Chapter 17: The Operation Begins

After about half an hour of practice, Zhu Yuanzhang finally managed to drive in first gear without stalling the engine.

"Experience time is up! If you want to continue, pay up!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was in the middle of enjoying himself and would hear none of it; he shifted directly into second gear, intending to pick up speed.

"What's this? Are you trying to welch on your debt?"

"Heh, so what if I am? The steering wheel is in my hands now. Wait! Why did it stall again?!"

Chen Lin pulled the key out and tucked it into his pocket. "Get out of the car. I knew you were a slippery old bird who didn't keep his word."

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a bit embarrassed. After getting out, he signaled for Mao Xiang to come over. "Quickly go and fetch ten thousand taels of silver. Be fast!"

"As you command!"

Turning back, Zhu Yuanzhang intended to return to the passenger seat, but Chen Lin had just climbed into the car and, with a roar of the engine, drove away.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood there, shouting at the exhaust fumes, "Hey! I haven't gotten in yet! I haven't gotten in yet~~~"

In the end, the pickup truck and Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the restaurant one after the other. Zhu Yuanzhang had returned on horseback, looking thoroughly displeased.

"You're back!" Empress Ma came out to greet them with Chen Xiaolan.

"Chongba, it’s about time to return to the palace. You’ve been out with Biao’er for so long; don't neglect the affairs of state."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand impatiently. "Biao’er, you head back to the palace first to handle the official business."

What could Zhu Biao say? He bowed and left first.

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at the pile of things in the restaurant. "What are all these?"

"They're very expensive. I advise you not to ask; even if you do, you can't afford them."

"You!"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath. "Fine, you’re ruthless. At least let me take a look, surely that’s allowed!"

Chen Lin shrugged. "There's a fee just to look."

"You son of a..."

Empress Ma hurried forward to mediate. "Stop arguing, both of you. Two grown men bickering all day—aren't you ashamed?"

As she spoke, Empress Ma looked at Chen Lin. "Immortal Chen..."

"Your Majesty, just calling me Little Chen will suffice."

Empress Ma nodded. "Little Chen, have you decided on the second favor I owe you?"

"Not yet, keep it in reserve for now."

Zhu Yuanzhang grumbled, "Cunning as a fox..."

Empress Ma chuckled. "Then we shall keep it in reserve. Tell me whenever you think of something."

"Chongba, it is time for us to return to the palace."

"No rush. I want to drive the tin-skinned car back. I’m waiting for Mao Xiang to bring the money."

It wasn't long before Mao Xiang returned with six chests.

Now feeling emboldened, Zhu Yuanzhang demanded, "Give me the keys."

"What’s the rush? I haven't counted it yet. Xiaolan, count the silver."

After a careful count, the keys and the pickup truck officially belonged to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was excited and about to drive off, but Chen Lin interjected, "Money and goods exchanged, we are square now. From here on out, whether you run someone over or break the vehicle, it has nothing to do with me. Don't come looking for me for trouble."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked back. "This car can break down?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Doesn't your carriage need maintenance and care?"

"Don't your horses need to eat fodder and be groomed?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was sullen. "Does that mean if the car breaks, I have to have you fix it?"

Chen Lin shrugged. "One hundred taels per repair, and I don't guarantee it can be fixed."

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened; he felt he had been swindled again. However, the pickup truck was right there, and he really wanted to experience the joy of driving. To hell with it—he’d worry about that later; he wanted the thrill now.

"Come, my dear, I’ll take you for a spin!"

Chen Lin teased from the side, "Your Majesty, for the sake of safety, I suggest you take the carriage. Otherwise, the 'spin' might end with you and your husband driving into a ditch..."

Empress Ma nodded in agreement. "I think I'd better take the carriage..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. With a wave of his sleeves and a long stride, he left without a trace, save for a cloud of exhaust.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, wait for your servant! Let me sit by your side to protect you..."

Zhu Yuanzhang left with his men, and Empress Ma, after giving Chen Xiaolan a few instructions, also boarded her carriage and departed.

"Finally, they're gone..." Chen Lin let out a long sigh of relief.

"Young Master, with so much silver and only the two of us here, it would be dangerous if any villains found out."

Chen Lin nodded. "Let's move it to the inner courtyard and hide it, along with these other items..."

It took half an hour to hide everything, yet Chen Lin still felt a sense of insecurity.

"Come on, let's go to the employment agency."

"Is the Young Master looking to buy servants or guards?"

"Yes, we can't just be the two of us!"

Chen Xiaolan thought for a moment. "Young Master, I think familiar faces are better than strangers. Instead of buying people from an agency with unknown backgrounds, it would be safer to go to our old estate and pick some tenant farmers we know well."

Chen Lin nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. I remember you have a brother, don't you, Xiaolan?"

"Yes, Young Master. My brother still has some influence at the estate; it would be best to leave the matter of finding people to him."

"Alright, take two hundred taels, and we'll set off now."

The two closed the shop, but as Chen Lin stood at the door, he still felt an unease. Although Zhu Yuanzhang had visited, the idlers in the area had certainly been cleared out beforehand. However, this street was mostly filled with businesses; if one or two people had been hiding in their shops, they would surely have heard the commotion earlier. That was ten thousand taels of silver—if it were stolen, the loss would be catastrophic.

"Young Master, the imperial seal."

Chen Lin’s eyes lit up. "Our Xiaolan is truly clever."

He quickly picked up the seal that had been torn earlier and stuck it back on, trying to restore it so the tear wouldn't be visible. Only then did Chen Lin feel at ease—surely, with an imperial seal in place, no one would dare come to steal.

Afterward, the two went to a carriage rental shop, bought a carriage, and headed straight for the estate that had formerly belonged to the Chen family. After the Chen family assets were confiscated, the estate had been taken by the imperial court, but the tenant farmers had not been greatly affected. They still had to pay rent and taxes; it didn't matter to them who they were farming for.

When they arrived at the estate, the sudden appearance of the carriage drew the attention of the villagers. More importantly, they recognized the person driving it.

"Wasn't the master's house confiscated? Why is Xiaolan appearing here? Does the 'nine clans' not include maids?"

"Are you tired of living? Don't call him 'Master'!"

"Pah, pah, pah! It was just a slip of the tongue..."

"Xiaolan is probably heading to her brother's house. Come, let's go over and see what's happening..."

The carriage stopped in front of a rammed-earth courtyard. Before Chen Xiaolan had even stepped down, her eyes were already red. Once she got off, she took long strides toward the house, calling out "Brother!" as she ran into the yard.

"Xiaolan! Why are you back? Weren't you..."

"Sister-in-law, *sob*..."

Xiaolan buried her face in her sister-in-law’s chest and began to wail.

Chen Lin sat on the edge of the carriage, smoking a cigarette and watching the show. The surrounding villagers were also watching, looking at their former young master with fear.

"This isn't right. Wasn't the young master the ringleader who publicly insulted the Emperor? How was he released?"

"Keep your voice down. Don't call him 'Young Master' anymore. The land we are farming now belongs to the court..."

"But the young master..."

At that moment, hearing the news, Chen Xiaolan’s brother, Shi Dazhuang, pushed through the crowd and ran over.

"Young Master!"