Finest Servant - Chapter 210

Chapter 210 Cut Him Down

Was Luo Min looking for him? The old man always seemed to appear and disappear at will. When Lin Wanrong needed to find him, he was nowhere to be found, and when he wanted to see Lin Wanrong, he would show up immediately. It was rather queer indeed.

The Second Miss had just met with him and they were enjoying their conversation. Seeing him about to leave, she hastily gripped the sleeve of his robe, a hint of reluctance in her heart. Dismissing Si De, Lin Wanrong whispered into Yushuang’s ear, “Don’t worry, we’ll continue our conversation once I’ve finished discussing matters.”

“Continue what with you?” the Second Miss replied, her face blushing, “I just wanted to talk with you. You always think of mischief, no wonder my elder sister said you’re the worst man, she was absolutely right, hehe.”

After exchanging a few words with the lively and adorable Yushuang, Lin Wanrong felt much better. However, upon entering the great hall, he was met with Gao Shou, the elder brother of Gao Qiu.

Lin Wanrong saluted, “Brother Gao, it’s been a while. What wind blew you here today?”

Gao Shou returned the salute with a smile, “Young Master Lin is too kind. I’m here by the governor’s order to discuss some affairs.”

‘Old Luo wanted to discuss affairs with me? Damn, I was just about to look for him.’ Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, “You could have just sent a bailiff to invite me, there was no need to trouble Brother Gao with this.” The Gao brothers, Gao Qiu and Gao Shou, used to be the Emperor’s personal bodyguards. Compared to the bailiffs, their status was unquestionably of a different caliber.

Gao Shou just smiled and didn’t say anything. Leaving with him, Gao Shou had already prepared horses. They mounted up and headed directly for the outskirts of the city.

Lin Wanrong was surprised, “Brother Gao, isn’t the governor in the residence? Why are we heading out of the city?”

Gao Shou replied, “The governor has been busy with public affairs and hasn’t been in the residence for several days.”

Lin Wanrong nodded, “Does the governor know that Miss Luo is ill?”

Gao Shou was shocked, “Ill? How could Miss Luo fall ill? Where did you hear this from? The governor doesn’t know about it.”

Lin Wanrong sighed. Old Luo truly was a workaholic; he didn’t even know his own children were ill. It made him wonder whether Luo Yuan and Luo Ning should be laughing or crying to have such a father.

They traveled a considerable distance from the city. If his company hadn’t been Old Luo’s trusted Gao Shou, Lin Wanrong might have suspected someone was taking him to a remote place to silence him permanently. After about half an hour, they finally arrived at the foot of a mountain. The mountain was steep and difficult to climb, yet teeming with lush, verdant pines and cypresses, and brimming with chattering animals and birds. A small stream gurgled nearby, showing no signs of the impending harsh winter.

Old Luo had chosen a nice place, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers, a fitting place to rest one’s loyal bones. Lin Wanrong chuckled, “Brother Gao, what is the Governor doing here? Could he be emulating the hermit of Taoyuan, perhaps taking up fishing and farming?”

Gao Shou laughed, “Your words are indeed amusing, Young Master Lin. If he truly could live secluded from the world here, it would indeed be a delightful thing. But I’m afraid the Governor lacks the time for such a leisurely pursuit.”

A chill went through Lin Wanrong’s heart. According to Gao Shou, Old Luo was not living in seclusion here, but rather hiding away from prying eyes. Was he planning something major? Thinking about major plans, he felt a spark of excitement. What else could Luo Min’s major plans involve, but the removal of Cheng De and the eradication of the White Lotus?

Gao Shou led Lin Wanrong straight up the steep cliff. Thanks to Lin Wanrong’s skilled martial arts, he managed to ascend without much difficulty. Upon reaching the hillside, they were met with numerous strong men, dressed and ready for action, numbering about a hundred or so. Their eyes were sharp, and at a glance, it was clear that their martial arts skills were not to be underestimated.

They were patrolling various critical points. Seeing Gao Shou return, they all nodded slightly to him but said nothing. Looking at these men’s demeanor, Lin Wanrong ventured a guess, “Brother Gao, these brothers share the same extraordinary aura and dignified appearance as you. Could they also be skilled masters from the palace?”

This hidden flattery was pleasing to Gao Shou’s ears, he laughed, “Young Master Lin has sharp eyes. Since you’ve noticed, I won’t hide it. These are my subordinates from my time in the palace. This time, they’ve followed a significant figure to Jinling.”

A significant figure? Palace guards? Could it be the Emperor? Lin Wanrong was taken aback. However, he quickly dismissed this idea. If it were the Emperor himself, it wouldn’t be possible for there to be no stir, and he certainly wouldn’t be staying on this weather-exposed hillside. Gao Shou must be referring to Xu Wei. Xu Wei was the first minister of the current court, and the importance of security during this trip to the south was paramount. Luo Min must have been here discussing matters with Xu Wei these past few days.

Lin Wanrong followed Gao Shou down the hillside and saw several neat little houses in front of him. Luo Min, his stomach protruding, walked out of one of the houses, grinning, “Young Master Lin, I apologize for not greeting you further away. This place is humble and you’ve traveled far, I hope you won’t take offense.”

Damn, this old man’s official rhetoric was full of hypocrisy. Lin Wanrong chuckled, “Not at all, Governor Luo, you dwell in a humble abode while worrying about the world, truly an exemplary model for us younger generations.”

After exchanging a round of mutual disdain, Luo Min welcomed Lin Wanrong into the house. The interior was simply furnished, only a few tables and chairs. Lin Wanrong asked curiously, “So, Governor, you’ve been living here these past few days? It’s indeed very modest.”

Luo Min sighed, “I have no choice. To perform my duties for the court, I must devote myself fully, even unto death. The Emperor has entrusted me with many tasks, and I fear that the slightest oversight could lead to errors, so I’ve had to find a place with fewer distractions. This location, with its clear mountains and water, is suitable for burying my old bones.”

Old Luo had a knack for boasting loyalty. Lin Wanrong laughed, “I wonder why Governor Luo summoned me here. What tasks do you have for me?”

Luo Min replied, “I wouldn’t dare to give you tasks. I wanted to discuss some matters with you.” He smiled mysteriously, “A few days ago, I was reunited with an old friend. He spoke highly of you, praising your graceful demeanor and extraordinary talents and foresight. He said you’re destined to be a dragon among men, and advised me to form a good relationship with you. Do you know who he is?”

“Oh? Truly, such a matter exists? Yet I do not know which esteemed personage holds me in such high regard. I am truly humbled, truly humbled,” Lin Wanrong feigned ignorance.

Luo Min gave a slight smile. “Young Master Lin, there is no need for us to talk in riddles. Over the past few days, Master Xu Wei and I have been living reclusively here, discussing matters of great importance. Would you be interested in hearing about it?”

“So it was Master Xu, my sincere apologies.” Lin Wanrong laughed. “What matter of great importance does he wish to discuss with me? I am but a minor character, hearing such matters, wouldn’t he consider silencing me? Haha, perhaps it would be better not to listen.”

“Young Master Lin, you jest,” Luo Min chuckled. “You are a man protected by many of the nobility, who would dare to oppose you?”

With that, he pulled back a curtain on the wall to reveal a military map.

Although crudely drawn, the map clearly marked mountains, rivers, and the distances between locations. Lin Wanrong was taken aback. Had Old Luo and Xu Wei, two scholars, been studying a military map all these days? Could they understand such a thing, being civil officials, not military generals?

Seeing through his thoughts, Luo Min smiled, “Mr. Wenchang is well-versed in both the pen and the sword, he personally drew this map. In the past few days, he has gathered several generals to study this map, seeking strategies to annihilate the enemy. I have been here accompanying them.”

This confirmed Lin Wanrong’s guess; Xu Wei had indeed been discussing this matter with Old Luo these past days.

Luo Min sighed. “Young Master Lin, you are no outsider. When Mr. Wenchang left today, he said that there was no need to hide anything from you. The White Lotus bandits are becoming increasingly rampant, posing a great threat to our Great Hua. It has come to the point where they must be eradicated. I believe you must understand that there must be a significant figure backing the White Lotus cult for it to persist despite prohibitions. Furthermore, this figure is not simple. Apart from the White Lotus, according to our knowledge, he has connections with the northern barbarians.”

“Barbarians?” Lin Wanrong was taken aback. This was becoming more serious. It was one thing to cause internal strife, but colluding with foreign enemies was a death sentence.

Luo Min nodded solemnly. “Indeed. The barbarians will rise again next spring, and at the same time, there will be the White Lotus causing chaos from within. Under the attack from both sides, not to mention our state, even our Hua nationality is in peril. The schemer behind this is truly cunning and malevolent. For his own gain, he not only disrupts the court but also leads the wolf into the house, disregarding our people. We, the sons of Hua, must exterminate such treachery.”

Lin Wanrong remained silent. Such matters were common in history books, so he was not surprised.

“The root of the White Lotus disaster must be eradicated,” Luo Min declared, raising his hand firmly. “This winter, in the next few days, the infantry and cavalry in Shandong and Zhejiang will act in concert, led by Master Xu, determined to annihilate the White Lotus once and for all. Only by eliminating the internal threats can we resist the external invasions.”

Luo Min revealed both the time and the map to Lin Wanrong, clearly treating him as an insider. Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, “Governor Luo, I don’t doubt your and Mr. Xu’s determination at all. But there is one thing I’d like to ask. Why are the soldiers from Jiangsu not mobilized, but instead, troops from the distant Zhejiang are called upon? I am genuinely perplexed.”

Luo Min gave a bitter smile. “Young Master Lin, do not mock this old man. Aren’t you aware why we are not mobilizing the troops from Jiangsu? Cheng De has committed countless crimes, but I can’t seem to topple him. It speaks to my incompetence, I have orders I cannot execute, troops I cannot mobilize. I have truly let down the Emperor and the good people of Jiangsu.”

Lin Wanrong laughed, “Governor Luo, you’re being too modest. In my opinion, bringing down Cheng De is not so difficult a task. In fact, there is a great opportunity right now.”

Luo Min quickly urged, “Please, Young Master, do tell.”

Lin Wanrong asked, “Governor Luo, you’ve been at odds with Cheng De for years. Do you have any evidence of his corruption and misconduct?”

“Naturally,” replied Luo Min. “If it wasn’t for some people in the court covering for him, I would’ve brought him down long ago.”

Lin Wanrong chuckled, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. “No matter if you can’t impeach him, you can directly cut him down.”