"Ah?!"
The old woman’s eyes revealed shock, "Is Tang Yang going to sit back and do nothing, are those rumors actually spread by the Li family?"
"Not so."
Lu Kang, now with his usual calm expression restored, said serenely, "Madam, do you still not understand ? Only by acting without leaving a trace can one co this far. If I were relocating my wealth, there would not be any disturbance at all."
"The news of the ambush was deliberately leaked by to gauge the Li family’s attitude."
The old woman’s face was filled with shock, "Master, why would you..."
Lu Kang waved his hand to cut her off, looking out the window with a faint cold smile, "Previously, I tricked them and almost pushed the Li family to a point of no return; they would not let things rest so easily."
"On the journey here, after several tests, Tang Yang remained inactive, and I almost thought we could get away with it, but he eventually showed his hand."
"We are just the first layer of disguise; the ambush is the second layer, only to provoke the greed of bandits. Even if the bandits of Liang mountain did not harbor any intentions, I would still create the illusion of danger and seek assistance from the garrison."
"The Commander Tang Yang has long since pledged allegiance to Tang Yang; I fear that he has been paying attention to my movents all along. To show his magnanimity, he did not settle scores with , but if a corrupt official carrying silver taels is killed by mountain bandits on his way ho, it seems he would be pleased to see it..."
The old woman, sowhat unable to comprehend, said, "Master, since he hasn’t made a move, we could just return ho safely, focus on cultivating our heirs, and the Lu family might not decline."
"Foolish!"
Lu Kang shook his head, "Now a high official with great power over military and political affairs in Shan State, does Tang Yang need a knife to kill soone?"
"He doesn’t even need to speak; those seeking to curry favor would impose difficulties on the Lu family of their own accord. I can assure you that for at least two generations, our family wouldn’t even be able to secure a Scholar title."
"Without the protection of an official position, no matter how much wealth one has, it will soon dissipate."
The old woman, having seen enough of the dark side of officialdom, knew how local officials would stop at nothing for advancent and suddenly felt a twinge of panic, "Then... what should we do?"
Lu Kang did not answer directly but looked out the window, "Madam, what do you think of this official inn?"
The old woman replied candidly, "It is already in ruins."
Lu Kang nodded, "Since this year, there has been continuous debate in the court over one matter: the opening of official inns for use by rchants to lodge, with the collected silver taels being used for the upkeep and repair of the inns throughout the lands."
"Those rchants, accustod to traveling in luxury, would hardly care for these rundown inns; the hidden agenda is to elevate the status of rchants."
"At present, the power struggle in the court is between the local gentry, who adhere to the principle of agriculture as the foundation, and the wealthy coastal gentry, who believe in strengthening the country through comrce and oppose the suppression of rchants."
"The Lord Wang I rely on is from the local faction, as are the Li family, yet they chose to change sides halfway through and bet all their wealth on ventures at sea. Though dangerous, they tid it well and eventually gained the upper hand."
"In fact, even if I had taken my position, I probably could not have maintained it..."
The old woman suddenly understood, "Master ans the local faction will fall out of favor?"
Lu Kang sighed, "There are things you do not understand. The court is short of funds. His Majesty has ambitions for the Four Seas and is not constrained by the ancestral rules and rites."
"The tide has turned; underneath a shattered nest, how could there be unbroken eggs?"
The old woman listened, utterly horrified, her voice trembling, "Master, I don’t understand the matters of the court, being a re woman. What should our Lu family do?"
Lu Kang spoke calmly, "Naturally, I have had plans for a long ti."
"Five years ago, while I was in office, I helped a Fengshui master escape a calamity. In gratitude, he revealed to a secretive and excellent Fengshui spot, which I verified before secretly having soone kill him."
"This burial spot is extraordinarily exceptional and hidden. After I die, bury there in secret; if managed properly, it can secure the Lu family’s prosperity for two generations..."
"I will then leak hints, et my end at the hands of bandits, and have the valuables stolen; the garrison will take action in due course. Once I am dead and the money is gone, the Li family will lose their grudge and won’t bother you anymore..."
"In the past years, I’ve quietly made arrangents in Jinan Prefecture, acquiring so properties. After Madam returns, once things settle, you should imdiately relocate our family..."
"Xiao Wen is of age, but after following my promotions along the way, flatterers surround him. He is stubborn and faint-hearted, not suited for significant responsibility."
"I can suppress him while I’m still here, but once I’m gone, he will surely cause trouble; even the best Fengshui cannot keep misfortune at bay, and you mustn’t be soft-hearted then!"
"Xiao Wu is remarkably intelligent and possesses a forbearing character; he’s the hope of our Lu family. I have already arranged with a good friend to take him directly to Taishan Academy. As for our Rain, she is tender, well-read, and well-mannered; you should choose a fitting son-in-law from among the mariti rchants to marry her off to aid Xiao Wu..."
"Jinan Prefecture has a vibrant culture and occupies the advantageous position of a sea port, connecting with Jinn above, and linking with Jiangsu and Zhejiang below; it will surely be where the Lu family rises again!"
Hearing Lu Kang arrange affairs for after his death, the old woman felt as if her heart was being torn apart and tearfully said in a trembling voice, "Master, why must it be like this, why must it be like this..."
Lu Kang smiled resignedly, "Back in ti, it took six generations for Qin Fen to unite the Divine State and for his family to prosper; such feats are not the work of a single generation. After years of struggling in the sea of bureaucracy, I am already exhausted. I’d rather plunge into this play and secure a future for the Lu family."
Saying so, he took the old woman’s hand, smiled gently, and said, "I ca from humble beginnings, and I was fortunate to have your compassion, Madam. You didn’t scorn my poverty, so I have not failed in my lifeti commitnt to you, which is why I haven’t accepted any of the concubines you arranged."
"Regrettably, even in my old age, I still have to trouble Madam. I am leaving first; the future of the Lu family is in your hands now."
"Master..."
The old woman was by now weeping uncontrollably.
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