate act of benevolence and righteousness.
Staying meant certain defeat at any moment, when they might be swallowed up by enemies or covetous powerful families. He had no choice but to cut his losses and survive. A few old men stayed, and the best family lands were sold at a discount, allowing the buyers to reap the benefits. He also had the favor of teaching the heads of nearby powerful families, so they naturally couldn't bring themselves to continue making things difficult for him. He had almost given up hope.
Unexpectedly, Lin Feng appeared.
Lin Feng had been pampered and spoiled in the inner quarters, giving her a different starting point from the other male members of the family. The old man with the cane was worried that she might have unnecessary soft-heartedness and hesitation, but after some probing, she was surprisingly outstanding and decisive: "It's not too late now, hahahahahaha—"
The old man stared blankly at his older brother, who was laughing heartily.
She quickly realized his plan: "Big brother, Jiaojiao—"
"Second brother, she is not Jiaojiao. The crescent moon of the Lin family is gone." The old man with the cane slowly stood up. "She is Lin Feng, Lin Lingde! The phoenix girl and the unicorn of the Lin family!"
The old man looked at his elder brother, who was suppressing his emotions, and fell silent.
"Send someone to deliver a message to the other families..." The old man with the cane composed himself, regaining his composure, "to explain the misunderstanding."
Learn from your mistakes! Next time you encounter someone like Shen Youli who's reckless and impulsive, don't try any more of that back-and-forth, flirtatious probing. It's pointless.
Lin Feng immediately relayed the message back.
When Yu Zi learned of this, she clicked her tongue in astonishment: "So that's how it is? These patriarchs from powerful families are really something. Why can't they just say things clearly? What tacit understanding, what hints? Look, they've already ruined their own lives."
Lin Feng was reviewing the Lin family's accounts from the past few years.
He casually replied, "It's good that those companies are dead."
They were all the most hostile and vehemently opposed to the lord; keeping them alive would make future negotiations difficult. The opportunists who survived yesterday's operation are the most appealing. They'll change their tune and offer more money for their lives, and they'll also lower their expectations and give up more land and people for their own survival.
Yu Zi, munching on a pancake, said, "That's true."
The pancakes Lin Feng recommended were indeed very fragrant.
Chao Lian waited anxiously for several hours.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that Lin was unharmed.
Lin Feng only had some free time around noon, wondering why he was at the Lin family's residence, and even more curious about why Chao Lian was still alive. Although Chao Lian appeared as a wandering knight, his attire revealed he was in mourning. This mourning was likely related to his brothers, Gu Ziyi and Gu Ziyi.
"Well, it's a long story."
Chao Lian didn't hide anything and explained the whole story.
"Is Fourth Uncle still alive?"
"Still alive."
Lin Feng, usually so emotionally stable, was unusually overcome with turmoil. The nightmarish night from years ago still haunted her dreams. She had watched helplessly as her loved ones were slaughtered, and now she knew some had survived…
That feeling is indescribable.
Out of courtesy, Lin Feng also told Chao Lian some news unknown to the outside world: "You'd better not go to Shangnan. Lord Gu's relatives have already been secretly moved. Going there now will only result in finding nothing. When the news of Lord Gu's death reached the rear, Registrar Qi was worried about their safety and transferred them to Sibao County early on."
Lin Feng said this, and Chao Lian, being an honest boy, didn't think of this behavior as control. He excitedly said, "Is this true? If my elder brother's spirit in heaven knew that his sister-in-law, nephew, and niece had all been taken under Shen Jun's protection, he could rest in peace!"
In the eyes of everyone in the Shangnan faction, Shen Tang was as pure and innocent as his elder brother! Chao Lian believed that his sister-in-law and the others were as safe under Shen Tang's protection as they were under Gu Ren's protection. He was certain that Shen Jun could provide a safe haven for the orphan and widow.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Chao Lian repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
His enthusiasm and naivety made Lin Feng uncomfortable.
Lin Feng could easily see through Qi Shan's plans.
Their aim was simply to control Gu Ren's relatives so they could legitimately inherit Gu Ren's political legacy in the future. Even if Wu Xian wanted to seize it, their lord would have a pretext—a shrewd and calculated move. From Chao Lian's perspective, however, it appeared to be an act of charity…
Lin Feng forced a sweet, harmless smile.
His gaze toward Chao Lian was also kind.
"Lady Lin, if I walk towards Sibao, I will see my sister-in-law and the others." Chao Lian's anxious mood eased considerably.
Lin Feng nodded: "Of course."
Chao Lian stayed at the Lin residence for several days.
He only set off after confirming that things had been settled on Lin Feng's side.
Both the aristocratic families and Shen Tang received the secret letter.
The two reactions were very different.
The powerful families were furious and immediately sent people to find out which fool had let slip the truth and caused such a huge misunderstanding for Shen Tang! This misunderstanding directly implicated four families! Shen Tang remained calm, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, forced to learn something new.
"They actually have this kind of tacit understanding?"
Looking around, no one knew either.
No, some people do know.
Xie Qi recently returned to his ancestral home, taking the opportunity to do some ideological work with the local aristocratic families and learn about the situation of the local government officials! You should know that he is the head of the Xie family! Before Zheng Qiao took office, the Xie family was a prominent family in the area.
Ever since Xie Qi and his wife were taken hostage, the Xie family has been in a slump.
"Yes, there are."
Shen Tang was astonished: "Why didn't you say so?"
Xie Qi said, "Gentlemen, you are all wise and resourceful. I believe this move must be the result of our Lord's and their careful deliberation..."
Let's give those disobedient aristocratic families a taste of their own medicine first! They're used to throwing their weight around in this area; they're inherently arrogant and will definitely have reservations about your background and look down on you. It's perfectly normal for you to use force to intimidate them and deflate their arrogance.
After you give and take, it will be easier to negotiate the price.
Those who didn't go on the business trip: "..."
Xie Qi immediately lowered his head, trying to make his presence known.
They were afraid that if they were even a step too slow, their colleagues would hold a grudge against them.
Shen Tang rubbed his temples: "So what do we do now? According to the tacit agreement, the aristocratic families want 30%. 30%? Why don't they just rob us? They all want 30%, so I, the future ruler, am just a 70% ruler? Or have we killed enough people already!"
The donations that kept coming in couldn't make her happy.
"Shizang, after you went back, was there any sound?"
Xie Qi was almost dumbfounded.
Surely the lord wouldn't want to use one of his own people as an example?
However, even a cautious man like him had a backup plan. He pulled a copy of the account book from his sleeve and presented it to Shen Tang. This account book was a record he had made after investigating the clan's land and property. It listed the Xie clan members, their land holdings, tenants, servants...
Shen Tang frowned as she finished reading, then looked up at Xie Qi.
Xie Qi cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to my lord, my wife and I have been held hostage in the capital for many years. The clan affairs have been managed by the clan elders, which has led to lax management and the breeding of corrupt officials. This time, we went back to investigate the bad debts of the past years and to purge the traitors. The results are all here."
His failure to notice the misunderstanding between Shen Tang and the aristocratic families in time was also related to these matters; he had focused all his energy on them.
All illegally obtained farmland was seized.
All the unruly slaves and even their clansmen who broke the law and committed crimes were imprisoned.
All tenant households were recounted and registered.
He was so scared that he couldn't get a full night's sleep that month.
The Xie family really gave him a huge surprise!
Shen Tang closed the copy of the account book, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "You and your husband have had a hard time these past years. The problems within the Xie family are not your fault. You've done a good job, but I'd like to know, how much of this can Shizang, as the head of the family, accept?"
Let her prepare mentally before she makes an offer!
We must absolutely push the boundaries of the powerful families' morale!
Xie Qi's forehead was covered in sweat.
He swallowed hard. "My lord, Qi has something to say!"
Shen Tang said, "You speak."
Xie Qi had clearly anticipated this scenario and was well-prepared: "I originally thought that it would be enough for each family to retain their own clan lands. However, the amount of clan lands in each family varies, and while the accounts of clan lands in recent years can still be checked, those from older years are difficult to trace..."
Who knows if these clan lands are actually legally acquired?
If each family were to retain their own clan lands but hand over their other properties, the true proportion would likely shock Shen Tang! Xie Qi also knew that the lord would not agree to this method, so he had another idea: "In that case, why not hand them all over!"
Shen Tang: "..."
Who possessed Xie Qi before us?
Do you still know that you are the head of a prestigious family?
Just as Shen Tang suspected Xie Qi of being a rare traitor among the aristocratic families, he added, "After the land is handed over, the number of people in the clan will be calculated, and the clan land will be returned according to the number of people at that time. Regardless of whether they are male or female, each person will receive the same amount of clan land, based on the amount of land needed to support one person... It can be appropriately more..."
Shen Tang rested her chin on her hand and thought for a while.
"It seems the Xie family's accounts are in terrible shape..."
What's the difference between this and causing a ruckus in the underworld to settle centuries-old debts?
|ω`)
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(End of this chapter)
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