The Martial Lord of the Troubled World

Chapter 75 Returning the Fu Family's Gift (Bonus Chapter)

The Fu family home, study.

Fu Guosheng sat behind his executive desk, the light from his pipe flickering in his hand, listening quietly as a middle-aged man in a long gown beside him reported in a low voice.

"These days, more and more people are coming to exchange their deposit slips for silver dollars, more than ten times more than usual. But there are hardly any people depositing money."

I specifically counted them in the hall today, and many of those who came to collect money were employees of Master Huang and Boss Liu's households."

"If this continues, the bank really can't hold on any longer; the cash in the vault is almost gone."

Fu Guosheng slowly took a puff of his pipe and said, "Go to another shop and get some cash over there. Let's make ends meet for a couple more days."

"Yes."

The two talked for a while longer before the middle-aged man bowed and left the study.

As the study door quietly closed, a hint of weariness, hard to conceal, surfaced between Fu Guosheng's brows.

The series of misfortunes over the past two weeks have almost exhausted him. The once-great Fu family is now in turmoil, yet he still has to maintain a calm facade in front of outsiders.

Since ancient times, the common people have never fought against the officials; merchants should be even more so.

Fu Guosheng understood this principle better than anyone else.

Currently, however, the situation is one of officials forcing the people to their deaths.

Even if he were willing to hand over his life's work, the other party might not be willing to leave the Fu family a way out.

"Second son"

Fu Guosheng tapped the table lightly with his pipe, his eyes flashing. Just as he was about to get up, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

The study door opened in response, and the butler, Chen Zhongping, stood at the door and reported with his hands at his sides: "Master, Grandma Su from the Lin family has arrived."

Lin Jia Su Hui?!
Fu Guosheng was taken aback, then immediately stood up. "Quickly, bring them in."

"Yes."

Fu Guosheng put down his pipe, straightened his clothes, and walked calmly out the door.

The Lin family wasn't considered a prominent family in Luanhe, but Grandma Su, a member of the Lin family, held a special position.

Those in the know understand that she is backed by the former Su family, the Suerjia Luo clan, a truly powerful and noble family that far surpasses all the other wealthy families in the entire Luanhe River region combined.

Although he is now far away in Shenghai, he is not someone that ordinary local gentry can afford to offend.

Even on ordinary days, Fu Guosheng would treat such a person with great respect when he visited, let alone now that everyone is avoiding the Fu family like the plague.

Fu Guosheng strode to the front hall and saw a man sitting there from afar. Just by looking at his figure and posture, he could sense an air of refined nobility emanating from his very bones.

There was another person standing next to her, dressed as a maid from a wealthy family in the previous dynasty, but she was quite old.

"Miss Su."

Fu Guosheng stepped forward, and when he was ten paces away, he lowered his posture and bowed solemnly: "I have failed to greet you properly."

The maidservant beside him glanced at him, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes, while Su Hui smiled and rose to return the greeting.

"I hope Mr. Fu won't mind my unauthorized visit."

"How dare you, how dare you."

Fu Guosheng shook his head, "So many people want to invite Miss Su to their door but can't."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fu Guosheng finally couldn't contain himself and tentatively asked, "May I ask what brings Miss Su here today?"

"I am somewhat aware of the Fu family's current predicament..."

Su Hui gently put down the porcelain cup in her hand and said softly, "Mr. Fu once saved my life, and I thought I should repay the Fu family once in return..."

Fu Guosheng was stunned upon hearing this.

A moment later, he suddenly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said, "Miss Su, please move to the study for a detailed discussion."

Su Hui nodded with a smile.

As Fu Juemin sat in the car on the return journey, the county road was bumpy and the car swayed and staggered forward, but his body seemed to be sitting on flat ground, remaining completely still. He was still thinking about the news he had just received from his second uncle, Fu Guoping.

In another half month to a month, the Ming-character banner of the Fire Cloud Army will be able to enter the Luan River.

At that time, the flames of war will not only ignite along the Luan River, but will also spread throughout Yangping and even reach other southern provinces.
If this news is true, then my second uncle was right; half a month from now will indeed be the best time to kill Song Lin and his gang.

Gunfire is merciless; even the son of the governor of Yangping Province could die amidst the chaos of rebel troops.

"In that case, the plan of using the water-diverting monkey to kill someone else can be put on hold."

The water monster of the Luan River was too unstable a factor. Once it was brought out from the bottom of the river, Fu Juemin didn't know what the final result would be.

Compared to the risk of this plan, it would be much safer to take advantage of the chaos of the army attacking the city and assassinate Song Lin.

"So now, the only problem that needs to be solved is how to get rid of the two Tongxuan guards around Song Lin."

Li Tong can handle at least one of them.

This was still Fu Juemin's conservative estimate, after all, Uncle Tong originally planned to do everything by himself.

"I wonder if half a month is enough time for me to grasp the basics of the Five Elements Profound Fiend Technique."

Fu Juemin took a light breath, looking at his right hand, which appeared even whiter and more slender after the bones and muscles were reshaped, and thought to himself.

Before long, the car arrived at the Fu residence.

As soon as Fu Juemin got out of the car, the butler, Uncle Chen, came up and reported in a low voice.

"Su Hui came by?"

After hearing the report from the steward, Uncle Chen, Fu Juemin was taken aback, blinked, and immediately went straight to Fu Guosheng's study.

This time, he even forgot to knock and pushed the door open and walked in.

Upon entering, he saw Fu Guosheng standing in front of several rows of antique shelves, looking radiant. He wasn't annoyed that Fu Guosheng had barged in without knocking; instead, he smiled and waved at him.

"You've come at the right time. Your father has something to tell you."

Five minutes later, Fu Juemin sat down at the coffee table with a strange expression, looking at the tea leaves floating and sinking in the cup in front of him.

"Father, are you saying that Su Hui is willing to use her connections to pull strings and send our whole family to Shenghai?"

"Correct."

Fu Guosheng nodded and said, "With the Su family's influence, they can still manage to send a few people out of Yangping right under Song Zhenyuan's nose."

"It's true that we can't take this family business with us, but it's better than leaving it all to be swallowed up by Song Zhenyuan and his son..."

Fu Juemin nodded slowly, then said softly, "Perfect timing, I also have something to tell Father."

Fu Juemin told his second uncle, Fu Guosheng, about his visit and the news that the Southwest Fire Cloud Army would soon attack Luanhe.

After he finished speaking, the father and son exchanged a glance, both seeing a complex and strange expression on each other's faces.

"Heaven has not forsaken the Fu family."

Fu Guosheng stood up, as if he had returned to his former composed demeanor as the wealthiest man in Luanhe.

"Half a month is a bit tight, but it's enough time for us to sell off most of our assets and take them with us."

After a moment's thought, Fu Guosheng quickly said, "There's no time to lose, I'll make the arrangements now."

Just as Fu Guosheng was about to call for help, Fu Juemin raised his hand to stop him.

"Father, there's no rush."

Fu Juemin shook his head and said, "You'd better go find Song Lin and ask him for something to ensure the Fu family's safety for the next half month."

"what?"

Fu Guosheng looked at him, his brows furrowed in confusion.

Fu Juemin's eyes gleamed as he said calmly, "Go ask him for a copy of our Fu family's donation order."

Thank you to the guild leader "Gentle Breeze Soothes My Heart" for your support! orz
(End of this chapter)