Chapter 189: Volunteering For Battle
“This is using Lu Jian’s death to incite the people!” Lu Yun said in a cold voice: “I’m afraid they’ll end up lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet!”
“How so?” Lu Xin perked up upon hearing this. In his view, Lu Yun’s strongest weapon was not his martial arts, but his chilling wisdom.
“If Lu Jian hadn’t madly amassed wealth, the Elder Council might really have succeeded.” Lu Yun smiled faintly: “But he stole all the Finance Department’s money and owed so much external debt. These losses must be borne by all clan members. Once they learn the truth, no matter how fondly they remember Lu Jian, all that will be left is hatred.”
“You mean, find a way to publicize the true situation of the Finance Department?” Lu Xin asked softly.
“The best opportunity is right in front of us,” Lu Yun smiled: “The fifteenth of every month is when the clan distributes money and grain to clan members. With the Finance Department in its current state, can they still issue it?”
“But the Clan Leader’s intention is…” Lu Xin frowned: “To prioritize stability above all. Even if they have to scrape from east to west, they must first distribute this month’s money and grain, so clan members won’t be left without means to survive.”
“Father is too honest.” Lu Yun shook his head, saying in a cold voice: “That’s the Clan Leader’s position, not Father’s position.”
Lu Xin understood immediately, knowing Lu Yun meant that if a scandal erupted in the Finance Department now, the old Clan Leader could hardly escape blame. But Lu Xin had only just taken over the Finance Department, so naturally no one would hold him accountable.
“If clan members don’t receive their money and grain, and then learn it’s all because of Lu Jian’s reckless actions, they’ll definitely explode in anger. It wouldn’t be surprising if they tore down Lu Jian’s memorial hall.” Lu Xin pondered seriously: “This could indeed make the Elder Council outsmart themselves. But have you thought about how to wrap it up if things blow up? Moreover, it will offend the Clan Leader…”
Saying this, Lu Xin gave a bitter smile: “Lu Jian is already dead. Even if we grind his bones to dust and scatter the ashes, what use is it? In the end, won’t it be me, the living one, who suffers?”
“The book says misfortune and fortune depend on each other. If Father can handle this properly, not only will he have an explanation for the Clan Leader, but he can also establish prestige in the clan in one stroke and stand firmly on his feet!” Lu Yun’s eyes flashed with excitement as he said in a deep voice to Lu Xin: “Father solved a major problem for the clan members. With this prestige as foundation, the Elder Council won’t be able to manipulate you at will in the future, and you won’t have to watch the Clan Leader’s face anymore.”
“Uh, you play this routine really smoothly…” Lu Xin looked at Lu Yun amusedly: “First create a crisis for everyone, then resolve it. That can indeed get me through this hurdle.” Pausing, he frowned again: “But I can’t turn stone into gold. How can I fill such a huge hole?”
“Just recover the money Lu Jian stole, and it’ll be done.” Lu Yun said indifferently: “He took this money for future plans, so he definitely didn’t squander it. Moreover, he must have prepared that if all went smoothly, he’d return it. So the money he stole, even if not in the Capital City, won’t be hidden too far away.”
“After Lu Jian’s incident, the Discipline Department has already searched all his residences inside and outside the Capital City, but found nothing.” Lu Xin said softly.
“Three or four million guàn of money would fill several rooms. Lu Jian couldn’t possibly hide it at home.” Lu Yun thought for a moment: “Either he loaded it on a boat waiting outside the Capital City, or he exchanged it for gold, jewelry, and other valuable portable items, hidden somewhere in the Capital City. I can’t think of any other possibilities.”
“Indeed.” Lu Xin put himself in Lu Jian’s shoes. If he were Lu Jian wanting to hide that three or four million guàn of wealth, those would really be the only two ways. Thinking of this, his eyes lit up: “I’ll arrange it right away. We must recover this money!”
“If Father trusts me, let me handle it.” Lu Yun volunteered.
“I naturally trust you to handle things,” Lu Xin was first delighted, then shook his head: “But you’ve just recovered from serious injuries, and you still need to prepare for the Grand Competition.” Pausing, he said to Lu Yun: “By the way, I haven’t told you yet. The Grand Competition might be moved from next spring to this winter.”
“Why?” Lu Yun asked puzzledly. Previous Grand Competitions in Great Xuan were always held in spring, to harness the meaning of all things sprouting. Why suddenly change to the bleak winter?
“It seems the Empress Dowager’s health is poor. The imperial physicians say this winter is a critical juncture. Your Majesty, out of filial piety, wants to use the Grand Competition to bring good fortune to the Empress Dowager. It’s not a big deal, and the Grand Tutor has no objection, so it’s probably settled.” Lu Xin looked at Lu Yun and saw his expression darken obviously. He sighed inwardly and said softly: “The Empress Dowager is advanced in age. Ten years ago… what happened with your father emperor was a great blow to her. These years she’s been bedridden, getting worse year by year.”
“Mm…” Lu Yun nodded slightly. Not wanting to make Lu Xin sad, he suppressed the sourness rising in his heart and forced a smile: “Then there’s not much time left until the Grand Competition.”
Lu Xin gave Lu Yun a deep look, sighed inwardly, and said no more about the Empress Dowager. Softly to Lu Yun: “Yes, so focus fully on preparing for the Grand Competition. Don’t forget the bold words you said back then.”
“If I said it, I’ll naturally do it.” Lu Yun said in a deep voice, then smiled: “But this is a major matter concerning whether Father can stand firm. It must be handled by capable people.”
“Yes.” Lu Xin nodded emphatically. Lu Jian’s death had spread throughout the Capital City. The person holding that huge sum for him would surely want to keep it for themselves. If the dispatched person mishandled it, they might alert the culprit and never recover the money.
“The question is, does Father have such capable people under him?” Lu Yun asked with a half-smile.
“Uh…” Lu Xin suddenly felt awkward. Having just arrived in the Capital City, he hadn’t built his own power base yet and truly had no one usable under him.
“So, let me handle it.” Lu Yun smiled: “I won’t trust anyone else to do it.”
“No, your matter is more important.” Like all ordinary fathers under heaven, Lu Xin valued his son’s affairs far more than his own.
“There’s Uncle Bao.” Lu Yun softly reminded Lu Xin.
“That’s true…” Lu Xin finally relented. Du Mao’s abilities and loyalty were beyond doubt. But Uncle Bao only listened to Lu Yun; he couldn’t command him at all.
“Father, just focus on handling clan affairs. Before the money is recovered, it’ll be enough to keep you frantic.” Lu Yun smiled.
“Hey…” Lu Xin nodded with a bitter smile. He could fully imagine that once the truth was revealed, the clan would immediately descend into chaos. Thinking of this, Lu Xin said in a deep voice: “This matter still needs to be reported to the Clan Leader first, so he won’t be too passive.”
“Father is right,” Lu Yun nodded: “Our wings are not fully grown yet. We still need the Clan Leader’s protection for now.”
“Mm.” Lu Xin stood up: “I’ll go to Sanwei Hall right now.”
.
Lu Yun saw Lu Xin off and prepared to return to the inner residence. Passing the garden, Lu Yun couldn’t help but stop, looking at the colorful chrysanthemums vying for beauty in the garden. Suddenly, he froze…
The Empress Dowager’s favorite ancient literatus was Tao Yuanming. Lu Yun still clearly remembered sitting in her arms as she recited poetry to him:
‘I built my hut amid human habitation,
Yet hear no din of carriage or horse.
You ask how that can be so? My mind is far away, the dwelling naturally remote.
Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence,
Leisurely I see the Southern Mountains.
The mountain air is fine as the sun sets; the birds fly together in return.
In this there is true meaning; I wish to express it, but words fail me…’
Ten years had passed; chrysanthemums bloomed again, birds returned south again, but would he ever see the Empress Dowager again?
‘Imperial Grandmother…’ Lu Yun unknowingly shed tears. The emotions suppressed since yesterday finally erupted.
