Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 411 If he were a member of the Huo family

What surprised Jiang Yuan even more was that Lu Xingzhou was quite knowledgeable about maritime trade, and he would occasionally ask Jiang Duxu a few questions, his approach to the questions clearly showing his expertise.

Although I don't feel like I'm particularly proficient, this level is enough to crush most people in the capital.

Huo Qi, who supposedly had done something in the past, had spoken with them, though the atmosphere wasn't friendly... In short, what did Huo Qi know? She wasn't even worth a hair on Lu Xingzhou's head.

Even as Jiang Duxu spoke, his brows relaxed more and more. It was naturally more comfortable to talk to someone knowledgeable. This also made him more certain that Lu Xingzhou was not just putting on airs to get his granddaughter, and that Lu Xingzhou's desire to get involved in maritime trade was genuine and not just a way to grab power and end up making a mess of things.

The conversation gradually took on a pleasant tone, even though Huo Zhang, who was listening nearby, was almost falling asleep.

“I know why you came, sir, but to be honest, this matter cannot be decided for the time being.” Lu Xingzhou said, “My Department of Foreign Affairs originally did not have the function of handling trade. Foreign trade is such a big issue that it cannot be fully covered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, or even by the Ministry of Rites, let alone a mere department under it.”

Jiang Duxu said, "That Physician Lu is recruiting people on such a large scale..."

"Because our Main and Foreign Affairs Office is currently mainly responsible for matters concerning the Demon Realm, and the most typical example of exchanges in the Demon Realm is the newly opened border market. Foreign trade between countries has already begun in fact, but no department is in charge of this matter. His Majesty appointed me to be the Main and Foreign Affairs Office so that I could liaise with the Demon Realm. Then I can take advantage of the situation to create a model for all related matters, and it will be easy to get them approved."

Jiang Duxu smiled and said, "Now that we have started foreign trade, it would be a pity to only communicate with the Demon Realm. So, I thought we should include other countries as well."

"Yes. That's the problem. Once the business expands, the government and the public will naturally realize that the functions of this foreign trade department are greater than those of the entire main and secondary trade department. Naturally, they will consider setting up a new department and raising its rank. At that time, I won't be in charge anymore. And with a new emperor comes a new court. When the new official decides on the partners I've set up, they won't recognize them at all. In that case, Mr. Jiang will suffer the loss."

Jiang Duxu pondered to himself.

Originally, obtaining official status for the maritime trade industry was a minor matter, involving only dealing with a mere doctor. Naturally, he wouldn't bother Gu Zhanting with such a trivial matter; Huo Zhang was more than capable of facilitating the connection.

However, Lu Xingzhou's statement makes a lot of sense. This foreign trade section won't remain under the main customer service department forever. Within a few days, its staff will be several times larger than before, and its responsibilities will also be more numerous. It's not something a single section can handle. Looking at it this way, it might soon become the main foreign trade department itself. The partners Lu Xingzhou has designated might not be accepted by the new official; they might even be permanently blacklisted.

Do I have to go to someone else's door again to beg for help, and then have them stare at my granddaughter with their reckless gaze?
Or should we go directly to Gu Zhanting about this?
If we really need to find Gu Zhanting, then it has to be for a bigger issue… like letting Lu Xingzhou continue to manage the future Foreign Trade Department, since there aren't many people more knowledgeable than him. Hmm, he'll also be responsible for liaising with the Demon Realm, so he'll manage it together with the Main and Foreign Affairs Department… Under what circumstances can the Main and Foreign Affairs Department and the Foreign Trade Department be managed together?

He was promoted to Vice Minister and put in charge of two departments.

Jiang Duxu was slightly shocked when he thought of this. Lu Xingzhou had only been in office for two or three days, right?
A wild heart.

Moreover, he made this hint because he realized that I had a more powerful background.

Thinking of this, Jiang Duxu's mind became somewhat heavy. He said, "Today I met Physician Lu and realized that there is no such thing as a great reputation without merit... I understand what Physician Lu has pointed out, but those things are not important. If our cooperation can make the Jiang family and Physician Lu become friends, then it will be worthwhile."

Lu Xingzhou chuckled: "What kind of great reputation do I have?"

"In the Yama's Palace, the Yama King's might shakes the universe; in Danxia Mountain, the Sword Sect is brought back to life; in the East Sea, the Golden Wind is destroyed; in the Northern Frontier, the military calamity is resolved; in the Demon Realm, the internal strife is quelled." Jiang Duxu said indifferently, "This is the 'Overturning Clouds and Rain Hand,' a mere doctor is too insignificant to you."

Lu Xingzhou tilted his head and looked at him for a while, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but just smiled slightly: "Mr. Jiang is so knowledgeable about maritime trade, he is the kind of partner our company should choose. Not to mention, there is also my second brother's influence here. This is a friend we should make."

Huo Zhang grinned from ear to ear; the compliment about the sedan chair made him feel extremely proud.

They failed to detect the subtle nuances in their conversation.

Could Jiang Duxu's words be something a merchant would say to a doctor? There are even things he shouldn't know. Those words, seemingly praising Lu Xingzhou, were actually subtly hinting at his own powerful background.

Huo Zhang laughed and said, "How about we have dinner together tonight? Let's get to know each other better and strengthen our friendship."

Lu Xingzhou didn't answer, but instead asked, "Second Brother, how many more meals can you eat in the capital?"

Huo Zhang's smile vanished.

Logically, he should have been sent back to the northern frontier long ago. The reason he's still here is quite ridiculous: his family is negotiating a marriage alliance with the Jiang family. Once the deal is finalized, he'll have to come back for the wedding, so it's better for him to stay.

He took this opportunity to curry favor with his "stepmother" and see if he could achieve any special effect.

"To be honest, I think my second brother is much better at handling people and dealing with people than Huo Qi, and he's also much stronger. If it weren't for the family's favoritism... ha. Anyway, I don't think much of Huo Qi as the heir." Lu Xingzhou sighed, "But this isn't the first or second time they've shown favoritism; they've done even more favoritism before, right?"

These words ignited Huo Zhang's righteous indignation. When the matter was defined as "bias," he and "Huo Shang" could find many commonalities and empathize with each other.

But in front of the Jiang family grandfather and grandson, there were some things he couldn't say, so he just forced a smile and said, "Well, it's not very convenient today... Let's have a few drinks privately another day."

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "Okay."

Huo Zhang took his leave with the Jiang family grandfather and grandson. In fact, they did not travel together for long. The Jiang family had their own residence, and Huo Zhang also had to go home. The two parted ways at a crossroads not far away.

Jiang Yuan watched Huo Zhang's figure disappear into the distance before whispering, "What was the point of saying those things to Lu Xingzhou? Doesn't that expose our extraordinary nature?"

Jiang Duxu's expression was indifferent, and his entire posture relaxed, his aura suddenly changing. If Huo Zhang had seen this at that moment, he would have felt that this was not the kind of maritime merchant who was devoted to making a living through business.

Those are those who seek immortality and enlightenment.

"Lu Xingzhou's attitude probably means he knows we are not ordinary maritime merchants, and that putting on an act in front of discerning people would only make us a laughing stock."

Jiang Yuan's face was a little hot. Was she acting? Did Lu Xingzhou notice? Was he secretly laughing?
Jiang Duxu said, "He kept staring at you. Is he lustful? I don't think so."

Jiang Yuan said resentfully, "He's just a lecher. Huo Zhang already said about his scandals... and in the Demon Realm, wasn't it rumored that the Dragon Emperor squeezed his juices for a month?" Jiang Duxu was too lazy to pay attention to such boring topics and said coldly, "Did you act on your own and give him some leverage over you that led to this?"

Jiang Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and she said guiltily, "No, no. He's just a lecher..."

"Ye Tinglan is in the capital! Our identities must not be revealed easily. Reflect on whether you have any problems! If so, do your best to cover them up."

"No, really not."

Jiang Duxu looked her up and down for a long time, then revealed a strange expression: "Could it be that he really has taken a liking to you?"

Jiang Yuan knew it wasn't true; she must be suspicious that she was the woman in red. She could only bite the bullet and say, "Who knows?"

Jiang Duxu pondered for a moment: "What is his relationship with Huo Zhang?"

Jiang Yuan said, "They say he also has the surname Huo."

"Hmm?" Jiang Duxu was taken aback and looked at Jiang Yuan again.

He then chuckled, "Interesting... We're new here and don't know enough about the details of all parties involved. We need to find out more about this. If he's a member of the Huo family, then we really don't need to consider Huo Xingyuan."

Jiang Yuan's eyes lit up, but then she looked a little depressed and mumbled an "Mmm".

Sheng Yuanyao and Pei Chuyun entered Lu Xingzhou's room with strange expressions, and then things got even stranger.

Lu Xingzhou was holding a piece of red cloth, frowning in deep thought, with the cloth held close to his nose.

Pei Chuyun was dumbfounded: "No, Lu Xingzhou, what kind of fetish do you have? No wonder you collect my... no, my undergarment doesn't smell as good as her rags?"

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

Sheng Yuanyao crossed her arms.

"What's with that expression?" Lu Xingzhou said, both amused and exasperated. "If you have nothing better to do, go find Anuo."

Sheng Yuanyao asked curiously, "What?"

"Let Ah Nuo run into this Miss Jiang and see if she's seen her before... Even if she doesn't recognize her, her nose is sharper than ours."

Connecting this to the red cloth in his hand, Sheng Yuanyao suddenly realized: "You mean she's that woman in red?"

Lu Xingzhou nodded: "It's very likely. Be careful, you've also tried to stab her with a knife before, don't let her retaliate."

Sheng Yuanyao laughed: "I was just afraid she wouldn't come."

"My lord," Qi Tuizhi knocked and entered, "we've already recruited thirteen people, and I think our space is about ready. Shall we stop here for now?"

"So fast?" Lu Xingzhou was taken aback and looked Qi Tuizhi up and down.

The dejected look from a few days ago has vanished, replaced by vibrant energy, and he's regained the spirited demeanor he had as a senior student at the Imperial Academy.

"Since we're looking among acquaintances, it'll be quick. After the fall of the Prince of Jin, there were quite a few talented people who were not in the limelight, and I know them all very well."

"Didn't they look for anyone from Lingtian Pavilion?"

Qi Tuizhi smiled slightly: "What do they know about foreign trade? They can't do any clerical work either. If we recruit them, they can only do some guard work. But we have General Sheng, don't we?"

Neither of them are stupid; they could tell he was avoiding suspicion and wasn't using his power to hire people to place his own people in positions of authority.

This person might actually be a useful helper.

Lu Xingzhou was very satisfied: "Then let's discuss the various procedures and the embargo list. After that, you and Pei Zhao will coordinate and start the first matter concerning the Demon Realm. Hmm... for the first time, you can try going to the border market with the group. Anyway, it's not far, so you can go and see for yourself to get firsthand information."

Qi Tui said, "Is there a trustworthy contact person over there? This is my first time doing something like this, and I'm afraid of being deceived."

"Go directly to see Long Zheng, the commander of the border market... and while you're at it, please deliver a letter to him for me."

Qi Tuizhi felt slightly relieved; this official was indeed reliable: "A letter for Long Zheng?"

"No, let him pass it on to their queen."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: The cuckolds kept reporting me for swearing, haha. Well, actually I didn't have to delete it, but to avoid a bad reading experience for future readers, I deleted the swearing parts.

Seriously, stop speculating about things that haven't happened yet. Whether it's imagining a cuckold scenario or some readers imagining Lu continuing to fawn over her... others take out loans to spend money, but why would someone take out a loan to eat shit? Why bother? If you really want to imagine fawning over someone, you should imagine how the fish will fawn over them. This is arguably the biggest point of anticipation in a "cremation scene" plot, right? How can anyone guess the opposite?

(End of this chapter)