Ch. 256..260: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 256-260

Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Visitor from Li Residence (1)_1

"How is the collection of food and fodder coming along?" Chu Suifeng asked.

"Wu Qingzi has already gathered some, along with what the Imperial Court has supplied, it should barely be enough to get through this winter." Si Jinhan responded.

Only enough to get through this winter? Chu Suifeng furrowed his brows.

What will happen if the Imperial Court doesn’t send more food and fodder after this winter? Is he supposed to emulate the Tatars and raid others’ territories?

Chu Suifeng was no ordinary person and didn’t harbor any noble ideal of righteousness. In his opinion, the Tatars had been harassing and raiding the people of the Northern Lands for years, not sparing them from death and destruction. Therefore, as the guardian of the Northern Lands, it would only be justified for him to scavenge their food and fodder while protecting his people.

"If push comes to shove, we can plunder the Tatars’ food and fodder." Like the right-hand man he was, Si Jinhan seemed to voice Chu Suifeng’s thoughts.

"As long as we survive the winter, we’ll figure something out." Chu Suifeng expressed somewhat wearily.

Si Jinhan regarded him sympathetically. Over the years, only people like them who had been by Chu Suifeng’s side truly understood the difficulties he had endured.

Despite his princely title, which many admired, how many of the aristocrats residing far away in Capital City envied him? The sheer vastness and harsh climate of the Northern Lands, the Imperial Court’s annual suppression and the Tatars’ harassment were enough to deter those who had always lived in luxury.

Thinking of the Emperor living comfortably in the Capital City, a disapproving sneer flashed across Si Jinhan’s eyes.

It was absurd that such an unworthy master had remained Emperor for so many years and it was surprising that the Princes under him hadn’t rebelled.

Given the current state of corruption and darkness in the Imperial Court, he suspected that day was not far off.

Rumors suggested that the Fifth Prince and the Third Prince were independently presiding over their territories, secretly recruiting soldiers and horses, and had discreetly formed factions against the Crown Prince.

However, no one would likely trouble themselves about Chu Suifeng’s affairs.

Though his elite soldiers were formidable, they were short on resources. Their role had been reduced to defending the borders and preventing the Tatars from breeching the defenses to reach Capital City.

While Chu Suifeng faced threats from all sides, it wasn’t all bad. At the very least, no power would dare to deliberately provoke him. A chance to regroup was an opportunity he needed badly, but he needed material support as well.

It was always about money and resources! Si Jinhan thought of the Northern Land’s high-ranking officials racked with worry over this matter and sighed to himself.

"The Li Family has been amassing wealth all along." After some thought, Si Jinhan decided to report what he knew.

"As long as they don’t cause significant trouble, leave them be." Chu Suifeng replied indifferently. Did the Li family really suppose that being his in-laws guaranteed their safety? Had it not been for silencing public gossip, he, Chu Suifeng would have long destroyed this family of his wife’s relatives.

But, the old lady was still alive! For now, he would bear with them. Thinking of his loving grandmother-in-law, Chu Suifeng eventually held back.

"They might even consider targeting the young girl." Si Jinhan returned to his usual frivolous demeanor.

"Find a way to prevent them from doing so." Chu Suifeng instructed after a brief pause.

No matter what, Lin Ziyin was his financial backer.

If someone had told him before that a young girl could successfully manage a business and bring large sums of silver to his Residence, he wouldn’t have believed it. But, with the unending silver pouring from Ding’an Temple and the massive profits from the duck shop right before his eyes, he had come to believe it.

With a continuous supply of silver coming from Lin Ziyin, Chu Suifeng would not tolerate anyone harming her.

"Li Yanran seems to be of marriageable age; should be time to find a good in-law for her." Si Jinhan jestingly said.

"Perhaps this Prince could help you play matchmaker." Chu Suifeng cast him a sidelong glance.

 

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Visitor from Li Residence (2)_1

"No, let’s spare that. I can’t handle it. Besides, the Li Family are being overly optimistic." Si Jinhan laughed excessively.

"Go back and do your own business." Chu Suifeng was somewhat irritable.

He was well aware of the Li Family’s intentions. He was no longer the crying child when he first arrived at the titled land, led by the nose by the Li Family.

Li Yanran, he would absolutely not allow her to enter the Wang Residence. Not to mention a queen, even as a minor concubine, she wasn’t qualified. Suddenly he thought of Lin Ziyin’s once grandiose words.

Did she despise him? Looking for a suitable husband? He couldn’t help but laugh. The girl was ambitious! But, she might not be able to find the man she wanted in this world.

After discussing the main issue, Si Jinhan left the study and met a beautiful woman in plain autumn clothes, flanked by two maids.

"Third young master." Seeing Si Jinhan, the beautiful woman spoke first.

"Miss Lin." Si Jinhan stepped aside slightly, a playful smile still on his face as he looked at the beauty.

The beauty’s face turned slightly red, and then lowered her head and asked, "How is the prince in the study?"

"Did Miss Lin bring food for the prince?" Si Jinhan focused on the tray held by the maid behind the beauty.

"This concubine has made some dessert for the Prince, is there a chance to bring it in?" The beauty lowered her posture.

"No." Si Jinhan answered seriously, "Look, Master Situ is here, let him do it."

After speaking, he darted away.

Upon entering the room and seeing this, Master Situ immediately called out, "Third young master, wait, I have a matter to discuss with you." And without greeting Miss Lin, he immediately chased after him.

Miss Lin had no choice but to go to the outside of the study herself.

"Stay back." The guard in black armor coldly blocked her, Lin couldn’t even step into the courtyard of the study, "The prince orders no women shall come here."

"The wife is here to deliver dessert to the Prince, can you allow the dessert to be brought in? " Miss Lin begged.

"Withdraw quickly." Said the guard in black armor coldly, "If you don’t leave, don’t blame me for offending you."

Miss Lin paid a visit, yet didn’t even enter the courtyard, filled with dissatisfaction. But she knew Chu Suifeng’s temper and how ruthless these black-armored soldiers were. If she lingered any longer, these black-armored soldiers might actually drag them away.

"Madam, let’s go back." Seeing the ferocious look of the black-armored soldiers, the maid was already trembling.

"Let’s go." No reaction from such a loud noise outside, Lin had no choice but go back dejectedly with the maids.

The roast duck shop has been revamped, adding various roasted meats flavors, roasted lamb, roasted pork, and even all sort of grilled vegetables. There were also a myriad of braised meats, attracting more and more noble customers, and it became a favorite stop for businessmen traveling north and south.

Some merchants even felt regretful that they couldn’t take away the food.

Lin Changshu indeed helped the Guo Family in their village to complete the signing.

"Your sister-in-law’s family was making a fuss, but I said if they don’t sign the contract, we absolutely won’t buy their ducks. If they breach the contract, the Prince’s men will handle it. With Shopkeeper Liao here, they didn’t dare to misbehave in the end and agreed to sign. Your big and little brother-in-law are very busy now, setting dates for all the families wanting to sell ducks, they’ll buy the ducks as long as they’ve seen them the same day," Lin Changshu reported the results upon seeing her, a habit developed since they opened the shop at home.

Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Visitor from Li Residence (3)_1

It seems like if Lin Ziyin doesn’t make things clear, he can’t sit still.

"We can add more flavors to the tofu. Brother, the sweet potatoes should be ready for harvest soon. If anyone has a surplus, let’s buy it. We can also purchase white turnips." Lin Ziyin suggested.

"Okay." Lin Changshu agreed without a second thought.

"A lot of merchants want to buy our soy sauce, but the distance makes it hard to transport. Do you have any solutions?" Lin Changshu asked again.

"We need to ensure enough supply for Feng City first, and about the transportation, I’ll look into it," Lin Ziyin replied.

The Lin family is now producing vegetable oil and soy sauce that merchants love. A lot of merchants have contracts with the Lin family. They send people every month to take the oil and soy sauce, and outsiders can’t press oil. The containers of Lin family’s oil and soy sauce are all marked, so there’s no way for others to forge.

"If it’s possible, we could consider packing them in large barrels," Lin Ziyin said. "We, the Lin family, would only be responsible for checking the goods when they are delivered. Once they pass our front door, it’s none of our business."

"But what if there are issues?" Lin Changshu asked with concern.

"They check the goods on the spot when buying. If anything happens later, it’s their fault for mismanagement. What’s it got to do with us?" Lin Ziyin said. One shouldn’t be doing business if they worry about everything.

"Are you two returning to the village?" Lin Changshu asked, now that the business at the shop was steady.

"Yes, I’m all packed and ready to go," Lin Ziyin said with a laugh. She had been running back and forth these days, while her sister Lin Zige and several maidens stayed back at the shop to take care of everything.

Now that things are stable here, she can relax, and Lin Zige doesn’t need to stay at the shop anymore.

"Finally returning home. Feeling confined almost killed me," Zige said. Being naturally lighthearted, doing business these days has made her much more daring. "Just a bit worried about falling behind in martial arts practice."

"You’ll catch up if you train hard at home," Lin Ziyin teased her. "Brother Dayou must have cursed me a thousand times in the back."

Lin Zige blushed and gave her a playful glaring at her remarks. "Let him dare!" she retorted defiantly.

"Sister, you’re turning into a tigress, careful Brother Dayou will become henpecked," continued Lin Ziyin, tickling her ribs.

"Even if I am a tigress, he chose me willingly. It’s not like I’m forcing him," Zige dodged and laughed, answering back.

After the incident with Ma Zhicai’s family, Lin Zige has become much braver and more open-minded about many things.

Seeing the two sisters making fun of each other in the car, Lin Changshu couldn’t help but laugh along.

Life is good now!

"What’s going on?" Unexpectedly, when they returned home, they saw a large crowd of onlookers gathered at their doorstep.

Most of the villagers were working for the Lin family, so how come there were so many onlookers at the gate?

As the mule cart came to a stop, people immediately swarmed around.

"What’re you doing?" Yu Shaohui coldly demanded, while Jue Ming protected Lin Ziyin and the others.

"What happened?" Lin Ziyin asked calmly. She looked around and noticed most of the spectators were from other villages.

Because the Lin family bought a lot of nuts and agricultural products, there are people coming and going every day in the workshop area.

But why would these people be crowding their house instead of the workshop area?

"Ziyin, it’s good that you’re back. There was an accident in the village," Lou Zheng squeezed his way over from the crowd, as if he had found a savior. "Zhou Dasheng fell from a tree while picking pine cones and broke his leg. His wife and mother brought the trouble to our doorstep."

Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Visitor from Li Residence (4)_1

Trying to swindle me? This was Lin Ziyin’s first reaction.

"Lin Ziyin, best you’re back. Our Dasheng fell from the tree picking fruits for your house. That high a tree, almost took his life. Now, his leg is broken and he can’t do anything. Our family depends on him. You ought to compensate us," said Zhou Dasheng’s wife, Mrs. Pang, sobbing as she approached.

Right off, they were asking for money. Lin Ziyin sneered. So they thought she was a sucker. "Your man broke his leg and, in what way does that involve me? Why should I compensate you?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Pang was stunned, and then enraged. She knew this wretch wouldn’t readily give them money. But, if they didn’t get the money today, the entire family’s sustenance would be counting on the Lin Family.

Thinking of the Lin Family’s meals every day, Mrs. Pang felt living there wasn’t a bad idea.

"Lin Ziyin, you can’t be so heartless." Zhou Dasheng’s mother, also called Mrs. Pang, was a notorious nag in the village. She usually took liberties but she was extremely assertive today since her son was still laid up at home. "My son Dasheng injured himself picking fruits for your house, if you won’t compensate, who will? Are you trying to kill our whole family?" So saying, she started to cry and hurl abuses.

Lin Ziyin coldly watched the charade put on by their entire family. They even pulled the children in. The oldest Zhou boy was around 14 or 15, glaring darkly at Lin Ziyin.

"I’ll file a complaint. If anyone dares make a racket at our doorstep, I’ll chuck them out. If it happens once, I’ll do it once," Lin Ziyin spoke coolly.

Lin Ziyin didn’t specifically like to fight fire with fire, but sadly some people loved to provoke her. If she didn’t show these people some toughness they’d end up thinking they could extort the Lin Family whenever they pleased.

"Rich and heartless, the Lin Family is amassing wealth at the cost of lives." Mrs. Pang slapped the ground, wailing loudly.

The majority of the villagers who’d come to sell fruits were from outside and showed sympathy towards the situation, pointing at Lin Ziyin. They all felt some empathy. The most valuable pine fruits came from climbing trees, which was also dangerous. What if they fall from the tree one day?

If the Lin Family was willing to compensate, they could seek help if something were to happen to them.

"Swindling us for money, you? If you had money, you wouldn’t be at our Lin family’s doorstep trying to extort us," said Lin Ziyin disdainfully.

"Our Dasheng was injured picking fruits for your family, why won’t you compensate us with money?" Mrs. Pang latched onto her argument. "Isn’t that right, everyone? Think about it, her family bought our fruits giving us just a few pieces of silver, and sold them for much more. If that’s not rich and heartless, what is? We’re poor, yes, but we have lives too. They can’t just trample upon us,"

The surrounding people nodded frequently in agreement.

When the old man and others heard that Lin Ziyin had returned, they too came over.

Hearing Mrs. Pang’s statements, the old man looked worriedly at Lin Ziyin, but held his peace.

"Since you’re putting it that way, let’s put the facts straight to prevent any future misunderstandings if we end up in the courts. You might believe we, the Lin family, are bullying you." At this, everyone present pricked up their ears.

"When we, the Lin family, purchase fruits, the prices are clearly marked. If you feel dissatisfied with the price, you’re under no obligation to sell the fruits to us. Secondly, you sell me the fruits, I give you the money - it’s simple business. You’re not sacrificing your lives for me, Lin Ziyin. Thirdly, before the fruit picking began, we made it clear that if anything happened during the process, you’d have to bear the consequences. So, the Zhou family took the money but also wants extra benefits. Where on earth does that happen? Make as much fuss as you want, but so much as raise your voice and I’ll have someone file a lawsuit for fraud against you at the government offices," said Lin Ziyin sternly.

 

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Visitor from Li Residence (5)_1

People around who had brought fruits all lowered their heads, feeling somewhat afraid and somewhat regretful.

"If you all share the same thoughts as the Zhou Family, thinking that we, the Lin Family, are easy to take advantage of, then you all don’t need to bring fruits here in the future." Lin Ziyin coldly sneered, scanning the crowd.

On hearing this, the spectators were dumbfounded. Picking fruits was a significant source of income for them. Although picking pine nuts was somewhat dangerous, the rest were pretty easy. The Lin Family offered a high price. If the Lin Family stopped buying their fruits, what would they do? This was a significant source of income for them.

"We have long been advising them not to take advantage of others, but sadly, they just wouldn’t listen. Let’s forget it. If they wish to make a fuss, let them. We better hurry and sell our fruits." One of the spectators immediately changed the topic.

"Indeed, what a waste of time." Another man pushed his cart towards Wang’s factory.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

"Lin Ziyin, you’re not short of silver. What harm is there in compensating us a little? You have a hard heart." Madam Pang pointed at Lin Ziyin and shouted.

Compared to her, Mr. Pang was much smarter. "Ziyin, in the heat of the moment, my wife spoke some nonsense. Don’t take it to heart. Consider it a kindness to your fellow villagers and give us some money for medical expenses. We didn’t earn a lot of silver from picking fruits, and it cost quite a bit for Dasheng to see a doctor. Just take pity on us."

"Why should I take pity on you?" Lin Ziyin coldly refused. "There are many to be pitied in this world. I’m not a Bodhisattva to give out silver to whoever is pitiable. I believe that from selling fruits these days, you must have earned no less than fifteen taels of silver, which is enough to see a doctor."

"Ziyin, my wife was wrong. Please feel sorry for us."

"Lin Ziyin." Madam Pang’s mouth was still tough.

"Shut up, you foul woman, don’t speak if you don’t know how to." Mr. Pang strongly scolded his daughter-in-law.

Madam Pang got scared and dared not speak.

"Ziyin, give them two taels of silver." The old man finally spoke.

"Grandpa." Zige disagreed. If they set this precedent today, who knew how many others would try to take advantage of the Lin Family in the future?

"Give them two taels of silver." Lin Ziyin ordered coldly.

Yu Shaohui took out two taels of silver and threw them at Mr. Pang’s feet.

"This little silver?" Mr. Pang thought the silver was too less and still wanted to feign poverty.

"This silver, it’s not because of your fuss that we’re giving it. Just like you said, we’re giving it out of respect for our past as neighbors. And also, grandfather couldn’t bear to see someone as old as you bowing to one of my younger generation like me for a bit of silver. But don’t think about getting more. What you and your daughter-in-law did to our Lin Family, we’ve remembered it all. Two taels of silver, just this once, never to be repeated." Lin Ziyin coldly interrupted him.

Madam Pang was still feeling somewhat indignant, but with Mr. Pang present, it was not her place to speak. She was truly frustrated.

"If you need a worker at your factory, I can work at your factory." Suddenly, Dasheng’s oldest son spoke up as if it was to be expected.

"Yes, yes, if others can work in your factory, Dayao can surely do the work too." Madam Pang’s eyes lit up, working at the Lin Family’s factory was a permanent solution. A monthly income of two taels of silver, with no wind, rain or heavy labor was a great fortune.

"We don’t hire people with ill intentions." Lin Ziyin replied, supporting his grandfather inside the courtyard without turning back.

People with ill intentions, that was a direct insult to them.

Dayao stood at the gate red-faced and furious, impotent and helpless.