IDWBE -Chapter 493 The Bottom Line

According to old customs, not throwing these people into the cages was already considered merciful. How could they be allowed to behave so arrogantly and overbearing!

Lin Yi gave him a sharp look. “Don’t just pay lip service—take action. Truly care for the people’s interests, and work to benefit them.”

Don’t be fooled by He Jixiang, Chen Desheng, and the others—they were well-read, full of knowledge, and their words dripped with moral principles. They understood the saying: “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.”

Having endured over a decade in a pestilential place like Sanhe, they had long lost most of their temper. Normally kind-faced and gentle, in front of him they lowered their eyes and bowed.

But at their core, they were politicians—they dealt in strategy.

In a politician’s eyes, there is only interest, no black or white, no right or wrong.

They were like historical literati such as Yuan Zhen, Ouyang Xiu, Cai Lun, or Dong Qichang. Expecting them to have true character was as impossible as asking a sow to climb a tree.

They would never see the common people as human beings. Uncultured and naive, barely capable of survival, it was a blessing if they even got a meal.

He Jixiang paused, hesitated, then said, “Your Lordship, rest assured. This old servant will strictly follow your teachings, vigorously develop education, promote economic growth, sincerely work for the people, ensuring education for all, fair wages for labor, medical care for the sick, support for the elderly, housing for everyone, and protection for the weak.”

Normally, he would never speak such “vulgar” plain truths in front of a crowd.

But seeing Lord He’s expression, clearly displeased, he had no choice but to follow Ma Xie’s example.

“That’s much better,” Lin Yi patted his thin shoulders and smiled. “You are a senior minister. If you don’t take the lead in serving the people, how can others follow? Wouldn’t that endanger the nation?”

“Ah!”

He Jixiang nearly fell to his knees but was caught by Lin Yi’s hands, forced to cry out, “This old servant knows his guilt.”

Endanger the nation?

That was quite the accusation!

Hadn’t Daliang always been like this? Migrants everywhere, people struggling to survive!

“I just said, don’t act like this, yet you still don’t listen,” Lin Yi pulled his hands back, covering his mouth to yawn. “If Daliang is to be strong enough to inspire fear, it must first make its people prosperous!”

Only then would cutting leeks and shearing sheep be convenient.

Right now, everyone is so poor they’re ready to revolt before the first cut.

The people’s resilience is too low!

They must be fattened first; otherwise, they cannot be mobilized.

“This old servant will thoroughly understand and implement the policies set by Your Lordship,” Shaken by Lin Yi, He Jixiang’s words became even more fluent. “To achieve a moderately prosperous society as soon as possible, where everyone eats enough and wears warm clothes.”

“Good. Also, intensify the fight against human trafficking. These children are the future labor force of Daliang. No one should harm them.”

The road to rescuing minors was long and arduous. Traffickers were audacious, even mutilating children to force them into begging. Despite repeated crackdowns, the trend of such crimes had not slowed, making Lin Yi furious.

“These people really treat Daliang’s laws and officials like…”

“This servant obeys the order! They will be punished without mercy!”

“The capital of Daliang is already like this, not to mention other regions. These people dare to be so brazen because they have backing—traitors may even exist within our own ranks. I want you to trace the roots, find these criminal forces, and completely sever their networks,” Lin Yi said with grim determination. “Once caught, behead them on the spot. No need for prison trials or wasting food.”

He had zero patience left.

He would rather show gentleness to animals than grant power to human scum.

He Jixiang said solemnly, “From now on, I will coordinate with the Three Departments, the Ministry of War, and the Ankang Prefecture to make anti-crime and anti-trafficking a top priority.”

“Good. Make sure I never see these issues again.”

Lin Yi said no more. He waved to He Jixiang, and after He Jixiang and his team bowed and withdrew, Lin Yi couldn’t resist yawning again, lying down on the freshly sprouted grass and falling asleep.

When he awoke, Yu Xiaoshi was counting coins, flipping a string of them back and forth, frowning deeper by the moment.

Lin Yi took the teacup from Hong Ying and sipped, then smiled at Yu Xiaoshi. “What’s wrong? Short on money?”

Yu Xiaoshi pouted. “Your Lordship, when am I not short on money?”

Lin Yi said impatiently, “You say that as if I’ve wronged you. Be honest—your monthly income is at least a few dozen taels. Where’s that money?”

Yu Xiaoshi spread the coins in his hand before Lin Yi, sighing. “Your Lordship, only fifty copper coins left.”

Hong Ying commented from the side, “You kid, eating and drinking recklessly, of course you can’t save money.”

Yu Xiaoshi glanced at Hong Ying, not daring to reply.

Cui Gengsheng had instructed him: when in front of Chief Steward, speak less. Speak less, make fewer mistakes. Fewer mistakes, fewer beatings.

Though his mind was sometimes unclear, he took this seriously.

As long as he didn’t speak, Hong Ying couldn’t punish him.

“Fifty copper coins—you’re a successful man,” Lin Yi teased, smiling. “When you first came to Ankang, you had fifty copper coins. Now, after all this time, still fifty? That’s a free meal for a year or two. Not bad.”

The nearby guards couldn’t help laughing at this.

“Your Lordship,” Yu Xiaoshi looked miserable, unable to speak a word.

“You live at your father-in-law’s every day, with food and drink. You won’t starve. What’s there to worry about?”

Lin Yi wasn’t worried about him going hungry.

Even without his father-in-law’s meals, as a personal guard of the manor, he was well-connected. Probably many in Ankang City would try to curry favor—feeding him or paying him would be no problem.

“Alright,” Lin Yi laughed. “Stop crying poor in front of me. I hear your wife has shares in several businesses and is lending money elsewhere, making a fortune. Go home, keep her happy, and even if a little slips through her fingers, you won’t run out of money.”

If anyone was truly poor, it was him, the lord. Over the years he had earned and seized plenty, yet spending was relentless—holes everywhere, patching one wall with another. Both the state treasury and his personal treasury were constantly leaking!

If he weren’t so cautious, he would have had the garrisons trade for self-sufficiency long ago.

But no matter what, he dared not open that door lightly.

What if everyone’s “loyalty” failed the test? Like that little brat Xiao Xizi, might he eventually shout without restraint: “That’s my dearest Lord He—I need more pay!”