Chapter 167 If It Wasn't the Wrong Time and Place
As expected, Chen Zhengxuan only brought in a servant.
Some of the people outside found broken walls that could barely provide shelter from the rain, or stayed under big trees, and some stayed in carriages. In short, if the rain didn't stop tonight, these people would have no chance of sleeping well.
After the servant came in, he bustled around, took out a white fox skin with very long fur and spread it on the ground, then brought a tea table, lit the incense burner, and placed cakes on the table. He was very particular about the food, clothing and daily necessities.
Yuan Wanru sighed secretly, this is the luxury of the rich.
Neither she nor Lu Jiangnian could live like this; it was too pretentious.
Seeing her staring at the servant busying himself, Lu Jiangnian thought she envied Chen Zhengxuan's pomp and circumstance, so he lowered his head and asked her, "How about we put out a coffee table, too?"
How could he let his wife envy others?
Yuan Wanru quickly shook her head: "Forget it, there's no need to bother. Just sitting around the fire like this is fine."
The people outside were shivering in the autumn wind and rain, and she was very satisfied to have such a warm and comfortable environment.
There's no need to be so particular about camping in the suburbs.
Lu Jiangnian patted her head with satisfaction: "My wife and I really have similar interests. I also think that this is too much trouble."
Yuan Wanru looked at him in confusion. If that was the case, why did he set up the coffee table just now?
He chuckled, "I saw you were so absorbed in watching it, I thought you wanted it too?"
I see.
"I just think he's quite... different from the average person."
Leaving a group of his men to sleep in the open while he himself is here lighting incense and sipping tea, isn't he afraid of losing the support of his subordinates and causing complaints from them?
A gleam of light flashed in Lu Jiangnian's eyes: "Wait, he is a person who will not do anything without profit. I think he will come to discuss something with me later."
He whispered in her ear, describing Chen Zhengxuan's character, and then said, "Four years ago, I bought a batch of cloth from him to buy new clothes for my soldiers."
"Although I am no longer in the army, many of my former subordinates have become commanders. I guess he wants to use me as a go-between."
Is that so?
No wonder he insisted on coming in to take shelter from the rain but left his men outside.
It turned out that he wanted to take the opportunity to get close to Lu Jiangnian.
That favor was just going with the flow.
"But aren't all military supplies allocated by the imperial court?"
Yuan Wanru didn't quite understand, so she raised questions.
The smile on Lu Jiangnian's lips turned a little colder.
"Yes, military supplies are allocated by the imperial court, but the really good stuff is very rare."
"We are in the coldest place in the north. The winter four years ago was particularly cold. That year, I was wearing the clothes that the government sent me, but I still felt the biting cold. How much more so for others?"
"They are my soldiers. I can't watch them get frostbitten or freeze to death."
"The imperial court won't care about these things. The death of a few people, or even a dozen people, is not a big deal in their eyes."
"Besides, if we wait for them to take care of it, I'm afraid the winter will be over."
"In this situation, I can only take care of it myself."
Of course, he could resolve this matter by putting pressure on the prince.
But this is not the best way.
The prince's position is now stable, but the emperor is getting older, and his love for the prince is not as pure as it used to be.
Regarding the affairs of the court, he must stay away from the crown prince and cannot allow the emperor to be present at any point. He discusses the concept of important state affairs with the crown prince.
In particular, this matter also involves military power.
If the prince intervenes, will the emperor think that the prince wants to show favor to the northern soldiers and win fame and support through this matter?
Since he can afford the money, he can just use the simplest method and buy it himself.
Anyway, most of this silver was spoils of war from attacking the enemy, so he didn't feel bad about spending it on his soldiers.
“Do I have to buy it every year?”
With so many people, winter clothes are not cheap. How can Lu Jiangnian afford to supply them?
Lu Jiangnian whispered softly in her ear: "Every time we hand over to the court, we only hand over half of the seized materials. My wife, your husband's money is enough for you to squander."
The Lu family came from a grassroots background, and Lu Jiangnian was no stranger to common affairs.
Money is something of vital importance, and he has never been a noble person.
What if those things are handed over and stored in the national treasury?
I'm afraid that less than one-tenth of the funds are actually used for the people and important matters of the court.
If that’s the case, why can’t these people who have shed blood and sweat stay?
Foolish loyalty will not bring peace.
Therefore, his loyalty to the court was loyalty to his own judgment.
Yuan Wanru's eyes showed a look of surprise. This person...
It was far from the image she had imagined, of a man who was loyal and passionate about the court.
However, she felt that he made her feel more at ease.
After all, the court belongs to the emperor, not to the people of the world. If he has no judgment of his own and only knows how to be loyal blindly, it will not be a good thing.
Lu Jiangnian stared into her eyes, not daring to miss any of her expressions. Noticing that she remained silent for a long time, he asked in a tense voice, "Madam, what do you think?"
Would she feel that he was not upright enough?
However, he has never been an upright person.
He didn't want to hide his nature from her.
Especially since they were so close now, he was even less willing to pretend in front of her.
Yuan Wanru sneered: "As for me..."
"It's good that my husband does this. Anyway, just follow your own ideas. I have no objection."
Lu Jiangnian's eyes lit up. He really didn't expect that she would be so direct and agree with his approach.
If it were his father, he would definitely not approve of it. Instead, he would think that he was too cunning and that a subject should not be too selfish.
Therefore, he never told his father about these things.
Yuan Wanru was the first member of the Lu family to know about this.
Loyalty is fine, but it cannot be loyalty without bottom line.
Throughout history, many powerful generals have ended up being eaten alive after their cunning rabbits have died.
He admired the prince's character and thought that he would become a wise ruler. However, it is lonely at the top, and who knows whether the prince can be the same as he was before?
While achieving his ambitions, he must always keep a clear head.
"My dear, if the time and place were not inappropriate, I would really like to..."
He didn't finish the rest of the words, but his fiery eyes said it all.
Yuan Wanru's ears became red when he looked at her, and she quickly avoided his gaze. It was really...
The beauty trap is not easy to resist.
He has a good-looking appearance, and when he looks at people affectionately, how can I remain indifferent?
At this time, Chen Zhengxuan said exaggeratedly: "Oh my, Master Lu, you are really..."
"I called you twice, but you didn't hear me. Are you drunk?"
"Or is it that wine doesn't make people drunk, but people make themselves drunk?"
Lu Jiangnian glanced at him indifferently, and Chen Zhengxuan immediately shut up.
He finally caught the man, he couldn't ruin his business.
He pointed to the seat opposite the coffee table very attentively: "Would you do me the honor of having a cup of tea?"
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