How does Lin Wanwan’s sect always act so unconventionally? Lin Wanwan herself isn’t exactly a rule-following noble lady, but her senior brother is even more extraordinary; Xiao Chong has never seen someone slip a group of beggars and slaves into a yearly gift! Slaves are one thing, but can beggars be casually given away too? The fact that they could get on the ship was a surprise to Xiao Chong. If they had proper indenture documents it might be easier to explain, but there were no real records like identification papers, permits, or indenture contracts. This showed just how chaotic the management at Qiong County’s docks was. These vagabonds who leave their native places without permission are lucky if they’re only beaten with a cane and sent back home; those without a native place could be directly exiled to borderlands or mines for hard labor, which is truly tragic. However, these beggars are all just children, not even near adulthood yet. Whether it’s sending them back to their native place or to the borderlands, it’s too cruel. Normally, such little beggars should be raised by the local government’s orphanage or by a charitable nursing facility run by a Buddhist Temple. But in reality, some corners are neglected by both the government and the Buddha. Xiao Chong had seen plenty of these situations; he was just speechless at Lin Wanwan’s senior brother’s recklessness. The other party is wandering the world freely, the court can’t even catch a glimpse of him. But Lin Wanwan is still in Mao County; if held accountable, naturally she would be the one questioned as the recipient. If someone else had been the County Magistrate of Mao County today, the appearance of these ten orphans could have caused trouble for Lin Wanwan. Thinking of this, Xiao Chong couldn’t help but smile. Chapters first released on novel fire.net Lin Wanwan’s senior brother must have calculated that Xiao Chong would abuse his power to help them! "Heh." Xiao Chong laughed, since they’re so reckless, they surely wouldn’t mind being fined extra Copper Coins. Hmm, this could just be considered as aid for constructing Ta Mountain Dam. Setting this topic aside, Xiao Chong began to ask Sun Chuyao about other matters. Before departing, Sun Chuyao received Lin Wanwan’s instructions to say that the goods and people on this ship were a New Year’s gift from a certain gentleman named Zhen Shiyin to Hou Tao Lin’s Lin Wanwan, no matter who asked. Sun Chuyao was somewhat clever, and he memorized Lin Wanwan’s words. He believed his master to be an Immortal, so of course, whatever the master instructed, he would do without questioning. After witnessing the arrival of an Immortal with his own eyes, Sun Chuyao’s courage had grown enormously; who in this world could be more formidable than his master? What does a County Magistrate compare? Thus, even with the imposing Xiao Chong seated before him, eyes flashing with wisdom and seeming to see through everything, Sun Chuyao held up without showing fear. "Did your gentleman say to give this letter to the official if you couldn’t find Hou Tao Lin’s family?" Sun Chuyao lowered his eyes and bowed, replying, "Yes." Xiao Chong, holding a letter that wasn’t sealed, suddenly smiled, unfolded the letter with ease, and began reading. The handwriting in the letter was peculiar, neat yet soulless (like printed calligraphy), and the ink wasn’t any he had commonly seen, somehow evenly spread on the paper, with the paper itself being something unheard of. According to Lin Wanwan’s description of her senior brother, he was a carefree Ranger who loved wandering the world. How could such a person write in a style so neat yet devoid of soul? Judging by the script, one could understand the person; Lin Wanwan’s senior brother couldn’t be so dull as to lack soul, maybe it was intentionally clumsy? Xiao Chong’s mind was full of questions, but after he finished reading the contents of the letter, his expression changed. It contained records of cotton cultivation methods, seed removal processes, and textile technology, and even sent along a modified foot-operated four-spindle spinning wheel, supposedly gifted by a woman who had drifted from Mao County to Qiong State called Huang Daopo, for him to return to his homeland. This matter is greatly beneficial to the people’s livelihood. As County Magistrate, Xiao Chong understood too well the impact this could have on Mao County’s textile industry. He no longer fretted over the font, ink, or paper, but focused on the spinning wheel and scutching wheel blueprints, quietly pondering. The staff beside him, Xiao Ce, curiously asked, "Zifang, what’s written on these sheets that changed your expression?" Xiao Chong, without a word, passed the letter to Xiao Ce, while fixating intensely on Sun Chuyao, causing Sun Chuyao immense psychological pressure, to the point sweat was breaking out on his forehead. This County Magistrate was as rare in appearance as Sun Chuyao’s master, with skin so fair it was translucent, flawless contours making him seem less than human, like an Immortal. But his demeanor was different; despite his beauty, there was absolutely no softness, instead his sudden sharp gaze enhanced his masculine dominance. At this moment, just by keeping a straight face and staring at him, the pressure was so overwhelming Sun Chuyao could scarcely breathe! After a while, Xiao Chong waved his hand, letting Sun Chuyao retreat. Once outside, the cold wind blew, Sun Chuyao couldn’t help but shudder, realizing then that his rough hemp clothes were already soaked through with sweat. Alas, though he was the Immortal’s person, he himself was not an Immortal; facing officials still made it impossible to remain genuinely unconcerned. Inside the house, Xiao Ce finished reading the letter, feeling the need to reassess Lin Wanwan’s sect, and laughed heartily, "Zifang, your political merit has come again. At this rate, I’m worried before Ta Mountain Dam is completed, you’ll already be promoted." Despite saying he was worried, Xiao Ce’s tone was full of amusement. Xiao Chong calmly replied, "Promotion or not, what does it have to do with political merit." Xiao Ce looked at him, saying, "For others, perhaps not, but for you, it’s enough." "You know I don’t care about these things." Xiao Chong stopped him from continuing, laughed, and said, "Let’s go, let’s board the ship together and see these good things." By the time Lin Wanwan visited Sun Chuyao and received the New Year’s greeting letter and gift list from her senior brother "Zhen Shiyin," it was already the third day after the notification. Lin Wanwan sat on the family’s dilapidated fishing boat, which could be smacked against the deck if the waves were even a little large, heading to South Pier to receive the big ship. Knowing that Lin Wanwan’s senior brother not only sent her a ship full of New Year’s gifts but the ship itself too, her clansmen were thrilled. As Lin Wanwan said, this ship would be used by the clansmen for fishing, and from here on, aside from paying taxes, the catch wouldn’t be sold elsewhere, but all sent to Lin Wanwan for processing. Such heavenly fortune surely made everyone happy! Upon seeing Lin Wanwan’s appearance, Sun Chuyao, guarding the ship, was filled with joy and immediately called her master. Lin Wanwan regarded him with a half-smile, calmly saying, "So, are you also someone my senior brother sent over?" Sun Chuyao was puzzled, wasn’t this person his Immortal master? But he quickly caught on and cleverly followed up, "Yes, the little one was following orders from Mister Zhen to come find the Madam, and Mister instructed me to listen to Madam’s commands from now on."