"Considering that you, Young General Lian, trust this official too much and never read the entire agreement, this official would like to remind you.
The addendum to the agreement, on top of the previous one, has been modified as follows:
First, if Young General Lian makes any moves against this official again, your term of office will be quadrupled from the original, and this multiplier will be calculated cumulatively without rounding.
Let's assume Young General Lian can live to a hundred years old; you likely have three more chances.
Furthermore, if this official unfortunately meets his end at Young General Lian's hands within these three opportunities, the creditor of this agreement will be my son, Lin Zi Mo.
In other words, Young General Lian will continue to serve as Lin Zi Mo's bodyguard.
If Lin Zi Mo is also short-lived, the agreement will pass to my wife, Madam Leng.
In summary, the debt has a creditor and an owner; it will not be let go, or rather, it will ensure that Young General Lian doesn't feel lonely or bored."
Lian Cheng Yi, who felt he had heard something extraordinary: ...
"Oh, now that this new agreement has been established, the previous one is no longer useful."
As Lin Qing Ge spoke, he took out the previous agreement from his怀 and tore it into countless pieces, saying with concern:
"Even though the agreement is in black and white, Young General Lian holds an official post. Will he face military law if he is away from the Northeast Great Camp for too long?"
"My lord, please rest assured. Fortunately, my good friend has recently been promoted.
I will write him a letter shortly and ask him to transfer Young General Lian from the Northeast Great Camp to the Shuntian Prefecture yamen as soon as possible.
However, to transfer a mere Young General to the yamen as a constable might be underutilizing his talents. Why not appoint Young General Lian as the commander of the prefecture yamen's guards?"
"Alright, Master Hua, you handle it."
Lin Qing Ge waved his hand dismissively, his attention focused elsewhere. "Master Hua, just how high-ranking is your friend that he can just poach the adopted son of King Wu Cheng?"
Hua Jin Rong did not answer Lin Qing Ge's question but instead flattered him, "My lord, no matter how high my friend's official position, without your intelligence and resourcefulness, how could this fish have landed in the prepared pond?"
"Master Hua is too modest. For all these matters, without your timely tip-offs and strong support, even with all my ideas, they would have remained mere theories."
Looking at the two individuals flattering each other in the distance, the words "collusion between villains" surfaced in Lian Cheng Yi's mind.
The pain in his left arm made Lian Cheng Yi unwilling to look at the two insidious and cunning fellows any longer. Out of sight, out of mind, he simply turned and walked back.
"My lord, aren't you afraid he'll just run away?"
"Let him run. Once the transfer order comes, won't he still have to obediently take up his post at the Shuntian Prefecture yamen?
However, from my observation, Young General Lian is quite similar to Constable Yan in some aspects. He won't run, at most he'll be sulky for a few days.
But what this official cannot understand is why King Wu Cheng harbors such great killing intent towards me.
He volunteered to guard the imperial mausoleum; what does that have to do with me?
Being so petty is truly unbecoming of royalty!"
"Replying to my lord, King Wu Cheng is notoriously narrow-minded. What he did is not unexpected, but entirely within reason."
Leng Ning Yue's beautiful eyes stared coldly at Hua Jin Rong for a long time and she said with certainty:
"Do you have someone among King Wu Cheng's entourage?"
As if surprised by Madam Lin's sudden question, Hua Jin Rong first paused, then smiled with a hook of his lips.
"They say those who walk different paths do not enter the same family. As expected of Madam, you are as meticulous as my lord."
However, far from showing any joy at the praise, Leng Ning Yue's gaze grew colder.
"So, you knew from the beginning that Lian Cheng Yi would act against her?"
Shivering from the chill in Madam Lin's words, Hua Jin Rong's hand, which was fanning himself, froze in mid-air. Then, his entire body recoiled sharply.
Immediately after, a cold light flashed.
The branch hanging above Hua Jin Rong's original position was split in two.
"Don't let there be a next time,"
Leaving behind these four words, full of warning, Leng Ning Yue grabbed Lin Qing Ge and strode away.
Hua Jin Rong, who had narrowly avoided being split in half, looked down at his outer robe, which had a long new gash, let out a sigh of helplessness, and then eagerly followed.
"My lord, I just saw you shoot the arquebus so accurately. Could it be that you practiced before?"
"Never. A blind cat stumbled upon a dead mouse."
"Then my lord is truly exceptionally talented. Not only did you hit the target on your first use of an arquebus, but you also acted as if you already knew about the loud noise it would make, remaining so calm that your expression didn't change.
I was standing close by and was greatly startled by you just now.
Oh, and I noticed that when you used the arquebus, Madam Lin didn't even frown. It's clear she also knew the power of the arquebus beforehand!"
"Shut up!"
Lin Qing Ge's palm and Leng Ning Yue's glares landed on Hua Jin Rong simultaneously. Unlike his near-death escape earlier, Hua Jin Rong didn't dodge this time, but instead covered his face and wailed, "Ying ying ying":
"My lord, aren't I your most valued advisor?
My lord, how could you bring yourself to strike me?
My lord, this slap on my body pains my heart."
"Scram—!"
"Yes, sir!"
Whether it was because Hua Jin Rong was obedient or had something to do, he really didn't follow anymore and disappeared.
Lin Qing Ge and Leng Ning Yue walked on a secluded path. Leng Ning Yue spoke with concern:
"Lian Cheng Yi remaining by your side will always be a potential disaster. Why don't I deal with him?"
"Don't worry, Sister Ning Yue. Lian Cheng Yi is at most a 'potential disaster,' not quite reaching the level of a 'threat.'
As I am new to the capital, I will inevitably need a few helpers.
With Lian Cheng Yi, the adopted son of King Wu Cheng, by my side, whether the factions of the Fourth Prince or the Second Prince try to move against me, they will have to consider it carefully.
In short, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
"I don't understand court affairs, but if you need me, I can act at any time."
"Act on what? My Sister Ning Yue, as the wife of the Prefect of Shuntian, is here to enjoy life in the capital. How can those insignificant individuals be worthy of my Sister Ning Yue's personal attention?"
Looking at her "husband," who was acting so cunningly before her, Leng Ning Yue sighed with a hint of helplessness. "You, you spend your days truly considering yourself a man?"
"Aren't I?"
Lin Qing Ge smiled, hooked his arm around Leng Ning Yue's, and returned to the stronghold.
At the warm invitation of Lu San Niang and Fan Liu, Lin Qing Ge and his party stayed at the mountain stronghold for seven days.
However, on the morning of the eighth day, an uninvited guest arrived at the stronghold.
When Lin Qing Ge, having finished washing up, walked out of his room, his face visibly darkened upon seeing this uninvited guest...