Chapter 141: Tixiang’s Decision

Tixiang’s carriage took Lin Qi and the others back to University City. Even Yulian got off to say goodbye to Tixiang. After all, Lin Qi had returned, and Yulian had many things to discuss with Lin Qi—especially under the current circumstances, where Lin Qi had suddenly connected with Tixiang. Many plans needed to be made in advance.

Surrounded by his guards, Tixiang and Lin Qi arranged the details of their bet for three days later before Tixiang rode away.

Only after the carriage had left University City far behind did Tixiang, who had been sitting with a smile, suddenly speak softly, “You, after all this time, what have you found?”

A cold, emotionless voice, like ice, came from nowhere, “Many things, master.”

Tixiang poured himself a cup of hot tea. He crossed his legs and smiled, “Speak. Tell me something that interests me.”

“Lin Qi, eighteen years old, the only son of the local powerhouse Lin Hu from the Empire’s third-largest port, Dun Er Ke.”

“Lin Hu, with ancestral roots in Dun Er Ke, has been based there since the city’s founding. Lin Hu now monopolizes the flour supply for the Empire’s seven northern provinces. Based on various intelligence reports, the Lin Hu family’s stored wheat, barley, and other grains are enough to supply the northern seven provinces for a year.”

Tixiang’s eyes widened in shock. A year’s worth of grain reserves for seven provinces? That was on par with the Empire’s Northern War Zone strategic grain reserves! Due to technical issues, grain storage on the Western Continent rarely exceeded two years. Even the Gaul Empire could not store too much grain; even the Empire’s strategic reserves could only last up to a year.

You’s voice remained as cold as ever, his tone flat as he continued to report the information he had gathered.

“Besides their surface business with the Millers’ Guild, the Lin Hu family secretly controls over three hundred inns and taverns across the seven northern provinces. Initial estimates suggest Lin Hu family members are spread throughout all major and medium-sized cities in the Empire’s northern seven provinces.”

“Such hidden wealth!” Tixiang exclaimed again. “But with such a background, his only son would still covet my poor Gold Coin! Oh, my Gold Coin, my Gold Coin, it breaks my heart! Damn it, he took almost all the Gold Coin I had on me. I was so heartbroken, but I still had to act with Noble grace. To hell with Noble grace!”

He clenched his fist tightly and said through gritted teeth, “Continue!”

“The Lin Hu family was only rated as a level-three concern in our family’s intelligence system, so they weren’t given much importance. Our family once sent three spies to infiltrate the Lin Hu family. Without exception, they all drowned in accidents within three to six months. The information they sent back was limited, only suggesting that the Lin Hu family holds shares in Dun Er Ke’s three major Whaling Company.”

“Dun Er Ke’s three major Whaling Company! They control seventy percent of the Empire’s Frenzied Unicorn Whale material supply!” Tixiang took a deep breath. “Alright, Lin Qi, if they are really connected to your family, then you are too greedy for my poor Gold Coin!”

“Due to the Hundred-Year Land-Island War, Dun Er Ke has a standing Militia of fifty thousand. According to our family’s intelligence, the Lin Hu family likely has direct control over about ten of those thousand-man Militia units. That means…”

Tixiang interrupted You’s report, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he whispered through clenched teeth, “That means, if Lin Qi truly sides with me, our family can have a secret army of ten thousand men just two days’ journey from the Imperial Capital Borealy!”

You’s icy voice wavered slightly, “Yes, master. An army of ten thousand men, hidden and unknown, would always benefit the family’s interests.”

Tixiang snorted coldly, “Of course! Not just the family’s interests, but mine as well! An army of ten thousand, even if it’s just Militia, could still provide over a hundred skilled men. If those two damn women refuse to come to my bed willingly, Lin Qi can definitely help me tie them to my bed! Lin Qi truly is a man of many methods!”

You’s voice abruptly halted. After a long pause, he continued coldly, “Combining all the intelligence, the Lin Hu family is a very promising local power. Especially since Lin Hu has been recommended by Dun Er Ke’s mayor, Baron Milo, and all the Nobles and merchants of Dun Er Ke. He will become the new mayor of Dun Er Ke in two months.”

Tixiang smiled, a brilliant smile. He was at a critical stage of building his personal power to pave his way into the imperial court. At such a crucial moment, someone as useful as Lin Qi had appeared. He suddenly felt grateful to his cousin Yulian. Perhaps he should increase his support for Yulian’s family. He should firmly bind Lin Qi to his own cause.

“Any other good news? Tell me something to make me happy!” Tixiang put down his teacup contentedly. The information You had just told him might only be part of the Lin Qi family’s strength, but even this part satisfied Tixiang greatly. For a young man just starting to build his personal power to encounter a family with both financial and military strength, and even control over a city’s authority—it was a delightful thing.

“During the Hundred-Year Land-Island War, the Lin Hu family almost went bankrupt,” You’s voice carried a hint of gravity.

“In the final years of the Hundred-Year Land-Island War, three years before it ended, the Empire’s northern front was under pressure. The Alien Race launched a full-scale invasion. The Lin Hu family donated five million Gold Coin in cash to the Imperial Military Ministry for military pay, along with large amounts of grain, medicinal herbs, strong alcohol, fire oil, and other strategic supplies.”

Tixiang was shocked. “Damn, with such a huge donation, their family should have been granted a title! At least a Hereditary one!”

You said coldly, “Lin Hu’s father, uncles, and all his brothers fell in the war. Lin Hu himself was severely injured. Perhaps due to the family tragedy, he declined all the Empire’s rewards—he only asked for a document exempting his family’s business from taxes for thirty years.”

Tixiang opened his mouth slightly and whispered, “I can understand. If all his relatives died in battle, and he accepted the Empire’s title and rewards, it would be hard to justify. He is a true hero. Oh, and then?”

Then, what You said almost made Tixiang jump up.

“Just an hour ago, we received top-secret intelligence—on the battlefield back then, Lin Hu was also severely injured. His heart was pierced by a Beastfolk Crossbow Bolt. It was General Shi who saved him with a bottle of Secret Elixir bestowed by His Majesty. This matter was not recorded in the Military Department’s files but was classified under the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ documents on the use of imperial Secret Elixir. We just received this information an hour ago.”

Tixiang exclaimed in disbelief, “General Shi? Which General Shi?”

“The former frontline commander of the Empire’s North Sea defense line, with the rank of Major General. Now the commander of the Imperial Capital’s garrison, with the rank of General, a Hereditary Marquis, the mad lion who commands the Empire’s Imperial Guard. ‘Blood Lion General’ Stane!”

“Damn!” Tixiang’s face lit up with wild joy, and he nearly danced in the carriage.