86: Instructing his niece and arranging for his second brother.

Inside the inner courtyard of the Town Guardian Residence, Father Li Dashan was sitting on a grandmaster's chair, holding a dry tobacco pouch, looking gloomily at a document. His back was indeed much straighter, just as Third Brother's letter had said.

Madam Zhang was stitching a shoe sole nearby, but her mind was not on it; her stitches were much messier than usual.

The two daughters-in-law, the eldest sister-in-law Madam Sun and the second sister-in-law Madam Liu, sat quietly to the side. One was looking through the residence's expenditure ledger, while the other gently rocked a cradle where the recently one-month-old triplets lay. The atmosphere in the residence was somewhat somber.

"Father, Mother! Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law! Look who's back!"

A clear and joyful shout broke the silence.

Everyone looked up to see Li Qinghe striding into the courtyard.

"Qinghe!"

Mother Zhang was the first to react. The needle and thread in her hand almost fell to the ground as she stood up abruptly and walked over quickly. She grabbed Li Qinghe's hand, looking him up and down, her eyes instantly turning red.

"You're out? Good, good, it's good that you're out! You've lost weight, but... you look more energetic!"

She didn't understand anything about Qi Refining or not; she only knew that her youngest son coming out of seclusion safely was the greatest joy.

Li Dashan put down the document and looked at Qinghe, also letting out a sigh of relief. He tapped his tobacco pipe, a long-absent smile appearing on his face.

"It's good that you're out. The Family needs someone to make decisions right now."

The two sisters-in-law also hurriedly rose to greet him, genuine smiles on their faces.

Second Sister-in-law had only recently finished her postpartum confinement period, so her face was still a bit pale, but her spirits were high.

"I've made Father, Mother, and my sisters-in-law worry."

Li Qinghe responded with a smile.

"I've just come out of seclusion and heard the general gist from Lin Luo and the others. I already know about Third Brother's situation. Since he has gone, he must be confident. I am here for everything at home; you don't need to worry too much."

His words were calm, carrying a reassuring power that unknowingly settled the anxious moods of everyone present.

He also made a point to see the little ones, the triplets born to Second Sister-in-law.

The two boys were sturdy and adorable, while the girl was as pretty as a porcelain doll. They were named Yuan Che, Yuan Heng, and Yuan Xi, respectively, and were sleeping soundly wrapped in their swaddling clothes.

Li Qinghe gently touched the children's small faces, feeling happy. These were the seeds for the Family's continuation.

He then looked at Yuan Bao, who was gesturing with a wooden sword nearby, and Yuanzhu, who was sitting quietly on a small stool reading a book.

Seeing his Fourth Uncle looking over, Yuan Bao felt a bit embarrassed and put down the wooden sword.

Yuanzhu stood up with a happy face and greeted him joyfully.

"Fourth Uncle."

Li Qinghe walked over and first rubbed Yuan Bao's head.

"Yuan Bao has grown up; he's a little man now."

Yuan Bao nodded vigorously.

Then he crouched down, looked at little Yuanzhu, and asked in a gentle tone:

"Mhm, I heard from your Third Uncle that you have a good Spiritual Root. Yuanzhu, tell Fourth Uncle, what Qi nurturing method did your Third Uncle teach you?"

Yuanzhu replied with a giggle:

"Answering Fourth Uncle, it's the Qingxuan Qi Nurturing Art taught by Third Uncle."

Li Qinghe nodded. The Qingxuan Qi Nurturing Art was a basic technique of the Qingxuan Sect, balanced and peaceful, suitable for building a Foundation, but its speed was relatively slow. He pondered for a moment.

"That is a common Cultivation Technique of the Qingxuan Sect. Since you are the eldest daughter of our Li Family's direct line and have an excellent Spiritual Root, you should have a better choice."

With that, he lightly extended his right index finger. A spiritual light shimmering with a cool moonlight glow swirled at his fingertip as he pressed it against Yuanzhu's forehead.

The little girl's body trembled slightly as a large amount of profound text and circulation diagrams flooded her mind. A technique named the Autumn Moon River Qi Nurturing Art was deeply imprinted within.

"Cultivate this from now on."

Li Qinghe withdrew his finger and said to the surprised and delighted Eldest Sister-in-law nearby:

"Eldest Sister-in-law, in the future, when Yuanzhu is nurturing her Qi, take her to my secret room. The Spiritual Qi there is denser than outside, which will be of great benefit for her entry into cultivation."

Although Madam Sun didn't quite understand the intricacies, seeing her brother-in-law so serious, she quickly nodded in agreement.

Li Qinghe then looked at Yuan Bao, whose eyes held a hint of envy. He pulled him close and said seriously:

"Yuan Bao, you are a man. You must not lose heart; the path of immortality is not the only smooth road."

"If you can't Cultivate immortality, we'll do Body Refining. We'll temper your Physical Body until it's like steel. You'll still be able to crumble mountains with a punch and stop rivers with a kick. When cultivated to the extreme, you can likewise overturn seas, soar to the heavens, and roam the world freely!"

"Once your Foundation is solid, Fourth Uncle will have your Uncle Man En teach you personally, alright?"

Yuan Bao's eyes instantly lit up. He clenched his small fists tightly and said loudly:

"Okay! Fourth Uncle, I want to learn! I want to be as powerful as Uncle Man En!"

Having settled the two juniors, Li Qinghe said to his parents:

"Father, Mother, the situation in the south is tense. Third Brother is leading troops outside, so the Family and New Town also need to prepare early. You two stay in the town with peace of mind; I, Second Brother, and Eldest Brother will handle the outside matters."

Li Dashan heavily patted his son's shoulder:

"Put more effort into the Family. Your mother and I can't help much, but we will definitely not hold you back!"

After bidding farewell to his parents, sisters-in-law, and nephew/niece, Li Qinghe walked straight toward Li Qingfeng's study.

Pushing open the door, he saw Second Brother Li Qinglin bent over his desk, writing rapidly. The table was piled with ledgers, registers, and various documents. His brows were furrowed, and he occasionally flicked the abacus, appearing extremely busy.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, he looked up somewhat impatiently. Seeing it was Li Qinghe, he immediately stood up in surprise:

"Fourth Brother! You've come out of seclusion! That's great!"

Li Qinglin was a bit thinner than two years ago, but his gaze was more astute and capable:

"You wouldn't know from these two years of seclusion. Once Third Brother left and Eldest Brother plunged into the military camp, all the affairs of New Town, large and small, fell on me. It's truly overwhelming..."

Li Qinghe stepped forward quickly:

"Second Brother, you've worked hard. Third Brother explained the situation in his letter, so I already know. Where is the Communication Jade Token Third Brother left behind?"

Li Qinglin hurriedly took out a palm-sized, warm-to-the-touch green jade token from a hidden compartment under the desk and solemnly handed it to Li Qinghe:

"Here, this is it. Third Brother instructed that it can only be used in case of extreme emergency."

Li Qinghe put away the jade token, his expression serious, and said immediately:

"Second Brother, desperate times call for desperate measures. There are a few things I need you to do immediately."

"Go ahead, Fourth Brother."

"First, immediately send people to announce to the whole town and surrounding villages: starting today, New Town needs to construct peripheral watchtowers and beacon towers on a large scale, and reinforce and heighten the city walls! Recruit a large number of laborers!"

Li Qinglin nodded:

"Indeed. I'll go..."

"Let me finish,"

Li Qinghe interrupted him, his tone serious.

"Publicly announce that the Southern Barbarians are invading in force, and there is a fear that routed soldiers or small units might pass through Black Mountain to attack our rear for burning, killing, and looting! Therefore, for this recruitment of laborers, only meals will be provided initially, and no cash will be issued! Wages will be recorded, and once the war in the south subsides and the barbarian threat is confirmed to be cleared, they can exchange their vouchers for money at the Town Guardian Residence!"

Li Qinghe continued:

"Remember, this is a conscription of labor! Courtesy before force! Treat those who are willing to come with good food and drink. If, after kind persuasion, they are still unwilling to come..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

"Then have the armed guards 'invite' them! In extraordinary times, use extraordinary methods! If there are indeed special circumstances, such as families with disabled elderly or young children who cannot leave, register them. Allow their families to send one woman to be responsible for the laborers' meals, material management, and other chores. They will also be provided with daily meals and a small amount of compensation."

Li Qinglin listened with a solemn expression, quickly taking notes of the key points, especially the two points about mandatory conscription and registering special households. He knew well the principle of using harsh laws in troubled times but also the need to retain some compassion. His Fourth Brother's move could be described as an application of both grace and severity.

Li Qinglin took a deep breath and nodded heavily:

"I understand! I'll go arrange it now!"