Can't a girl be a traitor like Cao Cao?

After hearing this, Tong Yan said, "I don't think this is a difficult problem to solve. We just need to talk to those clan representatives more, appeal to their emotions and reason with them, and that should be enough. Most of them are reasonable. Besides, General Jiang Mao is busy with military affairs, so it wouldn't be good to trouble them."

Upon hearing this, Chi Junlin smiled and said to Tong Yan, "You... you're still so petty."

What do you mean by "it's not good to bother him"? He'd love for you to bother him more, because if he helps you get something done, he'll save face for you.

You know, opportunities to get closer to me are rare.

Tong Yan asked, seemingly puzzled, "Is that so?"

Chi Junlin nodded with a smile, and added, "Besides, those clans are all bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. It won't work to just give them a friendly face. You need to use both kindness and severity, win over a group of obedient ones, and then crack down on a group of troublemakers. Only then will they fear you."

Tong Yan hesitated slightly before asking, "Isn't this... a bit too domineering?"

Chi Junlin shook his head and said, "The way of the king is the way of the tyrant. A kind heart cannot command an army, and a righteous heart cannot manage wealth. Hasn't Master heard this principle?"

Master doesn't know much about managing subordinates; his appeasement strategy is barely enough to work within the Sword Harmony Sect's small territory.

But as the leader of the martial arts alliance, you'll have plenty of time to lead the various sects in the future. If you try to appease everyone and greet them with smiles, they'll just think you're weak and easy to bully.

Therefore, sometimes you must demonstrate your skills and decisiveness.

Upon hearing the name Chi Junlin, Tong Yan revealed a thoughtful expression.

Chi Junlin continued, "Lou Xiangfei is extremely skilled in this area. If Master doesn't understand, he should go back and learn from Lou Xiangfei. He can learn a lot from her."

As for the local clans here... a little persuasion will suffice. Let me show you how."

As they were talking, the group had already crossed the suspension bridge and arrived at the top of Zaoyue Peak.

Jiang Mao, having learned in advance that Chi Junlin was going to soak in the hot springs with the women, had already sent people over to clear out all irrelevant people.

Apart from a few elite soldiers standing near the entrance to the hot spring pool, there was no one else in sight.

When Chi Junlin and his group arrived, several guards immediately saluted them respectfully.

Chi Junlin then pointed to a leading officer and beckoned to him.

After the officer arrived, he immediately showed a respectful expression to Chi Junlin.

Although this general was one of Jiang Mao's men and didn't know Chi Junlin's identity, he could tell from Jiang Mao's attitude towards Chi Junlin and his apprentice that this was a powerful figure he couldn't afford to offend.

Chi Junlin casually gave the other party a few instructions, and the officer immediately accepted the order.

Then he sent his men to do things for Red King Lin.

When Chi Junlin returned, Tong Yan immediately asked her, "What did you just tell him? You weren't going to use your power to intimidate him, were you?"

Chi Junlin then said, "I didn't tell him anything, I just told him that the local clans who came to mourn Di Cangshan today were not very nice. It made me not very happy."

"that's it?"

"that's it."

Upon hearing this, Tong Yan immediately showed a surprised expression, seemingly not understanding why this would be acceptable.

Chi Junlin laughed and said, "I wouldn't even look at someone of their caliber. It would make me seem petty to deal with them personally."

It would be a waste of talent to even have Jiang Mao deal with them.

Sometimes, those in positions of authority can express their attitude in just two sentences.

The rest, your subordinates will naturally take care of.

After hearing Chi Junlin's words, Tong Yan showed a thoughtful expression.

Clearly, Chi Junlin disdained to do these things herself. As the commander-in-chief of the Zhenbei Army and a powerful general, she naturally looked down on the meager output of Du Pangling.

Now, he mainly teaches his beloved teacher how to be a good leader of the martial arts world.

The assets of Cangjian Manor, as well as these techniques for managing subordinates, were actually valuable assets that Chi Junlin bestowed upon Tong Yan.

Whether it's a gift or a dowry, it's clear that no one else deserves Chi Junlin's attention to such an amount.

Tong Yan naturally understood what Chi Junlin meant. After figuring out what had just happened, she quickly said to Chi Junlin with a grateful expression, "Thank you, disciple."

Whom should we thank?

Chi Junlin immediately revealed a playful expression.

Tong Yan blushed and glanced at the other women. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she immediately leaned over to whisper in Chi Junlin's ear.

She whispered, "Thank you, my husband..."

Chi Junlin then reached out and pinched her waist with satisfaction.

After educating his master, Chi Junlin looked up.

Then a group of women arrived at the hot spring pool.

Before you lies a steaming spring.

The group reached out and tried it, feeling the warm water, and their faces immediately lit up with excitement.

Di Shanshan then explained to everyone, "Zaoyue Peak has the lowest elevation and is connected to the earth's veins. The place where we are standing is exactly at the intersection of the earth's veins and the mountain spring. After the founder of Cangjian Manor discovered this natural spiritual spring, he carved out the mountain and created the spiritual hot spring here."

This spring has many benefits; it can not only nourish one's inner strength but also beautify the skin. In the past, it was not open to the public; only high-ranking officials and nobles were allowed to come here for a period of time to nourish themselves.

And those who tried it all raved about the spring.

After hearing what Di Shanshan had to say, the women were even more eager to see what was going on.

So they all took off their clothes and went down into the spring.

After exchanging a few words with Tong Yan, Chi Junlin also entered the hot spring.

After immersing himself in the water, Chi Junlin felt a warm current envelop his entire body; it was indeed comfortable to soak in it.

But she didn't feel that this place had much of the magical healing effect that Di Shanshan had described.

It felt similar to Lou Xiangfei's warm, fragrant bath.

It wasn't even as fragrant as Lou Xiangfei's warm pool.

However, the hot spring pool here is very large. At this time, all the women entered the pool together, their faces beaming with smiles, their fair and tender skin floating on the water.

For a moment, the women were all beautiful and charming, each with their own unique appearance. This was quite a feast for the eyes of Chi Junlin.

Just then, a cheerful, sweet voice came from beside her.

"I love soaking in hot springs... Do you like it too, Miss Lin Jun?"

As she spoke, Ye Qiancao had already moved closer to her from the water's surface.

Chi Junlin glanced at her but did not reply.

Wenren Tianxia, ​​already on high alert, stood between the two.

He then warned Ye Qiancao, "Let me tell you, bringing you out to soak in the hot springs is already an act of leniency. Don't push your luck and try anything else."

Ye Qiancao didn't care at all when she heard Wenren Tianxia's words.

He then replied with a playful laugh, "I just wanted to talk to...big sister...why were you so mean to me...crying..."

Chapter 210 "Martial Arts" Drinking Game

Ye Qiancao's sarcastic crying annoyed Wenren Tianxia.

However, Chi Junlin laughed at this moment.

Then he turned to her and asked, "Didn't I see you brought a flask of wine? Let's have a drink."

Upon hearing Chi Junlin's words, Wenren Tianxia also laughed.

He then ignored Ye Qiancao and instead took out the wine pot and wine cups he had brought from the main peak.

After filling the cup, he handed it to Chi Junlin.

Chi Junlin drank a cup and found the wine to be fragrant and mellow, with a lingering aroma and a faint fragrance of osmanthus.

He couldn't help but ask curiously, "What kind of wine is this? It has a rather unique flavor."

Wenren Tianxia replied, "I don't know either. It was sent by Senior Di Fuxue."

At this moment, Di Shanshan glanced at it and said, "This is the wine cellar of the mountain villa, called Osmanthus Honey Wine. The osmanthus in Dupangling is very famous. When it blooms, the whole mountain is filled with the fragrance of wild osmanthus."

People here love to use osmanthus flowers to make wine and pastries.

As they were talking, Hui Zhilan took out a box of pastries and said, "These are newly made osmanthus cakes this year. I brought some with me, please have a taste."

Seeing this, everyone thanked them and then took chopsticks to eat from the snack box.

Seeing that it was inconvenient with so many people, Hui Zhilan placed the snack box on the surface of the hot spring water, letting the snack float on the water.

Wenren Tianxia also placed the wine pot and wine cups in a box, so that everyone could pass the cups around and drink together.

When she floated down to Chi Junlin, she also picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and tasted a little.

This pastry is coated with glutinous rice flour and filled with jujube paste. It's topped with a sprinkle of osmanthus honey, and it melts in your mouth when you bite into it, though it's a little dry.

But if paired with fine wine, chilled and smooth in warm spring water, and drunk in one gulp, it feels just right.

And it wasn't just Chi Junlin who thought so; the other women also felt that snacks and wine were a perfect match.

After a while, everyone toasted and drank a few more cups.

Even Wei Ziqing, who never drinks alcohol, had a drink at this moment, and his cheeks were a little flushed.

After a few drinks, the pastry boxes floated on the water, and everyone chatted and laughed, occasionally feeling slightly tipsy.

This osmanthus wine doesn't look intoxicating, but after sitting in the hot spring and sipping a couple of cups, the steam quickly made me feel a bit tipsy.

In an instant, all the women in the spring became charming and their skin turned slightly red.

Like a riot of colors blooming all over the mountain, making even the butterflies ashamed to face their beloved.

The women toasted each other, and soon the snacks were all gone.

Wenren Tianxia exclaimed "Eh?", her face slightly flushed, "Is there only one pastry left?"

He then reached for the chopsticks in his hand.

Little did Ye Qiancao know that she was up to a mischievous idea. She swung her toes, causing a wave to rise in the pool and push the snack box a little further away.

Wenren Tianxia glared at her angrily.

She chuckled, her delicate white toes gliding across the water's surface as she gave Wenren Tianxia a provocative look.

Chi Junlin looked at the tender, white feet before him, which resembled pastries, and couldn't help but reach out and grab them.

Ye Qiancao exclaimed in surprise, and Chi Junlin laughed as he took the jade foot in his hand and began to play with it.

Ye Qiancao couldn't resist the tickling sensation and lay down next to Chi Junlin, letting out a soft, bell-like laugh.

Just then, the snack box floated to the opposite side and happened to be in front of Di Shanshan again.

Her eyes lit up, and she wanted to reach out and grab it too.

Unexpectedly, Yan Sijun followed Ye Qiancao's example, creating a wave that pushed the box away.

Di Shanshan glared at Yan Sijun and said, "What are you doing now!"

Yan Sijun casually remarked, "You've already eaten three pieces. Nobody has eaten as much as you."

Upon hearing this, Di Shanshan blushed and immediately retorted, "Can't I eat a few more pieces of my mother's pastries?"

Yan Sijun replied, "Your mother didn't eat a single piece herself."

"you……"

Di Shanshan immediately revealed a gritted-teeth expression, glaring at Yan Sijun without saying a word.

Hui Zhilan then covered her mouth and laughed, "I didn't expect so many people to like these pastries. I made a lot and sent them to my disciples, but they all said they were tired of them."

Tong Yan and Wei Ziqing both smiled and said to Hui Zhilan, "I quite like it."

"Yes, it's sweet but not cloying, and it goes down smoothly."

At this moment, Ye Qiancao's eyes darted around, as if he had come up with another bad idea.

She immediately put on a cloyingly sweet expression and said, "Everyone wants to eat that pastry, but unfortunately there's only one left."

Upon hearing Ye Qiancao's voice, Wenren Tianxia immediately became alert.

"What are you going to do again?"

"It's nothing, it's just..."

Ye Qiancao leaned against Chi Junlin's side, her expression slightly alluring, and said, "Since everyone wants to eat that pastry, why don't we have a drinking game, and the winner gets a prize?"