Baiquan City is located on the northwest border of the Great Zhou Dynasty. As its name suggests, there are springs all over the city, and it is known as the "Little Jiangnan."
On a hot summer day, the dry-mouthed and gray-faced merchants immediately relieved themselves of their fatigue as soon as they entered the city and saw swaying green willows, stone bridges like the moon, and clear river water.
Everyone couldn't help but stop and put down their schedule, or walk into a restaurant or tea shop, or stand at the bridge and watch the gurgling spring water, enjoying a moment of summer tranquility.
But the streets today were very noisy. Firecrackers sounded from time to time in a certain direction in the city, and a group of people beat gongs and drums on the street.
"What kind of festival is this?" merchants from other places sitting in the tea shop asked curiously.
Although today is not a season they are familiar with, what if it is the local custom.
The waiter who came to refill the tea said with a smile: "It's not a festival, it's a big happy event."
This is quite common. When there is a happy event at home, it is time to liven up the business. The merchants look outside. At this time, a procession playing gongs and drums approaches. The two servants leading it raise their hands, and a handful of big money rains down.
, the street suddenly boiled——
The merchants couldn't help but let out a laugh.
It turned out to be throwing money in the street!
This kind of scene has really only been seen in Jiangnan. It was the work of wealthy businessmen.
There is such a wealthy family in this small border town?
What a happy event is this?
"He is the third son of the Lu family, and he has been admitted as a scholar."
You scholar, that means you have achieved fame. It is indeed a great joy. The merchants smiled and nodded.
Some locals nearby joined in the chat.
"The Lu family has donated money to Xiaolian before, but this is the first time it has been donated to Xiu."
"Look at what you said, how come the scholar donated it? It was Mr. Lu who passed the exam."
"Master Lu has been famous for his intelligence since he was a child."
"Third Young Master Lu is only eighteen years old this year!"
He's so young! Unlike the exams for filial piety and integrity, scholars have to take exams based on real talent and practical knowledge, and the number of places is limited. Many people may not be able to pass the exam in their lifetime. The well-informed merchants can't help but follow the gongs and drums.
, I am curious about how charming the young and promising Mr. Lu is.
The Lu family's house is in the west of the city. It is a five-story house where three brothers live. Compared with the wealthy people in Jiangnan, the house is a bit shabby.
In fact, the foundation of the Lu family cannot be compared with the wealthy people in Jiangnan.
The Lu family moved to Baiquan County from other places, worked as a long-term worker, and sold straw sandals. The business was started in the generation of Mr. Lu. One shop became two or three. The family business gradually became established, but even in
Baiquan County is not considered a home of wealthy people.
Until Mr. Lu bought a boat company a few years ago, business was spread in all directions, and the momentum of the Lu family suddenly changed.
Outside, there were servants playing drums and playing music in the streets and distributing money, maids and women serving porridge outside the alley, and friends, relatives, merchants, and associates all flocking to the house, making the house seem more and more cramped.
Several women were sitting in the corner of the flower hall, looking around and chatting. One of the women told everyone the latest news.
"It won't be cramped for too long. The Lu family has bought Qijia Alley."
Behind the alley where the Lu family is located, there is another alley, which is much larger than this one and originally belonged to the Qi family.
The Qi family is an aristocratic family in Baiquan County. Their family will not stir up excitement in the whole city just because one of their children is promoted to be a scholar, because in that case, Baiquan County will be in constant excitement.
Qi's poetry and calligraphy were passed down from generation to generation, and his children were all scholars. His fame seemed to have been with him since birth. Mr. Qi of this generation was so famous for his knowledge that he was invited by the emperor to be the prince's teacher.
But it was precisely because of knowledge that the Qi family caused a catastrophe of genocide.
Five years ago, the King of Jin rebelled and killed the crown prince. As the former teacher of the King of Jin, Mr. Qi was blamed by the furious emperor and had his house confiscated by decree.
Just like that, the Qi family dispersed overnight, leaving the high gate and deep house deserted with people coming and going.
"It turns out it was bought by the Lu family." Another woman exclaimed, "Although it is an illegal property, it is very expensive because it occupies a large area."
The woman who spoke earlier said, "Is the Lu family still afraid of being expensive?"
A woman nodded along and said with some exaggeration: "The Lu family can buy half of the city now, let alone an abandoned Qi family's old residence."
"The key to this matter is not money." A woman suddenly whispered.
She speaks softly, looks elegant with a bit of a bookish look, and is dressed a bit shabby among women.
But the women who wore gold and silver and looked like merchants did not look down upon him at all.
This lady is from the county captain's family, and as an official, it was rare to sit with her in the past.
"Mrs. Sun, please tell me." the women asked respectfully.
Mrs. Sun smiled softly: "This is not official property. You can't buy it if you have money. Otherwise, wouldn't there be no rich people in Baiquan City? If you want to buy it, what you need is not money, but qualifications."
She looked at the front hall, which was the men's area. All three brothers of the Lu family were there. Mr. Lu's face was glowing and he was surrounded by everyone.
"Now, the Lu family is qualified to buy it."
Not only did the Lu family become rich, the young master entered the official career and led the Lu family to rise step by step and become a new noble family leader.
Just like the Qi family once did.
This is luck, which waxes and wanes. Qi's luck disappears, while Lu's luck increases.
The wealthy businessmen and women all understood. They looked at the flower hall with awe in addition to envy. Businessmen are profit-seeking, and friendships are cold. You are good to me now, but you can fall out the next moment, but you can't treat the Lu family like this in the future.
Even if the Lu family has no money in business, they don't dare to treat it lightly.
Because the Lu family has the power.
Power is something more powerful than money.
"Mrs. Lu really gave birth to a good son." A woman couldn't help but murmured.
Women depend on their husbands for the first half of their lives and their children for the second half of their lives. Both of these dependences depend on fate.
Mrs. Lu is really blessed. She married a rich husband and gave birth to a son who has reached great success. She is really enviable.
When Mrs. Lu was mentioned, the women murmured: "Where is Mrs. Lu?"
Just now I was just concentrating on chatting. I looked around and saw that there were women from the Lu family here. They were just housewives of the second and third bedrooms. The head of the house, Mrs. Lu, was not there.
It shouldn’t be. This is the most glorious moment for a mother. How could Mrs. Lu avoid it and give this glory to her two sisters-in-law?
They had never heard that Mrs. Lu was so kind to her sister-in-law.
After Mr. Lu passed away, Mrs. Lu devoted herself to chanting Buddha's name and lived in Zhuangzi outside the city without caring about worldly affairs.
Mrs. Lu is the head of the family, and her behavior in front of her two sisters-in-law is comparable to that of her mother-in-law.
"I saw him when he first came in," a woman said, "but something seemed to happen, so I hurried in."
Haven't come out yet?
What's going on?
The woman whispered again: "Madam, your face is very bad, and your eyes are very troubled."
This statement surprised the women and made them a little unbelievable.
How can it be?
Mrs. Lu now has a son and everything is ready, what else can cause her trouble?
