Song Xiu

Chapter 30 The Gambler Ludoson

Zhao Kuangyin's messenger arrived at Xuande Gate very quickly.

With Zhao Kuangyin's permission, Wei Renpu walked out of Xuande Gate without any hindrance.

After leaving the capital, Wei Renpu headed straight for his own residence.

Upon returning to his residence, Wei Renpu's eldest son, Wei Xianmei, was overjoyed to see his father return.

Wei Renpu was naturally happy to see his family after not seeing them for many days, but he had important matters on his mind and didn't have much time to chat with them.

"Open the main gate wide; many people will be coming to visit soon."

After leaving those words, Wei Renpu turned and walked towards the reception room in the mansion.

Following Wei Renpu's instructions, Wei Xianmei dared not delay and immediately ordered the servants to open the main gate and wait outside for the guests to arrive.

The news that Wei Renpu had left the palace in a high-profile manner and returned to his residence quickly reached the ears of many officials in Kaifeng.

Upon hearing this news, many officials who were not on duty that day and had benefited from Wei Renpu's kindness immediately sprang into action.

Soon, the once quiet Wei residence became bustling with noise.

Lu Duoxun currently holds the position of Left Remonstrator in the Central Court.

Left Remonstrance Official, subordinate to the Censorate, Lu Duoxun's job was to offer suggestions to the emperor and fill in any gaps in his judgment.

Under the feudal system, the power of the Censorate depended entirely on whether the emperor trusted it and whether the world was peaceful.

In times of chaos, powerful ministers and influential regional warlords were everywhere, making the Censorate's power negligible.

Lu Duoxun had great ambitions since childhood. He believed that his talents were no less than those of any famous prime minister of the previous dynasty. With such ambitions, Lu Duoxun was naturally dissatisfied with serving as a nominal Left Remonstrance Official.

Therefore, when Lu Duoxun heard the news that Wei Renpu had returned from the palace, his mind immediately became active.

Lu Duoxun was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the Xiande era, and the chief examiner for that year's examination was Wei Renpu.

Later, after Lu Duoxun entered officialdom, he first served as a minor official in the Privy Council. He was praised by Wei Renpu for his meticulous work.

Of course, Wei Renpu had admitted and praised countless Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) over the years, and he might not even remember Lu Duoxun.

But for Lu Duoxun, Wei Renpu was the only important official in the court with whom he could currently establish some connection.

Never letting any opportunity slip by is Ludosen's life motto.

Lu Duoxun, whose family was not well-off, took out a beautifully crafted ancestral inkstone so that he wouldn't go to the Wei residence empty-handed.

Lu Duoxun's actions displeased his father, Lu Yi, who advised him:
"Although Wei Renpu used to hold a high position, he is disliked by the current emperor and currently holds no important post. Why should you go out of your way to curry favor with him?"

Lu Yi's attempts to dissuade him had no effect whatsoever on Lu Duoxun.

"It is precisely because Lord Wei is currently in a low point that I must visit him to show my sincerity."

Given Wei Gong's prestige and connections, it's only a matter of time before His Majesty reinstates him.

When Lord Wei is reinstated, given my status, how could I possibly see him again?

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, Lu Duoxun also had another consideration in mind—Wei Renpu was currently the tutor of the Crown Prince!
After explaining to his father, Lu Duoxun took the ancestral inkstone and headed towards the Wei residence.

The closer Lu Duoxun got to the Wei residence, the more he felt that his choice today was correct.

As he walked along the road, he noticed many ornately decorated carriages heading towards the Wei residence.

As he watched the magnificent carriages passing by, Lu Duoxun felt a mixture of envy and admiration for the immense influence of Duke Wei in the court.

Those magnificent carriages were not something ordinary officials could possess.

Upon arriving at the Wei residence and seeing the gate already packed with people, Lu Duoxun unconsciously became nervous.

Before coming, Ludosen thought his ancestral inkstone was already a pretty good gift.

But when he stood outside the Wei residence and saw the mountain of valuable gifts piled up outside the gate, Lu Duoxun couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Compared to those expensive gifts, what was the inkstone he could offer?

Fortunately, Ludoson is not one to give up easily. Since he's already here, he won't leave so easily.

After silently encouraging himself, Lu Duoxun, with a nervous heart, held the inkstone in his hand and went to Wei Xianmei, who was outside the door receiving guests.

"I am Lu Duoxun, currently serving as Left Advisor. I have come to pay my respects upon hearing that Lord Wei has returned to his residence."

Ludoson's voice was very soft, really because his name and official title were nothing special.

Lu Duoxun thought that if Wei Xianmei accepted his gift, he would be willing to accept not being allowed into the mansion. To Lu Duoxun's surprise, Wei Xianmei's eyes flickered a few times after hearing Lu Duoxun's self-introduction.

What Father really wants to see today is someone of low rank like Ludoson.

Wei Xianmei, who came from a family with good morals, showed no unusual expression. He simply placed Lu Duoxun's gifts outside the mansion as if they were nothing to others, and had a servant escort them inside.

Ludoson was overjoyed to hear that he would have the opportunity to enter the mansion.

I've always heard that Wei Renpu is kind and benevolent, and I suppose the rumors are true.

Overjoyed, Lu Duoxun followed his servant to a side room in the Wei residence to wait.

According to the servant, Wei Renpu will come to see him in person later.

The servant's words excited Ludoson even more.

In order to make a good impression on Wei Renpu, Lu Duoxun was sitting quietly in the side room, waiting for Wei Renpu's arrival.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Wei Renpu finally arrived at the room where Lu Duoxun was waiting after dealing with many people.

Lu Duoxun, who had been keeping a close eye on the door, saw Wei Renpu finally arrive and quickly stood up, bowing to him.
"Student Lu Duoxun pays his respects to Lord Wei."

Ludoson?
Wei Renpu thought for a while and realized that he vaguely remembered the name.

After nodding slightly to Lu Duoxun, Wei Renpu led Lu Duoxun to sit down at the table.

"I heard you're currently serving as Left Reminder?"

In response to Wei Renpu's question, Lu Duoxun quickly and respectfully replied, "That's right."

After receiving Lu Duoxun's reply, Wei Renpu smiled slightly.

Among the many guests today, Lu Duoxun's official position is really not worth mentioning. Given his previous official position, the possibility of him entering the Wei residence was extremely slim.

Ludoson couldn't have been unaware of this.

Even with such a low probability, he still came, which is enough to show that Ludoson is a very ambitious speculator.

This is exactly the kind of person Wei Renpu needs most today.

"I have a fortune to offer you, but I don't know if you have the courage to accept it."

For speculators, Wei Renpu saw no need to beat around the bush.

Wei Renpu's directness surprised Lu Duoxun.

Happiness came a little suddenly.

After leaving the Wei residence, Lu Duoxun returned home somewhat dazed.

After returning home, Ludoson locked himself in his room alone.

What Wei Renpu told him today was of great importance, forcing Lu Duoxun to carefully consider it.

Lu Duoxun had followed Wei Renpu and greatly admired Wei Renpu's talent and insight. Since Wei Renpu was willing to wholeheartedly serve the eldest prince, it meant that the eldest prince was a wise ruler worthy of service.

Although he was increasingly inclined to side with Zhao Dexiu, Lu Duoxun found it difficult to make a decision on the matter of speaking out for Zhao Dexiu first, as it was a matter of great importance.

At this moment, Ludoson remembered one of his treasures.

Lu Duoxun, who was fond of divination, took out a tortoise shell from the room and then put it in a brazier to burn.

Ludoson wanted to use divination to determine whether the matter would be auspicious or inauspicious.

Whether it was fate deliberately working against Ludoson or not, several divinations in a row showed that the outcome was unpredictable.

Anyone else who saw these divination results might have given up long ago, but Lu Duoxun remained defiant, his eyes bloodshot as he continued to cast his divinations with the same reckless abandon as a gambler.

until!

After expending countless pieces of tortoise shell, Lu Duoxun finally saw an auspicious divination result, which made him burst into laughter:

"I knew it! Heaven was on my side!"

With divine "support," Ludoson finally made up his mind.

　The protagonist's "Tian Ce Mansion" has gained another strategist, congratulations!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)