Chapter 660: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 661: Background Rabbit Spirit (33)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Young Master Hu acts with naive innocence; Family Head Hu, your words are mistaken."

How could that be wrong? It truly helped him a great deal; to deal with the aftermath for his own child, didn't this old family head voluntarily deliver himself to the door?

Family Head Hu:...

Some words truly could not be spoken; Family Head Hu looked at the prince before him, whose reputation did not match his outward fame at all, and sighed again in his heart.

Fortunately, he was a family head with great decisiveness; since he had come, he must prepare himself not to regret it, otherwise, hesitating and wavering again and again would only make the Hu family's current situation even more difficult.

"Your Highness, please receive this report."

Family Head Hu took a deep breath, followed by bowing, and held the wooden box he had brought with both hands, presenting it before Lin Xingzhi.

This is?

Lin Xingzhi tacitly did not ask back, but instead took it without changing expression and opened it.

The wooden box did not contain thick banknotes or treasures worth a thousand gold, only a ledger that did not look thin.

The ledger was opened, clearly and plainly listing item information regarding the Hu family's treasury one by one.

In other words, the content recorded here all concerned the Hu family's property.

"Please, Your Highness, leave the Hu family a way to survive."

At this moment, Family Head Hu was the fish on the chopping block, he the knife; he dared not ask for too much, because the situation inside the Hu family was terrible, and only Prince Jing was their way to survive.

Family Head Hu had experienced too much; he knew too well the conduct and true faces of those great clans. Who knew if the Hu family had not yet completely fallen, they on the other side had already discussed how to divide the Hu family's resources?

So, Family Head Hu chose this time to come alone to visit Prince Jing, having made the resolve to fight to the death.

Lin Xingzhi did not speak; he was judging whether this matter was true or false.

Dealing with great clans cannot be too simple; who knew if Family Head Hu's performance today was only for him, or if he had performed for several families to sell at a higher price?

Smiling, he placed the account book in his hand to one side; Lin Xingzhi waved his hand, telling Family Head Hu to sit first.

"Family Head Hu worries too much. In fact, with the Hu family's foundation in Hejian Prefecture, other forces cannot do anything to the Hu family," at least not within a short time (before Family Head Hu's death) would they dare to make any move.

Family Head Hu smiled bitterly, admiring Prince Jing's unhurried manner in his heart. It seemed he was indeed as formidable as the rumors said, genuine material not to be underestimated.

"Your Highness, this commoner is presumptuous; this visit is abrupt. I am willing to serve Your Highness and the Imperial Court with the labor of a dog or horse."

Lin Xingzhi:... somewhat tempted

Such a useful and suitable person; if he were truly used by the Hu family personally, then his predicament in Hejian Prefecture City would be readily solved.

After all, Lin Xingzhi had been in Hejian Prefecture City for many days, and the greatest problem he faced was being unable to pry open a single crack. The forces of Hejian Prefecture were intricately intertwined, giving him quite the feeling of pulling one hair and moving the whole body.

Lin Xingzhi froze there. Every day, while receiving officials from the Government Office, he pondered whom to pry open was most suitable. The result? Indeed, one cannot have too many children. Isn't this delivering himself to the door? Probably karmic retribution.

No one knew what Family Head Hu and Lin Xingzhi talked about in the room besides them, but from analyzing their expressions when they left one after another, Family Head Hu's face was dim, while Lin Xingzhi was beaming with spring breeze.

"Husband is so happy today?" Did you encounter a great piece of good fortune?

Shen Yao teased Lin Xingzhi, whose lips had not stopped curving up since entering the door, thinking to herself that even picking up money couldn't be like this. Was this picking up merit for nothing?

Lin Xingzhi softly called out "Yao Niang," and couldn't help but circle around Shen Yao.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao, feeling a bit dizzy, raised her hand to grab Lin Xingzhi. She truly discovered this person was very happy, and not just a little bit. Could it be that there was new progress in the matter of Hejian Prefecture?

Lin Xingzhi smiled and nodded, "It is also thanks to Yao Niang."

Shen Yao:... Hmm?

The whole matter actually should start from that plate of pastries and beverages that was served up. It cannot be said to be the root, but this also counts as a propeller and fuse. Family Head Hu himself couldn't wait, so the two parties came to such a quick agreement.

Holding Shen Yao, Lin Xingzhi explained the cause and effect of the matter, then lowered his head to kiss the beauty's cheek. "Now another worry is lifted; I can accompany Yao Niang and the children for a few more days."

At least he didn't need to go do those thankless, laborious things anymore. Heaven knows how much Lin Xingzhi disliked all the messy socializing in the officialdom.

The prefect of Hejian Prefecture City was more cautious than the prefect of Yuanshui Cheng, and was not willing to take risks easily.

Sigh

Officials throughout Li Guo were all like this, desperately trying to preserve themselves. I truly worry for the future of the country.

Lin Xingzhi sighed without sincerity. After all, he was born into the imperial family and was the same way, so he couldn't hold other officials to a double standard, demanding they be loyal to the emperor and love the country, dying without regret.

He planned to wait until this inspection tour ended and return to Jingcheng to submit a memorial about what he had seen and heard, hoping to give his imperial brother staying in Jingcheng some inspiration.

The husband and wife just clung to each other intimately like that.

It had been a long time since they had intimate contact. Not only was Lin Xingzhi suffering from holding back and feeling itchy in his heart, but Shen Yao herself also couldn't help but use a pair of alluring eyes to hook Lin Xingzhi.

Heavenly thunder striking earthly fire, a mountain collapsing meeting a tsunami.

Shen Yao swayed and fell into Lin Xingzhi's arms; the clothes on her body had long since disappeared without a trace.

Raising his hand to carry her princess-style, he sent her onto the bed. The hung bed curtains were casually let down.

Intermittent sounds of lovemaking came out and were confined within the room, like rain beating on plantains, stirring the heartstrings.

The next few days, as Lin Xingzhi said, he really went nowhere, just staying at the Yi Zhan to accompany his wife and children, occasionally sending servants to the market to buy some novel items.

"Father King, Father King"

Lin Chengjing hugged Lin Xingzhi's thigh and couldn't help but act coquettish, while also wanting to climb up the pole.

Lin Chengyan and Lin Chengjue started playing and roughhousing again, chasing each other and having a great time.

Shen Yao just sat in the Bedchamber, looking gently at the four fathers and sons on the Taozi, especially Lin Chengjing. This small person knew too well how to handle relatives; a pout and a smile from his little mouth made people's hearts soften.

Lin Xingzhi couldn't resist the cute creature's attack. He raised his hand to pick him up and softly coaxed him, until a servant at the Doorway reported that the Prefect of Hejian Prefecture City had come to pay a visit.

"Is it that Prefect Gao?"

Shen Yao had seen him a few times from afar; his appearance was refined and elegant, his speech mild, embodying the four words 'governing by non-action' to perfection.

Why had he been able to stay in Hejian Prefecture for so long? First, he did not clash with the great clans of Hejian Prefecture City; second, his demands regarding the people's livelihood were extremely low. So even though Hejian Prefecture was larger and more prosperous than Yuanshui Cheng, the commoners' lives here were not much better than in Yuanshui Cheng.

Lin Xingzhi handed Lin Chengjing into Shen Yao's arms and nodded helplessly. "There must have been progress with the Hu Family matter; this Prefect Gao cannot make up his mind," which is why he came scurrying over to seek him out.

Shen Yao could only empathize and feel helpless to help; she patted Lin Xingzhi's shoulder. "Husband, you have worked hard."

Lin Xingzhi: ……

Not merely hard work — his lot in life is rather bitter too.

He raised a hand and lightly pinched Lin Chengjing's little round face; as the child's expression turned like he was about to cry but not quite, Lin Xingzhi left the room with an embarrassed look on his face.

As he left he did not forget to add that he would return late and dinner need not wait for him.

"Mother Consort, Father King is bad, hit him hit him~"

Lin Chengjing's expression was aggrieved; his little mouth pouted so high it could hang an oil pot.

Shen Yao held him and coaxed him; seeing his little face break into a smile again, she hurriedly put him down to play together with his two elder brothers.

Before long, the children's laughter and chatter filled every corner of the room, ceaseless for a long while.

Outside in the main hall

Lin Xingzhi received Prefect Gao here — a middle-aged man who was always refined and amiable, the very image commonly seen among the court's ministers.

However today Prefect Gao was somewhat different; his grooming was not at all that refined, and even his beard and temples had strands of hair sticking up.

"Prefect Gao"

"Prince"

Upon seeing Prince Jing, Prefect Gao nearly burst into tears; his voice even carried a sobbing tone.

Lin Xingzhi hurriedly asked what was the matter. In just a few days, could it be that someone in Hejian Prefecture still dared to go looking for trouble at the government office?

Prefect Gao: ……

There was no trouble, but a whole handful of thorny matters.

Rubbing his palms together with great difficulty, Prefect Gao explained that the Hu Family Head had personally reported to the authorities, accusing the Zhang, Zhou, Ning, and Wang Four Families of years of corruption and perversion of law; the key point was that this person had even produced a stack of evidence!

What kind of person was Prefect Gao? He feared trouble and even more did not want to provoke trouble. The Hu Family Head's action clearly crossed the bottom line Prefect Gao had drawn for himself.

Lin Xingzhi: ……

In his heart he approved of the Hu Family Head's move; it seemed he was indeed a decisive man.

Pity that he was dragged down by his clan; no matter how he struggled it was merely prolonging a dying breath. Without capable descendants, the Hu Family was beyond saving.

"Since the Hu Family Head has reported it and brought evidence, you just handle it impartially." Isn't that good? It saves the investigation and evidence-gathering step. Could it be that the government office has some vested interest with these four families?

Lin Xingzhi looked at Prefect Gao with a suspicious gaze, directly scaring this spokesman who embodied 'governing by non-action' at every moment into a full-body shiver. He, he wasn't!

Prefect Gao bowed his head and said he was wronged; it wasn't him, it was other people in the government office!

Lin Xingzhi: …… So it really is vested interests!

Prefect Gao: …… Indeed it is so.

But this matter is unavoidable. The imperial court's control over the localities has always been worse the farther away; although the officials of Hejian Prefecture's government office are appointed by the court, quite a few are local selections and have connections with the local great clans.

The most common is marriage ties; the most widespread is clan kinship. In any case, throughout the government office, those who can jump out of these connections are not even one-third.

Prefect Gao said with a bitter smile, "Prince, we are merely ordinary people." Some things he also knew should not be so, but he simply could not stop them.

Lin Xingzhi: ……

Lin Xingzhi pondered for a moment. "This Prince understands Prefect Gao's difficulties, but the court's desire to reclaim authority is also for the country's stability and the people's peace. The consequences of local powers growing too large — you should know them without me saying more."

This is not Lin Xingzhi engaging in alarmist talk; facts speak louder than words.

During the Former Emperor's reign, Li Guo was riddled with wounds and in ruins. Later the New Emperor ascended the throne and strove to govern for many years, slowly pulling the wayward Li Guo back onto the right track.

However the mess left by the Former Emperor had too great an influence; local forces with deep-rooted foundations were even harder to eradicate.

After listening, Prefect Gao fell silent. He naturally understood Prince Jing's meaning. Once, he too had held the idea of serving the country and the people. And later? It seemed he had knocked his head until it bled, forced to accept fate and lower his head.

The two faced each other in silence, as if everything that needed saying had been said; wasting more breath would serve no purpose.

"The court and the Emperor will not allow local powers to grow large. This Prince's attitude toward this matter: handle it impartially."

Of course, to avoid putting Prefect Gao in a difficult spot and to keep Hejian Prefecture City's situation stable, some news that ought to be released still must be released.

Womanly benevolence — the only loss would be to oneself.

Since the Hu Family has already made the first move, then the Zhang, Zhou, Ning, and Wang Four Families — should they not also be stirred up a bit?

This……

Prefect Gao lowered his eyes with a serious expression and agreed. As he turned to leave, he still felt deeply frightened.

Hiss—

He looks lukewarm and speaks gently, but his methods are truly ruthless.

Not only did he let the Hu Family jump into the pre-dug pit first, but he also backhandedly dragged the Hu Family into internal strife with the Zhang, Zhou, Ning, and Wang Four Families, and finally let the court step in to clean up.

This is not just wanting the Hu Family's assets; he still wants the other four families' wealth. The court and the Emperor — are they this short of money?

Prefect Gao's mind suddenly spawned one treasonous thought after another, then he shook his head and tossed them out. Sinful, sinful; should not, should not. Regardless of whether they lack money or not, it is not something a mere official should worry about.

Since Prince Jing has already spoken, then handle it impartially. All the way back to the government office, having done enough mental preparation, Prefect Gao once again resumed his public persona.

"Go, bring men and summon all the clan heads of the Zhang, Zhou, Ning, and Wang Four Families."

"Lord Gao, this, is there some misunderstanding?"

"Hmph! Evidence is conclusive; how dare you quibble? For this official to use 'invite' is already giving them face. Still not hurrying to seize them and bring them to justice!"

Finished speaking, Prefect Gao cast a contemptuous sidelong glance, causing the surrounding subordinates to be terrified.

An unknown storm began to rise from Hejian Prefecture City, sweeping up only clans with some foundation. When the heads of the Zhang, Zhou, Ning, and Wang Four Families were summoned to the government office, the Hu Family's spoiled darling who loved stirring up trouble also met with trouble — he was thrown out of a brothel.

Good fellow, not only did he fall half-dead, but it also dragged out the younger generations of the Zhang and Zhou families along with him.

That wasn't the end of it; turning around, a young grandson of the Ning Family, who was greatly favored, was severely injured by a galloping horse right on the street, and there were even people from the Hu Family watching the spectacle nearby.

…………

One big show after another erupted, each different from the last; the Hu Family Head couldn't understand if the Imperial Court was doing this on purpose. But having already boarded the ship, there could be no mistake; he could only grit his teeth and bite back at the other four families, producing even more evidence that could condemn all four families to death.

Lin Xingzhi seemed like a bystander standing apart from it all; aside from Prefect Gao, who came to report at any moment, he basically had nothing at all to do at present.

Every day he either accompanied his wife or accompanied his children; occasionally the whole family of five would go out for an outing. Although there were always those with no eyes who attempted to offend him, or who self-righteously employed various schemes to seek a way out.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness"

"Take them away and hand them over to Prefect Gao. They openly blocked this King's carriage to report to the authorities; the grievances they suffer must not be small. Let Prefect Gao personally supervise the handling of the case."

Having spoken these words with righteous awe, Lin Xingzhi had Lin An send the people away, while he himself swiftly turned around and returned to the carriage, letting out a long breath of stifled air.

Shen Yao covered her mouth and snickered, "Husband, this trip has been hard work for you." "Just how long have you been out? There have already been several batches of people blocking the way to sue officials."

Among them were women with fair skin and beautiful looks, men who were clear and handsome with refined elegance, and even lovely youths and maidens who were merely at the age of hanging hair.

Tsk tsk tsk

The aristocratic families of Hejian Prefecture are truly more daring in their actions than those of Yuanshui Cheng.