The Arrogant Salt Merchant

A sedan chair? They need to ride a sedan chair even inside the residence?

Xie Xian looked at Du Lingfeng in confusion.

Du Lingfeng confidently stepped through the main gate and then entered a sedan chair inside the courtyard.

Xie Xian could only follow closely and enter the sedan chair as well.

Inside the carriage, Xie Xian pressed against the window, trying his best to observe.

Before his eyes was a beautiful scene.

Bamboo groves swayed gently, with fish ponds and rockeries in the distance, along with various pavilions and waterside structures...

"Brother Du, why do we need to ride a sedan chair when we're already inside the residence?" Xie Xian asked.

Seems like even you have moments of ignorance, Du Lingfeng thought with a smug smile.

"Brother Xie, how's the scenery? This is just the Lu family's outer residence!"

"The Lu family's residence definitely exceeds your imagination!"

"The inner residence occupies more than twenty acres! This outer residence is a full two hundred acres! Though we've entered the Lu family's gate, we haven't actually entered the Lu family home yet. Don't you think a sedan chair is necessary?"

Xie Xian gazed at the beautiful scenery outside the window and muttered, "My goodness, even the Imperial Palace only occupies a thousand acres. The Lu family is this extravagant! Don't they try to conceal it at all?"

"That's what the main gate outside is for, to conceal it."

"......"

"You wouldn't believe it, but during the chaotic times when the Qian Dynasty still existed, the Lu family's inner and outer residences were said to have expanded to over a thousand acres. Of course, that's just a legend. I haven't seen it myself."

"It's hard to imagine. Isn't the Lu family afraid of being investigated?" Xie Xian grew more alarmed as he looked around.

The Master's daring was already quite exceptional. There was almost nothing he wouldn't dare to do.

But even so, he always maintained a low profile to prevent any mishaps.

Their own residence was even located behind the county office.

The size and decoration were just like an ordinary residence, with nothing special about it.

How could the Lu family be so outrageously bold!

Du Lingfeng chuckled: "Heaven is high and the emperor is far away. This place is three thousand miles from the capital. Who would discover it? Besides, there's a reason for its size. The Lu family and all their subordinate forces gather here for business and hosting. It's partly for show and partly practical, so the size is quite necessary."

Xie Xian sighed: "Isn't that like a small imperial court?"

"Hmm! That's right, very aptly put. A small imperial court! Except they're only responsible for selling salt and managing the salt gang."

Xie Xian observed the layout of the outer residence and asked no more questions.

After viewing countless scenes and passing what seemed like a long time.

The sedan chair finally wobbled to the vicinity of the inner residence. Although it was called the inner residence, there was actually no main gate.

The way to distinguish it was by the visibly increasing number of buildings.

The two men alighted from the sedan chair here.

Du Lingfeng walked in front of him, explaining: "Brother Xie, this is the inner residence."

"When we meet Lu, don't speak first. I'll introduce you, and you can speak when Young Master Lu asks you."

"All right!"

Following Du Lingfeng through building after building, they finally arrived at a main hall.

A person who appeared to be a steward came out to meet them. Du Lingfeng bowed and said softly: "Steward Lu, Du Lingfeng requests to see the Young Master."

Steward Lu had narrow eyes and a Fu Manchu mustache. He stroked his long beard and looked at Xie Xian: "Is this the Xie Xian you mentioned?"

Xie Xian quickly bowed in greeting.

"Indeed."

"Hmm, wait here! The Young Master is meeting with important guests. I'll report to him after he's finished talking." With that, Steward Lu turned and left!

Xie Xian watched his retreating figure and leaned close to Du Lingfeng: "Brother Du, this man speaks rather arrogantly."

"He's the Lu family's head steward, with an extremely important position. Be careful."

"If he says something bad about someone in front of the Young Master, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

As they spoke, a maidservant came to serve tea.

The two sat across the table from each other, chatting quietly.

"Brother Du, what kind of person is Young Master Lu? What should I be aware of when I meet him?"

"Ah... it's hard to say. He... is somewhat unpredictable. But what he hates most is people talking back. If it's someone unimportant, he'll just have them beaten to death."

"Even those with some status end up suffering terribly... so you must be extremely careful."

"No matter what he says later, just agree with him. With your eloquence, Brother Xie, I'm sure you'll be fine!"

Xie Xian nodded, then took a sip of tea and began to prepare mentally.

How should I best flatter him...

After three cups of tea were replaced, a servant finally came to announce their audience.

Du Lingfeng swallowed nervously, looking somewhat tense. He signaled to Xie Xian with his eyes and quickly walked toward the back courtyard.

In a courtyard at the rear.

Lu Renjie lay on a reclining chair with his eyes closed. Four or five pretty maidservants stood by his side.

Only when Du Lingfeng and Xie Xian stood before him did he slowly open his eyes.

Xie Xian carefully observed Lu Renjie.

He appeared to be about thirty years old, with a somewhat pale complexion, though overall his face looked rather sinister.

He didn't look like someone easy to get along with, no wonder Du Lingfeng didn't like him much.

"Young Master Lu." Du Lingfeng bowed deeply, and Xie Xian followed suit.

"Ah, Lingfeng, what's this? Can't handle the business in Jianjiang anymore?" Lu Renjie didn't rise, his tone conveying indolence.

"Yes... the buyers there are somewhat loose-lipped. If we continue doing business, there might be some risk."

"However, I met Brother Xie in Jianjiang. This man is exceptionally capable and willing to cooperate with me. I hope Young Master will consider him."

Du Lingfeng was speaking with his head still lowered, barely daring to breathe.

Lu Renjie smiled and slowly rose.

"Oh? You must be Xie Xian. What did you do before?"

"Brother Xie opened a brothel in Jianjiang, but..."

"I wasn't asking you!" Lu Renjie coldly snapped, and Du Lingfeng immediately fell silent.

Xie Xian bowed slightly, neither servile nor arrogant: "In response to Young Master, I was in the brothel business, but due to carelessness, it was taken by someone else. Later I was fortunate enough to meet Brother Du."

"Since Lingfeng brought you here, he must trust you greatly. But... selling private salt is a capital offense. Do you dare to do it?" Lu Renjie's gaze slowly traveled over Xie Xian.

Xie Xian gritted his teeth, raised his head with a somewhat fanatical look in his eyes and said: "I dare!"

"I'll do anything to make money!"

"Running a brothel isn't much different from selling private salt. Private salt can at least be sold secretly. Make too much money openly and you might attract attention!"

"To be honest, I was initially concerned, but after meeting Young Master Lu today, all my worries have vanished!"

"Merchants are considered lowly, but today at the Lu family, I understand that it's not merchants who are lowly, but poor merchants!"

"Someone as wealthy and powerful as Young Master Lu. Even government officials would have to bow to you!"

Lu Renjie looked around in surprise, then laughed: "Ha.. ha! A talent, truly a talent!"

Then he pointed at Xie Xian and said to Du Lingfeng: "I like this man!"

"Well said! Merchants are of low status, but definitely not salt merchants!"

"Officials, do they dare say an extra word in front of salt merchants? Money makes the world go round, and they're just the world..."