Chapter 137 Ambush (1/2)

"Jin Yan, I heard that the envoys have arrived. Our clan leader, clan leaders of other families in Linjiang City, and the masters of martial arts schools have all gone to greet them."

"I heard that they have been invited to the Linjiang Restaurant, and they are welcoming the envoys."

When Li Yan was taking people to inspect his territory, the medicinal materials warehouse, a man ran over in a hurry.

This is a fat man, tall and fat, named Jin Huoxiong, a direct descendant of the Jin family whom Li Yan has met recently.

Jin Huoxiong is a foodie. Once he accidentally saw Li Yan eating hot pot, he shamelessly ate a meal with Li Yan.

Then, he liked this way of eating, and naturally got to know Li Yan.

"What's the matter? Did Linjiang Restaurant come up with some new dishes?"

Li Yan knew what the fat man was up to as soon as he heard it.

Linjiang Restaurant is the best restaurant in Linjiang City, and also the tallest restaurant, ten feet high, with seven floors.

From the top floor of the restaurant, you can even see the situation of the Jin family's inner court.

The only family that is qualified to build such a restaurant in Linjiang City is the Jin family.

"Hehe, of course, I heard from the chefs in [Linjiang Restaurant] a few days ago that on the day of entertaining the envoys, many chefs will be invited from all over the county to present the envoys with the best food in Linjiang City."

"This has never happened before, and I don't know why the family attaches so much importance to this envoy group."

"Of course, I don't care about these things, I only care about whether the food is delicious."

"But I think that the food that can be used to entertain the envoys must be delicious."

After listening to Jin Huoxiong's words, a gleam of brilliance flashed in Li Yan's eyes.

He didn't know why the family attached so much importance to this envoy group. Li Yan had some guesses that it might be related to the Ningsha Realm technique.

Some time ago, after the Jin family obtained the Ningsha Realm technique, many innate masters from the innate forces came to the door.

The purpose is self-evident, and it is naturally the Ningsha Realm technique in the hands of the Jin family.

However, they did not force the Jin family to surrender and hand over the technique.

First, they dare not learn the technique obtained by coercion. What if there is a mistake in one or two words?

Don't think that the Jin family dare not do it. There are such examples before.

A sect that was destroyed by many forces, its leader only modified one word in the core technique of his own sect when the sect was destroyed.

Then, many high-level leaders of many forces died or became useless when they broke through.

Second, the Jin family also has a backer, and this backer is naturally the Shannan Daodaogong family-the Ji family.

The ancestor of the Jin family was a loyal servant of the Ji family. Later, because of his great achievements, he was supported by the Jin family to become the county earl of Linjiang County.

Over the years, the Jin family has been maintaining this relationship.

After all, the Ji family does not lack a vassal, but the Jin family only has the Ji family as a thigh.

Some time ago, the Jin family even sent people to the Jiang family to express their condolences, and then they gave the Zhao family a beating.

This did make the Zhao family behave themselves, and even sent fewer spies to Linshan City.

However, this is the calm before the storm. I am afraid that as long as the time is right, the Zhao family's revenge will be more intense.

Since they can't force them, they can only trade.

The Jin family has a rare commodity, so they began to ask for a sky-high price.

If they can't live in DongXZ, then they can only maximize their interests.

In the end, the two sides talked for three days and three nights.

Anyway, Li Yan looked at those innate masters, all of whom had gloomy faces.

It seems that none of the transactions were successful, but Li Yan can guess what the actual situation is from some changes in treatment afterwards.

It should be one or two transactions.

Because Li Yan's daily treatment has increased by half, he asked other people, and there was no change for others.

Obviously, this is the family's compensation to Li Yan.

If Li Yan is really a member of the Jin family, even if there are still some complaints in his heart, they will disappear.

Unfortunately, Li Yan is not like that. What he wants is far from the compensation from the Jin family, which is already of little use to him.

And this time, the Jin family attaches so much importance to this group of envoys. Li Yan guessed that perhaps they are preparing to find another backer besides the Shannan County Daozhu.

The reason why he didn't have this idea before may be because he didn't have the things those big guys needed, but now he has it.

"Then you came to call me, do you want me to go with you?"

Li Yan asked.

"Of course, good things should be shared with good friends. You have treated me to so many delicious foods, let me treat you once."

Jin Huoxiong hugged Li Yan's shoulders, looking like a good brother.

"But isn't Linjiang Restaurant entertaining envoys? I guess the family has sealed off the entire Linjiang Restaurant. Can we get in?"

"Don't worry, at most the seventh floor of Linjiang Restaurant is not allowed to enter. With our status and position, we can choose any other floor."

"Linjiang Restaurant is our Jin family's property anyway."

Since the other party said so, Li Yan naturally couldn't help but give face.

Moreover, he wanted to see who the envoys were and remember their appearance.

Then, Li Yan handed over the things on hand to his three managers and followed Jin Yanxiong.

As warriors, the two prefer to travel on foot. After all, walking in a straight line is really fast.

Soon, they arrived at Linjiang Restaurant.

[Linjiang Restaurant] Outside, a group of city guards wearing black armor were already surrounding them.

With this posture, ordinary people would not dare to get close. They would take a look at it from a distance and then leave.

"Oh, it's quite lively."

As soon as Li Yan arrived, he saw many people from other families and martial arts schools entering [Linjiang Restaurant] after being inspected by the city guards.

"Isn't it? Many people want to see the envoys from the royal capital, so they came here specially."

"Come on, let's go in too."

With that said, the two of them passed the inspection of the city guards with the identity badges on their waists and their faces.

After arriving at [Linjiang Restaurant], Jin Huoxiong directly pulled Li Yan to the sixth floor, and then sat down at a window seat.

A group of core disciples from the Eight Great Martial Arts Schools were sitting here before, but they were violently driven away by Jin Huoxiong.

They didn't dare to complain, so they got up and left obediently.

The dominance of the Jin family in Linjiang City can be seen from this.

Li Yan has seen this more than once and is already used to it.

As Jin Huoxiong and Li Yan took their seats, a waiter immediately came to greet them.

"Isn't this Master Xiong? You are a rare visitor."

"And this young master of the Jin family, is this your first time to our [Linjiang Restaurant]? Your arrival has really made our hotel shine. We welcome you to come often in the future."

The waiter is very sensible and discerning, taking care of both old and new customers.

"Stop talking nonsense. I heard that many chefs from other places came here today to serve the envoys coming from the royal city, right?"

Jin Huoxiong didn't take too kindly to these flatteries and asked directly.

"You're right, Master Xiong. In order to help the adults of the envoy group, the city lord asked our restaurant to invite one of the most famous locals from the twelve cities and thirty-six small towns in Linjiang County. Famous chef.”

“The chefs in the Twelve Cities each cook three dishes, which are all main dishes, while the chefs in the Thirty-Six Towns each only cook two dishes, which are side dishes, including cold cuts, soups, snacks, etc. "

"A total of one hundred and eight dishes must be prepared when the adults of the envoys arrive. We must also ensure that the hot dishes are still steaming when presented in front of the envoys."

"For this reason, the kitchen even built more than ten stoves overnight just to heat the dishes."

The waiter explained in detail because he knew that Jin Huo Xiong liked to hear this.

"Yes, you kid can still remember that I like to hear these things. If you are interested, you will be rewarded."

Then, a piece of silver fell into Xiao Er's hand.

"Thank you, Master Xiong, for the reward."

The waiter quickly thanked him.

"I didn't expect that there is such a way to eat it. When will I get to Xiantian and have a table like this?"

Jin Huo Xiong sighed.

He is self-aware and knows that such specifications are not something he can eat now.

"I don't want one hundred and eight dishes. Give me thirty-six dishes, twelve main dishes and twenty-four side dishes. No problem."

After pondering for a while, Jin Huoxiong gave instructions to the waiter.

"Master Xiong, do you want the original version or the flavored version?"

"What's the difference?"

"The original version is fast, and the ingredients in the kitchen are enough. If you use the flavored version, it will be the same as the messenger and others."

"All the meat materials have been replaced with high-grade exotic animal meat, and other materials have also been replaced with the best. Currently, the kitchen materials are not enough and special procurement is needed. You also know that the production of high-grade exotic animal meat is not large and it is not easy to buy. ”

"And it's very troublesome to make. After all, it may take several days to stew high-grade exotic animal meat."

"Like those one hundred and eight dishes, the most complicated one was even prepared seven days ago."

The waiter explained carefully.

"Then let's have the original one."

After hearing this, Jin Huoxiong waved his hand, somewhat uninterested.

Not being able to eat the best is a pity for a gourmet.

"Jin Yan, I'm sorry that I didn't let you eat the best."

Jin Huoxiong looked at Li Yan apologetically.

"It doesn't matter, we are here just to taste it. If we really use high-grade exotic animal meat to cook dishes, do you think we can eat a few dishes with our cultivation level?"

Li Yan comforted.

"That's what you said. I got distracted."

Jin Huoxiong patted his head. It was indeed the flavored version. Without innate cultivation, he could only eat a few mouthfuls before feeling full.

Then, you can only look at other delicacies without being able to put down your chopsticks, which is even more torture for the foodies.

In about a quarter of an hour, all the dishes ordered by Jin Huoxiong were served.

Thirty-six dishes were placed on two tables, which made other people on the sixth floor look at the two of them strangely.

These people came to the sixth floor mainly to meet the envoy and others, not to eat.

How could they look at each other and order two tables full of food?

Jin Huoxiong didn't care about other people's eyes and started to feast.

Li Yan also doesn't care about the sight of these people, after all, what he is using now is not his own face.

Jin Yan is so shameful, what does it have to do with me, Li Yan.

"Well, it tastes really good, I like it very much."

Jin Huo Xiong commented while eating.

Just when the two of them had almost finished eating, there were footsteps on the stairs going down from the seventh floor.

The armored guards guarding the stairs also moved away and stood respectfully on both sides.

Others on the sixth floor immediately stood up from the table, as did Li Yan and Li Yan.

Who dares to sit down? You must know that those who came to eat with the envoys today include all the innate warriors in Linjiang City.

In front of these big guys, you still dare to sit carelessly, maybe you don't know how to write the word "death".

The first person to appear in front of everyone was a middle-aged man with a majestic expression, wearing a purple robe, which made him look even more solemn.

Next to him is Jin Fenglin, the current head of the Jin family and the lord of Linjiang City.

It can be seen that Jin Fenglin is half a step behind this majestic man. It is obvious that the majestic man is the dominant one between the two.

After that, there were the other four elders of the Jin family, as well as the patriarchs of the four major families, and finally the owners of the eight major martial arts schools, officials from Linjiang City, and some young people with unfamiliar faces.

They were talking while going downstairs. They only glanced at Li Yan and others who stood up and stopped paying attention.

On the contrary, those young people with unfamiliar faces, who had obviously come with the messenger, looked at Li Yan and others with the same scrutiny as city people looking at country people.

The look in their eyes naturally made everyone feel dissatisfied, but no one dared to make a fuss over this matter.

It was only after all these people left that someone said, "What the hell, it's great to come from the royal city. Have you seen that look in their eyes? They are so arrogant. They look at us like bumpkins."

"Keep your voice down. If they hear you and stir up trouble, you'll be in trouble."

Before this person could develop further, someone poured cold water on him.

He wanted to retort, but his companion covered his mouth.

Li Yan did not see the excitement and expressed some regrets.

However, this trip was not in vain. At least there were twelve people in the envoy group, and his faces were all remembered by him.

"Who will go to Linshan City to collect taxes? I'm really looking forward to it."

Li Yan understood the entire tax collection process in advance.

The eighteen Dao of the Great Zhou Dynasty, except for the three Dao belonging to the Ji family, the other fifteen Dao will send a large envoy group to collect taxes.

The first stop of the large envoy group is Daocheng, and then the large envoy group is divided into several medium-sized envoy groups, arriving at each state city in each dao.

Then, the medium-sized envoy group continued to divide into several small envoy groups and arrived in various counties and cities.

In other words, a group of people headed by the head of the Jin family received only a small envoy group.

The small envoys will continue to divide into individual individuals and go to county towns below the county level to collect the taxes and fees that need to be paid to the court this year.

It is worth mentioning that among the envoys, the minimum cultivation level must be at Yunzang Realm, and each small envoy group will also have a leader at the Innate Realm.

Obviously, the majestic middle-aged man in purple robe is the leader of this small envoy group.

Don't think that this kind of strength is good. In fact, even earlier, the members of the Envoy Corps had innate cultivation at the lowest level.

It's just that the world has been at peace for a long time, and few people dare to attack and kill members of the Envoy Corps anymore, which leads to the standards for becoming members of the Envoy Corps getting lower and lower.

Perhaps, if we live a stable life for another hundred years, the standards will drop to the level of blood exchange.

Not long after Li Yan returned to Jin Mansion, he received news that except for the majestic middle-aged man in purple robe, all the rest of the envoy group had left Linjiang City.

Went to the other eleven cities under the jurisdiction of Linjiang City.

Generally, these people have two days to collect taxes.

In fact, these two days are said to be used to collect taxes, but they are actually used for their enjoyment.

After all, walking all the way from the Royal City was quite tiring.

"These people are fast enough, so I can't be idle either."

So, in a house in Linshan City, a clone of Li Yan opened his eyes.

After traveling for about a quarter of an hour, we arrived at a steep slope ten miles away from Linshan City.

Three feet away from the steep slope is the official road.

Starting from Linjiang City, if you take the official road to Linshan City, this is the only way to go.

After Li Yan waited for half an hour, a group of people appeared in Li Yan's sight.

Li Yan originally thought that these people were passing by, but unexpectedly, these people turned around and got into the nearby woods.

Some people even cleared away the traces of their entry into the woods. It was obvious that these people were ambushing someone.

"Interesting, these people wouldn't have the same target as me, right?"

A flash of light flashed across Li Yan's mind.