TGCFNM -Chapter 189 Why Fear You

After returning to the government office, Chu Ling sat down comfortably, sipping her tea. She wasn’t worried that the Xuanyuan family would actually come looking for trouble. People who were obviously being used as expendable pawns for testing purposes would never be the ones the Xuanyuan clan would devote their resources to cultivating.

Xuanyuan Shou, thinking himself important, was probably just being placed at the very front as a target. How foolish.

As expected, just as Chu Ling had anticipated, no one from the Xuanyuan family came to make demands the next day. And the arrangements she had previously given Zhang Dong—using ambiguous tones when dealing with several families—proceeded smoothly as planned.

With Zhang Dong remaining behind at the government office, Chu Ling and the other four went to the Tao family house on Zhumen Street, returned the rental, and prepared to live at the office.

Wan Sanjin finally got most of his silver back, which put him at ease considerably.

However, just as they were about to leave in their carriage, many people on Zhumen Street came out, watching Chu Ling and the others intently, their eyes repeatedly flicking toward Wan Sanjin.

Chu Ling understood immediately and coldly told Xiao Hua to drive the carriage.

The story of Xiao Hua breaking Xuanyuan Shou’s schemes with a single stick had already spread far and wide. Everyone knew that this seemingly cute little girl was actually the most formidable person under the new master’s command. People instinctively got out of the way, though some still followed the carriage for a while.

Wan Sanjin asked in confusion, “Master, what are they doing?”

Su He peeked through the curtain, wearing a cold expression. “When you raided the Zhao family, you had the confiscated goods returned to the common people, with additional compensation. That day, it was you and I conducting the raid, and since you were dressed in fine clothes, they’re focusing on you, hoping you’ll scatter some silver for them.”

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “The common people truly suffered terribly. Land gone, rent rising year after year. Even selling children to survive wasn’t enough—so many still starved to death.”

Chu Ling snorted. “And now a bunch of well-fed young men come in front of me pretending to be pitiful? Do they really think I, a newcomer, wouldn’t know what they’ve done?”

Chu Ling glanced back again. The crowd following them had begun thinning. Many faces now showed disgust and anger; they clenched their fists and turned back.

Calmly, Chu Ling lowered the curtain and crossed her arms, watching the carriage drapes sway in front of her.

The people of Zhumen Street weren’t just poor—they carried a chilling indifference.

Here, death was commonplace. Whenever someone died, their rented home would be looted, with every valuable item taken.

And their deeds weren’t ordinary work. Previously, they had followed the local thug Zhang Bozi, doing heinous and unscrupulous things. Now that Zhang Bozi had fallen, they tried to attach themselves to Boss Bao. But Bao refused, so they banded together, gradually forming a faction of their own.

“The latest news from the Nangong family: the Xuanyuan family seems to be contacting the new power on Zhumen Street. They might help them overthrow Boss Bao,” Chu Ling said.

Su He, wearing his usual corpse-like expression, showed a very strange smile. “The Nangong family really thinks we’re on the same side.”

Wan Sanjin laughed as well. “Are they expecting us to inform Boss Bao, or to actually help him?”

Chu Ling shook her finger lightly. “Neither. We stay out of it.”

There was no need to involve themselves in these petty squabbles. The Nangong family’s move was only a test—to see whether Chu Ling really intended to submit.

The thought that they had been testing her was enough to make Chu Ling lose any interest in cooperating with them.

After all, it was just a minor branch, and with so many schemes, she had no desire for promotion. There was no need to care about the olive branch the Nangong family offered.

After returning to the government office.

Zhang Dong helped unload the things and then turned to Chu Ling: “Master, the Nangong family has interrogated several times, asking whether that gambling house can return the money?”

Chu Ling lifted her bundle and asked, “And what did they say?”

“They said they wanted to invite you to drink and requested that you honor them with your presence,” Zhang Dong replied. “The tone was quite respectful, actually.”

Chu Ling clicked her tongue. “So they’re already trying to press people with the power of the noble families.”

Wan Sanjin asked curiously, “But Master, why are they a little afraid of you?”

Chu Ling slung the bundle over her shoulder and said, “They’re not really afraid of me—they just haven’t figured out my background yet… Originally, Dongle City was controlled by the Qingqi Army, Perfect Zhao, and the branch families of the Four Great Houses. To put it bluntly, they were all wary of each other and dared not act recklessly.”

“But when I arrived and said I had a connection with Nangong Baihu and was here to help, it inadvertently raised my status in their eyes. Moreover, I deliberately flashed the Bihu Token of Prince Rui in front of Nangong Yuankang, showing that I might have a connection to Prince Rui.”

“Even if the royal family is pressured by the noble houses, it’s still the royal seal. So for now, they dare not act rashly.”

Su He said seriously, “Once they realize the truth, they’ll probably start retaliating. Master, you’re really brave.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow proudly: “By the time they react, I’ll already be gone.”

After speaking, she and the others unloaded the items one by one, placed them in the room, and then regrouped in the courtyard.

Xiao Hua went to brew some hot tea, while Zhang Dong recounted everyone who had come today to probe them.

After listening, Wan Sanjin said: “Master, you said you’d take down whoever opposes you, but right now, aside from the Nangong family wanting to invite you for a meeting, the other families still seem somewhat threatening. And if you give up helping Boss Bao, the Nangong family might not fully cooperate.”

“No, they will cooperate. After all, on the surface, I’m currently aligned with Nangong Baihu. So until they fully understand the situation, the Nangong family will have to cooperate with me,” Chu Ling said confidently.

“Then, Master, what’s your next step?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Chu Ling pointed at the open back gate of the courtyard. “To the government office, to check the case files. Anything involving the Four Great Houses, we find it all.”

“Master, targeting the noble families from the start… isn’t that too dangerous?” Su He asked.

Chu Ling shook her head. “No. Step one: I’ve already established some prestige among the common people through Boss Bao, because I judged the very person they hate most—Perfect Zhao—and returned their land.”

“Step two: I had Xiao Hua break Xuanyuan Shou’s leg. Perhaps to the Xuanyuan family, it’s just sacrificing a trivial pawn. But to the common people, it shows that I fear no noble family.”

“Step three: I will thoroughly investigate a case related to one of the noble families, further accumulating credibility and prestige. Then, in the eyes of the people, I become an official who does not fear the powerful.”

After saying this, Chu Ling crossed her legs and looked up at the sky. “Although the noble families are sprawling and influential, they cannot compare to the number of common people. If they rise together in resistance, how long can the noble houses really hold out?”

Su He nodded: “Many ants can kill an elephant—there’s hope.”

Wan Sanjin stood up: “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go check the case files.”

At that moment, a constable on duty at the front office knocked and entered, looking at Chu Ling and bowing: “Master, someone has filed a report.”