TGCFNM -Chapter 86 Someone Has Come to Take Over

“Da-da, da-da-da.”

From afar, the sudden sound of galloping hooves echoed through the air. Chu Ling narrowed her eyes and glanced back, then swiftly waved her hand, signaling the commoners to stand behind her. She alone stepped forward and came to a stop.

A warhorse halted. A soldier leapt down from its back and bowed with cupped fists toward her.

“Your subordinate, Mei Gao, greets Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling glanced at the soldiers standing behind him and asked, “You’ve come to take over the city gate defenses?”

“Yes, Lord Chu.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly, but she replied with a faint smile, “Then I’ll trouble you all.”

Mei Gao mounted his horse again and led the troops forward. Before long, they had taken over Changzhou’s defenses, and the city gates were tightly shut once more.

At that moment, Sun Wu—beaten by Chu Ling until he resembled a half-dead dog—stared wide-eyed in shock. The surrounding people cast frequent glances at Chu Ling, their eyes filled with speculation.

Chu Ling suddenly turned around, meeting their gazes head-on. She couldn’t be bothered to explain.

“I took a look at the armor of the commanding officer. These soldiers appear to be from the capital. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to mobilize them,” Fu Qingyu explained.

Headmaster Shu let out a sigh of relief. It was better that Lord Chu did not wield such overwhelming authority.

Chu Ling looked at Fu Qingyu and gave a slight nod in thanks.

“My lord,” Wan Sanjin lowered his voice, “was it Prince Rui?”

Chu Ling gave a small nod. Aside from Prince Rui, she couldn’t think of anyone else. So Prince Rui had long prepared to seize Changzhou—he simply hadn’t expected her to stir things up like this, allowing him to accomplish it without losing a single soldier.

How irritating. She’d taken a loss.

“I wasted an entire night. I wonder if I can at least demand some compensation,” Chu Ling muttered, rubbing her temples.

Wan Sanjin silently mouthed: Silver mine! Silver mine!

Chu Ling inhaled sharply. Could it be that they knew about the silver mine as well? No, she needed to find a way to test this.

“Lord Chu.” Old Wu stepped forward with Wu Xiaoxiu. “My lord, there are… there are so many commoners.”

Chu Ling swept her gaze around. “Controlling this locust infestation will require tremendous effort; it’s not something that can be solved overnight. They must be settled somewhere for now… Those who haven’t left yet—does the Feng family estate still remain?”

“R-Reporting to my lord, the Feng estate has been sealed. The young master of the Feng family is still in prison. The maids and servants have all dispersed.”

Chu Ling nodded. “A few young men, come forward. Yes, you scholars. Aren’t you curious why they came into the city? Good. Escort them to the Feng estate for temporary lodging, and question them carefully along the way.”

“And one more person—tell me how to get to the prefectural office. Someone lead the way.”

Fu Qingyu bid a temporary farewell to Headmaster Shu and stepped forward. “Allow me to guide you, my lord.”

Chu Ling gave a hum of acknowledgment, then deliberately narrowed her eyes to intimidate the scholars. They immediately shuddered and hurriedly began leading the commoners toward the Feng estate.

“Old Wu, come with us for now,” Zhang Dong said. “Regarding the locust disaster, my lord likely still has questions for you.”

“Alright, alright!” Old Wu wiped away his tears happily and, with Wu Xiaoxiu, followed Chu Ling forward.

“My lord,” Fu Qingyu called gently, “these scholars devote themselves wholeheartedly to study. They harbor no ill intentions.”

“Hmph… Is it enough to only study? Those who aspire to become officials and serve as parental magistrates—yet they question why the people don’t stay quietly in their homes instead of entering the city? Do they not have mouths to ask questions?” Chu Ling said irritably.

Fu Qingyu sighed. “Scholars who only study indeed pay little attention to matters beyond their books. Once they achieve success in the imperial examinations and bring glory to their ancestors… as for whether they are truly prepared to serve as capable officials—no one can say.”

Ghost Scholar walked at the side, sighing weakly. “This Great Zhou is riddled with holes. Even the selection of officials gets worse with every generation.”

“Destruction precedes reconstruction,” Bai Su said calmly. “Might as well tear it down and rebuild from scratch.”

Chu Ling raised her brows slightly. That was the same line of thinking as the original novel’s male and female leads. A Great Zhou rotten to its very roots—why struggle to keep it afloat? Better to knock it down entirely and start over.

“But once war breaks out, it’s the common people who suffer,” Ghost Scholar shook his head.

“When a nation rises, the people suffer. When a nation falls, the people suffer,” Chu Ling murmured.

“Lord Chu, mind your words,” Fu Qingyu reminded her.

Wan Sanjin laughed. “What’s there to mind? We’re out on the main street. No one’s eavesdropping.”

“Not necessarily. What if there’s a ghost?” Chu Ling suddenly turned her head and stared gloomily at a corner. “Master Wan, what if a ghost is listening in…”

Wan Sanjin immediately clutched Su He’s arm and shouted indignantly, “My lord!”

Chu Ling burst out laughing, and the others couldn’t help but join in. Even Ghost Scholar laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, and the gloomy mood from moments before instantly dissipated.

Unable to pull his arm free, Su He frowned helplessly. “This is the first time I’ve met someone who isn’t afraid of corpses, who sticks by my side all day without fear—yet is scared just because my lord mentions ghosts to frighten you?”

Wan Sanjin retorted at once, “You don’t understand. Ghosts exist in this world—but corpses can’t suddenly come back to life!”

Fu Qingyu suppressed a smile. “My lord, we’ve arrived at the yamen. We were supposed to escort you inside, but after tonight, I doubt anyone will dare try to give you a show of force.”

Chu Ling smiled her thanks and led the group to the yamen gates, raising her hand to knock.

Soon, a middle-aged man hurried to open the door, wearing a fawning smile. “Ha ha, Lord Chu, you—you’ve arrived! You must be weary from the long journey. Hot water and food have all been prepared.”

Wan Sanjin looked at him. “And you are?”

“Ha ha, me? I’m… Adviser Liu.”

Chu Ling immediately turned her head and looked at Wan Sanjin with amusement.

Wan Sanjin took out a fifty-tael silver note and handed it over. “I am Adviser Wan. I’ve come with my lord to temporarily take over affairs—about two or three months, and then we’ll be leaving. You can rest at home in the meantime. Once we’re gone, you may return.”

“M-My lord?” Adviser Liu looked flustered.

“It’s true,” Chu Ling said. “Surely everyone knows I’m here to act in a temporary capacity.”

Adviser Liu nodded quickly. “Yes, yes.”

“Then you needn’t worry. Take the silver and rest for two or three months. When we leave, just wait for the next magistrate. As for the servants inside, take them with you as well,” Chu Ling instructed.

Adviser Liu beamed obsequiously and quickly tucked away the banknote. “Yes, I shall obey your orders.”

“Oh, right.” Wan Sanjin turned back to him and prepared to take out more silver. “Find a restaurant to prepare some food and have it delivered to the Feng residence.”

“The Feng residence?” Adviser Liu looked surprised.

“Master Wan, I’ll deliver it,” Zhang Dong offered. “I can familiarize myself with the roads as well.”

Chu Ling nodded. “You should get to know the area. I’m going to the Feng manor tomorrow anyway, and I’ll also take the opportunity to tally the situation in the surrounding villages. I’ll have Xiao Hua save you some hot water and food. Be careful.”

“Rest assured, my lord.” Zhang Dong took the silver from Wan Sanjin and left.

Adviser Liu hurriedly bowed and scraped as he ushered them inside. After preparing the hot water and food, he led his people home.

With these fifty taels in hand and two or three months of rest ahead, this Lord Chu truly seemed like a benevolent official sent by the God of Wealth.