IDWBE -Chapter 420 The One Who Solves the Problem of Production

Or, to put it in Prince He’s own words: when capable people say something, it’s a famous quote; when incapable people say the same thing, it’s nonsense.

For Jiao Zhong, this meant that whatever Prince He said had to be treated like sacred law!
Sometimes, one also had to flatter him.

What if Prince He’s words weren’t pleasant to hear?
Low emotional intelligence: the words are harsh.
High emotional intelligence: the reasoning is solid.

In life, being happy yourself is important, but making Prince He happy is most important.
You absolutely cannot take it lightly!

Otherwise, you won’t even know how you’ll end up dead!

Someday, he would definitely thank the version of himself who worked so hard now.

After Lin Yi and the guards from the forest loaded the water caltrops onto the horse, he turned and mounted the donkey, heading straight back to the city.

From the south gate to the north gate, in a small alley, he had the horse’s load of water caltrops and lotus roots transferred onto the donkey.

Once inside the city, Lin Yi changed his mind and decided to deliver the goods personally to the Wenxiang Pavilion.

With a basket on each side, the donkey let out a dissatisfied bray. But as soon as Lin Yi fastened the ropes, it obediently followed him toward the Wenxiang Pavilion in the north city.

The sun had fully set behind the mountains; little light remained.

By the time Lin Yi reached the Wenxiang Pavilion’s entrance, it was completely dark.

Yawning, Lin Yi said, “I’m here to deliver goods!”

“Rude brat, don’t know the rules!”

A young servant rushed in front of him, shouting, “Use the back door! Don’t you see where this is? People like you can’t just come in anywhere!”

“Sorry, sorry, I’ll go right away.”

Lin Yi cupped his hands and led the donkey toward the back door.

A wave of sadness welled in his heart. He had been absent from the pleasure quarters for so long that the Jianghu had apparently forgotten his legend. Meeting someone who didn’t even recognize him—and dared to bully him—was infuriating. Some people livestream funerals; some livestream grave visits.

He wanted to livestream wiping out a family in the name of the Regency Prince. Unfortunately, this era had no internet, or he could have become a viral sensation.

Passing through a quiet alley, he finally arrived at the back of Wenxiang Pavilion.

The back door faced the river. Inside the pavilion, it was brightly lit: people fetching water, washing dishes, chopping vegetables; people came and went, bustling with activity.

Seeing someone casually dumping dirty water and trash into the river, Lin Yi frowned.

No wonder the city’s river was getting dirtier!

At first, he thought it was the livestock in the city—pigs, horses, cattle, sheep—but it wasn’t that simple.

Throwing everything into the river—if it stayed clean, that would be a miracle.

He couldn’t help but blame Hu Shilu, who had been the Minister of Hygiene for a while. With the ready-made Sanhe sanitation regulations, how could he let Ankang City’s hygiene deteriorate like this? Impossible to justify.

If that bastard were here, he would get a few good kicks. So infuriating!

If careless, Ankang City could erupt with disease—plague or flu—wiping out most of the city. History was full of such examples.

“Hey, what’s this about?”

A chubby man with a white towel over his shoulders looked at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi smiled, “I’m delivering lotus roots and water caltrops for the Guan family.”

The fat man snapped, “Why are you only here now? Where’s Guan Sheng? Dead somewhere? Sending a brat like you?”

Lin Yi, used to privilege all his life, was rarely scolded, especially in public. This was infuriating, but he restrained himself, knowing he had been entrusted by Guan Xiaoqi.

“Things came up for the Guan family; they can’t come for now. Just count the goods so I can report back,” he said calmly.

The fat man grumbled, “Then what are you standing there for? Don’t block the way—get these down, I’m not moving them for you!”

Lin Yi’s blood boiled, but he was helpless. Years of living without this kind of humiliation had made him unaccustomed to it.

He approached the donkey, patted its rear, and it squatted naturally. Lin Yi carefully lifted the baskets off both sides.

“Hey, this donkey’s a good one,” the fat man said, surprised. “Obedient too. Name a price; I’ll buy it.”

“Thanks, not for sale,” Lin Yi said, reddening as he carried the baskets into the courtyard. Turning to the fat man with a casual gesture, he said, “Please help settle the payment?”

A servant snorted, “Kid, we offered to buy your donkey out of respect. Don’t be ungrateful.”

Lin Yi waved off his anger, “Thanks, but I really don’t want to sell the donkey. Just settle the payment so I can leave the city before the gates close.”

The fat man scowled, “You’re deliberately being difficult, huh?”

Two more servants flanked Lin Yi.

Lin Yi looked at the fat man. “In the open world, under the heavens, you dare bully me? Strong-arming, forced sales, picking on the weak—any one of these could land you in prison under the new Liang laws.”

The fat man snorted, “It’s dark; toss you into the river, and no one would know. People wouldn’t report it, officials wouldn’t investigate—you’d be dead for nothing. Best be smart before I lose my temper.”

Lin Yi sighed, “You’re just trying to make things hard for me. I’m not afraid. My donkey isn’t going to you.”

The fat man said, “Then don’t blame me for being impolite.”

He signaled the two side servants.

The three advanced on Lin Yi.

“You can still regret it; I’m sparing your life,” the fat man said.

Lin Yi sighed, “If you regret it, that’s fine too—don’t kill everyone.”

Before his words finished, a scream erupted beside him.

The fat man fell with a thud, staring at Jiao Zhong, who had suddenly appeared.

“Who are you, daring to cause trouble at Wenxiang Pavilion?” the fat man demanded, terrified.

Jiao Zhong ignored him, bowing his head toward Lin Yi.

Lin Yi glanced at the bloody fat man and the three servants lying motionless on the ground, sighing, “Why bother? Showing off in front of people like this brings no satisfaction.”

“Who’s causing trouble? Want to die?”

Before the fat man could respond, the courtyard fell silent.

Shocked, the fat man watched Lin Yi approach. “Master, I was wrong… please spare me!”

Lin Yi extended his hand, “Pay up.”

The fat man, still confused, fumbled in his pocket, taking out a handful of silver coins. Hesitant, he laid them in his palm, looking at Lin Yi pleadingly.

Lin Yi grabbed the coins, weighed them, and said, “Fine, you’re sensible.”

He turned and walked away, Jiao Zhong leading the donkey behind him.

“What about these people?” Jiao Zhong asked.

Lin Yi scratched his head, “It’s tricky. If Guan Xiaoqi finds out I beat up her clients, she’ll be upset.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Jiao Zhong dared not give his own opinion, unable to guess Prince He’s thoughts.

Lin Yi thought for a moment. “It is difficult. If the problem can’t be solved, go after the ones causing it. Find out who runs Wenxiang Pavilion and tell them—anyone who witnessed this incident should be sent elsewhere. That way, Guan Xiaoqi won’t blame me.”

“Understood,” Jiao Zhong said.

“Remember, don’t kill them—just drive them away,” Lin Yi added, careful not to have his orders misunderstood.

His power had grown; sometimes, people overreacted, taking actions beyond his intent.

“Yes,” Jiao Zhong said. “Reports say Guan Sheng’s boat hasn’t stopped—it’s heading south.”

Lin Yi nodded, “Keep following. If something happens, step in to help.”

“Your Highness, rest assured,” Jiao Zhong saluted. “I’ll issue the orders to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

Lin Yi nodded with satisfaction.

At Yong’an Prince Mansion:

Old Twelfth glanced at Lai Kuan, surprised. “You’re saying my elder brother went to Wenxiang Pavilion? You didn’t see wrong?”

Lai Kuan patted his chest. “I guarantee I didn’t. Passing by Wenxiang Pavilion, I saw Prince He leading a donkey. I didn’t stop to investigate, knowing the master’s entourage is full of experts. I didn’t know why he was there.”

“Well done. If something went wrong, it might involve me,” Old Twelfth laughed. “He’s often a patron of pleasure houses. Since returning to Ankang City, he hasn’t gone once—this is unusual.”

He looked at Tang Yi.

Tang Yi stroked his beard. “If the Prince doesn’t know, I certainly don’t.”

“True, you know him less than I do,” Old Twelfth said. “But him visiting a pleasure house isn’t a big deal; the Princess is pregnant. Best not to meddle.”

Tang Yi saluted. “Wise, Your Highness.”

Old Twelfth continued, “I hear in a few days you’ll return to the National Academy. You’re fine staying here—no need to move.”

Although unhappy that Tang Yi freeloaded, he preferred him close for consultation.

Tang Yi smiled. “No secrets, Your Highness. If nothing unexpected happens, I might get promoted soon, and staying here could raise gossip.”

“Promotion?” Old Twelfth’s eyes lit up. “To what position?”

Tang Yi shook his head. “All depends on Minister He Jixiang’s decision. I cannot predict.”

“Then how do you know you’ll be promoted?” Old Twelfth asked skeptically.

Tang Yi smiled. “Minister He said so, but not the specific post.”

Old Twelfth said, “Can’t you guess? You’re currently a lowly ninth-rank official at the Censorate. Even with a fast-track promotion, the highest would be sixth-rank, still not needing to avoid suspicion. This must be higher—you know, but deliberately hid it from me?”

Tang Yi nodded. “Wise, Your Highness.”

“Fine, don’t tell me—whatever. Before leaving, remember to repay what you owe me.”

Tang Yi smiled wryly.

Night was hot and full of mosquitoes. Lin Yi refused to get into the net.

Sitting in the courtyard, Ye Qiu held a long sword to swat mosquitoes.

Lin Yi ate grapes, casually saying, “It’s good practice for you—it helps your swordsmanship.”

He couldn’t have Mingyue or Zixia fan him, so he had Ye Qiu do it.

Ye Qiu considered using a fan insulting; he would only use his sword.

“Thank you, Prince,” Ye Qiu said weakly.

A grandmaster swatting mosquitoes—what a joke, even for Prince He!

A sour grape made Lin Yi grimace. “I hear your brother arrived in Ankang City and got a house.”

Ye Qiu admitted it, “Yes.”

Lin Yi said, “I knew him from math class—he was lively and smart. I’m still his teacher. He didn’t even tell me? Unacceptable.”

Ye Qiu said, “I’ll fetch him.”

“Wait,” Lin Yi called out. “I’m just saying. If he doesn’t want to come, that’s fine. No rush; we can meet another time.”

Ye Qiu saluted. “Yes.”

Lin Yi waved, “Alright, rest now. I’ll sleep too.”

He stretched and returned to the back chamber under Ye Qiu’s watch.

“Stop.”

Ye Qiu called out to Jiao Zhong coming from behind the fake hill.

Jiao Zhong smiled, “What’s your command, Master Ye?”

Although commander of the prince’s guards, Ye Qiu, like the monks and blind master, was a grandmaster of unparalleled status. Jiao Zhong remained courteous.