283: Chapter 283 Outshining All Others

Xiao Qingxuan smiled and said, "Old Yu has only just finished setting up the 'Development Zone' in Yangquan. Husband, you're going to work him to death!"

"Don't we still have Xie Yu and Yao Gang? Many people in the team Old Yu leads should be ready to graduate by now!"

The more Lin Xiao thought about it, the more excited he became. He said with great ambition:

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"The Northern Territory has the convenience of water transport via the Cang River, which provides a natural advantage for transporting people and goods. I must make use of it."

Leng Bingyan realized, "No wonder you said you wanted to take a detour through E Prefecture and Yu Prefecture before returning to Cang Province, Husband. So it was to select sites for factories?"

"Heavens, the Northern Trade Alliance has already made a fortune just by building factories in Cang Province. If they open across the entire Northern Territory, wouldn't Husband become the richest man in the world?" Mu Wanying didn't even dare to imagine it.

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow and said, "If I don't earn money, how am I supposed to support all you little beauties?"

The women burst into giggles. Even though it was a joke, they were quite happy to hear it.

Zhao Caiwei, however, was completely confused: "Husband, Northern Industry, Development Zones... what are all those?"

She had heard of the Zhenbei Army Arsenal from General Zhao Kuan, but she didn't know much else.

"No rush. We'll head to E Prefecture first, and I'll explain it to you slowly on the way."

The carriage headed east.

On the way, Lin Xiao gave Zhao Caiwei a crash course on some basic industrial knowledge.

The other women also listened with great interest; these were things that couldn't be learned from books.

Lin Xiao wasn't just talking casually; he truly hoped his women could understand him.

Since they had become a family, they should be of one mind. Only by having a common goal could they go the distance together.

In Lin Xiao's view, winning a war wasn't too difficult; in many battles, he could simply crush the enemy with martial force.

What he truly wanted was for the people under his rule to be well-fed, well-clothed, and able to live in peace and prosperity. That was a goal more worth pursuing.

Once he finished talking about industry, Xiao Qingxuan asked:

"Husband, Official Xie Tong is an imperial envoy after all, and he didn't give notice before coming. It's fine if we don't see him."

"But that Lu Sanchuan is clearly full of resentment. What if he goes to Cang Province to wait for you?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "I'm not avoiding him because I'm afraid to see him, but because it's unnecessary."

"What I am doing surely seems rebellious and incomprehensible to him."

"Only time can prove whether the path I am taking is correct."

"If he has the patience to wait and understand things, that would naturally be best."

"If he's a stubborn blockhead who insists on causing trouble for me, then I won't be polite either."

The women all understood Lin Xiao's meaning upon hearing this.

In a sense, Lin Xiao not seeing Lu Sanchuan was a way of 'protecting' him.

By leaving him aside, he was letting him cool off and think things through.

If, in the end, Lu Sanchuan became an obstacle to Lin Xiao's reform of the Zhenbei Army, then this talent would simply have to be 'discarded.'

Inspecting the disaster conditions in various places along the way, Lin Xiao's group arrived in Hanyang two days later.

At the gates of Hanyang, only one makeshift hospital remained.

inspector general Feng Yuzhang, leading a group of officials, along with the wealthiest man Hu Wengui and his daughter, were all waiting respectfully.

Hu Xinyi had specifically worn a brand-new green Shu embroidery padded jacket. The white fur collar made her skin appear even fairer, bright and moving.

The golden kingfisher feather tassel hairpin on her head made her look both noble and elegant.

Having heard early on that Lin Xiao was coming to inspect the disaster in Hanyang, she had dressed up grandly just to leave a beautiful first impression on the man.

She had missed out several times before, but this time, she was finally going to get her wish!

The carriage stopped.

Lin Xiao stepped out of the carriage. Dressed in plain clothes, he still looked handsome and extraordinary, not at all like a battlefield warrior.

This was the Great General Lin? The hero who saved countless people in the Northern Territory and drove the rebel Prince Bai to his death?

Hu Xinyi's eyes were instantly drawn to him, unable to look away.

"Xinyi!"

Hu Wengui gave his daughter a nudge to snap her out of it.

Feng Yuzhang had already led the E Prefecture officials to kneel down one after another.

"Feng Yuzhang, inspector general of E Prefecture, together with the officials of E Prefecture, pays respects to Great General Lin! Our thanks to Great General Lin for saving the people of E Prefecture!!"

A chorus of gratitude rang out, all coming from the bottom of their hearts!

During those past days, the Imperial Court and Prince Bai had ignored them completely.

It was Lin Xiao who had the Zhenbei Army provide disaster relief in E Prefecture, treat the sick, and send miraculous medicine.

Many of the people and their families here had only survived because of that miraculous medicine!

Lin Xiao helped Feng Yuzhang up. "inspector general Feng, there is no need for such grand ceremony. Everyone, please rise."

"Since I, Lin Xiao, govern the six provinces, providing relief and saving the people is my duty."

Govern the six provinces?

Feng Yuzhang and many others noticed the 'ambiguity' in those words.

But given the current scene, no one dared to raise an objection.

In fact, they didn't really mind it in their hearts.

"General Lin, you still remember me, right? I am Hu Wengui, and Lord Feng is my brother-in-law."

"Today, my daughter Xinyi and I have prepared a welcome banquet at Wenchang Tower. We hope the General will grace us with your presence..."

Hu Xinyi also hurried to seize the opportunity, stepping forward with a graceful bow. "General, I am Hu Xinyi. I have long admired your great name."

"Sister Su Wansha and I often exchange letters. May I ask if Sister Su has come?"

She actually knew Su Wansha was in Yangquan, but to close the distance quickly, she had to say it this way.

Lin Xiao shook his head. "Wansha isn't here, but my other wives are all present."

He gestured back, and Xiao Qingxuan and the other women stepped gracefully out of the carriage.

When the three women—one heroic and bright, one cold and sexy, and one cool and ethereal—stepped out, everyone present was left dumbfounded!

And when the last one, Xiao Qingxuan, who wore no makeup and simple clothes yet remained devastatingly beautiful, appeared and completely outshone everyone, it caused everyone to gasp!

"Greetings, Lord Feng."

Xiao Qingxuan bowed on behalf of the women.

Feng Yuzhang hurriedly returned the bow. For some reason, he felt more pressure than when facing Lin Xiao; cold sweat began to bead on his forehead!

Hu Xinyi clenched her hands inside her sleeves, looking at the four women before her in disbelief.

If Mu Wanying and the others could still make her feel envious, then Xiao Qingxuan... made her feel utter despair!

If she hadn't forced herself to stay composed, she would have burst into tears!

Lin Xiao naturally didn't go to the welcome banquet at Wenchang Tower, using the excuse of being tired to go rest at the temporary Generals Mansion.

In the carriage, Leng Bingyan suppressed a smile and said, "Husband, you're so mean. That Miss Hu clearly had feelings for you, yet you crushed her like that."

"Exactly. We didn't even plan to get out, but Husband insisted we act as the 'wicked women'," Mu Wanying sighed.

Lin Xiao pinched both their cheeks. "Look at you two, gloating like that!"

"What is the Hu family's status? They collude with officials and have embezzled who knows how much land from the people of E Prefecture!"

"The Northern Trade Alliance certainly has business dealings with them, but aside from letting Wansha discuss business, I never have much contact with them."

"This is so that when the time comes for a reckoning in the future, I won't be dragged into it."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled and said, "If Husband says that, Wansha will be heartbroken."

Lin Xiao laughed loudly. "Wansha is a merchant by nature, it doesn't affect her. Besides, she's very shrewd; she never introduced that Hu Xinyi to you, did she?"

The women nodded. That was true; it seemed Su Wansha had been on guard long ago.

Amidst their idle chat, the group arrived at the gates of the Generals Mansion where they were to stay.

Just as they got out, they saw a carriage stopped nearby.

An elegant official was waiting there.

"This humble official, Minister Liu Zongfu, has been waiting for General Lin for a long time."

When Lin Xiao saw this fellow, his expression remained calm, but his perception swept over Xiao Qingxuan beside him.

Sure enough, Xiao Qingxuan frowned slightly, appearing somewhat displeased.