Chapter 71: Who's in Charge of My Marriage?

  Tang Lin fell silent, gazing at the night scene by the river. After a while, he spoke: "The officials and staff of Yi State's government office are complexly related. Some people skilled in currying favor will know you're my recommendation and will try to bribe you with various methods when facing wealth and beauty, be cautious! I heard some people wanted to sell their houses to you at a low price, but you firmly refused them all, well done. Don't sacrifice your future for those petty gains."

  Xiao Jiading's heart skipped a beat, and his forehead was slightly cold with sweat. Fortunately, he had anticipated this situation and remained unmoved in the face of bribery.

  Tang Lin didn't look at him, but gazed into the night and continued, "I heard you bought that piece of land from the county government and are building shops to rent out?"

  Xiao Jiading was even more surprised, originally his every move was under Tang Lin's control, and he would have to be more careful in the future. However, although he had taken advantage of the land purchase, it was also sold by the government at a uniform price, so there was no question of bribery. So he wasn't worried that Tang Lin would scold him for this, nor did he need to hide anything, and he simply answered truthfully: "Yes, it's built with borrowed money from a contractor, I don't have any money myself, the interest is quite high, two percent interest. And who knows when I'll be able to pay it off, maybe not until next year."

  Tang Lin said, "Your idea of building shops along the street for rent is not bad. When taking an official path, if you don't have money, it's easy to fall into the abyss of greed and corruption. Only when you have a legitimate income can you face temptation without being moved. From this perspective, I support your efforts to make money."

  Xiao Jiading was somewhat unexpected, the social status of merchants in the Tang Dynasty was very low, and the whole society looked down on business. Unexpectedly, Tang Lin was different, he actually affirmed himself, which made Xiao Jiading both surprised and delighted. Just as he was about to respond, Tang Lin's next words confused him again. Tang Lin said: "However, since I have taken the path of being an official, I cannot engage in business, this is a rule of the imperial court."

  Xiao Jiading's heart sank again as he looked at Tang Lin with suspicion.

  Tang Lin continued, "Of course, building shops for rent is not strictly speaking doing business, but this is okay for low-ranking officials. However, for high-ranking officials, it's a stumbling block. Do you understand?"

  Xiao Jiading was shocked: Can I become a high-ranking official?

  Tang Lin didn't even look at him, continuing to mutter to himself: "However, the imperial court's laws do not prohibit officials above a certain rank from engaging in commerce. Especially for someone like you who is a low-ranking official. So, you can hand over the business to someone outside of your family to manage, best if it's someone unrelated. This way is the most stable and takes care of both public and private interests."

  Xiao Jiading sighed bitterly: "I...my family..."

  Tang Lin cut him off: "I know you have an uncle who helps with the farm work. However, he's not a suitable person."

  Xiao Jiading was shocked again, it seemed that Tang Lin had understood himself, but didn't know if he had seen through his fake identity as Lu Ying. However, from his expression and promotion of himself, he should not have investigated further and believed the fake information about Lu Ying, otherwise, he wouldn't have promoted someone with an unknown background. Thinking of this, he felt a bit more at ease. He smiled awkwardly: "My uncle is a farmer, my land is very big, building a house doesn't need that much, so I plan to open up the land and plant some medicinal herbs. I've already talked to my uncle about it, they'll help me with the planting."

  "Growing medicinal herbs is the same as growing crops, neither of which counts as doing business. You're fine to do this. However, when your family property increases, you'll need someone trustworthy to manage it. Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"

  At this point, Tang Lin finally turned his head and looked at him.

  Xiao Jiading thought for a moment and said: "Not yet. If Boss can recommend one to me, that would be the best."

  Xiao Jiading has already figured out that Tang Lin's mention of this topic must have been for this purpose.

  As expected, Tang Lin said: "Alright, I'll find a butler for you. What do you think of Chi Mei?"

  "Chī Méi?" Xiao Jiādǐng was very surprised.

  "Hmm," Tang Lin said slowly, without hiding anything: "I let Chi Mei follow you, originally with only one purpose, that is to have beauty by your side, so as not to easily fall into someone else's beautiful trap."

  Xiao Jiading suddenly realized and blurted out: "So it turns out that Chi Mei was the one you helped to redeem, Eldest?"

  As soon as he asked this question, Xiao Jiading suddenly understood that Chi Mei had let herself be hooked and given her chastity to him without making any demands. He guessed that she must have been instructed by someone else to do so, and thought that she would eventually reveal the person behind the scenes. Unexpectedly, that person was indeed Tang Lin! And Tang Lin's arrangement was simply to provide his family with a beautiful woman, so as not to be tempted by other people's beauty outside. This idea is truly unique.

  However, if it were really like this, then his own weight in Tang Lin's heart should be very heavy.

  Why is he so self-centered? Intentionally cultivating himself? Xiao Jiading couldn't understand for a moment, but he believed that there was no free lunch in the world. Tang Lin did this, and he must have had an ulterior motive. As for what the purpose was, it would be known later.

  Tang Lin said: "Chi Mei, this person, I have sent someone to investigate her thoroughly. Her family is very clean, her father was originally a merchant and was very successful, but due to an accident, all of their shops were destroyed in a big fire, and he fell ill and unfortunately passed away. Her mother also followed him. The remaining family property was squandered by her brother who loved to gamble, and she was even sold to the brothel. You don't have to worry about her background. If you are interested, you can make her your concubine in the future. However, she cannot be your wife, your marriage must be taken seriously! If you are willing, I can help you choose."

  I object! Xiao Jiading was about to say, what's the basis for this? Just because you're one of the former national leaders, you can dictate my marriage? My marriage is my own business, and it has nothing to do with your official position. However, he swallowed his words just as they were about to leave his mouth. No need to rush into opposition, anyway, he didn't have a crush on anyone yet, nor was there any woman he had to marry, not even thinking of tying himself down so early and wasting the good forest. So for now, just watch and see. Don't block the road.

  However, after hearing Tang Lin's words, he was even more convinced that this Tang Lin must have some major plan, and himself might be one of the key players in helping him achieve it. Moreover, he was an important player, which is why he had gone to such great lengths to arrange everything, including his own marriage. Having figured out this much, Xiao Jia Ding couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, and he wondered what exactly Tang Lin would have him do in the future. Would there be some great danger involved?

  It seems that I have to be more careful and vigilant in everything, otherwise I will be used by others without even realizing it.

  Xiao Jiading was thinking in his mind, seeing Tang Lin looking back at him with some doubt, he quickly put on a look of extreme joy and cupped his hands: "Yes! Thank you, boss, being able to have the boss help me choose a good match is the best!"

  "Hmm!" Tang Lin nodded in satisfaction, continuing to say: "A grown man can't be without a woman by his side, or else he'll be taken advantage of by the enemy. A big taboo for military families! So, before you get married, I had Chi Mei attend to your bedside, it was with this consideration."

  What is the enemy's intention? Xiao Jia Ding's heart skipped a beat, and as expected, Tang Lin was fighting with someone, and he himself would become an important pawn in his hands, which was why he valued him so much.

  So who is this opponent? To be his opponent, he must not be an ordinary official. Is it Li Ke, the Grand Governor and Governor of the capital city? Or perhaps the Chief Secretary or Deputy Governor of the provincial government? Upon careful consideration, only these few can match him as opponents.

  Slow down, if the enemy is not in Yizhou, then isn't that the capital? Tang Lin was previously a third-grade official and the Minister of Justice, but he was demoted to Yizhou. His opponent might be a powerful minister in the imperial court. In this confrontation, Tang Lin lost and wanted to make a comeback. Let himself be the vanguard?

  My dear, this is a dangerous job, you'd better not look for me, I still want to keep my head to eat and watch beautiful women.

  His eyes were rolling around, thinking deeply in his mind. Tang Lin, however, gazed into the night sky and continued to say: "I heard that you are going to start a business after this, so I had a new idea, which is also the reason why I called you here today. - Chi Mei is a great financial helper, let her help you take care of your business, you can rest assured. You can also focus on your own career path. What do you think?"

  Xiao Jiading's mind was racing as Tang Lin spoke, and he had already made up his mind. This big ship of Tang Lin's was a must-ride, the only way to rise to prominence. As for helping him deal with his enemies, that was out of the question. He had a brain, after all, and could think for himself. When faced with real danger, avoiding it was always the top priority. He couldn't afford to risk his own life just to repay some favor or debt of gratitude. His hands, feet, and mouth were his own, and he would do what he wanted with them.

  When Tang Lin asked for his opinion, Xiao Jia Ding had already thought it through and quickly said: "The person that the boss has chosen is naturally not wrong, so from now on I'll let Chi Mei handle the business."

  "Hmm." Tang Lin nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject and said: "The Zhao murder case and Liu Xiangzheng murder case you handled a few days ago were very good. Very neat and efficient, I'm very satisfied. Do it like this from now on. Handle cases with care, if you encounter any difficulties, you can find me."

  "Yes!" Xiao Jiading hesitated for a moment, saying: "Liu Xiangzheng's case involves some people, I don't know what to do. Can the boss give me some guidance?"

  "Is it related to Liu Xiangzheng's bribery case?"

  Xiao Jiading was stunned for a moment, Tang Lin was really too clever, or rather, he was too cunning. He had instantly spoken out Xiao Jiading's troubles. But thinking about it, it wasn't anything surprising, because Tang Lin valued his legal foundation highly, so it definitely wasn't the law that had stumped him. It was due to reasons outside of the case, and these reasons often came from corruption and bribery. At the same time, Liu Xiangzheng's official position was bought, even old bookkeeper Du Da knew about it, how could he escape the ears of a cunning old fox like Tang Lin?