Taishu Jian, with a sword, sat on the shaft of the carriage, dressed in vigorous attire, holding the reins, acting as the coachman. The old Lu rode horseback behind Wang Anfeng and Yuchi Jie, his eyes still occasionally drifting toward the back of Yuchi Jie's neck.
A carriage, accompanied by a Fourth Rank spirited horse, exited from the east gate of Jing Feng City.
The mountains back Jing Feng City; to head south, one must take a sizable detour past 'Candle Dragon Nest' to continue toward Jiangnan Road.
The Lu Family of Jing Feng City had prepared a separate residence for the retired family head, allowing him to enjoy his days listening to the wind, reciting poetry, picking chrysanthemums, and making tea.
The old family head sat on the bed while two delicate young girls massaged his shoulders and knocked his back.
Seated opposite him was Ai Bojian, the county magistrate of Jing Feng City.
Now, the county magistrate of the city and he shared a deep connection. Back when Lu Yuanming had yet to retire, Ai Bojian had made a special visit to his residence upon entering the County City. Moreover, during the tenure of Ai Bojian's grandfather, he had lent so support to Lu Yuanming, making their relationship sowhat cordial.
After Lu Yuanming retired and returned to his hotown, Ai Bojian often visited him; partially for the blessing of his own family's progeny and partly to ensure a smoother official career in the future – an unspoken understanding between the two.
Ai Bojian raised his hand to drink tea.
Having retired from the governntal corridors of power, Lu Yuanming sat silently, his right hand fidgeting with a pair of high-quality walnuts.
He had been twirling that pair of walnuts for twenty years, and suddenly having nothing in his hand felt odd. Initially planning a thorough investigation after losing the items, he had yet to take action when he heard of the mishap at the Wu Family, which literally made him break out in cold sweat.
Calculating the ti, his walnuts must also have been casually smashed by that sa burglar.
His family, rely a scholarly clan, stood little chance against such adept Jianghu masters, yet fortunately, only his pair of walnuts was lost; other possessions were intact, and he grimly accepted the loss.
The Wu Family was truly unlucky.
The family head was imprisoned, then victimized by burglars, and with additional strikes from rivals, their once flourishing foundation began to crumble.
Ai Bojian set down his tea cup and said:
"The Wu Family's business deeds have now scattered. With the substantial reputation of Elder Mr. Sun in Jing Feng City back in the day and incitent by a few other families, the Wu Family has now truly incited public anger."
"They cannot stay in Jing Feng City anymore."
Lu Yuanming waved his hand, prompting the delicate maids to stop their actions and quietly withdraw, closing the door behind them. When silence finally filled the room, he slowly asked:
"Nephew, what do you an by this?"
Ai Bojian chuckled and said:
"The Lu Family is a clan of scholars, naturally disdainful of the sll of money. However, the disciples under your tutelage need expenses for their food, clothes, and utilities. Having so businesses in hand is quite advantageous. If the old master is willing, once the Wu Family leaves the city, the Lu Family can swiftly take over."
"Otherwise, once the Wu Family leaves, the big rchant families will squabble over their assets, causing instability in the city's trade, which is not desirable. Due to the old master's eminent virtue, you could ideally assist this official in avoiding this strife, and this official would indeed be in your debt."
Ai Bojian spoke with asured care, pitching it just right, cheering up Lu Yuanming considerably. He stroked his beard, didn't speak imdiately but simply nodded.
Over the next seven days, under Ai Bojian's overt and covert indications, and the assault from various major rchants, the Wu Family, after a final struggle, left Jing Feng City in utter disarray.
Although sustained by decades of accumulated family wealth, their future days, free from worries about food and clothing, could hardly compare to their forr influential stature.
With Ai Bojian's backing, the Lu Family moved quickly and secured several of the most valuable rchants.
Because although Lu Yuanming had retired, having once been a Fourth Rank official, he still maintained so influence; no one dared speak out, and the other families tactfully made concessions.
After just a year, under the pretext of missing contracts, they asked the governnt office to resettle the business deeds, thus completely swallowing the Wu Family's previous holdings.
The next day.
Lu Yuanming sat in his tranquil small courtyard, a beautiful woman making tea before him, his right hand twirling two new Green-Eyed Lion Heads, feeling significantly better than he had in days past.
If expanding his family's business required breaking two more Green-Eyed Lion Heads, what harm was there?
The tea had just been brewed when Lu Yuanming's eldest son hurriedly burst in from outside, exclaiming:
"Father! Disaster has struck!"
"Disaster indeed!"
Lu Yuanming frowned, his revived mood dampened, waved for the beauty to leave, and picked up the teacup, gently blowing the steam before saying lightly:
"What's so urgent?"
"Ever composed in major events, has your decades of Qi Nurturing Technique gone to the dogs?"
Lu Yuanming's eldest son, Lu Yushan, true to his na which symbolized jade-like virtue, was a steadfast scholar. Though his studies did not glean much political wisdom, he was genuinely astute and was highly valued by Lu Yuanming. Yet now, losing his usual composure, he disregarded decorum and urgently said:
"This is a grave matter."
"Father, the businesses we had just taken over, soone has co with their business deeds claiming they were obtained from the Wu Family. They have even got officials involved, requesting to reissue the business deeds."
"Now a crowd has gathered at the junction, creating a commotion!"
"Father, you'll need to intervene to settle this matter..."
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