Three seniors were arranged to stay at Lins residence, and Lin Qingwen asked the housekeeper to send someone to serve them, making sure they were comfortable.

  But had just received a shocking secret from Lin Jiang, the three clan elders were eating dragon liver and phoenix marrow, sleeping on a dragon bed, but still looked worried.

  At that time, when the Liao people moved south, they were all grown up. Even the youngest, Eleventh Uncle, was a half-grown boy then. At that time, refugees poured south with their families, and even though he was protected by his family, he saw the most terrible things.

  The country is broken and the family is destroyed. In order to escape with their lives, some parents abandoned their children, while others had children abandon their parents. There were even cases of people selling their children as food.

  Human hearts can be as evil as they are good. Some sacrifice themselves for their loved ones, but whether its the former or the latter, in the end, it all leads to family ruin and personal downfall.

  At that time, Lin also made preparations for fleeing south with his family, and the three clan elders remembered it very clearly.

  The Liao people came from the north, and yet they forced the Lin family to such a state; if the enemy were to come from the south, wouldnt it be easy for them to enter Suzhou?

  At that time, Jiangnan was the first to bear the brunt. Thinking of the consequences of a war outbreak, all three of them were unable to eat or sleep.

  It is better to be a dog in peaceful times than to be a man in chaotic times.

  Those who have experienced war have a deeper understanding of this. At this moment, the dissatisfaction with Lin Jiang donating all his family property to the national treasury is not so great.

  Sixth Uncle was even more so, he turned around twice and said: "Hao Yu has already submitted all the deeds, and the property has been auctioned off. At this point, our opposition is useless, we might as well just let them be."

  Eleventh Uncle coughed weakly twice and nodded: "After all, its the private property of the eldest house, we cant interfere too much, and the second house..."

  He snorted and said, "If it were like the second house, I would actually be worried if the child was adopted by them."

  Eighth Uncle frowned and said: "Forget about the others, but what about those large farms? Are they just going to let them sell those too?"

  Eleventh Uncle glanced at him and said disdainfully, "If Eighth Brother is reluctant to part with it, then just tell Haoyu to sell the farm to you. I heard hes offering a fair price, around five million silver for the entire farm."

  Eighth Uncle pulled a long face and glared at him, saying: "Dont stand there talking nonsense, apart from the Lin family, which household can take out 500,000 silver coins all at once?"

  The entire Lin family, except for the Lin Jiang branch which is particularly prosperous, other branches are at most just middle-class landlords. If not for the eldest house, they might not even be able to attend the county magistrates birthday banquet.

  The Lin family suffered heavy losses in the Gengwu disaster that year.

  The Lin family lived in a concentrated manner, with the collateral branches spreading eastward. After the division of the family, the main branch built houses westward. As the population of the Lin family grew, some collateral branches did not want to stay near the main branch and sold their houses to the main branch, then moved out to build new homes.

  This way is not only convenient for entering and exiting, but also has less strict access control, and is closer to the fields of their own homes.

  So in those years, the two princes sent troops to surround the Lin family, but actually only surrounded that part of the direct branch. The collateral branches who had already moved to the other side of Linjiazhuang were hardly affected.

  That year, the main branch was surrounded, except for a few small houses that sent people to check on them, everyone else closed their doors and hid at home, not daring to move.

  The last legitimate branch of people except for Lin Zhi are all dead. Those who went to check from the collateral branches also never came back.

  Lin Zhi escaped from his birthplace and took over the Lin family. He was especially generous to those few houses, and the one where Sixth Uncle lived was among them.

  Because his elder brother Lin Song was one of the ones who went to the main branch for rescue and relief back then. It can be said that Liu Shus branch also developed in the past few decades, and before that, when they encountered a disaster year, their children couldnt even eat enough.

  It can be said that the several houses that were prosperous at that time were all destroyed in the disaster of Gengwu, and at that time, the young and talented members of the Lin family could not even count on both hands, they all died.

  By now, among the people Lin Shu had managed to get close to, there was only Lin Jiang left.

  Eighth Uncle actually wanted to buy those large farms, but even if they sold them, the whole family wouldnt be able to afford half of one. Otherwise, he wouldnt have been so actively urging Sixth Uncle and Eleventh Uncle to come to Yangzhou, just thinking that after Lin Jiangs death, he could take over and manage his estate.

  Lin Liu didnt understand his younger brothers mind very well, but Lin Eleven was clear about it. So when Lin Run intentionally delayed their journey, he happily cooperated and successfully dragged out the three-day trip to four and a half days.

  He just doesnt like Ba Ge, as long as hes unhappy, hes happy.

  "So Ba Ge really has his eyes on Chang Fangs business like Hao Yu said? Im saying, why were you so enthusiastic when the second house came to find us?"

  Lin Ba jumped his feet, "You cant talk nonsense, when did I covet the property of Zhang Fang? I just couldnt bear to see him ruining Lins family business..."

  Lin Shiyi sneered, "That sounds good, but how did Haoyu become a jinx to the family business? He donated it to the national treasury, so selfless and public-spirited. You dont even praise him, instead you look like he ruined your industry. Who would believe you have no ulterior motives?"

  Lin Liu rubbed his temples, "Alright, alright, you two have been quarreling for a lifetime and still havent had enough? Is this the time to discuss this? Since Hao Yu has already made up his mind about the Chang House industry, we shouldnt interfere. Whats urgent now is the war."

  He paused and said, "I think Hao Yu is right. This autumn harvest, lets have the villagers keep all the grain and hide some away, just in case something unexpected happens. However, this is what Hao Yu told us in private, so to avoid causing panic and suspicion, its best if you all keep this in your hearts and dont mention it outside."

  Lin Bayi asked, "What about the second house? The three of them, father and son, have all come. Is this really going to cut off the eldest branchs descendants?"

  Lin Liu said with a pout: "Haoyu doesnt want to, can we still force him to acknowledge his son?"

  Lin Shiyi said, "Arent Wan Jie and Da Jie still here? When the time comes, let one of them sit in the main room to receive guests. Anyway, the Lin family doesnt have much money now, just two small farms in Suzhou and a few bookstores. Dont worry about outsiders having ulterior motives."

  Look, this is the benefit of spending all ones wealth, even relationships with relatives are spared some suspicion.

  Lin Liu twitched his mouth and looked at Lin Ba.

  Lin said with a pout, "I dont have any objections, but Im afraid Haoyu wont agree. Wan has already been promised to the Xie family and it seems she doesnt intend to change her mind, so only big sister can come. But do you think Haoyu and Wan will be willing to let big sister marry into another family?"

  In this era, those who are willing to be a son-in-law are generally not very capable. Those who are capable often have poor character. Lin Jiang and Lin Qingyuan both think that they are spoiled children and may not want to put Lin Yuhbin in a difficult position.

  Lin Liu rubbed his temples in a headache, this was also the most troublesome place for him. If it were another family, the clan elders could directly decide on the adoption of the heirless house head, but the Lin familys situation was different.

  Lin Jiang is the head of the clan and has a strong position in the main house. These three elders cannot suppress Lin Jiangs adoption.

  "Wait a bit," Lin Liu hesitated for half a day and said: "Anyway, there is still time, I will persuade Hao Yu again."

  Lin Ba and Lin Eleven simultaneously pouted, while Lin Jiang was a stubborn person who always managed to persuade others but never allowed himself to be persuaded by anyone else.

  But the two still didnt say anything, now Lins industry has already been nailed to be given up, everyones worry index dropped to its lowest point, let it be, Zhang Fang thought of doing whatever he wanted.

  At this time, Lin Run was sitting on the edge of Lin Jiangs bed, his eyes scanning towards Lin Qingyuan and Lin Yuhong.

  Lin Qingwan then sent Lin Yuhong, who was crying with red eyes, out the door and had her nanny escort her back.

  "Little sister," Lin Yuheng said, biting his lip: "Did Father squander all the familys wealth for me?"

  Lin Qingwan stroked her head and smiled, "Silly child, who said our family has spent all its wealth? Go take a look in the warehouse, those things can support ten of you for ten lifetimes."

  "But those industries..."

  "Its not just for you," Lin Qingyan said softly: "The situation inside is complicated, and Xiaojie will tell you slowly later."

  Lin Yuhong bit her lip, she knew that she was not the only reason, but also the main reason.

  At this moment, I am filled with remorse and regret.

  Lin Qingwan couldnt help but laugh, "Silly child, usually so clever, how come youre thinking like this today? Money is nothing compared to human life. Anything that can be solved with money isnt a big deal."

  Lin Yuhu was stunned for a moment, and it took her half a beat to come back to herself. She looked at Xiaojie with slightly bright eyes: "I understand now, money can be lost and gained again, but people are not the same."

  Lin Qingwan smiled and nodded, patted her shoulder and said: "Go rest early, tomorrow Xiaojie is going out to handle some business, your father still needs you to take care of him, and the guests at home also need you to entertain them."

  Lin Yuhong finally put down his worries and followed Wangs nanny out.

  Lin Qingwan turned back to her room, Lin Run had been listening to her conversation with Lin Yubin, and when she came in, he couldnt help but look up at her and smile: "Its been a year since Ive seen you, Sister Wan, and youve become so much more sensible. If I hadnt met you at home, I almost wouldnt have dared to recognize you."

  Lin Qingwan smiled politely: "Fifth brother is overpraising."

  "This year she has gone through a lot, if she doesnt make some progress then it will all be for nothing."

  Lin Run thought of Xie Erlangs death and also thought about her own recent illness, where she had narrowly escaped death, and nodded in understanding.

  Although Yuemeis appearance was gentle in the past, her temperament was actually very fierce. Now that she has become strong and unyielding at this critical moment, it is also reasonable.

  Lin Qingyu poured him a cup of tea and sat down beside the bed, Lin Run looked at Lin Jiang again and gave him a slight nod.

  Lin Jiang smiled and said: "Wan Jie isnt an outsider. In the future, the main house will be handed over to her to manage. You can speak your mind freely."

  Lin Run looked at Lin Qingyuan in surprise, and Lin Qingyuan also looked up at Lin Run. It seemed that he was indeed the partner chosen by Lin Jiang.

  She and Lin Jiang had carefully considered it, afterwards she and Yu Bin still couldnt avoid the Lin family clan, so they had to get along with the clan, at least they couldnt thoroughly fall out.

  So the two finally decided to choose a helper from their clan. Lin Qingwen didnt know who Lin Jiang chose, because she had been busy dealing with business matters for some time.

  But today I understand, he chose Lin Run, the eldest son of Sixth Uncle.