Chapter 11: Are you forcing me to hit you in the face? Good!

Upon hearing the conversation between Shen Lang and Boss Lin, Tian Shisan was not only shocked but also pleasantly surprised.

Even though his adoptive father, Tian Heng, had agreed to Shen Lang's request, he had no hope in his heart. He had only made the promise as a gamble, as he had agreed to kill Shen Lang within three days for the Xu family.

However, to his astonishment, Shen Lang had actually succeeded. His adoptive father had indeed received a thousand gold coins, and Tian Shisan, who was responsible for the matter, naturally had a great contribution.

"Amazing, I'm impressed," Tian Shisan gave a thumbs-up to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang went to the backyard kitchen, closed the door, and began to make the dye.

"Boss Lin, wait for me for an hour," Shen Lang said.

"Alright, I'll go prepare the gold coins," Lin Mo replied.

...

The process of making this golden dye was very simple. It was detailed in the 2001 publication "Silk," and there were also special experience courses at the Silk Museum in Hangzhou.

Boil the pagoda tree seeds in water to extract the yellow liquid, remove the residue, and the yellow dye is ready.

Then, add alum and continue boiling, and the yellow color turns into a magnificent and noble bright yellow, shining like gold.

So, in less than two hours, Shen Lang made half a bowl of golden dye.

Finally, Shen Lang burned the alum and excess pagoda tree seeds in the fire, leaving no trace behind.

...

Shen Lang pushed open the door.

The boss of Jinxiuge, Lin Mo, and Tian Shisan immediately rushed over, looking eager.

Shen Lang handed over the half bowl of golden dye.

Lin Mo's hands trembled slightly as he carefully examined the new dye in the sunlight.

He couldn't help but tremble. This was not just a dye, but the foundation of the rise of his Lin family.

"This kind of golden dye not only has an outstanding color, but also has excellent colorfastness on silk, almost not fading after dyeing," Shen Lang said. "Boss Lin, are the two thousand gold coins ready?"

Lin Mo pointed to a box on the table, with the lid open, filled with gold coins.

Each gold coin weighed more than half an ounce, and this thousand gold coins weighed several tens of catties.

Two thousand gold coins were a huge sum of money, enough to allow a family to live a good life after deducting the thousand gold coins given to Tian Heng.

In his entire life on modern Earth, Shen Lang had never earned so much money.

"The formula?" Lin Mo asked.

Shen Lang handed over the written formula.

Lin Mo opened it and saw only a few dozen words, and couldn't help but be surprised. "So simple?"

"Yes, that's it," Shen Lang said.

"Cost is not high," Lin Mo said.

"Yes, very low. Many things in this world become very simple once you understand them. Boss Lin, do you think it's not worth it to buy these few words for two thousand gold coins?" Shen Lang asked.

"No, it's very worth it," Lin Mo smiled.

"Boss Lin can now personally verify this formula. In a little over half an hour, you can make this golden dye yourself. After you're done, I'll take the gold coins and leave," Shen Lang said.

Lin Mo didn't send a servant to do it, but prepared the materials himself and went to the backyard kitchen to verify the formula given by Shen Lang.

Just an hour later, Lin Mo had made the golden dye, even better than Shen Lang's.

"This is it, my Lin family is going to prosper," Lin Mo laughed.

Shen Lang said, "Congratulations to Boss Lin on defeating the Xu family and taking their place. I'll take my leave!"

He hugged the two thousand gold coins and was about to leave.

"Hold on!" At that moment, a familiar voice sounded from outside.

Then, two figures walked in.

One was his former father-in-law, the head of the Xu family, and the other was his former wife, Xu Qianqian.

Suddenly, Shen Lang felt a chill.

The head of the Xu family looked at Shen Lang and said coldly, "Shen Lang, I expelled you from the family, and I don't blame you for holding a grudge. But you shouldn't have stolen the new dye formula we developed. This is not only a theft, but also an offense to the ruler. What punishment do you think you deserve?"

The boss of Jinxiuge, Lin Mo, was surprised. "Xu family head, Shen Lang stole this formula?"

The head of the Xu family said, "You've heard of Shen Lang's previous reputation, Brother Lin. He's as stupid as a pig, lazy and completely useless. With his abilities, how could he have developed a golden dye? This formula was clearly developed by my Xu family at great expense, and this thief actually stole it. The reason I expelled him from my Xu family was because he stole things and even flirted with the maids in my house. Such despicable character, unheard of. Now he has deceived you, Brother Lin."

Xu Qianqian said softly, "If everything goes as expected, he must have rummaged through my drawer and secretly memorized this formula. Shen Lang, I know you hate my Xu family, but you shouldn't have committed such a crime."

The boss of Jinxiuge, Lin Mo, bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Xu family head. I almost fell for this thief's trick! I was puzzled at the time, how could this Shen Lang, who is so foolish, have such a brilliant formula. It turns out it was stolen. That's right, I'll report to the authorities and have this thief arrested!"

The head of the Xu family's gaze was cold as he looked at Shen Lang. "You have one chance to speak the truth here. Did you steal the golden dye formula from the Xu family? This is your only chance to speak!"

Xu Qianqian said softly, "Shen Lang, if you admit to this crime, then out of consideration for our previous relationship, we won't hold you accountable for stealing from our family. But if you insist on denying it, then father will be angry."

Shen Lang's body hair stood on end, and it took several seconds for his pores to relax.

He had anticipated the current situation, but it still surprised him when it actually happened.

The Lin family had always been a competitor of the Xu family. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, not to mention that the new formula Shen Lang brought to the Lin family was enough to deal a heavy blow to the Xu family.

But now, why did things turn out like this?

Shen Lang quickly calmed down and said to Lin Mo, "Boss Lin, can we talk in private?"

Lin Mo nodded, "Sure."

Then, Lin Mo and Shen Lang went to the backyard.

Shen Lang asked directly, "Did you invite the head of the Xu family and Xu Qianqian here?"

"Yes," Lin Mo replied.

"Why?" Shen Lang asked.

"I know that this formula can deal a huge blow to the Xu family's business, but I still informed the head of the Xu family to turn the tables on you," Lin Mo explained.

Shen Lang didn't ask why further, but waited for his response.

Lin Mo said calmly, "Shen Lang, for ordinary people like you, having money is enough. But for us, money is not the most important thing. Power and influence are what truly matter. Without power and influence, no amount of money can protect you. You're just waiting to be slaughtered like a pig or sheep."

Shen Lang said, "If the Lin family becomes the silk supplier to the national ruler, naturally, you will have power."

"No, that power is too elusive," Lin Mo said. "My son is studying at the Tian Nan Martial Arts Academy, and his performance is excellent. He is about to take the martial arts examination. His martial arts performance and his future official position are much more important than how much money the Lin family earns. Do you know Xu Qianqian's new fiancé, Zhang Jin?"

A new fiancé? So soon!

The Xu family had just driven Shen Lang out, and now Xu Qianqian was engaged to Zhang Jin?

Lin Mo continued, "Zhang Jin's family has the support of the Zhu family, and you should understand the weight of the Zhu family in the country."

The Zhu family, the top aristocrats of Yue Country, the maternal family of the national ruler's wife. Zhu Rong is even the governor of the Tian Nan Province, with immense power.

But Zhang Jin marrying Xu Qianqian, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, was probably not just because of her beauty, but also because of the Xu family's wealth.

Lin Mo added, "Zhang Jin's father has just taken up the position of the magistrate of Nujiang, and Zhang Jin is highly skilled in martial arts. He has just been appointed as the commander of the Xuanwu City Guards. If I use the new formula to take away the Xu family's business, I would offend this new influential family, and what about my son?"

Shen Lang asked, "Then why did you betray me by buying my formula?"

Lin Mo, the owner of the Jinxiu Pavilion, smiled and said, "You are just a insignificant figure, with no value at all. The only value is the hatred between Lin Mo, the Xu family, and you. I betrayed you to gain a favor from the Xu family. Moreover, I now have the new formula in my hands and can share it with the Xu family. We can all do business together."

Shen Lang said, "The Xu family originally didn't care about me at all, treating me like an ant, so there was no hatred. But by selling the new formula to you to undermine the Xu family's business, the hatred suddenly arose."

"Exactly," Lin Mo said. "So, the favor owed to me by the Xu family is even greater, and my son's future is more secure."

"Boss Lin, you are ruthless. I understand," Shen Lang said, and then walked out directly.

...

Back in the hall, several warriors from the Lin family and the Xu family completely surrounded Shen Lang. Tian Shisan stood on the side as if he were asleep, with his eyes closed.

Several officials from Xuanwu City were also present.

One of the young officials was the chief scribe of the Xuanwu City's judicial office. Shen Lang couldn't help but look at him closely; he seemed familiar.

Yes, he was about sixty to seventy percent sure.

"Hahaha..." Shen Lang burst into laughter.

He had originally planned to secretly plot against the Xu family, but he didn't expect to turn the tables so soon.

Note: Thanks to the generous reward from "Of course, forgive her," for the 10,000 coins.