Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 152: Chapter 36: The Old Village Chief Who Worries Himself Sick

Father Lin led the village chief into the house, while Mrs. Lin prepared some tea and poured a bowl for the village chief.

In the countryside, tea is not served in cups, but in bowls.

Zhao Canghe didn’t touch the tea and, listening to Mrs. Lin, furrowed his brows and said, ”Thirty cents is not a small amount, but Liang is Lin Chen’s elder brother. With that status, not to mention thirty cents, even three hundred cents, people would be willing to pay.”

Hearing the village chief’s words, both Father Lin and Mrs. Lin were stunned. It was Mrs. Lin who reacted first: ”Chief, what do you mean by this?”

”What else could it mean? How many young people have the patience for fishing? They want Liang to teach fishing, not in terms of catching fish, but because of who Liang is.”

Zhao Canghe didn’t hide anything from Father Lin and Mrs. Lin: ”There are many in our village who are better at fishing than Liang, yet why do people specifically seek him out? Have you thought about it?”

”And there’s the Chen Family’s young lady who seeks out Liang each time she goes boating. What she fancies is Liang, and isn’t it because of your Lin Chen?”

Zhao Canghe laid it all out, and Father Lin and Mrs. Lin understood.

”Chief, could it be true? The Chen Family is a prominent household and they would fancy Liang?”

Father Lin was a bit skeptical, while Mrs. Lin pursed her lips, ”Our Liang isn’t bad.”

But even Mrs. Lin didn’t seem very confident in her words.

”I’ve had someone inquire about the Chen Family—they own about a hundred acres of land and are well-off landowners in Cyan Mountain Town.”

”Chief, you mentioned they have a hundred acres. It might make sense if they fancy Chen, but Liang? Are you overthinking this?”

”It’s true that the Chen Family is prominent in Cyan Mountain Town, but that’s only in comparison to our village. You don’t truly realize what it means for Lin Chen to win first in the March competition. Believe me, if Lin Chen wanted to marry, there are plenty of powerful families in town eager to marry off their daughters, all stronger than the Chen Family.”

The village chief felt fortunate to have come in time; Father Lin and his wife didn’t know what having a martial arts prodigy like Lin Chen meant for the Lin Family.

”Our town’s Lu Family, Zhao Family, and Cheng Family—none are weaker than the Chen Family. But when these families’ heads see you, Lin Jiang, why are they all so warm and call you ’brother’ at every turn? Is it because these gentlemen are easy-going? It’s because you are Lin Chen’s father.”

”Initially, this is Lin Family’s private matter. Since the Chen Family has intentions of forming a marital union, I, as the village chief, shouldn’t interfere.”

”Oh chief, don’t say that.”

Father Lin quickly spoke: ”All we know is farming and fishing. Chen has achieved so much thanks to your support, chief. We are aware of that. Please decide what should be done about Liang’s matter.”

”Indeed, we both listen to you, chief. Chen said before going to the martial arts hall, if faced with an uncertain decision, consult with you.”

Initially, when she thought about a prominent family like the Chen Family wanting their daughter to marry her son, Mrs. Lin felt quite pleased. But then, she thought that since the village chief came for this matter, it must not be that simple.

”But really, it depends on what Liang himself thinks. The Chen Family wanting to marry off their daughter shows they value Lin Chen’s potential. If Liang truly likes the Chen Family’s daughter, the marriage isn’t unfeasible.”

”No.”

Father Lin suddenly interrupted, ”Liang should not marry the Chen Family’s daughter. He and Erya are fine together.”

Seeing his wife’s puzzled look, Lin Jiang smiled wryly: ”Considering our family’s situation, before Chen’s martial training got him anywhere, we were just fishers and farmers, certainly unappealing to the Chen Family. Does the Chen Family’s daughter truly fancy Liang, or is it because Mr. Chen’s parents demanded it, leaving her no choice?”

”I think the Chen Family’s daughter doesn’t sincerely favor Liang. If forced into marriage, she might harbor resentment. If the Chen Family is pushing their daughter onto Liang, they must have ulterior motives. In terms of cunning, how can a family like ours compare?”

The idea of his son marrying a rich family’s daughter was indeed delightful, but Lin Jiang was clear-headed, knowing such a marriage wasn’t a good match.

”We should call Liang back first and ask him.”

Zhao Canghe stroked his beard, feeling comforted by Lin Jiang’s clarity.

A quarter of an hour later, Lin Liang returned home.

”Parents, Chief, you’re here too?”

Having been informed by the villagers that his parents were looking for him, Lin Liang paddled his boat back to the shore and headed straight for home, discovering the village chief was present upon entering the yard.

”Liang, what do you think about the Chen Family’s second daughter?”

Zhao Canghe inquired with a smile, and Lin Liang was momentarily taken aback before forcing a smile: ”Chief, I know what you are about to say. I have no thoughts about the Chen Family’s second daughter. I know her closeness to me is entirely because of Brother Chen.”

Lin Liang’s response surprised Zhao Canghe, and Father Lin and Mrs. Lin too. Seeing their expressions, Lin Liang chuckled: ”I’m not foolish. The Chen Family’s second daughter doesn’t even want to touch fish, finding them dirty and fishy. She’s not genuinely interested in fishing.”

”Besides, there are plenty of skilled fishers in our village. Why choose me for guidance? Isn’t it because of Brother Chen?”

Pleased, Zhao Canghe patted Lin Liang on the shoulder: ”Though the Chen Family’s second daughter isn’t fond of fishing, she’s quite fair and delicate. If you truly liked her, and you asked, the Chen Family would surely agree to marry off their daughter to you.”

”Chief, I really have no such intention.”

Lin Liang shook his head. The daughters of wealthy families truly had looks and charm far superior to village girls.

Reflecting on his initial encounters with the Chen Family’s second daughter, Lin Liang admitted to feeling a bit moved at first.

A wealthy young lady like her wasn’t someone he’d have dared to look at otherwise.

But after several interactions, though she intentionally seemed close, her disdain for them as fishers was something he noticed in her mannerisms.

”I’m now really just in it for the thirty cents.”

”Good lad, quite astute.”

Zhao Canghe laughed heartily, while Father Lin spoke: ”Liang, it’s time to consider marrying the Chen Family’s girl. I’ll ask a matchmaker to finalize the marriage.”

”I’ll listen to you, Father.”

Lin Liang didn’t object. Compared to the Chen Family’s daughter, he still preferred Erya, as being with her was more comfortable.

”If you propose, a new house needs to be built. I’ll find a plot of land in the village for you, Liang.”

”Build a new house?”

Lin Liang quickly waved his hand, ”Chief, let’s wait a few years for that.”

”Silly boy, building a house doesn’t cost much. Don’t worry about your brother; his martial arts training isn’t short of money.”

In the village, building a new house typically costs just a few taels of silver. A slightly better house with green tiles and red bricks costs just over ten taels.

With the Lin Family’s standing, and if Lin Liang wanted a new house, the whole village would likely help, saving a lot of money.

”That’s settled then. About the marriage and all, your family can plan it on your own. I won’t meddle.”

Zhao Canghe left relieved from his concerns.

As he passed the closed doors of the Lin Family Ancestral Residence, he sighed.

Lin Chaoyang now sees things clearly, but alas, it’s too late.

While Father Lin and Mrs. Lin were discussing the appropriate time for a proposal, Lin Chen was heading out of Poyang County with his group, riding towards Raozhou Prefecture.

They set out at dawn and only reached the gate of Raozhou Prefecture at dusk.

Even at dusk, the gate of Raozhou Prefecture was bustling, with an endless stream of caravans coming and going.

”Senior Brother Lin, look over there?”

Fu Ang gestured with his eyes, and Lin Chen followed his gaze, noticing another group appearing at a different direction from the city gate.

”These are the martial arts students from Yushan County. This time, it’s not only between our Poyang County and Yanshan County; other counties are competing too, and it’s hosted by the Military Affairs Department, but our Poyang and Yanshan counties were scheduled first by them.”

Seeing where Lin Chen and Fu Ang were looking, Tai Rubai spoke in a low voice.

”Hall Master Tai, why are our Poyang and Yanshan counties first?”

”Well, because we’ve been the lowest ranked in the Prefecture Examination, the best gets saved for last as the grand finale.”