kvmb Chapter 16 Lin Xiao's Plan: Solving the Floods in Jiangnan
Chapter 16 Lin Xiao's Plan: Solving the Floods in Jiangnan
Xiaodie searched frantically through the streets and alleys like a headless fly, her heart filled with anxiety, tears welling in her eyes, almost blurring her vision. She hurried along, oblivious to her surroundings, when she happened to bump into the Ninth Prince leaving the manor.
At this moment, Xiaodie's heart was filled with concern for her young mistress's safety. Upon seeing Murong Yi, she completely disregarded etiquette, knelt down with a thud, and tightly grasped Murong Yi's clothes with both hands, pleading with tears streaming down her face, "Your Highness, please find my young mistress! My young mistress is missing, and I am extremely anxious. My young mistress is a good person, and she cannot be harmed."
Murong Yi looked at Xiao Die, whose face was streaked with tears and who was in a disheveled state, and felt a pang of guilt and pity. He quickly bent down to help Xiao Die up and gently comforted her, "Don't panic. I will do my best to find Miss Lin. Please get up."
Xiao Die stood up, sobbing. Murong Yi frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "I will go with you to explore the route we took earlier and find some clues."
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoqian, inside the bandits' lair, remained calm. She pondered the situation, and a daring plan began to form in her mind:
The Jiangnan region was suffering from severe floods, causing immense hardship for the people and leaving the imperial court in a state of utter distress. If these bandits could be mobilized to use their looted wealth to resolve these crises, it would be a win-win situation. The bandits would not only gain the trust and praise of the people, cleanse themselves of their sins, and return to the right path, but they would also solve the court's immediate crisis and gain a favorable opportunity for amnesty. Thus, it would be a win-win situation.
Lin Xiaoqian calmly and methodically revealed his plan to the bandits, explaining his long-planned scheme: "I know you may all have your reasons for becoming outlaws, but I have a plan that can help you completely change your situation and accomplish a righteous act. The whole world knows that the Jiangnan region is suffering from severe flooding, and the people are in dire straits. Although the imperial court is willing to provide relief, it is hampered by various difficulties. The wealth you have previously plundered can now be the key to resolving this crisis."
Upon hearing this, the bandits were first taken aback, then began whispering amongst themselves and discussing the matter.
The bandit leader broke the silence first, speaking with a suspicious look on his face: "You make it sound so easy. We are criminals in the eyes of the imperial court, we make a living by robbery, how could the court easily believe us, how could they believe that we want to reform? Isn't there some kind of conspiracy involved?"
Lin Xiaoqian remained calm and composed, his gaze fixed firmly on the bandit leader's eyes. He responded neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Please allow me to explain. The floods are raging, and the imperial court alone cannot quell them quickly. If you all step forward now and donate your wealth for disaster relief, the people will be eternally grateful and see you as their saviors. As for the imperial court, faced with such a severe disaster, with your assistance, they will surely reconsider their attitude towards you. I am willing to personally accompany you to communicate with the court, demonstrating your determination and sincerity in abandoning evil and embracing good. Moreover, successfully resolving the flood crisis would be a great achievement for the court, and for you, it would be an excellent opportunity to clear your names, gain amnesty, and leave behind your life of fear and trepidation as bandits, becoming legitimate and respected figures of loyalty and righteousness. Such a wonderful thing—doesn't Your Majesty find it tempting?"
The bandits fell into deep thought after hearing Lin Xiaoqian's words. They knew that continuing to be bandits was not a long-term solution, but they couldn't help but have doubts about being granted amnesty.
At this moment, one of the bandits stepped forward and said, "Brother, what this young woman said seems to make some sense. We've been hiding in these mountains all these years, and life hasn't been easy. If what she says is true, it could be a way out."
The other bandits nodded in agreement. Seeing this, the bandit leader frowned, pondered for a long time, and then said, "Young lady, what you've said is of great importance, and we need to discuss it carefully. But rest assured, if it's truly possible, we won't let this opportunity to change our appearance pass us by."
Lin Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that it would not be easy to completely convince these bandits and get them to take action, but at least she had successfully planted the seeds of hope and change in their hearts. Now, she just needed to patiently wait for them to make the right choice.