IDWBE -Chapter 85 Xenophobia

Even if delicacies from land and sea were laid out before him, he would not spare them a glance.

He simply had no appetite.

“Your Highness,” Shan Yin said seriously, “truly—you’re a good man.”

“Get lost! Don’t talk nonsense like that.”

Lin Yi snapped.

He hated nothing more than being handed a “good guy” card.

“Your Highness,” Shan Yin said dejectedly, “the world is vast—but where can I possibly go?”

Lin Yi snorted and ignored him.

So being hunted down by Ye Jinyu is somehow my fault?

The deeper they went into the forest, the taller the mountains and trees grew. Human footprints were rare—but it was paradise for wild animals.

Naturally, there were also venomous snakes and swarms of insects.

Snakes basked in the sun outside the grass, while mosquitoes paired off inside it.

Fortunately, the two fools—Yu Xiaoshi and Cui Gengsheng—were quick-eyed and quick-handed. Whenever they encountered a venomous snake, they smashed it with a single hammer blow. The sight was so gruesome that Lin Yi couldn’t bear to look.

Luckily, when they returned at dusk, the harvest was abundant.

The horses were loaded with wild boar, deer, pheasants, and wild ducks.

Everyone was happy.

Except Shan Yin.

He sat alone in a small tavern in Baiyun City.

After every sip of wine, he would ladle a spoonful of soup to drink.

As a native of Nanzhou, even eating porridge required soup on the side.

Just as he was drinking at his peak, an old man suddenly appeared before him.

“So it’s Mr. Xing.”

Shan Yin cupped his hands to Xing Keshou and shouted, “Waiter! Another set of chopsticks and a bowl—add more wine and dishes!”

“Young Master Shan need not be so courteous,”

Xing Keshou smiled. “Our families have been friends for generations. Your uncle Shan Qi and I are like brothers.”

Shan Yin stood and filled his cup.

“Mr. Xing, are you trying to act like my grandfather and treat me as your grandson?”

Xing Keshou shook his head.

“I wouldn’t dare. I am a man bearing guilt. How could I presume so? Since we both serve the Prince, let us treat each other as equals.”

After sipping wine, he took a slip of paper from his sleeve and placed it before Shan Yin.

Shan Yin did not take it, only asked curiously, “What is this?”

“Something I forgot to give you this morning,” Xing replied with a smile.

Shan Yin hesitated, then unfolded it.

His expression changed drastically.

Looking at Xing, he said coldly, “Mr. Xing—where did this information come from?”

These old men had lived in Sanhe for years. How could their news be faster than his?

Xing said calmly, “Naturally—from Princess Huaiyang. Disciples of Taiping Mountain defeated Cao Datong and rescued Prince Yong. Such a major event must have already spread across the realm. If Young Master Shan wishes to verify it, inquire carefully—you’ll know.”

“Taiping Mountain—so what?”

Shan Yin snorted coldly. “My Shan family does not fear them.”

Taiping Mountain and Dongyang Island both originated from Nanzhou. One mountain cannot contain two tigers. For a hundred years, they had fought over farmland and salt profits.

Countless of his ancestors had died at the hands of Taiping Mountain.

And just as many from Taiping Mountain had died by the Shan family’s hands.

The previous sect leader of Taiping Mountain had been killed after three days and nights of battle by his cousin Shan Jin—the Martial Champion of the twelfth year of Delong.

The two sides were sworn enemies.

One survives; the other must perish.

“Young Master Shan,” Xing said slowly, “you are a clever man. If Prince Yong gains power, Taiping Mountain will have the immense merit of rescuing the sovereign. At that time… your Shan family…”

He did not need to finish the sentence.

“Mr. Xing, why provoke me like this?”

Shan Yin said angrily. “Do you truly think me a fool?”

Xing replied, “At such a young age, already ranked seventh grade—you are clearly gifted.”

Shan Yin fell silent.

He downed several cups of wine in a row—without taking a single sip of soup.

After a long while, he said, “This concerns the life and death of my entire clan. I would not dare deceive my uncle. Once I enter the capital, I will report everything truthfully. As for how my uncle decides—that is for him to judge.”

Xing stood and cupped his hands.

“Then all is well.”

After Xing’s figure disappeared into the distance, Shan Yin abruptly rose, threw a silver ingot onto the table, mounted his horse, and rode north.

The martial arts instructors at the academy numbered more than just Shan Yin. Losing one made little difference.

No one informed Lin Yi.

And so Lin Yi knew nothing.

“You’ve got some nerve!”

How could such a matter possibly be hidden from Hong Ying?

Eyes bloodshot, he ground his teeth at Xie Zan and the others.

Xie Zan stood straight-backed and said coldly, “Chief Steward Hong is a clever man. Why should I say more?”

Chen Desheng remained expressionless.

“Chief Steward Hong, do not obstruct the Prince’s grand cause. Think carefully for yourself.”

Bian Jing, hands behind his back, said indifferently, “If you don’t like it, kill me. I hate people like you—so self-righteous.”

The old men ignored Hong Ying and left.

Mingyue looked at Zixia.

Zixia looked at Hong Ying.

Hong Ying closed his eyes.

For a long time—

Not a word was spoken.

The wild geese flew north.

“Damn it—all a bunch of ungrateful creatures.”

Lin Yi scattered beans all over the courtyard, yet not a single bird landed.

When they had first flown south, they had flocked into his courtyard in droves!

Now, apart from the occasional pigeon cooing at him, none paid him any attention.

Liang Gen’s fleet returned.

Once again, Baiyun City was in an uproar.

Three ships had sailed out—three ships returned.

Rumor spread that the Liang family had brought back countless treasures of gold and silver from the Southern Seas.

Lin Yi began the second auction of maritime licenses.

The starting price: one hundred thousand taels.

In his mind, he would not sell for a single coin less.

Qiu Wujin raised his paddle—fifteen hundred thousand taels.

An increase of fifty thousand at once.

No one had expected that.

The wealthy of Sanhe were not limited to the Qiu family alone.

This time, Sanhe’s richest man, heeding the advice of his “rebellious son” Wang Xing, secured the license for three hundred thousand taels.

Ten times the first auction’s thirty thousand!

The happiest person, aside from Lin Yi, was Bian Jing.

With money, one could be willful!

The final stretch of road connecting Nanzhou and Sanhe was finally completed, thanks to the efforts of nearly thirty thousand laborers from both regions.

Looking at the uneven mountain paths of Nanzhou, “Nanzhou is nothing special after all,”

Bian Jing declared upon completion.

With roads open, more and more people traveled from Nanzhou to Sanhe.

Entire families came—young and old alike.

As long as they had a single bite to eat, they were willing to do anything—even work without wages.

Gradually, this sparked dissatisfaction among the people of Sanhe—even among settlers who had themselves once been outsiders.

Who could be happy when their job opportunities were taken?

Excluding outsiders became inevitable.

The newly arrived refugees faced increasing hardship—mentally and economically, they suffered double blows.

Even with his eyes closed, Lin Yi could sense the rising tide of xenophobia.

He issued a direct proclamation: “Once you arrive—you are a person of Sanhe.”

Slogans written in limewash appeared throughout Baiyun City’s streets and alleys.

At the same time, a new clause was added to the Prince’s regulations: “Among farmers and artisans, those with ability shall be promoted, rewarded with generous salaries, and entrusted with responsibilities.”

Unlike other regulations, violating this one did not require labor reform.