Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 908 The Fear of Uncertainty
In fact, everyone, whether friend or foe, held Xia Lin in awe, yet they were not even worried about or afraid of the emperor.

There is actually a deep strategic thinking behind this. What an emperor cares about most is coordination and balance. The emperor is relatively stable, and there is a very clear red line. If that line is crossed, the emperor will get angry and raise his sword.

However, Xia Lin is different. His threat level is actually not as high as the emperor's because he doesn't personally get involved or take power most of the time, and he won't easily start a war. But that's the problem. The emperor's red line is there. If you anger the emperor, you will be killed.

However, no one knew Xia Lin's secret. Even though he had an absolute advantage in the Western Regions, he did not launch a war. Yet, he could still launch a horrific purge around the capitals of two countries without any warning.

If we compare the Emperor and Xia Lin to abysses, then when you gaze into the abyss, the Emperor will inevitably turn around and attack you. For them, it's simple; they just need to navigate within it. But Xia Lin… when you gaze into it, there's a fifty percent chance it won't do anything, but sometimes, even if you don't gaze into it, it will still attack you.

This kind of terror makes people afraid to test his limits. Even his slightest action or behavior is beyond anyone's comprehension. People will even cautiously guess whether he will be grumpy when he wakes up in the morning.

Because of this strategic deterrent, whether it's the emperor or the major aristocratic families, when dealing with matters related to Xia Lin, they experience extreme tension and fear. This tension causes them to experience extreme pain, and this pain cannot be desensitized.

Therefore, even when Xia Lin and the emperor appeared at the same time, everyone's eyes and attention would be focused on him.

You should know that even someone like Tuoba Shang was traumatized by Xia Lin.

Now, when Xia Lin and His Majesty the Emperor and his wife appeared, it was precisely this strange emotion that caused them to overlook the complex relationship between the three of them.

There was absolutely no questioning between the Emperor of Li Tang, Xia Lin, and the world's number one cuckold; they even felt it was only natural.

Even more extreme, some people think that if Dugu Jiaye didn't look so much like the cuckolded king, even Princess Jiaye might be Xia Lin's child.

However, they seemed more inclined to suspect that Xia Lin was bisexual than to suspect that Dugu Dayun was a woman. This was understandable, because although the Dugu family head was effeminate and petite, she was incredibly ruthless. She could control the business world and even extend her influence to the military and politics. Such an iron fist did not seem like the methods of a woman. In comparison, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty seemed particularly mediocre compared to his two "husbands".

The three took their seats, with Third Sister naturally sitting in the center, Xia Lin on her left and Dayun on her right.

"May Your Majesty remain forever young, and enjoy good health and longevity."

Cui Lin stepped forward to congratulate His Majesty. She was the first to come up, trying to win the favor of the elders with her obedience.

However, when she saw Xia Lin, she almost dropped the wine glass in her hand, and her voice became lower and more submissive, like a little lamb.

"Wishing Marshal Xia good health."

Xia Lin was all smiles at this moment, while Douyazi looked up and sized up Cui Lin: "You're a child from the Cui family?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Da Yun's gaze swept over her face and figure a few times, but he only snorted coldly and said nothing more. This frightened Cui Lin so much that she trembled all over and stood there looking aggrieved.

"What are you doing? Why are you scaring the child?" Xia Lin asked, leaning back. "You're supposed to be an elder, what are you doing putting on airs?"

Bean Sprout glanced at him, raised her chin and said to Cui Lin, "Get more useful things and stop playing tricks."

Seeing that the Cui family's daughter had been humiliated by Prince Su, the other families were naturally overjoyed and urged their daughters to pay their respects to the three powerful figures above.

Pei Wan took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and stepped forward with her wine cup, her demeanor more composed than Cui Lin's. She first bowed gracefully to the Third Madam, saying, "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

He then turned to Dugu Han, his gaze clear: "May His Highness Prince Su enjoy good health and happiness."

Finally, he turned to Xia Lin, bowing respectfully yet with composure: "Greetings, Commander Xia."

Dugu Han glanced at her more this time, nodded slightly, and although he didn't say anything, the coldness on his face softened a little.

Xia Lin looked at Pei Wan with interest, then glanced at Cui Lin who was secretly gritting her teeth beside her, and suddenly laughed, "Why are you all so reserved? Today is Jia Ye's treat, we're just here to freeload. But since you're all here, you boys and girls all look quite energetic. Perfect timing, isn't the Crown Prince's Palace selecting study companions? I see you're all tired of playing palace intrigue all day, so I'll give you something to do. Also, not only study companions, but the Crown Princess will also have to take an exam, on the same day, also at the Crown Prince's Palace. The first, second, third, and fourth male candidates will enter the Crown Prince's Palace, and the first, second, and third female candidates will be selected."

His words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Even Li Chengqian, who had been observing from the sidelines, raised his eyes, and Tuoba Shang pricked up his ears.

Xia Lin continued, "Hehe, you're going to fight tooth and nail, aren't you? But just testing people on poetry and classics isn't very interesting. As you all know, Chengqian is both the son of my good brother Erfeng and my apprentice. He originally wanted to preside over this selection as the heir of the Prince of Shu, with additional tests in practical skills and mathematics. But I think that would give people grounds for accusations of a prince interfering in politics, so I'll set the questions myself. I'll choose a study companion and a concubine for my son. Does anyone have any objections?" The pavilion fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. The noble ladies and their family elders held their breath. Xia Lin was personally setting the questions! What did this mean? It meant that their previous preparation strategies might be completely useless, and that the balance of power would tilt entirely in an unknown direction!

Several young men who were eager to compete for the position of tutor looked at each other, unable to hide their worry.

Third Sister gave Xia Lin a reproachful look: "You're being silly again. There are rules for selecting talents."

“The rules are rigid, but people are flexible.” Xia Lin waved his hand dismissively. “The questions I set won’t test any of those empty words. They’ll test whether they have brains, courage, and the ability to get things done.” He glanced at the group of young faces below, each with a different expression. “Don’t worry, I guarantee it will be fair.”

Dugu Jiaye's eyes lit up, and she immediately moved closer to Xia Lin, hugging his arm and shaking it: "Xia Shuai is the best! I want to be there to watch!"

"Go, all of you go." Xia Lin patted his daughter's head and said to everyone, "The topic will remain a secret for now. But I can reveal a little bit: it's related to Chang'an City, and also to each of your lives. Go back and think about it. Don't just stare at your books; look out the window more often."

His words were cryptic and ambiguous, yet they only fueled a mixture of curiosity and unease. The scope was far too broad! But who could truly fathom Xia Lin's thoughts?
However, no one questioned it, after all, who was Xia Lin? He had been famous for nearly twenty years, almost a legendary figure. He was a man of letters who could bring peace to the world with his pen, transforming the Wei Kingdom from a crumbling power into the strongest nation in the world. He was also a man of martial prowess who could conquer the world on horseback, leading expeditions to the east, west, south, and north, with his victories echoing throughout the land.

There's a saying among the people: those who question Xia Shuai have no conscience, and those who challenge Xia Shuai have no brains...

At this moment, Bean Sprout also spoke up calmly: "Since Commander Xia has spoken, it is a settled matter. You can all rely on your own abilities."

The atmosphere at the ensuing banquet grew increasingly subtle. The fine wine and delicacies seemed to have lost their flavor, everyone's minds replaying Xia Lin's words. The ladies exchanged glances, trying to find a clue in each other's faces, while the young men ate without tasting their food, even the subtle banter between them diminished considerably.

Li Zhi sat with Li Chengqian, Tuoba Shang, and a few others. Tuoba Shang lowered his voice and said excitedly, "My uncle has made his move! This is going to be a good show! I knew it, those guys' good days are over!"

Li Chengqian picked up his teacup, concealing a knowing smile from his lips, and said softly, "My master said that aristocratic families are indeed bloodsuckers on the nation, and this must be curbed. But aristocratic families also have profound resources and wisdom, which should be utilized."

Li Zhi nodded silently, looking at the restless guests, and understood. His father's few words, spoken casually, were more effective than any stern decree. A sense of uncertain fear had been deeply ingrained in the hearts of these aristocratic families. They no longer knew how to prepare, nor what the standards were; they could only become more restrained, trying even harder to understand the emperor's intentions and to demonstrate their usefulness.

After the banquet, the news spread like wildfire throughout Chang'an.

Xia Lin personally set the questions for selecting the Crown Prince's study companions! The questions were related to people's daily lives!

In no time, books on the history and culture of Kunming Pool, the layout of Chang'an's markets, the Grand Canal, and even prices and trades were snapped up in bookstores. Families with school-aged children went to great lengths, employing all sorts of methods. Some hired tutors skilled in mechanics and mathematics at great expense, while others sent people to keep watch day and night by Kunming Pool, recording the operation of waterwheels and changes in the flow of people. Some even went so far as to send their children out of the study to experience the lives of ordinary people in the marketplace.

Young men and women who used to only know about romance and poetry were forced to start paying attention to the price of rice and cloth, how many boats went in and out of the Wei River every day, and how much land was irrigated by waterwheels... The atmosphere of the entire city of Chang'an seemed to have changed overnight.

Meanwhile, Xia Lin was leisurely lying on a rocking chair in his own yard, listening to Sun Jiuzhen report on the movements of each family.

"They're all moving?" He squinted, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

“Yes.” Sun Jiuzhen said calmly, “As Commander Xia predicted, no one dared to be negligent.”

Xia Lin scoffed, "These people just need to be taught a lesson. If you don't show them the way, they'll just keep going around in circles, fighting and arguing, which is completely useless. Now it's time for them to go out and see how the world works. Stop playing palace intrigue games all day long."

He paused, then said, "Tell Zhi'er that I've already thought of the topic. Let him see it so he can see what kind of people he'll be using in the future."

As night deepened, lights illuminated thousands of homes in Chang'an, and candlelight shone brightly in the studies of many mansions. But this time, the young people hunched over their desks were no longer facing only the classic texts of sages, but also mundane matters that they had once been indifferent to but now had to understand as soon as possible.

An invisible pressure hung over Chang'an City, and the source of that pressure was currently rocking in a rocking chair, pondering whether to go catch insects or check on the vegetable seedlings in the greenhouse tomorrow.

Dugu Jiaye sat next to him and asked with great interest, "Father, what kind of question are you going to give me? Can you tell me first?"

Xia Lin raised her hand and flicked her forehead: "What's the rush? You'll find out soon enough. I guarantee you'll see a real spectacle."

Kasyapa covered his forehead and muttered, "Father is such a master of keeping secrets..."

(End of this chapter)