The Second Volume Hebei Chapter Fifteen Turning Official

  Recommendation from the inner courtyard: "Rebirth - Elegant and Refined", by Changjian Xiangsi. Just by the name, you can tell it's about elegant pursuits like music, chess, literature, painting, and romance... those who dislike such refined things, beware! Don't say I didn't warn you, hehe...

  Lu Junyi cried poor here, which means haggling. Gao Qiang naturally understood the implication. Since they had already agreed to cooperate beforehand, he should first quote his price to let the other party settle down: "Oh, Lu sir has recently suffered a great loss, and I'm also grieving on behalf of sir. I heard that sir travels to the north every year to transport salt and tea, it must be a lot of trouble. I intend to cooperate with sir in this matter, so as to assist sir with one arm's strength, and also avoid sir overworking himself due to grief. What do you think, sir?" This speech is already quite shameless. Someone has just lost their wife, and you come to discuss cooperation? However, on such occasions, people listen for the underlying meaning. The local authorities have taken an interest in your business, everyone knows what kind of business you're doing, so it's better to be sensible.

  Lu Junyi heard the words "going back and forth to transport salt and tea in the north" and was secretly shocked. He stole a glance at Liang Zhongshu beside him, seeing that he still had a calm expression, and his heart was even more shocked. It seemed that this Lord's steward was determined not to care about his own affairs. Otherwise, when High Official Guo mentioned his smuggling business, Governor Liang would have said a few words, such as "Lu Junyi is loyal and law-abiding, the people of the Lu mansion rely on him for their livelihood".

  At this moment, the other party has ironclad evidence and both human and material evidence are complete. If they really want to turn against him, there is no other way except to hope that Liang Zhongshu will mediate on his behalf. Looking at the appearance of this governor, the degree of reliability is limited. Lu Junyi hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth secretly, and asked Gao Qiang: "If a humble man like me can enter your eyes, it would be a great fortune in three lifetimes. I wonder how you want to handle this matter?" Ask about the price again, see if we can negotiate.

  "Lu Yuanwai has this intention, and I have a plan here. Considering your busy schedule and the many troubles you've encountered on the road, it's not easy to do business. Why don't I report back to my father and use the name of our family's military supplies transportation to help you transport some goods? You only need to pay for the transportation fee." He glanced at Liang Zhongshu beside him and added, "Just hand it over to the Leave Guard Office of the Daming Palace as military supplies. This is a great thing that benefits both the country and the people. What do you think, Lu Yuanwai?" Knowing that this matter cannot be avoided with Liang Zhongshu, he pretended to be generous, thinking that since he and Cai Jing were in cahoots anyway, they had to use the name of the Palace Guard Office for this matter, and Liang Zhongshu couldn't monopolize it alone.

  Lu Junyi listened to this and thought, "What kind of nonsense is this? Earlier you said we would do business together, but now you're talking about benefiting the country and the people. Who believes that?" However, he understood the underlying message and calculated it in his mind, thinking that there wouldn't be much loss. At that time, for traveling merchants, the biggest cost wasn't the goods themselves, but rather the transportation losses on the road, as well as the extortion by local strongmen and corrupt officials along the way, including various protection fees and other expenses. As for bandits and thieves, they didn't pose too much of a threat after all - Yu Qilin's reputation as "the number one martial artist in Hebei" wasn't just for show, and more than half of his fame was earned on the green forest path.

  Now, if we can get the "Palace Guard Military Supplies Transportation" flag on the Lu family's merchant fleet, it's easy to imagine that not only will bandits and thieves retreat in fear, but also various big and small strongmen and officials won't dare to stretch out their hands. Just this one item alone would save us no less than 200,000 guan per year. Moreover, apart from this, we can also call on the Imperial River Army's ships to transport goods and silver, saving another large sum of money in transportation costs. It's really a profitable deal. - except for one thing: how much protection fee does the Palace Guard Command want to collect?

  "Within the government, a red heart for the country, not ashamed to be the son of a general, the common people admire him extremely, only the common people have always been doing business among the people, but do not know how much the military expenses are?"

  Gao looked at Liang Zhongshu, but then he started to mutter again: This Liang Shifu seems unlikely to protect Lu Junyi, but how to divide the spoils has become a problem. After all, how much did Lu Junyi originally offer him? There is no accurate number in his heart. Forget it, let's ask Yu Qilin instead: "Although this matter is for the country, we can't let the official bear too much burden. I dare to ask Official Lu, what was the original annual transportation fee?" As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Liang Zhongshu.

  Lu Yuan's expression changed slightly, and he naturally revealed a bit: "It's good that the imperial court knows, every year the transportation cost is twenty million guan, half of which is spent on food for the merchants." When he said the word "food", he slightly emphasized his tone and glanced at Liang Zhongshu, obviously referring to Liang.

  Gao Qiang was shocked, this Liang Zhongshu has a huge appetite, no wonder he can give his father-in-law 100,000 yuan every year for his birthday, it turns out that Lu Da Caizhu has to burn such a big incense stick for him every year. Looking at Lu Junyi's intention, he wants to treat himself equally. This is also good, Liang Zhongshu didn't lose anything, everything remains the same.

  Now that the price is basically agreed upon, it's time to ask Old Master Liang to make a statement. Gao Qiang turned around with a smile and said: "Old Master Liang, please take care of this young nephew's rough plan, lest he be ignorant and make some mistakes, and tarnish the reputation of his father and uncle."

  Li the Grand Secretary put down his tea cup and smiled: "My virtuous nephew, for the sake of the imperial court, you have exerted yourself to the utmost. It is clear that your respected father's family teachings are very strict. You will soon rise to prominence and become a pillar of our great Song Dynasty. Your foolish uncle will certainly look out for you."

  Since he has expressed his attitude, a deal is settled. Gao Qiang and Lu Junyi both let out a sigh of relief. Lu Junyi then thanked Gao Qiang: "Since the governor also said so, I can serve the court, all thanks to the governor's and your kindness, I will remember it forever. However, my business has often relied on Manager Li Gu, I hope you can arrange for us to meet."

  I thought everything was fine this time, but unexpectedly Gao Qiang came up with a new trick: "General, please hold on for a moment, I still have something to ask. That day at the Cuicui Building drinking wine, your servant Yan Qing served wine and dishes, played the flute and sang, all of which were excellent, and he was also dignified in appearance. It's really hard for General to find such a good servant. Among the dozens of idle servants in the Eastern Capital Temple Commander's mansion, not one can compare with him. I wonder if General is willing to sell?"

  Lu Junyi was taken aback at first, then seemed to be getting angry, but soon remembered his situation and held back a sigh, saying: "Since the official values my humble family's Xiao Yi, I have no objections, as long as Xiao Yi agrees." It turned out that Yan Qing was waiting outside the door. Lu Junyi apologized to Liang Zhongshu and Gao Qiang, then turned around and left, soon returning with Yan Qing.

  It had been several days since they last met, and Yan Qing had become much thinner. The smile on his face was gone, replaced by a melancholy and depressed look. Even when greeting Liang Zhongshu and Gao Qiang, he seemed mechanical and not at all like his usual elegant and carefree self.

  Gao knew that Xiao Yige was heartbroken over Jia Yulian's passing, and at this moment he was also suffering from the heat, so he couldn't help but feel some sympathy. He said: "Xiao Yige, are you well? I'm sure Lu has already told you, but I must say that I have great admiration for your character, Xiao Yige. I hope to be able to accompany you day and night, do you wish to follow me?"

  Yan Qing remained silent for a moment, then turned around and bowed four times to Lu Junyi, saying: "Master, Xiao Yi has been raised by Master since childhood, taught poetry and books, and taught martial arts. Although the name is master and servant, the relationship is like father and son. All his life, he only wished to follow Master's side. Now that High Officer wants Xiao Yi to follow and serve him, Xiao Yi will do as Master instructs."

  Highly valued, I thought that Yan Qing had experienced such a great change by Lu Junyi's side and would surely have the intention to leave. Who knew he was still so loyal? It is truly rare and precious. That Lu Junyi has such talent and cannot use it is really frustrating, making one sigh like Fan Zeng and Tian Feng. However, this thought only flashed through his mind, and he became even more determined to recruit him. Without waiting for Lu Junyi's response, he smiled and said: "Little Ye brother is loyal to the master, I admire him extremely. It's just that the person I rescued from the fire that day has not regained their senses until now, speaking nonsense every day about forbidden and illegal matters. I want Little Ye brother to take a look and see if it's really the chief steward of your esteemed household."

  As soon as the words were spoken, Lu Yan's face changed, and Gao Qiang's words were clearly a naked threat. Lu Junyi saw that Gao Qiang had already agreed to the transaction, but now he was threatening again, and he couldn't hold back his anger, shouting: "Sir, I am willing to go identify the person, please trouble yourself to ask him."

  Gao Qiang smiled slyly and said, "Lu Yuanwai's words are wrong. That person was frightened in the fire scene and has not been clear-headed until now. No one is allowed to approach him, so he can only be locked up in the inner mansion. I ask you, Yuanwai, how can you enter the inner mansion of the Leave Guard? Unless Xiao Yige becomes a servant of the Xiao family, this inner mansion can be entered, that person can be recognized, and this language can be distinguished."

  Lu Junyi's face changed greatly, he glanced back at Liang Zhongshu, and saw that the prime minister was still sitting calmly on the fishing platform. He then looked back at Yan Qing, who was kneeling in front of him, his expression changing several times before finally letting out a long sigh and saying: "Xiao Yi, since the official has said so, you...you can follow the official now, the removal from the register documents will be sent to the official's hands later."

  Yan Qing suddenly raised his head, and his eyes scanned Lu Junyi's face like lightning. He opened his mouth but didn't say a word, and instead knocked his head on the ground four times. When he got up, it seemed as if there were a thousand pounds of weight on his feet, and he knelt down in front of Gao Qiang with mud and water on his knees. Before he could knock his head again, Gao Qiang rushed over to help him up, laughing loudly: "Little Brother Yan, I feel like we've known each other for a long time! From now on, we can treat each other as host and guest, which is comforting to me, haha..."

  "Yan Qing is foolish and ignorant, mistakenly loved by the imperial court, I dare not serve with all my might." The stiff words made one wonder if they were really spoken by this charming and clever "rogue".

  "Come on, I'll take you to see that nonsense talker and recognize if it's the steward of your mansion, Li Gu." Gaofei held Yan Qing's hand and walked towards the back hall.

  After a while, the two came out again. Yan Qing's face was expressionless as he walked to Lu Junyi's side and bowed his head, saying: "Lu sir, Xiao Yi has carefully identified him, that person is an unknown reckless individual from who-knows-where, definitely not Li Zongguan."

  Xiao Yi paused for a moment and then said: "I'm sure that Li was definitely killed in the fire at Cuīyún Building that day, his body must have been completely destroyed!"

  When he heard the three words "Lu Zhishen" come out of Yan Qing's mouth, Lu Junyi was already speechless, and felt that the handsome face in front of him was more distant and unfamiliar than ever before.

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