Chapter 316: A Sense of Familiarity

Liu Xiu’s actions finally made everyone understand what that stack of rice paper meant—undoubtedly, it contained all the collected evidence of crimes. With such a thick stack, there must be at least 150 sheets, if not 200. It could be said that almost everyone present might have their names on that paper.

The wealthy families and officials who had some acquaintance with Lin Dong, and who usually behaved properly, also became panicked. If judgments were made based on the severity of crimes, they believed they were safe. Moreover, since they hadn’t committed any unforgivable sins, aside from being frightened by Liu Xiu’s ruthless methods, they could still maintain some composure.

But this prince didn’t act according to conventional rules. He drew one sheet at a time, regardless of the crime’s severity, simply choosing the unlucky one. His method was utterly unfair—denial led to immediate execution by sword, and there was no guarantee that admitting a minor fault wouldn’t result in the same fate. After all, this was about killing people for fear, not seeking justice for the people; no matter how minor the offense, those chosen as “chickens to scare monkeys” could be killed.

The only one who seemed safe was Manager Lin, who sat firmly at the head of the main table. Not only those with acquaintanceship with Lin Dong but also those who saw him for the first time turned their gaze toward him as Liu Xiu bent down to examine the paper.

“Who is Lord Cheng Wencai?”

Liu Xiu’s voice was calm, yet it sounded like the call of death, causing Cheng Wencai to stagger and collapse to the ground. The others wiped the sweat from their foreheads, slightly relieved.

“Lord Cheng, please come forward. I have some questions for you,” Liu Xiu said indifferently.

Cheng Wencai trembled violently and couldn’t get up for a long time. A few colleagues who knew him tried to help him up, but they dared not move too much, fearing Liu Xiu’s anger. With life and death at stake, no mistakes were allowed.

Liu Xiu remained silent, watching Cheng Wencai.

Everyone was anxious. Ignoring the prince’s summons alone could be considered a grave crime of disrespect. Unless something unexpected happened, Cheng Wencai was doomed.

Cold sweat poured down Cheng Wencai’s back. His face was ashen as death, and he trembled as he tried to get up, but failed repeatedly. He was in a much worse situation than Ye Laisheng.

At the main table, Lin Dong remained calm on the surface but inwardly admired Liu Xiu’s boldness.

Speaking of which, the first time Liu Xiu was addressed as “Brother Lin” instead of the usual respectful title for the shop owner, it was clear he didn’t want people to know his true relationship with Lin’s Inn. Cheng Wencai used to be the county magistrate of Southwest County. Lin Dong still remembered that during the dispute with Fulai Restaurant, Liu Xiu was sent specifically to bribe Cheng Wencai with silver. It could be said that Cheng Wencai was the only person besides the long-time staff of Lin’s Inn who could recognize Liu Xiu.

After two years apart, Liu Xiu had changed significantly, especially in terms of demeanor and status, making it hard to associate him with a staff member of Lin’s Inn. Yet no matter how much he changed, there were still traces of his past. By doing this, Liu Xiu was undoubtedly trying to completely erase this potential threat.

The method to do this wasn’t to kill Cheng Wencai, but to ensure he never had the courage to observe Liu Xiu closely in the future.

Lin Dong was sure that Liu Xiu’s actions seemed random, as if he had chosen someone at will, but he must have planned it in advance. Whether it was Cheng Wencai or Ye Laisheng before him, they were likely candidates he had picked out beforehand.

As for the first victim, Ye Laisheng, Lin Dong was almost certain that his family’s wealth was average among everyone else, with no significant background. He was the perfect pawn to scare others.

As for Cheng Wencai, first, it served to eliminate this threat; second… Lin Dong tapped his index finger gently on the table. Now that he had gone from the lead supporting role to a background character, he would once again become the lead supporting role.

“Save me… please save me…”

Cheng Wencai stretched out his right hand to a familiar colleague beside him, as if asking for help, but his words sounded more like a plea for intercession.

The colleague pretended not to see him, staring straight at the main table.

“Save me… please…”

Cheng Wencai’s desperate gaze swept over the faces of the dozen or so people around him, but all he received was indifference.

If Liu Xiu didn’t have the status of a prince, everyone would surely rush to protect him. After all, no one could predict if the next victim would be themselves. Saving Cheng Wencai would not only earn him a favor but also unite everyone against Liu Xiu.

But Liu Xiu had the status of a prince. As a county magistrate, he had no right to impose a sentence arbitrarily. A list of crimes alone, without witnesses or evidence, without a trial, without signatures—wasn’t even valid. With such a thing, not to mention killing prominent figures in the city, even ordinary people could become a reason for losing their positions or even ending up in prison.

The prince was different. No matter what his status among all the princes was, his identity alone meant that even a coalition of high-ranking officials from a large city could not shake him.

After all his pleas went unheeded, Cheng Wencai felt utterly despondent. With a pale face, he looked up at Liu Xiu, whose cold gaze, as if he were looking at a dead man, made Cheng feel as if he were in an ice cellar, his heart chilled to the core. Just as he was about to muster the courage to beg for mercy, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure calmly sipping tea, which instantly turned his despair into blazing hope.

Without hesitation, Cheng Wencai turned to Lin Dong and cried out in a hoarse voice, “Master Lin, save me! Please intercede for me! My fierce wife and you are close friends. My father-in-law also has a deep relationship with you. You must save me…”

Liu Xiu turned to look at Lin Dong in surprise and said, “Brother Lin, he and you…”

“That’s true!” Lin Dong replied with a smile, bowing slightly. “I hope His Highness will show mercy.”

“Brother Lin, you’re joking. I just came to ask him some questions about the household records. Lord Cheng is not well—how could I force him? Someone, help Lord Cheng sit down.”

Without hesitation, Liu Xiu tore the rice paper in his hand to shreds. As the paper fragments floated in the air, everyone turned to look at Lin Dong, their eyes filled with excitement.

Ye Laisheng called out “Your Highness,” only to be rebuked. When Master Lin called out “Your Highness,” nothing happened—Liu Xiu effortlessly tore the paper apart. This clearly meant that as long as Master Lin spoke up, any charges of collusion between officials and merchants, corruption, or disrespect for the prince would not only be dropped but he would also still have a seat.

“Is Lord Yan Lianshui here?”

As two maids helped Cheng Wencai sit down and brought him tea, Liu Xiu took out another piece of rice paper, his voice sounding like a death sentence.

“Master Lin, save me! Master Lin, save me… I often visit Lin’s Inn. Though I’ve never had the chance to meet Master Lin, in my heart, he has always been the person I admire the most. Master Lin, save me…”

Yan Lianshui was burly, giving off an impression of a tough man at first glance. But after hearing Liu Xiu’s voice, despite not knowing Lin Dong, he wisely knelt down and begged for mercy. He understood that the only person in the entire courtyard who could save his life was Lin Dong.

“This…” Lin Dong hesitated for a moment. When Liu Xiu looked at him, he forced a wry smile and said, “I think we’d better give up.”

Liu Xiu hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding and tearing off the rice paper in his hand. “Someone, Lord Yan is unwell. Help him sit down.” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, feeling greatly reassured. Manager Lin was indeed as kind as the rumors said—willing to help even a stranger. Who else couldn’t be saved? Two maids hurried forward to assist Yan Lianshui, helping him sit down before bringing him tea and water. Meanwhile, the others quickly figured out what to say if it were their turn, hoping to make Manager Lin unable to refuse their pleas.

Liu Xiu took out another piece of rice paper and looked at Lin Dong with some helplessness. “Brother Lin, you don’t happen to know everyone you meet, do you?” Hearing this, the relieved mood among the crowd once again turned anxious. This remark was clearly meant to block Manager Lin from helping them.

Lin Dong glanced at the eager faces around him and said helplessly, “You know my temper well. How about I go back to the inn first?”
“Manager Lin, it’s Old Yang! I… I…”
“Manager Lin, we’re going the same way. Why not wait for me?”
“That’s right! Manager Lin, I was heading to Lin’s Inn anyway. It’s the same route—let’s go together for company.”

Those who knew Lin Dong well all spoke up to keep him from leaving, fearing they might become victims if this savior left. Others echoed their requests. Lin Dong looked conflicted.

“Never mind, Brother Lin. Let’s talk about this in a few days,” Liu Xiu said, putting the rice paper back and smiling. “Shall we go to Lin’s Inn together?”
“Sure!” Lin Dong nodded.

Everyone raised their arms to wipe the sweat from their foreheads. Though the threat hadn’t vanished, today was worry-free for now.

The capricious prince was heading to Lin’s Inn, so those who had initially said they would accompany him surely wouldn’t be foolish enough to follow. While going together might leave a good impression on the prince, who would usually show some courtesy to someone who impressed him, this prince couldn’t be reasoned with. Going together would bring more harm than good.

Together with Lin Dong, they boarded the carriage. As the crowd saw them off, Liu Hua waved his whip, and the carriage set off slowly.

Inside the carriage, Liu Xiu sighed and looked at Lin Dong, saying with a wry smile, “Brother Lin, you’re not angry with me over this, are you?”
“A little, but not much,” Lin Dong replied lightly.
“I knew it…” Liu Xiu said helplessly. “I hope Brother Lin can understand. Liu Xiu had no choice.”

“Compelled?” Lin Dong pretended not to have guessed Liu Xiu’s ultimate goal and said half seriously, half jokingly, “If you’re short of silver, I have it. You should know I dislike being used by others. With my temper, if it weren’t for you, even if you were a prince, I wouldn’t dare confront you directly, but behind your back… I’d still keep you in turmoil.”
Liu Xiu smiled. “Brother Lin really hasn’t changed at all. Back in Southwest City, anyone who dared to cause trouble at Lin’s Inn never had a good time. I still remember once, out of boredom, I even went with Wang Liuzhi and others to frame the city gate guard captain. The aftermath… not only was the silver extorted from Lin’s Inn recovered double, but that man also had to stay in bed for three to five months. I didn’t expect that even in Autumn Wind City, the innkeeper still has this unwillingness to suffer losses.”
“I think you’ve changed quite a bit,” Lin Dong said calmly. “The old Liu Xiu wasn’t so gloomy.”
Liu Xiu slumped, leaning against the carriage, and said helplessly, “Brother Lin doesn’t know how intense the struggles among princes are. If I’m not gloomy, I might fall into an irreparable situation at any moment.”
“It’s not that serious, right?” Lin Dong shook his head.
“If one just stays low-key and seeks safety, they might suffer some bullying, but at least they can live a life of prosperity even if they can’t become a king in the future.” Liu Xiu slowly straightened up, his gaze at Lin Dong filled with indescribable determination. “But what I want isn’t prosperity; it’s the imperial robe that places me above everyone else. I want everyone to understand that one day, I, Liu Xiu, will make those princes and eunuchs who looked down on me and bullied me kneel at my feet.”
“You want to be emperor?” Lin Dong was astonished. His surprise wasn’t because of Liu Xiu’s goal—something he had already guessed. He was surprised that Liu Xiu would even voice such a goal.
With Lin’s Inn’s current strength, it was far from capable of providing sufficient support for a prince. Even Liu Xiu, who had once stayed at Lin’s Inn, surely didn’t understand its potential for development at this stage.
Such a confidential matter, according to Lin Dong’s initial assumptions, should never have been revealed by Liu Xiu.
“Mm!” Liu Xiu nodded firmly, clenching his fists. “The supreme ruler, holding the world in hand—no one believes I can do it. It’s Brother Lin who made me realize that there’s nothing impossible in this world.” Lin Dong was speechless and only said helplessly after a long while, “I may not understand court affairs, but I know that even becoming the crown prince isn’t that easy. It requires vast power and wealth. With Emperor Qianwei’s current age…”

“That’s why I had to rely on Brother Lin and take risks by using pressure to force them,” Liu Xiu said with a grim expression. “Time is too urgent. I must establish my own power base as soon as possible, and the first step is to gather all of Qiufeng Mansion’s resources and wealth in the shortest time possible.”
“Telling me this shows you’re not ruthless enough,” Lin Dong hesitated. “It’s said that unless one is the crown prince, the basic requirement for a prince to ascend to the throne is to be heartless and unfeeling toward family. You should know my temperament. Not only do I lack the strength, but even if I did, I would never help you manage the finances, let alone become your money bag. As for Old Master Ding, he’s the talisman of Lin’s Inn. If you dare try to take him to help you, I’ll turn against you immediately.”
“I know,” Liu Xiu replied slowly. “I’ve indeed changed a lot over these two years. But one thing remains unchanged: my gratitude to Brother Lin and Old Master Ding. In this world, the only people who can make me unfeeling are Brother Lin and Old Master Ding. Perhaps I’m hiding something from Brother Lin, but it’s only because I don’t want him to despise me.”
Lin Dong fell silent. For a moment, Liu Xiu before him seemed to have returned to two years ago.
He could tell that Liu Xiu wasn’t lying. Over those two years, Liu Xiu had changed drastically—his ambitions had grown so great that Lin Dong felt disgusted by them. Yet deep down, he was still the top employee of Lin’s Inn, Liu Xiu.
Sighing inwardly, Lin Dong’s carefully planned strategy was completely rejected. Although spreading word of today’s events would be enough to doom Liu Xiu, he couldn’t bring himself to be ruthless toward the Liu Xiu of two years ago. The current Liu Xiu was the same—unworthy of such harshness.
An emperor would never allow any force to threaten his position, even if that force belonged to someone closest to him. After all, even the most powerful ruler or master of a great force has an enemy that no one can defeat—time. Who can guarantee that, a hundred years later, the descendants of such a powerful ruler won’t overthrow the throne they left behind? If such a force couldn’t be controlled, suppressing it—or even destroying it at its inception—was the best option.
Lin Dong believed that if Liu Xiu realized the threat Lin’s Inn posed, he would make the same choice. At worst, he could compensate with mountains of gold and silver.

Fortunately, Liu Xiu hadn’t yet reached the point of ignoring family for the throne. As long as he kept the existence of his guard team hidden, even if he sensed the financial threat posed by Lin’s Inn, he surely wouldn’t resort to extreme measures to suppress them. As for the future… even if Liu Xiu really managed to ascend to the throne, as long as Lin’s Inn’s guard team was developed into an entity so powerful that even imperial power couldn’t suppress it before that happened, everything would be safe. After thinking this through and looking into Liu Xiu’s sincere eyes, Lin Dong asked, “What do you plan for me to do?” “Brother Lin is willing to help me?” Liu Xiu was overjoyed. “I was wondering how to get Brother Lin to help me this time.” “Although I hate those who only think about rising in rank…” Lin Dong smiled, “there’s nothing I can do. After all, you’re the magistrate of Qiufeng Mansion. If I offended you and you published a document claiming Lin’s Inn was colluding with bandits, it would be enough to shut down Lin’s Inn for good.” “I knew it! No matter how much Brother Lin dislikes me, he’ll definitely help me.” Liu Xiu grinned. At that moment, he felt the same sense he had when he used to be with Lin Dong. The owner was still the same kind of person—someone whose sense of right and wrong wasn’t clear, but who was generous to those who were his allies. “Go ahead!” Lin Dong said casually. “If it’s too difficult, don’t blame me for refusing.” “It’s not difficult. I guarantee it’s not hard at all,” Liu Xiu said confidently. “After today’s incident, I believe these people will gradually come to see Brother Lin. All Brother Lin needs to do is send them to me one by one. I know Brother Lin is busy with cultivation every day, so he can also assign Ma Chun to handle this.” “That’s not too difficult after all!” Lin Dong nodded and reminded him, “Don’t forget that in Qiufeng City, you do hold ultimate power over their lives and deaths. But these people aren’t all ignorant fools.” “I understand!” Liu Xiu nodded confidently. “I’ve checked. None of their families keep homing pigeons, which means they can only send messengers to seek help. Yan Lianshui, the commander of the city gate guards—also the third person I chose at the banquet—was originally just a guard under Li Jiancheng. Since Li Jiancheng was transferred far away and didn’t have enough authority to take him with him, Yan Lianshui is now just an unwanted orphan. I’ll go see him tonight. Once I have him under my control, I can use any excuse to interrogate those trying to leave the city, ensuring that no one can send messages out in the short term.”

After a pause, a cold glint flashed in Liu Xiu’s eyes: “Give me a month, and I’m 90% sure I can keep everyone under strict control. After all, these…”
“Stop! There’s no need to tell me the rest…”
Lin Dong closed his eyes slightly, leaning back against the carriage, concentrating on regaining his energy. The rest—seizing military power, using families as leverage, and promising benefits under the guise of being a prince—was something he didn’t want to hear, nor did he want to hear Liu Xiu say it out loud.
Liu Xiu nodded, quietly listening to the noise outside the carriage.