Chapter 271 Strong Relationship
Zhan Ruoshui, the teacher whom the Lu siblings missed, was now coming slowly in a carriage with two or three disciples.
"The teacher still favors Junior Brother Lu. He set off as soon as he received his letter." Zhou Congguang and his junior brother Wei Wenqian whispered to each other.
The Master traveled thousands of miles to this remote mountainous area of Liaodong County. If this isn't a favor, what else could it be?
Wei Wenqian lowered his voice and said, "Senior Brother Zhou, you don't understand. For our master, it doesn't matter where he goes to study. Junior Brother Lu said that his second sister has said that if our master is willing to go to Liaodong County to take a look, she is willing to pay for his round-trip expenses." With such sincerity, their master would be moved.
In the Master's words, I haven't been to Liaodong County for many years, and I want to see if there have been any changes.
Zhan Ruoshui suddenly pulled open the curtain of the carriage, "What are you two whispering about? Why don't you find a place to stop the carriage, light a fire and cook? Do you want to starve your master to death?" The two of them were whispering so loudly, he was not deaf, how could he not hear it?
But look at what they say! Traitors!
Is he that kind of person? Okay, even if he went to Liaodong County for the promise of the second sister to take care of the ceremony mentioned by the little disciple, it was still because he was frugal and managed the household well. Was there anything wrong with that? A bunch of people who don't know the cost of firewood, rice, oil and salt without running the household!
While eating, Zhou Congguang said while picking up some food, "Master, I have recently come up with some new ideas about the thing I am researching."
Zhan Ruoshui encouraged him, "Do you have a new idea? That's great."
"Master, I want to try out my new idea, okay?"
Zhan Ruoshui continued to encourage, "Try, you must try!"
"I'm still short of buying experimental equipment—"
Zhan Ruoshui's face changed, "I don't have money, I have to find a way myself!"
"Master—"
"It's no use calling me dad." At this moment, Zhan Ruoshui wanted to scream to the sky. Why did he receive so many debt collectors?
No wonder he still hasn't saved enough for retirement! It's all because of the traitors!
Zhou Congguang was about to say something, but Wei Wenqian stopped him, "Brother Zhou, don't go looking for the Master. I think the Master's pockets are cleaner than his face right now."
Zhou Congguang had a sad face and asked, "What should I do then?" He really had a premonition that he would succeed this time!
Wei Wenqian suggested, "Brother Zhou, perhaps you could try to follow Brother Lu's path. His second sister seems quite wealthy. Why don't you try a different approach and start with the siblings and see if you can trick them into giving you some money?"
Zhou Congguang's eyes lit up when he heard this...
Houcheng
Prince Gong and his entourage came to Liaodong Commandery, initially on the orders of the Emperor to resolve the conflict between the Xianbei royal court and Liaodong Commandery. However, before they even reached Houcheng, the entire crisis had already been resolved.
To be honest, Prince Gong was at a loss for a moment, but he decided to go to Houcheng to take a look.
Then Lu Desheng entertained them warmly and did not hide the whole negotiation process from him, so that he could have an explanation for his trip and avoid unnecessary trouble when he returned to meet the emperor.
The next day, Lu Desheng kindly asked them if they wanted to rest in Liaodong County for a few days before returning to Chang'an?
He also said that during the rest period, they can walk around and have a deeper understanding of local customs and folkways.
Prince Gong naturally agreed without hesitation. He was old, and the journey from Chang'an to Liaodong County was over 3,000 miles. They were really rushing, and it almost broke his old bones.
A few days of rest would suit him just fine. As for whether he wanted to go for a walk? We'll talk about that later.
Lü Desheng only accompanied them for half a day, and later apologized to Prince Gong, saying that he had just arrived in Houcheng and had a lot of official business to attend to, so he couldn't accompany him on his tour. However, he had already arranged the rest of the itinerary, so he and his entourage could just relax and have fun.
Through Guo Chunsheng, Lu Desheng arranged for a talkative local to take them on a tour, allowing them to visit unique attractions and taste local delicacies.
There was still plenty of time, and under the persuasion of his entourage, Prince Gong simply decided to have a good time for a few days.
If we say that the authentic local scenery of Liaodong County gave this group of people a unique experience.
So, when the people arranged by Lu Desheng took them to visit Anshi, Fang County on the coast, they were particularly shocked by the magnificent sea, which made these officials who had always lived in the inland of Chang'an feel particularly shocked.
But after playing for a few days, they heard that someone from Chang'an had come again.
The next group of people came on the orders of the emperor to reward the members of the Houcheng negotiation team headed by Lu Desheng.
Prince Gong felt that this was expected. Since Lu Desheng and others had made great contributions, it was normal for the emperor to reward them.
Then he found out that the person who came to announce the decree was his old acquaintance Zhou Chengzhong.
Within two days, this old acquaintance and his entourage were also brought to him by Lu Desheng.
In Lu Desheng's words, they are old acquaintances in the court, so if they travel together, they will have more common topics.
Zhou Chengzhong seriously suspected that Lü Desheng was herding him and Prince Gong like sheep. As the saying goes, if you herd one sheep, you can herd two sheep as well.
However, just a few days after they reunited, news came out that Lu Desheng wanted to set up the county magistrate's office in Houcheng.
Upon hearing this, Prince Gong was dumbfounded at first, then jumped up and down. "Did he get the Emperor's consent? How dare he say that the Liaodong County Governor's Office should be located in Houcheng? Isn't he afraid that the Emperor will punish him for treason?!"
Zhou Chengzhong: You are worthy of being called Lu Desheng. Whether you are in power or in opposition, you are not a person who is content with your lot.
Looking at Prince Gong who was jumping up and down, he knew in his heart that this man was just as good a guy as always.
After hearing the news, Prince Gong lost interest in sightseeing. He wanted to go back to Houcheng to ask Lu Desheng if he knew what he was doing.
Prince Gong pointed at Lu Desheng and said, "Can't you just behave yourself?" He didn't know what to say to him.
Lu Desheng thought to himself, am I still Lu Desheng if I keep to myself and abide by the law?
But he said, "Prince Gong, this is really not my fault! You don't know how worried the people of Houcheng were after I was promoted to county governor, worried that I would leave."
Prince Gong knew from his remaining followers that what he said was true. From the day the decree was announced, every day, ordinary people would peek in when passing by the county government office to see what was going on, to see if Lu Desheng was going to move away.
"Then you can't act first and ask for permission later."
"In an emergency, we must take the necessary measures. I believe that the Emperor, who loves his people like his own children, will definitely understand."
Zhou Chengzhong: If you don't understand, then you don't love the people like your own children? Lü Desheng, you're always trying to trick me with your words. You really haven't changed your nature.
"Forget it, I don't care about you anymore. I just want to say one thing, if you continue to act so willfully, I'm afraid you won't end up well in the end."
Lu Desheng waved his hand and said, "We'll talk about the future later." He sneered in his heart. If he just stayed in his place and didn't make any mistakes, would he have a good ending?
Take the negotiation with the Xianbei royal court for example. If he and his daughter had not put in an effort, they might have become the victims of some Xianbei warriors.
Lu Desheng changed the subject, "Prince Gong, Lord Zhou, officials from the Liaodong County Governor's Office, and the magistrates of the eighteen counties have all arrived. How about we meet and have dinner together later?" He had kept them for so long, and they were finally useful.
He didn't mind using Prince Gong and Zhou Chengzhong once, so that his subordinates would know that although he was exiled, he had strong connections in the court and was also very prestigious in front of the new emperor. His main point was that he was a fox borrowing the power of a tiger to bully others.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
