Chapter 27: Lu Gong's Advice Lin Yan felt a little helpless, because he followed the previous advice of General Han and came in his true identity. So the one who came today was not the flag bearer of Linjiang Division, nor was he the killer Wuchang, but a lower-class citizen from the outer district, the third son of the Lin family, Lin Yan. In order to avoid being impolite during this visit, he also bought some gifts on the way. But just now he also heard about the actions of the forces in the inner city. Some hosted banquets to entertain, some gave antiques and paintings as gifts, some gave magical weapons as gifts, and some even gave horses with dragon scales that could travel a thousand miles a day. Moreover, he also heard that the City Guard Office was going to donate three mansions in the name of academy. In comparison, the bacon and salt in my hands seemed a little shabby. When the managers of various forces heard that this young man in tattered clothes came to visit Mr. Lu with such a shabby gift, they did not hide the contempt, ridicule, and disgust in their eyes. People living in the inner city, let alone the managers of various forces, even if they are just errand boys, cannot help but feel superior when facing the lower-class people in the outer city.
If they had not been in front of Mr. Lu's courtyard, they would have sent their men over to drive out this low-class pariah from the outer city. "..." Lin Yan originally didn't care much about the looks of these guys. But the problem is that I came here in my true form. There were too many people and eyes, and it involved inner city forces, so he originally planned to keep a low profile. If the middle-aged man hadn't looked over, he would have gone back along the alley. But at this moment, Mr. Lu's voice was heard coming from the courtyard. Then he discovered that the contempt and disdain in the eyes of the leaders of various forces just now suddenly froze. Then, what replaced them were shock, confusion and astonishment. But in the end, it all turned into a careful scrutiny and examination. There were even quite a few who were quick-witted and changed their mindset in an instant. They nodded slightly at him, expressing a hint of goodwill with subtle movements. "Why did you put me up here, old man?" Lin Yan was slightly surprised: "After today, I'm afraid even a nobody like Lin Yan can't hide anymore." Feeling helpless, he sighed and walked into the yard. And the middle-aged man, faced with the complicated expressions of various forces, closed the gate without waiting for others to speak. "Meet Mr. Lu." After entering the courtyard, Lin Yan put the gift aside and bowed. But Mr. Lu didn't seem to like it very much. He frowned as he looked at the pound of snow-white refined salt. Seeing this, Lin Yan was not dissatisfied. He thought that compared with the gifts outside, it was indeed a bit shabby.
"Are you rich?" Mr. Lu opened his mouth slowly and said calmly: "One pound of refined salt can be exchanged for two pounds of coarse salt. If it is exchanged for inferior salt, it can be exchanged for four pounds." Gaoliu City is not near the sea, and there are no salt-producing mines in the city. The salt was brought in from other places. In this era, once night falls, it becomes dangerous. Therefore, caravans usually seldom travel long distances. The salt that arrives at Gaoliu City has often passed through several hands, been to several cities, and been traded by several caravans before it is transported here. It also has to be protected from moisture, rain, theft, and evil spirits along the way. Therefore, the price of salt in Gaoliu City is relatively expensive. As for inferior salt, some of it is due to poor quality or too many impurities during refining, while more of it is due to poor preservation during transportation, and most of it is damp or dirty. "You also come from a poor family, so save some money in the future." Mr. Lu put the bag of refined salt aside and said, "Take it away and exchange it for inferior salt. Next time you come, just bring a pound of inferior salt." The middle-aged man standing by couldn't help but look surprised. He knew Mr. Lu very well, and he was not such a patient person. It was expected that the other party would take the gifts back. After all, the gifts that had been turned down recently were enough to fill several carriages. But Mr. Lu said that next time he came, he should bring a pound of inferior salt. This meant that Lord Lu was willing to accept his gift and was more willing to accept his next visit. Lord Lu was willing to make friends with this young man! The middle-aged man's heart was slightly moved. According to his understanding, this was Mr. Lu warning the other party that since he came from a poor family, he should remember to be frugal and keep his original intention in mind, and not develop an arrogant and extravagant character in the future. Just when many thoughts were emerging in his mind, he saw Mr. Lu looking at him deeply. The middle-aged man then bowed and left. Mr. Lu retracted his gaze, pushed the teacup in front of him over, and said calmly: "The twelve small flags of Linjiangfang have not been selected yet?" “No one is selected yet.” "How about I recommend someone to you?" "Please let me know, Mr. Lu." "This person's name is Lin Yan." "..." Seeing the young man, who had been indifferent since entering the yard, now showing a look of surprise, the old man finally laughed with satisfaction, appearing quite proud. "Just now outside the courtyard, did you blame me for calling you in in front of everyone?" "Mr. Lu, you are too kind." Lin Yan said.
"You disguised yourself as Wuchang because you didn't want to reveal your identity. But now I have not even seen the people in the city guards' mansion, but I have chosen you, a poor boy who is unknown to the public." Lord Lu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "From today on, all the forces in the inner city will have an impression of this name..." He put down the teacup and said, "Someone will investigate you today, but Lin Yan probably won't be able to find anything out at the moment." At present, Lin Yan is relatively speaking a blank slate and nothing can be found out about him. But in the future, Lin Yan might inevitably reveal many traces. If everyone were to become familiar with this name today, they would think they had grasped Lin Yan's background. Then in the future, when Lin Yan appears in news from all sides, all parties will have preconceived ideas and will most likely not investigate further. "You are already the flag bearer of Linjiangfang. Your status is higher, so more people will be staring at you." "Unless you become Impermanence forever, otherwise, when you return to Lin Yan's identity, there will inevitably be clues." "For example, if you return to Lin Yan's identity, then Linjiangfang's flag bearer Wu Chang will have to disappear." "But the flag bearer of Linjiangfang has a heavy responsibility. How can he disappear so easily?" Lord Lu hinted at something and said slowly, "Some things happen suddenly and are unpredictable... The people under your command should be able to find you at any time." Hearing this, Lin Yan nodded thoughtfully. This was also what was causing him some trouble today. When switching between two identities that have no intersection at all, there will inevitably be clues. "From today on, 'Lin Yan' will be Wu Chang's subordinate." Lord Lu said calmly, "He is also the messenger between me and this old man." Lin Yan frowned slightly and looked thoughtful. It would be best if the two identities had no intersection. If one day, something happens to Wuchang. Then Lin Yan is just missing and will not bring any harm to the Lin family. But if Lin Yan was a small flag under Wuchang, he might be implicated... and thus, bring disaster to the entire Lin family. "As the official flag bearer of the Tianjian Division, if something happens to Wuchang in the future and involves various forces, I may not be able to interfere." Mr. Lu poured more tea and said calmly, "But since he is an insignificant little flag and has become familiar with me, anyone who wants to attack him should at least give me some face... At the very least, they should at least give some face to the head of the twelve temple priests of the Wutong Temple." At this point, he said softly, "From now on, you don't have to deliberately cover up the clues between these two identities. It will make things much easier for you... If your people have urgent matters, they can go find Lin Yan and report to the 'Impermanent Flag Bearer'." "Thank you Mr. Lu for your guidance." Lin Yan stood up and bowed. "It's a small matter..."
Lord Lu put down his teacup and said calmly, "You are a proud young man, even more so than General Han in his youth. I originally thought that you would not come to visit me, but you came today... maybe you are aware of your own troubles?" (End of this chapter)