Chaotic Frontier: I Picked Up a Peerless Little Wife at the Start

Song Qingyan was well aware of Shiweitian's daily alcohol production.

Even if we expand the scale now, it's impossible to produce 10,000 jin of wine in three days.

Seeing Song Qingyan's hesitant expression, Cheng Wuyou smiled.

"What? Boss Song, you're not willing?"

Song Qingyan's expression changed from a smile to one of composure and humility.

"It's not that we're unwilling, it's that it's simply impossible."

"Even if you add up all the wine in the entire Linjiang County, you still wouldn't be able to produce 10,000 jin in three days."

Cheng Wuyou sneered, leaned back in his chair, and leisurely drank his wine, looking as if he had everything under control.

"Boss Song, the Northern Wilderness is now within reach. Supporting the border battlefield is something that each of you should do."

"Your Shiweitian Restaurant is located in Linjiang County, very close to the border. If the border collapses, how long can you hold it off?"

"You said you'd bring tens of thousands of kilograms of liquor, and you actually refused?"

Cheng Wuyou maintained a smile throughout. He took another sip of wine and glared at Song Qingyan: "Boss Song, according to the laws of Da Yu, when the border army requisitions anything during wartime, whether it is a merchant or a commoner, everyone must comply unconditionally."

"Since Boss Song can't do it here, then I think there's no need for Shiweitian Restaurant to continue operating."

Song Qingyan's heart skipped a beat; Cheng Wuyou was determined to wipe them out completely.

Just when Song Qingyan was at her wit's end, Lin Hui ignored her attempts to stop him and went straight forward.

"General Cheng, I think that since we've paid all the taxes due to our business, we should go to the nearest government office if we need any supplies. Coming here is probably not appropriate."

Cheng Wuyou had been waiting for Lin Hui to speak. When he saw Lin Hui arrive, he looked him over carefully and chuckled, "You're Lin Hui?"

Lin Hui did not respond.

Cheng Wuyou didn't mind, and instead nodded in agreement: "You're right, we should coordinate with the nearest government to supply the materials."

Then he added, "I've heard them talk about you a lot, saying you're highly skilled in martial arts, and that it's a waste of your talent to stay in the mountains hunting."

"With the Northern Wilderness army pressing in, the border needs a master like you."

"Come to my Ningyuan Town."

He spoke with a strong, condescending tone, almost like a command.

Lin Hui smiled inwardly. Of course he knew why Cheng Wuyou had come to Shiweitian Restaurant, and he also knew why Cheng Wuyou had extended an olive branch to him.

Ningyuan Town is Cheng Wuyou's territory. Once Lin Hui agrees, he will be unable to control his own destiny after going there, and Cheng Wuyou can deal with him however he wants.

Lin Hui resolutely refused: "General Cheng, guarding the border is the job of the border troops. I am a man from the mountains and fields, and I just want peace and quiet."

Cheng Wuyou's expression changed drastically in an instant, and she glared angrily at Lin Hui.

"Boy, do you know how you'll survive if the Northern Barbarians invade?"

He stared intently at Lin Hui and said fiercely, "Let me tell you, if you do not join the border army today, then you are resisting military service and resisting the defense of foreign enemies. I have the right to execute you on the spot."

"Men, seize him!"

Chen Ning agreed and waved his hand. Several border soldiers came from different directions, their eyes fierce and their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Lin Hui's expression was grave as he quickly considered countermeasures.

Cheng Wuyou was right. According to the laws of Da Yu, every eligible man must serve in the army. In wartime, the army has the right to directly conscript men.

Now, Cheng Wuyou has presented him with a life-or-death dilemma: if he chooses to follow Cheng Wuyou, Lin Hui will inevitably become a fish on Cheng Wuyou's chopping board.

However, choosing to resist would give Cheng Wuyou a reason to kill him on the spot.

What to do, what to do?

Lin Hui suddenly realized, "Oh right, Magistrate Ma is drinking upstairs. I should go find him right away."

"General Cheng, it's not that I'm unwilling to go, but that I can't leave."

"What will happen to my wife if I leave?"

Cheng Wuyou snorted coldly.

"Lin Hui, even if you come up with a thousand reasons, you only have two choices now: either come with me to Ningyuan Town, or I'll kill you."

"General Cheng, well, I happen to have two friends upstairs drinking. They are quite knowledgeable about military affairs. May I go and ask them what they think?"

Cheng Wuyou's face was full of disdain.

friend?

He nodded, hoping to make Lin Hui give up completely and obediently follow him.

That way, even if Lord Ma asks, he can say that Lin Hui followed him voluntarily.

In his view, what friends could Lin Hui, a hunter, possibly have? They were nothing more than veterans from the border army, because most of the veterans from the border army chose to become hunters.

Lin Hui gave Song Qingyan a look.

Song Qingyan immediately understood and went upstairs to give a brief account of what had happened.

Ma Dayuan slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Cheng Wuyou is truly outrageous!"

Inside the hall, Cheng Wuyou leisurely drank his wine and looked at Lin Hui, saying, "Lin Hui, if you know what's good for you, come with me now. My patience is limited."

"Yeah?"

Just then, a voice came, not loud, but with extremely strong penetrating power.

Upon hearing this voice, Cheng Wuyou gave Lin Hui a deep look.

Lin Hui saw killing intent in Cheng Wuyou's eyes—the intent to kill him.

"So it's Lord Ma and Military Advisor Wang. Instead of working at the county office, you two seem to be in the mood for drinking."

Cheng Wuyou's expression was not good.

Ma Dayuan chuckled: "General Cheng, given the situation on the border, you still have the leisure to drink, but I can't?"

Ma Dayuan continued, "I heard you're going to take Brother Lin with you to join the army?"

"Yes, he is highly skilled in martial arts and an outstanding archer. He is exactly the kind of talent our border army needs. It would be a waste to leave such a person to hunt in the mountains and fields."

Cheng Wuyou's words were so grand and righteous that Ma Dayuan was speechless for a moment before he said, "General Cheng is right. However, Lin Hui is a talent that our county government needs. I am preparing to have him assist Wang Ping in dealing with the refugees."

Cheng Wuyou's lips twitched. He knew very well that the refugees were also a big deal. If not handled properly, they could incite a popular uprising, which would lead to both internal and external troubles.

"Lord Ma, with a talent like Military Advisor Wang around, dealing with the refugees is a piece of cake. Besides, Lin Hui is exceptionally capable; he's the talent I value most."

"I'd like to ask General Cheng, what brings you here today?"

"Take him away?"

"I'd also like to ask, does General Cheng want to take him away because he's a talented person, or is it for some other reason?"

Cheng Wuyou's heart skipped a beat. If Ma Dayuan really brought up something else, he really wouldn't know what to do.

"Lord Ma, you are exaggerating. I naturally value his abilities."

"Alright, in that case, General Cheng's Ningyuan garrison has many soldiers and generals, and my county government just happens to be short of people."

"Lord Ma..."

"General Cheng..."

The two men instantly became tense and on the verge of exchanging blows.

Just then, a calm and unhurried voice came from behind.

"Cheng Wuyou, how dare you!"