Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 344 Using Backdoors

After leaving Baimiao Village, the carriage traveled for another half hour before arriving at a large village.

The stilted houses are densely packed on the hillside, layer upon layer, numbering at least a hundred.

The village is surrounded by a bamboo fence, which is covered with unknown vines and tiny white flowers.

At the entrance of the village stand several tall totem poles, each as thick as a person's embrace.

It is carved with a ferocious beast face, painted with red and white paint, and black stones are inlaid in the beast's eyes, which glow faintly in the sunlight.

Several people stood at the village entrance, dressed much more elegantly than the villagers before them—in brocade robes, silver crowns, and belts inlaid with gemstones.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, who looked shrewd.

He saw the carriage, hurried over, and spoke fluent Mandarin:

"Your Excellency, the Prince of Zhenbei, have graced us with your presence. I am deeply sorry for failing to greet you properly!"

Lin Chen got off the carriage and glanced at him.

The man was in his forties, with a burly build, wearing three gold rings on his hands and a thumb-sized jadeite inlaid on his belt.

He was followed by several attendants, each with a curved sword at his waist, the scabbards inlaid with silver ornaments.

Lin Chen asked, "Who are you?"

The man quickly replied, "My surname is Huang, and I am the chieftain of the Huang Miao tribe. I heard that Your Highness is coming to Nan Yue for a visit, so I came to welcome you."

The Huang Miao tribe was one of the wealthiest tribes among the hundred tribes of southern Vietnam, and it monopolized several tea routes and trade routes in southern Vietnam.

The Imperial City Guard's intelligence report mentioned that the Huang Miao tribe was closest to the Dayan merchants and was also the most adept at business.

Lin Chen nodded: "Clan Chief Huang, you're too kind."

Chief Huang, beaming, stepped aside to make way for him.

"Your Highness, please. I have prepared a small feast in the village. I hope Your Highness will do me the honor of joining me."

Lin Chen followed him into the village.

The village was indeed impressive; the stilted houses were much larger than those in the previous village, and some of them even had red lanterns hanging in front of them.

In the center of the village is a square paved with bluestone slabs. Next to the square is a particularly large bamboo building, three stories high, with upturned eaves and corners, and two stone lions are placed at the entrance.

Chief Huang led Lin Chen into the bamboo house, where a banquet had already been prepared.

The tables and chairs were made of mahogany, the tableware was made of porcelain, and the dishes were plentiful.

Braised fish, roasted venison, stewed ginseng chicken, and stir-fried mountain delicacies filled the table.

The wine was poured from a silver pot, and its aroma was enticing.

Chief Huang was very attentive, constantly urging people to drink:

"Your Highness, this is the best wine in our Southern Yue region, called 'Hundred Flowers Wine,' made with wildflowers and honey from the mountains. Please try it."

Lin Chen took a sip and found it to be quite good, sweet but with a strong aftereffect.

He put down his cup and looked at Chief Huang:

"Chief Huang, your village is quite wealthy."

"Thanks to His Highness's blessing," Chief Huang said with a fawning smile.

"In the past two years, more merchants have come from Dayan, and tea and medicinal herbs are selling well, so life has become a bit easier."

Lin Chen nodded, picked up a piece of fish, and ate it slowly.

Chief Huang stood cautiously by his side, occasionally offering a few polite words:

"When the prince toured the land, corrupt officials trembled with fear, and the people lined the streets to welcome him. It was truly a joyous occasion!"

Although we from Nanyue are not from Dayan, we were still filled with fervor upon hearing this.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Clan Chief Huang is quite well-informed."

Chief Huang chuckled, "No, no, how can you do business if you're not well-informed?"

After several rounds of drinks, Chief Huang suddenly lowered his voice:

"Your Highness, I have a favor to ask."

Lin Chen put down his chopsticks: "Speak."

Chief Huang rubbed his hands together:

"The caravans of the common people used to get stuck on the road to the southern capital."

Not only are the taxes high, but we are also frequently harassed. Could Your Highness provide a token that would allow my caravan to travel freely within the territory of Dayan?

Lin Chen looked at him without saying anything.

Chief Huang quickly added, "I'm not asking for this for nothing. I'm willing to pay an extra 10% of my taxes to the Dayan Dynasty every year."

In addition, a batch of tribute is sent to the prince every year…”

"Clan Chief Huang," Lin Chen waved his hand, interrupting Clan Chief Huang.

"I don't directly manage the caravan's affairs, but there's one rule I need to make clear to you."

The taxes of Dayuan must be paid in full, not a penny less, and not a penny more.

As long as you don't evade taxes or smuggle contraband, the checkpoints in Dayan won't give you any trouble. As for the token...

Lin Chen paused for a moment, then said, "No need. The rules of the Great Evolution apply the same to everyone."

Chief Huang was stunned for a moment. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but when he met Lin Chen's eyes, he swallowed his words.

That look wasn't a consultation; it was telling him the outcome.

Chief Huang quickly smiled and raised his wine cup:

"Your Highness is a wise man; I offer you a toast."

The two clinked glasses, and Lin Chen put down his glass and continued:

"Clan Chief Huang, you're in business, you should know one thing—only when the rules are established can business be done well."

You pay your taxes and follow your proper path; Dayan will not make things difficult for you.

But if you want to take shortcuts or get special treatment…

Lin Chen smiled but didn't continue.

But Chief Huang felt a chill run down his spine and nodded repeatedly:

"I understand, I understand."

After finishing his meal, Lin Chen took his leave.

Chief Huang escorted them to the village entrance, took out a jade pendant from his robes, and presented it to them with both hands.

"Your Highness, this is just a small token of my respect, nothing more."

Lin Chen glanced at it.

The jade pendant is of excellent quality, entirely emerald green, with intricate array patterns carved on it, and faintly emanating a spiritual energy.

A defensive magic weapon capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Grandmaster at the peak is considered a treasure in the Great Yan realm.

But Lin Chen waved his hand and said indifferently, "No need."

Chief Huang immediately became anxious: "Your Highness, I will not feel at ease if you do not accept it."

Lin Chen thought for a moment, then took it and casually put it in his pocket:

"Okay, I'll take it, but let me make this clear from the start: even if I accept the goods, the rules still apply, and I can't skimp on the taxes."

Chief Huang nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right, I understand."

The carriage continued forward, and Lan Fenghuang laughed beside it:

"Husband, you accepted their jade pendant but didn't give them any special treatment. Chief Huang will probably be heartbroken for days."

Lin Chen took out the jade pendant, looked at it, and casually tossed it to Lan Fenghuang:

"It's yours. This thing may be valuable to others, but it's just so-so to me."

He gave the jade pendant not to use connections, but to buy peace of mind.

If I don't accept it, he won't be able to sleep.

Lan Fenghuang took the jade pendant, examined it from all angles, and then tucked it into her bosom.

"That's true. The Hundred Tribes of Nanyue have been bullied by the officials of Dayan for years, and they want to give gifts to any official they see."

Lin Chen leaned back on the cushion and crossed his legs: "So I accepted it to put his mind at ease, but the rules can't be broken, or everything will fall into chaos."

Lan Fenghuang nodded and leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder.

The carriage swayed and moved forward, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows inside.

Lingbo continued walking beside the carriage, unhurried and unhurried.

She glanced at Lin Chen, then at the jade pendant in Lan Fenghuang's arms, her lips curving slightly before quickly regaining their composure.