Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 48 General Star (Part )

"Lu Shang?"

The eunuchs of the Imperial City Guard left quickly and returned just as quickly. After all, Emperor Yang Jian was waiting for news from them in the palace, and as the emperor's servants, how could they dare be negligent? It was through these eunuchs that the story of Lü Shang throwing the tripod in the parade ground reached Yang Jian's ears.

"The Lu Shang you are talking about is the prince of Qi, Lu Shang?"

Yang Jian hadn't expected his cousin to be such a formidable figure, capable of lifting a tripod. He had commissioned the craftsmen to forge the massive tripod in the center of the parade ground. He was well aware of its weight, so when he learned of Lü Shang's toss, his first reaction was disbelief.

"It is indeed the Prince of Qi," the eunuch replied cautiously.

Glancing at the trembling eunuchs, Yang Jian stroked his beard and said, "Lü Shang, I never thought that my mother's family would produce a talented general."

Yang Jian didn't think of Lü Shang as someone cunning and secretive. His cousin Lü Yongji's temperament alone didn't suggest he could raise someone like that.

"Throwing the tripod,"

Yang Jian nodded thoughtfully and said to Chen Dexin beside him, "Some time ago, Yongji came to the palace several times, saying that he wanted to find a marriage for Lu Shang?"

Chen Dexin, who had been following Yang Jian, whispered back, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Qi is already old enough to dance like an elephant. It's time for him to get married and start a family. As his father, the Duke of Qi, how could he not be anxious?"

"Alas, how pitiful are the parents in the world,"

Yang Jian nodded and said, "I remember that Lü Shang and Amo are the same age. Now Amo has a legitimate son, but Lü Shang is still unmarried. No wonder Yongji was so anxious to find me and ask me to arrange a marriage for him."

Amo was the nickname of Prince of Jin Yang Guang. In the second year of Kaihuang, when he was thirteen years old, he married Concubine Xiao. In the fourth year of Kaihuang, Concubine Xiao gave birth to the eldest grandson Yang Zhao. Yang Jian loved this eldest grandson very much and raised him by his side. He often said to his attendants that he was a good and holy grandson.

"His Majesty,"

Seeing that Yang Jian seemed to be interested and was already thinking about how to arrange a marriage for Lu Shang, Chen Dexin hesitated for a moment, then thought of the 10,000 coins that Duke Qi had privately bribed him, and finally spoke: "Duke Qi, it seems that he wants to ask the princess to surrender on behalf of the crown prince."

"Princess?"

Yang Jian was stunned by what Chen Dexin said, then laughed and said, "So that's how it is. He's set his sights on my Ah Wu. Lu Yongji is quite courageous. My Ah Wu just lost her husband, and he's already set his sights on Ah Wu. He's truly my good cousin!"

"However, this is not something that cannot be considered. Lü Shang has such martial prowess, or perhaps it's one of his astrological destinies. Ah Wu descended to the Duke of Qi's mansion, further strengthening his relationship with the Lü family. Given Lü Shang's age, he could even support the emperor for three dynasties."

Suddenly, Yang Jian glared at Chen Dexin coldly and said calmly, "And you, tell me, I really want to know what benefits Lu Yongji gave you, an old dog, to let you speak for him in front of the emperor."

Seeing Yang Jian's sullen expression, Chen Dexin dared not hide anything and said directly, "Your Majesty, the Lord of Qi has indeed asked me to intercede for you. I will pay you 10,000 strings of cash for this one sentence, just one sentence."

Yang Jian frowned, his anger gradually subsided, and he said lightly: "He is also willing to give it up."

For him, it’s okay to take some money from people around him, but one thing is that they cannot deceive him, this is the bottom line.

Yang Jian was silent for a moment, looking away from Chen Dexin, and said, "Ten thousand strings of cash is a huge sum of money that an ordinary family could not spend in several lifetimes. Lu Yongji is willing to spend a fortune for his son's marriage."

There was no emotion in his voice, making it difficult to understand his thoughts.

People often say that a family fortune is worth millions, and ten thousand strings of cash are indeed not a small amount. This is also because Chen Dexin has a good reputation and really does things when paid, otherwise Lu Yongji would not have invested so much.

------

Duke of Qi's Mansion,

"Master, great joy," Lu Quan said with a red face as he rushed into the hall.

Seeing that Lü Quan was running out of breath, Lü Yongji asked, "Where does your joy come from?"

Lü Quan panted and said, "Prince, the prince broke through five gates in a row and threw the tripod in the training ground, defeating all the heroes. King Kaoshan was pleased with the prince's bravery, so he held a banquet in the palace to entertain the prince." "Ah,"

Hearing this, Lu Yongji was also stunned for a moment, and said, "So, King Kaoshan is inviting my son to a banquet?"

"Oh my god, is this still my unfilial son with such erratic behavior? He's made it big, he's really made it big. The King of Kaoshan is hosting a banquet. My son has made it big!"

The King of Backers was called the Backer by Yang Jian. Lu Yongji, the cousin of the emperor, was both afraid and terrified of this uncle.

"Quick, find my court robes. I need to go to the palace to see the emperor."

After Lu Yongji was overjoyed, he immediately thought of Yang Jian in Daxing Palace and hurriedly gave orders to his servants.

"My son has made great progress,"

Not to mention anything else, just relying on the banquet hosted by the Mountain King would let Lu Yongji know that his unfilial son had really made it.

"Also, tell me what I have said: everyone in the mansion will receive a reward. If I am happy, everyone in the mansion will be happy too."

Lu Yongji thought for a moment and said, "Just give each person five strings of cash. This will also bring good luck to my son."

"My Lu family has a son, this is God's blessing,"

"By the way, have the governor of the prefecture prepare a generous gift and send it to the Louguan Terrace on Mount Zhongnan as a token of gratitude."

Lu Yongji knew that his son's transformation had begun with his pursuit of the Dao in Zhongnan Mountain. Lu Shang must have received guidance from a certain immortal master in Zhongnan Mountain, which contributed to his outstanding performance in the martial arts examinations.

Although Lu Yongji didn't know which immortal master it was, he knew that if someone did him a favor, he had to repay them.

The immortal master may not be interested in these things, but as Lu Shang's father, he must express his gratitude.

However, there are too many Taoist temples on Mount Zhongnan, making it difficult to find the real owner.

However, just because he couldn't find it didn't mean he couldn't find Louguantai either. Zhongnan Mountain was famous for Louguantai. Since he didn't know which immortal master it was, he could just send the thank-you gift to Louguantai. The Taoists there would surely know something, so there was no need to worry about the gift not reaching the right person.

The generous gift that Lu Yongji mentioned was indeed very generous.

When Lu Yongji was about to leave the house, Lu Quan presented the gift list to Lu Yongji. Lu Yongji took a look at it and was very satisfied.

Ten carts of precious nanmu wood shipped from the south, ten boxes of gold and silver ritual implements, a pure gold statue of Laojun inlaid with rubies and emeralds, and a land deed for a hundred acres of fertile land at the foot of Mount Zhongnan.

"Prepare according to this gift list and send it to Louguantai."

"Just say that these small gifts are a small token of my gratitude to my family, Lu Yongji, to pray for their well-being. I hope that Laojun will bless the Lu family."

"Yes,"

Lu Quan responded.

As the head of the household and the most trusted person of Duke Qi of Qi, Lu Yongji, Lu Quan was the only one who could deliver the thank-you gift.

After all, Lu Quan spent more than a year at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, and it was not in vain. He was familiar with the place.

The county and township officials near Mount Zhongnan also knew Lu Quan's identity. Lu Quan might be just a slave in Daxing City, but once he left Daxing, he represented the face of the Duke of Qi, and everyone had to respect him.

(End of this chapter)