Chapter 26: Repaying with Peaches for Plums

  "Drive!"

  With a loud shout, five horse-drawn carriages carrying wealth worth 100,000 yuan slowly set off.

  Four yamen runners cleared the way in front, Su Sheng and Lu Ji walked at the very front, Lu Xin personally drove his own four-wheeled horse cart behind them, followed by another four ordinary horse carts.

  The procession moved slowly, on the one hand, there were too many pedestrians on the road, and although the officials cleared the way, it was still very crowded.

  The most important thing is that the four ordinary horse-drawn carriages behind were already overloaded, while only the four-wheeled carriage in front was still light and comfortable despite being more heavily loaded.

  Fortunately, the Relief Bureau was not far from Lu's house and they arrived in no time.

  Just arrived at the entrance of the disaster relief agency, Xu Dang appeared at the door. He had just reported for duty today and hadn't started on the brick road project yet when he was assigned to receive the Lu family.

  "Mr. Lu, this way, please." Xu Dang welcomed him, and the 100,000 yuan was much more than the entire Disaster Relief Agency's daily earnings.

  This money is likely his own money used to buy bricks, so he must be more proactive.

  The money was delivered, and Su Sheng took the yamen runners away. He still had many things to take care of, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time.

  Under Xu Dings leadership, all procedures were simplified, and the 100,000 strings of cash were quickly counted and stored in the treasury.

  "On behalf of tens of thousands of refugees, thank you, thank you, Mr. Lu, good man."

  Lu Ji and his father were sent to the door by Xu Zhong, who said solemnly.

  "I'm just doing my best." Lu Jitong said humbly.

  "Goodbye."

  "Goodbye."

  Back at the Lu's house, father and son fell silent for a moment. The money had been sent out, the momentum had been created, and the effect was already there.

  At least Su Sheng has expressed his willingness to speak well of himself under the guise of serving the king, and the Lu family's thoughts have been slightly calmed down. At least this money hasn't gone down the drain, and they've heard a splash in the water.

  Suddenly there was a commotion outside the door, followed by a loud slap, and a boisterous voice came in.

  "Our great benefactor!"

  A young man of about twenty-five or six years old, dressed in brocade clothes, appeared at the door, followed by several robust slaves.

  "Old Master..."

  Lu's family manager covered his face and let out a wronged cry from the side, apparently having been hit.

  "Wang Zhe, you're too much of a cheat!" Lu Xin angrily shouted, never expecting the Wang family to show up at his doorstep.

  Wang Zhezhao and Lu Xin were of similar age, but their backgrounds were worlds apart. Although Lu Xin was also carefree all his life, he was merely the son of a merchant.

  Wang Zhezhao was a direct descendant of the Wang family in Taiyuan, and as such, he could enter the imperial court, see Wei Wensheng, and call him "uncle" without being considered impolite.

  "What are you?" Wang Zhe snorted coldly.

  "This is Daxing, not Taiyuan! Don't be too arrogant!" Lu Xin's face turned bright red.

  "Lu Ji Tong, I respect you as an individual, as long as you join our royal family, you can still enjoy wealth and glory, don't be ungrateful."

  Wang Zhezhao ignored Lu Xin and looked at Lu Jitong with a proud expression.

  "You think you can just swallow up the hard work and dedication of our Lu family for generations with your empty words? Dream on!" Lu Xin angrily retorted.

  "It seems you are refusing a toast and will be penalized for it, don't blame me later for not giving you the chance."

  "You..."

  Lu Jitong raised his hand to stop his angry son, got up and walked to Wang Zhezhao's side. Lu Jitong's face was calm, with an inexplicable temperament that pressed forward.

  Wang Zhe felt a chill in his heart, this temperament he had seen before, his second uncle who was the current head of the Wang family also had a similar temperament to Lu Qi's.

  A bad premonition crept over his head, before he came, his second uncle had already determined that Lu Qi Tong would not easily surrender, so he sent himself to Daxing to establish a connection. Let those bigwigs acknowledge the fact that the Wang family has taken over the Lu family business.

  It seems that Lu's family has gained confidence for now.

  "My son may be a rascal, but he said one thing right after all - this is Daxing, not Taiyuan. If the Lu family can donate 100,000 guan, we also have the determination to donate all our business."

  Lu Ji said with an iron face.

  "Ah..." Wang Zhe's heart skipped a beat as he didn't expect the Lu family to be so unyielding, preferring to shatter like jade rather than survive intact.

  Since hearing about the Lu family's high-profile announcement of donating 100,000 yuan, Wang Zhezhao had already sensed the Lu family's resistance and hurried over to continue pressuring them.

  The Wang family had already done a lot of work before, and they had cut off the Lu family's official channels. The young master Wang was not a fool, if he really let the Lu family fight to the death, he would donate all his family property to the disaster relief agency.

  The price Wang's family paid during this period will be in vain, and he himself will become the biggest joke of the Wang family.

  "Aren't you afraid of the Wang family's revenge in the future? The Lu family may be able to hide for a while, but they can't hide forever. In the end, the Lu family will be destroyed and their people will perish." Wang Zhe threatened viciously.

  He had already begun to soften in his heart, thinking about whether he should find someone to ease the situation and leave some room for the Lu family. If the Lu family really made up their minds to fight to the end, then he would be left with nothing.

  "What's the point of living if there's no money?" Lu Xin stepped forward and said a famous phrase that was both grandiose and ridiculous.

  The atmosphere in the Lu family's home suddenly froze.

  "Lu family received the imperial edict."

  A sharp voice came over, breaking the standoff between the Lu family.

  A eunuch led several soldiers and appeared in the Lu family's large courtyard.

  Everyone was stunned, only the royal family's orders became the edict, how could the Lu family be related to the royal family! And currently, the only one who can issue an edict in Daxing is the Crown Prince.

  "The humble subject Lu Ji Tong received the imperial edict."

  Time was pressing, and Lu's family did not have time to prepare, so they fell to the ground in worship.

  Wang Zhezhao also had to kowtow, the Wang family of Taiyuan may be called kings but not actually kings, after all they were still not kings, when they saw the imperial edict they still had to yield.

  Even so, he still flushed red with anger. In his memory, such a big gift was only given to his elders, but today it was given to a eunuch who was a messenger of the Crown Prince's palace, which was an insult to him.

  "I have heard that Mr. Lu and his son are kind-hearted and concerned about the country and its people... On August 16th, they generously donated 100,000 strings of cash."

  "The king was deeply moved upon learning of this, and specially bestowed the title 'Charitable Family' on the Lu family, allowing them to meet with officials without bowing. A royal decree was also specially granted to the Lu family."

  The eunuch dragged out a long tail of sound, wiping away a cold sweat at this twisted intention.

  The first half of the edict was written by Yao Sui, and the second half was added by Yang Hu himself, all in vernacular language. Such a bizarre edict could only be done by Yang Hu.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  Two soldiers brought out a scroll and slowly unrolled it, revealing the four large characters "Charity House" before everyone's eyes.

  Another soldier brought out a tray, on which was placed a glittering golden token.

  The eunuch took over the tray and walked in front of Lu Jitong, helping him up.

  "This golden token won't bring you any benefits, but it's a promise to give you a fair chance. If something happens, you can take this token and find the Eastern Palace, their people will go and listen, and let you get true justice."

  The eunuch whispered in Lu Ji Tong's ear, but his voice was just loud enough to reach everyone's ears.

  Wang Zhe's legs trembled as the eunuch delivered the message, which did not explicitly mention the Taiyuan Wang family, but the information conveyed between the lines was enough to reveal that the Crown Prince was well aware of the Lu family's predicament, otherwise he would not have sent out such a token.

  "Many thanks to Your Highness, King Dai. The humble subject will never forget Your Highness's great kindness and virtue."

  Lu Ji Tong was so excited that he had tears streaming down his face, and didn't care about etiquette anymore. He grabbed the gold medal in one swift motion. With this token, all of the Lu family's troubles would be swept away.

  He didn't think that he would get such a return from the Crown Prince, what he sent out was just an object of admiration, but the Crown Prince's gift to him was a token of life.

  Clutching the thick red envelopes, the eunuch left with a satisfied heart, and the Lu family was submerged in wild joy.

  "Wang Zhezhao, this is Daxing, not Taiyuan."

  Lu Xin shouted loudly at Wang Zhe who was quietly leaving.

  Wang Zhezhao turned back in anger, letting out a furious hum, he knew that this time he had thoroughly failed. With the Wang family token, the Lu family would no longer be afraid of any threats from the Wang family.

  He had already taken everything into account this time, but unexpectedly fell at the hands of a 13 or 14-year-old child.

  "All of you will receive an extra month's wages and have a one-day holiday." Lu Ji Tong burst out laughing loudly.

  "Thank you, sir."

  The crowd erupted in cheers.

  As one by one the people excitedly walked out of the Lu family gate, everything that had happened in the Lu family courtyard instantly spread throughout Daxing.

  Like an avalanche of ice, triggering a tsunami-like massive wave that shook the sky.