Chapter 162 Long-term Plan

The matter of Tianyue City could only be arranged this way for the time being.

However, Lin Chen certainly wouldn't really trust others to the point of completely abandoning his own city.

That's why Lin Chen sought out Winter.

To be honest, Lin Chen trusted Winter more than the national protector, Long Yandao, whom he had never met.

"Mr. Winter, didn't you say that you would find Princess Qingyue to help me? But why did the national protector appear instead?" Lin Chen asked, expressing his confusion as soon as they met.

"Hehe, does City Lord Lin feel that the national protector's arrival was too sudden… To be honest, it was my idea to have the national protector step in to solve the problem of Tianyue City."

Winter explained to Lin Chen a part of what he had done.

Including his suggestion to Princess Qingyue to ask Long Yandao to come forward.

Winter went on to analyze many things with Lin Chen.

After listening to some of Winter's words, Lin Chen learned even more.

First of all, the current outcome was good.

Long Yandao's arrival completely shocked those marquises and nobles.

Even Jin Qiang accepted Long Yandao's arrangements without any objection.

In fact, although Long Yandao seemed to be simply telling Jin Qiang to go back and rest, everyone knew that Long Yandao was actually seizing power… He directly seized Jin Qiang's power, even stripping him of his position as the provincial governor of Zhenhai Province.

Did Long Yandao have that much power?

Lin Chen wasn't sure.

But from what Winter told Lin Chen, with Long Yandao's status, even if Jin Qiang's backer was the King, he definitely wouldn't refuse to give Long Yandao face for the sake of Jin Qiang.

Or perhaps…

The King might also be happy to see things develop in this direction.

Because if things developed in any other direction, it might be difficult for the King to control the situation…

Assuming Long Yandao hadn't appeared today and resolved this matter, then Lin Chen, having defeated Jin Qiang, owning a city, and possessing the Zhan Shen Array (God-Slaying Array), in which he could fight against Third Stage cultivators…

Then, what would the Dragon Spirit Kingdom do?

They would definitely have to do something!

Send troops to suppress him?

But who would they send?

The main problem was that Lin Chen was too fierce!

Wan Jian Gui Xu (Ten Thousand Swords Return to Nothingness), coupled with the amplification of the Zhan Shen Array, plus Zhan Shen Yi Ji (God-Slaying Strike)…

To be honest, no one below Third Stage in the Dragon Spirit Kingdom could withstand it.

If they kept sending troops, Tianyue City might even grow stronger.

And the nobles were very dissatisfied…

At that time, it might evolve into an internal crisis for the Dragon Spirit Kingdom.

Which King wouldn't want domestic stability?

At this time, Long Yandao's appearance gave everyone a relatively peaceful way to resolve the matter.

First of all, the dead were already dead.

So, they would be ignored.

Everyone would look forward.

Of course, Lin Chen had killed the people.

But now, they couldn't punish Lin Chen, and the reasons had already been stated above.

Allowing Lin Chen to go to the Empire Battlefield was actually equivalent to letting Lin Chen atone for his crimes… It was just that some things weren't explicitly stated.

Long Yandao stepped in, and Lin Chen went to the Empire Battlefield. Then, the King would reconcile with the nobles, and everyone would give each other face, so this matter could be temporarily put to rest.

That was about it.

Next was Winter… or rather, Princess Qingyue behind him. She had also put in some effort in this matter.

She had even invited the national protector.

Princess Qingyue definitely had her own demands.

Winter said to Lin Chen: "The princess hopes that City Lord Lin will first announce a donation of ten dazzling soul crystals to the princess as military expenses for the Empire Battlefield… However, this money will be managed by the princess's affiliated Chamber of Commerce. Of course, since it's military expenses, the princess will definitely allocate it to the Dragon Protector Army in installments. In addition, as a condition of exchange, the princess will send someone with a special identity to Tianyue City."

"Who?" Lin Chen frowned.

Winter smiled and said: "This person's identity will not be simple. Either they will be a member of the royal family, or a princess or a junzhu (princess of the second rank)… In short, the reason they are coming to Tianyue City is for the princess to deter those nobles. With them here, it can be guaranteed that no more short-sighted nobles will dare to invade City Lord Lin's Tianyue City."

Lin Chen understood that this Princess Qingyue had some tricks up her sleeve.

Don't look at what Winter said about sending a prince or princess to protect Tianyue City. Lin Chen was very familiar with this routine…

Wasn't this just a hostage!

Princess Qingyue definitely had other demands.

Otherwise, just ten dazzling soul stones wouldn't be enough for her to make such a move, sending a royal hostage to a subordinate's city, would it?

The key was that since Princess Qingyue had said this, it meant that she had already persuaded the King.

"What other instructions does Princess Qingyue have?"

Lin Chen chuckled.

Sure enough, Winter understood him a little better.

To be honest, Lin Chen was still a little worried about his city with Long Yandao's plan to suppress the remaining five marquis families in Zhenhai Province with the national protector's prestige.

But Princess Qingyue's move allowed Lin Chen not to worry.

That was a royal hostage!

Tell me, who would dare to risk the world's disapproval and attack Tianyue City, knowing the situation?

What would happen if something happened to the royal hostage?

Princess Qingyue's method could at least guarantee the safety of Tianyue City.

It was just…

If Lin Chen agreed to this matter, then the royal family would definitely be wary of him from beginning to end.

After all, no true subject would be willing to receive a royal hostage.

Although Princess Qingyue said it nicely, that she was sending a direct member of the royal family to protect Tianyue City…

"The princess hopes that City Lord Lin can sign an order transaction of at least 5 billion gold coins per year with her affiliated chambers of commerce. These transactions can cover all aspects, including various materials, scrolls, and special materials, etc. In addition, when City Lord Lin goes to the Imperial Capital to meet with the Council and His Majesty to receive the title of nobility, you cannot request a fiefdom. Apart from that, Tianyue City will also take the initiative to declare that it will pay 300,000 soul crystals to the royal family every month."

Winter relayed many of the princess's requests.

But in fact, Lin Chen knew very well in his heart.

These were probably what Princess Qingyue had discussed with the King and hoped that Lin Chen would do.

The royal family had even given a hostage, which was a very embarrassing thing. No matter how nicely the royal family put it on the surface, I'm afraid the dukes all knew it, so Tianyue City had to pay some price.

At least 5 billion orders a year were business matters.

300,000 soul crystals was equal to 3 billion gold coins, which had to be paid to the royal family every month…

In short, Lin Chen didn't actually lose out in this business.

Jin Qiang had previously demanded that Tianyue City pay 3 million soul crystals every month. Later, this number was doubled.

And now?

300,000 soul crystals a month, to be paid to the royal family, and the royal family even had to send a hostage to Tianyue City in exchange!

Lin Chen was very familiar with this kind of history.

From the Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the dukes gradually eroded the Zhou royal family in this way.

The royal family sending hostages to the dukes was a Pandora's box…

Once opened, it was hard to say how much impact it would have.

Didn't this prove that the royal family was actually powerless to control domestic conflicts?

And Tianyue City could receive such treatment, in addition to everyone being Blue Star people, it was also because of Lin Chen's terrifying strength… Lin Chen thought for a moment and smiled.

Wasn't it just money!

He had exchanged a lot of gold coins and soul crystals before the game servers shut down.

Lin Chen didn't care about this small amount: "Please tell Princess Qingyue that Lin Chen agrees to her proposal!"

"I knew that City Lord Lin would definitely agree."

Winter smiled and said: "300,000 soul crystals a month is not much, but if City Lord Lin is promoted to Earl and is willing to take the initiative to pay tribute to the royal family, then the meaning will be different… So, Lin Chen, rest assured. What the royal family wants is your attitude. After you arrive in the Imperial Capital, the royal family will definitely protect you. It is also true that the national protector needs you to help him command the central army, so he will also protect you. There is absolutely no need to worry."

"Why did the national protector choose me?" Lin Chen asked.

"Haha…"

Winter immediately said: "City Lord Lin, do you know how rare it is to have a person in the First Stage who can kill the peak of the Second Stage on the Empire Battlefield? I can tell you something… In the future, City Lord Lin, you will definitely have a great future on the Empire Battlefield!"

It seemed that the reason why Lin Chen and Tianyue City could get the current result, not only to be able to retreat completely from the conflict with the nobles, but also to get the treatment of having a royal hostage sent by the royal family, in addition to financial reasons, the Empire Battlefield's need for Lin Chen was also a very important factor.

Then Lin Chen had nothing to worry about!

Because now, he was not without support.

Princess Qingyue needed Lin Chen and Tianyue City to be stable so that they could create wealth and even stable income for her.

The value of ten dazzling soul crystals was too great, and I was afraid that the royal family was still waiting for this money to do many things.

What's more, there was also a stable income every month and every year in the future.

In addition, the national protector also needed Lin Chen's strength to help him do many things on the Empire Battlefield…

Since he was needed, then he must be safe!

Before Winter bid farewell, he also said to Lin Chen: "City Lord Lin, rest assured, my chamber of commerce also has access to the Empire Battlefield. From now on, I will focus on being stationed in Tianyue City for a period of time and strive to develop the chamber of commerce here. At that time, if City Lord Lin wants to contact Tianyue City, or if the people of Tianyue City want to contact City Lord Lin, you don't have to go through the imperial post office at all. Just let the people in my chamber of commerce secretly pass on the message for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Winter." Lin Chen smiled and said: "In my opinion, I should have no better friend in the Dragon Spirit Kingdom than Mr. Winter."

"That's true, I have always treated people with sincerity…"

Winter smiled and gave Lin Chen a suggestion: "Before City Lord Lin goes to the Imperial Capital, you may wish to go to the Falling Leaf District. The Tianxin tea on the Tianxin tree is very good. Also… you may wish to meet with Jin Qiang. His days, including the Jin family's days, will definitely not be good in the future. Perhaps… there may be gains after City Lord Lin goes."

"Understood."

Lin Chen nodded.

Then, he watched Winter leave.

But Lin Chen was also thinking in his mind: Was this Winter really as loyal and honest as he said?

Probably not necessarily.

But, from the time Lin Chen met Winter until now, Winter had not done anything that was detrimental to Lin Chen or Tianyue City… Just this point alone, Lin Chen could be sure that Winter should not have any hostility towards him.

So, his words could be believed.

So…

What exactly was Winter after?

This, I guess, should not have much to do with the current Lin Chen.

Otherwise, Winter would not have been so eager to cooperate with Lin Chen.

He even took the initiative to do many things for Lin Chen.

Soon, the day came when Lin Chen was about to leave Tianyue City.

Before leaving, Lin Chen also told Zhang Chunlin and the others about the matter of the hostage. In the end, everyone reached a consensus. In the future, when the royal hostage entered Tianyue City, special personnel would be arranged to take care of and protect him.

At the same time, he would also show him more of the special aspects of the Blue Star Easterners.

Lin Chen embarked on the road to the Imperial Capital.

Guarding him along the way was Jin Mu.

Once the deputy general of the Jin family army.

His strength was also at the peak of the First Stage.

In addition, Jin Mu also had an identity…

Jin Qiang's nephew.

Jin Qiang had no sons.

He had no children.

Therefore, Jin Mu was actually equal to his future successor.

Along the way, Jin Mu definitely did not like this Lin Chen, who seriously injured his uncle, so the two did not have any communication.

It was not until they arrived in Falling Leaf City that Lin Chen said his first sentence to Jin Mu.

"Let's go, let's go to your uncle's place."

Lin Chen also said: "There is no need to hide it from anyone, just go directly… Jin Mu, you also want to go back and see him, right?"

Jin Mu heard this and nodded silently in response.

At the moment when Jin Mu turned his head, it could be seen that his expression was still a little moved…

The current Jin family was no longer what it used to be.

How glorious the Jin family was in the past, how downcast it was now.

Jin Mu was even afraid that he would not be able to see Jin Qiang again before he went to the Empire Battlefield…

Unexpectedly, this opportunity came from Lin Chen.

The carriage turned and headed towards the Jin family.

As for Tianxin Tea, Lin Chen was not in a hurry to taste it.

Falling Leaf City was very big.

However, the tree in the middle was even bigger.

Walking on the streets in the fallen leaves, it seemed that no matter where you were, you could see the tree when you looked up.

This tree must be very old!

Lin Chen deliberately went to the Jin family in a swaggering manner, which was actually an expression of an attitude…

He and the Jin family, or Jin Qiang, had no personal grudges.

Doing so would make Lin Chen seem very magnanimous.

Besides, Lin Chen and Jin Qiang really had no personal grudges.

The calculations between the two were based directly on their respective positions.

However, when Lin Chen brought Jin Mu and others to the Jin family, he found that the huge mansion had become deserted and deserted. Even the servants were not seen, and there were traces of fighting.

"Uncle!"

Jin Mu's face changed drastically.

He took people and rushed into the Jin family.

In the end, a group of people passed through several traces of battle, and even some houses with broken roofs, and came to the front of an ancestral hall.

"Jin Hu!"

Jin Mu shouted.

In the ancestral hall, a young man with an unusually strong and sturdy figure was kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet. Jin Mu rushed in and asked: "Who did it? Where is Uncle? Jin Hu!"

"It's the Black Iron Guard…"

The man named Jin Hu clenched his fists tightly. When he turned his head, his face was full of tears. He said: "The Black Iron Guard is here. They…they abolished Uncle, saying that they were going to take Uncle away to question him! In addition, all the Jin family's property has been taken away. Uncle didn't let me resist. They just left!"

"Black Iron Guard."

Jin Mu heard this and slumped to the ground.

Black Iron Guard!

This was an organization controlled by the Dragon Spirit Kingdom Council.

They claimed to be the maintainers of the Dragon Spirit Kingdom's system.

In fact, they were just some hawks controlled by the Council!

However, the Black Iron Guard was authorized by the Council, and their power was not small.

"It's useless to cry at this time."

Lin Chen's voice sounded. He walked into the Jin family's ancestral hall, looked at the memorial tablets enshrined above, slowly lit a stick of incense, and said at the same time: "Jin Mu, in the capacity of the commander of the central army of the Dragon Protector Army, I order you to intercept the Black Iron Guard…Just say that this commander wants to see your uncle."

"Lin…City Lord Lin…" Jin Mu looked over in surprise.

Obviously, Lin Chen's actions at this time were beneficial to the Jin family.

But…

Why did Lin Chen do this?

Jin Mu was puzzled.

However, he knew… this might be his last chance to see his uncle.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jin Mu immediately took the guards and chased them out.

At this time, Jin Hu stood up and said: "I'm going too!"

"No."

Lin Chen stopped him and said: "If I were you, what I would do at this time is to put away all the memorial tablets… The Jin family no longer has a chance to make a comeback."

Previously, Lin Chen was actually a little puzzled…

The final solution to the conflict between himself and the nobles this time was for Tianyue City to take the initiative to trade, place orders, and pay tribute to the royal family. The royal family, in turn, would give Tianyue City a hostage to ensure the safety of Tianyue City.

Then, Lin Chen also joined the Dragon Protector Army and went to the Empire Battlefield.

It seemed that both sides took what they needed, and they had achieved relatively satisfactory results.

But…

As a party to the conflict, what about those nobles and the Council representing the interests of the nobles?

What benefits did they get?

Now, Lin Chen finally understood.

Jin family!

It seemed that the King should have reached some kind of compromise with the Council.

And the end of this compromise was that the Jin family was uprooted!

First, Jin Qiang was pushed out to bear all the consequences.

Then, all the resources of the Jin family were used to compensate the Council…

Under such circumstances, even the survival of the Jin family became a problem.

The national protector took action and took away the Jin family army.

On the King's side, the honors of the Jin family were stripped.

Finally, the Council took action and took everything from the Jin family!

Under the joint efforts of the three parties, was there any chance of survival for the Jin family?

Jin Qiang certainly had no chance of survival.

After all, he failed in Zhenhai Province.

However, these two Jin family brothers, Jin Mu and Jin Hu, did not necessarily have to die.

So Lin Chen was saving them!

It wasn't that Lin Chen was kind.

But Lin Chen's current situation also required him to save them!

Because…

Lin Chen needed to control the Jin family army!

A beautiful day starts with the first 5,000 words of the chapter!

In addition, the Qidian website had a problem last night. It is estimated that many people did not see the chapter updated at 11:00 p.m. last night. You can read it now.

(End of this chapter)