42: Chapter 0042 Professional Home-Raiding Expert

Lin Xiao slammed his hand on the table. "The Lu family's debts must be repaid by the Lu family. That's perfectly reasonable!"

"Come to think of it, the highest-ranking official in Baishui City now is Brother Zhao, who holds the fifth-rank position, right?"

"The Prefect, the Chief Clerk, and the Commandant are all dead. It's only natural for Brother Zhao to take over Baishui Prefecture!"

General Zhao Kuan smiled wryly. This wasn't asking him to manage things; it was making him a puppet!

It was nothing more than using his name to issue orders, making things appear more legitimate.

Soon, Lin Xiao called for Su Chang and had him draft a public notice.

It stated that Official Lu Yang and his son had died from severe injuries inflicted by assassins sent by Prince Bai.

The funeral would be simple, and all the family members of the Lu estate would be dismissed.

Until the imperial court issued new appointment documents, Baishui Prefecture would be temporarily managed by the fifth-rank military advisor, General Zhao Kuan.

Initially, many people thought this was absurd.

A fifth-rank military advisor from the Border Army wanted to take direct control of the entire Baishui City? Wasn't that ridiculous?

Not to mention anything else, would the five thousand garrison troops even listen to him?!

But the situation that followed made those who were waiting to watch the show from the sidelines drop their jaws in shock!

The garrison troops were paid!!

Not only was the over fifty thousand taels of silver in arrears paid in full, but starting next month, everyone's military pay would increase by fifty percent!

When the soldiers received their pay, many were moved to tears, feeling deeply grateful to Lin Xiao and General Zhao Kuan.

Regardless, by securing control of the military, Baishui Prefecture was temporarily stabilized on the surface.

That night, the Prefects Mansion was very quiet.

Xiao Qingxuan had dismissed almost all the servants, leaving only a few capable maids and a cook.

The woman, along with Zheng Siqi, handled everything in the Prefects Mansion that could be sold or pawned.

Not only that, but she also found a hidden compartment in the study, discovering several land deeds and property deeds.

By selling and confiscating these, they could raise at least another one hundred thousand taels of silver!

Lin Xiao had to admire her; professional work really required a professional!

When it came to raiding an official's home, his Empress wife was simply too professional!!

Late at night.

Xiao Qingxuan was hunched over the desk, the lamp lit, still writing and drawing.

"My wife, it's so late, what are you still doing?"

After taking a bath and changing into a loose white robe, Lin Xiao wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Xiao Qingxuan had also washed up; her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and even without makeup, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Husband, look, this is the map of Baishui Prefecture I asked Lord Su for."

"Reclaiming farmland is a major task. It requires suitable soil and terrain, and we must try to avoid being affected by the war."

"I've circled a few locations and plan to have Alias for Leng Bingyan survey them tomorrow."

"Many more residents from the Stone Fortress will arrive tomorrow, so we must settle them into their future homes as soon as possible."

Xiao Qingxuan sighed and said, "Actually, what I worry about most is whether Prince Bai will attack immediately."

"If Prince Bai doesn't take us seriously and focuses on dealing with the other vassal kings first, that would be a good thing."

"But if his main army arrives at our gates, I fear it will be very difficult for us to recover and rebuild..."

Lin Xiao had naturally worried about this issue too, but overthinking was useless; he could only take it one step at a time.

Only when they had spare energy could they build an intelligence network and seize more initiative.

"My wife, you really are a virtuous partner. Managing such a large prefecture is no trouble for you at all, is it?"

Lin Xiao teased her deliberately.

Xiao Qingxuan turned around, her cool, small hands brushing against the man's cheek.

"Husband, thank you for believing in me. I never thought I would have such an opportunity..."

Although she was the monarch of a nation, she had been overthrown shortly after ascending the throne.

She had studied a wealth of knowledge on governance, yet never had the chance to apply it.

Now, although she was only managing a prefecture, Xiao Qingxuan discovered that she was not entirely useless.

She felt as if she had found the meaning of life; she was not a useless emperor.

Lin Xiao smirked, "Since you want to thank me so much... shouldn't you wear that outfit?"

Xiao Qingxuan was stunned, but immediately understood that he meant that embarrassing black garment...

"Husband... can we choose something else..."

"No, I want to see you wear that one!"

Xiao Qingxuan shot him a coquettish glare, but ultimately couldn't refuse the man.

"Then... then let's go to the bedroom."

"No, tonight, I want to be with you right here in the study!"

Lin Xiao leaned into the woman's ear and whispered softly.

Xiao Qingxuan's pretty face flushed with a rosy hue...

That night, Lin Xiao's three-hundred-year-old Indestructible Golden Body displayed its mighty power!

The most miserable person, however, was Alias for Leng Bingyan, who was sleeping in the adjacent room.

The woman covered her ears, but it was completely useless.

She didn't get a wink of sleep the entire night!

Over the next two days, Xiao Qingxuan kept avoiding Lin Xiao.

In order to avoid being caught by the man and forced to wear that embarrassing outfit again, she even begged Leng Bingyan to take her along to inspect the wasteland in various counties.

Lin Xiao was also speechless about his own combat prowess; the fact that his Indestructible Golden Body could actually enhance that ability was truly an "unexpected surprise"!

After three consecutive days of transfer, almost all the military and civilians from the Stone Fortress had migrated over.

Lin Xiao and General Zhao Kuan were busy directing, settling each household into different reclamation sites, and were quite occupied.

At noon on the fourth day, at the city gate.

Lin Xiao was having a simple lunch with a few Border Army soldiers.

If one more shipment of supplies arrived today, the relocation of the Stone Fortress would basically be complete.

As for the remaining empty city, even if they gave it to the Northern Barbarians, those savages who only knew how to herd wouldn't want it.

Just then, a handsome young master dressed in a blue male long robe walked over.

"Young Master Su? Why haven't I seen you these past few days?"

The person who arrived was none other than Su Wansha.

For some reason, the woman's expression was somewhat cold.

Lin Xiao couldn't be bothered to overthink it and stood up, saying, "Did Elder Zhu agree?"

"Hmph, besides asking about my teacher, do you have nothing else to say?" Su Wansha said, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"Uh... you look very handsome today?" Lin Xiao flattered her.

"Who asked you to praise me for being handsome!?"

Su Wansha was furious, "Why didn't you say earlier that you had a wife!?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao couldn't help but retort, "Why would I say it? You didn't ask."

"You..."

Su Wansha lowered her head, her face slightly flushed as she said angrily, "You clearly have a wife, so why did you come to flirt with me, saying things like love at first sight?"

"I wasn't flirting with you!"

Lin Xiao said frankly, "I have a wife, but I can still take a concubine!"

"You... you scoundrel! You lecher!!"

Su Wansha was almost moved to tears, tears welling up in her eyes. She stomped her foot in anger and turned to leave.

Lin Xiao pursed his lips. If you don't want to, you don't have to, but don't forget the important business!

"Hey! Elder Zhu What exactly do you mean??!"

Lin Xiao went up and grabbed Su Wansha's arm.

"You... let go of me!! My teacher won't see you!!" Su Wansha struggled hard.

"Why won't he see me? Is he not satisfied with my answer?" Lin Xiao pressed.

But just then, a panicked and disheveled Border Army soldier came running from outside the city gate.

"Commander Lin! It's bad!! Our supplies were robbed by mountain bandits halfway here!!"