195: Chapter 0195 Nobody is Trusted

Lin Xiao looked serious: "Is that so? Then you mustn't be lazy; otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to the other sisters!"

"Mmm..."

Two hours later, Leng Bingyan set off, feeling reluctant to leave.

Although she had been "critically hit" by Lin Xiao several times, the woman was clearly more radiant.

Moreover, with the addition of 20 years of internal energy, her strength had also increased significantly!

[Leng Bingyan, 21 years old, direct disciple of the Sword Forest, concubine of the Great General of the Zhenbei Army. Aptitude: Earth Grade]

[Technique 1: Flying Cloud Sword Technique (Cultivation: 47 years), Grade: Earth Grade]

[Technique 2: Leng Family Martial Arts (Cultivation: 34 years), Grade: mystic grade]

[Technique 3: Snow-Treading Trace-less Movement (Cultivation: 28 years), Grade: mystic grade]

[Traits: Martial Arts Prodigy (Special), Heir of the Sword Forest (Special), Assassin]

It was likely due to the improvement in her sword cultivation that Leng Bingyan's traits had changed.

"Martial Arts Prodigy: A standout among the younger generation of the martial arts world, sufficient to attract the attention of all major sects."

The system determined that Leng Bingyan's development path was more inclined towards the martial arts world rather than the military, so the previous "General" trait was gone.

Not long after Leng Bingyan left, Xiao Qingxuan walked into the study.

"Husband, you've really worked hard this early in the morning," Xiao Qingxuan teased.

Lin Xiao stood up and opened his arms.

Xiao Qingxuan walked up naturally to help the man get dressed.

"Yaner is not only my woman but also a good sister to you, my wife. Since she had blockages in her heart, I naturally had to help her clear them out."

"I understand, of course, which is why I said you've worked hard, Husband."

Xiao Qingxuan asked curiously: "However, what was written in the letter you had Yaner deliver? I am very curious."

"Well, about that..."

Lin Xiao leaned into the woman's ear...

One day later.

Fushan Prefecture.

Governor Yao Zhengang stood in his study, holding the letter, his face deathly pale!

There was nothing else written on the letter, just one word: Death!

The murderous aura rushing towards him was undisguised!

Leng Bingyan glanced at the dozen or so guards she had beaten to the ground outside and felt it was very boring.

A dignified governor, yet he didn't even have a single capable fighter by his side; she couldn't even test her current strength.

"Governor Yao, you have been played."

"Governor Jin Ao of Yicheng has already privately surrendered. In four days, on the Lower Primordial Festival, he will take his subordinates and officials to Yangquan to pay respects to the General."

"He is using you as a scapegoat; that is why he feigned writing a letter with you to plead for the people in the prefecture."

"The General knows that you might have been used by someone, which is why he sent me to warn you once."

Yao Zhengang frowned and said: "This heroine, you say Governor Jin Ao has privately surrendered, but do you have proof?"

"Hmph... what, you don't believe it?"

Leng Bingyan said with a look of disdain: "The current prestige of the Zhenbei Army is something you surely understand without me having to say it."

"By the time spring arrives, Fushan and Yicheng will certainly be brought under the General's rule. Don't be too clever for your own good, and don't be ungrateful!"

After speaking, Leng Bingyan couldn't be bothered to say any more, and simply flew away.

Yao Zhengang looked pained and conflicted as he stared at the word "Death" in his hand, lost in thought.

Meanwhile.

At the Zhenbei Army camp in Yangquan.

"Husband, a fast horse can go to and from Fushan and Yicheng in just two days."

"You sent a 'Death' letter to both of them. What if Yao Zhengang and Governor Jin Ao contact each other and see through it?"

Lin Xiao chatted idly while inspecting the recruitment of the Militia and the Zhenbei Army with Mu Wanying.

"Yes, they can contact each other, but the problem is... can they really be of one mind?" Lin Xiao asked in return.

Mu Wanying thought for a moment and suddenly realized: "Oh! I understand. They will worry that the other party deliberately deceived them!"

"Husband, your action is planting the seeds of suspicion in their hearts!!"

Lin Xiao nodded with a smile: "That's right. This is why I set the deadline for the Lower Primordial Festival—to not leave them too much time to consider."

"To put it simply, whether or not to take Fushan and Yicheng, the initiative lies with us. We can afford to wait, but they... they are living in constant fear."

Mu Wanying nodded: "That's right, especially since it is rumored that Prince Bai is now seriously ill. Yao Zhengang and Governor Jin Ao must be even more anxious; after all, they are the only ones left in Cang Province who haven't submitted."

"Exactly!"

At noon the next day, it was time for Chang Youkui to report the results of the corruption investigation again.

Ever since the former Judicial Officer Lu Yuan was beheaded, Chang Youkui, this workaholic, had driven the government office into a frenzy!

"Reporting to General Lin, in the past few days, a total of twenty-nine corrupt officials have been investigated and dealt with. Both human and material evidence are present, and all confessions have been signed and fingerprinted!"

Chang Youkui presented a stack of case files.

Lin Xiao looked at the iron-faced judge, who had lost a whole circle of weight and had dark circles under his eyes, and felt a bit ashamed.

How had he ended up acting like a heartless capitalist? He was exploiting talent too much!

"Official Chang, are you married?"

"Ah?" Chang Youkui was stunned and shook his head: "Not yet."

"In the future, if you find a girl you like, I will have my wife help you propose, or you can find two maids to take care of your daily life."

Lin Xiao sighed: "You are a talent that this General values; don't wear yourself out."

Chang Youkui finally realized what was going on, and touched, he cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for your concern, General. This subordinate will certainly do his best!"

"Don't worry about doing your best; go home and rest first. Rest for two days, then come back to the government office."

After being persuaded by Lin Xiao, Chang Youkui reluctantly went home to rest.

Xiao Qingxuan looked at the case files from the side and sighed: "Husband, you should have let Official Chang rest a long time ago."

"Oh? Does my wife also think he is too tired?"

"I don't know if he is tired, but if he keeps investigating like this, half the positions for officials in Yangquan City and the surrounding counties will be empty!"

"In the middle of winter, where do you expect me to find so many reliable people to fill these positions?"

Lin Xiao found it amusing, but he also thought that he might need to start a small "imperial examination" in Cang Province to screen for some scholars.

The country must be conquered by military generals, but after it is conquered, governance must rely on civil officials.

Just as he was thinking about discussing whether or not to hold the imperial examination with Xiao Qingxuan, he heard Chief Clerk Xu Zheng rush in again.

"General Lin! General Lin! It's bad!"

"What is it now?" Lin Xiao was speechless; why was this guy always so jumpy?

"Governor Yao Zhengang of Fushan and Governor Jin Ao of Yicheng have brought officials from both prefectures and a large force to Yangquan!"

Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan looked at each other and smiled. It wasn't even the Lower Primordial Festival yet, and they couldn't wait?

As expected, heaven destroys those who don't look out for themselves; no one trusts anyone!

"If they are coming, let them come. Does this General need to go to the city gate to welcome them?"

Chief Clerk Xu Zheng had a wry expression: "I am afraid you really have to go... They... they have started fighting!!"