In February of the thirteenth year of Wanli's reign during the Ming Dynasty, it was the busy season for spring planting. Most farmers were working hard to plant their crops.

Suzhou Prefecture, with its unparalleled economic development, boasts a remarkable town called Hengtang ten miles west of the prefecture city. Here, within the grand courtyard of Anle Hall, lies... Let me know if you'd like me to translate any other parts!

At this moment, Lin Tailei is very confused and is still trying to adapt to the new environment and identity after crossing over.

He never expected that in the 21st century, after a hangover, his soul would actually travel back to over four hundred years ago, possessing another Ming Dynasty person named Lin Tailai.

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In my previous life, I specialized in researching Ming and Qing dynasty Eight-legged essays. In the 21st century, there are no applications for this field.

In this life, I possess the skills of a dragon slayer. At eighteen years old, I stand at 1.9 meters tall, yet I stand like an extra!

He was still surrounded by dozens of accomplices. On the surface, they all looked like shady young men who weren't to be trusted, not your typical "good guys."

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Seeing Lin Taili's dejected appearance today, someone nearby began to tease and make fun of him.

"Lin Dajun! Didn't you claim to be able to beat ten people with one? How could you be knocked unconscious? Did they even knock your soul out?"

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Lin Tailai glared viciously at the other person. Could it be that his identity as a traverser had been discovered? How did he know that the original soul was gone?

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The sight of Lin Tailei's fierce expression and oppressive aura terrified the man, causing him to shiver and hide in the crowd for a sense of security.

Lin Tailei ignored the noise and, through the window, cast his gaze north. Inside a house there, seven people sat at separate tables, their voices heated as they discussed matters intensely.

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"He Yitang wants to take over our Anle Hall's territory. I, Po Hun Xu, am the first one to refuse!"

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"He Yitang relies on having more wealthy patrons and disregards rules. As long as our gang is brave and united, we can fight him!"

"Right on! We're all badass, what the hell are we afraid of? There's strength in numbers!"

After a flurry of angry and impassioned speeches, the "leader" sitting in the middle sighed heavily and addressed the rest with a solemn tone:

“For the Hall of Harmony and Righteousness, prevention is key. Right now, the most important thing is to collect all the protective taxes within our territory. The county office above is urgently demanding them.”

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Listening to these "explosive" remarks, Lin Tailei was dazed, with a feeling that he had walked onto the wrong set.

He touched the coarse linen tunic on his body and glanced at his companions who were scattered around: some with messy topknots, their chests half-open as they caught lice, others standing or squatting.

Once again, I confirm that I have traveled to the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli reign (over 400 years ago), not the Hong Kong underworld of gangster films.

Thus, Lin Tailai was once again puzzled and wondered if there were any protection racket gangs in the Ming Dynasty as well?

And the leaders seem to be talking about protection taxes? What is that? A variant of protection money?

Anyway, it seems a bit different from the club I imagined from my past life.

From fragmented memories, it was learned that the original owner, Lin Tailai, seemed to be a member of Anle Hall, an eighth-rate social club in a small town.

His status was merely that of a low-ranking thug who could only stand outside and listen to orders, unworthy of being present at important discussions.

A few days ago, Lin Xiaolu went to the countryside to collect overdue protection fees from the villagers.

He was later ambushed, Lin's thugs outnumbered and defeated ten to one. Despite his valiant effort, he was ultimately knocked unconscious. Fortunately, he was rescued by his comrades.

Having recovered some of his past memories, Lin Taile was suddenly struck with a sense of dread. He wasn't ignorant of history; in dynasties where imperial rule and the bureaucratic examination system coexisted, what future could there possibly be for someone who engaged in "unorthodox" activities?

Even the powerful Liangshan heroes, having grown large and strong, also knew to seek amnesty!

And even if you want to be a pirate, you should go to sea. You might even become someone like Zheng Chenggong's father and have a future on land!

It's unreasonable to say that someone who specialized in classical literature, specifically Ming and Qing dynasty prose, and excelled in the rigorous genre of Eight-legged Essays, would become involved in criminal activities. After all, he was a renowned young academic scholar, ranking among the top ten nationwide. It simply doesn't make sense for a cultural figure like him to turn to crime!

So, as a transmigrator, Lin Tailei could easily make a wise decision to get out of the club as soon as possible!

Any saying like "one can't be master of their own destiny when navigating the world" is just a weak excuse for those who don't want to turn back!

A person should walk the right path. As for me, Lin Tai, even the Three Pure Ones couldn't stop me!

The seven "bigwigs" in the classroom were still discussing club affairs. According to the industry norms of this era, these seven had sworn brotherhood and called each other brothers.

"Brother Lu Yibin is the head of Anle Hall. He's over fifty years old, has no children, and in a despondent voice, told the six 'brothers':"

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"As the big brother, I'm incapable of having a son. My sworn brother is taking advantage of my old age and lack of an heir, causing unrest within the family, which emboldens him to act recklessly against my ancestral hall."

Although Lin Tailai is a time traveler, he understands this logic. It's like how families without sons are often more vulnerable to bullying in the village.

Moreover, in this era, it is customary for businesses to be passed down from father to son. If there are no descendants, the family business will certainly become unstable.

“Since I, as the eldest brother, am incompetent and getting old, I might as well step down and let a more capable person take my place as the head of the family!” Lu Big Brother seemed to speak sincerely and from the heart to his younger brothers.

"Big brother, you shouldn't!" The other six brothers all rushed over and earnestly persuaded him, one by one. This is what it means to have brotherhood!

Er Tou Ling Song Quan was the treasurer of the gang, responsible for managing finances and the operations of the two gambling dens and brothels in town. He was considered the intellectual backbone of the gang.

He cleverly advised Lu Tangzhu, saying: “Brother, in the current situation, it might be a good idea for you to adopt a son as your heir. It would also serve as a backup plan.”

The Hall Master said, "It seems there's no other way."

The eldest and second brothers sang in unison. Hearing this, all the other leaders present at the gathering looked outwards, their gazes fixed on the members of their gang outside.

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Nearly all the dozens of people in the whole society are here. If the big brother wants to ensure succession, he would definitely choose a young one from here as his adopted son.

The hall master, Lu Yi-bin, also scanned the crowd outside back and forth, as if he were selecting merchandise.

The members of the outside gangs immediately got excited and rushed to the front of the main hall, hoping that the headmaster would choose them!

The chance to climb to the top is right in front of us, who wouldn't want to be the young master!

For a moment, people were scrambling everywhere, but Lin Tailai only sneered secretly. What a bunch of fools! Although he had never been involved in gangs in his past life, he was well-versed in the ways of the underworld!

In film and television, whenever there are internal and external troubles, a small group that is struggling through hardships, the newly elected high-profile "successor" never ends well.

Therefore, Lin Tailai chose to go against the flow of people, retreating to the back of the crowd and even squatting down to avoid the attention of the "big shots."

Suddenly, Song Er's leader stretched his neck and shouted: "Lin Tailai! What are you squatting for? Stand up and speak!"

Lin Taili was also helpless. His body was fine everywhere else, but he was tall and strong, the kind of big guy whose arms could run horses.

Even when crouching down, he wouldn't be much shorter than an ordinary person, and could still be seen clearly by those above.

The Hall Master had walked from the innermost part of the hall to the door, carefully sizing up Lin Tailai with his eyes. He nodded very approvingly.

Song Erdi's recommendation is not bad, this kid looks very capable physically, he is a good material for joining a gang!

>

“Will you acknowledge me as your father?” Lord Lu feigned stroking his bushy beard, asking with a fake air of kindness.

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Lin Taile gritted his teeth and politely refused: "I am unworthy to serve the leader. Please, leader, choose someone else!"

I never intended to continue in the black market. It's too dangerous for me, especially with my position as a junior leader in such a low-level gang.

Would a person who spent their previous life studying classical prose for the civil service examinations, and desperately tried to pass them, be a suitable candidate to be the young master here?

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To mention Lin Tailai's name again is the only connection to his past life. How could he possibly change his name and surname for this trivial matter?

...the scene fell silent with astonishment. Everyone was genuinely surprised. They couldn't fathom why anyone wouldn't want to be the Young Master

Er Touting, Song Quan was even more astonished. He had made a private agreement with Lin Tai beforehand, so why did Lin Tai change his mind at the last minute?

The headmaster Lu hadn't spoken yet, but the three-headed leader Xu Dasheng flew into a rage first and immediately scolded Lin Tailai.

"You little rascal! It's your good fortune that my elder brother takes notice of you! You dare to defy your elder brother, disrespect him, and act recklessly, not knowing when to die!"

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Xu San, the leader you see before you, is the same one who called himself "Po Hun Xu" during the meeting of seven just now. That's his nickname.

Lin Taili felt contempt in his heart. If this were a movie about gangs, with your temper, Xu San, you wouldn't last half an hour before getting killed!

Xu Dasheng immediately ordered, "Drag him down and lock him in the firewood shed! Follow the rules!"

Lin Tailei thought for a moment and, for now, didn't rashly resist. He chose to observe the situation first. The film said that in order to survive, one must be able to endure hardship!

Second-in-command Song Quan waved to the crowd and said, "You all go disperse first!"

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Then he said to the head of the Lu family, "Big brother, don't be impatient. Let me talk to Lin again and persuade him to change his mind. After all, a forced melon is not sweet."

The hall master furrowed his brow and sighed wistfully, "Alas, in these degenerate times, people have lost their integrity. No one speaks of righteousness anymore! This Lin boy must certainly be trying to extort benefits!"

Immediately, Master Lu pondered and said: "Giving some benefits is not a bad idea. Young people are full of vigor and can't resist the allure of women. Shouldn't we first take in a daughter and then build a nest to attract phoenixes and recruit sons?"

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The other leaders scoffed. After all, what attracts young people besides beauty and wealth? Big Brother just doesn't want to spend money.

But everyone agreed with a smile and said, "Big brother is wise!"

Afterwards, Lu Tangzhu asked again, “Brothers, can you all think about it and help me find a good daughter-in-law?”

This puts the brothers in a difficult position. With their status and identity, it's easier to find women who are "bad" for them. Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

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