Lin Shuo

Biodata

Background / History

Exploitation in Jiangling

Lin Shuo used his father Lin Bian’s position as prefect to abduct women and intimidate servants. When attendants warned him that his father had forbidden reckless behavior during official investigations, he dismissed imperial authority and proclaimed himself Jiangling’s sole law 23.

Among his victims were Xie Wan and her mother. After Lin Bian framed Xie Wan’s father, the Jiangling commandant, Lin Shuo used their supposed reduction to slave status as a pretext to force them into Pleasant Breeze Courtyard. Xie Wan’s mother subsequently killed herself rather than endure the humiliation 28.

Encounter with the Investigators

Lou Yun and Pei Qing targeted Lin Shuo after hearing accounts of his abductions. They staged an apparent attempted seizure of Lou Yun at a tea shop, drawing his attention while he was returning home drunk 22 23.

Attracted to both of them, Lin Shuo ordered his attendants to seize Lou Yun and invited Pei Qing into the Lin residence. Pei Qing adopted the identity of Ye Yun, a traveler from Chuanshu. Lin Bian later approved his stay and asked him to guide Lin Shuo’s studies, giving the investigators access to the household 23 24.

Proposed Overseas Trade

Lin Bian promised Lin Shuo control of Pleasant Breeze Courtyard if he successfully entertained an honored guest. Lin Shuo enlisted Pei Qing’s help and hosted a banquet for that guest, who proved to be A Zi 26.

At the banquet, Lin Shuo proposed exporting enslaved women through the foreign merchant A Tu. When A Zi questioned the legality of human trafficking, Lin Shuo claimed the women were purchased slaves rather than protected commoners and invoked his father’s office as reassurance. A Zi agreed to return the next day to sign a contract 27.

Lin Shuo also offered Wan’er—Xie Wan—to A Zi with her indenture and allowed Pei Qing to take Lou Yun back to the residence 27.

Exposure and Capture

While Lin Shuo and Lin Bian waited for the contract signing, A Zi stole the register containing the women’s sale contracts. Lin Shuo beat Cui Hao when she reported its disappearance; Lin Bian recognized the theft as evidence that they had been trapped 30.

When Lin Bian subsequently ordered Pleasant Breeze Courtyard destroyed, Lin Shuo complained to Pei Qing for four hours about losing its profits and his source of spending money 31.

As the operation collapsed, Lin Bian ordered Zhang Dequan to take Lin Shuo out of Jiangling. Lin Shuo refused to leave, and Pei Qing intercepted the attempted escape as Su Ren’s troops arrived. After Lin Bian killed himself, Lin Shuo seized a blade and attacked Pei Qing. Lou Yun stopped him, turning her sword at the last moment to strike him with its flat rather than pierce his throat. He was taken into custody and escorted to the capital with the other surviving suspects 32.

Lou Yun later judged that Lin Shuo knew nothing useful about the wider conspiracy and considered investigating Zhang Dequan instead 33.

Appearance

• Stands roughly half a head shorter than Pei Qing 23.
• Changes clothes and wears a scented sachet before a nighttime visit to Pei Qing, though the fragrance fails to conceal his sweat and poor cleanliness 26.
• Carries a fan, which he uses to strike and threaten Cui Hao 26.

Personality

Lin Shuo is pleasure-seeking, arrogant, and openly cruel toward those under his power. He threatens attendants with death, treats captive women as merchandise, and responds to setbacks by assaulting Cui Hao. His confidence rests heavily on his father’s authority and his belief that distant imperial power cannot reach Jiangling 23 26 27 30.

His attraction to Pei Qing makes him unusually compliant during lessons, although he repeatedly attempts unwanted physical familiarity outside them. His education is poor: he boasts of progress that Pei Qing privately considers elementary enough for a seven-year-old 26.

Despite depending on his father’s protection, Lin Shuo resents his criticism. During their final argument, he accuses Lin Bian of never praising him and questions why his father had him at all 32.

Relationships

• Lin Bian — Father and prefect of Jiangling. Enables Lin Shuo’s misconduct, assigns him trafficking-related business, and ultimately tries to arrange his escape 24 26 32.
• Xu Ying — Deceased mother. Lin Shuo is forbidden from entering her preserved room, where the investigators discover a concealed booklet 30.
• Zhang Dequan — Household steward who helped raise him. Lin Shuo calls him “Uncle De” but privately fears his reports to Lin Bian; Zhang later shields him during the confrontation with Pei Qing 23 32.
• Pei Qing / Ye Yun — Supposed friend and tutor whom Lin Shuo desires. Unaware of his identity and investigation, Lin Shuo welcomes him into the household 23 24 26.
• Lou Yun — Intended abduction victim whose staged capture helps expose him. She ultimately prevents his attack on Pei Qing 23 32.
• A Zi — Prospective business partner whom Lin Shuo courts for an overseas trafficking deal; secretly an investigator working with Pei Qing 27 30.
• Xie Wan / Wan’er — Woman he coerces into Pleasant Breeze Courtyard and later gives to A Zi. Her testimony implicates both him and his father 27 28 32.
• Cui Hao — Courtyard manager whom he threatens and beats, including after the sale-contract register disappears 26 30.

Notable Quotes

“The law? You don't know, do you, beauty? Here in Jiangling, I am the law! The only law!” 23

“If it's gone, where am I supposed to draw silver from?” — Complaining about the planned destruction of Pleasant Breeze Courtyard 31