Finest Servant-Chapter 661

Chapter 661 Has She Left?

"I could hardly believe it. The Imperial General of Great Hua, the future Emperor's father, daring to dress in Miao attire and squabble over a woman with these Miao folks. It's utterly absurd! Yet, when I saw you climb that mountain of blades, I had no choice but to believe. Who else in this world, but you, could possess such skill and bear such a striking resemblance to the renowned Lin San? When you lit that magical lantern and raised the flag, I knew for sure. Such tactics are unique to Lin San! Could it be false? So, it really is Brother Lin who has come to our Miao lands, hahaha—"

His proud laughter echoed far across the fires scattered everywhere, drifting through the mountain forests. Lin Wanrong glanced at An Biru and chuckled, "Master Sister, you see, being outstanding is truly a sin!"

"Does that mean you're committing a sin every day?" An Biru retorted with an indescribably charming and captivating look.

Seeing them flirt in front of him, clearly not taking the surrounding swords and spears seriously, Nie Yuanqing gritted his teeth and bellowed, "Ah Lin Ge has disguised himself as a Miao, with ill intentions to disturb Xuzhou and rebel against authority. Come, seize him!"

"At your command!" The soldiers of Xuzhou roared, pushing through the crowd, rushing toward Lin Wanrong like fierce wolves.

The Prefect's order to capture Ah Lin Ge? This sudden turn of events was unexpected to the Miao people scattered across the hills. Unaware of Lin Wanrong's true identity, they hurriedly moved in front of him, using their bodies to block the soldiers' advance.

"Move aside!" Zhaguo, leading the front with a ferocious gleam in his one eye, waved his hatchet, shouting madly, "This is the Prefect's order! Do you all wish to rebel?"

"Ah Lin Ge—" A crisp call suddenly echoed from the crowd. The people of Yingyue Hamlet, roaring like bears, formed a formidable barrier in front of the officials.

Seeing that delicate figure, Lin Wanrong's heart tightened. He urgently called out, "Yilian, move aside, quickly!"

"Ah Lin Ge, take the Holy Maiden and go, hurry—" Yilian's eyes shone brightly, holding a gleaming hatchet. She bravely stood at the forefront, glaring fiercely, confronting the menacing officials, refusing to retreat even in the face of death.

Nie Yuanqing sneered and waved his hand, "All officials, listen to my command. Capture Ah Lin Ge immediately! Anyone who dares obstruct official duties, kill without mercy!"

"Who dares to lay a hand?" Gao Qiu, with wide eyes, bellowed, suddenly pulling out a shining gold plaque from his bosom and held it high, "The imperial gold plaque is here! Lin San, the Commander of Great Hua's loyal and brave army, the Right General against the nomads, is here on imperial orders to inspect Sichuan and Xuzhou. To root out corruption and injustice, with the authority of the Emperor himself. To execute or spare, to strike first and report later!"

He was the leader of thousands of guards in the palace, accustomed to the rich and powerful. His roar, like a thunderclap, was awe-inspiring.

In the firelight, the imperial gold plaque shone brilliantly, its dazzling light radiating in all directions. The fierce golden dragon on it was clearly visible. All the soldiers of Xuzhou were shocked and stepped back hastily. Even Zhaguo and his brother, who were just now so arrogant, fell silent, not daring to make a sound.

All the Miao people were stunned into silence. Ah Lin Ge was actually a General of the imperial court? And he possessed an imperial gold plaque, granting him the power of life and death, to execute first and report later? Did this mean that even the Prefect was under his command?

As they recalled Ah Lin Ge's miraculous feats and his words, hope surged in the hearts of all the Miao people. Cheers gradually rose: "Ah Lin Ge, you must stand up for us—"

"Ah Lin Ge, capture the leader Zhaguo—"

"Ah Lin Ge, dismiss Lord Nie—"

The young men and women of Yingyue Hamlet were dumbstruck. Ah Lin Ge, whom they mingled with daily, was the imposing General who fought against the nomads? Did this mean that the incredible stories he often told were mostly true?

"I knew it, I knew it," Yilian cried and laughed in excitement, gripping Zitong's hand, murmuring, "Ah Lin Ge is no ordinary person; he is our hero! Now, the Miao people are saved. We are saved!"

‘We are saved, but you're not!’ Zitong shook her head helplessly, her excitement tinged with worry for her little sister's fate.

Lin Wanrong waved his hands, and the excited Miao people instantly fell silent.

"Please be assured, my fellow villagers," he swept his eyes over them, speaking earnestly, "Since I am here, I will certainly punish the wicked, slay the tyrants, eradicate corruption, and restore justice to Xuzhou Prefecture! I promise to bring happiness and peace to all Hua people and Miao villagers in Xuzhou. This is my promise, and also Ah Lin Ge's promise!"

"Ah Lin Ge, Ah Lin Ge—" All the Miao people cheered, jumping up, dancing, and frantically shouting his name. Even the Miao elders on the stage were moved to tears, clenching their fists excitedly, hanging onto every word he said.

"Little brother, do you think our Miao lives can truly become as wonderful as you say?" The Holy Maiden gazed at him, speaking dreamily.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "With so many Miao villagers trusting Ah Lin Ge, yet you doubt—Master Sister, do you think I should spank you?!"

"Sure," An Biru's eyes sparkled as she giggled, looking at him, "Then let's find a time when the sky is clear and it's just the two of us—will you use needles or a whip?"

‘My goodness,’ Lin Wanrong stuck out his tongue. ‘Sister An must be a loyal reader of the 'Thirty-Six Strategies of Dongxuanzi' just like me. This is perfect, we'll have so much in common to talk about.’

"Sister, those two combined can't match the thrill of dripping wax!" he whispered in the Holy Maiden's ear, smirking mischievously.

An Biru gave a disgusted 'tch', her face flushed as she pinched his waist, "Courting death! Who have you dripped wax with?"

"Hahahaha—" Nie Yuanqing, who had been silent until now, suddenly burst into laughter, "The world praises Lin San for his intelligence and strategic mind, but in my eyes, he is just superficial and childish. What use are your sweet words? Do you think Xuzhou is like Jinling or the capital, where you have backers everywhere? Let me tell you, Xuzhou is ruled by Nie, not Lin! Do you think just because of a gold plaque and your identity as the Right General, everyone will submit to you? Ridiculous! Do you take everyone in the world for easy targets to manipulate?"

Lin Wanrong gave a nonchalant "oh" and blinked, "Lord Nie, are you suggesting that this imperial plaque and my official position are utterly useless here in Xuzhou Prefecture?"

Nie Yuanqing, smug, declared, "No matter the gold plaque, no matter how high your rank, in Xuzhou Prefecture, you have to stand aside! Money, troops, and power are everything. It's laughable how you pride yourself on your cleverness, yet naively ventured alone into Xuzhou. Such ignorance! Son-in-law of the Emperor, this is a mess of your own making. You can't blame me for this!"

Lin Wanrong chuckled at Nie Yuanqing's frankness, nodding, "Well said, money, troops, and power. I admire that, Lord Nie, you indeed have your ways! But how do you know I came alone? Haven't you noticed? This tall brother here is the leader of the imperial guards, skilled in martial arts and capable of fighting hundreds alone! And this Si De, intelligent and nimble, is also my capable assistant—"

"These two count as people?" Nie Yuanqing scoffed. Both Old Gao and Si De flared up in anger, but the Prefect remained unfazed, "Power speaks with the blade! Son-in-law of the Emperor, don't be so foolish. I feel sorry for the two princesses who are like flowers!"

Lin Wanrong snorted coldly, "What if I add the tens of thousands of troops from Luzhou naval forces and the infantry?"

His voice was icy, his expression inscrutable. Nie Yuanqing was taken aback, his face changing color, then he laughed loudly, "General, are you trying to scare me? As the Prefect of Xuzhou, if Luzhou troops entered the territory, they would have to pass through Xingwen under my jurisdiction. The county magistrate of Xingwen, Wu Yuan, is my confidant. Such a big event would not go unreported! Moreover, when I left the prefecture a few days ago, Luzhou's troops were still quiet. Do they have wings—"

"It seems Lord Nie isn't completely clueless. You're aware that was a few days ago," Lin Wanrong narrowed his eyes, smirking, "This Wu Yuan you mentioned, I happen to know him too. Not only that, I know he has a son named Wu Shidao. I also know that each year, varying amounts of silver flow into the state treasury from each county under your control. You have two sets of books, one public, one secret! Furthermore, Lord Nie, there are some private letters of yours in the hands of various county magistrates—forgive my bluntness, but this county magistrate Wu is much smarter than you!"

As Lin Wanrong raised a letter case in his hand, bearing handwriting unmistakably his own, Nie Yuanqing's face turned pale. Could it be that Lin San, the Son-in-law of the Emperor, had really come prepared? "What use are account books? Xuzhou is my domain! You're alone, without troops or power. I can easily capture you—"

"Where is Cheng Zili?" Lin Wanrong bellowed, cutting him off.

"I am here!" A tall and sturdy man stepped forward from the crowd, bowing respectfully.

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Commander Cheng, someone doubts the capability of the Luzhou naval forces. Show them, will you!"

"At your command! Men, step forward!" With a roar from Cheng Zili, over twenty robust men of the Luzhou naval forces, who had infiltrated in advance, stood up. Each man was tall and fierce-looking, their murderous aura evident, clearly battle-hardened warriors, not to be compared with the Xuzhou garrison!

"Lord Nie, long time no see!" Cheng Zili sneered, casting a cold glance at Nie Yuanqing.

Lord Nie, long entrenched in Xuzhou, was well-versed in the affairs of the surrounding prefectures and had met Cheng Zili on several occasions. Seeing the commander of the Luzhou naval forces himself, he knew a twist had occurred.

“With just a few dozen of you, you dare obstruct me?!” His eyes bloodshot, he bellowed, “Xuzhou’s official army, heed my command! Capture Ah Lin Ge immediately, dead or alive! A reward of ten thousand taels of silver to whoever kills him!”

Under such a hefty reward, the Xuzhou soldiers, long living under his oppressive rule, were somewhat fearful of the Prefect. Stirred by the promise of gold, they began to stir restlessly.

“Who dares?!” Gao Qiu roared protectively in front of Lin Wanrong, his eyes like lightning, scanning all directions, “Ten thousand taels of silver are of no use if you can’t live to spend it! Attacking the Emperor’s envoy, the Imperial General of Great Hua, is a grave crime of treason, punishable by the extermination of nine generations! Do you all not wish to live?”

Suddenly, Lord Nie drew his precious sword, his eyes blood-red, fiercely saying, “Brothers, don't forget the silver you've received! Let me tell you, this Lin San was sent by the Emperor to discipline Xuzhou! If we don’t kill him today, no one will escape death! He has only over twenty men with him, while we have thousands of valiant soldiers. What is there to fear? Kill—”

Lord Nie indeed had a ruthless streak, binding everyone tightly to the same fate, creating a situation of shared glory and ruin!

The Xuzhou soldiers, clearly having benefited from him and swayed by his threats and deceit, became frenzied. Wielding their swords and spears, they charged, shouting, “Kill him!”

Zhaguo, already in cahoots with Nie Yuanqing, seeing the Prefect act, knew there was no turning back. Swinging his hatchet, he roared, “Kill Ah Lin Ge, reclaim our Miao village!”

The two forces converged, instantly creating a tense, murderous atmosphere.

“Don’t anyone dare touch our Ah Lin Ge!” The people from Yingyue Hamlet and all Miao villagers roared in unison, drawing their hatchets, forming a barrier against the charging Xuzhou soldiers. The two sides glared and shoved each other, on the verge of a massive clash.

“So be it. Then do not blame me for being ruthless!” Lin Wanrong snorted coldly, swiftly gesturing.

“Whizz!” A signal arrow shot into the sky, breaking the night’s tranquility.

“Kill!” Sudden roars of fury erupted, accompanied by the thundering sound of footsteps and the clashing of blades. It was as if thousands of horses were galloping, echoing through the valley. Numerous troops surged from all directions like a tidal wave, their blades gleaming coldly, their killing intent fierce. The hills were filled with countless shadowy figures, the lit torches resembling stars in the morning sky, too numerous to count.

Leading the vanguard of thousands, a bearded giant bellowed before even reaching them, his voice reverberating in everyone’s ears, “I am Zhang Qun, leading two thousand soldiers from the Luzhou naval and infantry forces, at your service, General Lin!”

“Good!” Lin Wanrong shouted back, his face stern with resolve, “Brother Zhang, you've arrived just in time. Please lead your troops to protect all the Miao villagers and eliminate the Xuzhou garrison. Any resistance is to be met with lethal force!”

“At your command! Brothers, protect General Lin, protect all the Miao villagers—charge with me!”

"Charge!" The sky erupted with battle cries as thousands of Luzhou's formidable troops kicked up clouds of dust, rushing forward rapidly. The bright blades, under the interplay of the warm firelight and cold moonlight, glinted with a ghostly chill. Cheng Zili and Zhang Qun, both seasoned subordinates of Li Tai, had trained the Luzhou troops well. How could the scattered and untrained soldiers of Xuzhou compare?

This display of military might immediately struck fear into the hearts of both the Black Miao and the Xuzhou garrison, their legs turning to jelly. Accustomed to blustering without real combat, how could they stand against the Luzhou naval forces? Upon hearing General Lin’s order of no mercy, who would dare resist? Before the soldiers even reached them, some had already surrendered their weapons, leading to a chain reaction. The clatter of swords and spears hitting the ground, along with loud pleas for mercy, rang out clearly.

Such was the state of the Xuzhou garrison, scattering at the first touch. Lin Wanrong shook his head with a humph.

The Miao villagers, witnessing thousands of formidable troops descending from the heavens and sweeping through the enemy effortlessly, erupted in cheers and jubilation. Could Lord Nie and Zhaguo still turn the tide?

The Black Miao soldiers, seeing even the official army surrendering, widened their eyes in disbelief, unsure of what to do. Fear rippled through their hearts as they gazed at Zhaguo and his brother.

"What do we do, Brother?" Zhalong's legs trembled with fear, his voice shaking as he gripped his hatchet unsteadily.

Zhaguo's face was pale, his one eye flashing with ferocity as he gritted his teeth, "We’ve chosen this path, there's no turning back. To the end! My Black Miao brothers, follow me and fight!"

Taking one thousand to fight against thousands, the enemy being well-trained official soldiers, was clearly a suicidal act. As they stared at the contemptuous gazes and cold blades of the Luzhou naval forces, the thousand of Black Miao soldiers followed the Zhaguo brothers, their hands trembling. They had already turned their backs on their people, unable to return to the Miao villages. Their only option now was to go forward, even if it meant certain death.

An Biru gripped her little brother’s hand tightly, hesitant to speak. Lin Wanrong shook his head with a smile, "Sister, what is it you want to say?"

The Holy Maiden's cheeks flushed as she sighed, "The Black Miao are also our people, my kin! Although they have erred, they were led astray by the Zhaguo brothers. How can we annihilate them all? Our Miao people are already few in number—"

"So, Sister is pleading for them? This doesn’t seem like the style of the merciful White Lotus Holy Mother!" Lin Wanrong chuckled. An Biru gave him a few embarrassed glares and pinched his waist hard.

"Don’t worry," Lin Wanrong grinned, "I won’t kill recklessly! These Black Miao are yours to deal with, however you wish!"

An Biru's eyes brightened suddenly, "Little brother, are you serious?"

"If you don’t believe me again, I’ll have to drip wax on you!" Little brother's face was full of mischief, his gaze playfully wandering over her voluptuous figure.

The Holy Maiden huffed, her face red, "What wax dripping! From now on, with me around, you’re not allowed to look at those wicked books anymore! Anything you don’t understand, I’ll teach you personally—"

Lin Wanrong blinked in astonishment. He was, after all, a direct learner of the 'Thirty-Six Strategies of Dongxuanzi.' How had he fallen to the point of being 'educated' by his Master Sister?

"Don't believe me?" An Biru gave him a coquettish glance and leaned in to whisper, "Don't forget, I am the White Lotus Holy Mother, the Holy Maiden of the Miao villages. Since my youth, I have explored bizarre and curious tales and perused a multitude of books. The secret plays I have studied far exceed yours by hundreds of times! It's just a pity I never had the chance to use them, but meeting you, they finally have a purpose." She laughed unrestrainedly, gripping Lin Wanrong's hand, which trembled gently, her cheeks as red as fire. Such bold words were clearly a first for her. Lin Wanrong was moved; this was his Master Sister expressing her gratitude, albeit in her unique way. Her exterior flamboyance hid a special kind of tenderness, a tacit understanding between the two of them.

"Sister, thank you!" Lin Wanrong leaned in to kiss her ear and chuckled, "I leave these Black Miao warriors to you! But remember, the ringleaders must be punished, and justice must be served. That's the only way to be fair to the other Miao villagers and gain their respect."

"Do you need to teach me that?" Sister An squeezed his hand with a silent smile. She had once led tens of thousands in the White Lotus sect; in terms of knowledge and experience, she was not far behind her little brother.

As the Zhaguo brothers and their several thousand Black Miao warriors prepared to charge, An Biru’s face turned cold. She called out loudly, "All Black Miao, if you lay down your hatchets immediately, I, as the Holy Maiden, guarantee you are still part of our Miao villages, my brothers and sisters!"

The Holy Maiden's personal appeal had a great impact. The thousands of Black Miao soldiers involuntarily slowed, their faces showing hesitation. Zhaguo roared, "There's no turning back once the arrow is released. If we return, will the Red and White Miao spare us? Brothers, we have no way back. Follow me and fight—"

"Zhaguo, do you realize what you are doing?" An Biru shouted angrily, "You are leading the Black Miao to destruction! All Miao branches come from the same root. It was you who separated the Black Miao from their brothers and sisters. Today, you're pushing them towards death. Do you want to be the eternal sinner of our Miao family?! Brothers, please come back. Your fathers, mothers, wives, and children in the village are waiting for you. We are family; there is nothing we can't resolve!"

"Yes, the Holy Maiden is right, we are one family. Come back!" Several Miao elders also called out earnestly.

After a long hesitation, one Black Miao soldier dropped his hatchet and knelt down, weeping, "Holy Maiden—"

"Please, Holy Maiden and elders, forgive us!" One led, and others followed, kneeling and crying incessantly. Seeing even his most loyal guards deserting, Zhaguo sighed heavily, his hatchet raised to his neck in a desperate act.

"Brother—" Zhalong, in shock, desperately grabbed his shoulder.

An Biru shook her head in disdain, "The Miao do not have cowards! Zhaguo, wait for the villagers' judgment!"

Given the Miao people's hatred for the brothers, the outcome of their judgment was foreseeable. Zhaguo dropped his hatchet, sighed dejectedly, and dared not raise his head again.

The garrison surrendered, and the Black Miao repented. Under the overwhelming pressure of thousands of formidable troops, everything happened in an instant. Before they could fully grasp the situation, it was all over. Nie Yuanqing's face turned ashen, his legs trembling uncontrollably, silently biting his teeth, he stealthily began to retreat.

Lin Wanrong, vigilant and alert, wouldn't let the main culprit escape. Turning his head with a cold smile, he said, "What's the matter, Lord Nie? Leaving so soon? Weren't you going to teach me about strength?"

"I'll kill you!" Having lost the upper hand, Nie Yuanqing roared and lunged at him with all his might.

Gao Qiu, already impatient, sprang forward in a few steps, striking Lord Nie's wrist with a punch. Lord Nie cried out in pain as his long sword clattered to the ground. As Gao Qiu was about to capture him, a flash of light revealed a sharp dagger in Lord Nie's hand. With a fierce expression, he stabbed viciously towards his own abdomen.

"Want to die? It's not that easy," Gao Qiu laughed loudly, kicking his hand, sending the dagger flying.

Nie Yuanqing's face contorted with pain, but his eyes showed a hint of relief. Lin Wanrong suddenly blinked, strode forward, and landed a heavy punch on Lord Nie's cheek. Lord Nie moaned in agony, his jaw dislocated, and a dark poison pill fell from between his teeth, still unbroken.

Gao Qiu inhaled sharply, impressed by Lord Nie's determination to die, carrying poison for a swift end. To be an official yet resort to such measures was indeed tragic.

"Ah, ah—" Nie Yuanqing could no longer speak, writhing and looking at Lin Wanrong with a venomous gaze.

"It's not your time to die yet," Lin Wanrong said coldly. "All the money you've extorted from the people of Xuzhou, you'll return every bit. Otherwise, I have a thousand ways to make you wish for death without granting it."

"Ah, ah!" Fear deepened in Lord Nie's eyes, his body curling up, obviously aware of Lin San's reputation for ruthlessness.

"Subordinate Zhang Qun, at your service, General Lin!" Cheng Zili arrived excitedly with Zhang Qun.

Lin Wanrong hurriedly helped them up, "There's no need for formalities, Brother Zhang. Today's success is thanks to you and Brother Cheng! Please tell our brothers that tomorrow I will host a feast in Yunlian County City. Let's drink to our heart's content!"

True to the legends, General Lin was as hearty as they said. Zhang Qun, with his bushy beard, nodded excitedly, "At your command! Seeing General Lin in person is an honor for all of us!"

Cheng Zili whispered, "General Lin, how should we deal with the Xuzhou garrison?"

"Rotten grain is of no use," Lin Wanrong sighed. "Conduct a thorough investigation of these men. Those who committed major crimes will face the law. For minor offenders, confiscate their wealth and send them back to their fields. I also request Brother Zhang to station four thousand elite troops from the Luzhou infantry in the city to maintain order and prevent any chaos from Lord Nie's remnants. But remember, our troops must not disturb the locals, whether they are Miao or Han. We must respect them completely. Not only must we coexist peacefully, but we should also assist them in times of need, helping with farming during busy seasons and building bridges and roads during downtime. Nie Yuanqing has brought disaster to Xuzhou, and we must win back the people's trust little by little!"

On that day, in the chaos of Xuzhou, both of them had witnessed with their own eyes and deeply agreed with General Lin's words.

The Miao villagers surrounding them had already been stirred into a frenzy. Zhaguo was imprisoned, and the long-oppressive Prefect, a source of evil for many years, was captured in one fell swoop by Ah Lin Ge. The two great burdens that had weighed on their heads were obliterated overnight. How could this not inspire joy and elation?

If Ah Lin Ge's victory at the Flower Mountain Festival had earned admiration, his eradication of Xuzhou's cancer and restoration of a clear and just world to the surrounding Miao territory transformed that admiration into boundless adoration. Capable, righteous, affable, and protective of the people, who wouldn't love such an Ah Lin Ge?

"Ah Lin Ge, Ah Lin Ge—" The Miao people rhythmically clapped and chanted his name, their cheers echoing through the mountains and fields.

"General Lin," Hannong approached, hesitantly uttering the title for the first time, feeling quite unaccustomed to it. Recalling the previous night's event of being thrown off the mountain, the elder was both amused and nervous, cautiously saying, "Please, speak a few words to our Miao people!"

Lin Wanrong, with a smile, waved his hand, "Uncle, I'm not any General Lin. In Miao territory, I'll always be Ah Lin Ge. I just hope next time I visit Biluo Hamlet, you won't drive me away again!"

The chief elder laughed heartily, and Lin Wanrong, leaping onto the stage with vigor, waved his hands: "My fellow villagers—"

The crowd first fell silent, then erupted into endless cheers and applause, only subsiding slightly after he had bowed thrice.

"I have an announcement to make," Lin Wanrong declared, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "The Emperor has issued a decree. In celebration of the imperial grandson's birth, citizens of Great Hua will be exempt from taxes for three years! This means, for the next three years, whether you're of the Miao or Hua people, you can farm and herd without paying a single coin!"

The applause was thunderous, a surge of emotions boiling over. A thousand slogans couldn't compare to the tangible benefits of this good news.

"The second matter," he continued, "With the traitorous officials of Xuzhou removed, and the region in need of revival, urgent funds are required to kickstart agricultural activities. I will request His Majesty to allocate twenty thousand taels of silver, to be discussed and managed by the Miao elders for communal development."

Twenty thousand taels of silver was no small sum. For the Miao villages, it was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. The villagers blinked in disbelief, their hearts pounding with excitement as the applause thundered once more.

An Biru whispered to him, "Nonsense! We've just finished fighting the Turks, the national treasury must be empty. Twenty thousand snowflake silver? Even if you demanded Xu Wei's life, he couldn't give it to you! Be honest, are you planning to pay out of your own pocket?"

It seemed nothing could be hidden from Sister An. Lin Wanrong, whispering in her ear with a chuckle, said, "Asking the treasury is indeed futile. But when I previously seized the Prince Cheng Mansion, I made a little profit. I still have Xu Wei's 'Misty Rain over West Lake' at home. I plan to sell it, along with commissioning Old Xu to paint a 'Thousand Flowers and Birds Picture', which I'll sell piece by piece. And then there are the small diamonds the French gifted me. All together, it makes a little over twenty thousand taels. This is all the pocket money I've saved secretly, so don't mention it to Qingxuan and the others, okay?"

An Biru's eyes sparkled as she tenderly looked at him, "You, you've never been one to suffer a loss. Why the change this time?"

"Who says I've suffered a loss?" Lin Wanrong chuckled mischievously, "The twenty thousand taels of silver are a betrothal gift for the Miao villages! Marrying their treasure, this time I've hit a jackpot!"

"You little cunning thief!" The Holy Maiden laughed heartily, playfully poking his forehead, brimming with joy.

"Hmm, hmm," Lin Wanrong quickly reminded her with a serious tone. The Holy Maiden, caught up in the moment, had forgotten where she was. When she came to her senses, she found all the villagers staring at her, having never seen such a charming side of the Holy Maiden. Even the sharp and competent An Biru couldn't help but blush.

"The third matter," Lin Wanrong's face also heated up as he hurriedly spoke aloud, "Due to the Prefect of Xuzhou, Nie Yuanqing, being excessively oppressive and corrupt, he has been temporarily detained for trial. During this period, except for military and legal matters, all affairs of the Miao, big or small, will be temporarily managed by a council comprising the Holy Maiden and the elders, which will then report to the Sichuan-Shaanxi Governor's Office for implementation—"

The applause almost seemed to topple the heavens, with the elders on the stage nearly jumping out of excitement. This was Ah Lin Ge step by step fulfilling his promise. Although it was a temporary arrangement due to the vacancy of the official post, it was a significant advancement for the Miao to have a voice in the state affairs, a reason for immense delight.

These three matters, each more exhilarating than the last, had brought numerous surprises to the Miao villages, earning Lin Wanrong their heartfelt respect and admiration.

"The last and most important matter—" Lin Wanrong's stern face suddenly broke into a grin, "—the matchmaking session of the Flower Mountain Festival is only halfway done. Brothers and sisters, what are you waiting for? Don't waste these beautiful moments!"

The Miao people erupted in laughter and cheers, the joy resounding to the heavens. The night was full of surprises, first with Ah Lin Ge and the Holy Maiden's wonderful duet, then the downfall of the corrupt officials of Xuzhou, wave after wave of climax, so much so that they had forgotten about their most important activity. Prompted by Ah Lin Ge, the matchmaking session resumed in full swing, with the Miao men and women singing freely, their beautiful songs echoing in the night sky for a long time.

Lin Wanrong sighed deeply and turned around, only to find that Sister An had disappeared without a trace or a word. Puzzled, he suddenly heard a few angry shouts in the wind, "Let me go, let me go right now!"

The voice sounded familiar. Looking up, it was Cheng Zili and the others stopping a Miao girl, who was vehemently calling out.

He hurried over, smiling, "Brother Cheng, this lady is my friend! Zitong, are you looking for me?!"

Cheng Zili quickly let her go, and Zitong glared coldly at him, "I'm not here to find you, General Lin. I'm looking for a heartless, ungrateful Hua man!"

‘Isn't that still me?’ Lin Wanrong chuckled wryly, shaking his head, "Zitong, don't mock me like that. Am I really that terrible?"

"Far worse," Zitong glared at him, teeth clenched, and after a long moment, she sighed, "Ah Lin Ge, Yilian has left."

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