Two treasure maps

Guo Yunduan sat behind the large desk in the study of the City Lord's Mansion. He had already anticipated Guo Lin's arrival. He nodded slightly, signaling the attendant to lead Guo Lin in. Then the door closed gently, and the guards stood guard outside the door silently. In the study, the atmosphere was solemn, with only the sound of the wind outside the window and the occasional bird song breaking the silence.

Guo Lin entered the study, bowed and greeted his father Guo Yun. His face was solemn, and he asked directly: "Father, is Fei Peng eligible for the recommendation quota of the City Lord's Mansion this year?"

Guo Yunduan picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. As the aroma of tea wafted in, he put the cup down and asked, "Do you think this quota should be given to Fei Peng?"

Guo Lin was stunned by the question, and after a long pause he answered: "Father, Fei Peng is your grandson, and the authentic bloodline of our Guo family. Shouldn't he have a place?"

Guo Yun's eyes were deep and full of twists and turns. He thought for a while and said slowly, "From a business perspective, is it more helpful to Fei Peng or to the Mo family or Zhang family? What we need to consider is not only blood ties, but also the long-term interests of the Guo family."

Guo Lin knew that the six major immortal cultivation families in Xiu Country had their own power, and they all had branches in Yunchan City. The situation here was complicated. Although his father Guo Yun was the city lord, he also had a hard time here. However, these were not reasons for him not to help Fei Peng.

He took a deep breath and reminded, "Father, last year you gave the recommendation quota to the Yun family, but the boy from the Yun family failed. This year, can you guarantee that the boys from the Mo family and the Zhang family will definitely pass the exam?"

Hearing this, Guo Yun frowned and slammed the table angrily, "How dare you! How dare you talk to your father like that? The Yun family kid was sick last year, but he still has to take the exam this year."

Guo Lin was startled by his father's anger, but he still insisted on his point of view, and said in disbelief: "Father, do you want to give him another quota? Aren't you going to give the quota to the Mo family and the Zhang family?"

Guo Yun's attitude gradually softened, and he said earnestly: "Lin'er, the Yun family is a family of merchants. If there are no scholars to support the family, they will not be able to go far in the future. You see, I am no longer Mu Enbo, and the royal merchant of the Yun family is gone. If not for this, they would not have built Guojiazhuang for us. Our Guo family and the Yun family have long been interdependent."

Guo Lin was so distressed when he heard this that he said, "So what? They helped us build Guojiazhuang, which I don't need. Do I have to sacrifice my son's future?"

Guo Yun said in a somewhat tough and pointed way, "That's not what I meant. You see, only your family is still staying in Guojiazhuang, and you are still enjoying everything in Guojiazhuang. The rest of us have moved out. Living in a place built by others, we should give something back."

It is said that men do not shed tears easily, only because they are not deeply saddened. Guo Lin's defenses were completely broken, and tears flowed uncontrollably. He stared at Guo Yun, his voice trembling and resolute: "Father, the home we built ourselves could have been warm and comfortable to live in, but it was because you pursued a high standard of life that you tore it down and built Guojiazhuang. Now, you want me to trade my son's future for it. I tell you, I won't trade it!"

Guo Yun's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Instead of using your son's, why don't you use your daughter's? We agreed at the beginning that we would spend money to educate those girls well so that they can enter the aristocratic circle of the capital in the future. Liuli was also trained according to the standards for entering the palace selection. It was you who changed your mind, and now you come to blame me for ruining your son's future."

Guo Lin's anger was ignited, and he retorted: "At the beginning, we said that the spiritual energy in the Red Dragon Pond had completely disappeared. In order to protect the family from being convicted, we allowed Liuli to go to the capital to participate in the selection with her own will. At that time, we also thought that even if she was not selected, she could still move around in the capital to protect the safety of the family. But what about now? The spiritual energy in the Red Dragon Pond has revived, and you, father, have been promoted to the Lord of Yunchan City. Why are you still forcing these two children?"

Guo Yun sneered, his tone revealing unquestionable majesty: "You can either choose your son's future or your daughter's future. You can decide between these two options."

Tears and anger intertwined in Guo Lin's eyes. He had a wry smile on his face, but his voice was firm: "Father, you are so calculating. Aren't you afraid that I will really destroy that inexplicable family tree?"

Hearing this, Guo Yun angrily threw the cup in his hand to the ground, and the pieces flew everywhere. He shouted, "How dare you! You rebellious son!"

Guo Lin met his father's gaze fearlessly and said in a firm tone: "Either give my child a recommendation for the imperial examination, or I will destroy the family tree that your father values ​​most." Although he didn't understand why his father insisted that his family worship the family tree, he knew that this family tree must be very important to his father.

Just as the two were in a stalemate, footsteps were heard outside the door, and Yun Xin and Qingyue Tianshi pushed the door open and walked in. They saw the tense atmosphere in the study and showed some surprise on their faces. Yun Xin coughed lightly and broke the silence: "Brother, Guo Lin, what are you doing? Why are you arguing so fiercely?"

Guo Lin and Guo Yun both turned to look at them, but neither spoke. Seeing this, Qingyue Tianshi sighed softly, walked forward, and said in a calm tone: "City Lord Guo, Guo Lin, we are all family, why should we hurt the harmony over these things? Is there anything that cannot be discussed properly?"

Guo Yun and Guo Lin were silent for a while, then Guo Yun slowly said, "Forget it, forget it. Since you are all here, let's discuss it together. But I want to tell you that the family tree matter is very serious and must not be acted rashly."

Guo Lin's heart tightened when he heard this, but he didn't show it, just nodded silently. He knew that this negotiation had just begun, and he had to remain calm and firm in order to fight for the rights and interests that his children deserved.

With Yun Xin and Qing Yue Tianshi present, the tense and explosive atmosphere gradually dissipated, and Guo Yun and Guo Lin regained their composure. Guo Yun waved for the guards to come in. The guards acted quickly, cleared the broken pieces of cups in the study, and brought new tea.

After everything was tidied up, everyone sat down again, and the atmosphere became relatively relaxed. Guo Yun picked up the teacup, took a sip, then put it down and looked at Guo Lin, with a hint of complex emotions in his eyes. He knew that Guo Lin would not give up on this matter as it related to the child's future. If he really angered him, it was hard to say what he would do, so he needed to use a conciliatory policy.

Master Qingyue sat aside, silently observing all this. He came here with Guo Lin. He first visited Guo Yun's second brother Yun Xin before coming here with him, hoping that he could mediate the conflict between Guo Yun and his son. But seeing them quarreling so fiercely, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. After all, Guo Yun and Guo Lin were father and son, and as an outsider, it was not easy for him to directly participate in it.

Yun Xin also had a serious look on his face. He knew the seriousness of the matter. He looked at Guo Yun, then at Guo Lin, and thought about how to start the conversation. He knew that at this moment, any words he said could lead to new conflicts, so he had to be careful and cautious in his words.