Chapter 669: Chapter 650: If You Doubt Someone, Don’t Employ Them; If You Employ Someone, Don’t Doubt Them
Nan Yi hesitated and did not quickly get into the vehicle, wrestling with his thoughts for a long time before daring to speak.
“Mr. Lin, aren’t you afraid that Gao Wu has other schemes? He is, after all, a barbarian and a captive.”
It wasn’t Nan Yi’s fault to feel this way, anyone would be on guard against captives.
But Lin Yi remained calm and composed.
“Be cautious with whom you trust, but fully support those you do.”
“Don’t be mistaken, Gao Wu is a captive of Nan Zhao Country, not our You Country. He simply hopes to use my influence to secure a better future for his companions. And I, likewise, hope he can help us enter Nan Zhao Country.”
Nan Yi nodded, understanding Lin Yi’s intentions.
Originally a six-person off-road vehicle, it became somewhat crowded with the addition of Gao Wu.
However, Nan Yi and the others still made extra space for the injured Gao Wu.
With Gao Wu leading the way, Lin Yi reached the ramparts of Lingyun City in less than half an hour.
Inside Lingyun City, lights were strung up in festive arrays, bustling with activity, while outside the town dozens of campfires of varying sizes were lit, with groups of nimble men and women practicing singing and dancing, and an acrobatic troupe practiced throughout the night.
Seeing their dedication, Lin Yi could not help but ask. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by N()velFire.net
“Are they planning to go all night? They’re really going all out.”
“Shh! General Lin, you may not be aware, but during each full moon’s Torch Festival, the City Lord of Lingyun City, Ouyang Fu, selects the most satisfying performance to present to the Imperial Family of Nan Zhao.”
“Any program that catches the Imperial Family’s eye will be handsomely rewarded.”
At this point, Lin Yi finally understood.
In You Country, ordinary people changed their destinies through studying and taking civil exams, standing out to leap through the dragon gate.
While in Nan Zhao Country, it was through singing and dancing performances that people competed and leaped through the dragon gate.
Thus, Lin Yi could understand why everyone was still practicing so late into the night.
Just as Gao Wu, limping with his crutch, was about to join a dance team, Lin Yi stopped him.
“You’re injured, better rest properly, leave tomorrow to me.”
After saying this, Lin Yi bought seven tents similar to those nearby from Nine-Eyed Mall, blending into the camp and rested.
While everyone else was busy with final rehearsals, no one noticed a few extra tents.
Exhausted from the journey, the rhythmic singing actually facilitated their sleep.
“Hey, which group do you belong to? Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
Still immersed in slumber, Lin Yi was rudely awakened by a brash and disrespectful voice without even opening his eyes.
‘Who is so inconsiderate to disturb my dream? It’s impolite, so annoying.’
Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes, only to see a man draped in a colorful brocade robe, wearing a white hat.
Lin Yi reprimanded sharply as the white-hatted man brutally kicked and destroyed his tent.
Although the tent was disposable and Lin Yi did not plan to use it a second time, he couldn’t swallow the insult.
Before Lin Yi could react, the white-hatted man stepped forward waving his copper token arrogantly.
“You’re disqualified. I am Master Advisor to Lord Ouyang, and clashing with me means you are unfit for the Torch Festival.”
Lin Yi couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, seeing how this Master was abusing his authority, clearly reflecting the poor judgment of Lingyun City’s lord.
“Oh, revolt? Daring to mock me? Guards, seize him!”
Upon the Master’s command, a group of soldiers wielding long spears surrounded Lin Yi.
Lin Yi sighed. He had merely overslept, and inexplicably, he was about to be arrested. This was utterly unreasonable.
However, at this moment, Gao Wu came limping over, holding two heavy silver ingots in his hand, and quietly slipped them into the Master’s hand, with a flattering smile.
“Master, please be lenient and don’t remember the faults of us younger ones. This new guy I brought in doesn’t know the rules yet.”
The Master weighed the heavy silver in his hand and sneered, “Hehe, look at the good disciple you’ve taken in. Not knowing the rules comes with a price, but fortunately, you know the rules. Let’s go!”
After saying that, the Master walked away nonchalantly.
At this time, Gao Wu came over with a look full of apologies, “General Lin, I deeply apologize for the offense just now. Please be understanding.”
Lin Yi waved his hand. If it weren’t for Gao Wu stepping in just now, he would have taught the so-called Master a good lesson. Perhaps then, he might have met the Lingyun City Lord Ouyang Fu even sooner.
At this point, Lin Yi could only stick to the original plan. Only by stepping out during the Torch Festival could he catch Ouyang Fu’s attention.
It was indeed embarrassing to speak of, Lin Yi had unwittingly slept until the sun was high in the sky, and Nan Yi and others did not dare to wake him up lightly.
Now, inside Lingyun City, it was already noisy with drums and gongs, and the Torch Festival had been bustling since daytime.
“It’s getting late, let’s enter the city gate.”
After Gao Wu finished speaking, he took out six pieces of blue brocade, instructing Lin Yi and others to drape them over.
When passing through the city gate, the same Master was checking, he recognized Lin Yi at a glance and just as he was about to start insulting, Gao Wu slipped him another two silver ingots, and they managed to pass through smoothly.
Lin Yi shook his head, realizing that the respected Master of the City Lord, instead of accompanying the lord, was actually here at the gates to reap benefits. Such advantage-taking surely wasn’t rare.
‘No, I must properly teach this corrupt official a lesson.’
Thinking so, Lin Yi, while the Master was not paying attention, secretly held a sharp knife blade, and with a feigned slip, he made a false move towards the Master’s direction.
“Bad luck! What is that!”
The Master walked aside with a face full of disdain, but he had only taken two steps when his lower robe suddenly slipped down.
At the same time, the heavy silver Tael he had hidden in his pocket fell out as well.
“Don’t look, none of you look, turn away, all of you!”
The Master, with his legs full of hair exposed, squatted down in a panic trying to pick up his trousers.
The crowd burst into laughter. If it weren’t for the Master himself reminding everyone not to look, probably only a few close associates would have noticed the embarrassment.
Yet, it was his very outcry that made everyone witness this awkward scene.
“What are you all standing around for?”
Embarrassed, the Master hurriedly pulled off his shawl to cover his private parts.
But a single one was clearly not enough, in desperation, he tugged at his subordinates’ shawls and randomly covered his legs with them.
The crowd was stunned by this scene.
In Lingyun City, the shawl holds a sacred place,
only to be brought out during significant festivals, the patterns on the shawl are their ancestors’ totems, and no one must desecrate them.
But the Master’s actions clearly provoked public anger.
When the Master realized his mistake, it was already too late.
A soldier stood nearby and directly picked him up, pointing a spear at his neck, and pushed him into the middle of the crowd.
“You, let go, I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean it,” the Master desperately screamed like an ant on a hot pot, but the soldiers were indifferent and directly placed the Master on a wooden frame in the middle.