Chapter 386: Xin Ping's Loyalty
Chapter 386: Xin Ping's Loyalty
2017-09-25
How much profit can one make in a month from the Livestock Market?
This is a question that many have been eager to know the answer to!
Recently, as Lu Haikong and Zhang Ke settled their accounts, with Zhang Ke taking away dozens of carts of supplies and gold, this question began to ferment among the various noble clans.
Many clans were aware that the Zhang Clan had reached an agreement with Lu Haikong, and they also knew that the Zhang Clan had lifted their economic blockade on Lu Haikong due to his compromise.
These were semi-public facts, and the clans hadn't paid too much attention to these matters before.
After all, with Lu Haikong's Livestock Market in full swing, those who had tasted success continued to enjoy the enormous profits from his business, while those who hadn't were now immersed in it.
They had been so joyful that they forgot about this, but when the Zhang Clan easily took away several million in wealth from Lu Haikong, they could no longer turn a blind eye.
Especially when a scholar, with his subtle actions, frequently visited the various clans, and when detailed or exaggerated figures appeared before the clan leaders, many were once again captivated by the enormous amounts, and their eyes slowly turned red.
The Zhang Clan seemed oblivious to this atmosphere, or perhaps they noticed but chose to ignore the glaring gazes in the face of such immense interests and the allure of gold.
There were indeed insightful individuals within the Zhang Clan, but for such a vast and decadent family, unless the observer was a strong and wise leader, witnessing this would only add to their troubles.
Qiangyin County, County Government Office.
In Lu Haikong's study, a middle-aged man in a scholar's robe stood respectfully before Lu Haikong.
Lu Haikong, who rarely took off his armor and combat attire, was now dressed in a well-fitted scholar's robe, his black hair casually tied back with a silk ribbon. He gracefully brewed a pot of tea, looking more like a refined young master than the ruthless mountain bandit from the rumors.
Lu Haikong served a cup of tea to the middle-aged scholar: "This is the best tea I've brewed in the past month. Have a taste."
"Excellent tea!" the middle-aged man praised as he respectfully raised the teacup and savored it.
"Don't flatter me. I'm well aware of my skills. This past month, I've relied on tea to cultivate my mind and temper my character; otherwise, I might have lost control."
Difficulties are the best test of one's character. For Lu Haikong, the past month had been a rare opportunity for self-improvement, though it was an unwelcome gift from others.
Over the past month, Lu Haikong had barely practiced his martial skills. Each day was spent handling various affairs, reading, practicing calligraphy, and, of course, brewing tea—a suggestion he reluctantly followed.
After a month, Lu Haikong's temperament became more stable, and his mood increasingly serene. Perhaps this peaceful state was also due to the improving situation.
The middle-aged scholar before Lu Haikong bowed deeply and assured him, "Rest assured, my lord. Within half a month, I will help you drive the Zhang Clan out of Qiangyin!"
Indeed, the middle-aged man was none other than Xin Ping, who had been confined by Lu Haikong for most of the past six months.
Time is a relentless and grinding force, capable of wearing down many endeavors and convictions. This is precisely what happened to Xin Ping.
When Xin Ping was initially captured by Lu Haikong, he was tasked with helping to compile books and educational materials. However, Lu Haikong soon forgot about him, and after Xin Ping finished the work, he was left idle with no further tasks.
Xin Ping became worried, fearing that Lu Haikong might consider him useless and decide to eliminate him.
But nothing happened; his meals were delivered daily, and his living quarters were regularly cleaned, yet no one spoke to him or paid him any attention.
Except for the almost unchanged meals, he seemed to have been forgotten.
This state of affairs lasted for over half a year until, a month ago, a pale-faced young man with a perpetual smile found him. They chatted for an hour.
After that day, Xin Ping was released and brought to Lu Haikong's side, becoming the first historical civil official to pledge loyalty to Lu Haikong in a systematic sense. He is also the second person, after Wang Jun, in Lu Haikong's camp to have a Politics attribute over 70.
Xin Ping (Not at Peak)
Identity: Lu Haikong's Vassal
Loyalty: 80
Abilities:
Strength: 30, Politics: 79, Strategy: 77, Command: 40
In the 6919 version!
Talent: Discernment (Effect: ???)
Lu Haikong was surprised that Xin Ping's Politics and Strategy attributes didn't exceed 80. However, he still couldn't quite understand the purpose of these attributes.
Lu Haikong vaguely guessed that if a civil official like Xin Ping or Wang Jun had either of these attributes above 80, they would experience a significant breakthrough, similar to what happens with martial generals. The exact nature of this breakthrough could only be revealed once Xin Ping, Wang Jun, or Xi Zhicai pledged their loyalty.
After Xin Ping's pledge of loyalty, Lu Haikong felt a sense of relief.
Since the start of the Qiangyin construction, Lu Haikong had been preoccupied with two matters: the affairs in Youzhou and the division among the aristocratic families.
Well, Lu Haikong's so-called headache was merely a matter of attention. The affairs in Youzhou were overseen by Li Xiong, and after Xin Ping's pledge, Lu Haikong entrusted the task of handling the aristocratic families to him.
A month passed.
In Youzhou, Li Xiong's work was nearing completion. He had conducted several transactions with several aristocratic families in Youzhou, opening business channels and promoting the reputation of Qiangyin County. Recently, aristocratic families and merchants from Youzhou had started visiting Qiangyin.
The affairs in Youzhou were resolved with the help of significant benefits and Ye Junru's assistance. On Xin Ping's side, after a month of effort, he had also begun to show results.
Lu Haikong's preparations were almost complete; he only needed to wait for the right moment to eliminate the Zhang Clan.
"Oh, right! Have you sent the materials to Zhang Rang as requested? If not, send them as soon as possible. Otherwise, no one will be there to clean up the mess for us!"
Lu Haikong's lips curled into a gentle yet deadly arc.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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