Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

Just as Lin Yue sternly rejected Hecha, another group of people suddenly appeared from the crowd, led by Gao Qi, Gao Qiu's confidant.

Seeing the dead and wounded Song soldiers, Gao Qi shouted at Lin Yue, "Lin Yue, you really colluded with the Liao people! Now that you've been caught red-handed, let's see what you have to say for yourself!"

Lin Yue glared angrily and shouted, "Gao Qi, stop making false accusations! I, Lin Yue, am utterly loyal to the court. How could I commit such a treasonous act!"

Gao Qi sneered, "Hmph, the facts are right in front of you, and you still want to argue?"

Lin Yue said, "This is clearly a conspiracy by Tong Guan, Gao Qiu, and others to kill me!"

Gao Qidao said, "The evidence is conclusive. No matter how eloquent you are, it's useless. Men, seize Lin Yue and these Liao soldiers!"

Seeing this, Hecha shouted, "General Lin, let's break through the encirclement together!"

Lin Yue replied, "Even if I, Lin Yue, die, I will never join forces with the Liao soldiers!"

Gao Qi brandished his longsword amidst the crowd, constantly directing his soldiers to attack. However, the ferocity of the Liao soldiers gradually increased the pressure on him.

Hecha took the lead and fought desperately against Gao Qi's soldiers.

As the battle continued, Gao Qi's side gradually suffered casualties, and the soldiers began to panic.

Gao Qi inwardly cried out in alarm, knowing full well that if things continued this way, he would likely find it difficult to win.

Just then, he saw Lin Yue's determined eyes and a plan formed in his mind.

He fought and retreated, getting closer to Lin Yue, and whispered, "Lin Yue, you wait. You're lucky this time, but I won't let you get away with this!"

After saying that, he suddenly sounded the retreat horn.

Upon hearing the bugle call, Gao Qi's soldiers began to retreat.

Gao Qi, mounted on his horse, turned back and shouted fiercely at Lin Yue, "Lin Yue, you just wait!"

Lin Yue stared in the direction Gao Qi had fled, his heart filled with anger and helplessness.

Hecha walked up to Lin Yue and said, "General Lin, they've left. Let's leave this place quickly too."

Lin Yue snorted coldly: "I will not go with you. I, Lin Yue, am an upright man and I will definitely return to the capital to seek justice!"

Hecha said, "General Lin, why be so stubborn? If you go back now, won't you be walking into a trap?"

Lin Yue shouted, "If I don't go back, it will only confirm my crime of treason!"

Hecha shook his head helplessly and left with the Liao soldiers.

Gao Qi led his defeated troops back to Gao Qiu's mansion in a sorry state. As soon as he entered the mansion, he went straight to Gao Qiu's study.

Gao Qiu was sitting at his desk, his face grim as he awaited his report. Upon seeing Gao Qiu, Gao Qi immediately knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and said, "Grand Commandant, I have failed in my duties and have disappointed you."

Gao Qiu slammed his hand on the desk and roared, "Useless trash! What exactly happened?"

Gao Qi replied tremblingly, "Grand Commandant, as you instructed, I led my men to capture Lin Yue. But who would have thought that a group of Liao soldiers would suddenly appear and engage us in a fierce battle? Lin Yue is indeed stubborn; he would rather die than join forces with the Liao soldiers, and he even said he would return to the capital to seek justice."

Gao Qiu frowned, a sinister glint in his eyes: "That Lin Yue, he really doesn't know what's good for him! And what happened next?"

Gao Qi continued, "The Liao soldiers are fierce, and we are gradually losing ground. Seeing that the situation is not good, I have no choice but to retreat. Lin Yue insisted on returning to the capital and refused to go with the Liao soldiers."

Gao Qiu stood up, paced back and forth, and said angrily, "If this Lin Yue returns to the capital and exposes our conspiracy in front of the Emperor, then we'll be in big trouble."

Gao Qi asked cautiously, "Grand Commandant, what should we do?"

Gao Qiu stopped and pondered for a moment before saying, "There's no time to lose. I'll go to the palace to see the Emperor immediately and strike before Lin Yue does. Go and gather our men and get ready."

Gao Qi replied, "Yes, I will take care of it right away."

Gao Qiu changed into his court robes and hurriedly entered the palace to meet the emperor. After being announced to the emperor, he finally met Emperor Huizong of Song.

Emperor Huizong sat on the dragon throne, his face displeased, and asked, "Minister Gao, what brings you to the palace this time?"

Gao Qiu knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report. I have new evidence regarding Lin Yue's treason and collusion with the enemy."

Emperor Huizong was startled and said, "Oh? Tell me quickly."

Gao Qiu said, "Your Majesty, my confidant Gao Qi witnessed Lin Yue colluding with Liao soldiers and plotting a rebellion when he captured him. Lin Yue even attempted to resist, resulting in heavy casualties for our army."

Emperor Huizong frowned and said, "Is this really true?"

Gao Qiu continued, "Your Majesty, Lin Yue has always harbored treacherous intentions. His contact with Liao soldiers during his escort back to the capital suggests he is plotting something. If we do not deal with him promptly, a great disaster may ensue."

After hearing Gao Qiu's words, Emperor Huizong frowned and asked, "Minister Gao, what should we do now?"

Gao Qiu's eyes darted around, and he already had a plan in mind. He quickly said to Emperor Huizong of Song, "Your Majesty, Lin Yue is currently at large and on the run. Why don't we follow my suggestion and arrest his family members? He won't have to worry about not showing up."

Emperor Huizong frowned and said, "Arresting their family members and implicating innocent people, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Gao Qiu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Lin Yue colluded with the Liao people and committed such a heinous crime. His family members will also be implicated."

Emperor Huizong hesitated and did not respond immediately.

At this moment, Tong Guan also stepped forward, adding fuel to the fire, saying, "Your Majesty, Gao Qiu's words are not without reason. Lin Yue's crime of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country is heinous. His family members may know the inside story but have concealed it. If we do not arrest them and interrogate them severely, it will be difficult to find out the truth."

Emperor Huizong still hesitated: "But what if they are truly innocent..."

Gao Qiu hurriedly interjected, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the safety of the court. It is better to arrest the wrong person than to let him go. As long as Lin Yue can be brought to justice, even if there are some improprieties, it is for the sake of the country and the people."

Tong Guan echoed, "Your Majesty, hesitation will only lead to more trouble. If we spare Lin Yue's family out of momentary mercy, and they secretly assist Lin Yue, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Emperor Huizong was somewhat swayed by what the two men said, and he pondered with a serious expression.

Seeing that Emperor Huizong's attitude had softened, Gao Qiu continued, "Your Majesty, as long as we capture his family, Lin Yue will be hesitant to act rashly. At that time, we will be able to control the situation and make him obediently submit. Moreover, by interrogating his family, we may be able to uncover more accomplices who colluded with Lin Yue and thoroughly investigate this treasonous conspiracy."

Tong Guan then said, "Your Majesty, Lord Gao Qiu's considerations are thorough. Lin Yue dared to commit such a serious crime, and his family is also to blame. If we do not take strong measures, how can we deter those with ulterior motives?"

Emperor Huizong finally made up his mind and said, "Then let us do as you say and arrest Lin Yue's family. But we must interrogate them carefully, and if there are any innocent people, we must not wrong them."

Gao Qiu and Tong Guan were overjoyed and replied in unison, "Your Majesty is wise; we will certainly live up to your mission."

Subsequently, Gao Qiu and Tong Guan immediately began arranging the arrest of Lin Yue's family members. They dispatched a large number of trusted men and soldiers, who marched menacingly towards Lin Yue's residence.

Lin Yue's family was completely unprepared for this sudden disaster, and the mansion was thrown into chaos.

Gao Qiu's cronies, like wolves and tigers, ruthlessly arrested Lin Yue's wife, children, and elderly relatives, imprisoning them in a secret place.

Lin Yue's wife was filled with grief and indignation, and shouted loudly, "We are innocent! My husband was loyal and devoted, and he must have been murdered by villains!"

However, her cries went unanswered.

Gao Qiu and Tong Guan thought their scheme had succeeded and were just waiting for Lin Yue to appear.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue was still on his way back to Beijing, completely unaware of the changes that had occurred at home. But he was about to face even more difficult predicaments and choices…

After Zhao Tianming, Wu Yong, Shi Xiu, Yang Xiong and other brothers rushed back to the capital, they heard that something had happened at Lin Yue's residence. They were extremely anxious and immediately led their men to Lin Yue's residence.

From afar, they could see Gao Qiu's confidant, Gao Qi, directing a group of soldiers to openly arrest Lin Yue's wife, children, and elderly relatives in his residence. The residence was in chaos, filled with cries and curses.

Zhao Tianming was furious and shouted, "What are you doing?"

Hearing the angry shout, Gao Qi turned around and saw Zhao Tianming and the others. His heart tightened, but he still tried to remain calm and said, "Zhao Tianming, this has nothing to do with you. Let me tell you, we are acting under orders. If you dare to obstruct us, you are guilty of treason!"

Zhao Tianming's eyes widened, as if they were spitting fire. "Acting on imperial orders? Gao Qi, don't try to intimidate me with imperial edicts! General Lin Yue is loyal and devoted to the court, risking his life for it. There must be some injustice involved!"

Gao Qi sneered: "Hmph, Lin Yue is guilty of treason and collusion with the enemy. The evidence is conclusive, and his family is also implicated. Zhao Tianming, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business, lest you get burned."

Wu Yong stepped forward and said solemnly, "Gao Qi, this matter has not yet been investigated. How can you arrest General Lin's family so hastily? Aren't you afraid that when the truth comes out, you will be unable to explain yourself?"

Gao Qi snorted: "Wu Yong, you bandit from Liangshan, how dare you spout such nonsense here? This is the imperial decree, and you have no right to question it."

Shi Xiu roared, "Gao Qi, don't be so arrogant! General Lin is an upright man and would never commit treason. He must have been framed by treacherous people. If you dare to arrest his family today, we will never allow it!"

Yang Xiong clenched his fist and said, "That's right, don't even think about messing around in front of us!"

Seeing Zhao Tianming and the others' resolute attitude, Gao Qi felt a little uneasy, but he still forced himself to shout, "Men! Stop these people and continue arresting Lin Yue's family!"

Upon hearing the order, the officers and soldiers swarmed around Zhao Tianming and his men.

Undeterred, Zhao Tianming shouted, "Brothers, we can't let them succeed!"

The Liangshan heroes immediately confronted the government troops, and the atmosphere on the scene became extremely tense.

Zhao Tianming pointed at Gao Qi and said, "Gao Qi, if you have any conscience left, you should stop this absurd behavior and wait for the truth to be revealed."

Gao Qi shouted, his voice stern but his tone weak: "Don't be so stubborn and oppose the court; you will meet a bad end!"

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Wu Yong said, "Gao Qi, why are you so eager to arrest General Lin's family? Could it be that you have something to hide? If you have wronged General Lin, can you bear the responsibility?"

Gao Qi was speechless for a moment when Wu Yong asked him a question, and he didn't know how to answer.

At this moment, a murmur arose from the crowd, with the people expressing their dissatisfaction and questioning of Gao Qi and his group's actions.

Seeing this, Gao Qi became even more flustered, but still forced himself to say, "You...you must stop spreading rumors and misleading the public!"

Taking the opportunity, Zhao Tianming said, "Gao Qi, think this through carefully, lest you make another mistake. We are here today to seek justice for General Lin!"

Gao Qi was caught in a dilemma. On one hand, Zhao Tianming and the others were firmly blocking him; on the other hand, he worried that things would escalate and become unmanageable. Cold sweat began to bead on his forehead; he didn't know what to do…