Chapter 1038: Each Harboring Their Own Schemes

He showed a bitter face, and Wang Xingyi comforted him: "I will explain it when I return to the country, and in the next few months, Songyuan and the big merchants and chambers of commerce of the Mou Nation must take care of the Yangshan Archipelago." Once the State Preceptor opened his golden mouth, normal business dealings became political tasks, and these big merchants had to cooperate.

He Lingchuan bowed to him: "Thank you, State Preceptor!"

Wang Xingyi stroked his beard and smiled, thinking that this kid really didn't see a rabbit and didn't release an eagle.

But for a talent who could both stand alone and overcome dangers, he was born with a heart of seven orifices and exquisite heart, and neither deceiving him nor suppressing him with power would work. Wang Xingyi knew that dealing with him couldn't be done with common sense, and certainly couldn't be done by suppressing him with power all the time.

Such people wanted respect and space to display their talents.

The secret discussion ended, He Lingchuan put away the barrier and welcomed Fang Canran back.

Both sides chatted a few more sentences, and He Lingchuan took his leave for the time being.

Watching his back disappear into the garden, Wang Xingyi's smile also disappeared.

"You didn't tell me earlier that this kid has designs on Bailie?"

His identity in front of Fang Canran was first a fellow sect uncle, and then the State Preceptor of the Mou Nation, so he spoke more directly.

Fang Canran was surprised: "He has designs on Bailie?"

"A person like He Xiao, would he always live in a corner of the sea? The Yangshan Archipelago is surrounded by the sea on all sides, and the only direction he can continue to develop is land. Compared to the Yuan Nation and Bailie, Bailie is weaker." Wang Xingyi sat back in his chair, "He even told me just now that Bailie schemed against him in secret and wanted us to guarantee the safety of the archipelago while he was away."

Fang Canran couldn't help but say: "Uncle Master, this is also the truth, right?"

"Look at what he has done in the past few days, how could Bailie be his opponent, how could it pose a threat to him?" Wang Xingyi hummed, "But he still had to specifically mention Bailie, with bad intentions

This time, he saw through it.

Fang Canran said nothing.

He had naturally guessed that He Lingchuan had other motives; this guy suddenly ran to the sea to set up his own shop, and Fang Canran had seen his character and methods, so how could he believe that he would be satisfied with being a small island master? Indeed, it was more likely that He Lingchuan coveted Bailie.

"I warned him, so he shouldn't dare to act rashly in the short term," Wang Xingyi looked at him. "Young people are impulsive and hot-blooded, which is understandable. He is a talent worth molding; I don't want to see him make a huge mistake and cause irreparable losses. Songyuan, you should also advise him more often and convey the intentions of the Mou Nation and myself."

This sentence was very severe. Fang Canran immediately lowered his head and replied "Yes."

"Furthermore, I see that his way of handling those Beijia people is quite slippery; he doesn't want to truly offend Beijia."

Two days had passed since the night of the Bailong rebellion. Wang Xingyi had already basically figured out the ins and outs of that night.

He Lingchuan and Yu Zecheng were playing chess at Nuan Xiang Zhai, and the onlookers nearby had heard their conversation. Others were confused, but Wang Xingyi knew immediately that the two were engaging in a battle of wits; Yu Zecheng didn't die afterward and was still living well in the Hot Spring Villa, which Wang Xingyi naturally knew.

Fang Canran could also see this point: "Can he really do it?"

He Lingchuan killed Beijia's demons and imprisoned and extorted a Beijia captain; could Ling Xu City actually tolerate such bad behavior? Fang Canran had been in Ling Xu City for twenty years and knew deeply that it was not tolerant toward outsiders.

"Yu Zecheng is merely a captain; why should he represent Beijia's face? Losing face is his own business; can it count as Beijia losing face?" Wang Xingyi found it funny. "His skills were inferior, his calculations were inferior, and he paid the ransom himself; what does that have to do with Beijia? However, I am curious: He Xiao must have something to rely on to dare to do this. Does he have any strong backing in Beijia?"

Otherwise, how could He Xiao estimate Beijia's reaction?

As the State Preceptor of the Mou Nation, Wang Xingyi knew deeply how much noise there was in the court of a great nation, and also knew that the development of events was sometimes difficult for even the power-holders to control. How could He Xiao be so sure that Beijia wouldn't really hold it against him?

Unless...

Fang Canran thought for a moment and shook his head: "Even if there is, he wouldn't let me know."

"From his current situation, this clever approach is understandable." After all, there are not many people or regions that dare to offend Beijia, and Wang Xingyi could understand He Xiao's painstaking efforts. "But it also shows that he has other thoughts and is unwilling to rely on Lingshan."

Otherwise, with him, a Lingshan decision-maker, watching from the side, He Lingchuan should have taken practical action to submit a letter of allegiance, such as offering Yu Zecheng's head.

So-called submitting a letter of allegiance usually means not leaving oneself a way out.

If He Lingchuan could hear this conversation with his own ears, he would probably break into a cold sweat and secretly say that ginger is spicier when it's old.

State Preceptor Wang analyzed his intentions and methods clearly in just a few words.

Wang Xingyi looked at Fang Canran and suddenly said something off-topic: "Songyuan, you and He Xiao are both facing the pursuit of the Heavenly Palace. You changed your appearance to avoid disaster, but he chose to stand firm and maneuver. In this point, you are not as good as him."

This was an elder's instruction to a junior.

Fang Canran and He Lingchuan were the two main culprits who caused trouble in Ling Xu City. Faced with the expected pursuit, Fang Canran chose to escape, while He Lingchuan decided to meet the difficulty head-on.

In terms of state of mind and courage, the difference is clear.

Fang Canran was speechless and only replied in a low voice after a long while: "Indeed, He Xiao is a strong man."

"But a person like him is scheming and restless; I'm afraid he is not willing to be under others, so it is right not to recruit him as an official," Wang Xingyi patted his shoulder and said earnestly. "You must let him know that as long as he develops well here, causes less trouble, and makes great contributions to the Mou Nation and Lingshan in the future, he will have the hope of being enfeoffed and becoming a high-ranking official."

If he doesn't want to be under others, then he should rely on his merits to become a powerful lord of a region, free and easy.

As long as this person can be used by their side, Wang Xingyi is happy to see it happen.

Using talent well also requires being unconventional.

"Yes!"

That day, State Preceptor Wang, under He Lingchuan's send-off, took his entourage and boarded a ship to leave the shore, returning to the Mou Nation.

As for Fang Canran, he would stay in the Yang Shan Archipelago for seven days to help He Lingchuan with the island planning, then leave by ship to attend to his own affairs.

But with Wang Xingyi's instructions, he and He Lingchuan would have to be in closer contact and visit each other often in the future.

When He Lingchuan finished his work and finally had time to go to the side of Ding Lake to have tea and rest, the Soul-Gathering Mirror sighed:

"That Silver Pearl Island, it sounds dangerous no matter how you listen to it. You really took it on? This is risking your life."

Lingshan's own people were finished when they went in, so they are just looking for He Lingchuan to be a treasure-hunting rat?

He Lingchuan was exhausted, and as soon as he sat down, he closed his eyes to rest:

"Do you think I had a choice not to take it?"

"The conditions State Preceptor Wang offered sound generous, and those magic treasures are not bad, but they are not proportional to the difficulty of the mission," the mirror said indignantly. "Why do I feel like we are the ones losing out?"

"If it were an easy job, why would it fall to me?" He Lingchuan was very clear in his heart. "From the moment State Preceptor Wang stepped onto Suo Ding Island, we had no choice."

"Ah?"

"I set up my own shop in the Yang Shan Archipelago, which is hiding behind the Mou Nation. Even if the Mou Nation does nothing, just standing there is blocking the wind and rain for us. Can State Preceptor Wang not know this?" He Lingchuan said leisurely. "Besides, Lingshan still has my leverage; it knows what I have done."

If Lingshan were unhappy with him, it wouldn't even need to deal with him; it would just need to "inadvertently" reveal his secrets to Beijia.

Whether it is Beijia or Lingshan, they are behemoths to the current He Lingchuan.

When you are facing a behemoth and still have to ask for its help, you have no way to refuse its bullying.

But He Lingchuan was not agitated by being coerced.

Worldly affairs are just like this. Instead of sighing at the injustice, it is better to work hard to play the moves in one's hand well.

Besides, asking for help requires the attitude of asking for help. If he wants to borrow the Mou Nation's back to stand, he has to pay something.

As long as he can solve problems for Lingshan, he has value, and he is safe.

What people fear most is having no value.

If subordinates like Lei Ni and Ding Zuodong had no value, they would be fired by He Lingchuan; if He Lingchuan had no value, he would also be discarded as a pawn.

However, being busy with man-made disasters and natural disasters these past few days, and having to secretly trade blows with big shots like State Preceptor Wang, had also worn He Lingchuan out.

He asked the mirror: "Why, are you afraid?"

"Can I be afraid?" the Soul-Gathering Mirror scoffed. "I've been through life and death so many times, can I be afraid? But, hey, why didn't you ask Lingshan for a promise?"

He Lingchuan looked up and felt the cool breeze: "What promise?"

Ding Lake is famous for its shape like the character "Ding," and its clear, sparkling waves are best for boating. Except for hurricane days, it usually has a very gentle temperament. Small villas are also being built by the lake, so that guests here can open their doors to see the water and enjoy boating and fishing.

He Lingchuan sat on the colorful pebble beach, with a bamboo lounge chair + footstool, a small bamboo table, and a pot of warm, fine wine.

He lay back on the chair, and his eyelids couldn't stay open.

Not far away was a half-built building, which was the future location of the Yang Shan Archipelago's government office and also his office.

Small deer poked their heads out in the forest, and seeing that he didn't move for a long time, they gradually became bold enough to come out and eat grass.

Ignorant and fearless.

There were originally no deer on the archipelago; these were ornamental creatures artificially released on the island.

The mirror knew very well his purpose in crossing the ocean to come here: "In the future, we will have endless entanglements with Bailie, and they will definitely ask the Mou Nation for help."

What He Lingchuan feared was never Bailie, but the Mou Nation on the side. A great nation that dares to contend with Beijia is definitely not an existence that the current He Lingchuan can resist.

The mirror continued: "If Lingshan can stabilize the Mou Nation for us, wouldn't Bailie be in your pocket?"

"If I asked for this promise, I would have revealed my hand," He Lingchuan sighed. "Actually, I regret a bit now that I shouldn't have mentioned Bailie too much in front of State Preceptor Wang, even though I included Qing Nation."

He had been racking his brains these past few days, with a thousand things to deal with at all times, so it was inevitable that he would occasionally be less than thorough.

(End of chapter)