152: Chapter 0152 Let's Discuss First

For these women of the brothel, although their status was looked down upon, Zuihua Pavilion was the harbor that sheltered them from the wind and rain.

Once the brothel closed, they would have to start wandering again.

Hua Nongying had long expected this; how could Lin Xiao tolerate a Yanyu Pavilion assassin stronghold right under his nose?

“Sisters, do not be sad. General Lin being willing to let us go is already an act of extrajudicial mercy.”

Hua Nongying took the lead, giving Lin Xiao a graceful bow. “This humble one thanks General Lin for granting us a path to live.”

Seeing this, the group of brothel women followed suit and thanked Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao waved his hand. “There is no need. You earned your own lives; this General is merely handling official business.”

“Additionally, Miss Hua, you must come with me. I have something to discuss with you.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Nongying wasn't too surprised. In the end, he still didn't intend to let her go easily.

Heh... men. Regardless of their status, it always comes down to that one thing when it comes to women.

Hua Nongying gave a smile of resignation, calmly accepting her fate.

“As you command.”

The group of brothel women watched Hua Nongying leave, their faces filled with worry.

They were all veterans of the world of pleasure; when a man seeks out Hua Nongying alone, what for... did they even need to think about it?

Thinking that Hua Nongying was sacrificing herself for them, the women felt a pang of sorrow but were helpless to do anything.

Lin Xiao had someone provide Hua Nongying with a horse, and she rode along with him back to the temporary Generals Mansion.

On the way, many commoners saw this scene and pointed fingers.

After all, Hua Nongying was the most sought-after courtesan in Lincang. Now that she was being taken away by General Lin, it couldn't help but spark wild imaginations.

Following behind the man and parading through the streets like this made Hua Nongying feel somewhat bashful.

This Great General Lin actually didn't even try to avoid suspicion when bringing a brothel woman back to his mansion?

Just based on this point alone, he was much better than those hypocrites who put on a show of virtue.

He possessed high martial arts skills and was a hero who protected the country and the people. She was but a woman of the underworld; giving her purity to him wouldn't be a loss...

Hua Nongying kept finding reasons for herself to calm her uneasy heart.

Upon returning to the mansion, Lin Xiao had Hua Nongying follow him all the way to his study.

Hua Nongying looked to the side and saw only a single soft couch, causing her to frown slightly.

Here? Not even going to the bedroom?

Right, this General Lin has a family. Presumably, his wife wouldn't agree to it.

Lin Xiao was currently removing his armor. If no one were around, he could just use his spatial storage, but with someone present, he had to take it off manually.

Seeing this, Hua Nongying took the initiative to step forward and help.

“General, let this humble one assist you.”

“No need, no need,” Lin Xiao waved her off. “I'll do it myself. You mind your own business.”

Hua Nongying chuckled softly. Is he in such a hurry?

Very well...

Hua Nongying reached out and began to untie her own belt...

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

Lin Xiao noticed something was wrong and immediately shouted to stop her. “Why are you stripping?!”

Hua Nongying froze, her face slightly flushed. Could it be that this man likes that sort of thing? There are many guests who love to tear a woman's clothes...

“Then... let the General do it.”

Lin Xiao saw her bashful appearance and finally understood what was going on.

“What are you thinking? I didn't bring you here for that kind of thing!”

This woman has stayed in the brothel for too long; she's stuck in that mindset!

Hua Nongying was stunned. She had misunderstood!?

At the thought of all her internal struggles just now, her face turned even redder, looking as delicate as a blooming flower!

But if he wasn't after her body, then what was it for?

Hua Nongying was incredibly curious; this man always kept her guessing.

At this time, Lin Xiao had removed his heavy armor and ran to a wooden crate, rummaging through it.

These were things he had Xiao Qingxuan bring from Baishui; they were all moved out of the laboratory.

Because he wouldn't be going back for a while, he didn't feel at ease, so he simply brought them all along.

After a moment, Lin Xiao took out a small mud-sealed jar and came before Hua Nongying.

“Miss Hua, you know how to brew wine, right?”

Hua Nongying blinked. “How could the General know?”

The fact that she could brew wine was known only to a very few people around her.

At first, she just liked drinking, but later she found she had a talent for it and learned how to brew.

“Seeing that even your martial arts are related to drinking, I made a rough guess.”

Lin Xiao then cracked open the sealing mud on the jar and lifted the lotus leaf covering the top.

Instantly, a strong aroma of alcohol filled the air.

Hua Nongying's bright eyes sparkled. She was a woman who loved wine as much as her life; naturally, she immediately realized the high quality of this wine!

Lin Xiao saw her burning gaze and poured her a small cup.

Hua Nongying couldn't wait to drain it in one gulp. Feeling the fiery stimulation, her spirits soared, and her pretty face became even more rosy and charming.

“Excellent wine!”

Hua Nongying savored the aftertaste endlessly.

“General, what is this wine called? Why is the fragrance so intense?”

Lin Xiao smiled. “This is Distilled liquor. It's made from grain-brewed rice wine through the process of distillation.”

“Distilled liquor? I flatter myself that I have drunk many of the tribute wines from the Imperial Palace, yet I have never heard of this?”

Hua Nongying gave a self-deprecating laugh, feeling like a frog at the bottom of a well.

“It's not your fault. This wine probably only exists on my side for now; it hasn't been promoted to the outside world yet,” Lin Xiao said.

Hua Nongying's beautiful eyes showed shock. “It's a wine from your Northern Trade Alliance!?”

Lin Xiao nodded.

While he was working on Penicillin and Allicin earlier, Lin Xiao had made some Distilled liquor on the side.

The quantity wasn't large; it was mainly to verify the technology and prepare for the future.

Originally, he intended to wait for the Northern Trade Alliance to rise and then have Su Wansha build a winery to promote it.

But Su Wansha was already very busy and was stretched quite thin.

The Hua Nongying before him was capable of managing a brothel and an assassin organization, which showed her ability and means.

Coupled with a group of loyal sisters under her and her 'Winemaker' trait, she was indeed an excellent candidate to run a winery.

Crucially, she had a large group of people to support and precisely needed a way to make a living, as well as a background she could rely on.

“Miss Hua, whether it's the flesh trade or killing and robbing, neither is a long-term solution.”

Lin Xiao asked with a smile, “Are you interested in taking your sisters and the villagers of Xinghua Village to work for my Northern Trade Alliance and set up a brewing workshop?”

Hua Nongying suddenly understood. So the reason the man sought her out was for this?

After all that, she really was just flatteringly mistaken.

Hua Nongying wasn't sure what she was feeling. She had clearly breathed a sigh of relief, yet she wasn't particularly happy either; it felt very awkward.

This man has far too many schemes...

She was somewhat hesitant. Although this wine was definitely good stuff, if she agreed, she would be tied to the Zhenbei Army from now on.

Should she choose freedom, or choose to take a side?

Hua Nongying was very conflicted; after all, it concerned the future of a large group of people...

Just then, a woman's slightly dissatisfied voice came from outside.

“Husband, for such a major matter, why did you not discuss it with your wife first?”