Chapter 59: Legitimate Vs. Concubine-born
Because Lu Feng went missing, the Lu Clan’s public trial at the congee kitchen was finally coming to an end.
Hearing the guard’s report, Lu Shang sighed, stood up, cupped his hands toward the disaster victims, and said: “It seems impossible to immediately get to the bottom of this matter. Please give us a few days. I guarantee to investigate thoroughly and give all disaster victims an explanation!”
“Old Master, you are too serious!” After Lu Shang’s display, the disaster victims’ ill feelings toward the Lu Clan had completely disappeared, replaced by full gratitude and affection. In their view, the Lu Clan was truly too endearing. Upon discovering a problem, they investigated without mercy, showing no intent to evade or cover up. To know one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. How many noble clans truly valued them, these commoners? “Old Master cares so much about us; we are immensely grateful!”
“No! If a mistake is made, it must be corrected!” Lu Shang shook his head firmly, raised his voice, and said: “I announce here that starting immediately, the Lu Clan will double the daily grain distribution. Every pot will cook rice for everyone, not porridge!”
“Thank you, Old Master!” The disaster victims were overjoyed to hear this. Even the Xiahou Clan’s rice porridge only barely filled their stomachs. How long had it been since they had eaten a meal of dry rice?
Pausing, Lu Shang sternly swept his gaze over the stewards and said: “This time, if anyone dares to withhold even a single grain from the disaster victims, I will have their head roll and deny them entry to the ancestral grave after death!”
“Yes!” The stewards hurriedly responded solemnly.
“Everyone, please help supervise as well,” Lu Shang turned to the disaster victims and said: “I will send servants to patrol the congee kitchen every day. If anyone dares to withhold your rations, tell them directly; they will stand up for you!”
“Old Master, long life for a hundred years! The Lu Clan is matchless in benevolence and righteousness!” When Lu Shang left the congee kitchen, the disaster victims were tearfully grateful and escorted him mile after mile. Their view of the Lu Clan had completely turned around. Moreover, today’s events would soon spread through their mouths to every street and alley of Luodu City, sweeping away the Lu Clan’s previous bad reputation and thoroughly eliminating negative comments about the Lu Clan.
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Leaving the congee kitchen, the stewards saw Lu Shang into the carriage.
Lu Shang first looked at Lu Jian, unable to hide his disappointment, and said: “First hand your assignment over to Lu Chou for a few days, hurry and find Lu Feng, then we’ll discuss the rest.”
Although Lu Shang was Sect Master, dismissing a steward required submitting a proposal to the Elder Council for their decision. For now, having Lu Jian temporarily suspended for investigation, with the Steward of Storage taking over his assignment concurrently, was already the harshest decision Lu Shang could make.
Lu Jian accepted with a gloomy expression. “Sect Master, rest assured. I will find that disobedient son as soon as possible and clear everything up!”
Lu Shang looked at the other stewards again, sighed, and said: “On a sudden impulse today, I came to the congee kitchen to see the disaster victims, but ended up watching such a good show.”
Lu Xin looked deeply at Lu Shang, not expecting the Clan Leader to cover for him. Though not everyone would believe he was uninvolved, Lu Shang’s words would greatly improve his situation.
The stewards lowered their heads guiltily. Sixth Steward Lu Kan even pleaded guilty: “Such a disgraceful matter, yet it took the Clan Leader’s personal visit to uncover it. Your nephew, as Steward of Observation, has been too incompetent. Please punish me, Clan Leader!”
“Of course you must be punished, but more importantly, deeply reflect.” Lu Shang said sternly: “A mere manager dared to be so audaciously bold, showing how lax the clan’s supervision has become—practically nonexistent!” Lu Shang’s tone grew heavier, sternly saying: “I must ask: Does the Lu Clan have only one Manager Chai? Could there be more vermin?!”
“Your nephew will immediately investigate the entire clan and ensure no vermin harms the Lu Clan again!” Lu Kan hurriedly declared.
Only then did Lu Shang board the carriage, signaling Lu Xin to ride with him.
“Your nephew should still take Ninth Brother’s carriage.” How could Lu Xin dare steal the spotlight again? He quickly declined.
“You came with me; I must send you back.” Lu Shang laughed: “Don’t worry about their jealousy. Ask them—who wants to ride in my carriage?”
Seeing the Sect Master finally smile, the stewards greatly relaxed and hastily smiled: “Yes, Tenth Brother, that would be like sitting on pins and needles, fearing another scolding from the Clan Leader. Go ahead without worry; we absolutely won’t be jealous.”
“If you don’t make mistakes, would I scold you?” Lu Shang sneered, and the stewards hurriedly nodded in agreement.
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In the carriage, Lu Shang leaned wearily on the cushion and said to the solemn Lu Xin: “Do you have a grudge against Lu Jian?”
“Your nephew has no grudge against Lu Jian,” Lu Xin paused, then said softly: “But several days ago, his son Lu Feng ordered my daughter kidnapped.” Since Lu Shang knew his Grandmaster identity, those matters surely couldn’t be hidden.
“Oh?” Lu Shang said in surprise: “Why was that?”
Lu Xin then briefly recounted the events to Lu Shang.
“As expected, not just one Manager Chai, but also Manager He!” Lu Shang snorted coldly: “Lu Jian has greatly disappointed me!”
“At the time, since it concerned my daughter’s reputation, your nephew did not report to Sect Master.” No need for euphemisms before a wise man; Lu Xin knew denying any link to today’s events would only make Lu Shang think less of him. So he ‘told the truth’: “I secretly investigated why Lu Feng would act so desperately, which uncovered Manager Chai’s matter, forcing me to immediately report to Sect Master.”
“Mm.” Lu Shang nodded. This old Clan Leader, accustomed to schemes and plots, had long guessed today’s situation was orchestrated by ‘Lu Xin.’ After a moment’s thought, he actually smiled: “Indeed, a man who has been away for three days should be looked at with fresh eyes. The old Lu Xin didn’t have such methods.”
Lu Xin couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. What methods of mine—this was clearly Lu Yun’s doing! He gave a bitter smile: “Your nephew can only say that even without personal grudge, if I discovered such a matter, I would immediately report to Clan Leader!”
“But not so watertight, leaving them no chance to struggle.” Lu Shang’s smile deepened, showing a hint of approval: “Before, I worried you were too rigid to handle the clan’s complex intricacies. Now it seems I worried too much.”
“Your nephew is ashamed…” Lu Xin secretly relaxed, thinking the Clan Leader truly viewed things from a different angle.
“Since you are already a Grandmaster, the Lu Clan cannot overlook it,” Lu Shang said slowly: “But now is not a good time for you to become a steward. Do you understand?”
“Your nephew understands.” Before someone like Lu Shang, Lu Xin dared no tricks. Claiming no desire for a steward position would only make the Clan Leader look down on him. He could only answer honestly: “No matter how Clan Leader covers for me, everyone will think I targeted Lu Jian. If I replace him, my reputation in the clan will suffer…”
“That’s secondary.” Lu Shang quietly explained: “I am advanced in age, and the clan is already considering a successor. And Lu Jian… is highly favored by the Elders.” Pausing, he sighed: “I favored him too, but after this, his name is struck from my mind—though the Elder Council may not see it that way.”
Lu Xin nodded. These matters weren’t for him to interject; he could only listen quietly as Lu Shang continued. “They will likely defend Lu Jian vigorously and never agree to you replacing him.”
“Yes, Lu Clan stewards have always been from the direct lineage. Your nephew, from the collateral lineage, naturally cannot catch the Elders’ eye.” Lu Xin said knowingly. Though all previous Lu Clan Grandmasters came from the direct lineage, this didn’t prove direct lineage superior to collateral! Only direct lineage had the chance to cultivate the complete Heaven and Earth Righteous Law! Collateral disciples, unless specially granted, had no opportunity to cultivate the full cultivation method—how could they advance?
Among all noble clans, the Lu Clan valued rites and etiquette most, thus strictly enforcing the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate. Only sons of the Sect Master, stewards, and elders could receive the complete cultivation method. Lu Xin’s grandfather had been a Lu Clan elder, so he and Lu Xiang had learned the complete Heaven and Earth Righteous Law. But since Lu Xiang neither opened the Ren and Du Meridians nor was the eldest son of his house, he was ineligible for the title, thus unable to become a steward or elder. After Lu Xin’s grandfather passed, father and son had to move from North of the Luo River and were removed from the direct lineage.
“Yes, they focus too much on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate, forgetting how few direct lineage members the Lu Clan has in total. Isn’t this pushing clan talents away?” Lu Shang nodded emphatically: “I have long wanted to change this, selecting solely by talent regardless of legitimate or illegitimate, but have faced constant resistance and couldn’t implement it.” His gaze sharpened as he looked at Lu Xin: “Will you help me change this?”
“Your nephew is willing!” Lu Xin said in a deep voice: “If I can help Clan Leader sweep away old customs and make the Lu Clan prosper greatly, this son would not hesitate even to be ground to dust!”
