CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 216: I DON’T CREATE HAREMS

Bang!

Wanxisha fired a shot into the sky.

It startled the birds sheltering from the rain in nearby trees.

Leyu kept watching the Viscount Wanghai.

The Viscount Wanghai showed no fear on his face, not even glancing at the Linhai Army.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "I understand the determination of President Jing. How about ten times the amount?"

"I think you still don’t understand enough."

"Twenty times."

"Not enough."

"Thirty times."

"Not enough."

"Any more, and my Wanghai Manor can’t squeeze it out."

"That means you’re not squeezing hard enough."

Leyu stood up and said, "Captain Wan, prepare to withdraw. Go back and make a battering ram and a door breaker. The Viscount Wanghai is old and can’t squeeze anything out; we’ll help him. Surely a grand Wanghai Manor can squeeze out enough military funds!"

Wanxisha: "Yes!"

The Viscount Wanghai sighed, "If you really intend to do this, then you all will have to die in Xuanzhu County."

Leyu chuckled, "If we die in Xuanzhu County, then you have to die here too. The only difference is, we die at your hands, you die at Blue Flame’s hands."

"Sigh," the Viscount Wanghai nodded to his servants, who brought out two chairs.

"Sit down, young fellow, and chat with an old man for a while."

Leyu looked at the drizzle in the sky and asked, "Captain Wan, can you hold on in the rain for a while longer?"

"We can endure the rain for a whole day without fear! Usually, this kind of rain doesn’t affect our training!" Wanxisha said, patting his chest.

"Then I’ll have a rainstorm debate with the Viscount Wanghai." Leyu sat down and began to complain: "Hey, I say you’re so old, how do you still have a fluke mentality? If you’d just given the money earlier, wouldn’t it be better? I had to bring people here once; doesn’t it make the scene look bad, Viscount Wanghai, don’t you agree?"

"You..." The young girl behind the Viscount Wanghai seemed eager to retort, but the Viscount Wanghai stopped her.

"You’re right, I indeed had a fluke mentality." The Viscount Wanghai shook his head, "After all, no matter what, I couldn’t have imagined that President Jing, you, would go to such lengths for Blue Flame’s military funds."

"Of course, Blue Flame and I are kindred spirits; if I die, Blue Flame would flip Xuanzhu County upside down, with rifles raining down in every corner as a friend would." Leyu bragged shamelessly.

"Haha," the Viscount Wanghai smiled noncommittally, "Money, the Huyan family can afford it. However, President Jing, could you satisfy my curiosity by answering a question?"

"Please go ahead."

"Actually, many people don’t understand why President Jing you insist on leading this task of raising military funds." The Viscount Wanghai took the hot tea handed by the young girl, sipping it as he spoke, "Everyone knows this is a hard task, neither satisfying Blue Flame nor convincing anyone."

"Do you know? About twenty years ago, a governor of Xuanzhu County was forcibly assigned to tax Xuanzhu County for disaster relief by the Imperial Court, collecting heavy taxes from each family. Before taxes, the governor finally collected them, but he couldn’t stay in Xuanzhu County afterward; no decree could leave the governor’s mansion, and he eventually skulked back to Yanjing."

"We understand the Imperial Court’s demands are unavoidable; just like our hearts too are made of flesh, the wealth accumulated by families over generations, can be taken away by the court’s words lightly, no matter who it is, surely everyone is uncomfortable."

"Everyone needs an outlet for venting."

"We can’t deal with the Imperial Court, but can we not deal with a governor?"

"The same principle." The Viscount Wanghai raised his teacup to Leyu.

"We can’t deal with Blue Flame, but can we not deal with the Jing family?"

"President Jing, you hold a feather as if it’s a command baton, become arrogant upon gaining favor, use every advantage... do you know your future fate?"

Leyu blinked and smiled.

"A very educational story, Viscount Wanghai." He said, "But I noticed a detail in the story—though you were reluctant and unhappy, you still gave the money, didn’t you?"

"Yes."

"Then I’ll take this as encouragement from you, an elder to a younger one." Leyu breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought you would rather have money than your life; turns out there’s already a precedent of giving the money obediently, so I’m relieved."

The Viscount Wanghai shook his head, "This time, the Huyan family admits defeat; encountering President Jing and Blue Flame is unfortunately the calamity of Xuanzhu County."

"But can President Jing answer my confusion? What kind of reason makes you offend the entire Xuanzhu County recklessly? You must know in this game between Dongyang and Blue Flame, you might not please either side."

Leyu extended two fingers.

"First, you cannot represent Xuanzhu County."

"Second, even if neither side is pleased, it doesn’t matter to me."

"I am neither afraid of offending Blue Flame."

"Nor afraid of offending you."

Facing Leyu’s blatant provocation, the Viscount Wanghai shook his head and laughed, "Being unafraid of offending, and needing to offend, are two different matters."

"Doing things to the extreme, using all powers, there are many such people in history; either they’re notorious madmen or fleeting heroes. But even when they ’leave no room for retreat,’ they do it for their own interests."

"But gathering military funds, replacing Xuanzhu County’s various supervisors, does nothing beneficial for your Jing family; instead, your Jing family will be hurt and might offend all the Silver Blood."

"Is there truly someone wholeheartedly making a wedding dress for others in this world?"

"There is."

The Viscount Wanghai rubbed the dragon head on his cane, "But according to intelligence, Blue Flame is a native of Chenfeng, with no connection to the Jing family; in terms of age, he’s neither your father nor your brother."

"President Jing, you have always acted in Dongyang, Blue Flame couldn’t have had contact with you."

"Could it be you two met instantly during negotiations? Or... haha, I’m quite open-minded actually, don’t mind the seriousness of the young boy; although he married early, during school he had a beloved man."

"What!?"

Leyu hadn’t had time to react, and the young girl behind the Viscount Wanghai was utterly shocked, "My brother, he, he, he, he actually..."

So miserable.

Leyu couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the young girl, possibly secretly believing her elder brother was a peerless hero, possibly even a brother complex, originally running out to hear gossip, yet suddenly

Wait.

Viscount Wanghai, why mention this example now?

"I’ve lived for more than sixty years, and I suppose that’s a long life. I’ve seen a lot and I think there’s no such thing as homosexuality, heterosexuality, late love, teacher-student love, or age-gap love... At the end of the day, it’s just two people in love, it’s that simple." Lord Wang Hai stared at Le Yu, "So, President Jing, could it be that you harbor feelings of love for Lan Yan?"

"You, you, you don’t slander me!" Le Yu repeatedly denied it, "I, I, I, I wish Lan Yan would drop dead on the spot!"

The girl’s expression changed.

The previously eloquent President Jing was now so flustered, he was stammering?

He even got the grammar wrong!

If you truly hated him so much, why work so hard on Lan Yan’s military expenses?

Could it be that Jing Zhengwei truly went against the Silver Blood Association just for Lan Yan!?

Lord Wang Hai didn’t notice his youngest daughter was blushing with bright eyes. He glanced at Le Yu and laughed, "It seems I was mistaken. President Jing, please forgive my baseless assumptions."

Le Yu restrained his expression, secretly thinking this old fox is hard to fool.

He didn’t really care about Jing Zhengwei’s reputation, especially since in Xuanzhu County, rumors about Jing Zhengwei and Qin Le Yin were already popular. Just a few days ago, when Qin Le Yin visited, the maids in Jing Garden practically flew over to inform him. Another rumor about Jing Zhengwei and Lan Yan wouldn’t matter.

It’d be best if it reached Star Engraving County. He remembered Lan Yan married Lv Zhong’s daughter, and if this gossip could ignite trouble in Lan Yan’s household, that would be ideal.

"When other assumptions are ruled out, no matter how unbelievable the remaining possibility, it would be the closest to the truth."

Lord Wang Hai leaned closer to Le Yu and lowered his voice, "Everything you’re doing is for yourself."

"Raising a vast military fund for Lan Yan, temporarily managing all affairs of Xuanzhu, indeed benefits only Lan Yan but is detrimental to the Jing Family and even more to Jing Zhengwei."

"Everyone thinks you’re willing to be a dog to please Lan Yan."

"But that’s just the surface you let them see."

"You’re merely using Lan Yan as a knife to cut into the Silver Blood Association, to carve into the Xuanzhu nobility. Although your Jing Family gets carved too, everyone else will get it worse."

"You want to bleed everyone dry, leaving all merchants and nobles hanging by a thread."

Le Yu asked blankly, "But what’s in it for me?"

"Indeed, the military fund is for Lan Yan, and you gain nothing, even losing absolute strength. But..." Lord Wang Hai glanced at the rain clouds in the sky, "Just like some clouds are higher, some lower, although the Jing Family weakens, others will be weaker still."

"What will happen then?"

The gate of Lord Wang Hai’s residence suddenly fell silent, only the patter of raindrops and the flow of water along the eaves could be heard, along with the beating hearts of everyone present.

"Has President Jing married?" Lord Wang Hai suddenly asked, "As the Patriarch, you should start establishing your family line soon."

"Soon, soon, once these matters are resolved, I’ll go home and get married," Le Yu replied dismissively.

Lord Wang Hai suddenly became gossiping, "Who is your partner? Is it that female editor of the Youth Daily?"

"Yeah, you know too?"

"I’ve heard a bit. After all, President Jing is a significant figure in Xuanzhu County now. Of course, we need to understand your preferences."

Lord Wang Hai chuckled, "However, with her background, she likely can’t be your legitimate wife, right?"

Le Yu touched his chin, "I know about my brother Jing Zhengtang and his fiancée, right?"

Lord Wang Hai was stunned, immediately understanding his meaning, "Ah, yes, your Jing Family never cared much about those conventions..."

"You’re really quite like your father..."

If Jing Qingfu heard this, he might jump out of his grave.

"But if the main wife’s background isn’t good, you’ll have fewer choices for concubines in the future," advised Lord Wang Hai like an experienced old-timer, "Or else the concubine might suppress the main wife, and the main wife could become apprehensive, causing inconveniences."

"Well, I just won’t take a concubine, I don’t want a harem," Le Yu said, "I think having Qing Lan is enough. More than that, and even if I have the heart, I lack the strength."

"Young man, over time, you’ll get tired. It’s all the same," Lord Wang Hai said, acting like one with experience.

"When I’m tired, I can just have a fling. Why need a concubine?" Le Yu rationally analyzed, "With flings, each time can be different, economical, and less likely to tire. But with a concubine, isn’t it just like having a second wife? Eventually, the same..."

"Although I only say so, I’m actually not interested in flings."

"Ah, you," Lord Wang Hai sighed, "forcing me to be so clear." He pulled over the girl standing beside him, "What do you think of my little daughter?"

"Just her?" Le Yu raised an eyebrow.

When her father pulled her over, the girl was already stunned. Hearing Le Yu’s dismissive words, she was even angrier—when had Lord Wang Hai’s precious daughter ever been so belittled?

"President Jing has high standards," Lord Wang Hai raised a thumb, "Though my daughter is well-mannered, she’s been spoiled and pampered, prideful with a bad temper. I hope President Jing can overlook this."

Le Yu kept waving his hands, "I won’t, I won’t, take her back and keep covering for her; I’m not interested."

Lord Wang Hai kindly remarked, "Actually, I don’t insist that President Jing marry my daughter. You could take her back and live together like an engaged couple, cultivate feelings. If you truly can’t get along, then it’s just her bad luck for not deserving President Jing’s favor."

"Like an engaged couple? Then we couldn’t sleep together? That’s a no-go." Le Yu shook his head, "And even if we could, it’s not okay. Old man, just give the money; stop with all these antics—"

Suddenly, Lord Wang Hai spoke in a somber voice, "Either take my daughter and a hundred times the military fund, or bring the Linhai Army to wash Wang Hai Manor with blood."

His voice was quiet, only audible to Le Yu and the nearby girl. The girl was already dissatisfied with her father’s actions of treating her like an exchangeable commodity and Le Yu’s repeated refusal as if she were an unwanted lamp was infuriating. But hearing her father’s ominous words, she immediately calmed as if doused in icy water.

Le Yu narrowed his eyes, "Why do this?"

"Common tactics, marriage alliances," Lord Wang Hai said blandly, "In chaotic times, one must use such means to ensure the family’s safety."

"Will offering your daughter ensure safety?"

"By tomorrow, news of your engagement with my daughter will spread throughout Xuanzhu County."

Le Yu laughed, "Didn’t you just say the fate of the Jing Family would be miserably bleak? Isn’t she your daughter? Why are you sending her into the fire? Isn’t my ruthless behavior without a future in your eyes?"

Lord Wang Hai suddenly said:

"With all of Silver Blood offended, doesn’t the Jing Family fear retaliation?"

"Using Lan Yan’s knife to weaken all forces, what exactly is Jing Zhengwei aiming for?"

"When other hypotheses are eliminated by connecting all the clues, regardless of how unbelievable the conclusion, it remains the closest truth."

"The Huyan Family of Wang Hai has thrived to this day not because each generation’s patriarch was a wise visionary, but because..."

"No matter how unbelievable the possibility, the Huyan Family doesn’t ignore it."

Lord Wang Hai reached out, gently patted Le Yu’s shoulder, and whispered in his ear:

"Follow your orders."

"Hand over a hostage."

"Can you spare the Huyan Family in the future when you raise the butcher’s knife?"