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Chapter 23 Joining the gang
Speaking of sad things, even a man like Wang Shan couldn't hold back his tears, saying that he was incompetent, cowardly, and ashamed of his ancestors and his wife and children.

"As you said, Mr. Lu has been domineering in Qingshui County these years, and the county magistrate has protected him. Don't any of you go to the provincial government to ask for mercy?" Zhu Yu asked with some confusion after listening to Wang Shan's story.

“Yes, before us, someone went to the county government office to sue the Lu family for bullying the market, but the county magistrate not only ignored it, but also beat the person who filed the lawsuit against Lu.

Later, I heard that there was a winery that used to have a very big business. The owner was so angry that he wanted to go to the provincial government to sue the county magistrate of Qingshui County for collusion between officials and businessmen. However, when he arrived there, the person was sent directly back to the county magistrate.

After that... no one saw this person again..."

Wang Shan shuddered, suddenly realizing that although Lu Ji had collapsed, the magistrate of Qingshui County was still there. He quickly shut his mouth and dared not say anything more.

During the meal, Wang Shan heard many evil deeds that Lu Ji had done in Qingshui County in recent years. After the meal, it was already dark. Zhu and Lu did not stay long and got up to say goodbye.

Wang Shan's wife stuffed three small jars of wine into a basket, covered it with straw, and placed a few small fresh fish that Wang Shan had bought from the market on top of the straw.

The fresh fish was probably caught from a nearby river, and it had a strong fishy smell, which completely covered up the faint smell of alcohol.

Lu Qing carried the basket and asked Zhu Yu to leave the yard first. Wang Shan took out the remaining money and chased after him, returning it all to Lu Qing, saying that today's expenses had far exceeded the agreed upon wine money. Their family had already received too much kindness and had no way to repay it, so they should not be greedy for the unused money.

Lu Qing did not refuse. He reached out to take the remaining copper coins, weighed them in his hand, turned around and walked towards Zhu Yu, and put one ear close to Zhu Yu's mouth, as if listening to Zhu Yu's instructions.

Zhu Yu had no idea what he was up to and just pretended to cooperate.

Then Lu Qing came back and asked Wang Shan: "My young master wants to know if you still have the ability to make wine?"

Wang Shan nodded quickly: "Our ancestors have been doing this for generations, and they will never forget it until they die."

Lu Qing took out a large silver ingot from his sleeve, which looked to be at least thirty or forty taels, and stuffed it into his hand together with the copper coins that Wang Shan had returned.

"Benefactor, what are you doing?" Wang Shan was shocked. He had never seen such a big silver ingot in his life.

"My young master told me to tell you that after a while, when the Lu family's troubles are over, you can start the winemaking business." He said to Wang Shan, "This money will be considered as my young master joining the partnership. Whether it's a winery or a restaurant, it's up to you. I, the boss, will take 10% of the profits. On the last day of every ten days, you have to take it to Yunyin Pavilion in the capital and say it's given to Second Master Zhu."

Because Lu Qing had deliberately disguised himself, and Zhu Yu had spoken more often from just now until now, Wang Shan had always regarded him as Zhu Yu's follower. Just now, he just thought that Zhu Yu and his "master and servant" were kind and honest, and judging from their clothes and appearance, they did not look like they were from a wealthy family.

Seeing Lu Qing suddenly take out such a large ingot of silver, Wang Shan was really surprised. He tried to refuse, but he couldn't refuse it in the end. He took the silver ingot, bowed down, and called him "benefactor" in a crying voice.

Mrs. Wang Shan was a little at a loss at first, but now she quickly followed her husband and knelt down and kowtowed.

Zhu Yu hurriedly took two steps forward and together with Lu Qing pulled the two men up.

Wang Shan insisted that he could not just take the money for nothing, so he hurried back to search for it. After much difficulty, he found a piece of paper and a piece of charcoal. Under the dim oil lamp, he wrote a note to "Master Zhu" and asked for his finger signature, telling Zhu Yu to accept it no matter what.

Zhu Yu accepted it and gave them some instructions before leaving.

Wang Shan and his wife did not dare to go far with the large silver ingot in their pockets. They stood at the door and watched them go, refusing to go back for a long time.

When we returned to the inn, it was already pitch dark outside, and the once bustling streets had become extremely quiet.

Zhu Yu and Lu Qing were at Wang Shan's house. Seeing the three of them looking emaciated from hunger, they considered their meal merely a token of their appreciation. After a few bites, they were still a little hungry. Fu Lu then took the fish to the inn's kitchen and had them make fish soup for them to drink.

After dinner, Fu Lu made tea for the two of them and brought it to them. Zhu Yu finally had the time to ask Lu Qing about what had happened before.

"Why did you give money to Wang Shan to help him reopen the winery?" she asked curiously.

Lu Qing shook his head and pointed at Zhu Yu: "I am just an attendant today. It is you, 'Second Master Zhu', who joined the group."

Zhu Yu laughed, nodded, and changed his tone: "Then why should I help Wang Shan reopen the winery?"

"Because he is honest," Lu Qing replied, "and after a person has escaped from a desperate situation, he will especially cherish everything he has and will never waste it lightly."

After saying this, he picked up the teacup in front of him and sipped the tea with his eyes lowered.

Zhu Yu felt that Lu Qing had only answered half of the question, and there was still something left unanswered.

But since the other person didn't want to talk about it, she tactfully didn't ask any further questions.

After a cup of tea, Lu Qing looked up at the talisman standing beside him and asked, "Did you hear anything while staying at the inn today?"

As if he had anticipated Lu Qing's question, Fu Lu quickly replied, "Master, I've heard them say that after the downfall of Lu Ji, there will be another Zhang Ji, Li Ji, or Xu Ji. It's just a change of name, but the substance remains the same. It all depends on who the county government wants to look up to and who they want to honor.

Some people also said that the first to suffer the accident was Lu Ji’s winery, and it was possible that the bakery, butcher shop, and rouge shop that followed would also suffer one after another.

Now, everyone was just there to watch the fun, but after hearing what they said, they all panicked, and in a short while, the streets were no longer so lively.

"Speaking of which, does donating for fame and fortune require so much preparation?" Zhu Yu casually asked Lu Qing, recalling the discussion he had heard in front of the Lu family's gate.

After asking, she regretted it and felt that she had done something stupid!

Even if Lu Qing is not the bloodline of the current emperor, he is at least adopted by him. How could a person with such an identity be familiar with the idea of ​​donating for fame and fortune?

"Jin State has never prohibited merchants from pursuing education and becoming officials." Lu Qing thought for a moment and said, "It's just that not many people actually choose this path.

After all, merchants come from humble backgrounds. It is one thing for their children to pass the imperial examinations, but after gaining fame and status, if they really want to achieve great things, they still need the recommendation of a noble person.

Without the recommendation of a noble person, most of them would only be assigned a low-paid clerk position. It would be better to be comfortable and free in doing business with their family.

Therefore, occasionally there are wealthy businessmen who donate to gain fame and fortune, but they are just old people who have mountains of gold and silver at home and suddenly feel a little vain and want to leave behind a nice reputation.

The imperial court would not really confer any real position on such donated honors.

It's rare to see a merchant family like Lu Ji, whose family background is only slightly wealthy, willing to invest real money and want to donate for fame and honor."

(End of this chapter)