In a spacious courtyard in the southeast of Dazhai, Jiang Yonghuai walked into the inner courtyard study with trepidation.

He didn't dare to look up at Jiang Houming, who was sitting in the Taishi's chair, knelt down on his knees and saluted respectfully: "Please father." ”

Jiang Houming's eyes drooped slightly, and he said expressionlessly: "You went to find Lin Xi today?" ”

Jiang Yonghuai's heart sank, and he quietly looked at the man standing next to him out of the corner of his eye, and then cautiously replied, "Yes, father." ”

Jiang Houming said: "What are you looking for her?" ”

Jiang Yonghuai looked hesitant.

Jiang Houming's slightly cold gaze stopped on his face, Jiang Yonghuai didn't dare to hide it anymore, and repeated the previous communication with Lin Xi from beginning to end, and finally said in fear: "Father, the child is not doing nothing, but I heard that the seniors in the gang are discussing the matter of recruiting peace in the imperial court, so I thought that I could contact Lin Xi, maybe I can ease the relationship between them." ”

Of course, this is not the case in his heart, but in front of his always majestic father, how dare he say his true thoughts.

Jiang Houming's fingers tapped lightly on the table, noncommittal to his answer, and after a while, he said in a slightly accentuated tone: "You can't bother Lin Xi again during the next period of time, stay at home honestly, hear clearly?" ”

"Yes, father." Although he was a little unhappy in his heart, Jiang Yonghuai hurriedly agreed.

Jiang Houming waved his hand, and after Jiang Yonghuai left, he raised his eyes to look at the man standing beside him, and asked, "Have you figured out the origin of those people?" ”

The man's name is Lu Yanguang, and he is now the deacon of Fengtang, and he is Jiang Houming's right-hand man and most trusted confidant.

He bowed his head slightly and said apologetically, "Not yet." ”

Jiang Houming was silent, in the past few days, he was persuading some of the high-ranking members of the gang, hoping to get more powerful support from them, so as to persuade Lin Jie to accept the Yan Dynasty's recruitment.

As far as he is concerned, if he can help the big man of the Yan Dynasty recruit the Seven Star Gang, it will be a great achievement, and he will definitely gain a lot in the future.

The problem is that Lin Jie's current attitude is unclear, and Jiang Houming knows that this gang leader is as scheming as the sea, and it is difficult for others to easily see through his thoughts, so he hopes to move others. Unexpectedly, at this time, a group of strangers suddenly came to the general helm Dazhai, and Lin Xi personally went to greet him.

What is the origin of this group of people?

Seeing this, Lu Yanguang said: "Hall master, rest assured, my subordinates will find out their identities as soon as possible." In addition, Fang Cai's subordinates received a message from the south. ”

Jiang Houming's eyes were slightly condensed, and he said in a deep voice: "What news?" ”

Lu Yanguang said in a low voice: "The person in the south ordered to come down, hoping that the hall master can encourage some people in the gang to use the general trend to force the Lin gang leader to comply." In a few days, an envoy from the south will arrive to cooperate with the hall master's actions. ”

Jiang Houming was silent.

When the old gang leader died, he thought he could take over, but he didn't expect that his uncle would pass on the throne of the gang leader to Lin Jie, which made him haunt him and could not forget it for a long time.

A large part of the reason why he chose to cooperate with the people of the Yan Imperial Court was that he was left to be the helper, so he began to try to take this path a few years ago.

Lin Jie must die, and His Royal Highness the County Lord of the Jing Dynasty has promised that he will be in charge of the Seven Star Gang in the future, and will even support him to unify the Northland Green Forest.

That was a feat that his own uncle, Jiang Zhi, the first leader of the Seven Star Gang, had not been able to accomplish.

As soon as he thought of this, Jiang Houming's mind quietly became eager, and he said slowly: "You reply to the people in the south, I will win over some people as soon as possible, and strive to move Lin Jie one day earlier." In addition, in the next period of time, people will keep a close eye on the people around Lin Jie, and I don't want to see any accidents. ”

Lu Yanguang gave up his hand.

……

In the main hall of the main hall, the atmosphere is very harmonious.

Lin Xi didn't know why his father wanted to leave him, and Lu Shen naturally didn't know it either.

His understanding of Lin Jie is extremely limited, and he can barely piece together the image of the first person on the Jianghu martial arts list from the past told by Lu Tong and the information revealed by Lin Xi's words.

When I saw it today, the other party's appearance was very much in line with his imagination, not the kind of worldly master who does not eat the fireworks of the world, and his whole body revealed a distinct heroic momentum.

“…… Ten years ago, I went to Guangling to help you temper the foundation of martial arts, at that time you were silent and even a little timid, which is very different from today's performance of being free and easy on the outside and inside, which shows that Brother Lu has taught his son well. ”

Lin Jie opened the topic with the past, and then said gently: "I often hear about your deeds this year, and I am sincerely happy for Brother Lu. ”

His conversation is not the unfathomable style that Lu Shen imagined, but just like an ordinary person.

Lu Shen said sincerely: "Uncle Shi is very gracious, and the little nephew is sincerely grateful. ”

Lin Jie waved his hand and said with a smile: "The family doesn't talk to each other. ”

This sentence made Lin Xi, who was sitting on the right, slightly stunned, and immediately lowered his head and stared at his toes.

Lu Shen was also a little stunned, although Lu Tong and Lin Jie can be called friends of life and death, but the term "family" is too close.

Lin Jie continued: "Back then, I wanted to accept you as a closed disciple, but because of a sudden change in the gang, I only stayed in Guangling for more than a month, so I had to give up on this matter. It's not a good idea to bring it up now, because I'm too busy to have much time to guide you, and it might have a bad impact on your future, so don't worry-"

Seeing that Lu Shen wanted to open his mouth to object, Lin Jie smiled indifferently, and then said: "After I thought about it, I thought that it might be more appropriate for you to worship Xi'er as a teacher." ”

As soon as these words came out, the two young people were speechless.

Could this be why my father let me stay?

Lin Xi was flustered in his heart, senior sister and brother and master and apprentice were two completely different concepts.

Especially in this era, there are many people who tie the knot between senior sisters and brothers and sisters, but there have been no examples of masters and apprentices finally becoming husband and wife. People in the rivers and lakes attach more importance to inheritance and teaching, and the word ethics is as important as a mountain.

She didn't notice the gentle smile in Lin Jie's eyes, and her face turned slightly pale for a while.

Lu Shen quickly came back to his senses and said calmly: "Uncle Shi, before the little nephew left, my father told me to complete the apprenticeship ceremony. Uncle Shi is busy with affairs, so he doesn't have to instruct his little nephew in martial arts, just let the senior sister do it for him. ”

"Hmm......"

Lin Jie was silent.

Lin Xi's voice sounded next to him: "Daddy, my daughter thinks that the idea of the junior brother is more suitable." ”

Lin Jie smiled and nodded, "It's okay." However, the ritual of apprenticeship is exempted, and you are now the lord of Nanqi and have a military position, so you don't need to be known to everyone. In the near future, you have to keep this matter a secret, pay attention to the title in front of outsiders, and I will announce to the middle and senior leaders of the gang that you are an envoy sent by Xiao Dudu of Huaizhou. ”

Lu Shen immediately realized the deep meaning hidden in the last sentence, and said indifferently: "Uncle Shi's meaning, the people outside have already stretched their hands in?" ”

Lin Jie was not surprised by his keen reflexes, and said leisurely: "That's right, for the time being, let them each have their own ghosts, and then catch them all when the time is ripe, so as not to lose the strength of the Seven Star Gang back and forth." ”

Lu Shen couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Lin Jie groaned: "Actually, I probably know the reason why Xiao Du ordered you to go north, but I don't know exactly what kind of conditions he will offer to the Seven Star Gang. These days, I'm thinking about a very real question, if the army of the Yan Dynasty and even the Jing Dynasty enters the cottage, drives tens of thousands of people here into the mountains, and then blocks the surrounding roads to trap us, what kind of help can the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion give to the Seven Star Gang at that time? ”

From his words, we can distinguish between public and private.

Between Lin Jie and Lu Tong, between Lin Xi and Lu Shen, these are just personal friendships, and it is difficult to affect the final decision of the Seven Star Gang, because this is not just the future of Lin Jie's family, but a major event related to the life and death of tens of thousands of people.

If Xiao Wangzhi and the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion couldn't do anything, but just hoped to use the affection of the Lu and Lin families to make the Seven Star Gang openly erect the banner of rebellion against the Yan Dynasty, and then pay the blood and lives of countless people to involve the energy of the Yan Dynasty's army, then Lin Jie would definitely not be able to agree.

He can't send tens of thousands of people to death for his own selfishness.

"Before leaving, Governor Xiao explained to me that in addition to sending us to help the Seven Star Gang train an army, if Dongyang Road can be recovered in the future, the Seven Star Gang can form an army on its own and be included in the border army sequence, and the imperial court will not interfere in your internal affairs. As for the military position, salary, ordnance, grain and grass, and so on, the Seven Star Gang and the border army were completely equal. ”

Since he was down to business, Lu Shen also quickly entered the state and conveyed Xiao Wangzhi's words without hurry.

"It's not enough."

Lin Jie replied bluntly.

Xiao Wangzhi's promises are all rewards after the fact, but for the Seven Star Gang, the key now is to survive.

Either accept the Yan Dynasty's recruitment and then plan for a back road, or be prepared to face the pressure of the army and carry out a long-term struggle.

If the latter is chosen, Lin Jie must take into account the reaction of the vast majority of the gang.

Because in the eyes of many people, accepting the Yan Dynasty's recruitment may not be a bad thing, at least you can live in peace.

Lin Xi felt the solemn atmosphere in the hall and looked at Lu Shen a little nervously, but she didn't play a round at this time to ease the atmosphere.

She knew why her father was saying this, so she could only look apologetically at the junior brother sitting opposite.

Lu Shen winked at her, signaling that she didn't have to worry, then turned to Lin Jie and said, "Uncle Shi is right, these conditions can't solve the crisis that the Seven Star Gang is facing now. The little nephew has two immature ideas, and he also asks Uncle Shi to correct it. ”

Lin Jie said: "You say." ”

Lu Shen said unhurriedly: "First, accepting the Yan Dynasty's Zhao'an is the next policy, and the other party will definitely pretend to accept it, and then divide the forces around Uncle Shi. It won't take too long, as long as the core of the Seven Star Gang is scattered all over the place, it will be fish and meat at the disposal of the Yan Dynasty. The little nephew may be able to help Uncle Shi train an elite army, use the complex terrain here to thwart the enemy's spirit, and delay their advance, so as to achieve the purpose of maintaining the status quo. ”

"Go on."

Lin Jie's eyes gradually sharpened.

Lu Shen said: "Second, since Uncle Shi already knows that there is an enemy in the gang, then the little nephew thinks that he can use this to set up a situation and suppress the enemy's ambition at the initial stage. In this way, we can not only unite our hearts and eliminate hidden dangers, but also set an example for the green forest in the north. As long as most of the gangs did not submit to the Yan Dynasty, it would be impossible for them to focus all their energy on the Seven Star Gang. ”

Lin Jie asked with interest: "How to set up a bureau?" ”

Lu Shen said calmly: "Please Uncle Shi give the little nephew three days, and the little nephew promises that there will be a complete set of strategies." ”

"Okay."

Lin Jie agreed, turned his head to look at Lin Xi and said, "Xi'er, do you remember that there is an idle courtyard on the east side of your residence?" ”

Lin Xi said: "Yes, father. ”

Lin Jie said: "Let Lu Shen and the people he brought live there, and you can take care of you if you are close." ”

Lin Xi got up and responded.

Seeing this, Lu Shen got up and said goodbye.

"I'll ask Xi'er to sort out the situation in the gang and hand it over to you." Lin Jie stood up slowly, his burly body was like a mountain standing proudly between heaven and earth, giving people a great sense of oppression.

He came to Lu Shen's side and said with a smile: "Don't worry about thinking about countermeasures, you have a good rest today, tomorrow I will summon the master and steward of the middle hall, and you will meet them as the envoy of the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion." This meeting is important, and there will definitely be people who will question you, and hopefully you will try to convince some of them. ”

Lu Shen said understandingly: "Thank you Uncle Shi for mentioning it, my little nephew knows what to do." ”

Lin Jie bowed slightly, and then asked Lin Xi to send Lu Shen over on his behalf.

Looking at the extremely correct backs of this pair of young people, remembering that after Fang had just thrown out the temptation of the master-apprentice relationship, their reactions were almost identical, and a touch of emotion suddenly appeared on Lin Jie's face.

I heard that Xi'er, the child, has been in a daze for most of the year......

I see.

(End of chapter)