Chapter 669 - 662_1
"But this Lin Yue is truly courageous," Huangfu Jing said admiringly. Lin Yue knew the identities of those Hidden Guards and yet dared to confront them, the Yin Family’s people, and even went so far as to seek out the bandits of Longhu Mountain for collaboration. It takes immense courage to do so, more than what many brave men could muster.
The Yin Family probably did not expect Lin Yue to take such action, prompting them to send the Hidden Guards after Zhao Erhu’s family, certainly thinking that since Zhao Erhu was from a rural household and with the male head away, Lin Yue, a mere woman, would be powerless to fight back. This time, however, they stumbled, and it was at the hands of a farmer’s wife. Even more exquisite is that the Yin Family, for fear, still has the wrong target in mind, thinking it was the Mountain Bandits who were after them, without the slightest suspicion cast upon Lin Yue. After all, who would suspect that a farmer’s wife would dare to bribe bandits for a rescue? If there’s any suspicion of a trick, they’re likely looking in the wrong place. Indeed, it’s brilliant.
"Truly a female Zhuge Liang," Huangfu Jing praised once more, his tone laced with envy that Zhao Erhu had married such a capable and virtuous wife. That rough man indeed has great fortune.
It was only because Huangfu Jing was eager to eradicate those aristocratic families, wishing all those old foxes dead, that he spoke so highly of Lin Yue, appreciating her audacity and temper. Otherwise, had someone else known of this act, they would have been more fearful, for a farmer’s wife daring to conspire with bandits was truly audacious.
Abao dared not say much, but listening to the Emperor’s words, he gained even more admiration for Lady Lin as he learned she had personally managed to bribe the bandits to rescue someone from the Yin Family’s Hidden Guards. He had thought from the beginning that Lady Lin was no ordinary person, and indeed, her actions proved her to be beyond comparison.
Zhao Erhu’s news did not keep Huangfu Jing waiting too long. After only a couple of days, a letter sent via special methods arrived from Zhao Erhu’s advance party. The letter, dated over half a month ago, was sent as they began their return voyage. It detailed the approximate date of return and matters pertaining to the voyage at sea, mentioning that the venture had gone smoothly, goods were sold, and besides earning a substantial amount of Silver, they had also acquired many western goods that could yield a big profit with savvy dealings.
"Good! Good! This couple is truly my lucky star, always able to alleviate my worries. I will certainly reward them for their service," Huangfu Jing said, delighted with the content of the letter, looking forward to Zhao Erhu’s return and the prospect of not worrying about the Court’s treasury being short on Silver for some time.
The reason Huangfu Jing thought of rewarding Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue later instead of now was for their benefit. Given his current authority at Court, he could not suppress those old foxes of the Aristocratic Family. Sudden, substantive rewards for a couple of farmers would provoke opposition from each and every one of them, making things unsuccessful and leaving himself with nothing but frustration. Moreover, he feared those old rascals might strike at Zhao Erhu and his wife, contradicting his original intention.
"Abao, go and order someone to deliver Zhao Erhu’s news to the Zhao Family village in Xin’an City, to Zhao Erhu’s wife. In addition, I have a reward for her; have it taken to her as well," Huangfu Jing thought to immediately send news to Lin Yue, as Zhao Erhu had always shown great concern for his wife, even including personal messages in the letters sent back to him. This time, though more aware of protocol, his message carried an implicit request for the Emperor to ensure his family was informed of his safety.