Apart from those around him, Lin Tie also trusted Lin Mengde more.

  Apart from being fellow Dongyang Township Party and Lin clan relatives, more importantly, after several months of living together in Jiangning, they mutually supported each other, establishing even greater trust and dependence on one another.

  Apart from the fine armor that had been secretly set aside to be sent to Changshan Island and the ransom demand for the release of the young barbarian, Lin Xie told Lin Mengde almost everything that had happened in the past few days in the Ya Shi room, including the conditions agreed upon by Gu Wu Chen and Wang Xue Shan in secret, which Lin Xie did not conceal from Lin Mengde.

  "Goodness, the night before last, after hearing about what happened in Dongshi, I went to Jiyunju to look for you, but you hadn't returned yet. I heard a rough account from Liu Niang, and thought that with Guwu dust supporting you, things should have gone smoothly. The next day, I got up early to rush to Tu Prefecture to collect some goods, and didn't expect to miss such an exciting scene," Lin Mengde clicked his tongue in surprise, saying, "It seems that the obstacle to jointly building the river mouth with Xiang Party has been cleared, and you don't even need Jiyun Society to build the road. You're willing to let Zhao Qinnian take charge of this matter?"

  "In Dongyang Township, most people have families and businesses, so it's natural for them to help each other. But there are a few who will follow you wholeheartedly? On the contrary, someone like Zhao Qinmin, who is as free as a floating cloud and has no one to rely on, Gu Wu would rather use him. I've established myself in Jiangning, and having Jicloud Society is already satisfying enough." Lin Xuan said with a smile.

  When the world's political parties are at odds with each other, and factions are vying for power, there is not enough benefit to be gained from bringing others on board, so it's difficult to get someone who has made up their mind to join. Gu Wudu had no one else he could use, so using Zhao Qinnian was inevitable.

  Lin Mengde also smiled with a hint of sarcasm, but he didn't believe that Lin Fu was truly satisfied. However, as a person who values knowing when to advance and retreat, Lin Fu still had to rely on Gu Wuduan's power in Jiangning.

  Inviting Dongyang Township to jointly build the river mouth, although Lin said that he agreed to let Zhao Qinmin take charge, but Zhao Qinmin also had a great inconvenience, that is, Zhao Qinmin was afraid of being assassinated by Wang Xueshan's men and did not dare to leave the river mouth easily. Therefore, someone else was still needed to run around outside to coordinate. Lin Jingzhong was after all too junior in terms of seniority, and his prestige within the Dongyang Township Party was not great. Lin Mengde had represented the Lin family in managing Jiangning for many years and was also very enthusiastic about township party affairs, and was highly respected by the Dongyang Township Party. He also had a close relationship with Chen Yuanliang, Zhang Yuber, etc. In Lin's view, there was no one more suitable than Lin Mengde for this candidate.

  "The geographical conditions of the river mouth are good, but it is also isolated outside the city. The open water surface and the hundred or so guards on the island can't give people a very solid sense of security," Lin Fu said to Lin Mengde, "To dispel everyone's concerns, Uncle Mengde will have to make an effort to persuade them... With the addition of troops, horses, and equipment, I will start selecting people to establish the armed guard for the Cloud Gathering Society in the next two days. The Dragon River shipyard has a batch of flying paddle ships with iron-plated prows and bronze ramming posts. They have eight foot pedals on both sides, aside from oars, and can move quickly across the water like galloping horses. When they collided with a pirate ship, it was truly impressive. These were originally made for the Jiangning Water Camp, but Qin Chengbo saw that he would be leaving Jiangning soon and refused to open his purse strings again. The Dragon River shipyard couldn't get paid, so they naturally wouldn't deliver more ships. However, since the ships are already built, they can't be sold privately either. But this side of the island can obtain a permit from the Provincial Inspector's Office, so we can buy them. In case something happens at the river mouth in the future, the guards on the island can quickly come to reinforce us and also intercept pirates on the water..."

  "Li Zhuo will probably reorganize the military after arriving in Jiangning..." Lin Mengde said.

  "Ah, Li Zhuo is indeed not someone who can be compared to the likes of Qin Chengbo," Lin Xuan nodded, "However, this side is all about proud and extravagant generals, and the military factions are also complexly intertwined. It's hard for Li Zhuo to rectify the military equipment even if he wants to, the key is still having silver. However, with Li Zhuo's arrival, all aspects will definitely become more stringent, and it will be even harder to get good things from Longjiang Shipyard or the Military Equipment Bureau in the future. This time's penalty gold, we can still divide 4,000 taels of silver, originally only planned to buy two flying paddlewheel ships, I decided to buy two more, just in case there won't be such a shop after passing this village..."

  The flying arrow ship was only a medium-sized warship, capable of carrying 16 sailors and 30 soldiers. Due to the special reinforcement of the hull, the iron-clad bow and the addition of a ram, it was much more expensive than a civilian cargo ship with similar tonnage, but one ship only cost 400 taels of silver, which was far from comparable to a three-masted thousand-tonner. After replenishing personnel on Prison Island, there were only over 180 soldiers left, and even if Lin wanted to buy a few more of these fast and agile warships, he had no better excuse.

  Lin Mengde nodded and said, "In these years in Jiangning, I have also accumulated over a thousand taels of silver privately. Originally, I wanted to secretly lend it to the Ji Yun Society for use. Now, since I haven't thought of anything else, I might as well go to the river mouth to build a few shops. It's also a way to set an example in the local party. If people in the clan know about it, they won't be able to say anything..."

  "Alright," Lin Tie nodded in agreement. The Ji Yun Society was something he had established after leaving the Lin family and setting up his own household in Jiangning. Although the members of the Lin family were unwilling, they could do nothing about it. After all, Lin Mengde was still the one in charge of the Lin family's affairs in Jiangning, and besides, there was a warning against secretly helping the Ji Yun Society. Although Lin Mengde didn't take this warning too seriously, he also couldn't openly invest in the Ji Yun Society. At that time, He Kou had invited him to jointly build something under the name of Gu Wu Chen, so Lin Mengde invested his private savings and built some shops for rent. The Lin family knew about it but could do nothing.

  Lin Mengde was also unclear how long Lin Tingyun could hold on in bed, and after Lin Tingyun's death, it would be difficult for the Seventh Lady to continue in power. Even if someone else took over, it would be hard for him to continue managing Jiangning. Lin Mengde was still in his prime, and even if he wasn't allowed to continue managing the Lin family's affairs in Jiangning, where could he go to retire?

  To leave before the city gate closes, Lin tied up the banquet at the East Yang Township Party in the conference hall and opened the banquet between sunset. During the meeting, he talked about the situation at the river mouth and invited the East Yang Township Party in Jiangning to raise funds together to build a platform at the river mouth. Although many people had concerns, this matter was still nominally counted as Gu Wu Chen's gathering. The East Yang Township Party in Jiangning looked up to Gu Wu Chen, but usually only hated not being able to get involved in any relationship. At this time, they did not respond at all, fearing that if something happened in the future, they would not be given a response. On the spot, 30 or 40 people responded and left for the river mouth to take a look over the next two days.

  **********

  Lin Xie and Zhao Qinmin rushed out of the city before the city gate closed, riding their horses, with moonlight shining on the official road of Donghua Gate, surrounded by a seemingly watery atmosphere, transparent and clear.

  After the city gate closed, the number of pedestrians on the official road suddenly decreased, but there were also business travelers like Lin and his party who rushed out of the city, with the sound of carriage wheels rumbling.

  In the past few days, a big road has been trodden out from Donghua Gate to the river mouth, but this kind of road cannot withstand water. After a spring rain as smooth as oil and several heavily loaded ox carts have passed through, it will become muddy and crumbling. It is necessary to tamp the earth, pave with sand or stone coal slag, and repair drainage ditches in order to make it a durable and convenient path for vehicles and horses.

  Lin Xian was riding his horse with the reins loose, gazing at the scenery under the moonlit night with great interest. Zhao Qinmin was like a startled bird, watching as pedestrians approached, his hair standing on end, yet he couldn't urge Lin Xian to hurry, only hoping that Zhou Pu and the four guards could be more vigilant.

  In this field that has been trampled into a mess, some tenant farmers are turning over the soil and replanting, while others in tattered clothes squat at the edge of the field.

  Lin Xie dismounted his horse and walked to the field, where he saw the farmers squatting at the edge of the field with worried faces looking at their trampled crops. Lin Xie asked an old farmer: "Excuse me, sir, didn't Qiling County compensate for the loss of seedlings? Why aren't you all rushing to replant before the Grain Rain, but instead sitting here worrying?"

  "The field is our own, of course we get the green shoots money; the field is not our own, the green shoots money is all taken away by the rent collector and the landlord, saying this is the money that the landlord and the rent collector deserve——this land is clearly cultivated by us tenants, but the old master who distributes the money doesn't recognize this reason!" The old farmer's face was wrinkled like an old tree, with a look of worry that couldn't be dispelled. "I heard that there is also a notice posted at the river mouth, saying that they will be requisitioning land to build a road here. The rent collector has also spoken on behalf of the landlord, saying that it's only natural for the government to collect land to build roads, but not a single grain of rice in rent can be reduced..."

  Lin Bind initially feared that some of the compensation for the tenant farmers would be embezzled, so he specifically discussed it with Chen Yuanliang and Zhang Yuber. Anyway, it wouldn't cost much money, and they weren't afraid that Wang Xueshan wouldn't acknowledge this account. The next day, they posted a notice outside the fence, asking farming households who had suffered losses to go directly to the river mouth to collect compensation for their crops. At that time, it was clearly stated that the land expropriation fee would be given to the landowner, and the crop money would be given to the farmers or tenant farmers as compensation for replanting after the disaster. The land tax would also be exempted, and the rent collector would not be allowed to intervene. Unexpectedly, under their very noses, others thought they could just reach out and take what they wanted without any qualms.

  Lin Xianji remembered that the matter was handled by Chen Yuanliang's attendant, a bookkeeper from Jiangning County, and three others, as it was not convenient for Zhao Qinxin to participate directly at the time.

  Even if Zhao Qinmin was unaware, Lin Xie couldn't guarantee that Chen/Yuan Liang was also unaware. This matter could only be pretended to be unknown. Lin Xie didn't say anything. Water that is too clear has no fish. He wanted Zhou Pu to take out all the copper coins on his body and distribute them among the old farmers and several farm households, saying: "Please inform the old man and several brothers and tenants here that a convenient road for vehicles will be built from the river mouth to the official road of Donghua Gate. If any tenant who suffers losses in the field goes to help with the work, one day's wages will be three sheng of rice for one meal..."

  "Really, can't this young man talk his way out of it?" The old farmer stared at Lin Xie and asked. Lin Xie had come into the city on private business and not only he, but also four guards had changed into casual clothes, so naturally the villagers couldn't recognize him.

  Lin Xie smiled and said: "You go to the river mouth tomorrow to ask, if I speak out of turn, it's just that you'll make a trip in vain..."

  "Director Lin is the chief warden of Jiangdao Prison, and he's in charge of road construction. What's there to cheat from you ignorant commoners?" Zhao Qinnian rebuked lightly from the side, as if annoyed by their chatter.

  "I've offended you, I don't know if you're a noble," the old farmer hastily came over to kowtow to Lin Xie, "it's not that this humble old man doesn't know how to show respect and suspects you, but three sheng of rice for one meal is already a good price, last year it wasn't even this much. This year, many people from the north have flooded in, and the labor price has already dropped to two sheng of coarse rice per day without even including food..."

  Although most of the refugees were blocked on the north bank and could not cross the river, there were still many refugees who crossed the river under the pretext of visiting relatives or directly sneaking across, causing labor prices to fall and rice prices to rise on the south bank.

  Lin tied up the old farmer from the ground, didn't say much, rode across the horse, and said to Zhao Qinmin: "I see Mr. Zhao is in a hurry to go back, why not borrow the moonlight and ride wildly for a while, it's also a rare pleasure..." He also ordered Zhou Pu and others, "You be careful not to let Mr. Zhao fall off the horse." Under the moonlight, they whipped their horses and galloped towards the river mouth.

  Zhao Qinmin usually didn't ride fast horses, but he had to follow Lin Xie under the moonlight, whipping his horse. If he fell off at night, he would even cry. Although there were people like Zhou Pu protecting him, Zhao Qinmin didn't fall off his horse, but when he returned inside the fence, his buttocks ached from being tossed around, and he vaguely felt that the tender skin between his legs had been scraped by the wild gallop of ten miles.

  "Ah, what a relief!" As soon as he got inside the fence, Lin Xie dismounted his horse and let out a long sigh of relief. He bowed to Zhao Qinnian and said, "Mr. Zhao has also had a hard day, why not head back and rest early?"

  After separating from Zhao Qinmin, the horses were handed over to the guards and led away to the stables. Zhou Pu took a glance at Zhao Qinmin's back and said, "Zhao Qinmin isn't any good either! I wonder what benefits he'll get out of this!" He knew that Lin Xie riding fast horses at night was meant to give Zhao Qinmin some trouble.

  “……He didn't dare to embezzle money when he first came, nor would he rush to embezzle money, but it wouldn't stop him from giving benefits to others, he's a clever person.” Lin Mou shook his head and sighed. Zhao Qinmin was originally Wang Xueshan's staff member, how could he have too much expectation of him? Lin Mou settled Zhao Qinmin's family at the river mouth, rather than settling them on the safer island prison, which was to be on guard against him. Many things can be made known to Zhao Qinmin, but it's feared that Gu Wudun wants to reuse him, these things cannot be hidden from him, just like the communication between Changshan Island and other places cannot let Zhao Qinmin see any clues.

  *********************

  PS: Red ticket, red ticket.