Chapter 285: Chapter 199 Pretense (High Energy Content in this Chapter)
Ma Wu escorted the goods to Blue Poplar Village, and the three Bagworm Moths bid their reluctant farewells. Ah Qin had to leave as well.
Next, Ma Wu had to deliver the goods to Greenwater City. There was hardly anyone to protect him along the way, so he relied solely on his own cultivation level and experience.
His Second Layer cultivation level was not quite sufficient, but Ma Wu was experienced. He raised the Lu Family flag.
Blue Poplar Village was Lu Family territory, and flying the flag was proper. With the flag raised, ordinary mountain bandits and fur thieves dared not approach.
He arrived safely at Greenwater City, sold the goods, and bought a newspaper.
The second page still featured news about Ma Wu, reporting on his great exploits in Blue Poplar Village.
There was nothing new in that particular story, but Ma Wu noticed another headline:
"Lu Family Suffers Loss of Blue Poplar Village; Incompetent Descendants Squander Family Wealth."
Who wrote this? Daring to slap the Lu Family in the face like that? This newspaper has quite the nerve. Wait a moment. It might not be the newspaper that has the nerve.
Ma Wu connected the two news items and saw the implication. Judging by the articles’ content, it wasn’t the newspaper provoking the Lu Family, but Ma Wu himself.
Ma Wu had made a big splash in Blue Poplar Village, as if he had seized the Lu Family’s enterprise.
After pocketing the newspaper, Ma Wu went to the Imperial Workshop for a cup of tea. He stayed for twenty minutes, carefully sorting out his thoughts.
If Old Qi and I continue to expand our business in Blue Poplar Village, it will be tantamount to forcing the Lu Family into a confrontation with me. And if something happens to me in Blue Poplar Village—say, if I die at Lu Xiaolan’s hands—the Lu Family would be the prime suspect and would undoubtedly have to take the blame. The intent behind these two news stories is so malicious! No, I can’t let them spread such nonsense.
This time, the sale of goods had brought in more than seven thousand Ocean Dollars. Ma Wu took out two thousand Ocean Dollars and had the Imperial Workshop’s Shopkeeper prepare four lavish gifts. He also borrowed five thousand Ocean Dollars from the Shopkeeper, making a total of ten thousand Ocean Dollars, which he had packed into boxes immediately.
In the afternoon, Ma Wu, carrying the four lavish gifts and ten thousand Ocean Dollars, arrived at the Lu Family Mansion.
At the mansion, Ma Wu was very humble, stating he was merely there to visit Butler Qiu.
Monkey Qiu invited Ma Wu into a small building, inquired about his purpose, then immediately went to the main house to inform the Lady. He also asked both young masters to come to the main house to welcome their guest.
Ma Wu felt embarrassed. "Uncle Qiu, I’m actually here to visit you today, not to cause you any trouble."
Monkey Qiu laughed. "Junyang, what are you saying? You’re here to visit the Lu Family, not me, their butler."
Ma Wu, of course, understood Monkey Qiu’s meaning. His visit today was intended to give the Lu Family face.
The four lavish gifts were distributed: one for the matriarch, Duan Shaoxia; one for the eldest son, Lu Yuanshan; one for the second son, Lu Yuanhai; and one for the chief steward, Qiu Zhiheng. No one was overlooked in this display of courtesy.
The ten thousand Ocean Dollars were a token of goodwill from Blue Poplar Village to the Lu Family. This was a message to others, indicating that Blue Poplar Village was paying Hua Hong to the Lu Family, still acknowledging it as their territory.
With this move, Ma Wu gave ample face to the Lu Family.
Lu Yuanshan praised, "Junyang, you really know how to make money! Blue Poplar Village has become such a good place under your management. How long have you been in charge to earn so much?"
Lu Yuanhai joked, "Old Five, don’t try to show off if you don’t have the money. If you haven’t earned this much, don’t force it. I think you should take half of it back."
Ma Wu sighed. "To be honest with you, Brothers, this money wasn’t easy to come by; I risked my life for it. During my toughest times, you both left Blue Poplar Village to me, giving me a lifeline. I’ll never forget this kindness."
Duan Shaoxia smiled. "Kindness? Don’t be so formal, Junyang. You’re such a likable young man. You must stay for dinner tonight; you can’t leave, no matter what."
Upon hearing this, Monkey Qiu gave Lu Yuanshan a knowing look. Face shouldn’t just be kept at home; it must be displayed outwardly!
Lu Yuanshan readily picked up the cue. "What’s the fun in eating at home? Tonight, it’s Hundred Joy Gate, my treat! Food, drinks, and female companionship—we must show Junyang a good time!"
Lu Yuanhai chimed in, "Old Five, there’s a songfest at Hundred Joy Gate tonight. You’re a connoisseur; you must go as a guest of honor."
Duan Shaoxia frowned. "Don’t you two lead Junyang astray."
Lu Yuanshan’s eyes widened with a grin. "Mom, are you saying we’ll lead him astray? We all grew up together; we know each other inside out! He’s far more mischievous than we are. If he goes tonight, that Singing Empress won’t be seeing anyone else’s room!"
Ma Wu waved his hands repeatedly. "Brothers, please, not in front of Aunt! Don’t slander me."
Everyone chatted and laughed in an atmosphere of complete harmony.
Monkey Qiu watched Ma Junyang, nodding repeatedly. This young man understands how things work; he’s bound for great things.
...
That evening, Ma Junyang attended the songfest at Hundred Joy Gate as a guest of honor, and reporters even came for an exclusive interview.
These weren’t Ling Family reporters; they were Lu Yuanshan’s. Even if the Lu Family’s newspapers didn’t sell well, this was major news.
Ma Wu personally delivering Hua Hong to the Lu Family meant that the many rumors circulating about the Lu Family and Blue Poplar Village were instantly discredited.
...
He Jiaqing frowned on his sickbed. Ma Wu not avoiding the Lu Family, but actively currying favor, was somewhat surprising to him.
A man’s voice came from beside his ear. "How should we handle this?"
He Jiaqing said, "Spend money. Go to all the newsstands, buy up all of the Lu Family’s newspapers. Suppress this news."
"We can buy the evening editions," the man replied, "but I’m afraid there will still be morning editions tomorrow."
"Buy those too," He Jiaqing ordered. "However many they print, we buy them all. At the very least, this story can’t get out in Greenwater City. Our newspapers will continue to publish articles about Blue Poplar Village and Lu Maoxian. We need to blow this up bigger, make sure Ma Wu’s ten thousand Ocean Dollars were a complete waste."
...
Late at night, Ma Wu pushed away the girl beside him and stepped out of the room.
This girl was tonight’s Singing Empress. She was stunningly beautiful and sang exquisitely—a true peerless beauty.