280: Chapter 280 Too Dangerous

The sky turned dark.

A group of Zhenbei Army cooks arrived at Shuangxigou and set up large pots.

Everyone realized then that Lin Xiao had prepared over a dozen sheep to reward them.

The soldiers were jubilant, and the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

After a long day of work, having only eaten some dry rations with water, everyone was famished.

The officers and soldiers gathered around the bonfires, drinking mutton soup and eating flatbreads.

Even the villagers of Shuangxigou received a portion. The locals were deeply grateful; after all, for most of them, it was their first time eating mutton.

Once everyone was full, lit by dozens of fires, they gathered in an open space.

They had heard that Lin Xiao wanted to say a few words. While they weren't sure what he would talk about, it was likely to be about tomorrow's work.

Lin Xiao walked to the center of the clearing and asked with a smile, "Brothers, have you eaten your fill?"

"Yes!—"

A group of people responded loudly, full of joy.

Lin Xiao asked again, "Who do you think provided this mutton?"

"It was you, General Lin!"

"Thank you for the meat, General Lin!"

People immediately chimed in with answers, and voices of gratitude were constant.

Lin Xiao waved his hand and said, "You're only half right. These sheep were originally raised by the Bai Princes Mansion, intended only for Prince Bai to entertain guests."

"General Lin, even if they originally belonged to Prince Bai, we wouldn't have been able to eat them without you!"

"That's right, we still have General Lin to thank!"

The officers and soldiers all agreed.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Then why don't you think about it again—do these sheep really belong to Prince Bai?"

"Did he, Prince Bai, give birth to the sheep? Did he graze them? Or did he help deliver the lambs?"

Everyone looked at each other. How could a dignified prince raise livestock himself?

"General Lin, then Prince Bai must have bought them from farmers!"

"No, how could the Bai Princes Mansion buy them? Some corrupt official must have offered them as tribute!"

Someone immediately started arguing.

Lin Xiao nodded. "Exactly, that's the key. You being able to eat mutton today isn't because of Prince Bai, nor is it because of me, Lin Xiao, but because of the common people who grazed and raised those sheep!"

"Without them, whether it's Prince Bai or myself, we wouldn't be able to give you mutton to eat. Do you agree with what I'm saying?"

The soldiers thought about it carefully and felt there was no problem with that logic.

"General Lin, it's not just livestock; the rice and flour are also grown by farmers. Isn't it the same principle?"

Someone said boldly.

Lin Xiao pointed at that person. "You are absolutely right. Then let me ask you another thing: who provides your military pay?"

"Of course it's General Lin... No! It's the Zhenbei Army!"

"You're wrong!"

A clever person immediately interrupted: "It's the same principle as the food. It should be the people of Great Gan. They pay taxes, and only then does the imperial court have the money to issue military pay!"

The soldiers whispered among themselves and nodded frequently, feeling that this made sense.

"Well said!"

Lin Xiao shouted, causing the scene to fall silent.

"Then let me ask you another question. Since the food you eat and the military pay you receive are all given by the people of Great Gan, then who exactly is the person you should be loyal to!?"

This final question was deafening, instantly silencing the entire crowd!

The soldiers were all dumbfounded. Although many already had an answer in their minds, it was... simply too shocking!

Both Zhao Caiwei and Mu Wanying were hearing such a theory for the first time. Looking at their husband, they were both extremely nervous!

What was their husband trying to do? Shouldn't he be making the army loyal to him?

Although the logic seemed correct, what... benefit did this have for Lin Xiao himself?

"Why has everyone gone quiet?"

Lin Xiao looked around with a smile. Many soldiers didn't dare to meet his gaze and silently lowered their heads.

"Is it Prince Bai? Prince Yan? The Emperor? Or Grand Marshal Lu? Commander-in-Chief Zhao? Or... me, Lin Xiao?"

Seeing that no one answered, Lin Xiao wasn't surprised.

It wasn't realistic to change such deeply rooted ideas in a short time.

"It's fine if you don't say anything. For the next two days, we will be here clearing land."

"Two days from now, I want you to write your answers on paper!"

"Rest assured, there will be rewards for those who get it right, and there will be no punishment for those who get it wrong!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the soldiers whispered, curious about what the rewards would be and anxious about whether there really would be no punishment.

Late at night.

The soldiers were so tired that they were all snoring in their tents.

Some, however, tossed and turned, thinking about Lin Xiao's words.

Lin Xiao himself went to a dilapidated, empty little house in the village.

A dim lantern lit up the room, where Xiao Qingxuan was already waiting.

"My lady, I told you there was no need to come over. You could have just stayed at the Generals Mansion. Why come here to suffer?"

Knowing he would be staying in Shuangxigou for two days, Xiao Qingxuan had come to accompany him after finishing her official duties, planning to return to the city in the morning.

In the past, Xiao Qingxuan's body certainly wouldn't have been able to handle it, but now with her Martial Arts Grandmaster strength, it was no problem.

"This house might be old, but it's more spacious than your ancestral home, husband. How can this be considered suffering?" Xiao Qingxuan said teasingly.

Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment, thinking of his "ancestral home" in the Stone Fortress, and laughed, speechless.

Mu Wanying and Zhao Caiwei were in the room next door. Having washed up, they walked in at this time.

"Oh, now that Shuangxigou has water, it's much more convenient. During the day, there wasn't even a place to fetch water."

"Yes, no wonder the villagers are so happy. Husband has truly done a great deed!"

Xiao Qingxuan greeted them, "Wanying, Caiwei, you've worked hard accompanying husband all day. I brought some dates for you; they're very sweet."

"Qing'er is still the most caring. Following husband, we've really suffered. We've never been porters since we were children."

Mu Wanying picked up a Winter Date, took a bite, and joked.

"Thank you, Qing'er."

Zhao Caiwei smiled serenely. "Though it was a bit tiring, I really learned a lot being by husband's side today."

Mu Wanying nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. Before, I never thought there was such deep reasoning behind the food and things we use."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingxuan became curious. "Oh? What did husband do today? You both seem to have gained a lot from it."

Zhao Caiwei then recounted everything Lin Xiao had done and said today.

As Xiao Qingxuan listened, she initially found it interesting, but gradually, her expression became grave. By the end, her brows were tightly furrowed, and there was a hint of solemnity in her eyes.

Lin Xiao sipped his tea and ate dates, not at all surprised by the Empress wife's change in expression.

After all, as the former Empress, Xiao Qingxuan was the "head" of the feudal ruling class!

If a class struggle were truly to begin, the first person to be overthrown would be her!

Lin Xiao knew these thoughts would have a huge impact on Xiao Qingxuan, but sooner was better than later.

As a modern person, a proletarian from a common background, he had no inherent respect for imperial power.

Even if he were to become emperor in the future, it would only be a "transition." Sooner or later, he would return power to the people; he had no interest in establishing a dynasty for generations.

Moreover, he still had martial arts realms to pursue. Compared to being an emperor, he wanted immortality more.

When the time came, wouldn't traveling the world with his beautiful wives be better than sitting on that lifeless Dragon Throne?

I came, I conquered, and that's enough!

"Husband, I feel... isn't what you're doing too dangerous?"

Xiao Qingxuan chose her words carefully and looked at Lin Xiao with concern.

"Oh? How is it dangerous? Go ahead and say it, my lady," Lin Xiao turned back and smiled.