Chapter 27 Mr. Lu's Guidance

Lin Yan felt somewhat helpless, for he had come in his true identity following Han Commander's earlier suggestion.

So today, it wasn't the Flag Commander of Linjiang Station who came, nor was it the ruthless Wu Chang; rather it was the ordinary folk from the outer neighborhood, the third son of the Lin Family, Lin Yan.

During this visit, to avoid losing the proper etiquette, he had even bought some gifts along the way.

But just now he had also heard about these gestures from the inner city powers.

Some hosted banquets, some gifted ancient paintings and calligraphy, others offered Divine Weapons, and there were also those who presented Jiao Linma horses capable of traveling thousands of li daily.

Moreover, he had heard that the City Guard Mansion, under the guise of an academy, intended to gift three residences.

In comparison, the cured meat and fine salt in his hand seemed rather modest.

And the stewards of various powers, seeing this young man in worn clothes holding such humble gifts, made no attempt to conceal the scorn, ridicule, and disgust in their eyes.

The residents of the inner city, not just the stewards of various powers but even the lowest menial workers, always felt a sense of superiority over the lower-class populace of the outer city.

If it hadn't been in Mr. Lu's courtyard, they would have already ordered their subordinates to drive this lowlife from the outer city away.

"..."

Originally, Lin Yan wasn't particularly concerned about these people's gazes.

But the issue was that he had come in his true identity.

Given the crowded and complicated nature involving the inner city powers, he had intended to keep a low profile.

If it weren't for that middle-aged man looking over, he would have already retreated along the alley.

At that moment, however, he heard Mr. Lu's voice emanating from inside the courtyard.

Soon after, he noticed the sudden stiffness in the previously scornful and disdainful eyes of the stewards of various powers.

This was then replaced by shock, confusion, and astonishment.

Eventually, it all turned into scrutinizing and sizing up with a cautious demeanor.

Even many of those quick-witted ones had instantly changed their mindset, slightly nodding their heads in his direction, making a subtle gesture of goodwill.

"Why is this old gentleman putting me in such a position?"

Lin Yan felt slightly astonished in his heart, "After today, I'm afraid even Lin Yan, this obscure fellow, can no longer remain hidden."

He felt helpless and sighed, then entered the courtyard.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, faced with the complex expressions of various powers, didn't wait for others to speak and immediately shut the courtyard gate.

"I've seen Mr. Lu."

Upon entering the courtyard, Lin Yan placed the gifts aside and gave a bow.

However, Mr. Lu seemed not too pleased, frowning at the one jin of snow-white fine salt.

Seeing this, Lin Yan wasn't dissatisfied; he figured that compared to the gifts outside, it really did seem rather meager.

"Are you very rich?"

Mr. Lu slowly began speaking indifferently, "One jin of fine salt can be exchanged for two jin of coarse salt and four jin if it's lesser quality salt."

High Willow City is not situated by the sea, nor does it have salt mines within the city.

Salt is transported from other regions.

In this era, once night falls, it becomes perilous.

Thus, traders rarely travel long distances.

The salt that reaches High Willow City often changes hands several times, passes through numerous cities, and is dealt in by various traders, all while needing to be protected from moisture, rain, theft, and evil spirits during transit.

Therefore, in High Willow City, the price of salt is relatively high.

As for inferior salt, some of it is due to poor refinement, having too many impurities, while much of it deteriorates during transport, mostly due to exposure to moisture or filth.

"You also come from a poor background, save some silver taels from now on."

Mr. Lu set the bag of fine salt aside and said, "Take it back, exchange it for inferior salt, and just bring a jin of that next time."

The middle-aged man at the side showed a surprised expression.

He knew Mr. Lu very well, and he wasn't usually such a patient person.

To have the other party take the gift back was expected, given that he had declined enough gifts recently to fill several horse carts.

Yet, Mr. Lu had said to bring a jin of inferior salt next time.

This meant Mr. Lu was willing to accept his gift and was even more willing to welcome his next visit.

Mr. Lu wanted to befriend this young man!

The middle-aged man's heart stirred slightly. According to his understanding, this was Mr. Lu warning the other party, a person of humble origins, to remember frugality and to never forget his true self, so as not to develop a character of arrogance and indulgence in the future.

While many thoughts surfaced in his mind, he saw Mr. Lu look deeply at him.

The middle-aged man then bowed and quickly withdrew.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lu withdrew his gaze and pushed the teacup in front of him away, saying indifferently, "The twelve junior flags of Linjiang Square have not been chosen yet?"

"There is not yet a candidate."

"How about I recommend someone for you?"

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Lu."

"This person is named Lin Yan."

"..."

Seeing this young man, who had been calm since entering the courtyard, now showing a look of astonishment, the old man finally smiled with satisfaction, appearing quite proud.

"Just now outside the courtyard, did you resent me for calling you in front of everyone?"

"Mr. Lu, you exaggerate," Lin Yan said.

"You disguised yourself as Wu Chang, intending not to reveal your identity, yet today I saw no one from the City Guard Mansion, but specifically saw you, an obscure youth from a poor family."

Mr. Lu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "From today onward, the various powers within the inner city will start to remember this name..."

He set down the teacup and said, "Today, someone will probably investigate you, but as for the current Lin Yan, they should find out nothing significant."

The current Lin Yan, relatively speaking, is a blank slate, with little to find out.

But the future Lin Yan might unavoidably leave many traces behind.

If today I allow the various factions to become familiar with this name, believing they understand Lin Yan's background,

then when Lin Yan appears in the messages of various factions in the future, they will most likely not investigate further.

"You are already the Flag Commander of Linjiang Square, which elevates your status somewhat and increases the attention on you."

"Unless you forever remain as Wu Chang, once you return to being Lin Yan, traces will inevitably appear."

"For example, if you return to being Lin Yan, then the Flag Commander Wu Chang of Linjiang Square can only disappear."

"But how can the Flag Commander of Linjiang Square, with such significant responsibilities, just disappear easily?"

Mr. Lu hinted, speaking slowly, "Some events happen suddenly and are unpredictable... Your subordinates should always be able to find you."

Lin Yan, upon hearing this, pondered and nodded.

The aspect he found somewhat troublesome today was exactly this.

Switching between two completely unrelated identities inevitably leaves traces.

"After today, 'Lin Yan' will be a junior flag under Wu Chang."

Mr. Lu spoke calmly, "And he will also be the intermediary between me and my son."

Lin Yan slightly furrowed his brow, showing a thoughtful expression.

Having two unconnected identities would certainly be ideal.

If one day Wu Chang encounters a problem,

then Lin Yan will just disappear but not implicate the Lin Family.

However, if Lin Yan, as a junior flag under Wu Chang, might get embroiled…and consequently, endanger the entire Lin Family.

"As Wu Chang formally documented as a Flag Commander with the Observatory, if trouble arises in the future involving various forces, I might not be able to interfere,"

Mr. Lu added tea to his cup and said calmly, "But as an insignificant junior flag, since he is familiar with me, whoever makes a move against him must give me some face... at the very least, they must show some respect to the chief of the Twelve Temple Priests at the Wutong Temple."

At this, he spoke softly, "From now on, you also need not deliberately cover the traces between these two identities, which will make many things easier for you... Your subordinates, if in urgent need, can seek Lin Yan instead of reporting to the 'Flag Commander Wu Chang'."

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Lu."

Lin Yan rose and bowed.

"It is a small matter..."

Mr. Lu put down his teacup and said indifferently, "You possess a proud spirit, even more so than Han Commander in his youth. I initially thought you wouldn't visit. Did you come today because you sensed trouble for yourself?"