BXBX NOVEL Chapter 166 - 166: A Man Is Born Between Heaven and Earth, How Can He Live Under Others Forever?
Lu Xuan wore a meaningful smile.
That night.
“My lord, people from the Gu family have arrived, and they’ve brought a horse-drawn carriage, ” Li Ming reported.
“Take the brothers, count the amount of silver, and move it all to the warehouse,” Lu Xuan ordered.
“Remember, verify the amount clearly before letting them leave. This is military pay, and no mistakes are allowed.”
“Yes!”
Li Ming left with his men.
After a while, people from the He family also arrived.
Similarly, a horse-drawn carriage brought fifty thousand taels of silver.
After counting the amount, both families left in succession.
However, the Bo family had not yet arrived.
Lu Xuan was not in a hurry. He and Cheng Lingzhu stood at the entrance of the yamen, waiting quietly.
Near curfew, a carriage leisurely arrived at the entrance of the yamen. The driver of the carriage was the steward of the Bo family, Bo Kai.
“Magistrate Wu.”
Bo Kai got out of the carriage and respectfully saluted Lu Xuan. “This is the military pay from our Bo family.”
Lu Xuan nodded and gestured to the yamen runners behind him. “Move it all back. ”
“Yes!”
The yamen runners responded and began to unload the shiny silver ingots.
While the yamen runners were busy, Bo Kai quietly approached.
He held a black box, about the size of an adult man’s palm.
“Magistrate Wu, since your arrival in Qingxian City, you have broken your heart for the people… This is a small token of appreciation from our family head.”
Bo Kai presented the box with both hands.
Lu Xuan took the box and felt its weight in his wrist.
He opened the box to find neatly arranged gold bars, packed tightly. Lu Xuan smiled, “Tell Master Bo that I have received his kind intentions.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Bo Kai took his leave.
That night.
“Bo Chang really is generous,” Cheng Lingzhu said as she played with the gold bars and teased the little fox. “It seems the fake dossier we prepared worked.”
“Indeed,” Lu Xuan nodded. He leaned back in his chair, holding a letter in his hand, examining it in the light. “And with the existing rift between the Bo and Gu families, now that patricide has been confirmed, Bo Chang can no longer tolerate it.”
So, he approached Lu Xuan.
What Bo Chang was interested in was the militia under Lu Xuan’s command.
A box of gold bars was the opening gambit, and the letter inside the box was an invitation for Lu Xuan to discuss secrets at the Bo residence the following night.
The content of the letter was sincere and calm.
Bo Chang analyzed the situation of both parties, clearly telling the magistrate that their only way out was to cooperate against the Gu family.
Lu Xuan folded the letter and placed it in the drawer.
The next morning.
In the yamen.
Lu Xuan, drinking tea, said, “Li Ming, continue recruiting strong men today. Post our military pay conditions and announce them loudly… Also, when selecting people, try to choose bachelors, those who will go unnoticed if they disappear.”
“Yes.”
“And, when you and the brothers are collecting military fees, give a discount to wealthy families who are willing to enlist.”
Lu Xuan added another instruction.
“This…” Li Ming hesitated for a moment. “Do you mean only the family members can enlist, or can they send servants too?”
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a son, an old man is also fine, but no servants, it must be from the master’s family,” Lu Xuan said. “Otherwise, what’s the point of the tax reduction?”
“My lord, many of these rich young masters have been drained by wine and women, I’m afraid their physical condition…”
Li Ming tentatively said.
“We need those who have been drained by wine and women,” Lu Xuan nodded.
“Reject those in good health for some reason, prioritize those who are short, thin, too old to pull a bow, or seem frail at a glance.”
Who builds a militia specifically with the least capable?
“Also, keep these thin and strong men separate, forming an independent unit, and equip them with the worst gear,” Lu Xuan instructed. “As for the training of this army… I will make arrangements later.”
“…Yes,” Li Ming nodded.
That night.
A carriage left the yamen, drove around the alleys of Qingxian City for a while, and then arrived at a courtyard from the opposite direction.
“My lord, we have arrived,” Lu Ping whispered softly.
Lu Xuan was slightly surprised. “You’re speaking so fluently this time?”
“Replying to my lord,” Lu Ping smiled, “All I needed to do was take it slow, not rush, and there’s no problem…”
“Not bad,” Lu Xuan nodded in approval.
“When talking to people, think first and then speak slowly. Not only can it overcome stuttering to some extent, but it also makes one seem very steady.”
Inside the courtyard.
Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu met with the head of the Bo family, Bo Chang. Bo Chang was very cautious about this secret meeting.
Tea was already poured in the quiet room. Lu Xuan, sitting across from Bo
Chang, asked, “I wonder why Bo Chang has invited me here today?”
“Of course, it’s to discuss a business deal with the County Magistrate,” Bo Chang said evenly.
“What kind of business?” Lu Xuan feigned ignorance.
“A business that will lead to promotion and wealth for you,” Bo Chang said.
“How to get promoted, how to get rich?” Lu Xuan continued, “Elder Bo might as well make it clear.”
“Building a militia, exterminating the Black Lotus heretics, that’s for promotion; slaughtering pigs and eating meat, that’s for wealth,” Bo Chang’s eyes glinted.
“In my opinion, there must be people in Qingxian City who have joined the Black Lotus Sect. Such treacherous acts… the Magistrate cannot let them off.” His reference to “traitors” was clearly not meant for the County Magistrate.
To seek cooperation, Bo Chang immediately labeled Gu Yang as the villain.
Since Gu Yang was a Black Lotus heretic intending to rebel, annihilating his household was justifiable.
“The pig to be slaughtered… Has quite a bit of strength,” Lu Xuan noted, looking at his cup.
“So the Magistrate needs an ally,” Bo Chang suggested.
“Who might this ally be, according to Patriarch Bo?” Lu Xuan looked up.
“Magistrate Wu has already fallen out with Gu Yang. You slapped his face; such a grudge, he will never let go,” Bo Chang said calmly.
“As for He Youde, not only is he impetuous, but he’s also on the same side as Gu Yang… He is not suitable.”
“So, it seems only Patriarch Bo is the Magistrate’s friend,” Lu Xuan remarked
aryny.
“Of course,” Bo Chang said, “Two-thirds of the city’s guards are controlled by them. They have many people and great strength. To win, the Magistrate only has the option of cooperating with me.”
“How do you plan on having us cooperate?” Lu Xuan asked.
“I’ll provide the money, and the Magistrate will provide the manpower,” Bo Chang stated simply.
“I know, like previous magistrates, the militia is just a pretext to gather money, and training troops is just for show. But this time, I hope the Magistrate makes it real.”
Bo Chang paused, then continued, “The fifty thousand silver taels given earlier are for military expenses. In addition, I’ll add another fifty thousand.”
“Good,” Lu Xuan nodded heavily.
“Once successful, Magistrate Wu will label Gu Yang a Black Lotus heretic, and his property will be divided equally between you and me.”
Bo Chang’s eyes shone, “In addition, I will give Magistrate Wu another hundred thousand silver taels as a pre-celebration of your promotion!”
To persuade the magistrate to join him in toppling Gu Yang, he spared no expense.
“With Patriarch Bo speaking so frankly, how could I be unappreciative?” Lu Xuan raised his eyebrows, “Let’s do as Patriarch Bo says!” The two clinked their cups and drank the tea.
Thinking of the future plans, Bo Chang felt exhilarated.
He didn’t hesitate to spend money on the troops because he knew the newly formed militia was stationed in Qingxian City.
Once the magistrate left, the troops would fall into his hands.
By then, having swallowed Gu’s assets and holding the militia’s power, the Bo family’s influence would peak.
Taking down the He family also seemed feasible.
“A man born between heaven and earth, how can he languish under others!” Bo Chang declared.
Lu Xuan’s expression was subtle, deciding to add fuel to the fire, “Patriarch Bo is spending money and effort, I can’t just reap the benefits. I must consider Patriarch Bol s purse…”
Bo Chang’s face showed curiosity, “What does the Magistrate mean?”
“I have a plan, not only to strike against Gu Yang but also to subsidize Patriarch Bo,” Lu Xuan said.
“Please tell me,” Bo Chang sat up straight.
After a moment’s contemplation, Lu Xuan said, “Has Patriarch Bo ever heard
of…. Indulgences?”