Chapter 23

The Zheng family's villa, located in a picturesque area outside Ruzhou City, is called "Listening to the Wind Villa."

Rather than saying it's a villa, it's more like a small fortified stronghold.

The entire manor is built against the mountain, surrounded by tall, sturdy rammed-earth walls equipped with arrow slits and watchtowers; inside, pavilions, terraces, and buildings are arranged in an orderly yet picturesque manner, with fertile fields and beautiful ponds, resembling a secluded utopia.

Wang Xiu, seeing this scale, secretly gasped in amazement.

Only then did he understand what true clan foundation means.

This is no longer a simple "landlord manor"; it is clearly a military fortress with strong defensive capabilities!

In turbulent times, once the gate is shut, this place becomes a self-sufficient independent kingdom!

Zheng Hao seemed to notice Wang Jin's surprise, smiling as he explained: "Officer Wang, you flatter me. This place was built during the wars of the previous dynasty; our ancestors, seeking self-preservation, made it so sturdy. Now in this peaceful prosperous age, it seems somewhat out of place."

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) felt a chill in his heart.

Out of place?

No, it's exactly right for the times!

He knew that the beacon fires of the An-Shi Rebellion would soon engulf all of Zhongyuan; when that happened, a stronghold like this would be the Noah's Ark preserving the clan's bloodline.

"Brother Zheng's foresight is admirable, I am in awe," Wang Jin said sincerely.

He secretly resolved that in the future, the Wang family's manor would also be built to this standard!

Zheng Hao welcomed Wang Jin and his entourage into the manor.

The manor's steward and servants, well-trained, quickly settled the delegation's personnel and carriages properly.

The banquet was held in the guest hall of the manor's main building.

The dishes were not luxurious, but exquisitely refined, with all ingredients produced on the manor, fresh and tasty.

During the meal, Zheng Hao frequently toasted Wang Jin, praising his talent and insight in conversation.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) was also happy to deepen their friendship.

Through Zheng Hao, he learned more about the internal affairs of the Yingyang Zheng clan.

For example, although Zheng Hao calls himself a branch member, his great-grandfather once held a third-rank office and carried considerable weight in the clan; this branch mainly manages the family's enterprises in Ruzhou and Xuzhou.

Wang Xiu keenly realized that this is exactly the "branching out to govern" model of great clans.

By scattering descendants to various places, they expand influence and disperse risk; should the main house encounter trouble, these scattered branches can instantly become the sparks preserving the clan's vitality.

This gave him another lesson.

He decided that once the Wang family grows strong, he will quickly launch a "branch out" plan, letting Wang descendants spread to every corner of the Tang Dynasty.

After three rounds of drinks, Zheng Hao dismissed the singers and attendants on either side, lowered his voice, and said to Wang Jin:

"Officer Wang, I have a matter I'm unsure whether to speak of or not."

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) felt a stir, knowing the main topic had arrived.

"Brother Zheng, please speak freely."

Zheng Hao's face showed a hint of hesitation, but he finally said: "Officer Wang, on this southern journey you hold high rank and great power, with limitless prospects. However… outstanding timber invites wind. In the court, Prince Liang Wu Sansi and Zhongchengke and the like are narrow-minded and will surely retaliate. Officer Wang, you must be on guard."

His words were extremely veiled, yet the hint was already very clear.

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) felt a chill inside, but kept his composure, merely raising his wine cup to toast Zheng Hao.

"Thank you for the warning, Brother Zheng. I have it in mind."

Seeing that Wang Jin understood at once, Zheng Hao's eyes flashed with a hint of admiration.

He sighed and continued: "We aristocratic families have endured a hundred years relying simply on the two words 'moderation': do not build walls on dangerous ground, do not be the bird that sticks out its head. Even if imperial favor is great, it will eventually wane; only the clan's foundation is an unshakable root for eternity."

"Officer Wang, achieving success at a young age with vigorous spirit is good, but sometimes knowing when to retreat is more important than knowing when to advance."

These words can be called golden advice.

This is the survival wisdom passed down for hundreds of years by the Yingyang Zheng clan.

Wang Xiu firmly kept these words in his heart.

He knew Zheng Hao was doing this to show goodwill and also make a political investment.

He is optimistic about Wang Jin's future, but does not want Wang Jin to perish prematurely because he is too sharp.

"Brother Zheng's teachings, Wang Jin, I will never forget." Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) stood up and solemnly bowed to Zheng Hao.

This bow was sincere and heartfelt.

Just as the two were chatting happily, neither noticed that outside the villa, in the night's darkness, countless black shadows had silently like ghosts encircled the entire manor.

The leader in black made a hand signal.

His companions behind him immediately drew strong bows and fire-arrows soaked in oil from their packs!

Their target is not a frontal assault, but a fire attack!

They intend to burn the entire manor, together with everyone inside, to a blank wasteland!

……

After the banquet dispersed, Wang Jin was arranged in an extremely elegant guest room.

He lay in bed, yet felt not a trace of sleepiness.

The conversation with Zheng Hao gave him a clearer plan for his future path, but at the same time it raised his vigilance to the utmost.

Zheng Hao's warning was certainly not baseless.

Will Wu Sansi and Zhongchengke really move against me?

When, where, and how will they do it?

Wang Xiu, controlling Wang Jin, repeatedly rehearsed various possibilities in his mind.

Assassination? Poisoning? Or framing with false charges?

He suddenly sat up, feeling uneasy, as if something extremely dangerous were about to happen.

This strong intuition comes from the growing mysterious connection between him, after his transmigration, this body, and this game machine.

He walked to the window, pushed open the window, and wanted to get some fresh air.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, a cool breeze brushed his face. The manor was utterly silent, only occasional insect chirps could be heard.

Everything seemed so normal.

But the unease in Wang Xiu's heart grew stronger and stronger.

He suddenly smelled, in the air, a faint… barely there, burnt smell?

It wasn't the smell of burning firewood for cooking.

But rather a kind of… pungent smell of burning grease!

His pupils suddenly contracted!

Not good!

He abruptly lifted his head, gazing toward the direction of the manor's wall.

He saw in the night sky several dark red sparks, dragging long tails, like meteors, tearing through the night sky, shooting straight toward the Zhuang Rizhi Main Building!

"Enemy attack! Fire!"

Almost at the same moment, the guard on duty guarding the night watch on the manor's corner tower also let out a hoarse, strained howl!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

More rockets came screaming from all directions!

Several of them precisely struck the roof of this guesthouse where Wang Jin was staying!

The thatch-and-wood roof, upon contact with the rockets, erupted with a boom, igniting a raging fire!

The firelight instantly illuminated Wang Jin (Wang Xiu)'s face, filled with shock and anger!

He never imagined the enemy's killing trap would come so swiftly, so ruthlessly!

They actually intended to slaughter everyone in the manor!