Chapter 430: The Prefect’s Gift

“Lord Prefect!”
The man was Yang Yankang, the prefect of Lingnan City. Given Lin Dong’s attitude toward Yang Yankang when they were in the wooden shed, no one would doubt that he had come to cause trouble at Lin’s Inn—Liang Gufeng included. In his view, Yang Yankang must have done this because there had suddenly been an abundance of Black Fiery Grass in the three western provinces recently, which had completely suppressed the Wet Worm Disease, freeing him up to target Lin’s Inn.
Yang Yankang had started targeting Lin’s Inn, and he was naturally overjoyed.
Originally, according to the letter from the headquarters, all that was needed was to sell Maple Forest Restaurant to Lin’s Inn, and the task would be completed successfully. Even if it wasn’t enough to make up for past mistakes, it would at least ensure he wouldn’t lose his position as the manager of the prefectural branch, allowing him to take over immediately if a vacancy arose.
But after meeting Yang Yankang, Liang Gufeng’s plans changed.
Defying a high-ranking prefect meant that Lin’s Inn would undoubtedly not be able to stay in Lingnan City. If Maple Forest Restaurant were really sold to Lin’s Inn, losing three million taels of silver would be nothing—six million taels would still be a huge loss.
“Manager Liang, you’re here too?”
Upon seeing Liang Gufeng, a barely noticeable hint of embarrassment flashed in Yang Yankang’s eyes. Of course, this embarrassment vanished quickly. Yang Yankang bowed and even wore a kind and gentle smile.
“I came to discuss a business deal with Manager Lin, but it didn’t work out,” Liang Gufeng said with a smile. “Now that I’ve met Lord Prefect, I think it’s better not to continue the deal.”
Yang Yankang smiled and nodded. “I also have a business deal to discuss with Manager Lin. Since Manager Liang has finished, you may go.”
Liang Gufeng was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. The fact that Yang Yankang hadn’t asked him to stay meant that his methods of pressuring Lin’s Inn were too harsh, and he feared that having outsiders present might expose him.
“Lord Prefect, please go ahead. I’ll take my leave first,” Liang Gufeng said, bowing in farewell.
“Since we’ve met, Manager Liang, why not stay? Have lunch at our Lin’s Inn and have a few drinks together,” said Lin Dong, who had remained seated at the stone table the whole time. He had already guessed Yang Yankang’s purpose when he arrived. As for keeping Liang Gufeng around, it was because he truly wanted to buy Maple Forest Restaurant, the only obstacle in his way.
If he could buy Maple Forest Restaurant, Lin’s Inn would have no pressures left in Lingnan City. But three million taels of silver was a hefty price. Aside from the over two million taels tied up in Black Fiery Grass, Lin Dong still had around four million taels in hand.

Lin Ji Inn, Lin Ji Gymnasium, Lin Ji Amusement Park… Just pick one. To acquire such a complete piece of land in a short time comes at a high cost. Not to mention expenses for decoration and promotion that drain money like water.
Investing three million taels of silver for a year and a half or even longer poses significant difficulties for entering the capital. At the very least, land acquisition won’t be as flexible as one wishes.
When Yang Yankang arrived, Lin Dong’s first thought was that an opportunity to achieve both goals might be right before him.
Seeing Lin Dong suddenly speak, Liang Gufeng was fine—he had already assumed Lin Dong would speak to keep him. Yang Yankang, however, was stunned. After some calculation, he realized Lin Dong probably wanted to use him to persuade Liang Gufeng.
In that case… After a brief moment of shock, Yang Yankang showed delight, as this was good news for him.
“Since Manager Lin has spoken, Manager Liang, stay!” Yang Yankang said calmly.
Liang Gufeng nodded and gestured, “Please, Your Excellency!”
Yang Yankang stepped forward to the stone table. Seeing Lin Dong and Ma Chun remain calm as ever, Liang Gufeng was overjoyed. Perhaps the Fenglin Restaurant didn’t even need to be sold today—instead, they could buy Lin Ji Inn.
“Manager Lin, I’ve come this time…” Yang Yankang hesitated, embarrassed in front of Liang Gufeng.
Lin Dong smiled without saying a word.
Feeling slightly annoyed, before Yang Yankang could speak, Liang Gufeng exclaimed anxiously, “Manager Lin, don’t you plan to invite Your Excellency to sit down?”
Lin Dong smiled at Liang Gufeng and said, “Manager Liang, please sit.”
Liang Gufeng was thrilled but quickly shook his head, “How could I, Liang, sit in front of Your Excellency?”
Lin Dong smiled and turned his gaze to Yang Yankang.
Yang Yankang gritted his teeth and resolutely said, “How could I, an official, sit in front of Manager Lin?”
Liang Gufeng was shocked, staring at Yang Yankang in confusion, not understanding the meaning of his words.
“Manager Lin, I’ve come this time to apologize for neglecting you at the county office last time,” Yang Yankang said boldly. “I hope you can forgive me.”
“Oh, it was just a minor matter,” Lin Dong said nonchalantly, waving his hand.
Yang Yankang took out a delicate brocade box from the pocket of his wide sleeves, placed it carefully on the table, pushed it toward Lin Dong, then stepped back.

Lin Dong signaled Ma Chun to take a look. Ma Chun immediately brought the ornate box over and opened it to find a thick stack of silver bills, each worth 100,000 taels. Lin Dong was delighted—this stack was worth at least two million taels. He had originally planned to have Yang Yankang pressure Liang Gufeng to lower the price. But with an extra two million taels, there was no longer any need to worry about money. Liang Gufeng, on the other hand, was completely stunned. He couldn’t understand what Yang Yankang was up to. “This is a mere token of my gratitude; I hope Manager Lin will accept it,” Yang Yankang said respectfully to Lin Dong. Liang Gufeng’s head was buzzing—he felt as though Yang Yankang was actually here asking for a favor. In fact, it wasn’t a illusion. Yang Yankang indeed came to ask Lin Dong for intercession. Early in the morning, a court official from Qiufeng Mansion arrived, acting arrogantly and even disregarding Yang Yankang, who held a far higher status. His behavior was far worse than that of Lin Dong and Ma Chun. Yet Yang Yankang couldn’t get angry, as the official indeed had the right to treat him arrogantly. If a court official isn’t arrogant toward someone who’s about to become a prisoner, then who else would he be arrogant toward? That person about to become a prisoner was Yang Yankang. The official’s documents detailed how Qiufeng Mansion’s government had subdued all the major sects there and forced them to pay compensation in the form of silver, spiritual artifacts, and spirit stones—worth over 100 million taels in total. This was originally a monumental achievement. Yang Yankang was certain that even if he had nothing to do with it, just because Qiufeng Mansion fell under his jurisdiction, he could easily rise to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel thanks to such a great accomplishment. Forcing all the sects in the mansion to compromise and pay nearly half of their wealth without triggering a joint rebellion from sects elsewhere was an unprecedented event in the history of the Great Han Dynasty. This victory wasn’t only of great significance but also carried immense potential benefits. Most importantly, it could deter talented youths from joining sects. Just that alone might result in more talented warriors willing to serve the court each year. With a larger number of strong warriors and those at the peak of their abilities, more powerful fighters could be trained. Over time, the Great Han Dynasty might even gradually reverse its decline in the number of strong and peak-level warriors.

Despite such a great achievement, Yang Yankang couldn’t feel happy. The reason was simple: the official document also contained a section stating that the officials in Lingnan’s cities and prefectures had colluded with the major sects in Qiufeng Prefecture, accepting bribes to suppress the prefect of Qiufeng Prefecture. Having connections with sects was a taboo for officials, and the accusations were absurd—nothing that a prefect would do. But none of this mattered. In the face of such a significant achievement, even ten prefects wouldn’t be able to stop it. It was impossible to suppress the situation, and the only thing Yang Yankang could do was try to hold back the document temporarily and see if he could make amends for the mistake in the earlier letter. He humbled himself, offering silver and beauties to please the officials sent by Qiufeng Prefecture, and only then did he realize the truth. He had carefully planned a scheme involving the wetworm disease, which seemed on the verge of success, only for another, even more sensational scandal involving himself to arise—all because he had offended someone he shouldn’t have—Lin Dong. Thinking about it, Yang Yankang understood that Liu Xiu must have known no prefecture would support opposing the sects, yet he still sent a letter asking for help, clearly setting a trap. Out of the principle of leaving room for future relations, Yang Yankang had turned a blind eye to the princes and prefects under his jurisdiction, trying not to offend them as much as possible. In short, he had little to do with Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu’s actions were undoubtedly a form of revenge. Fortunately, after reflecting, Yang Yankang calmed down. With such a great achievement, Liu Xiu could easily report it directly to the imperial court and didn’t need to go through him as a prefect. By doing this, Liu Xiu was undoubtedly giving Yang Yankang a chance to reconcile. Yang Yankang had already left the city but soon ordered the coachman to turn back. Only the person who created the problem could solve it, and if he could get Lin Dong to help, the reconciliation would be more likely. That’s why Yang Yankang followed Liang Gufeng inside right after him. Lin Dong snapped his fingers, and Ma Chun smiled as he closed the brocade box and stuffed it into his sleeve pocket. Liang Gufeng was truly confused—why would a prefect give silver notes to an innkeeper, and do so so obsequiously, while the innkeeper accepted them so naturally? Was it a dream, or had the world turned upside down? “Innkeeper Lin, look…” Yang Yankang looked at Lin Dong. Since the silver notes had been accepted, shouldn’t things be settled now? Lin Dong remained silent, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip indifferently. “Innkeeper Liang, I wonder what brought you to Lin’s Inn?”

Since Yang Yankang was able to reach the position of prefect, his judgment was certainly sharp, and his gaze immediately shifted to the dazed Liang Gufeng.