Suijun starts with the principle of rewarding diligence.

Jiang Mansion, Study.

"Father, what do you think of this matter?"

Jiang Linyuan told Jiang Nianyuan about his plan to send men to Blackwater Lake to ambush and kill Bu Qu.

Jiang Nianyuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head in rejection: "Inappropriate."

"Why?" Jiang Linyuan argued, "By robbing and killing that fisherman, we can both reduce one competitor and obtain the Red-scaled Sturgeon from him. It's a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy, what's wrong with that?"

"This matter is not as simple as you think."

Jiang Nianyuan snorted coldly: "You've heard about the Xia family sending assassins to kill Zhong Ling. That fisherman was also present at the time."

Jiang Linyuan laughed and said, "Those two assassins were killed by the lightning ball, both at Zhong Ling's hands. What does it have to do with that fisherman? He only knows some water manipulation techniques; how strong could he be?"

Jiang Nianyuan simply shook his head: "Don't take things for granted. Think about the consequences before making a decision."

He picked up his teacup, took two sips, and said leisurely:

"You've seen the consequences of the assassination attempt at the Xia residence. If Zhong Yun hadn't spoken up for them, the Zhong family might have directly attacked the Xia family."

It's only because Zhong Yun has feelings for Xia Zhu that he spoke up for her.

If the Xia family really has no other choice, they can marry Xia Zhuxin to the Zhong family as an apology.

"Your father doesn't have a daughter like Xia Zhuxin. If the robbery and murder fail, can he marry you off to atone for his crime?"

Jiang Linyuan coughed awkwardly twice: "Father, you're being too cautious. That man surnamed Bu is just a fisherman, not someone from the Zhong family. He's all alone; even if he dies in the lake, it'll be a quiet, insignificant nobody."

"Cautious?" Jiang Nianyuan sneered. "Your father's cautiousness is what brought the Jiang family to its current position in Heishui County. Now that you know that fisherman is gaining power, why try to seize his opportunity? If things go wrong, our Jiang family will be wiped out."

"But......"

"No buts. My mind is made up, and you mustn't bring it up again!"

Jiang Linyuan meekly withdrew from the study, pondering to himself:

"If I don't deal with that fisherman now, I'll have to wait until next year."

Next year, besides Xia and Su continuing to compete with me, who knows who else might emerge.

The opportunity to qualify for the Lungmen general election is only a matter of a few years.

Every year wasted is one year less to live.

He glanced back at the study, determined not to heed Jiang Nianyuan's advice, and went to consult with his retainers on his own.

.....

Upon arriving at Pingtang Bay, the fishing team assembled by the Jiang family was ready and waiting to head to Blackwater Lake to catch red-scaled sturgeon.

Since this matter concerns Jiang Linyuan's future, the Jiang family has purchased five awning boats, each with two people on board.

The two leading figures were none other than Luo Chuan and Wang Lan, retainers of the Jiang family who possessed water-related attributes.

The others were also skilled swimmers, having been fishing tyrants for several years; they were all strong and muscular.

Upon seeing Jiang Linyuan arrive, Luo Chuan led the group in bowing to him: "Young Master, what brings you here in person?"

Jiang Linyuan smiled and said, "It's nothing serious."

In a few words, he told everyone about his plan.

Luo Chuan stepped forward: "Young master, do not worry. How much trouble can a mere fisherman cause? I will go to Blackwater Lake and meet him there. In three days, I will not only take his fish, but also his awning boat!"

Jiang Linyuan was overjoyed: "With Luo Chuan's help, success is sure to be achieved. If I can successfully enter the Righteous Path Sect, you will surely benefit greatly in the future."

Luo Chuan bowed and thanked him.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice boomed from behind Luo Chuan: "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? He's just a fisherman; why bother Brother Luo to come personally?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the person who made the statement was none other than Wang Lan, Luo Chuan's deputy.

"Now that you have news of the Red-scaled Sturgeon, there's no need for you all to go to the lake. Just one of you will row with me. In three days, you can simply host a banquet at Pingtang Bay to await my triumphant return!"

Jiang Linyuan was overjoyed and watched Wang Lan set sail with everyone from the Jiang family.

.....

Three days later.

Jiang Linyuan had his men prepare fine wine and delicacies and waited for him at Pingtang Bay.

The cold winter wind blew from morning till night, but Wang Lan's awning boat never arrived.

Luo Chuan frowned: "Wang Lan must have underestimated us. Young Master, I will personally lead men to Blackwater Lake. Firstly, to retrieve the fish for you, and secondly, to avenge Wang Lan!"

Jiang Linyuan nodded: "Take everyone with you. Back then, Wang Lan was full of ambition, and I was too impressed by his bold words to keep my guard up. Wang Lan's failure was all my fault. You must not repeat the same mistake."

Luo Chuan chuckled, "Young master, rest assured. In this Blackwater County, when it comes to water skills alone, if I, Luo Chuan, claim to be second, no one dares to claim to be first. In three days, just wait for my good news."

Jiang Linyuan cupped his hands in greeting: "Then I, Jiang, will await good news!"

.....

Three days later.

Jiang Linyuan had been exposed to the cold wind all day, his hair was disheveled and his eyes were unfocused.

Two groups of people entered Blackwater Lake one after the other, and have not been heard from since, as if they had sunk to the bottom of the sea without even a ripple.

There are only two possibilities for this situation: either an accident occurred, or the fisherman sank them all.

Jiang Linyuan hoped it would be the former.

But how many accidents are there?

"He's just a fisherman, he's just a fisherman!"

Even Jiang Linyuan himself couldn't handle Luo Chuan and Wang Lan's group on his own.

If he can't do it, how can Buqu, a fisherman, possibly do it?

However, the facts are right before our eyes.

Bu Qu's strength far exceeded his expectations!

Jiang Linyuan regretted not heeding Jiang Nianyuan's advice and secretly sending men to ambush and kill Bu Qu.

Now that they have committed such a terrible crime, how should they clean up the mess?

He struggled for a few days after returning home, but finally decided to tell Jiang Nianyuan the truth about the matter.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nianyuan plopped down in a chair in anger, pointing at Jiang Linyuan and shouting, "You...you..."

He couldn't utter a word for a long time, and finally could only let out a long sigh.

The loss of Luo Chuan, Wang Lan, and several others meant the complete annihilation of the Jiang family's naval forces. But these were minor matters.

Offending a potential disciple of the righteous sect is a big problem.

Even if Buqu doesn't confront them now, if he settles scores later, the Jiang family will be completely finished.

Knowing the situation was beyond saving, Jiang Linyuan whispered, "Father, how about we run away?"

"Run? Run where?" Jiang Nianyuan was furious. "Cultivators have extraordinary abilities. If he really holds a grudge, he'll come looking for you sooner or later."

"What should we do then?" Jiang Linyuan panicked completely.

Jiang Nianyuan shook his head, thinking to himself, "How did I end up raising such a troublemaker? I can't kill him, and he can't escape... It seems I have no choice but to sacrifice him to save the king."

"When he returns, I will personally take you to the fisherman to apologize. The outcome will depend entirely on his attitude."

Jiang Linyuan turned pale upon hearing this.

He's a rich young master, yet his life and death depend on the whims of a fisherman.

Jiang Nianyuan glanced at him, thinking to himself, 'What's done is done; there's no use in regretting it now.'

He shook his head and went back to the backyard to find his wives and concubines.

This account is now obsolete. While I'm still young, I should quickly create two new accounts.