Lin's figure was tall and straight, his appearance slender and refined, with a strong and resolute air about him. On this cold day, he wore a cyan long shirt under a quilted jacket, with a sword at his waist, and rode a dark red horse, exuding an aura of authority. Before he arrived, Zhou Pu, Chen Enze, and Liu Yue'er all came over first, surrounding Zhao Hu and helping him dismount, leading the dark red horse away.

  The Dongyang Township Party members present looked at Lin Xuan being surrounded by his servants and maids, with an extraordinary air about him. Even some people who had previously heard rumors about Lin Xuan felt that the rumors were unbelievable, thinking to themselves that this man in front of them was so dignified, how could he be a weak and useless person?

  Lin Mengde couldn't help but admit that Lin Xie had some means, and the matter of Second Master Ye Xuizong being forced to kneel with a knife in Mǎ Shì hadn't been spread outside, but Lin Mengde was also very clear about it. He became even more vigilant towards Lin Xie, while leading Lin Xie, Yang Pu and others inside, he introduced the people around him to them.

  These people were all prominent figures in the Dongyang Party of Jiangning, among whom Wang Yuanliang, the county magistrate of Moling County, east of Jiangning Prefecture, was the most renowned.

  Wang Yuanliang was born into a humble family and is now in his mid-30s. He passed the imperial examination 2 years ago and has since risen to become the seventh-rank county magistrate of Youxian, Jiangning Prefecture. The other day, he crossed the river to visit Gu Wuduan at Cháotiān Station, but as there were too many guests, he only sat down for a brief conversation with Gu before taking his leave, and it's unclear what impression he left on him. With the rise of the Chu Party, Wang Yuanliang was eager to associate himself with them, so when he heard that Gu Wuduan's trusted aide Yang Pu would be arriving at the assembly hall that night, he rushed over in a carriage, hoping to get close to Yang. As for Lin Xie, who had passed the provincial examination at a young age, Wang naturally admired him, but it was impossible for him to make a special trip from Youxian County to attend a banquet in his honor.

  There was also Zhang Yu-Bo, the Left Assistant Military Commissioner of Jiangning Prefecture, who had a similar status to Wang Yuan-Liang in Jiangning and was also a jinshi of the same year as Chongguan 2. Due to his position, Zhang Yu-Bo knew more clearly than Wang Yuan-Liang about the assassination attempt on Gu Wu-Dun in Shiliang County, and he knew that Lin Xie had saved Gu's life and later almost suffered revenge from the assassin's accomplices, so he knew that Lin Xie had some status in Gu's eyes. Seeing Wang Yuan-Liang walking shoulder to shoulder with Yang Pu, Zhang Yu-Bo naturally walked arm-in-arm with Lin Xie, chatting warmly.

  Ye Kai, the financial backer of Zhengyeting Paper Shop, followed half a step behind. Zhengyeting was one of the largest paper shops in Jiangning, also operating an engraving and printing workshop. All the paper products were supplied by Lin's warehouse. His eldest son had married Lin Tingxun's youngest daughter, making their relationship with the Lin family extremely close. Naturally, he knew more about Lin Xian's past than others. Lin Mengde invited him to attend Lin Xian's welcome ceremony, and he couldn't decline, but his attitude was cold and distant, which was also Lin Mengde's intention.

  Lin Mengde introduced the three people, Lin Fu carefully remembered. In addition to these three people, Lin Fu naturally had the deepest impression of Xiao Mi, the financial backer of Xiaojidian's business. Xiao Mi was worried that Lin Fu would remember past grievances and was even more afraid that he would take out past events to proclaim, ruining his reputation in the village party, so he came out to greet Lin Fu with great enthusiasm, trying his best to make up for past events, squeezing beside Lin Fu, handing him a gift list, and warmly saying: "Young Master Lin is a talented young man, living in Jiangning, and being with us is indeed a fortunate event. Xiao certain people and the Dongyang village party have prepared a congratulatory gift, please accept it, Young Master Lin... Wang Zhixian and Zhang Canjun also have expressions..."

  Lin Xie glanced over the gift list, Lin Mengde and Xiao Mi had both given 20 taels of silver as gifts, while others' gifts were naturally far less generous. The names were densely packed on the list, with at least 50 or 60 people. Wang Yuanliang and Zhang Yuber's gifts were different from others. Wang Yuanliang gave a pair of Hu pens, which was worth about two taels of silver, showing some thought; Zhang Yuber gave a white jade pendant, but it was unclear what its value was. Lin Xie folded the gift list and put it in his pocket, thanking Wang Yuanliang and Zhang Yuber: "Two gentlemen are so kind to me, I'm flattered...". He also knew that today's banquet was just a casual gathering, if not for Xiao Mi's enthusiastic proposal, there wouldn't be any gifts. He bowed to Xiao Mi and thanked him, "Thanks for your trouble, Mr. Xiao."

  "It's supposed to be, it's supposed to be..." Xiao Mi saw Lin Xie lead the way to his own good intentions and said happily.

  Yang Pu took out a jade thumb ring from his bosom and handed it to Lin Xie: "Look at your archery skills, this jade thumb ring is my gift to you and Tianqiao..." He saw that Lin Xie's welcome banquet was so lively, with people like Lin Mengde and Xiao Mi in Jiangning who were considered to be of high social status serving Lin Xie with great enthusiasm, and even people like Wang Yuanliang and Zhang Yuobo who had higher status than Lin Xie attending the banquet without any hesitation. He thought that if Lin Xie could gain recognition from his superiors for having exceptional abilities, he would intentionally set aside his past prejudices against Lin Xie and hoped to become closer friends in the future.

  "I don't dare to accept it, I don't dare to accept it..." Lin Xuan looked at the jade plaque handed over by Yang Pu, seeing that the jade was fresh and beautiful, obviously a treasured item of Yang Pu's, and hastily declined with thanks.

  "Governor Gu has invited you to join his staff, but you declined and want to make a name for yourself; this jade plaque is meant to congratulate you on moving to Jiangning and starting a new journey of a thousand miles. If you decline again, it will chill the heart of Tianqiao Bridge." Yang Pu said.

  When others heard that Lin Xie had declined Gu Wu Chen's invitation to join his staff, they were all slightly shocked. Only then did Wang Yuan Liang take a serious look at Lin Xie and think to himself that he was so young, yet unexpectedly possessed the talent and insight that Gu Wu Chen admired.

  Lin Mengde felt a sense of foreboding after hearing Yang Pu's words: Yang Pu deliberately said these things to help Lin establish his reputation in the Dongyang Township Party. However, he was not qualified to interrupt Yang Pu's words in front of Wang Yuanliang and Zhang Yuber.

  Lin Bian then put away the jade plate that Yang Pu had given him, and together they entered the courtyard, where Lin Mengde and Xiao Mi introduced him to the other Dongyang Party members in the courtyard.

  Lin could not remember so many people at once, but with the gift list, he could go back and think about it slowly. First, he went to a private room for dinner with Yang Pu, Wang Yuanliang, Zhang Yuber, Ye Kai, Xiao Mi, Gu Tianqiao, and Lin Mengde.

  Wang Yuanliang and Zhang Yubo both excused themselves due to their status, leaving after the third round of drinks. The others waited until the end of the banquet before taking their leave one after another.

  Lin Mengde was drunk but his mind was clear, and he saw Yang Pu and Gu Tianqiao off at the gate of the assembly hall as they left by carriage. Lin Mengde was still thinking about what Yang Pu had said before dinner, that Lin Xie had once refused an offer from Gu Wuduan to join his staff in front of Chao Tian Tang. He thought it impossible for Yang Pu to exaggerate on Lin Xie's behalf; on the one hand, he was surprised that Gu Wuduan valued Lin Xie so much, and on the other hand, Lin Xie's refusal of Gu Wuduan's offer had confirmed Lin Mengde's suspicions: Lin Xie had come to Jiangning to replace him.

  Lin Xuan had the support of seven madams in Shanglin, and also had a good relationship with the new noble family of Chu Dang, the Gu family, in Jiangning. He also had a reputation to uphold. Lin Meng thought that Lin Xuan was going to come and compete with him, but he didn't have much confidence in keeping his position as the head of Jiangning. At the banquet, watching Lin Xuan effortlessly socializing and chatting with everyone, Lin Meng felt somewhat disheartened and gave up on competing, drinking more wine instead. Now, after sending off Yang Pu and Gu Tianqiao, and getting a blast of cold wind, he suddenly sobered up and thought: "The second master Lin Tingli and the second young master Lin Xuzong shouldn't want to see the situation in Jiangning being controlled by the seven madams' people. Should I send someone to contact them tomorrow? Maybe there's still a chance."

  "Uncle Mengde, thank you for helping me with the arrangements today. I still have something to discuss with Uncle Mengde..." Lin Xie looked at Lin Mengde, who was drunk and had a flushed face, while Zhou Pu, Zhao Hu, Lin Jingzhong and others stood by.

  Lin Mengde was startled, looked at Lin Xie with a puzzled expression, thinking that he couldn't wait any longer and wanted to reveal everything now? This kid is too presumptuous, even if I hand over the entire estate to you, what can you manage? Lin Mengde's anger rose, and she said coldly: "Xiucai xianzhong, whatever it is, just give me your orders."

  Lin Xuan pretended not to have heard the resentment in Lin Meng's words and said: "Lin Xuan unintentionally offended the second young master in Shanglin, violating the family rules. Although the master is lenient, Lin Xuan also felt ashamed to stay in Shanglin, so he exiled himself to Jiangning..."

  Lin Mengde thought to himself: If this is "unintentional offense", then intentional offense would be cutting off the young master's head with one knife. Lin Mengde said in a calm tone: "These matters, the letter from Upper Lin has mentioned, the mistake is indeed not yours."

  "After arriving in Jiangning, Lin Xie had to make a living, but he didn't have the face to rely on his family," Lin Xie said. "Lin Xie wanted to set up his own business in Jiangning, open a shop, and also ask Meng De's uncle to secretly help him..."

  "Ah!" Even Lin Mengde, who was old and cunning, stared at Lin Xuan in surprise. He never thought that Lin Xuan would come to Jiangning with such arrogance, wanting to establish his own sect, without any intention of competing with him for the position.

  Lin Xian ignored Lin Mengde's surprise and continued, "Apart from tea and paper, Shiliang County has no other famous products that can be transported and sold outside the county. I've been thinking about it, and if we set up a business in Jiangning, we should start with tea and paper first. What do you think, Uncle Mengde?" His eyes were fixed intently on Lin Mengde.

  Lin Mengde's heart was still bitter.

  Jiangning is the distribution center for tea and paper from Shiliang County to ten prefectures in Jiangdong. Every year, it sells more than 100,000 catties of tea and over 10,000 baskets of paper, accounting for more than 60% of the county's external sales of tea and paper. All of this is controlled by Lin Jialing, who is the mastermind behind this monopoly. If someone else were to try to get in on the action, Lin would naturally use every trick in the book to sabotage them. However, now that Lin Xiu has gained the upper hand and proposed setting up his own household, Lin finds himself without a valid excuse to refuse.

  Lin Mengde finally understood why Lin Fu was so arrogant, if he didn't want Lin Fu to come and compete with him for the position of Jiangning's master, he had to help him establish his own power in Jiangning.

  Lin tied up the corners of her mouth with a faint smile, and her gaze shifted towards the night color at the end of the long street.

  In this era, almost all lucrative industries were controlled by the imperial court, government offices or local strongmen. He wanted to set up a business in Jiangning and rashly compete with other businesses or official workshops, he would inevitably face powerful suppression, even bloody incidents would be normal; let alone having already fallen out with Du Rong, sworn enemies, Qingfeng Bank was a huge threat staring him right in the face, but there was no time for him to slowly explore and accumulate experience.

  Lin Xian must first get a share of the profits from Lin's warehouse in order to establish himself in Jiangning. At least, he hopes that he can smoothly transport tea paper out of Shitang County and that the merchant ships will not mysteriously catch fire or be mysteriously sunk into the river during their journey.

  *********************

  P.S: Red envelope, collect.