You're Strong But Now You're Mine
Chapter 137 - 136 Jing Zhengwei Must Die

Chapter 137: Chapter 136 Jing Zhengwei Must Die

Yin Minghong’s objective in volunteering to join the patrol team was clear as day to Le Yu, something he had anticipated long ago.

He was an experienced White Night Walker, and understood the tactics of White Night inside out: with deep effort, the red apricot will lean over the wall; don’t worry about the unknowns on the road ahead, a branch of red apricots will lean over the wall; all pleasant gatherings must end, and White Night is always digging for the red apricot.

Stealing others’ talents is one of White Night’s main methods of expansion.

Take a look at Yin Yin Yin, Lin Jinyao, and Li Mingsheng, these White Night assassins, military academy teachers, and chief clerks—none of them were originally with White Night. Yet, they all became White Night Walkers in the end, showing how proficient White Night is in this tactic, reaching the level of a crafty old playboy.

At this point, Le Yu couldn’t help but admire the strong vitality of the Silver Blood Association: despite White Night’s instigations, none of the Silver Blood Association members defected—if there were any, then the intelligence provider ’Yin Yin Yin’ wouldn’t be regarded seriously by Xuanzhu White Night.

What does this imply? That positions trump everything—the Silver Blood Association’s merchants have not been charmed by White Night discourse and firmly stood on the side of the capitalist class.

To be fair, this is indeed impressive. Although ’the brain follows the class’ is instinctive, there will still be many class traitors—for example, in the city-seizing plan of Star Engraving County, Le Yu knew from Yin Yin Yin’s memory that many of the White Night Walkers involved were officials, merchants, and officers.

This isn’t to say that Star Engraving County’s governance is stricter than Xuanzhu County’s. On the contrary, Star Engraving County is more lenient than Xuanzhu County’s Silver Blood Association, yet the development of White Night in Xuanzhu is more challenging. This only shows that the Silver Blood Association truly has skills—not only brainwashing the lower class into a profit-driven mindset but also using ideology to solidify their stronghold.

Yes, ideology!

It might be hard to believe, but many merchant offspring sincerely believe that the Silver Blood Association represents the future of glory—Imperial Court officials are fools, other places are impoverished. Only under our merchants’ rule can factory productivity be maximized, living standards be highest, and military power be strongest!

This isn’t entirely incorrect. After all, when other jurisdictions are still exploring industrialization, the Dongyang area has already taken strides into capitalist society, truly outperforming other regions.

Moreover, with Skyrim close by, Silver Blood merchants, seeing the chaos there, are even more steadfast in their belief: although our people here may lack food and clothing, at least they are alive, and the Dongyang area hasn’t experienced war!

When everyone compares the worst, the Dongyang area suddenly realizes that it is the beacon of glory!

If you claim that the Silver Blood Association is full of heartless capitalists, Le Yu wouldn’t believe it—no matter how filthy the Silver Blood territory is, there will always be those who seek the light.

But under the Silver Blood Association’s propaganda, even merchants with a conscience can’t help but feel that although the Silver Blood rule has many flaws, it is genuinely the most feasible system currently, ensuring the survival of the maximum number of people. Rather than dismantling the hard-built order of the Silver Blood Association, it’s better to maintain its rule and gradually modify the system from within.

This atmosphere isn’t created overnight but is a result of long exposure. Jing Zhengwei thinks the same way, but he’s not thinking about improving the Silver Blood Association. Instead, he ponders how to seize the position of the president upon reaching power, how to connect politics and business, and how to attain even greater power...

Since all middle and upper-level personnel approve of the Silver Blood Association’s operating system, White Night naturally can’t carry out an upper echelon coup and must resort to violent revolution.

Therefore, every military force is a target for White Night. The Heyang Army needs no mention, and they certainly won’t overlook armed forces in core areas like the Half City patrol team.

But Le Yu still needs to refuse Yin Minghong.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to give White Night a chance to infiltrate the patrol team, but he has other plans.

Besides, Le Yu feels that if Yin Minghong were around him, he’d feel uneasy—Yin Minghong isn’t like the silly girl Mu Qingmei; he has been able to infiltrate the Jing Family for many years, demonstrating high observational skills. Who knows when he might discover traces of Le Yu.

It’s fine to occasionally call him over for some roughing up, but constant presence is out of the question.

"It was presumptuous of me," Yin Minghong said, bowing his head.

Although refused, Yin Minghong didn’t persistently object, maintaining a posture of a good subordinate.

Le Yu contemplated for a moment and then asked, "If you leave, who will be in charge over at Red Moon Fortress?"

Yin Minghong hesitated for a moment before naming someone—Le Yu hadn’t heard of the person, nor had Jing Zhengwei, but it was likely someone from White Night.

"Then let him take over your position as the second-in-command of Red Moon Fortress." Le Yu took a sip of the five-flower tea with honey: "As for you, there’s no need to return to Red Moon Fortress. Stay in Xuanzhu County and assist me."

He pondered for a while before suddenly thinking of a special use for Yin Minghong: "Right, you’re aware I’ve been too busy with the newspaper, not having time to audit the accounts, aren’t you?"

"Yes."

"I’ll assign a few more people to you, and you’ll form an inspection team specifically to check the status of the shops and factories, to verify if the accounts tally and if the person in charge has been embezzling."

Yin Minghong was taken aback but didn’t decline: "If an issue is discovered, should I first discreetly record it and wait for the young master to decide, or make an immediate judgment?"

"Do I have to decide? Too complicated." Le Yu waved his hand casually: "If there’s a problem, you judge whether to punish or reward. If someone is dismissed, immediately promote another to fill the position."

"I don’t need the process, just the result. I grant you a power second to mine... let’s create a new position called ’general manager.’ You can manage all my enterprises, with autonomous rewards and punishments. I’ll soon notify each shop and factory."

This idea of Le Yu’s wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a long-planned one: he’s ultimately not Jing Zhengwei. Jing Zhengwei can single-handedly control the big picture and interfere in the operations of all shops, but Le Yu can’t.

Even though Le Yu has gained Jing Zhengwei’s memories, it doesn’t mean he possesses Jing Zhengwei’s business acumen—just like how he replaced Yin Yinyin but still got abducted by traffickers.

Memories are just memories, not unlike movies or games, and no matter how many rounds of CF a middle school student plays, they can’t become an ace sniper.

Moreover, Le Yu simply doesn’t want to manage businesses, leaving commercial matters to Qing Lan to handle.

However, now that Qing Lan is responsible for newspaper affairs and Le Yu has to serialize a novel, finding a professional manager has become a priority.

Yin Minghong finding him was just what Le Yu wanted—he doesn’t need Yin Minghong to increase his assets, just to manage those enterprises well.

Even if Yin Minghong embezzles, it’s not a problem; it’s as if Le Yu is funding Xuanzhu White Night.

He wished Yin Minghong would take advantage of his newfound authority, to reform Jing Zhengwei’s enterprises thoroughly, ideally granting workers and servants generous benefits, dismissing strict middle management, and staffing them with White Night personnel.

These assets, Le Yu couldn’t take them with him when he eventually leaves. Whether left to the Jing Family or White Night, Le Yu would rather gift them to White Night.

Yet giving so much power may seem inconsistent with Jing Zhengwei’s character... Le Yu pondered again and added, "What I give to you now, I can also reclaim in the future. Do your best not to disappoint me, and you’d better not let me discover... that your first reaction after something happens isn’t to come to me, but to find someone else."

Le Yu just wanted to softly threaten Yin Minghong, telling him not to collude with others.

However, in Yin Minghong’s mind at this moment, there was a storm raging!

’Does he know I went to see Wen Hong at noon!?’

’Is he hinting at me?’

’No wonder, no wonder Jing Zhengwei suddenly relinquished power to me!’

’He thinks he has found my weakness and can use Wen Hong to threaten me!’

’He purposely says such things to make me aware that both Wen Hong and I are under his control!’

’Indeed, Jing Zhengwei is the type of person who can only trust others when he holds leverage in his hands!’

’One month without seeing him, and indeed, Jing Zhengwei is still the same Jing Zhengwei.’

’Seems like I can only serve him temporarily...’

Yin Minghong took a deep breath: "I am willing to serve the young lord faithfully!"

"Good, you may leave."

Yin Minghong turned and left the study. At this moment, he saw a woman in a green dress walking towards the study from the corridor.

The two exchanged a glance and slightly nodded.

Just two steps away, Yin Minghong heard a voice from the study: "Qing Lan, you’re here? Quick, quick, quick."

Qing Lan?

Is she the one with a significant relationship with ’Yin Yin Yin’, the Qing Lan that Wen Hong believes to be ’Yin Yin Yin’ herself?!

Yin Minghong couldn’t help but look back, only to see the woman in the green dress closing the door.

But in a brief glimpse, Yin Minghong clearly saw the expression on the woman’s face: grievance, pain, unease, fear...

Bang.

The study door closed tightly, and inside and outside seemed like two worlds.

He heard the fearful, aggrieved voice of the woman in the green dress: "Young lord, do you really have to do this?"

"Of course, hurry up, I am already starving for this!"

Yin Minghong’s mouth twitched slightly, held back the heartbreak that seemed to twist into a knot in his chest, and resolutely turned to leave Jing Mansion.

But in Yin Minghong’s heart, those two obsessions grew stronger and stronger.

The Silver Blood Association must be overthrown.

And Jing Zhengwei must die!

...

...

"Want to come again?"

"Of course, one round can never satisfy me, I want more!"

In the bright study, Le Yu and Qing Lan were playing cards.

At this time, Le Yu had already placed a card, and Qing Lan also chose to place one.

Reveal the cards, Le Yu’s card is "Critical Strike: Eagle-eye Wolf-ambush," Qing Lan’s card is "Critical Strike: Yellow Lament."

"Ha, the Wolf Eagle’s critical strike card deals a bit more damage than the Biting Battle Technique’s critical strike card, your decision is flawed." Le Yu scoffed: "Put your hand out."

Reluctantly, Qing Lan stretched out a hand, and Le Yu instantly smacked it, causing Qing Lan’s palm to smart painfully.

"Young lord, can we just play cards without these added penalties?" Qing Lan rubbed her palm and complained: "Can’t we play normally without having to smack palms for a little loss of blood?"

"It’s all because you’re not playing seriously," Le Yu sneered, "Do you think I don’t know you’re deliberately winning one round and losing three, winning one and losing three? You learn to play cards so quickly yet act like a rookie, without some added stakes, how can I compel your true strength?"

"If you don’t want to get smacked, then give it your all, besides, you can hit me too!"

Qing Lan shook her head: "Young lord, it seems you’re not afraid to be hit, are you cheating?"

She found out my trait of being Fearless of Pain... Le Yu’s expression unchanged: "How could anyone possibly not fear pain, would I, the young lord, deceive you? Let’s do it this way, as long as you win a round, the punishment of smacking palm for the second round will be canceled. Conversely, if you lose, the second round requires the palm smack."

Qing Lan muttered quietly, yet obediently continued to play cards, and Le Yu could finally enjoy a thrilling and exciting battle card duel at home—Qing Lan at full strength was still slightly weaker than him but quite formidable, requiring Le Yu’s full concentration in the game.

After several rounds, Le Yu glanced at his pocket watch, and suddenly stood up, Qing Lan immediately inquired: "Young lord, where are you going so late?"

"To Half City." Le Yu put on his coat, casually said: "Tonight, I will formally lead the patrol team on duty."

"Not coming back tonight?"

"No, you’re better off sleeping early."

Qing Lan nodded slightly: "Safe travels."

Le Yu pushed open the study door, his relaxed gaze suddenly turned sinister.

Tonight is a good opportunity.

Qin Le Yin, during the meeting a few days ago, dropped a bombshell and slipped away.

This time, finally can see what kind of scheme this Crimson Blood Young Lord is plotting in his mind!