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The banquet was held in the flower hall. Unlike the previous living room, the structure here was more elegant, with large windows inlaid with tiles on three sides. There was no door or wall on the front, only a gauze curtain, and one could see the gracefully blooming magnolia tree not far away.
The rich floral scent replaces the incense, which is sweet but not greasy and intoxicating.
What is even more intoxicating is the fine wine and beautiful women.
Instead of using the common large round table, Lu Jian actually used a separate dining table. There were beautiful maids to serve, and singing and dancing to accompany the meal. Just by entering the house, one could feel the spring atmosphere and the cold air disappeared.
Lin Meng felt that he could not move his legs, and he did not dare to raise his head. He just stood there in a daze.
Cheng Xi didn't care much. He took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the brocade couch in front of the desk.
This sitting posture is certainly not in accordance with etiquette, but she does it neatly and decisively, which makes people feel cool.
Lu Jian was not surprised and also sat sideways on his seat, leaning against the table, looking quite leisurely and elegant.
"Hepu is a remote place, and there is really not much good wine there. This Ruilu is soft and mellow, I wonder if you like it, my dear brother?" As soon as he came up, Lu Jian raised his glass to toast.
Cheng Xi didn't know how much alcohol this body could drink, but after smelling it, he knew that the cup contained rice wine, so he didn't care and drank it all in one gulp.
The warm rice wine is indeed soft in the mouth, with a strong honey aroma that makes people feel refreshed.
She admitted, "I'm not a big drinker, but this wine is to my taste."
For a young seafarer to openly admit he's "not a good drinker" is a rare example of open-mindedness. Lu Jian smiled and said, "Everyone loves Xiangxuelu and Penglaichun, the strong aroma of yellow wine and the sweetness of white wine, but I prefer sweet wine. I didn't expect to meet a soulmate. Today is warm, perfect for drinking and appreciating flowers. My dear brother, please don't be so reserved."
How could the guest spoil the fun when the host was so considerate? Neither of them mentioned the deal, but simply drank and ate, chatting casually.
The banquet was a good one, and all the dishes served on the table were delicacies. If there were rare ingredients, Lu Jian would chat with the guests and ask about their preferences.
In addition to these, we can't help but talk about some interesting stories.
People like Lu Jian naturally wouldn't tell those vulgar and boring jokes, but would instead bring out anecdotes and interesting stories from casual conversation.
Cup-sized pearls from giant South China Sea clams, immaculate coral trees several feet tall, white ivory carvings from the South Seas... Aren't these the most captivating stories to tell when you're in a harbor? Occasionally, a few words about Jiangdong's scenery are sprinkled in, adding a touch of elegance.
Lu Jian's eloquence was so good that any story he told could sound interesting and fascinating. Even Lin Meng, who was just there for the show, was fascinated by his story.
Of course, he didn't talk all the time. When the music started, they would stop and talk while watching the beautiful girl bend her waist and wave her sleeves, dancing gracefully.
After the song, Lu Jian smiled and said, "I still prefer Qingqu. Although zaju is exquisite, it is obsessed with love. My dear brother, do you have any favorite pieces? If you have any, you can also invite someone to perform it."
He spoke naturally, and Cheng Xi answered straightforwardly: "A vulgar person likes to wield swords and guns, how could he understand these things? I think this dance is pretty good."
Lu Jian laughed and nodded at the dancer: "My dear lady, why don't you thank the young master?"
The woman really bowed timidly and delicately, with a pair of beautiful eyes that seemed to be filled with autumn water, which made Lin Meng's eyes widen. Cheng Xi just smiled and told her not to bow.
She doesn't care what people talk about or watch at the table, but she cares about the deeper meaning of the words.
These endless small talks may seem to be just to liven up the atmosphere, but in reality they are just attempts to find out the truth.
A person's preferences and habits can reflect his or her life experience, especially in ancient times when regional characteristics were more distinct.
To take it to the extreme, a person's favorite dishes and wines could reveal their region of origin, while their knowledge and taste could even reveal their social status. Were those anecdotes about seafood really just for fun? Perhaps they were more a test of her understanding of maritime trade and whether she would be tempted by wealth.
Of course, while Lu Jian was asking questions, he also revealed some of his own things.
It’s a pity that Cheng Xi is not a serious local person and does not have enough experience to discern, so he never responded and never investigated further.
After all, what they want to discuss cannot be settled with just a few clichés. Sooner or later, they will have to go deeper and reveal each other's cards.
Looking at the young man who always had a calm expression and could not find any flaws, Lu Jian sighed in his heart.
It's not easy for a person to hide their origins. Words, actions, knowledge, and preferences can all reveal their true nature. But the person before him was unlike anything he had ever encountered. He could easily sense that he was of a distinguished background, but he could never determine where he came from or what his wealth was.
How can one find the flaws and the root of a person who has no preferences in food and clothing, is not interested in pleasure, whose mind cannot be shaken by wealth, and who even turns a blind eye to women?
Lu Jian asked the dancers to leave, then raised his glass and chuckled, "When it comes to wine, it's best to share it with close friends. I may not be very talented, but I do have some experience, but I've never met someone like you, my dear brother."
The man he had called "Captain" back then was now willingly standing behind him. He used to only be able to control a small boat, but now he had a medium-sized fleet.
With such abilities and skills, why should we care about his background?
Are we getting down to business? After three rounds of wine and five dishes, we've covered the basics, so of course we need to get down to business. Cheng Xi smiled faintly, "It's also luck. If Master Lu hadn't sold me grain at a low price, how would I be here today?"
This may sound like flattery, but it also has a deeper meaning. Lu Jian also smiled and asked, "So, how much grain are you planning to ship back this time?"
As a local tyrant, how could he not know about the expansion of his fleet? However, Cheng Xi still said sincerely: "At least 3,000 stones will be enough."
He demanded a thousand dan more than before, and still said it was "just enough," which proved that he already had a sales channel. In just two months, the grain route was already paved? In other words, he had already dealt with the local powerful and even used this to develop his own power.
Even Lu Jian couldn't help but sigh with deep emotion: "This little fight is really a waste of my talent."
Cheng Xi raised his glass and took a sip: "At my age, what can I achieve? Brother Lu is so kind."
Lu Jian smiled and said, "Brother, your courage and ability are enough to lead the army. If you are a dragon or a snake, why do you have to live in a fish pond?"
Seeing the other party throw out the bait, Cheng Xi put down his wine glass and said with a half-smile: "If you want to be a dragon or a snake, you must be able to ride out the wind and waves. Unfortunately, the waves are so big now. If you rush out rashly, I'm afraid the boat will capsize."
Was this a retreat to advance, or was it a bid to raise the price? Lu Jian didn't care. He waved his hand casually, and the maids and servants in the room all retreated. When no one was around, he spoke again: "When there are no heroes, only then do young men become famous. Now that I have made a friend like you, how can I let a pearl be buried in the dust? To be honest, I happen to have some difficulties. If I can get your help, there is no need to worry about failure."
Sending the servants away meant they were discussing something important. However, Cheng Xi did not let Lin Meng leave. Instead, he said directly, "Brother Lu, if I can help, I will naturally not refuse. May I ask what it is?"
"It's Luoling Island."
This statement was truly earth-shattering. Not only did Lin Meng gasp, but even Cheng Xi's expression faltered slightly. They had originally come to Luoling Island, but who would have thought that Lu Jian would be the first to bring it up?
Seeing the two men's surprised expressions, Lu Jian smiled slightly. "I know that your fleet is not afraid of those pirates, but there is an island across the sea that always causes trouble. It just so happens that this island is an obstacle to me. If I can join forces with you, I will definitely be able to eliminate this disaster."
Hearing this, Lin Meng's eyes lit up. They came to Lu Jian to eliminate those thieves. Now they hadn't even spoken yet and they were already at his door. Wasn't this a piece of cake?
However, Cheng Xi pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "May I ask what grudge Brother Lu has with Luoling Island?"
She couldn't help but ask another question. If she guessed correctly, Lu Jian didn't have any naval force at hand, and even if he did, it should not be strong, otherwise he would not have asked her to deliver the letter in the first place.
If there is no shipping business, why would they bother with a group of pirates? And even consider it a "difficulty"? This is a bit unreasonable.
The question was blunt, but Lu Jian didn't care. "These bandits from Luoling Island are funded by the Lu family. They are here to block my path."
This answer was beyond Cheng Xi's expectations. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly asked, "Was the previous letter sent to the Qingfeng Gang?"
Lu Jian had also thought about what the other party would ask. For such a big matter, he had to find out the truth and find out the inside story.
However, he didn't ask, but went straight to the point. At this moment, Lu Jian felt a surge of admiration in his heart, and said frankly, "Yes, that letter was addressed to Shen Feng, the leader of the Qingfeng Gang, asking for his help in eradicating the scourge on Luoling Island."
As expected! Cheng Xi had found it strange before. The grocery store where she delivered the letter didn't seem like a serious business, and the shopkeeper Yang had an eccentric temperament.
If it was the Qingfeng Gang's base in Panyu, everything would be explained.
It was after that letter was delivered that the number of pirates in the waters near Luoling Island began to decrease. Perhaps the Qingfeng Gang had already begun to take action at that time, distracting the enemy's attention. It was precisely because of this that they were able to travel smoothly these past few times without even fighting a single battle.
Cheng Xi is not indifferent to the reasons for the internal strife in the Lu family. After all, it involves long-term cooperation, and he must figure out the inside story before he can assess the risks.
But right now, there's something more important. She frowned and said, "On my way here, I happened upon the Qingfeng Gang's fleet. They dispatched over a dozen ships at once, and I'm afraid they could surround and annihilate the bandits on Luoling Island. Since the outcome is already decided, why are you looking for me, Brother Lu?"
This was the most crucial issue. Regardless of the Qingfeng Gang's reason for delaying for so long, they were now fully prepared to annihilate Luoling Island, and if nothing unexpected happened, they should be able to act soon.
So why did Lu Jian invite her to join forces? If he just wanted to cultivate her strength, he could have just given her money and resources, leaving Luoling Island behind. Why bother?
Lu Jian smiled faintly. "Since you've already guessed it, I won't hide it. The Qingfeng Gang is powerful and domineering. If I don't have someone to rely on, they'll probably find my weakness and take advantage of me. I just want to get out of this predicament. I don't have any ambitions to dominate the sea, so naturally I need help."
His words were extremely well-spoken and highly inspiring. With the support of the wealthy and the ability to dominate a region, what ambitious person wouldn't be tempted?
Cheng Xi raised an eyebrow: "What a trick to drive away the wolf and swallow the tiger."
No matter how nice the words sound, they can't hide the risks involved. Not only will he be involved in the Lu family's internal strife, but he will also have conflicts of interest with the Qingfeng Gang. The deeper he gets into the quagmire, the more he can't leave Lu Jian's financial support. Is there a more reliable "helper" than this?
Lu Jian smiled sincerely, "If you can be a tiger or a wolf, who wants to be a lamb?"
Why did he make the invitation? Because the young man's fleet was expanding too rapidly! They were all fishermen, and they wanted to make a living by selling grain. How many risks and hidden dangers were there? Yet, even so, the young man still did it decisively. Would anyone believe him if he said he had no ambition?
As long as you have ambition, things will be easy.
Sure enough, the man opposite also smiled, and there was more interest in his dark eyes: "Then please tell me the whole story, Brother Lu, so that I can know whether this piece of meat is edible or not."
How can one be both meticulous and experienced, yet also open and bold? It's no wonder that in just three or four months, a young man can carve out a career. Such a man is destined to fight on the sea; the staleness and dirt of land might stifle him.
Inwardly impressed, Lu Jian spoke, "My father is a descendant of the great Jiangdong Lu family. He was appointed to a prefecture and came to Lingnan. This place is desolate and plagued by bandits. To pacify the area, my father married the daughter of the most powerful local tyrant, my mother. With this help, my father was quickly promoted, and my mother followed him to his post, while I was left at the old house in Jiangdong."
Lu Jian paused, a hint of sarcasm on his lips: "At that time, I only had one half-brother above me, and my father was promoted repeatedly and had established a firm foothold in the clan.
If nothing unexpected happens, he will become the next clan leader, and I will be the heir.
Unfortunately, when I was five years old, my father divorced my mother, claiming she was unvirtuous, and remarried the daughter of the Chen family from Nanyang. Not long after, this stepmother gave birth to a son, who became my third brother.
There was no need to continue at this point; even Cheng Xi could guess the bloody story that would follow. One was a burden left by his ex-wife, the other was the beloved child of his successor. It would be strange if there wasn't a quarrel between the brothers. Furthermore, this involved the position of patriarch of a large clan, so if no one died, it would be considered a minor incident.
The young man opposite showed understanding in his eyes, but there was no sympathy or inquiry. Even though Lu Jian no longer cared about these things, his heart was still slightly moved.
After calming himself, he continued, "I left home at fifteen and returned to my mother. I spent five years opening up the grain route to Jiaozhi. The Lu family, a family of farmers and scholars, became the largest landowners in Jiangdong and also engaged in grain trading. How could those people in the mansion not be on guard? It was only in recent years, with General Qiu stationed in southern Xinjiang, that the two sides had little contact. After General Qiu's death, before I could make arrangements, Luoling Island was occupied. They repeatedly killed people and seized ships, blocking my way north."
"So that's why you wanted to contact the Qingfeng Gang?" Cheng Xi recalled the situation. This person had probably secretly traveled to the dock, hoping to quickly find someone who could pass on the message, and that's why she, who had mistakenly entered the grain store, took advantage of it. However, these clues alone were not enough. Cheng Xi asked, "Why did the Qingfeng Gang help you? What does Brother Lu want to do?"
Still asking the most crucial question, Lu Jian smiled, "What the Qingfeng Gang wants is sugar. Sugar is a major commodity in Japan. Unfortunately, the Qingfeng Gang's supply route has been cut off, so they naturally need to find an alternative. I happen to have a sugarcane plantation and can also get brown sugar from Jiaozhi, so they are naturally tempted. As for what I want to do..." His face darkened slightly, "The Lu family is good at business, and my stepmother now wants to control the Lu family business. How can I ignore it? Fighting for the position of family head also requires financial support. If I were to seize Luoling Island, I wonder if those people would still be able to get what they want?"
This is the real turning of the table.
If his biological father's financial resources are cut off and he cannot become the next head of the family, then no matter how hard his stepmother tries, she will not be able to secure a position of head of the family for her son.
If I can't become the head of the family, won't all my hard work over the years be in vain?
It was not until this moment that Cheng Xi truly saw Lu Jian clearly.
With his intelligence and talent, would he have no chance of success if he stayed in the Lu family? But he chose to leave.
He endured for years, just to make the other party fall into eternal damnation. The ruthlessness and determination in this are truly eye-catching.
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