56: Chapter 0056 Legendary Craftsman

The other actors and musicians weren't anything special.

Only a slovenly little old man with a face full of unhappiness and a brandy nose caught Lin Xiao's attention!

[Old Yu (Real name: Gongshu Yu), 51 years old, Imperial Tomb Craftsman, troupe handyman, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Traits: Supernatural Craftsmanship (Legendary), Imperial Fugitive, Brewer]

Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. A legendary trait! This old man was no simpleton!

"Little System, what exactly does 'Supernatural Craftsmanship' mean?"

[System: Supernatural Craftsmanship, a top-tier craftsman trait. It requires reaching the pinnacle of at least one of the six major crafts: earth, metal, stone, wood, leather, or dyeing!]

Lin Xiao pointed at the old man and asked, "Is this old man also part of your troupe?"

The troupe leader responded tremblingly, "Reporting to the General, his name is Old Yu, and he's a handyman in the troupe."

"What does he usually do?"

"He's in charge of some props. He has good skills; if our performance props or instruments break, he can fix them. He doesn't even want money, just follows us for a bite to eat, so I took him in."

Lin Xiao nodded. "I see your troupe has over a dozen people. It hasn't been easy coming to this frontier. Why don't you come back to Baishui City with us?"

"Huh?"

The troupe leader and the others flopped to their knees. "General, have mercy! We are just traveling performers, not part of the Cangzhou Army!"

"Who said anything about killing you?"

Lin Xiao said speechlessly, "I'm inviting you to Baishui Prefecture to perform! If you perform well, I'll pay you!"

Hearing it was for performing, the troupe leader and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

General Zhao Kuan frowned, wanting to say something but stopping himself, eventually remaining silent.

Lin Xiao noticed it. After the troupe left to pack their things, he turned back and asked with a smile, "Brother Zhao, if you have something to say, just say it!"

As for General Zhao Kuan, Lin Xiao truly treated him as one of his own, even though General Zhao Kuan's kindness toward him was also based on his own interests.

But people are selfish. General Zhao Kuan's ability to stand his ground and advance or retreat with him was already loyal enough.

The key was that although General Zhao Kuan wasn't strong in martial arts, he was reliable and had an eye for talent.

"Brother, I might say something that makes you unhappy, but although we've temporarily repelled the Prefectural Army, the crisis has only just begun!"

"At a time like this, if we indulge in luxury and pleasure, I'm afraid we'll suffer a great loss!"

Lin Xiao laughed loudly. "Brother Zhao, you've misunderstood. It's not that I want to listen to opera, but I want the commoners and soldiers who are diligently clearing the wasteland to listen to it!"

"Let the people clearing the wasteland listen to opera? Why?" General Zhao Kuan was puzzled.

Mu Wanying was also very curious about why her lover always had such fresh ideas.

"Clearing wasteland is already very bitter. When they rest at night, being able to find joy in the hardship and listen to some opera will give everyone motivation!"

"This is called spiritual food; it's also a kind of psychological massage, just like eating!"

General Zhao Kuan didn't quite understand, but thinking about it carefully, it probably meant balancing work and rest, which wasn't wrong.

"It was this brother who blamed you wrongly. You have indeed thought of everything, brother!"

Mu Wanying's beautiful eyes sparkled. Wasn't this about boosting morale and encouraging the troops? Her Lin Lang really knew how to find ways!

The group brought the grain, fodder, and the troupe, quickly retreating to Baishui City.

On the way back, a small episode occurred.

The garrison soldiers and the Mu Family Army were arguing about who had killed more enemies and whose archery was superior.

To settle the score, they almost came to blows!

Fortunately, Mu Wanying and General Zhao Kuan spoke up in time, so the two groups didn't resort to violence.

But Lin Xiao understood that things couldn't continue like this. If the army wasn't united internally, they would suffer a great loss sooner or later!

The agreed-upon horse archery competition was in three days, and Lin Xiao felt that it could not be lost!

Once inside the city, the commoners heard that Lin Xiao had led a few hundred men to force back thirty thousand Cangzhou Army soldiers and had even killed General Fan Zhong. They were both shocked and delighted.

Lin Xiao's prestige rose to another level.

Of course, many people were secretly worried. After all, Baishui Prefecture had become a thorn in Prince Bai's side, and a large army would eventually come to suppress them again.

And next time, it would likely be even harder to withstand!

Lin Xiao certainly knew this, but there was no use overthinking it; it was better to do his own tasks well.

He sent the troupe to report to the Agricultural Bureau, saying he had arranged for them to perform for the people reclaiming the wasteland at the front line.

However, Old Yu was kept behind by Lin Xiao.

The little old man looked displeased, but due to Lin Xiao's martial prowess, he didn't dare to resist.

Lin Xiao took the old man directly to Baiyu Pavilion. Because his status had changed, the waiter didn't dare to stop him this time and went straight to inform Su Wansha.

"Oh, what an honored guest. Our 'God of War of the Frontier,' Lin Xiao, how do you have time to visit my humble shop?"

Su Wansha was dressed in men's clothing, holding a folding fan, looking like a graceful young gentleman, but her words were filled with the scent of vinegar.

This man hadn't looked for her for several days. Since Elder Zhu wouldn't see him, he just stopped dealing with her?

What was even more detestable was that his heterochromatic-eyed wife was beautiful enough, and now Mu Wanying had arrived as well. How annoying!

"What 'God of War of the Frontier'? Don't go making up titles!"

"I wouldn't dare speak nonsense. Now the whole Baishui Prefecture is rumored to call you the 'God of War of the Frontier,' the 'Killing God of the Frontier,' and some even call you 'The Butcher,' each one more fierce than the last!"

Su Wansha's gaze was complex. As this man's prestige grew higher and higher, she felt him getting further and further away from her.

In the future, there would surely be even more women fighting to marry him...

"Is that so?"

Lin Xiao hadn't noticed. He smiled and said, "At least in front of Boss Su, I am simply Lin Xiao."

Hearing this, Su Wansha couldn't help but be slightly startled, a strange feeling flowing through her heart...

This bad man, what does he mean by saying that!

"Boss Su, bring out the good wine and food. It's my treat!"

Hearing this, Su Wansha then carefully sized up Old Yu, wondering why he had brought a scruffy old man, but she didn't ask much.

After a while, the wine and food were served.

As soon as Old Yu smelled the wine, he grabbed the jug and hurriedly gulped down two mouthfuls.

"Xinghua Village wine, this is good! It requires collecting the unique apricot blossoms of the Northern Region, steaming and drying them three times before infusing them into the wine. There aren't many establishments in the Northern Region that can sell this wine!"

Su Wansha showed a look of surprise. "I didn't expect... this old gentleman to be an expert."

This Xinghua Village wine was something she personally had someone brew. There wasn't much stock, and it was only used when receiving honored guests.

No wonder Lin Xiao would bring this person to the restaurant. It seemed... the old man's background was not ordinary!

"Old Yu, do you like this wine?"

Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"I like it! I haven't had this kind of wine in a long time. Is there more?"

Old Yu downed a jug in a few large gulps. His brandy nose was red, and Lin Xiao looked much more pleasing to his eyes!

"You can have the wine, but I want to hear you tell me exactly what you did to become an Imperial Fugitive?"

Lin Xiao called out the other's real name word by word: "Gongshu Yu."

As soon as these words were spoken, Old Yu's face turned pale, and he was so scared that he slid right off his stool!

"You... how did you know!?"