Chapter 642 Favors and Interests
The Lu family in Jiangdong rose to prominence in the late Han Dynasty.
During the Three Kingdoms period, the four great families in Jiangdong played a key role in the rise and consolidation of the Sun Wu regime. Later generations called them "Zhang Wen, Zhu Wu, Lu Zhong, and Gu Hou". Their status was far higher than that of the once proud Above the Zhou, Zhuge, Yu, Lu, Lu, Cheng, Huang and other families.
Among these four major families, the Lu family is second to none in terms of the quantity and quality of their talents, their historical role, or the continuity and long-term nature of their rule.
However, great waves wash over the sand, vicissitudes of the sea change, history is turbulent in wars, and dynasties fall in the rise and fall. The Lu family, which used to be a noble family and bells and whistles, experienced the rise of the Three Kingdoms in the late Han Dynasty, the prosperity of the Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and in the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was no longer a human being. Ding Shanbo gradually fell into silence, losing the splendor of his ancestors in the past.
The family property and real estate left by the ancestors are enough for the descendants of the Lu family to enjoy endlessly. However, the family motto of "farming and reading is passed on to the family" has been forgotten by the unworthy descendants. Without outstanding scholars serving as officials, the family would not be able to enjoy political treatment. Instead of being able to expand the family business, they would always be dependent on others and walk on thin ice.
A huge fortune can sometimes be a drag. The saying goes, "It is not the fault of an ordinary man to carry a treasure"...
Ever since Lu Xiaoyu was imprisoned by the emperor, even though there was no imperial edict to thoroughly investigate the Lu family in Jiangdong, the Lu family had long been frightened, fearing that the emperor's wrath would spread to the whole family. They hurriedly packed up the fine gold and silver, carried it by the head of the family, Lu Zhengfu, and rushed to the capital for operations. , hoping to avoid the disaster of family destruction.
Lu Zhengfu traveled thousands of miles, and he was an old man in his sixties. The journey was tiring and tiring. From Pinghu to Chang'an, his whole body shed a layer of skin, and he became haggard and old like bones in a grave...
As soon as Xiao Yu saw Lu Zhengfu, he sighed deeply and felt sad.
At that time, Daliang had not yet been destroyed, and he, Xiao Yu, was still the prince of Daliang. Lu Zhengfu lived in health with his father, who was the eunuch of the palace, and often played with Xiao Yu.
In the blink of an eye, the world has changed...
The former chief child is now an octogenarian and is gradually dying.
When the two met, they were naturally sad.
Lu Zhengfu fell to the ground, his thin body like a candle in the wind, his eyes were muddy with tears, and he said sadly: "My lord, this old man is not an ignorant person. The sin of a dog cannot be forgiven. Even if his head falls to the ground, it will also I just deserve it. I just hope that for the sake of my past kindness, I will protect my family, the Lu family, and be a cow and a horse in the next life, in order to repay my great kindness!”
Xiao Yu quickly stood up from the mat, helped Lu Zhengfu up with both hands, and said emotionally: "Why is this? The friendship between you and me has lasted for nearly a year, and exchanging one's heart and lungs is nothing! Get up quickly, no matter what, Let’s discuss it slowly.”
Lu Zhengfu then stood up and knelt down opposite Xiao Yu on the mat.
"My unfilial son... I wonder how he is doing now?"
Although he kept saying that his son deserved his punishment, he was still his own flesh and blood, so how could he not miss him? It was only in the third generation of the Lu family that a scholar like Lu Xiaoyu was born. Although he was appointed as a doctor in the Ministry of Justice, the Lu family had no influence in Chang'an and was alienated from loyalty to the court. The only thing he could count on was that the person in front of him was the same as him. Xiao Yu, Duke of Song Dynasty, has an irreversible friendship.
When he came to Chang'an this time, Lu Zhengfu planned to break up his family and eliminate the disaster, but he always had a hope in his heart. Maybe his son could be safe. Even if he could not be an official for the rest of his life, as long as he could return to his hometown, he would not have to give up his white hair for his black hair. People...
Xiao Yu sighed, patted the back of Lu Zhengfu's hand, and said: "My good nephew is doing well at the moment. He is being detained in the Penal Department Prison. He is familiar with his old friends from top to bottom. He takes good care of him and has never been embarrassed. It's just that Your Majesty I have made up my mind. What my nephew has done in the past has gone too far, and I am afraid he will die."
Lu Zhengfu burst into tears again...
Xiao Yu said helplessly: "It's not just that I don't remember the old friendship and just sits back and watches my nephew suffer. The situation in the DPRK is not what it used to be. It's really difficult for me to remonstrate in front of Your Majesty. Your Majesty means that not only my nephew should bear the responsibility, but also serve as a warning to others." , even the Lu family cannot escape this disaster..."
Lu Zhengfu's thin body trembled suddenly. Even though he had prepared the worst plan in his heart, he was still shocked when it was finally implemented.
He was originally sitting on his knees, but now he straightened his back slightly. With trembling hands, he took out a stack of land deed documents from his arms and placed them in front of Xiao Yu. Then he leaned down, rested his head on the table, and begged in a sad voice: "Lu is willing Give all As long as the name of the Lu family can be preserved, the whole family will build a shrine for the Duke to express his gratitude for his life! "
Xiao Yu looked embarrassed and said continuously: "Master, get up quickly, what are you doing? It's not that I don't want to save you, but I am really in trouble! Your Majesty has a stubborn personality, how can he be easily listened to? Character? There is nothing I can do!”
He tried hard to pull Lu Zhengfu, using all his strength, but he couldn't pull the thin old man...
Lu Zhengfu was at the end of his rope, and Xiao Yu was his last resort. He knelt on the floor unable to get up, and said loudly: "My lord, please take pity on me, the whole family of the Lu family! In the past, the Xiao family and the Lu family were in the same spirit. Controlling the south of the Yangtze River, I, the Lu family, assisted the later master, Emperor Xiaojing. , worked hard and died, the Sui army broke through in the fourth year of Wude, and the Lu family's children went forward and risked their lives to fight for the national disaster. Has the Duke forgotten it now? It’s just a way to survive..."
Lu Zhengfu's tone was sad, with tears streaming down his face.
Xiao Yu was also moved. Lu Zhengfu's words seemed to bring back the past war that destroyed the family and the country. The Sui army, like wolves and tigers, crossed the river and broke through the gate of Health City. They killed people and set fires. They were ferocious. Strong!
And what about yourself?
That year, he was only twelve years old. He witnessed the Xiao family being massacred, but he could only hide in the palace and survive...
It was a period of blood and tears!
The Lu family is full of loyal people. When the Western Liang Kingdom fell, the members of the family fought bravely against the Sui army regardless of life and death. How could Xiao Yu not know?
It’s just...
Xiao Yu sighed, wondering: "It's not that I don't want to help you, you also know that His Majesty wants to conquer Goguryeo eastward and open up Jiangnan as a rear area. We, the Jiangnan nobles, have become a thorn in His Majesty's side and are in urgent need of help. Get rid of it quickly! The filial, foolish and wise nephew commits crimes and commits crimes. Isn't this a direct result of His Majesty's anger? >
No matter what Xiao Yu said, Lu Zhengfu just couldn't kneel down and begged.
Xiao Yu was really helpless. After pondering for a long time, he sighed and said helplessly: "Don't cry and cry. I promise you to go and beg His Majesty, okay?"
Lu Zhengfu was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him.
Xiao Yu stopped him from kowtowing, and said in deep thought: "Although I can give up my reputation to ask Your Majesty, I really can't guarantee the outcome. Your Majesty's most favored person now is Sun Wuji, the eldest son of Zhao Guogong. If I can get Zhao Guogong If you ask your Majesty for help from the side, great things can be accomplished.”
Lu Zhengfu was silent, things would not be that simple. He just looked at Xiao Yu, waiting for him to finish what he had not finished.
Sure enough, Xiao Yu said tangledly: "How could Mr. Zhao Guo do something that is not beneficial? We are not related to you, even if you have this old face, it is really nothing in front of others. Mr. Zhao does not love money, but Have deep expectations for the family , want to run the family into a thousand-year-old family. Therefore, the Changsun family’s iron factory will enter Jiangnan, but there are no downstream sales stores. If the Lu family dedicates these shops to the Changsun family, Zhao Guogong will definitely go all out."
Lu Zhengfu almost broke all his teeth!
Well, you Xiao Yu, I broke up my family and eliminated the disaster. I thought you could care about the past friendship because of this huge wealth. Who would have thought that you are actually greedy and want to squeeze out the last trace of the Lu family?
The Lu family has long lost the tradition of "farming, reading and passing down the family line". If they can't study, they can't even farm! How can I be sober as to manage the land output if I am used to living a luxurious life with bells ringing, dining tables and music played every night?
The basis of the Lu family's livelihood is the grocery stores all over the south of the Yangtze River!
During his trip to Beijing this time, Lu Zhengfu had already exchanged most of his family's property and house deeds for money at the bank, including many deeds to grocery stores. Of course, he would keep some well-located shops in various places.
It is said that it is to destroy the family and eliminate disasters, but it must leave a way out for the clan members, at least to ensure the daily life of eating, clothing and daily life in the future, right? Now, Xiao Yu wants to dig out the roots of the Lu family!
(End of chapter)