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Chapter 208:
Chapter 208:
Chapter 208:
Chapter 208
Viewing the aristocracy from the perspective of how one might perceive merchants could often offer a reasonable explanation for many of their actions. For instance, their recent visits to Su Li could be summed up by a simple phrase: “No profit, no early start!”
Previously, the prominent families of the Tang Dynasty followed behind Su Li, establishing factories and accumulating wealth. However, years of survival experience had taught them not to take risks lightly. They wouldn't actively get close to him until they could accurately gauge Emperor Li Er's true attitude towards Su Li. At this moment, Emperor Li Er had granted Su Li the Five-Item Set of Power, and their relationship was crystal clear. Those noble families couldn't sit idle any longer. Even though accompanying Su Li could bring them substantial profits, could they not envy the gains the Princess's Manor achieved?
There is a saying that goes, “Always imitated, never surpassed.” This saying perfectly described the current state of the Princess's Manor. The Princess's Manor initiated all the emerging industries in the Tang Dynasty. They held the fundamental technologies for all these industries, and no matter how much others attempted to mimic them, they couldn't match the Princess's Manor in quality and quantity.
Although the imitators and the imitated might seem to be doing the same thing, fundamentally, they were on entirely different levels. Everyone knew that Su Li didn’t mind others learning from him, and he had never used his reputation or power to suppress imitators. During this process, the Five Surnames and Seven Surnames benefitted from the situation in ways they had never imagined before. But in their eyes, this was far from sufficient. They had always been the most powerful force in the realm of the Tang Dynasty, without equals. Naturally, they couldn’t allow others to reap more benefits from the same activities. This was precisely why they impatiently stepped forward, apparently eager to establish closer ties with Su Li once they understood Emperor Li Er’s attitude towards him.
Behind their seemingly enthusiastic demeanor concealed deep and malicious intentions. While they appeared to be praising Su Li, they were likely trying to raise him up in their hearts only to bring him down later. If they managed to overthrow the original creator, Su Li, all the profits from these industries would fall into their hands. Who would settle for scraps when they could have it all to themselves?
“Can the Five Surnames and Seven Surnames, known for their literary and cultural heritage, really engage in such behavior?” After hearing Su Li’s explanation, Changle expressed her disbelief, wide-eyed and shocked. Su Li shook his head with a wry smile. “My dear wife, you must remember that the greed of these aristocratic families far surpasses your imagination. I suspect that you’ll witness it firsthand very soon.”
Su Li dared to speak so because he had recently observed some signs within the factories owned by the Five Surnames and Seven Surnames on the outskirts of Changan.
…
Night descended. A carriage slowly entered the premises of the Wannian County Magistrate’s Office. Lu Qiqing disembarked from the carriage, his once handsome face now clouded. He entered the county office’s backyard and entered a lit room. Pushing the door open, he found two middle-aged men already waiting inside. These two men were none other than his father, Lu Chengtai, and his uncle, Lu Chengqing. In their branch of the Lu family, they were part of the eldest branch. Lu Qiqing’s uncle, Lu Chengqing, was the current head of the Lu family of Fanyang.“How did it go?” Lu Chengqing asked calmly.
Lu Qiqing’s face was filled with anger as he shook his head. “Su Li didn’t even see me. He sent a palace maid to reject Uncle’s formal visit.”
Lu Chengqing and Lu Chengtai exchanged glances, both wearing cold smiles. The Lu family of Fanyang was a top-tier aristocratic family, even among the Five Surnames and Seven Surnames. In its prime, three family members held the esteemed position of Imperial Tutors for three countries, showcasing their distinguished lineage.
Among the Five Surnames and Seven Surnames, only the combined reputation of the Cui family from Boling and Qinghe could barely rival the Lu family. As for the Li family of Longxi, where the imperial clan resided, they were no different from commoners in the eyes of these long-standing aristocratic families.
In this instance, Lu Chengqing personally came to Changan and sent his nephew, who was the county magistrate of Wannian County, to deliver the formal visit. This respect was more than sufficient, yet Su Li decisively rejected it. Even though they had expected this outcome, it was still emotionally challenging for them to accept when it happened.
“Humph, a young man who got lucky to land that position at a young age, thinks so highly of himself. Truly a shallow-minded individual!” Lu Chengtai snorted disdainfully.
Lu Chengqing waved his hand dismissively and then smirked. “I have already contacted the other families. We must find a way to make this Yongle King understand the consequences!”
Lu Chengqing and Lu Chengtai were renowned scholars whose names were known throughout the realm. When Lu Chengqing was a minor officer in the imperial examination system, he once changed an evaluation out of admiration for the demeanor of a canal officer. The saying “unperturbed by favor or disgrace” originated from his words. In the Tang Dynasty, Lu Chengqing was praised for his kindness and appreciation of talent. As for Lu Qiqing, even at a young age, he had become a sixth-ranked county magistrate of Wannian County, boasting immense potential. He was truly one of the remarkable young talents of the Tang Dynasty.
At this moment, the flickering lamplight illuminated the three figures in the room. Their shadows danced behind them, creating an eerie atmosphere that seemed almost ghostly at first glance.
A knock sounded at the door, and a steward-like figure entered the room. “Master, there’s an issue at our forge by the side of Qujiang River.”
“What happened?” Lu Chengqing asked indifferently.
The steward whispered, “The waterwheel by the river suddenly broke and collapsed the workshop, killing fourteen workers…”
Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqing’s anger flared up instantly. “The waterwheel alone is worth over a thousand taels of silver, not to mention the workshop! And it collapsed just like that?”
The steward trembled as he continued, “I asked the supervisor at the factory. He said that the two workers in charge of the waterwheel hadn’t been relieved due to the heavy workload lately. They were exhausted and didn’t pay enough attention, which led to this disaster…”
Lu Qiqing’s rage caused him to shake, pacing around with his hands behind his back, cursing without the usual elegance he carried himself with. He was entrusted with the position of the Wannian County magistrate by his family to manage the Lu family’s business in Changan. He couldn’t believe such a huge incident occurred while the family head and his father were in Changan.
Instead of focusing on dealing with those workers’ tragedy, Lu Qiqing’s first concern was how this incident would affect his position within the family.
Seeing his son in such a state, Lu Chengtai scolded, “Why so flustered? Isn’t it just a few deaths? It’s not such a big deal. Handle it properly!”
With a sigh, Lu Chengtai turned to look at Lu Chengqing. “Eldest brother, it seems that Qiqing is still too young and lacks experience. Please excuse his behavior.”
Lu Chengqing didn’t respond but lifted a cup of tea, sipping it slowly. Within the misty steam, the visage of this renowned scholar seemed almost elusive, giving off a strange aura at that moment.
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