[Fantasy] The Rogue Landlord (Complete) - Part 4

Chapter Seven: Recruiting Talent

The situation in Yunnan was indeed quite complex, with so many ethnic minorities, some of whom simply wouldn't obey the imperial court's orders. Zhang Yulong's arrogance proved he had been operating locally for a long time; otherwise, he wouldn't have so openly suppressed a local prominent family.

Thinking of this, Xu Ping felt a headache coming on. Uncle Liu entered at this moment, seeing his master's troubled expression, and instructed the servants to prepare food and wine. He then approached Xu Ping and said softly, "Young Prince, there's no need to worry about such things. Miss Cheng's matter isn't particularly difficult, but it's not simple either. If handled poorly, it could easily cause unrest." "

Go on,"

Xu Ping quickly asked, gesturing for Uncle Liu to sit down, his expression somewhat unnatural. Perhaps, rashly agreeing to such a matter was indeed a bit foolish.

"The situation is starting to become somewhat unstable. On the surface, the Emperor doesn't seem to be taking any measures to purge those local officials, but in reality, dismissing those officials has completely disrupted the previously tight-knit factions and their connections with superiors and subordinates. Think about it, if Zhang Yulong didn't have someone protecting him in court, would he dare to be so blatant? Although the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, touching a prestigious family like the Cheng family might attract someone to the capital to file a complaint. If things go wrong, the emperor might become furious, and he'd lose more than just his official hat."

Xu Ping thought for a while. The new powerful minister has only been in power for a quarter of the time, and the commotion is already so significant. Zhang Yulong is, after all, a regional governor. It would be strange if he didn't have someone powerful protecting him in court! But who exactly could that person be?

Xu Ping asked modestly, "To be honest, I've also weighed it in my mind. Although Cheng Ningxue is a beauty, I wouldn't do anything foolish that would harm myself for her. So, according to you, we need to communicate with his superiors before we can take action against him?"

Uncle Liu nodded with a smile, looking approving, and said, "Actually, there's no need for that. Sometimes, things can't be hidden from these old foxes. It's just that their greatest strength is knowing when to play dumb. Zhang Yulong's backer is Ji Zhongyun's eldest son, Ji Long, the Vice Minister of War. Even if we kill him, it won't cause any major problems. After all, if Ji Long didn't rely on his father's prestige, he wouldn't be able to protect Zhang Yulong. The biggest difficulty is..." The key lies in whether Zhang Yulong's influence in Yunnan can be firmly maintained. You must understand, that's a place known for its fierce and unruly people; if an uprising breaks out, it will inevitably disrupt the current stable situation.”

Xu Ping closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then slowly said, “Have Lin Wei take men to Yunnan; they should arrive in about a month. With the Emperor's ascension, Zhang Yulong, as the Governor of Yunnan, should be in the capital now. Inform my father to find a reason or excuse to keep Zhang Yulong in the capital for two months. Lin Wei can investigate and infiltrate there; we'll slowly wear him down.”

Uncle Liu gave Xu Ping an approving look. Given the current situation, this was the safest approach. In the capital, even the slightest mistake could be quickly made to bring him down, and Ji Long wouldn't be able to protect him.

As Uncle Liu was about to leave, Xu Ping urged him to stay, "Uncle Liu, don't rush off. Father has already instructed me to form my own Imperial Guard. Tell me about the current situation of the army, and how much silver it will cost to support them. Although the court already provides them with salaries, I don't want those who only know how to eat."

Uncle Liu pondered for a moment, then said with a headache, "The army is currently quite scattered. Besides the garrisons in various places, the Prince of Zhenbei commands the 100,000-strong Hungry Wolf Camp stationed in the northeast, and in the south is General Jin Wu's Broken Army Camp. However, he is your maternal grandfather, so we don't need to worry about him. There's not much else to worry about. In the capital, besides the Emperor's 60,000 Imperial Guards, the closest garrisons are the Fierce Tiger Camp and the Python Camp. However, the people here are a bit mixed; some are just looking for a government stipend." "Many were brought in through connections, but quite a few were promoted based on their actual military achievements."

Uncle Liu paused, then said tentatively, "However, I still advise the young prince not to think about forming an Imperial Guard yet. Our funds are still limited. Besides, the court officials have just changed, and the Crown Prince is forming a new army. This might not be good for the stability of the people's hearts."

Xu Ping took a sip of wine thoughtfully, then waved his hand and said, "I understand. You can go now. Tell Zhang Hu to come in and see me. You'd better inform your father about the assassins. Try not to harm those who were captured alive."

Uncle Liu responded and withdrew. Zhang Hu also came in, knelt down, and bowed, "This humble general Zhang Hu greets Your Majesty."

At this time, the servants had already placed the side dishes and wine on the table. After Xu Ping told Zhang Hu to get up, he ate somewhat listlessly, his mind filled with complicated political matters and ways to get rid of Zhang Yulong. After rubbing his temples, he asked directly, "The affairs of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Works are already so chaotic. It's a pity you're not as ruthless as Lin Wei, otherwise you would be the one going to Yunnan. Right now, we don't have many capable people. Do you know where to find talent?"

Seeing his master's tired expression, Zhang Hu blamed himself, saying, "This servant is incompetent and cannot share the burden for my master."

Xu Ping waved his hand magnanimously and said, "Get up. I'm not blaming you. Everyone has their strengths. I just feel there are too few capable people at my disposal, hence this feeling."

"Actually, even now, having the young mistress go out and run errands makes me feel somewhat useless. Uncle Liu also manages many things. Right now, my master really doesn't have many capable people around him. Zhang Hu is dull-witted and can't help. I deserve to die."

Zhang Hu's face was filled with deep pain as he spoke, almost as if he wanted to slit his own throat.

"I'm not blaming you, I was just asking."

Xu Ping took a sip of wine, his mood slightly down, to reassure him. Zhang Hu was good in every way, except he was a bit straightforward. He was good at fighting, but not so good at handling things.

Zhang Hu cautiously said, "Actually, I've wanted to say this for a while, but I was afraid you'd be unhappy. If we announce that the Crown Prince's residence is recruiting advisors, many people will be scrambling to get in. Although we might not be able to recruit those learned scholars, we'll definitely have plenty of usable people."

Xu Ping's mind immediately lit up. This was a great idea! Why recruit those old fogies? What I need are cunning and ruthless people. As long as those with guilty consciences don't infiltrate, that's fine.

Xu Ping happily told Zhang Hu to hurry up and spread the message. In his good mood, even the wine tasted sweet. He hadn't expected the problem that had bothered him all day to be solved this way. Perhaps he had been a little too cautious.

Plans never keep up with changes. This month, Xu Ping was extremely busy, and Zhao Ling was also frequently traveling around the establishment of the Ministry of Works, so busy that she had lost weight. Life had deviated slightly from Xu Ping's original plan. Zhao Ling was becoming more and more mature, but she was busy all day long. Sometimes at night, Xu Ping wanted to take good care of her, but seeing how tired she was, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Cheng Ningxue sat in her room every day, lost in thought, sometimes shedding tears, sometimes sighing, making Xu Ping feel embarrassed to approach her. Seeing the beauty growing increasingly haggard, Xu Ping quickly had Zhang Hu send someone to fetch his future mother-in-law so they could be together; otherwise, just seeing her pitiful appearance was enough to make anyone feel bad.

Lin Wei had also arrived in Yunnan and begun contacting some local forces.

A month ago, news spread from the Crown Prince's residence that they were recruiting talented individuals. Many frustrated scholars and candidates who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations were immediately invigorated and packed their bags to head to the capital. Entering the Crown Prince's residence was tantamount to having one foot in the imperial court. Moreover, becoming a favorite of the Crown Prince was more powerful than being a minor official, so regardless of their intentions, everyone planned to give it a try.

Every emperor has his own court, and naturally, no one wanted to miss such a good opportunity. Uncle Liu counted the list and found that over a thousand people had applied. Unable to determine what kind of person their master wanted, they had no choice but to arrange a screening.

The location was set at Anfu Teahouse, owned by Zhang Qinghe, a three-story wooden building, elegant and spacious. The first two floors were just big enough to squeeze in the applicants. At this moment, Xu Ping was leisurely sitting at a table on the third floor, enjoying tea and snacks. Today, he was traveling light, accompanied only by Zhang Hu and a few accountants from the manor.

Xu Ping had originally intended to invite Zhao Ling to come along for a stroll, but the girl was so busy that Xu Ping felt a little sorry for her. Zhang Qinghe had hoped to come up and serve him, but Xu Ping didn't want to be disturbed at this moment. Considering the old man's dedication to the establishment of the Ministry of Commerce, he reluctantly agreed to summon him later.

The second floor was completely silent. No one wanted to be the first to be taken advantage of at this time. They all scanned their rivals, exchanging empty phrases like "I've heard so much about you" and "Not at all," their eyes darting towards the stairs leading to the third floor. Finally, Xu Ping posed his first test. A waiter came down with a piece of paper and handed it to Zhang Qinghe.

Zhang Qinghe looked to be in his forties, with fierce eyes and sharp eyebrows. His build wasn't the typical obesity of a wealthy man; instead, he was energetic and upright, and with his 180-centimeter height, he exuded a somewhat imposing aura. Though a businessman, he looked more like a military general.

Zhang Qinghe respectfully accepted the paper and slowly unfolded it amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd. Seeing the scholars looking at him, he felt a surge of smugness. In the Ming Dynasty, even the wealthiest merchants had shockingly low social status; they couldn't even afford fine clothes. At this moment, he was only wearing ordinary coarse linen clothing. After clearing his throat, he shouted forcefully, "Your Highness, first question: What is the reliance of the Celestial Empire?"

This question immediately caused an uproar. Crown princes usually avoided such sensitive topics to avoid any appearance of usurpation. Although there was little competition for the throne, the Crown Prince's first question was like a bombshell, leaving everyone stunned.

After the initial shock, they all grabbed paper and pens and filled in their answers, shaking their heads as if they wanted to smear their brains on the paper. After a long while, the waiter leisurely collected the answers from everyone's hands.

Zhang Hu was also puzzled by the question. He cautiously glanced at Xu Ping and couldn't help but ask softly, "Master, isn't asking scholars this kind of question exactly what they want? Everyone has read the Analects and such; their answers will be as simple as flowing water."

Xu Ping, looking confident, said while cracking melon seeds, "If someone really answers based on dead texts like the Analects, then that person is useless. You've seen those old fogies in the court crying and threatening suicide; what's the difference between them and idiots? Such people are a waste of the country's rice and grain; throwing them into the river to feed the fish is the best outcome. Issue the order: anyone who answers using allusions or classical texts will be rejected."

Zhang Hu was also a little confused, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions. After agreeing, he turned around and looked at the answer sheets with his servants. This was no easy task for him. Fighting and killing were second nature to him, but reading these terribly pretentious articles was worse than getting a beating. One after another, pedantic essays were carelessly tossed on the ground.

They all wore serious expressions, ready for anything. Xu Ping, however, showed no impatience. This selection process would likely take a while; as long as he found good candidates, he didn't care about the time.

Suddenly, the accountant looked at one answer, his expression changing to one of disdain. He shook his head and said, "Indecent and immoral, contrary to the ways of the sages; this person should not be accepted."

Xu Ping immediately perked up his ears. Hearing that someone could produce such an indecent answer to a question, he immediately became interested and said, "Read it!"

The accountant, disregarding any disrespect, reluctantly picked up the paper and began to read aloud with a hint of contempt: "What is the reliance of the Celestial Empire? Before answering this question, one should first know what the Celestial Empire is. This title is not..." "This is merely a pastime for the Chinese people to amuse themselves. You must know that a strong people requires a wealthy populace, and a strong nation requires a powerful military. Looking back at the history of past dynasties, a weak nation suffers invasions and massacres from foreign enemies, while a strong nation lacks the ambition to expand its territory—a great pity. A strong army and powerful horses are the reality; empty talk is meaningless. Therefore, I believe that a strong nation relies on military force, on the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, not on moral appeasement. —Liu Shishan, a commoner student."

This was a blatant attack on everyone's traditional values and the Confucian and Mencian doctrines that had been respected for thousands of years. As soon as the accountant finished reading, everyone stopped what they were doing in shock, their faces filled with stunned silence.

Perhaps these words would shock others, even making them think this person was crazy, but Xu Ping immediately understood that this person was definitely an unconventional pragmatist. He cheerfully ordered, "Bring this fellow up. Don't tell him anything, just have him help you look at the papers."

"Yes..."

the waiter hurriedly replied, snapping out of

his daze. A moment later, the waiter led up a middle-aged man in patched clothes. His hair was disheveled, and the stubble on his face made him look listless and shabby. Xu Ping observed him through the screen for a while. Although Liu Shishan looked very down on his luck, his eyes revealed a kind of resentment and ambition. Such a person, if used well, could be a weapon; if used poorly, he might even hurt himself.

Liu Shishan was a little nervous, but he simply bowed to everyone,

saying, "Student Liu Shishan greets everyone." He then ignored the others' gazes, found a chair, and unceremoniously drank tea while reading the answer sheets, unaware that Xu Ping was watching him with interest from behind the screen.

Perhaps he didn't know the Crown Prince was here; otherwise, this arrogant behavior alone would have been enough to make him suffer. Just as Zhang Hu was about to erupt in anger, he saw Xu Ping quietly wave his hand, so he had no choice but to suppress his anger and continue looking at the exam paper.

Liu Shishan slowly looked at the questions, thinking to himself: Legend has it that this future master has always been an unconventional and highly skilled martial artist. I didn't expect that in selecting his subordinates, he would directly filter out those dull and bookish scholars. Throughout history, such independent people have either achieved great things or caused the downfall of their countries. I wonder which one he will be? He felt a little excited, wondering if the future would be interesting.

At this moment, Zhang Hu took a copy of the exam paper, frowned, and stood up to walk to the screen. He said somewhat awkwardly, "Master, there is another unusual exam paper. The words are as vicious as snakes and scorpions. Would you like to take a look?"

Only then did Zhang Shishan realize that the Crown Prince had been right behind him. He was so frightened that he quickly turned around and knelt down, bowing his head and not daring to speak.

Xu Ping perked up upon hearing this. Which scholar-official didn't pride themselves on their high moral character? It was indeed intriguing to find one so wicked. He smiled and said, "Is that so? I'd like to see just how wicked he is. Read it!"

Zhang Hu unfolded the paper and slowly read aloud: "Celestial Dynasty, what is it? Superior Nation, what is it? Since ancient times, dynasties have changed, nations have fallen, foreign invasions have occurred, barbarians have plundered—which dynasty didn't claim to be a superior nation? A new emperor, a new court; how many emperors could escape the temptations of fame and fortune? How many rulers have perished, those who cherished the Way..." "Germany's gates have fallen. When a nation falls, a general's defeat is remembered with infamy, but his sour words are celebrated for generations. Morality and a broad mind are like a gentle breeze, passing by lightly and need not be taken seriously, far more important than deceiving the emperor and harming the country. For the sake of the nation and its people, one should stop at nothing to achieve the desired result. Since ancient times, a strong army and powerful horses have commanded the courts of all nations; a weak army and cowardly generals are like pigs and dogs. What is the reliance of a superior nation

like ours? This old man believes it is 'no poison, no hero.'" Liu Shishan, kneeling on the ground, brightened upon hearing this, feeling a sense of finding a kindred spirit, but also a

sense of unease about this brother who dared to speak even more frankly than himself. The others turned pale; such an answer was utterly rebellious, even bordering on an attack on the royal family. These words alone were enough to have his entire family executed. Who was so reckless as to dare to have such thoughts?

Xu Ping also frowned upon hearing this. What kind of person wrote this? Wasn't he afraid of being killed in a fit of rage? It's quite unusual for someone to develop such a mind from reading. After thinking for a moment, he ordered, "Zhang Hu, burn this paper and bring the person up to me."

Zhang Hu responded, turned, burned the paper, and went downstairs. He returned shortly with an old man. Xu Ping frowned upon seeing the man's appearance. He looked more like an old beggar than a scholar; his clothes were tattered and patched. His hair was disheveled and unkempt, and his dry, black face had a prominent forehead, covered in mud and weeds. The only distinguishing feature was his pair of sinister eyes; otherwise, he looked like he was about to die.

Following Zhang Hu to the screen, the old man knelt down, his legs trembling, and said in a trembling voice, "Sun Zhengnong greets His Highness the Crown Prince."

Liu Shishan, kneeling beside him, was also somewhat disappointed by the man's appearance.

Xu Ping slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with anger as he shouted, "You audacious bastard! How dare you attack the court and discuss the royal family? How many heads do you have to lose?"

Sun Zhengnong was startled by Xu Ping's outburst. After a moment of panic, he said with a pained expression, "This old man doesn't defend his writings. I only beg the Crown Prince to give me the opportunity to speak freely. Even if it costs me my life, I'll accept it."

"In that case, stand up and speak! Let's see if your mouth can save your life,"

Xu Ping said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

Sun Zhengnong slowly rose to his feet, then, as if transformed, spoke with unwavering confidence: "What this old man has written is his true opinion. What is the Celestial Empire? Every emperor and minister of every dynasty has flaunted this title, smugly acting like fools in the capital. When those so-called vassal states face disaster, even if they're so poor they're practically broke, they'll feign generosity, ignoring their own people starving and generously giving them grain and silver. But conversely, when the court is already teetering on the brink of collapse, aren't these same people always the ones who take advantage of the situation, stabbing us in the back?"

Everyone except Xu Ping pondered this. Sun Zhengnong continued with a touch of smugness: "Those not of our kind..." "Their hearts are bound to be different. If we don't subdue them when the country is strong, then when it weakens, we won't be surrounded by a pack of loyal dogs, but by a pack of wolves eyeing us with predatory intent. None of these guys want the court to have a good life. I think those so-called etiquette and morality are always restraining the court's actions. What's even more detestable are those bookish, inflexible old fogies like the so-called Grand Secretaries who consider themselves upright and constantly threaten to die for their cause, actually sacrificing the lives of the people. The court needs capable people, not just talkers."

Xu Ping was already somewhat moved. This guy's views would be absolutely shocking by today's standards, yet he pointed out the biggest flaw in all dynasties. After thinking for a moment, he said softly, "Sun Zhengnong, I'll put my head on your neck for now, but you must not say those words again today. Zhang Hu, pronounce the second question: 'A petty person is no gentleman, a ruthless person is no true man.'"

"Yes..."

Zhang Hu also looked thoughtful, and after responding, he walked away somewhat absentmindedly.

Seeing that his theory hadn't met with opposition, Sun Zhengnong was so happy he almost had a stroke. This time, he had come with the determination to persist even if it meant losing his head. Now, he was all set—his life was spared, and he had a good job. He should really go home and give thanks.

Zhang Hu went downstairs and read out the second question. This time, the question wasn't as daunting; some people lowered their heads in thought, while others wrote furiously.

Xu Ping instructed Liu Shishan and Sun Zhengnong to also review the answers. The accountants only needed to remove the archaic language; in their opinion, they should be selecting capable people.

Chapter Eight: Busty Future Mother-in-Law.

Too many people, too slow. After sitting for a short while, Xu Ping was already yawning. At this rate, they probably wouldn't finish selecting by tomorrow morning. Sitting here waiting was incredibly boring, so he pulled Zhang Hu over and instructed him to keep a close eye on things.

These people might have differing opinions, but at least it was much better than doing it all himself. Instructing everyone not to follow, and telling Zhang Hu to take Zhang Qinghe to the mansion to await an audience after the matter was finished, Xu Ping slipped out of the window and walked alone on the street. He had always diligently practiced martial arts, but after his grandfather's death and the ascension of the new emperor, and then the establishment of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Works,

he was so busy he didn't even have time for sex. Looking at the people on the street, Xu Ping felt he had completely integrated into society, and didn't feel any discomfort without his computer and mobile phone. Feeling playful, he looked around, enjoying his steamed buns and porridge.

Suddenly, he saw a group of people pointing at something on the street and, out of curiosity, went over to investigate. The onlookers suddenly felt someone pushing them and involuntarily moved aside. Looking back, they saw a young man walking towards them, but his body made no contact with them. After thinking for a moment, they said nothing and continued watching the spectacle.

Kneeling against the wall on the ground was a filthy woman, her tattered clothes covered in mud, her hair disheveled, and a thin, unidentifiable child, either male or female, curled up in her arms. A piece of cloth covered in blood-written words lay before her, and Xu Ping curiously examined it. It turned out this woman had fled to the capital to appeal to the emperor, specifying that she would serve anyone who helped her for life.

The common people, upholding the age-old tradition of "watching the show without interfering," merely discussed the matter for a while before leaving. Such things were commonplace in the capital, and in the end, nothing came of it. The better-off ones stayed to earn a living, the worse ones might die far from home. However, if it was a beautiful woman, it was different; perhaps she would encounter a high-ranking official and have some hope.

Xu Ping used all the eyes he had ever used, but he couldn't make out the woman's features. Moreover, she kept her head down, seemingly afraid to meet the gazes of these people. She seemed to be treated like an animal by these bored commoners, utterly pitiful!

Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion, a chilling voice rang out. A fat man, less than 160 centimeters tall but weighing at least 200 pounds, stepped out from the crowd, gave a smug laugh, and squatted down in front of the woman, asking, "Young lady, what brings you here to petition the emperor? You know, this kind of thing is nothing new in the capital. Besides, no one can see your face clearly, so who would risk helping you? Raise your head and let me see you."

Perhaps smelling the woman's salty, foul odor, the fat man's expression showed a hint of disgust, and he instinctively frowned.

The woman, however, lowered her head even further in fear.

Before the fat man could finish his boasting, four or five soldiers suddenly rushed over, and he was kicked to the ground. The one who kicked him was a burly man with a full beard. After kicking him, he glared menacingly at the fat man who had fallen flat on his face and was being laughed at by the crowd.

The fat man initially wanted to get angry, but upon seeing who it was, he immediately adopted a fawning expression, saying enthusiastically, "Oh, it's Master Chen! What brings you here? We just wanted to help the poor, why are you so angry?"

Xu Ping sized him up; the burly man surnamed Chen was dressed in the uniform of a constable from the capital, tall and strong, with a full beard, exuding an air of authority.

Seeing the fat man's obsequious manner, the burly man didn't buy it at all, grabbing the fat man by the collar and lifting him up. The fat man, his feet off the ground, was terrified and sweating profusely, hurriedly saying, "Master Chen, I really didn't have any other intentions. If you don't believe me, ask the others; I was speaking politely to this young lady, I didn't lay a finger on her."

The burly man's suspicious gaze swept around, and those who were afraid of trouble quickly scurried away. Only Xu Ping remained, shaking his head helplessly. These guys were first-rate spectators; the moment they saw government officials, they ran faster than rabbits!

The woman, clutching her child, huddled in a corner, looking utterly pitiful as she witnessed everything. Her large, dark eyes were clear and bright, captivatingly beautiful, and Xu Ping's eyes lit up.

Seeing everyone had fled, the burly man snarled menacingly at the fat man, "Lai San, don't think I don't know what you do. All you ever think about is tricking young girls into selling them for gambling money. Let me tell you, if you dare to cheat these already miserable people, you'd better wash your head clean, or I'll chop you up!"

Seeing his weakness exposed, the fat man lost face. Ignoring the fact that he was still being held, he shouted, "Chen Qi, I only called you 'Master Chen' out of respect. Otherwise, I'd call you a beggar… My head is right here, go ahead and chop it off if you dare! My brother-in-law is the Vice Minister of Justice. You can control everything, but you can't even control your own father's life? You're always interfering with me, what the hell have I done to you?"

The burly man, as if struck on a sore spot, turned ashen-faced, his eyes wide and his breathing rapid. Gritting his teeth, he threw the fat man to the ground, ignoring his cries of pain. A flash of light, and he drew his sword, his

face contorted with rage, and walked towards him. Seeing the burly man was serious, the fat man turned pale with fright, retreating frantically while slapping himself, pleading, "Master Chen, I was wrong, I was just talking nonsense, don't be angry!"

The slaps were so loud that even Xu Ping involuntarily touched his chin. What does it mean to be ruthless to yourself? Just look at how the fat man's mouth was bleeding from slapping himself – you could tell he was really serious.

Seeing their boss was genuinely angry, the other constables quickly formed a circle, gesturing for the fat man to leave while anxiously pleading, "Brother, don't get agitated! It's not worth arguing with scum like that."

"Master Chen, you can't be impulsive! Think about who will take care of the old man in the future!"

The fat man had already vanished into the street in a flash, his speed astonishing! Xu Ping, watching this record-breaking speed, thought: If future generations could achieve this level of skill, then Olympic gold medals would directly belong to the Han Chinese.

The burly man had calmed down by now, angrily sheathing his knife. After a while, he waved his hand and said, "I'm fine, I just can't change this temper. If it weren't for the brothers here, I would have chopped that fat man into pieces."

The other constables breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that only the woman and Xu Ping remained at the scene. The burly man approached the woman, somewhat ashamed, and said, "Little sister, this is all I can do for you. I, Chen, have no power or influence, and I am powerless to help you seek justice. Let me advise you: officials protect each other, so your chances of getting justice are slim. You should pack your belongings and find a place to stay!"

With that, he and the other constables shook their heads and sighed as they left.

Chapter Nine: The Temptation of a Busty Mother and Daughter

Watching the constables' helpless departure, Xu Ping felt a pang of sadness. It seemed they were used to this kind of thing; when faced with someone filing a complaint, their limited power was utterly useless. There must be many people in the capital with such grievances!

However, that guy named Chen Qi, who managed to drive away the fat man, showed he had some conscience, but he seemed to have some unspeakable difficulty. Looking back at the woman huddled in the corner, her large eyes looking at him expectantly, Xu Ping felt a bit troubled. He

had just offended Cheng Ningxue; he couldn't afford to get into another one, could he? Although she was pitiful, there were so many pitiful people in the world; could he really help just one? Looking at her pitiful appearance, Xu Ping could only harden his heart and turn to leave.

At this moment, the child groggily woke up, her stomach rumbling. Her small, chapped lips weakly whispered to the woman, "Auntie, I'm hungry."

Upon hearing this, tears immediately streamed down the woman's face. She gently hugged the child's head and softly comforted her, "Little Ru, be good. Auntie will go find something to eat in a little while."

Hearing the little girl's innocent voice utter the word "hungry" struck Xu Ping's heart like a hammer. He couldn't help but recall his own days of homelessness, constantly hungry, sometimes going without a proper meal, even going three days without food. Unable to sleep at night, he would secretly run to the bathroom, turn on the tap, and drink a bellyful of cold water to keep his stomach from emptying. On the third day, he even fainted from hunger on the playground. The mocking and pitying looks from his classmates flashed through his mind.

Xu Ping stopped, sighed, and decided to help them after all. He knelt down in front of the woman, gazing into her eyes, which, though hidden beneath the grime, still held a stubborn determination. He said softly, "Come with me, don't let the child go hungry."

His calm voice seemed to possess a magical power. The woman hesitated for a moment, then involuntarily picked up the little girl and followed Xu Ping silently, watching the richly dressed man with curiosity, a mixture of worry and a glimmer of hope.

Xu Ping led them back to the mansion through the back gate. The woman, aside from some restraint, didn't show any curiosity or surprise at the exquisite garden, only carefully avoiding spilling her grime on the ground. Her every gesture revealed that she had lived in a wealthy family, or at least her family was quite well-off.

Uncle Liu was feeding the fish in the pond in the corridor when he saw Xu Ping leading two beggars, one big and one small, back. He didn't show any awkwardness, but stepped forward and bowed, "Master, why are you back so soon? Miss Cheng's mother has already been brought back, and mother and daughter are reuniting in the pavilion in the east wing!"

Xu Ping nodded. The old steward was indeed quick-witted; he hadn't called him "Young Prince" since he came in through the back door—quite clever. Xu Ping paused, then instructed, "Uncle Liu, take them downstairs to wash up and change into clean clothes."

Uncle Liu responded, glanced at the woman and the little girl, and gestured for them to follow him. The woman seemed to have an unusual trust in Xu Ping, and after hesitating for a moment, she followed Uncle Liu. The two didn't exchange a single word from beginning to end. She herself was a little confused as to why she would so readily go home with a stranger.

Xu Ping thought it was still early; Ling'er probably hadn't returned yet. That girl was practically a workaholic, too tired to even have time for sex. However, her little head was indeed clever; she was practically the embodiment of beauty and wisdom. If you added a torch, she would truly resemble the Statue of Liberty.

After amusing himself for a while, he walked towards the east wing, eagerly anticipating meeting his future mother-in-law. He truly wondered what kind of bloodline could produce such a young beauty as Cheng Ningxue, whose breasts were frighteningly large.

The summer garden was filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers; the refreshing air invigorated the spirit. Everywhere were meticulously manicured flowers and plants, arranged comfortably without being extravagant, and the clear birdsong was melodious and pleasant. Xu Ping strolled leisurely towards the small pavilion beside the fishpond.

From a distance, he could vaguely see two women of similar build sitting together on a stone chair, their curves equally captivating. Their soft, flowing skirts swayed gently in the breeze, and their long, black hair cascaded freely over their shoulders. Even without seeing their faces, they were already incredibly alluring. As he drew closer, he heard a silvery, melodious voice, which was exceptionally pleasant to listen to.

The two figures were talking earnestly, completely unaware that Xu Ping was getting closer and closer. For over a month, Cheng Ningxue had felt an involuntary fear whenever she saw Qiao'er, but she would walk with her head down whenever she saw Xu Ping, avoiding him whenever possible. This was the first time Xu Ping had seen her smile happily during this time, making her look even more beautiful.

"Mother, what they're saying is true. Everyone around says that the Crown Prince's martial arts have reached the middle level of the Earth Rank, and he's also said to be a person skilled in both literature and martial arts."

Cheng Ningxue didn't know why, but whenever she mentioned Xu Ping, she remembered the burning gaze he had given her that night in the secret room, and her face involuntarily turned red, her voice frighteningly sweet.

A slightly mature yet strangely sexy voice teased, "Looks like my Xiaoxue has found her Mr. Right. She mentions the Crown Prince every other sentence. Too bad he's of royal blood; he can't avoid having multiple wives and concubines. I wonder what you, this little jealous pot, are going to do."

Xu Ping stood to the side, carefully observing his mother-in-law's astonishing beauty, his eyes practically glued to her.

She looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her hair, styled in a bun, was slightly gray, perhaps due to the grief of losing a loved one. Her mature and charming face, her small, smiling lips, was exceptionally sexy. Her high, firm breasts, hidden beneath her clothes, were even larger than Cheng Ningxue's. Her full, rounded buttocks—all the features of a mature woman—were a living example on her.

It seems Cheng Ningxue inherited her genes, hence her enormous breasts. Mother and daughter standing together, one as green as a ripe apple, the other as ripe as a tempting strawberry—each with their own unique charm.

Seeing her smile, her large breasts swayed up and down, and Xu Ping wished he could just step forward and support them, or even pin this alluring, mature beauty down beneath him and thoroughly enjoy her voluptuous, sexy body.

He shook his head, trying to convince himself not to act impulsively; he wanted more than just physical intimacy. But things couldn't be rushed; he needed to completely subdue Cheng Ningxue first. Then, he could have a mother-daughter duel, letting them both use their full, enormous breasts to give him a blowjob. God! Just thinking about it made him want to die.

Xu Ping wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, coughed, and then, putting on his most benevolent facade, walked over with an innocent smile. He had to make a good impression on this sexy beauty first; only then would he have a better opportunity to make his move later.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The mother and daughter were having a private conversation and had no idea that Xu Ping would suddenly appear. The future mother-in-law, who had been leaning against the small wall, was startled when she suddenly saw a man approaching . She lost her balance and fell into the pond.

The beautiful woman thrashed about in panic as soon as she hit the water, clearly unable to swim, her pretty face turning pale with fright. Cheng Ningxue stared blankly as her mother fell into the water, completely at a loss. She herself was a complete landlubber and panicked, not knowing what to do, almost on the verge of tears.

Xu Ping was startled. While he was charming, he shouldn't have caused a woman he saw at first sight to run off to commit suicide for him. Was such a big reaction really necessary?

Seeing his future mother-in-law's terrified face, her large breasts swaying in the water, Xu Ping, worried she might drown, quickly jumped into the water with the most graceful entry possible.

A large wave surged on the surface, and suddenly some blood floated to the top. Xu Ping, dizzy for a moment, stood up. "Damn it! The water was only chest-deep, what's there to be afraid of!" His entry into the water was too cool; he'd crashed right into the rocks at the bottom. Only now did he regain his composure, standing behind Cheng's mother, who was still struggling in panic, his face alternating between pale and flushed as he looked at this future mother-in-law who had brought disaster to the world. "

Damn it! Why are you screaming if you're not drowning!"

With a swift movement, amidst the mother and daughter's gasps, he pulled her into his arms. Both were wearing thin clothes, and the woman's silk skirt clung to her body as if it had become transparent in the water, vaguely revealing her dark undergarment. The feeling of her full figure was truly wonderful. His hand even vaguely brushed against her large, soft breasts. Lost in his fantasies, Xu Ping said with a slightly sinister tone, "Big sister, stop messing around. The water's so shallow, even suicide would be difficult."

Although his face showed anger, his lower body betrayed him, hardening beneath the surface. Underwater, pressing against his future mother-in-law's full, fragrant buttocks, he couldn't help but lewdly press against her crotch. Smelling the unique warmth of a mature woman's body, filled with a provocative aura, Xu Ping began to consider whether to strip her clothes off and have sex with her right there.

The beautiful woman had just recovered from her shock when she saw a handsome young man holding her, his face clearly showing anger. His large hands encircled her waist, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, he touched her breasts. She was practically held tightly in his arms, her face immediately turning red.

Hearing his words and looking up, she saw that Xu Ping's forehead was slowly bleeding. Thinking about how his recklessness had caused her such an injury, she felt a mix of gratitude and guilt. Unfortunately, this feeling of being touched didn't last long. She felt something hard pressing against her buttocks, and immediately panicked, not knowing what it was.

"Auntie, you have a really nice figure!"

Xu Ping whispered, unable to resist lust as he held this voluptuous woman. Seeing that their lower bodies were submerged in water, his lustful thoughts overwhelmed him, and he began to knead her full, fragrant buttocks underwater.

"Don't move..."

the woman whispered pitifully, as the man's hand was about to touch her most private parts. Her daughter, watching from above, dared not speak out for fear of embarrassment, and could only hurriedly hold Xu Ping's hand down underwater.

Cheng Ningxue saw that Xu Ping's forehead was still slowly bleeding, and her mother's clothes were soaked and clung to her body. Their position was practically an intimate embrace, and her face flushed. She felt a strange unease, but quickly called out, "Mother, Your Highness, you're both wet. Come up and change your clothes."

Upon hearing that the one holding her was the prince, the woman dared not struggle. Xu Ping suddenly breathed hot air into her ear, saying lewdly, "Did you hear that? Ningxue said you're all wet. I wonder if it's true or not?"

The beautiful woman blushed deeply and followed Xu Ping slowly ashore.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

the woman said shyly. She had even felt a little pleasure when he touched her earlier, but to do this on their first meeting showed that the prince was also a lecher.

"It's nothing..."

Xu Ping waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "But don't be so confused next time, or you'll die of anxiety before you drown."

He saw her speechless with embarrassment, while Cheng Ningxue looked puzzled. Xu Ping quickly told the mother and daughter to change their clothes. Looking at his future mother-in-law's soaking wet body, the way her full, fragrant buttocks trembled with each step, the two women with different yet equally alluring curves, Xu Ping especially looked forward to the day he could push them both onto the bed and pamper them.

After changing his clothes, Xu Ping, wearing only shorts and shirtless, sat on the sofa in the living room. The sofa? Indeed, while the stiff wooden chairs were expensive, they were uncomfortable to sit on for long periods and lacked ventilation. Xu Ping specially commissioned some craftsmen to create a wooden sofa using leather and cotton, and after covering it with a thick bamboo mat, it felt incredibly comfortable to sit on.

Although his attire was somewhat indecent, it was undeniably comfortable.

Uncle Liu had already heard the commotion and came over. Seeing the wound on Xu Ping's head, he was immediately startled. He quickly brought some wound medicine and bandages, carefully bandaging it for him, and asked with concern, "Master, how did you get this?"

Xu Ping looked up at the care in Uncle Liu's eyes, knowing that in these people's minds, even if others died, he couldn't afford to be injured in the slightest. If he were to say that he was injured while jumping into the water to save his future mother-in-law, Uncle Liu might kill him in a fit of rage.

Thinking quickly, he waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, I just bumped into it accidentally while playing by the pond."

Uncle Liu looked distressed and unusually started to nag, "Master, you must take care of your health. You know you're the only heir in the Zhu family, the future emperor. You can't afford to make any mistakes. But why did you go into the water? If you want to swim, I'll have the servants make a deeper spot in the garden."

Xu Ping nodded seriously and asked, "When did Zhao Ling and Qiao'er go out? Is there any new development?"

Uncle Liu carefully bandaged the wound and checked it twice before answering, "The young mistress and the others went out early this morning, so they might be a little late today. The Emperor has used the excuse of appreciating Zhang Yulong to keep him here. Lin Wei has been a bit hesitant since arriving in Yunnan, after all, he needs time to adapt to a new environment. I had Ru Xue send some people over to help him, and they're secretly contacting some forces there that oppose Zhang Yulong."

"Hmm, what about those two people?"

Xu Ping then remembered the people he had brought back.

"They're still washing! Although it's not that they haven't bathed in a long time that they're so dirty, they've deliberately smeared mud and filth all over themselves, and the smell is too strong, so we have to let them soak in hot water for a while before washing. The maids all say they change the water more often than normal people." "

Oh, let them wash slowly. I'm a little hungry. We're having hot pot tonight, so tell the kitchen to prepare it!"

Xu Ping was still savoring the erotic scene with his future mother-in-law in the pool when his stomach suddenly growled.

"Okay, young master, I'll go now."

Uncle Liu replied and left.

Xu Ping took a sip of tea out of boredom, and then Ningxue and her mother walked in. Upon seeing Xu Ping, both women blushed. Ningxue was slightly better; she had learned over time that Xu Ping liked this revealing style of dress, but with her mother right there, he still didn't know how to restrain himself. Now, unsure whether to go in or out, she couldn't help but glare at Xu Ping reproachfully.

When Cheng's mother saw Xu Ping's bare, muscular upper body, with the manhood faintly visible in his shorts, and remembered his earlier advances, she immediately lowered her head, unable to look.

Xu Ping knew that this kind of attire was somewhat intimidating to women in this society; if he went out in public, he would definitely be mistaken for a pervert or beaten to death. Thinking about it, he was indeed both a pervert and a scoundrel, so what was there to be afraid of? With a thick skin, one becomes invincible. He smiled as if nothing had happened, saying, "Ningxue, you've brought your mother here? Come on, have a seat."

With a slight movement, his large member jiggled a few times inside his shorts, making both mother and daughter blush as if they'd been burned. There was no way around it! It wasn't Xu Ping's fault; he simply hadn't had time to examine underwear or anything like that. That's how clothes were these days!

Cheng's mother steadied herself, trying not to recall what had just happened, and avoiding looking at her absurd son-in-law. Her face flushed, she knelt down and said, "This commoner, Lin Ziyan, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

She then gave her daughter a reproachful look, as she hadn't yet reacted.

Cheng Ningxue had no choice but to kneel down as well, though she seemed rather unwilling.

Xu Ping quickly shoved them up, laughing loudly, "Haha, we're all family, don't be so reserved. I

don't look like a prince at all. No matter how much I recite poetry in the street, I'll still look like a rogue. Sit down, let's have dinner together later!" He couldn't help but ogle the mother and daughter's similarly sized breasts, wishing he could just look through their clothes.

Seeing Xu Ping's lecherous look, Cheng Ningxue quickly pulled her mother to sit beside her, giving him a reproachful glare. She seemed to have realized her mother was being lecherous, and while she felt a pang of reproach, she also felt a little bitter.

Xu Ping quickly averted his gaze; things hadn't progressed to the next level yet, it wasn't appropriate to be so blatant. If he scared her away, things would be even worse. After a chuckle, he asked, "Are you settling in well here?"

The blush on Cheng's mother's face hadn't faded, but she still answered gratefully, "Yes, I'm so happy that Xue'er and I can be together now. If it weren't for the Crown Prince taking us in, my daughter and I might be separated by death. Your kindness is beyond repayment."

Damn it, how could it be beyond repayment? You'd be satisfied if you repaid me with yourself! Do you think your face and those big boobs are fake? Although his mind was filled with lewd thoughts, he put on a kind face: "Don't say that. Ningxue and I are in love, so it's only right that I take care of you. From now on, just treat this place as your home. There's no need to call me 'Crown Prince,' it sounds so distant! Even the steward only calls me 'Master' at most."

Upon hearing "in love," Cheng Ningxue glared at Xu Ping with disdain. This guy's methods were nothing short of hooliganism, lechery, and depravity, yet he had the nerve to speak so noblely. Thinking about how those large hands had touched and seen her body, she felt a faint heat rising within her. The speed at which her expression changed made Cheng's mother thoughtful.

At this moment, the servants began to bring in the hot pot and dishes. Taking advantage of Cheng's mother's inattention, Xu Ping blew a kiss, making Ningxue both ashamed and angry.

Eating hot pot in the summer might be torture for some people, but for Xu Ping, it was a stimulating enjoyment. Xu Ping was currently squatting on a chair, sweating profusely as he ate incredibly spicy mutton. His sweat made his skin look like it was coated with oil, and his shorts looked like they had just been washed, making his large penis even more conspicuous.

The Cheng mother and daughter only ate a small amount, staring dumbfounded at Xu Ping's thuggish posture and the way he slapped his mouth. This was hardly the behavior of a prince.

Xu Ping felt the swelling sensation on his lips, took a comfortable sip of wine, and noticed that they hadn't touched their chopsticks but were just watching him eat. He chuckled and placed a piece of meat in each of their bowls, saying, "Although I admit I'm handsome, I'm very shy. I feel embarrassed looking at you like that. Besides, being handsome won't feed you. It's safer to use your mouths."

Cheng Ningxue spat, "Shameless! I'm just wondering how you grew up. A prince like you're squatting on a chair, eating like you haven't smelled meat in centuries. What's the difference between you and a street thug?"

Cheng's mother silently ate the meat Xu Ping had placed in her bowl, her eyes glancing at the man's lower body, and she couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in her heart.

"Enjoy life while you can, don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty. Hehe, have a drink!"

Xu Ping wasn't annoyed or angry, and chuckled as he drank another cup, continuing to enjoy this sauna-like feast. Cheng Ningxue could only helplessly serve food to her mother. Both mother and daughter were preoccupied and remained silent.

"Wow, hot pot! I want some!"

Qiao'er's voice rang out as Xu Ping was engrossed in his meal. Zhao Ling followed him in with a smile. More than a month had passed, but Ningxue still felt a reflexive itch upon hearing Qiao'er's voice, and couldn't help but tremble.

"Brother Ping, why aren't you wiping your sweat?"

Zhao Ling said with concern, looking at Xu Ping's appearance. She turned and gave Cheng Ningxue a slightly reproachful look—a young woman sitting beside her, not even bothering to serve her man. Putting down her notebook, she quickly grabbed a damp towel and gently wiped away Xu Ping's sweat.

"I'm sorry, Sister Qian, it was my carelessness."

Cheng Ningxue had always held this head lady in awe, and dared not argue back, quickly bowing her head in apology.

Qiao'er wasn't really in the mood. She was used to Xu Ping's attitude, so she casually copied him, squatting down on the chair and picking up her chopsticks to eat without any hesitation.

Xu Ping gently held Zhao Ling's small hand in his palm and said, "Eat quickly, don't go hungry. Are you tired today?"

"Not tired, but Qiao'er has been keeping me company the whole time, she's starving!"

Zhao Ling obediently sat down next to the man and shook her head.

Qiao'er also looked up, still eating, and mumbled, "Yes, Master. You'd better tell our young mistress not to work so hard, this isn't something that can be done overnight. She's been there all day, only drinking water, she almost starved to death."

Her words were so endearingly sweet that Xu Ping wanted to kiss her.

"No manners, finish eating before you talk."

Zhao Ling only gave her a slight glare, and Qiao'er quickly lowered her head to eat her food.

Xu Ping looked at Ling'er, who, despite her age, had the air of a mature wife. He admired her for managing to tame the somewhat arrogant Cheng Ningxue and the rebellious Qiao'er so well. He chuckled, put some meat in her bowl, and said softly, "Alright, Ling'er, don't overwork yourself. Besides, Qiao'er is still growing; you can't let her go hungry."

Cheng Ningxue, having learned her lesson, noticed Xu Ping sweating again. She quickly rinsed a towel and gently wiped away his sweat. Her small hands were gentle but a little clumsy. Looking at Xu Ping's strong body and the strong masculine scent emanating from him, the young girl, just beginning to experience love, was somewhat intoxicated. Cheng's

mother, seeing her daughter's cautious expression and Zhao Ling's slightly reproachful gaze, thought for a moment and said sternly, "Girl, you're all grown up now. It's time to learn how to serve your man. You can't always be so careless, understand?"

Xu Ping turned back and looked at Cheng Ningxue with amusement, making her blush again. Zhao Ling, after all, had to give her elders some face, and said with a smile, "It's okay, she'll learn slowly later. Xiaoxue has only been here for a short time, it's normal for her not to be used to it yet..."

"Hehe, Auntie, if you have time, you should teach her more, preferably by example or something."

Xu Ping couldn't help but tease her with a lewd smile, "If you don't mind, you can use me as a test subject, I'd like to enjoy your tender service."

The blatant teasing made the three women, except for Qiao'er who was engrossed in her food, lower their faces in embarrassment. Cheng Ningxue secretly blamed Xu Ping for teasing her mother, while Zhao Ling looked indifferent. In her opinion, her man was so noble that he could have anything he wanted.

Cheng's mother, however, was filled with mixed feelings, feeling the young man's fiery gaze on her, as if a hot hand was caressing her, and she couldn't help but feel a little moved. Her body trembled, and a trickle of love fluid seemed to seep from her long-untouched honeyed place.

Please continue reading "The Rogue Landlord" Part 2.

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[Fantasy] The Rogue Landlord (Complete) - Part 4

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