57: Chapter 0057 I Want Them All

Su Wansha looked stunned. "Gongshu Yu? You're saying he's Gongshu Yu?!"

"Oh? Boss Su has heard of his name?" Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.

Su Wansha nodded hurriedly. "The Gongshu Family has produced master craftsmen for generations, primarily serving the imperial family by building palaces and imperial mausoleums."

"But three years ago, the Empress Dowager passed away, and just a few days after her burial, the imperial mausoleum collapsed!"

"Emperor Hong was furious and executed a large number of officials involved in the construction, but the designer of the project, Gongshu Yu, was the only one who escaped..."

"At the time, the incident caused a massive stir in the capital. Now that Emperor Hong is being campaigned against by the vassal kings, some people are still using this incident as leverage."

"After all, failing to even maintain the imperial mausoleum is seen as a great act of unfiliality for a ruler of a nation."

Lin Xiao realized the truth and looked at the old man playfully. "Old Yu, this isn't right of you. How did you manage to build an imperial mausoleum that collapsed!?"

"What the hell does that have to do with me!?"

Seeing he could no longer hide it, Old Yu scrambled to his feet in a rage. "It was those corrupt officials from the Ministry of Works! They embezzled at every level and used substandard materials. What could I have done!?"

"I told them building it like that would cause trouble, but they just wouldn't believe me!"

"If I hadn't finished the project on time, it would have been a capital offense!"

At this point, Old Yu's face was filled with grief and indignation. "And then, to please the Emperor, those corrupt officials wanted the workers to be buried alive with the Empress Dowager!"

"You old rascal, you escaped yourself, so why did you let the workers be buried with her?" Lin Xiao said disdainfully.

"Don't talk nonsense! No one from my Gongshu Family would do such a wicked thing!"

Old Yu said proudly, "I left a back door in the mausoleum that led directly to the underground drainage canal. Those craftsmen didn't die at all!"

"The court is hunting me precisely because they discovered there were no funerary sacrifices inside!"

Su Wansha nodded. "He's not lying. I've heard this news as well. That's why Emperor Hong listed Gongshu Yu as a wanted criminal—because he deceived the Emperor."

"So... if I hand him over to the court, the Emperor should reward me!"

Lin Xiao said, stroking his chin.

"You... stop that! If you really wanted to hand me over, why would you bring me here for wine?"

Old Yu bolstered his courage and said, "I guess you must want me to do some work. Speak plainly!"

Lin Xiao grinned; chatting with smart people was indeed easy.

"Actually, it's nothing much. As long as you work for me, I'll not only provide you with good wine but also keep you safe and sound."

Hearing there was wine, Old Yu swallowed hard. "Truly?"

"Aside from trusting me, do you have a choice?" Lin Xiao countered.

Old Yu sighed and could only nod in agreement.

Beside them, Su Wansha's beautiful eyes blinked in confusion. How did Lin Xiao recognize Gongshu Yu?

This man... truly exuded an air of mystery!

After the meal, Lin Xiao took Old Yu to the training grounds outside the city where Li Xu, Chen Chuan, and the others practiced mounted archery.

Li Xu was currently training; while riding, he fired three consecutive arrows, all hitting the bullseye fifty paces away!

Old Yu's eyes lit up at the sight. "Excellent archery!"

However, the others, aside from Chen Chuan, were lacking, mostly hitting only one bullseye at best.

"Old Yu, in three days, I want the five people here to be able to beat the Mu Family Army in mounted archery. Do you think it's possible?" Lin Xiao asked.

"The Mu Family Army? Those are the Golden Scale Guards, all of them elite soldiers handpicked from the military!"

Old Yu shook his head. "Aside from those two, the other three don't stand a chance."

Lin Xiao's heart sank; it was just as he had expected.

Originally, he had planned to find some way to win even if it meant cheating, but now that Old Yu was here, things were simpler.

If strength isn't enough, technology will make up for it!

"It has to be possible. I want you to find a way. If you succeed, five jars of Xinghua Village wine!" Lin Xiao said.

Old Yu's eyes immediately lit up. He frowned and thought for a moment. "At least ten jars!"

Lin Xiao laughed loudly. "Aren't you afraid of drinking yourself to death... fine, deal!"

After arranging this matter, Lin Xiao returned to his manor.

With Old Yu's arrival, some of his concepts now had the possibility of being implemented.

Lin Xiao went to his study and began to draw diagrams.

He was from a science and engineering background, but his drawing skills were average. Fortunately, some things didn't need to be drawn perfectly; as long as they could inspire Old Yu, they should be useful.

At dusk.

Xiao Qingxuan and her party returned.

Lin Xiao heard the commotion and immediately went out, wanting to share today's gains with the woman.

But upon looking, he found Xiao Qingxuan's clothes were filthy and her hair was a mess.

As soon as Xiao Qingxuan saw Lin Xiao, a hint of panic flickered in her eyes.

"Husband... I will go and wash up," the woman bowed and tried to leave in a hurry.

Lin Xiao grabbed his wife's fair wrist, his expression solemn. "My lady, what happened? Who bullied you?"

"Husband... I..."

Xiao Qingxuan's eyes grew moist, and she threw herself into the man's arms, her delicate body trembling.

"I am useless. I wanted to share your burdens, but I couldn't even do such a small thing well..."

Lin Xiao patted the woman's back. "Don't cry. What happened?"

"Let me tell you!"

Leng Bingyan walked in at that moment, her face icy. "On the way back just now, a group of village children threw stones and mud at Qing'er."

"They were all cursing her as a 'heterochromatic-eyed monster' and a 'calamity star'..."

Lin Xiao frowned. "Children?"

"Exactly. Someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes, using those ignorant children."

Leng Bingyan said indignantly, "After all, you hold military power now. Those people don't dare to provoke you directly, so they only dare to make small moves behind your back."

"If it were adults, you might just kill them, but with a group of children, if you move against them, you'll only become a laughingstock and lose your prestige."

Lin Xiao's gaze turned cold. That was indeed despicable enough.

"My lady, do you know who they are?"

Xiao Qingxuan wiped her tears. "Naturally, it's the group of people who least want to see us cultivating the wasteland."

"You mean... the landlords of Baishui Prefecture?"

Xiao Qingxuan nodded.

"Yes. Several wealthy gentry in Baishui Prefecture control the grain and fields. Once we cultivate more land, they won't be able to hike up prices anymore."

"Moreover, Husband is opposing Prince Bai, which has nearly closed off trade in Baishui Prefecture. Many merchants also hate you to the bone."

Lin Xiao's eyes flashed with killing intent. "I didn't go to provoke them, yet they are eager to seek death..."

"Husband, you must not act on impulse. Killing is simple, but it is only a poor strategy."

"Once you start, wealthy merchants will avoid us in the future and won't dare to do business with us. In the long run, the loss outweighs the gain."

Xiao Qingxuan said with concern, "It's nothing for me to suffer some grievances. If Husband wants to establish a foothold in these troubled times, you cannot destroy your own reputation."

"Those people used children to humiliate me just to make you lose your reason. You must not fall into their trap!"

Lin Xiao looked at his wife, who was considering his interests at every turn, and felt moved.

"Rest assured, my lady. I want my reputation, but my woman shall not suffer grievances either!"

Xiao Qingxuan was puzzled. "Husband... do you have a countermeasure?"

Lin Xiao smiled playfully. "Go wash up first, my lady. I'll take you to Baiyu Pavilion for a good meal first!"

Both Xiao Qingxuan and Leng Bingyan were bewildered. Going to a restaurant? What kind of method was that?