expose

Xu Wei said, "This magical technique, I cannot explain it clearly. I've only heard people say that about a month ago, someone from the White Lotus sect claimed that the White Lotus Goddess's Buddhist teachings are boundless. She grows one inch from the ground every day, preaching to the public. Consequently, believers started guarding the statue day and night. Strangely, no one has touched the statue, and there have been no abnormalities observed. The statue was originally buried underground, yet it inexplicably grows one inch every day. Young sir, you know that the Buddhas in famous temples don't move. However, this White Lotus Goddess is different; she breaks through the soil and grows one inch every day. If this isn't a magical technique, then what is it? This news spread, and the nearby residents all know about it. After witnessing it with their own eyes, the worshippers increased. Once the human heart is bewitched, it's hard to retract. I'm afraid it won't be long before they become followers of this White Lotus sect."

Originally, that's how it is. Lin Wanrong sneered in his heart, playing such tricks in front of your grandfather, you're really unlucky.

Xu Wei sighed, "Although I consider myself knowledgeable, I have no idea how this Buddha statue grows one inch every day. It seems the world is truly full of wonders."

"That's because you haven't been an ordinary commoner like me," Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, "So, Mr. Xu, how do you plan to deal with these deceived common people?"

Xu Wei glanced at him and said, "Young Master Lin, since you've asked, I won't hide it from you. This White Lotus sect disturbance is undermining the foundation of our Great Hua. It must be eradicated."

Lin Wanrong was surprised, "But what about these common people?"

A cold light flashed in Xu Wei's eyes, "If they don't repent, they will be eliminated. I won't hide it from you, the troops in Zhejiang have already been mobilized, and it won't take long. This place will be heavily surrounded, and none of the believers present will escape. To uproot the problem, for the stability of Great Hua, killing a few more is nothing."

At this moment, Xu Wei's expression was completely different from the amiable old man who painted the misty rain on the Su Causeway yesterday. The cold gleam in his eyes made people feel fearful.

As the chief strategist in the emperor's secret residence during the previous reign, Xu Wei had used countless methods to secure the current emperor's throne. He had experienced things beyond Lin Wanrong's imagination and was accustomed to such matters.

Lin Wanrong took a deep breath. According to Xu Wei's intention, if these people don't repent, they will all be killed. Damn it, is human life just a trivial matter?

Seeing his hesitation, Xu Wei sighed, "Young Master Lin, do you think what I'm doing is wrong?"

Lin Wanrong, despite his eloquence, didn't know how to answer.

Is it wrong to criticize him? From his perspective, it's extremely right, for the sake of maintaining stability in Great Hua. What does sacrificing a small number of people matter?

Is it right to praise him? But I'm also one of these ordinary commoners. If he can treat these people like this today, who knows when I might unknowingly be in the same situation?

Xu Wei said, "Killing a hundred people can prevent a disaster, saving thousands or even millions. For the stability of Great Hua, I must do it. Many deaths are just a matter of course."

Lin Wanrong, exhaling a mouthful of air, said, "Mr. Xu, if you kill these hundred people today but still don't eliminate the root cause, what if the White Lotus sect uses this magical technique to deceive people again in the future? Will you continue to kill?"

Xu Wei sighed, "I've pondered for a long time. I've been lingering around that Buddha statue but couldn't find any flaws, still not knowing how to break this magical technique. The longer it takes, the more harm it will cause. It's not a question of whether to kill or not, but how many to kill."

Suddenly, Lin Wanrong smiled, "Mr. Xu, if I have a method to break this sorcery, would you release these common people?"

Xu Wei was pleasantly surprised, "Young Master Lin, are you serious?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, "It should be no mistake."

Xu Wei said, "In that case, I thank Young Master Lin on behalf of these common people."

Lin Wanrong bitterly smiled, "Thank me for what? I am just an ordinary commoner. If you kill them, it's as if you're killing me. Saving them is saving myself."

Xu Wei looked puzzled, and Lin Wanrong sighed, "They may be ignorant in this matter, but I have no right to despise them. In this unknown world, my ignorance is no less than theirs. We don't know how vast the sky is, why apples fall, or why fathers and sons are connected by blood. The more we know, the more ignorant we become. I and they are just fifty steps apart."

"The more we know, the more ignorant," Xu Wei sighed, "Young Master Lin, your words resonate with me. Truly a kindred spirit."

Xu Wei, having the best education in the world, with knowledge spanning astronomy, geography, medicine, and rhythm, felt more and more the shallowness of his own knowledge. Only those who truly delve into a subject can understand its meaning.

Following the principle of living a joyful life, Lin Wanrong stopped thinking about these things and said with a smile, "Mr. Xu, let's not digress. Have you observed if they water the Buddha statue every day?"

Xu Wei exclaimed, "Young Master Lin, how do you know? According to the intelligence, they water it twice a day, morning and evening, without fail. However, what does that have to do with the Buddha statue growing one inch every day?"

Exactly, Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "Mr. Xu, let me tell you a children's story."

"A children's story?" Xu Wei was puzzled.

But Lin Wanrong had already begun smilingly, "In spring, there was a seed buried in the ground, pressed down by a large stone. The stone said, 'Little seed, I will keep you under me forever.' However, the seed never spoke. It accepted the spring rain, silently grew, silently sprouted, and eventually, one day, it pushed the stone down."

This story was extremely childish. When I was in primary school, I considered it a nursery rhyme. The childish voices seemed to echo in my ears today, and Lin Wanrong suddenly felt that the world was really strange.

Xu Wei, a supremely intelligent person, stood up suddenly, excitedly saying, "Seed? Young Master Lin, do you mean there is a seed buried below?!"

Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile, "If my guess is correct, there must be a large number of seeds buried underground. At this time of year, they should be soybean seeds. Soybeans swell when soaked, exerting tremendous force. With the right temperature, they can even sprout. It should be no problem for that force to

 lift the Buddha statue."

"Men—," Xu Wei shouted loudly. His eyes sparkled as a fully-armored general hurriedly came from below, saying, "General of Hangzhou greets Mr. Xu."

Lin Wanrong glanced down, seeing thousands of brightly armored soldiers surrounding the believers, causing a commotion among the crowd. He sighed. If I hadn't come here today, quite a few heads would have rolled. Unintentionally, I've become a savior.

"Immediately go to the vegetable market in Hangzhou city and find ten craftsmen who specialize in planting vegetables. Bring them here," Xu Wei ordered loudly.

After the Hangzhou general left, Xu Wei clasped his hands to Lin Wanrong, saying, "Young Master Lin, in terms of knowledge, I have only admired two people in my life, and you are one of them. I will definitely report today's achievement to the emperor."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "There's no need for that. I'm only interested in gold and silver treasures. If there's a reward of silver coins, I'll be very pleased."

Xu Wei laughed heartily, "Young Master Lin is truly genuine. I truly admire you."

Recalling his words just now, Lin Wanrong asked curiously, "Mr. Xu, you said earlier that in terms of knowledge, you only admire two people. Who is the other one?"

Xu Wei chuckled, "Apart from you, only my daughter at home truly impresses me."

"A daughter?" Lin Wanrong was greatly surprised. This old Xu was already so talented, and by his tone, his daughter seemed to be even more formidable? Given this old Xu's age, his daughter must be around thirty. This is truly mysterious.

"Brother Lin, in the future, when you arrive in the capital, I'll introduce you. I believe Zhi'er, upon meeting a young man of your caliber, will be very pleased. You can have a good exchange," Xu Wei said with a smile.

Xu Wenchang's daughter? More talented than Xu Wenchang? This is intriguing. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Certainly, certainly. When I visit the capital in the future, I will definitely pay a visit."

The speed of that Hangzhou general was quite fast. In no time, he indeed brought dozens of craftsmen specializing in vegetable cultivation, some of them even had mud on their hands.

Xu Wei called out, "Brother Lin, wait here for a moment. I'll be right back. To be honest, after your guidance just now, I am truly excited today, as if recalling the scene of my youth when I first passed the imperial examination."

Youthful imperial examination? This old man is really getting excited.

Hastily, Xu Wei went downstairs, moving with great speed. When descending, he almost tripped. Lin Wanrong chuckled. Xu Wenchang is indeed quite interesting.

The armored soldiers surrounded the crowd, enclosing the white lotus sect members. The leader of the sect was held at knifepoint, unable to move. With a wave of Xu Wei's hand, these people were taken away.

He walked around the White Lotus Goddess, observing carefully. Ordering some soldiers, he had the Buddha statue moved forcefully. Upon closer inspection, he was overjoyed. Thick layers of soybean seeds were buried in the soil, most of them already swollen and sprouted. It was truly relying on the force of these seeds that the Buddha statue was lifted.

Excitedly, Xu Wei waved to Lin Wanrong standing on the distant floor. His graying hair danced in the wind. Lin Wanrong shook his head and smiled. This old Xu was indeed a bit adorable.

The next steps to expose the sorcery were then taught to Xu Wei and the vegetable-cultivating craftsmen. This matter was now unrelated to Lin Wanrong. He quietly withdrew and returned to the inn. It was already evening, and except for the young lady, everyone else was sitting inside the inn.

Seeing him return, the old maid hurriedly grabbed his hand and anxiously asked, "Lin San, have you seen the young lady?"