127: Chapter 0127 What kind of situation is this?

Lin Xiao stayed in Wu Mountain City for five days.

Using the Eye of God, he screened hundreds of talents suitable for management and selected over a thousand workers.

Finally, out of nearly ten thousand young people wanting to join the army, he found over three thousand suitable candidates and handed them over to General Zhao Kuan for on-site training.

After arranging everything, Lin Xiao returned to Baishui Prefecture.

As soon as he returned to the Generals Mansion, Xiao Qingxuan hurried out to greet him, jogging the whole way.

Although she could move as fast as flying thanks to sixty years of internal energy, she remained very restrained and never revealed her martial arts skills in front of outsiders.

Lin Xiao sometimes admired how well this woman could act and endure; she was truly worthy of having grown up in the imperial palace.

"Husband, why were you gone for so many days? Didn't you say you would be back in about three days?"

"Haha, there were quite a few people signing up for the Zhenbei Army, so it took two extra days."

"Did everything go smoothly over there? Is Brother Zhao and the others doing well?"

"They are all doing well, don't worry, my wife," Lin Xiao said, not bothering to mention the trivial matters regarding Prefect Guo Baoyun.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder; having not seen each other for a few days, Lin Xiao naturally felt stirred looking at his beautiful wife.

"Wife, I haven't had a proper bath these past few days. Come, join me for a wash..."

Xiao Qingxuan's delicate face flushed red, knowing exactly what the man had in mind.

Although it was a bit embarrassing during the day, satisfying her husband was more important.

An hour later, Lin Xiao held Xiao Qingxuan in his arms, chatting in bed about sending people to Prince Qing's territory.

Xiao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes sparkled upon hearing this.

"How did I not think of that? We could use Prince Qing to deal with Prince Bai?"

"My husband is truly far-sighted and exceptionally brilliant!"

Lin Xiao was flattered to the point of embarrassment; to him, such diplomatic maneuvering was just a basic operation.

The key point was that he loved making money!

Since the four provinces of Prince Qing were not enemy territory, wouldn't it be great to do business and make money there?

Just then, a maid reported from outside.

"General, Madam, Elder Zhu is here again."

Lin Xiao doubted he had heard correctly. "Who?"

Xiao Qingxuan giggled. "Husband, I forgot to tell you. In the few days you were gone, Elder Zhu came twice!"

"Ah?"

Lin Xiao was stunned. Zhu Ming, a great Confucian scholar of the current dynasty, was actually coming uninvited?

You have to understand, he hadn't even dared to suggest inviting him over as a guest before, thinking it would be impossible for him to agree.

While hurriedly getting up and putting on his clothes, Lin Xiao asked curiously, "Wife, does Elder Zhu have any urgent business?"

Xiao Qingxuan had a strange expression, holding back laughter as she said, "Husband, you will know once you meet him later..."

Lin Xiao, feeling a trace of confusion, arrived at the living room.

Zhu Ming was sitting there drinking tea, constantly eating sugar-roasted chestnuts.

Seeing Lin Xiao come out, the old man hurriedly swallowed the chestnut in his mouth, nearly choking, his face turning red!

These sugar-roasted chestnuts were a snack "invented" by Lin Xiao, and because the yield of chestnuts was very small, he hadn't planned on turning it into a business.

Lin Xiao pretended not to see, smiling and cupping his hands. "Elder Zhu, what brings you here?"

"Cough, cough..."

Zhu Ming took a sip of tea, looking helpless. "It's that soap you made. Su Wansha sent a piece over, and my old wife got addicted to it after using it."

"But as it happens, that soap sells out as soon as it's released; it's impossible to get, and I get nagged by my old wife every day."

"She says that scholars are useless! Tell me, isn't that infuriating?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "So it's about the soap? Wouldn't it have been fine to just have Su Wansha send two more pieces? Why make the trip yourself?"

"Well... after all, it's an enterprise of the Zhenbei Army, and Su Wansha has no authority to make decisions. Naturally, I had to come find you."

Lin Xiao nodded. "No problem, I will give instructions right now. From now on, someone will be sent to deliver soap to you two regularly!"

Zhu Ming nodded in satisfaction, then rubbed his stomach.

"Ouch, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable. Is it convenient to use your..."

Lin Xiao immediately called for the Old Butler to show Zhu Ming the way.

"No need, no need! I know the way, I've been here before..."

Zhu Ming quickly walked to the toilet in the backyard by himself.

Just then, Xiao Qingxuan walked out.

"Husband, it will take about half an hour. Shall I brew you a pot of tea?"

Lin Xiao was puzzled. "What do you mean? Could it be that when Elder Zhu came the last two times..."

Xiao Qingxuan couldn't help but laugh. "At first, Su Wansha mentioned the new development of Baishui Prefecture building sewage pipes and public toilets."

"Elder Zhu went to see it and was very interested, but due to his status, he didn't dare to use the public toilets."

"Then Su Wansha mentioned to him that we have flush toilets at home, and our bathroom is built even better than the ones outside."

"After Elder Zhu came to experience it, he liked it very much. He came back the next day, and he would sit there for quite a while."

Lin Xiao was speechless. Is this old man constipated!?

"So he didn't come for the soap; he came to use the toilet?"

Xiao Qingxuan nodded. "Soap is nothing difficult, and it's not like we are short of a piece or two. If he had told Su Wansha, wouldn't she have sent it to him?"

"This old man... he really cares about his reputation," Lin Xiao lamented.

"Husband, why don't you send a construction team to renovate one for Elder Zhu?"

"He is quite old, and it's too tiring to come over every two or three days for this."

When Xiao Qingxuan said this, she was clearly trying hard to hold back her laughter.

Lin Xiao finally understood why Xiao Qingxuan wouldn't say it directly earlier.

No one would believe that the esteemed Zhu Ming, a great Confucian scholar of the current age, known everywhere and respected by all, would sneak into someone else's house every few days just to use the toilet!!

"What kind of situation is this..."

Lin Xiao rubbed his forehead. Did he, the great General of the Zhenbei Army, really have to manage an old man's bathroom issues?

After waiting for a full half hour, Zhu Ming walked out looking refreshed, his steps feeling light.

"General Lin, your toilet at home is truly unique. It has the wonderful effect of letting the turbid air sink and the pure air rise."

"I also saw the public toilets you are building across the city. They are very good, the common people like them very much, and I feel deeply gratified."

Zhu Ming sat down with a smile and picked up another chestnut, not standing on ceremony at all.

Lin Xiao thought to himself, no wonder you are constipated; maybe you've eaten too many chestnuts?

"Since Elder Zhu likes it so much, I am deeply encouraged. How about this: I will send a construction team to renovate a toilet in your courtyard and install a flush toilet, how about that?"

"Oh? Can it be built in my house too? This... will it delay your construction work?" Zhu Ming looked hesitant.

"It won't. Actually, it doesn't take many people. Besides, Elder Zhu is also a resident of Baishui Prefecture, so naturally, you should be well taken care of."

"Haha... excellent, excellent. I am a commoner too, so thank you, General Lin, for serving as the local official!"

Zhu Ming was overjoyed; his trip hadn't been in vain. He could go back and answer to Ding Cuihua; he had been getting nagged to death!

When it was time to leave, Lin Xiao gave him some extra sugar-roasted chestnuts, saying they were for Ding Cuihua, which made Zhu Ming smile even more happily.

Lin Xiao and his wife saw Zhu Ming all the way to his carriage.

Zhu Ming suddenly remembered something, turned around, and said, "Oh, that's right, General Lin. My wife said she hasn't seen you for a while and misses you. When you have time, bring your spouse over for a casual meal."

Lin Xiao was stunned. Ding Cuihua is inviting him to dinner?

Is it because of the toilet renovation? Or is there another reason?

He didn't believe that this sword master would say she "missed" him for no reason, and even have Zhu Ming extend the invitation.

Why are this elderly couple acting so mysterious?

"Alright, I also miss the old lady's cooking. It would be disrespectful to decline, so I will come by in the next couple of days!"