60: Chapter 0060 Who's Spreading Rumors?

"Commander Lin, may I ask, how did you manage to uncover this intelligence?"

Su Wansha was well-prepared. "I earned my first pot of gold selling wine at fifteen, and opened a restaurant at seventeen."

"I don't know how many refugees and beggars in Baishui Prefecture have received my help."

"For an outsider like Commander Lin, investigating these things is indeed inconvenient, but for me, it's not difficult at all."

"Besides, children find it hard to lie. Following the trail is not difficult."

Lin Xiao thought to himself, 'I don't believe a word of it!'

With your first three descriptors—talented woman, businesswoman, culinary skills—reciting poetry and painting, opening a restaurant to make money is plausible enough.

But wanting to build an intelligence network? Not to mention the time and energy, it's impossible without sufficient military force!

In all likelihood, Su Chang has some connections; after all, he is an inner sect disciple of the academy.

I always felt it was strange that this guy would appear in Baishui Prefecture and be content with being a mere registrar.

"Miss Su is truly exceptionally talented. I admire you."

"Hmph, not a shred of sincerity."

Su Wansha felt a bit disappointed. She had thought the man would be surprised and shower her with praise, but this reaction was just too ordinary!

"Although it has been investigated, there is no direct evidence after all. What do you intend to do?"

Lin Xiao gave a grim smile. "Evidence? I never intended to interrogate the Qiu family. Why would I need evidence?"

Su Wansha looked puzzled, not understanding what the man meant.

"Lin Xiao, are you going to lead your troops directly into the Qiu family residence?"

Mu Wanying and Xiao Qingxuan walked out together after finishing breakfast. Hearing Lin Xiao's words, they immediately perked up.

"I am willing to accompany you. It would be best to wipe out such despicable villains!"

Xiao Qingxuan advised, "Wanying, don't be impulsive. Husband must have a better way."

"Those who know me best are my wives."

Lin Xiao chuckled, embracing the two beauties in his arms.

"Wives, you go about your business. Wanying, you take the Mu Family Army to protect your sister, and while you're at it, inspect the villages being reclaimed."

"As for the father and daughter of the Qiu family, leave them to me."

"Come, before we head out, we can't forget the important business..."

As he spoke, Lin Xiao planted several kisses on the two women's delicate, flawless cheeks, drawing soft protests from them.

"Husband... your saliva..."

"Who told you not to catch it with your mouth..."

"Lin Xiao... that tickles..."

Su Wansha watched with a blushing face and a pounding heart. She turned away, feeling both sour and angry, with a hint of shameful envy...

Do the three of them act like this every day? In broad daylight, aren't they embarrassed?

This bad guy, is he doing this on purpose?!

After the two women left, Lin Xiao noticed Su Wansha hadn't left yet.

"Oh? Miss Su, you're still here?"

Lin Xiao asked curiously, "You wouldn't be waiting for me to 'attend to business' too, would you?"

"Who... who would want to do that with you?!"

Su Wansha was so angry her pretty face turned beet red. "I'm just curious about what you plan to do."

Lin Xiao sighed. "Fine, then you can come with me. Let's go give Qiu Kangyuan a big gift!"

Su Wansha was completely confused.

Not killing people, but instead going to give a gift? What kind of trick is this?

Noon.

Lin Xiao swaggered through the market with a squad of men.

Carrying two prepared large wooden chests and a long plaque, they arrived at the Qiu residence.

The guards at the gate saw over a dozen soldiers arrive and naturally went inside to report.

Upon learning that Lin Xiao had arrived, Qiu Kangyuan's face darkened.

"Father! What do we do? He hasn't found out, has he!?"

Qiu Yuehong, who was eating at the table, turned pale, nearly dropping her bowl and chopsticks!

"What are you panicking about? There is absolutely no evidence for what we did!"

"In broad daylight, if he dares to touch our Qiu family, it would be an open declaration of war against all the gentry in Baishui Prefecture!"

"As long as he has a normal brain, he would never dare to do such a thing!"

Qiu Kangyuan straightened his face. "Let's go, we will go out to welcome him and see what he has to say!"

Soon, the Qiu family members arrived at the main gate.

"Oh my! To think it is truly Lin Xiao gracing us with his presence. This old man failed to welcome you properly, please forgive me, forgive me!"

Qiu Kangyuan looked joyful and humble, cupping his hands in a salute.

Behind him, Qiu Yuehong and the others looked tense; after all, Lin Xiao's reputation for ruthlessness was well-known.

"Master Qiu! Please, get up!"

Lin Xiao dismounted and stepped forward to support him.

"You flatter me too much. I am merely a small Commander, how could I be a general?"

Lin Xiao smiled modestly. "Back at the Stone Fortress, I heard that the great philanthropist of Baishui Prefecture, Master Qiu, distributed his own fertile land to tenant farmers, supporting who knows how many people."

"I have always admired you in my heart, but previously, military affairs kept me busy, so I couldn't come to pay a visit."

Qiu Kangyuan was stunned. Great philanthropist? Was he talking about himself?

Who is spreading rumors!?

"Oh, this lady looks familiar. Could she be the wife of Prefect Lu?"

Lin Xiao looked toward Qiu Yuehong.

"This humble woman greets Commander Lin..." Qiu Yuehong forced a smile.

Lin Xiao said with a look of regret, "Prefect Lu was loyal to the emperor and loved his country, choosing death over surrender to Prince Bai. He is truly a role model for our generation. My condolences, Madam..."

Qiu Yuehong cursed in her heart, 'You're the one who killed him, what are you pretending for!?'

But on her face, she could only force a smile and feign sadness.

"Lin Xiao, what are these..."

Qiu Kangyuan looked at the two large chests behind him and the plaque, feeling confused.

Lin Xiao waved his hand, and Yao Gang behind him immediately pulled off the cloth.

The four large characters "Loyal Soul of the Great Gan" appeared before everyone's eyes!

Qiu Kangyuan was greatly shocked. "This... what is the meaning of this?"

Lin Xiao said, "Prefect Lu was killed by Prince Bai's assassins because of his loyalty to the imperial court. Now that Prefect Lu is gone, this plaque should naturally be handed over to his wife!"

As he spoke, Lin Xiao opened the two large chests behind him.

Inside, they were filled with gleaming silver!

The passing commoners saw this and began pointing and exclaiming in surprise.

"This silver was also left behind by Prefect Lu. I did not dare to make decisions on my own, so I am returning it all!"

"I trust that with the kindness of Master Qiu and his daughter, you will use this silver to benefit the common people!"

After saying this, Lin Xiao mounted his horse and cupped his hands to the dumbfounded Qiu Kangyuan and his daughter.

"Farewell!"

It wasn't until Lin Xiao and his men left that Qiu Kangyuan recovered from his shock.

After calming down, Qiu Kangyuan had people move the plaque and the two chests of silver into the house.

"Father, what is going on? Why did he come to give us a gift?" Qiu Yuehong asked, confused.

Qiu Kangyuan frowned deeply. "I don't understand either. Could it be... that he wants to befriend us to build a good relationship with the gentry of Baishui Prefecture?"

Looking at the two large chests of gleaming silver, Qiu Kangyuan stepped forward to stroke them one by one, a smile appearing on his face.

"Regardless, at least a lot of the silver has returned..."

Hearing this, Qiu Yuehong quickly went up and spread her arms to protect it.

"This is left for me, the wife of Prefect Lu. Father, you cannot swallow it up!"

Qiu Kangyuan huffed and puffed, looking helpless.

This midday gift-giving caused a stir throughout the city.

Many people secretly spat in disgust, calling Lin Xiao stupid. How could he think Qiu Kangyuan was a philanthropist?

Others mocked Lin Xiao, saying he was nothing special. It had only been a few days, and he was already colluding with the landlords.

Lin Xiao turned a deaf ear and paid no attention to it.

That night, it was pitch black and the wind was howling.

Qiu Kangyuan was sleeping soundly in his bedroom, with a concubine lying beside him who wasn't yet satisfied and couldn't sleep.

Suddenly!

The bedroom door was kicked open, and a female assassin holding a sword walked to the bedside!

"Ah!!—"

The concubine shrieked, instantly waking Qiu Kangyuan.

Qiu Kangyuan looked blearily and saw clearly, scared out of his wits, he hurriedly raised his hands:

"Heroine! Heroine, spare my life! Whatever amount of silver you want, I can give it to you!"

"You old scoundrel! It was your daughter and son-in-law who dared to defy Prince Bai and caused the death of Elder Sun!"

The black-clad female assassin said coldly, "How could Prince Bai possibly spare you!!"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Kangyuan felt as if he had been doused with a basin of ice water!

Only then did he realize, in hindsight, why Lin Xiao had come to his door during the day to present him with that plaque and two chests of silver...

"Lin... ugh, ah!!"

Before he could scream, the sword had already pierced his throat!