Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

There wasn't much interaction between Chen Mo and the Jiangdong Wu Family, so regarding Wu Changlin's arrival, he could vaguely guess a few things.

Regarding Chen Mo's attitude, Wu Changlin wasn't surprised, nor did he feel flattered; instead, he thought Chen Mo should behave that way.

Of course, being afraid of Chen Mo's weapons was one thing, but in his heart, Wu Changlin looked down on Chen Mo.

For the truly Noble Families, it's all about one's background.

At that time, when the Celestial Master Army swept through the Northern Land, causing a huge uproar, none of the Seven Great Noble Families associated themselves with the Celestial Master Army.

It wasn't just the Seven Great Noble Families; any of those old Noble Families wouldn't look up to the Celestial Master Army.

In Wu Changlin's heart, Chen Mo was just a mud-legged peasant, a man of the wilderness, a coarse person who, by sheer luck, reached his current position, which was nothing noteworthy.

And the Wu Family is a millennium-old Noble Family, enduring through several dynasties, with deep culture and a long history.

(During the Tang Dynasty, even the Five Families and Seven Clans didn't look up to the Imperial Family.)

Of course, looking down is one thing, but his own cultivation told him to show no sign of disdain on the surface, so he bowed and said, "I am Wu Changlin of the Jiangdong Wu Family, greetings to Marquis Pingting."

After some pleasantries, Chen Mo invited Wu Changlin to take the main seat, but Wu Changlin preferred to sit at the lower position, and Chen Mo did not insist, directing his people to serve tea.

After Wu Changlin sipped the tea, Chen Mo smiled and said, "I wonder what important matters brought Young Clan Leader Wu on such a long journey?"

"I've long heard that Marquis Pingting is a young hero, and seeing you now, indeed the reputation is well-deserved, you are truly remarkable..." Wu Changlin also flattered him a bit before getting to the main point:

"Since entering Yu State, I've seen that its order is stable, the people are harmonious and well-off, presenting a bustling and prosperous scene, which is not easy in these chaotic times.

I know the marquis does not wish to start a war but desires his people to be happy, healthy, and to thrive in peace. As for our Wu Family, we have always loved peace, and now with Marquis's Linzhou as our neighbor, for the peace, security, and prosperity of the people on both sides, I specially represent the millions of people in Jiangdong to come to form a friendly alliance with the marquis and to engage in mutual commerce..."

In essence, it meant, don't attack us, and we won't provoke you; let's live in peace.

But Chen Mo deliberately pretended not to understand, saying, "Young Clan Leader Wu, is there some misunderstanding between us?"

Wu Changlin: "???"

"Jiangdong has always been a major tax area for the Court and has never failed to pay taxes. The Wu Family has never colluded with traitorous factions, and we are loyal ministers and pillars of the Great Song. As I'm the Court's General of the Western Expedition, and Young Clan Leader Wu and I are both ministers of the Great Song, working for the Court and Your Majesty.

So, we are already friendly neighbors, why form an alliance? Isn't that redundant…"

Wu Changlin: "..."

So young, yet so glib.

By your words, it seems like my Wu Family and you are in cahoots.

Stop pulling strings here.

Wu Changlin remained silent for a while, then smiled, saying, "Isn't that right, that's what I thought too, but the people of Jiangdong are scared. While the Wu Family trusts the marquis, the people do not understand you. In these troubled times, the people fear the marquis's might, feeling uneasy.

As representatives of the Jiangdong people, the Wu Family naturally needs to help dispel this unease, and I hope the marquis understands."

"Oh——"

Hearing this, Chen Mo deliberately stretched his tone, frowning, and said, "Is there really such a thing?"

"Indeed." Wu Changlin sighed, lowered his head, and sipped his tea, yet his attention remained on Chen Mo, wanting to see how he would solve this.

Seeing him drink tea, Chen Mo also took a sip, brushing the surface of the tea cup, and said, "It's said that Jiangnan tea is good, especially the early pick, tender, fragrant, sweet to the taste, leaving a long aftertaste, but it's a pity I just can't seem to get any."

"If the marquis likes it, our clan has recently acquired some, and I'll send it to you." Wu Changlin said.

"Eh, how can that be appropriate?" Chen Mo put down the cup and said, "One should not take without merit, especially since I heard this type of tea doesn't come cheap."

Seeing Chen Mo meandering in conversation, with the topic veering who knows where, Wu Changlin realized Chen Mo was someone who would not release the hawk until he saw the hare, and said, "What are you saying, marquis. For someone like you who serves the country and the people, let alone drinking first pick tea, even giving a tea mountain wouldn't be too much."

"Young Clan Leader overpraises me too much."

"I'm speaking from the heart." Wu Changlin also put down his cup and said, "The marquis works hard for the country, and for the peace and stability of our two peoples, on behalf of the Wu Family, I offer three hundred thousand coins to the marquis to use for improving the people's livelihood."

Chen Mo feigned surprise, then became serious, "What does Young Clan Leader mean by this? I, Chen Mo, hold an official position and title granted by His Majesty, living on the Court's salary; how could I accept money from your Wu Family, what would that make me then?"

Afterward, he even criticized Wu Changlin.

Wu Changlin: "..."

Where's your sense of shame?

"The marquis misunderstood, this little amount is just a token of my regard, not intended as an insult, and it's meant for the people," Wu Changlin said.

After declining a few more times, Chen Mo finally "reluctantly" accepted it, saying, "Since it's Young Clan Leader's intention, I'll accept it on behalf of the people of Linzhou and thank you, Young Clan Leader."

Wu Changlin smiled and nodded, just when he thought the matter could be put to rest.

Chen Mo then said, "It's said that Jiangdong girls are gentle, quiet, and can speak the soft Wu dialect. Here I am, nineteen and soon to come of age, yet still unmarried, alas..."

Wu Changlin: "..."

How could he not understand this implication.

So shameless, taking money wasn't enough, he's also eyeing Wu Family girls.

Wu Changlin pretended not to hear.

If a Wu Family girl were to marry him, they would be bound together permanently.

He only wants peace, not to get involved in the upheaval of this world.

Moreover, you're not qualified...

Wu Changlin smiled and said, "Jiangnan girls are even more superior, but if the marquis truly likes them, our clan has a few well-taught good family girls who can be sent to you."

The "good family girls" he referred to were maids raised by the Wu Family from childhood.

Seeing Wu Changlin playing dumb, Chen Mo's heart sank slightly; he truly wanted to marry a Wu Family girl. To develop further, it's quite difficult without the help of a Noble Family.

But he couldn't say it directly; that would be lowering himself, and if the other party still refused, it would be a loss of face.

"One wife is enough; why would I need several?" Chen Mo smiled and declined, then immediately said, "Since Young Clan Leader is in Yu State, you must have heard of Fu Ze Hot Pot. It's getting late; I invite Young Clan Leader to Fu Ze Hot Pot Restaurant for a meal."

Wu Changlin knew Chen Mo was expressing discontent with this, but he certainly wasn't going to agree to marrying a Wu Family girl.

Thus, he indirectly expressed his willingness to give Chen Mo fifty thousand stone of grain as well.

Only then did Chen Mo smile, saying that Wu Changlin was indeed his good friend.