After Wu Zheng woke up, he couldn’t care less about anything else. He quickly left the An He Academy and rushed to the south of the city with his attendant. On the way, he anxiously asked his attendant about the situation several times.
Not long after, Wu Zheng arrived at a large door. The signboard read “Lu Manor”.
The Lu family was a large family in the state capital, as they once had an ancestor who held a high position. Although they declined later on, they were still powerful.
In the early years, the Wu family’s old master had run the family for a while before finally letting his daughter marry into the Lu family as a concubine. To the Wu family, this was considered climbing up the social ladder.
Although his daughter was a concubine, she was quite doted on, and the two families occasionally interacted. As for Wu Zheng, he was studying in the state capital and was often taken care of by the Lu family.
Therefore, as soon as something happened at home, Wu Zheng rushed to look for his in-laws for help.
He informed the gatekeeper and waited anxiously for a while before he was allowed to enter. He followed the servant into the courtyard and walked to a mansion to see his sister.
As soon as they met, Wu Zheng seemed to have found his backbone. He trembled as he recounted the changes in his family.
“Sister, such an accident happened to our family. Father and two younger brothers died an unnatural death, and our family assets were plundered by the villagers. All the guest guards have dispersed. What should I do?”
The girl from the Wu family also panicked. Because she was a concubine and could not take charge, she hurriedly said, “Eldest Brother, don’t worry. Let me report to the Master.”
With that, she stood up and went to inform the Madam of the family. Then, she went to find the Lu family’s master, Lu Ancheng, to explain the matter in detail.
After a while, Lu Ancheng invited Wu Zheng to the main hall for a chat.
Wu Zheng followed the servants here and saw that Old Master Lu, the mistress of the Lu family, and his sister were already seated in the main hall.
He hurriedly went forward to bow and greet them before sitting down on the edge of his chair.
Lu Ancheng was someone with a solemn and old-fashioned appearance. He got his servant to serve tea and slowly said, “I already know what happened. Old Master Wu is my old friend, so when I heard that he got into trouble, I was very sad. Our families have always been on good terms, so I will definitely help you take back your family business.”
Wu Zheng was overjoyed and cupped his hands repeatedly. A series of words of gratitude popped out of his mouth. He was indeed a scholar with deep knowledge.
Lu Ancheng scraped the tea foam with the lid of his cup and pondered out loud,
“There are many details about the rumors. I’ll send some of my guest guards to the Wu Family Village with you to investigate first. If the criminal hasn’t left, don’t act rashly. If the criminal has left, see who has occupied the family property and if your land deed and loan receipt are still there. If the land deed and loan receipt are still there, that’s easy. Go to the county office and ask the government for justice.”
Wu Zheng quickly nodded and noted it down.
Under the nurturing of Old Master Wu, he had focused on studying since he was young. In order to obtain merits, he had never taken charge of the family business. Therefore, in his panic, he did not know what to do. Now that Old Master Lu had come up with a plan, he managed to link some points together.
“Then what if the title deed is gone?” Wu Zheng hurriedly asked.
Lu Ancheng took a sip of tea and smacked his lips leisurely,
“That’s not difficult. As long as you find the government to endorse it, it’ll be fine. Your Wu family has never lacked county magistrates which have received benefits from your family in the past. They naturally know that the surrounding area is the farm property of your Wu family, so as long as you take some money to grease the county magistrate’s hands and bribe them, more than half of this matter will be completed.
If it doesn’t work, come back and tell me. I’m friends with some of the magistrates as well. I’ll speak up for you, and this family property will rightfully return to your Wu family… So what if there’s no title deed? Since it’s yours, do you think those ignorant people can snatch it away?!”
Wu Zheng was overjoyed. He hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully. He said gratefully, “I’ll remember your help, Old Master Lu! If you need anything in the future, I’m willing to serve you!”
Lu Ancheng accepted the bow and paused for a moment before saying slowly, “You’re too kind. Take a seat. Although this matter is not difficult, I have a few words of advice that I want to persuade Young Master Wu.”
Wu Zheng immediately straightened his back and said seriously, “Old Master Lu, please speak.”
Lu Ancheng stroked his beard and changed the topic,
“Young Master, listen to me. You’re someone who wants to take the scholarly examination. As long as you pass the Imperial Examinations, what do you have to worry about not getting back your family business? Even if you take back your family business, you have to personally preside over it. How can you still have the energy to study? If you’re distracted by this matter, you’ll be neglecting the basics.
Why don’t you sign a contract with me after you take back the farmland and rent all the farmland to me? I’ll get someone to take care of it for you and give you some money every year. It won’t be too late for you to take over when you have time.”
Wu Zheng was stunned. He looked at Lu Ancheng deeply and stood up without hesitation.
“This is the best of both worlds, Old Master Lu! When I take back my family’s land, I’ll trouble Master Lu to take care of it.”
Only then did Lu Ancheng smile. He went forward to help Wu Zheng up and said with a smile, “Young man, there’s no need to be polite. Our families are very close. I naturally won’t help you with such a small matter. I only hope that you will study hard to get into College in the future!”
After discussing this matter, the two of them held hands and chatted. Lu Ancheng seemed to be a very kind elder, saying some words of encouragement to Wu Zheng.
After chatting for a while, the Lu Mansion even held a banquet to entertain Wu Zheng.
After the banquet, Wu Zheng said that he still had to apply for leave from the academy, so he bade farewell to Old Master Lu.
After walking out of the Lu Mansion, Wu Zheng was blown by the cold wind on the street. He sobered up a lot and could not help but feel sad.
How could he not know Old Master Lu’s intentions? With the contract in force, so long as he had not completed his examinations, the land would belong to the Lu family. They only needed to give him some money every year as compensation.