Volume 2 Wu Zhong Ke Chapter 42 Lake Cruise

  The horse carriage circled around on the road, and after confirming that Yin Xu had left, it returned to the shore of Zhenze Lake. A pleasure boat that was touring the lake happened to come over, and under Fan Qing's escort, Fan Yilan stepped onto the linked wooden boards and boarded the pleasure boat.

  "Father, elder brother!" As soon as she entered the cabin, Fan Yilan gave a gentle courtesy.

  In the cabin sat two men, one old and one young. The older man was over forty years old, with fair skin and a refined air about him. Although he looked somewhat frail, his eyes sparkled with intelligence, especially his calm and unruffled gaze, which made it impossible to guess what he was thinking. A faint smile played on his lips, making him seem affable and approachable. This man was none other than Fan Yilan's father - Fan Wenxuan.

  Another man in his early twenties, with a face very similar to Fan Wenyuan's. Perhaps due to years of traveling outside, his skin looked slightly darker. It was Fan Yilan's older brother - Fan Yang, who was more robust and stronger than his father, young but shrewd and capable, steady and accomplished.

  "Yilan, sit down!"

  Fan Yilan sat down, and soon a maid brought up fragrant tea and pastries. Although the pleasure boat was small, it had everything one could need. There were sailors, servants, and even sword-bearing guards - not one was missing.

  "How's it going? Have you told him everything?" Fan Wenyuan asked with a smile while sipping his tea.

  Fan Yilan nodded slightly: "It's all what he wants to know, and his daughter has already answered his questions."

  "So you said he believed it all?" Fan Wenyuan's hand holding the teacup paused, and he looked up to ask.

  Fan Yilan shook her head: "Maybe believe, maybe don't believe, or only half believe, daughter is not very sure."

  "Oh?" Fan Yang suddenly became interested and asked in doubt: "Can't you little sister be sure either?"

  "Yes, I can have a good grasp of others, but Yin Xu... is really unpredictable. Moreover, he often turns around to probe me." Fan Yilan felt slightly disheartened.

  "So little sister has met her match?" Fan Yang was actually quite curious about this.

  Fan Wenyuan, who was sitting in the main seat, asked with interest: "So it seems that this Yin Dong has some extraordinary aspects, and even my family's Yilan can't grasp it. Tell me about it in detail!"

  Fan Yilan's face slightly flushed as she said, "Today, I told him the truth and falsehoods in a ratio of five to five, informing him of the causes and consequences. It concerns the imperial family's secrets and the royal clan's power struggles, but he didn't show any surprise, remaining extremely calm. Prince Fu Su, General Meng, and Prime Minister Li, these people seem ordinary to him. He seems to have guessed a few parts of the situation, but doesn't know the inside story, so he can't make sense of it."

  "There is also this person's knowledge, according to the investigation, he was originally a small helper in Xiangxi Town, Fan County, and had no opportunity to read books or study. However, he has a very good understanding of the overall situation, and his conversation and insights are quite unique. As for the elixir of immortality, his daughter just nodded, and he guessed it, and after a round of theoretical discussion, everything became clear. From his past actions and Fan Qing's observations by his side, it can be seen that this person has extensive knowledge and extraordinary plans, which is not consistent with his background. The local people all say that he was enlightened by the heavenly girl, perhaps it's true."

  "It's better not to believe in such superstitious and absurd things!" Fan Yang disagreed with this.

  "But his skills are genuine, a teenager can lead a group of extremely evil thieves, it's clear that this person is not simple. Fan Qing can prove that the thieves are all obedient to him, respectful and excellent, which is not something an ordinary person can do. And that cavalry cutting technique, where he cuts off the horse's leg with his sword, I've seen it with my own eyes, it's indeed effective, you can see how clever and resourceful he is!"

  "An Tong led an army of five thousand to suppress the bandits, facing fifty times as many elite government troops. Ordinary thieves would definitely choose to hide. He was different, daring to confront them head-on, with a hundred clever plans, making the government army suffer greatly, and his courage was not lacking either. Several consecutive normal battles can be seen that his ability to govern the army and fight wars is not small."

  "There is another point, when Yin Xu was a bandit at Peng Li Ze Pan, he robbed the rich and helped the poor, never doing anything evil, his reputation was extremely good, and he was very popular among the common people. It can be seen that he has a long-term vision and knows how to win people's hearts."

  "Oh?" Listening to this, Fan Yang couldn't help but laugh and said to Fan Yilan: "According to Little Sister's words, this person is perfect in every way, with no flaws at all?"

  Fan Yilan gave her brother a white eye and said with a pout: "Dad, look at big brother, I'm talking about serious business here."

  Watching the young couple's banter, Fan Wenyuan just smiled and said: "If that's really the case, then Yin Xu is indeed a rare talent. He may have great potential in the future, worth our cultivation."

  Fan Yang said: "When we select people, the first thing is their ambition. Now he has surrendered to Xiang Liang's command and is living under someone else's roof!"

  Fan Yilan said, "Big brother is wrong to say that. This is where he is clever, knowing his own strength is weak, so he relies on Xiang Liang and joins forces with him. I don't think that back then he was just a common thief, I once spent a lot of money to hire him, but he wasn't moved by it at all. Today is different from the past, his ambitions have changed, now he has no choice but to accumulate strength under Xiang Liang's command, and who knows, maybe one day he'll make a comeback?"

  "Alas, little sister! So this person is still not reliable. It's better to have Item Liang and his nephew, as well as Tian Heng and the others come, they are more down-to-earth." Fan Yang said with a hint of a smile.

  Fan Yilan said displeased: "Now the Qin state has just revealed its defeat, and it's still early for heroes to compete for the throne. This time we must be cautious and make a choice later."

  "Haha!" Fan Yang laughed and said: "Little sister, I was just teasing you. Could it be that..."

  Fan Yilan looked at her brother's inexplicable smile, suddenly understood, and gave Fan Yang a fierce white eye. In her heart, she inadvertently thought of that handsome face, the resolute back, and her face slightly red, finding an excuse to leave.

  Only two people were left in the cabin, father and son.

  Fan Yang said: "Father, is it not because of Yin Xu that little sister has become like this?"

  "Haha!" Fan Wenyuan's signature smile: "Yilan is also grown up now, and she has her own thoughts. As long as she likes it, that's fine!"

  "Then this Yin Xu..."

  Fan Wenxuan calmly said, "You have to believe that Yilan's vision won't be too bad, just pay attention carefully. Today, borrowing Yilan's mouth, is only to dispel part of the doubts in his heart, lest he suspect my family and create unnecessary trouble."

  "As Yi Lan said, the Qin state has just shown signs of decline, and the heroes are vying for dominance. The day when we will compete for hegemony is still early. Let's ask the elders of our clan to decide together at that time. This time, we can't afford to make any mistakes!"

  "Yes! Remember this, child!"

  "Alright!" Fan Wenyuan continued, "The family business will temporarily come to a halt, ensuring the safety of all clan members. Also, secretly store grain and fodder in our warehouses across various regions, they will be of great use later."

  "Dad, don't worry, I'll take care of it."