Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Lin Mo, after obtaining Shen Lang's secret formula for the golden-yellow dye, immediately betrayed him and conspired with Xu Guangyun to kill him. He was on Shen Lang's list of enemies, but compared to Tian Heng and Xu Guangyun, his role was so minor that his name wasn't even written on the wall. After becoming the live-in son-in-law of the Count's estate, Lin Mo seemed even more insignificant to Shen Lang. Besides, Shen Lang needed him for the plan to bankrupt Xu Guangyun, which was why he had been left alive until now. But he had never imagined that Lin Mo's side would be the one to come and pick a fight with him first.
Shen Lang didn't get angry; instead, he laughed and said,
“Is he really insane? The son of a mere merchant, a paltry Vice-Chiliarch, wants to go up against me? Did he say that himself? That if I go and beg, he'll let my people go?”
“Yes, sir. He said that if you come and beg in person, he would then consider releasing them.”
Shen Lang narrowed his eyes. There was one thing he had yet to do since coming to this world: annihilate an entire family!
The position of a mere Vice-Chiliarch wasn't enough to dare confront the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. He must have a backer, and a powerful one at that. It was extremely rare for someone who had just passed the military examination and entered officialdom to immediately be appointed as a Vice-Chiliarch with actual power. When Lin Mo betrayed Shen Lang, he used it as an opportunity to form a connection with Xu Guangyun and Zhang Jin. But their relationship must have been very shallow, right? It might have been possible for them to help Lin Mo's son pass the military examination, but giving him a good official post was out of the question. So how did Lin Zhuo, the son of Lin Mo, owner of the Brocade Pavilion, rise so high? How could he dare to detain the cavalry of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate?
Lin Zhuo had walked the same path as Shen Lang. He had benefited from his wife's family.
While Shen Lang had become the live-in son-in-law of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, Lin Zhuo had become the son-in-law of the Count of Jing'an's Estate. Of course, the difference between the two estates was that the Count of Xuanwu's was an old, established noble family with a fiefdom, while the Count of Jing'an's was a new noble family enfeoffed by the king, possessing no fiefdom or private army. However, in terms of current power and influence, the Count of Jing'an's Estate had a slight edge. To be frank, the Count of Xuanwu did not want to provoke the Count of Jing'an. This was because in the Tiannan Province, the Marquis of Zhenbei, Nangong Ao, was the number one figure in military affairs, and the Count of Jing'an, Wu Zhaozhong, was the second-in-command, overseeing tens of thousands of the State of Yue's troops.
The Count of Jing'an had three daughters. Two of them resembled their mother, boasting beauty like lovely flowers, but the third daughter was so ugly that the mere sight of her could make one lose their appetite. Of course, being the daughter of a powerful military family, there were still men who flocked to her, but...
She had suffered from an unmentionable illness since she was in her mother's womb, and she grew fatter and fatter as she aged. By the time she was twenty-three, she weighed well over two hundred and seventy catties. Many physicians said that the third young lady would be unable to bear heirs. The entire Count of Jing'an's Estate worried about her marriage prospects. Because no young man of even slight distinction would take such a woman as his wife.
At that time, Lin Zhuo had just passed the military examination and was waiting a long time for an official appointment. Seeing one good post after another being snatched away by others right before his eyes, Lin Zhuo grew anxious. He had no backer to begin with. He had gifted a great deal of the money his father provided to various people. It reached a point where he didn't even know where all the money had gone. Yet, there was no response. Furthermore, rumors were circulating that he would be dispatched to Sea-Guard Island in the south to serve as a Centurion.
Lin Zhuo was horrified. Not only was the island barren, but the water was also salty, making even bathing uncomfortable. Moreover, while it was called a Centurion, he would have fewer than twenty subordinates. Who could guarantee what might happen when twenty-odd grown men were guarding a lonely coastal island with no women around?
On top of that, his father sent a letter saying that his enemy, Shen Lang, had entered the Count of Xuanwu's Estate as a live-in son-in-law and was riding high, which would bring great disaster upon the Lin Clan. So, Lin Zhuo gritted his teeth and volunteered to become the son-in-law of the Count of Jing'an's Estate.
He was clever and valiant-looking, and he had passed the military examination. Wu Youyou took a liking to him the moment she saw him, as did the Count of Jing'an. And so, Lin Zhuo's fortunes skyrocketed. He became the fiancé of the Count of Jing'an's third daughter and was immediately appointed to the position of Vice-Chiliarch of the Yanshan Garrison.
To avoid a power struggle with Lin Zhuo, the commander of the Yanshan Garrison feigned a public departure and arranged for a transfer. Now, Young Master Lin Zhuo had returned to Xuanwu City to serve as Vice-Chiliarch, effectively commanding over a thousand soldiers. It was a triumphant homecoming.
When a man suddenly rises in the world, what is the first thing he does? Naturally, it's to meet with his peers and friends. If you can't show off openly, how is that any different from walking around in silk clothes in the dead of night? It was the same principle as throwing a celebration party after getting into a prestigious university.
The night before last, Vice-Chiliarch Lin Zhuo held a celebratory banquet, and most of the students he knew attended. Everyone showered him with flattery and sycophantic remarks, allowing Lin Zhuo to cultivate a healthy dose of arrogance. Had there ever been a more triumphant moment in his life? However, he was deeply regretful that one person had not come: Wang Lian. Was Lin Zhuo regretful because he had a close relationship with Wang Lian? No, it was the exact opposite.
Wang Lian had passed the provincial examinations as a youth and, having achieved success at a young age, boasted in front of Lin Zhuo every day.
“Alas, I, Wang Lian, only passed the provincial examinations at sixteen or seventeen, yet there are those in the State of Yue who passed at fourteen. I still have a long way to go. Sigh! While others are beginning their official careers in the capital, I could only secure the post of Registrar in Xuanwu City. It's merely the fourth-ranked position among the officials here.”
Every time Lin Zhuo heard Wang Lian's boasting, he felt like strangling him to death, but he always faced him with a smile. Lin Zhuo's family were merchants, and since he had not yet passed the military examination, he had no choice but to pretend not to notice.
“Brother Wang, you are incredible, outstanding, a truly wonderful person.”
Lin Zhuo had no idea how many times he had offered such unwanted flattery.
‘Now that I, Lin Zhuo, have risen in the world and returned in glory, you all must return every bit of the flattery I once gave you. I used to grovel and suck up to you; now, spit it all back out. Brother Wang Lian, do you know how much I miss you? Without you, my showing off isn't complete. I can't forget you for a single moment, Brother Wang.’
Eventually, when he inquired about Wang Lian's whereabouts, everyone gave the same answer.
“Wang Lian has vanished.”
Wang Lian had tried to frame Shen Lang but failed, getting caught in his own trap and stripped of his official honors. The crucial part was that he had slept with Liu Chengyan's concubine, bringing shame upon him. Everyone believed that Wang Lian had been secretly killed by Liu Chengyan. Because that concubine of City Lord Liu Chengyan had also disappeared as if she had evaporated.
Of course, in the small notebook where Lin Zhuo listed his enemies, Wang Lian was second. The first enemy was Shen Lang. There were two reasons for this enmity.
The first was that Shen Lang had married Jin Mulan, the woman Lin Zhuo dreamed of. To Lin Zhuo, this act was a grudge born from having his destined future wife stolen from him! He had never even spoken a word to Jin Mulan, but in his mind, he had married her a hundred times over. Here was yet another man who adored Jin Mulan. It couldn't be helped. Shen Lang's rivals were scattered all over the world.
And the second reason was the grudge between Shen Lang and the Lin Clan. This was a grudge Shen Lang held against the Lin Clan, not one the Lin Clan held against him. The night Tian Heng died, Manager Lin Mo of the Brocade Pavilion was so terrified that he couldn't sleep for days and nights, even going so far as to write a will.
At the time, Lin Zhuo had passed the military examination, but his post had not been decided, and rumors said he would have to guard a coastal island so remote that not even birds would stop to shit there. What if Shen Lang sent someone to harm him then? Back then, not only Lin Mo but also Lin Zhuo lived in constant fear of Shen Lang's retaliation. That was why he made a great resolution.
‘Shen Lang, you became the live-in son-in-law of the Count's estate and are benefiting from your wife's family. Is there any rule that says I, Lin Zhuo, cannot do the same?’
Soon after, he became the fiancé of the Count of Jing'an's third young miss, Wu Youyou.
On the day he met his father-in-law, he asked about the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and the Count of Jing'an replied, "They are as good as dead and will not last long." When he asked about Shen Lang, the Count of Jing'an answered, "A rampant clown, not even worth mentioning." From the Count of Jing'an's answers, Lin Zhuo more or less grasped the inside story.
As soon as the king's signal appeared, Lin Zhuo bravely launched his attack on the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. He conspired with Li Wenzheng to fabricate an incident where the cavalry of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate ran over and killed someone in the street with their horses. Then, Lin Zhuo immediately detained a dozen or so cavalrymen from the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and threw them in prison.
‘What I, Lin Zhuo, am doing is not only taking revenge on my enemy but also alleviating the king's worries!’
Just then, a voice came from outside.
“Sir, Shen Lang, the son-in-law of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, requests an audience!”
* * *
Lin Zhuo met Shen Lang in a hall on one side of the military barracks. This was the first time Shen Lang had met Lin Zhuo, a renowned talent in Xuanwu City. He imagined the scene of Lin Zhuo being pinned beneath the nearly three-hundred-catty Wu Youyou and shuddered. They were both in situations where they benefited from their wives, but while Shen Lang was enjoying a delicious feast envied by the world, Lin Zhuo was eating a bowl of lard. When a man is hungry, he might take a bite of cold lard. But eating a whole bowl was a difficult task. For the sake of wealth and glory, what wouldn't one eat? But this man truly had a strong stomach.
“Young Master Lin Zhuo, please convey my regards to the Count of Jing'an.”
“It would be difficult for me to convey your words, Young Master Shen Lang. You are merely a live-in son-in-law. Isn't it improper for you to take the initiative to greet my father-in-law, a high-ranking court official? It might be different if Jin Mucong and Jin Mulan from the Count's estate were to offer such greetings.”
This was a direct attack on his dignity from the very start.
‘I, Lin Zhuo, am superior to you, Shen Lang. You are just a live-in son-in-law of the Count's estate, but am I not a true son-in-law? Moreover, I am the son-in-law of a powerful family that commands military power, so my future is promising. Furthermore, isn't the Count of Jing'an's Estate, to which I belong, greater than your Count of Xuanwu's Estate?’
“Li Wenzheng is dead.”
At Shen Lang's words, Lin Zhuo was startled and was about to say something but stopped. The news that Li Wenzheng had an affair with Ha Wanwan was the talk of the capital, but he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. Shen Lang asked him.
“The truth of the incident where the Count of Xuanwu's cavalry struck an innocent commoner isn't important, is it?”
Lin Zhuo nodded.
“That's right. The truth is not important.”
Because the truth isn't necessarily revealed in every incident.
“I request that you, Sir Lin, release the innocent cavalrymen of our Count of Xuanwu's Estate.”
“I cannot. They have committed a grave crime. They trampled commoners to death in the street, so I will uncover the mastermind who ordered them to do such a thing and then send them to the Prefect's office. The interrogation will begin tonight.”
“The garrison doesn't have the right to use torture, does it?”
“The road where the Count of Xuanwu's cavalry trampled people to death is under the jurisdiction of our Yanshan Garrison. Moreover, some of the deceased were family members of soldiers under my command. I suspect this was a planned murder. Therefore, to clear the grievances of my soldiers, I will use torture in the interrogation.”
Seeing Lin Zhuo's resolute response, Shen Lang remained silent. At this, Lin Zhuo wore a strange expression and muttered.
“I hear the cavalry captain is a beautiful woman named Jin Jianniang. It pains me to think of breaking her with my harsh torture.”
“Brother Lin Zhuo, then what must I do for you to release the cavalrymen of our Count of Xuanwu's Estate?”
“There are two paths!”
“Speak plainly!”
“The first path is for Jin Mulan to lead the Count's grand army, storm this place, and take her people back. Of course, this would be considered treason, a matter that would make my father-in-law and Prefect Zhang Chong laugh.”
“Then what is the second path?”
“You beg me for forgiveness, and you beg my father for forgiveness. There's no need to kneel; just bow deeply before everyone and ask for our pardon.”
“It was clearly your father who betrayed me. I have done him no wrong.”
“That is precisely why my father trembled in fear. The day Tian Heng died, my father even wrote a will and told me to hide in the capital and never return. Do you know how humiliated I was at that time?
A gentleman who does not avenge a grudge is no gentleman at all. Shen Lang, if even a live-in son-in-law like you knows how to take revenge, how could I, the proud son-in-law of the Count of Jing'an's Estate, not know how? This world is one where if I don't crush others, others will crush me. In Xuanwu City, only the strong youth will survive. One of us will have to bow their head, don't you think?”