Capital City.
At the entrance of the Guo residence.
After logging in, Lin Feng left the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and traveled day and night with Guo Qiangwei to finally reach their destination.
"The Second Miss is back! Quick, inform the master and madam!"
The servant at the door saw Guo Qiangwei and hurried inside to report.
Soon, a middle-aged couple emerged from the house.
The man, in his forties, had a broad back and a strong build, with a calm demeanor and a powerful presence, like a towering mountain that commanded respect.
Lin Feng felt an invisible pressure as soon as he saw the man, especially when the man's gaze fell on him, as if all his secrets were laid bare.
"Qiangwei, my dear daughter, you’re finally back. You scared your mother to death. Where did you run off to?"
The middle-aged woman rushed forward to embrace Guo Qiangwei, expressing her concern.
Guo Qiangwei briefly recounted her experiences, and upon hearing that their daughter almost became the Chieftain's Wife at Black Wind Stronghold, the man's eyes flashed with anger.
"These bandits are becoming more and more outrageous. The local yamen are shirking their duties, hiding behind the excuse of being far from the Emperor's reach. It's time to give them a good shake-up."
Guo Qiangwei quickly introduced Lin Feng, explaining that he had rescued her and escorted her home.
Upon hearing this, the woman hurriedly thanked Lin Feng.
The man's demeanor also became much friendlier.
"I am Guo Bujing. Thank you, young friend, for saving my daughter and escorting her home."
Lin Feng cupped his fists in return, saying, "It was a mere trifle. I've long heard of Hero Guo's great name, and it's an honor to meet you today."
Hero Guo chuckled, "Young friend, we are colleagues of sorts. No need to be so formal."
Guo Qiangwei, curious, asked, "Dad, how do you know he's your colleague? I haven't mentioned it yet."
Hero Guo pointed to the attire Lin Feng was wearing, "Your father’s eyes aren't failing yet. This outfit is only issued by the government. If he weren't with the government, he would be a thief who stole official attire, and he wouldn't dare bring you here."
Lin Feng took out his token and said, "Hero Guo, you have sharp eyes. However, I can only be considered half a government official."
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Hero Guo recognized Lin Feng's identity upon seeing the token.
"Ah, so you're Lin Yanfeng. The Department Six's Yamen Daily has already reported your deeds. Magistrate Lou has reported your efforts in suppressing bandits and capturing infamous bandits, calling you a young hero and a model for the people. Seeing you today, it's no exaggeration."
Knowing Lin Feng's achievements and identity, Hero Guo's attitude became completely amicable.
Initially, he suspected the young man of trying to use his daughter's identity to curry favor.
Now it seemed he had overthought it.
[Ding! Hero Guo's favorability towards you has increased by 15 points! Current relationship: Friendly!]
With his role as a yamen advisor and his heroic deeds, Hero Guo enthusiastically invited Lin Feng into the residence as a guest.
Lin Feng, eager to learn the later moves of the Raging Waves Palm, was more than willing. After a few polite exchanges, he entered the Guo residence.
In the dining hall, Hero Guo had a large table of dishes prepared to entertain Lin Feng.
Lin Feng didn't hold back, eating heartily and drinking freely, even playing drinking games with Hero Guo.
Having watched "My Own Swordsman," Lin Feng knew Hero Guo was a straightforward man who enjoyed drinking and disliked formalities and pedantic scholars.
He catered to Hero Guo's preferences.
Sure enough, Hero Guo was even more pleased with Lin Feng's demeanor, drinking cup after cup.
After the meal.
Guo Qiangwei and her mother went to the boudoir to discuss her experiences.
She didn't mention Guo Furong, as they had only corresponded by letter after Guo Furong left, promising to keep each other's secrets.
Before coming to the capital, she had specifically instructed Lin Feng to keep her sister's whereabouts confidential.
Hero Guo invited Lin Feng to his study, where the servants prepared tea, and the two sat down for a leisurely chat.
"Young friend Lin, why not join the yamen directly? If you lack connections, I can arrange for you to be employed at Department Six in the Capital City. How about it?"
Faced with an opportunity that would make countless novice players drool, Lin Feng politely declined.
"I currently have no plans to join the government."
"Oh? Why not?"
Hero Guo was puzzled.
Lin Feng paused for a moment, feigning a pained expression, and sighed, "I'm quite disappointed with the current Imperial Court, so I don't wish to join."
This immediately piqued Hero Guo's interest.
"Why do you say that? You know I could arrest you for such words."
Lin Feng knew Hero Guo was merely testing him, so he wasn't afraid, instead showing a generous demeanor.
"The court is decadent, the bureaucracy corrupt, and the people's lives unstable. It's a fact. Otherwise, why are there so many bandits running rampant? Isn't it due to the court's mismanagement and foolish policies? Those civil officials, entrenched in power, are pedantic and stubborn, only good at empty talk. With a weak military and strong civil administration, how can the court be saved? I'd say the same even in front of the Emperor."
Hero Guo's eyes lit up with empathy.
"Well said! Young friend Lin, though a commoner, you care for the people and worry for the ruler from afar. Your righteousness is admirable!"
[Ding! Hero Guo's favorability towards you has increased by 10 points! Current favorability: 25 (Close)!]
Lin Feng was secretly pleased with the system prompt.
Don't think gaining favorability is simple. It's not. The key is that Lin Feng understood Hero Guo's character and knew what he wanted to hear and see.
By catering to his preferences and deliberately evoking empathy, the favorability naturally rose quickly.
If it were another player, they wouldn't dare say such things. If Hero Guo were a die-hard loyalist to the court, they'd be doomed.
Only Lin Feng, familiar with the plot and characters, could make a targeted breakthrough.
The two immediately began a heartfelt discussion about the current state of the court, sometimes sighing, sometimes indignant, like two passionate youths venting their frustrations, eager to sweep away the court's ills.
Lin Feng was grateful for having read many historical texts like "Those Ming Dynasty Matters," giving him a decent understanding of ancient court backgrounds.
"My Own Swordsman" is set in the Ming Dynasty, with the current era being Tianqi, and the Emperor being Ming Xizong Zhu Youjiao.
By this time, the Ming Dynasty had already declined. After Ming Xizong ascended the throne, he lost patience with state affairs, trusted eunuchs, and supported the eunuch faction, leading to the rapid decline of the Ming Dynasty.
Moreover, the late stages of any dynasty are more or less the same, with factors like an incompetent emperor, corrupt court, and ineffective governance.
By discussing these, any capable and honest official would resonate, feeling they've found a confidant to confide in.
Hero Guo felt this way, becoming more and more in tune with Lin Feng, finding him increasingly agreeable.
He noticed that Guo Qiangwei seemed to have a special attitude towards Lin Feng, so he tentatively asked, "Young friend Lin, would you be willing to marry my daughter?"
Lin Feng, who had been calmly sipping tea, suddenly choked and coughed violently.
[Ding! Hidden opportunity triggered: Marry into the Guo family. Do you accept?]
A great fortune had suddenly fallen upon Lin Feng.
Completely unexpected, with no preparation whatsoever.
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