Jiuxi

Chapter 22 022 [Master]

The next day, after Chen hour.

Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes. He slept extremely soundly that night. It was the most peaceful night since he came to this world.

Lifting the warm brocade quilt, he had just gotten out of bed when a gentle voice came from outside: "Master, are you awake?"

This voice instantly brought him back to the embarrassing situation when they first met last night.

The housekeeper Lu Wu had obviously received Lu Tong's advice and knew that his young master was not very good in mind. Seeing that Lu Chen was slightly surprised, he took the initiative to introduce him.

The girls waiting in the yard are all Lu Chen's maids. Among them, the leader named Song Pei and the other maid named He Yu are responsible for taking care of Lu Chen's daily life.

Another four people are responsible for daily chores in Xiyuan, and another four are responsible for rough work such as sweeping the courtyard.

He actually has ten maids to serve him?
Even though Lu Chen had not read much about the laws of this era, he knew that "common people's homes were forbidden to keep slaves." If someone encouraged the parents of these girls to file a lawsuit with the government, the prefect Zhan Hui would not dare to openly protect Lu Tong.

Finally, Lu Wu explained in a low voice: "Master, there was a drought in Jiangbei a few years ago, and Huaizhou was also affected. Many people sold their sons and daughters just to survive, and Song Pei was in this situation. The master couldn't bear to see it, After registering with the government office, she signed a support contract with her parents, and she received monthly payment by working in the government office, and the same goes for everyone else."

Lu Chendeng immediately understood that this was a roundabout strategy.

If they strictly followed the rules, most squires would not have the right to keep maids and servants. They would find these poor families to recognize their godsons and goddaughters, and then sign a marriage contract and bring them back to the mansion.

The government will not punish this, but in fact it cannot prohibit it.

Lu Chen could understand, but the sight of ten girls standing in a row in front of him was really spectacular.

Putting those images behind him, Lu Chen was about to take off his clothes and put them on when he saw a slim figure walking into the room.

Song Pei is one year older than He Yu, tall and slender with quite handsome appearance.She has a gentle and steady temperament and has the ability to deal with people. In the past two years, she has become the chief maid of Xiyuan.

"Master, why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Song Pei walked to the shelf and took Lu Chen's coat, and naturally put it on for him.

"I'll do it myself." Lu Chen reached out to take it.

Song Pei smiled, handed over the clothes, and said softly: "The young master has been away from home for a few months, and he wants to get used to doing things by himself outside. This servant is both happy and worried at the same time."

Lu Chen couldn't help asking: "Why?"

Song Pei responded: "I'm glad that the young master can take care of himself and can take care of himself when he goes out in the future. As for the worry, it's just a little thought. I'm afraid that the young master is used to doing everything by himself and will send us all away in the end."

Lu Chen was naturally a little surprised when he heard her shy yet generous words. This was not the kind of conversation an illiterate maid could have.

At this time, another personal maid, He Yu, came in with warm water and said crisply: "Master, just now the butler came over and said that the master has to deal with some things today and will probably come back in the afternoon. Also, the master has given orders. The master has recently been If you need to rest and recuperate, you will be exempted from the morning and evening routine.”

Lu Chen's heart moved slightly and he responded lightly.

……

After spending a whole morning walking around his home, Lu Chen had a clearer understanding of his environment.

After lunch in the company of Song Pei and others, he soon heard the news that Lu Tong had returned home, so he left Xiyuan and headed to the study in the east.

"Shen'er is here, sit down."

Lu Tong said with a smile, a gentle expression on his slightly rich face, and then explained: "My father went to Xue Mansion in the morning. I wanted to see if Divine Doctor Xue was free and ask him to diagnose you carefully. .Unfortunately, he has other important matters these days, so he has to push it back."

Seeing that he had kept this matter firmly in his heart, Lu Chen couldn't help but feel a little moved and said, "I'd like to thank you, father."

Lu Tong waved his hand and said, "There is no need to be so restrained between you and me as father and son. Shen'er, my father knows that you must have a lot of doubts during this time. You can ask anything you want to know."

During the time he stayed at the Yamen of the Sutra Weaving Department, Lu Chen thought about many issues, including the past of the Lu family.

Probably more than forty years ago, it was the heyday of the Qi Dynasty. The seven tribes of Shazhou in the west were very loyal. Although the three tribes in the north did not dare to show their disobedience, the Nanzhao Kingdom in the southwest was even more submissive. Be humble in the extreme.

The world was at peace, the sea was clear, and the merchants were very popular. Lu Chen's great-grandfather, Lu Tong's grandfather, began to do business.At first, the Lu family was just an ordinary small businessman in Shanyang County. It is said that because of the help from noble people, Lu Tong's father expanded the business and then further expanded it under Lu Tong's hands.

Up to now, the Lu family's business has spread all over the six prefectures of Huaizhou, and there are also many branches south of Hengjiang River, ranking at least among the top three among the many business houses in Guangling Prefecture.

After the Yuanjia Incident 13 years ago, the territory thousands of miles north of the Yangtze River fell, and more than [-] loyal troops paid a huge price to defend Huaizhou.

The Lu family worked hard during that time, asking for money and people, and assisting the government and the Guangling Army in blocking the incoming and harassing Jing Dynasty troops. Later, Lu Tong built this house with the support of the former prefect and the commander of the Guangling Army. Enthusiastic advice.Judging from these past events, Lu Tong is a well-established businessman with a strong sense of family and country, and will not have anything to do with Beiyan Xizuo.

Looking at the smiling face in front of him that never seemed to reveal the truth, Lu Chen asked slowly: "Before the child came back, why did you know that the Sutra Weaving Department had targeted the Lu family?"

"This question hits home."

Lu Tong hesitated for a moment and sighed softly: "I won't hide it from you until now. My father bribed a minor official from the Guangling Yamen of the Sutra Weaving Department six years ago. If nothing happens, let it go. If the Sutra Weaving Department keeps an eye on When he gets to the Lu family, he will tell your father the news."

He raised an index finger and said: "My father gives him 1000 taels of silver every year, so he must do it, otherwise my father will expose this matter."

6000 taels in six years, which is an outright huge sum of money.

Lu Tong's answer seemed so sincere that Lu Chen felt unreal.

"Are you really not a fake Yan Xizuo?"

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Chen finally chose to go straight in.

Lu Tong was startled for a moment, then laughed and said, "Why are there such doubts?"

Lu Chen said methodically: "You are very familiar with the confrontation between the north and the south, especially the battle between the Weaving Department and the Procuratorate. All the plans of the Yan Procuratorate after Zhang Xi was arrested can also be understood as covering your true identity. After this case, the Weaving Department will no longer doubt the Lu family easily, and Su Inspector intends to recruit me into the Weaving Department."

Lu Tong smiled and said: "Shen'er, your father is just a cautious businessman. In fact, what you really suspect is that your father used this incident to send you to the Weaving Department. With Su Yunqing's appreciation of you, you will become a big star in the future. Gu Yong is a more important person in power. At that time, my father will force you to do things for Puppet Yan, right?"

It has to be said that Lu Tong's thinking is very quick. During this period, a similar plot from a movie in his previous life did appear in Lu Chen's mind.

Su Yunqing must have had the same doubts before, but the dozens of killers who broke into the Weaving Division's Yamen finally dispelled his suspicions.

If Lu Tong was really a secret workman of Beiyan, he would not have given orders to these ordinary killers to pretend to kill Lu Chen. As long as one of them was not careful, all previous efforts would be wasted. Therefore, those Beiyan killers really wanted to kill Lu Chen, but How could Lu Chen be sent to the Warp Weaving Department to gain Su Yunqing's trust?
This is a contradiction, which is why Su Yunqing trusted Lu Chen so much yesterday.

Lu Chen sighed: "It's not that the child refuses to trust his father, it's just that after entering the country from Panlong Pass, there were too many coincidences during this period."

Lu Tongdao: "For example?"

Lu Chen said softly: "For example, after leaving Panlong Pass, Hai'er asked people to search twelve carts of goods again in the Wuhe County Inn. When nothing was found, it was Li Chengen who reminded Hai'er to search his carriage, and sure enough, he found the seal from the compartment. letter."

He paused for a moment and then said: "Another example is the official seal of the Procuratorate's Office stamped on the secret letter. Chengen recognized it at a glance, but after all, he was just the guardian of a business. How could he come into contact with such a secret letter?" Secret? Father, the official seal of the Procuratorate is not something everyone knows."

To Lu Chen's surprise, the smile on Lu Tong's face became a little thicker and he said with emotion: "After a trip to Pseudoyan and going through the test of life and death, you have really made progress, even better than my father expected. .”

Lu Chen waited quietly and then heard Lu Tong say calmly: "We, the Lu family, make a living by doing business and travel between the two countries. We do need to be careful about our duties. However, this does not mean that we have to close our eyes and ears. On the contrary, it is more We should pay attention to official matters, so that we can seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, and try to avoid unnecessary losses."

Lu Chen nodded, agreeing with this statement.

Lu Tong continued: "As a father, I not only bribed small officials in the Sutra Weaving Department, but also had information channels within the Puppet Yan Procuratorate. Li Chengen is a trustworthy young man and will also be your assistant in the future. Therefore, being a father not only does not I would hide it from him and instead try my best to teach him how to do things.”

Lu Chen had a feeling at this moment that the image of the middle-aged man in front of him gradually became three-dimensional.

He is not just a father who loves his only son, nor is he an ordinary businessman racking his brains for a few taels of silver, but a man with a far-reaching vision.

Even Su Yunqing couldn't completely see through him, but he didn't hide anything from Lu Chen.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen said warmly: "Thank you father for clarifying my doubts. There is still something unclear in my child's mind."

Lu Tong nodded and said, "You tell me."

Lu Chen said: "Where does the child's martial arts come from? Why doesn't the father let others know about this?"

After hearing this, Lu Tong, who had always been calm and composed, suddenly rubbed his hands in embarrassment and said hesitantly: "Shen'er, there is something that my father did not discuss with you. Please don't complain."

Lu Chenqi asked: "Why did father say this?"

Lu Tong smiled apologetically and said, "My father has helped you find a master with great martial arts skills. According to the prior agreement, she will come to Guangling in a few days."

Master?

Lu Chen didn't feel any emotion in his heart, but he vaguely felt that there was a hint of "scheming to succeed" hidden in the middle-aged man's smile.

(End of this chapter)