Chapter 321: Chapter 321: The 3rd Young Master of the Zhao Family
Here they come indeed!
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan looked over together, and saw the leader was a young man wearing a jade blue silk long shirt, shaking a Sichuan embroidery folding fan in his hand, with a white jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a pair of black cloud light shoes on his feet. He had a handsome and refined appearance, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, giving off the look of a noble young master.
However, his eyes were wandering and his expression was frivolous, lacking the depth and substance that a learned man should display.
Behind him were two people, exactly the Zhou Mingsheng and the little servant that Lu Zheng had met in the morning.
Lu Zheng asked, "Are you Zhao Wenrong?"
The little servant shouted angrily, "How dare you directly call my master’s name!"
"Eh, it’s okay, it’s okay!"
Zhao Wenrong waved his hand to interrupt his subordinate servant, then tidied his clothes, closed the folding fan, smiled gently, and cupped his hands, saying, "Zhao Wenrong from the Zhao Mansion in Yizhou, pleased to meet Young Master Lu!"
The servant immediately took a step back, but muttered under his breath, "Look at my master’s demeanor, and then look at your own behavior. The difference is obvious!"
His voice was not loud, but just enough for Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan to hear.
Lu Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle; these days, it’s not easy for anyone trying to make their way!
Liu Qingyan did not even look at him and acted as if she did not see, but Lu Zheng, being the host, could not act in this manner, so he casually cupped his hands, "I have met Young Master Zhao. I believe I have already made it clear to your shopkeeper Zhou that Sweet Shop is not for sale."
"Why be so absolute, sir?" Zhao Wenrong waved his hand and smiled, "Since you have opened such a shop, naturally you hope for it to become better and better. Our Zhao family has some reputation in Yizhou Prefecture and channels in various counties, so why reject people thousands of miles away?"
The implication being that with the help of the Zhao Mansion, the business of Sweet Shop could flourish even more.
After Zhao Wenrong finished speaking, Zhou Mingsheng immediately stepped forward, "This is not the place to talk; why don’t we move to the Bright Moon Building, enjoy the moonlight and have a drink? My young master loves making friends, and Young Master Lu is graceful and upright. Surely both of you will become fast friends."
Liu Qingyan couldn’t help but laugh, and looked at Lu Zheng with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, unclear as to why they were targeting his shop.
If unclear, just ask; Lu Zheng didn’t want to continue playing games and guessing riddles with them.
"The Zhao family in Yizhou is vast and influential, and the shops listed for sale in Cong’an Square are more than one; surely there are better locations than my Sweet Shop, so I’m curious..."
Lu Zheng directly asked, "Why are you specifically targeting my shop?"
He sent Zhou Mingsheng off in the morning and refused Zhao Wenrong in the afternoon; his attitude was very clear—he didn’t want to negotiate.
So the question arises, why would they persist when there are so many options available?
"This..."
Zhou Mingsheng was somewhat hesitant; revealing business details is a taboo.
"Because we’ve already bought the shop next to yours." Zhao Wenrong said.
Zhou Mingsheng was just a shopkeeper, usually considering commercial methods, but Zhao Wenrong was the third son of the Zhao family, confident in the name and methods of the Zhao family.
Expecting to make extravagant demands? That depends on whether you have the capability!
Lu Zheng suddenly understood, "You want to buy several adjoining shops and connect them."
So they already have sunk costs.
But...
"What does that have to do with me?" Lu Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, "Just because you bought next door, I have to sell my shop too? There’s no such logic in the world, is there?"
Zhao Wenrong frowned, and Zhou Mingsheng quickly tried to smooth things over, "Aren’t we here to negotiate with Young Master Lu? Let’s make friends; anything can be discussed."
Waving his hand, Lu Zheng said indifferently, "Strictly business, I don’t need money and am not interested in the hassle, so there’s nothing to discuss. I ask you to leave."
Zhou Mingsheng froze at his words, and Zhao Wenrong’s face turned very unsightly. The servant behind him blinked, knowing that this matter was beyond his remit, so he also remained silent.
"Young Master Lu, are you not planning to give any face to my Zhao family?" Zhao Wenrong frowned and asked.
Lu Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, "You say buy, and I have to sell to give you face? I can’t even refuse to sell my things? Who do you think you are?"
"I!" Zhao Wenrong was taken aback, anger flashed in his eyes, about to explode.
"Third Young Master, don’t get angry!" Zhou Mingsheng quickly held back Zhao Wenrong.
After all, he was the young master of a wealthy family, Zhao Wenrong, pulled back by Zhou Mingsheng, gave Lu Zheng a long look, then another at Liu Qingyan, took a deep breath, said "Fine," and turned to leave.
Zhou Mingsheng cupped his hands towards Lu Zheng and then hurried after Zhao Wenrong.
Seeing the trio walking away, Liu Qingyan frowned a bit worriedly, "I’m afraid they won’t let it go so easily."
Lu Zheng nodded, then smiled, "No worries. I’m ready to see how strong they are."
If it were when Lu Zheng first traveled across, he might have endured and sold it, as staying low-key was the utmost priority then.
But now...
Lu Zheng had enough confidence to act according to his own will. For a mere prefectural family to make him retreat, could they be dreaming?
One should know that Lu Zheng had helped solve a few cases in Tonglin County, was a disciple of White Cloud Temple, and had become acquainted with the County Magistrate due to the Taohua Temple incident, making him a significant figure in Tonglin County.
"Why don’t you openly mention your status as an Outer Disciple of White Cloud Temple?" Liu Qingyan asked.
"Hmm? Uh..."
Lu Zheng blinked, "White Cloud Temple is a Daoist cultivation sect; would they understand if I mentioned it?"
"Don’t they know?"
Liu Qingyan was also a bit confused, as Lu Zheng used to directly mention it when encountering things, but previously, they were always dealing with abnormal people and things, where the name of White Cloud Temple was effective. She was unsure if the mundane families of Yizhou recognized it.
After all, each field had its expertise, and cultivators had no advantage in mundane business matters. If people didn’t give face, there wasn’t much you could do.
Being a member of a renowned and orthodox sect, you couldn’t actively bully ordinary civilians, of course.
However, defensive counterattacks were definitely not an issue, which was the fundamental reason Lu Zheng was utterly unafraid.
"Whatever, let’s go home first." Lu Zheng smiled and said, "If soldiers come, hold the line; if water flows, cover with earth. If he dares use some lowly means, I’ll deal with him!"
Having mostly dealt with strange creatures, Lu Zheng now welcomed the rare opportunity to face off against a mundane noble family, and was quite looking forward to it.
Liu Qingyan pursed her lips into a smile, seeing Lu Zheng full of spirits, while a hidden scent gently waved from her.
The two shared a knowing smile, holding their hands together, destined for a sleepless night.
........
On the other side.
"Bang—crash—"
A teacup was smashed to the ground, shattered into pieces.
It was quickly followed by the teapot.
"This is too much!"
Zhao Wenrong shouted angrily, "Even in Yizhou Prefecture I haven’t been..."
He paused, recalling why he left Yizhou Prefecture, but couldn’t help cursing, "A mere scholar without any official rank dares to turn me down?"
Zhao Wenrong fumed for a moment.
"Old Zhou!"
"Master!" Zhou Mingsheng hurriedly approached.
"What solution do you have?" Zhao Wenrong asked angrily.
Zhou Mingsheng gave a wry smile. If he had a plan, would he have thought of bringing Zhao Wenrong out to support the situation?
Wasn’t it because he thought Zhao Wenrong, being a fellow scholar, a Young Master of the Zhao family, had more face?
Who would have thought Lu Zheng was truly stubborn and unyielding!
"Master, should I find some local tough guys..."
"Enough!" Zhou Mingsheng scolded, "Did you not see what Lu Zheng’s house is like today? What sorts of ideas are these, so unpresentable!"
Zhao Wenrong’s expression was unpredictable, but he did not support the lackey’s idea either.
"How about we invite a mediator to negotiate?" Zhou Mingsheng thought and suggested, "Shops in Cong’an Square with five consecutive units are hard to purchase. Except for government-run and local gentry’s properties, this is considered the best available location."
Zhao Wenrong pursed his lips and nodded, "The chief clerk of the county, Chief Clerk Li, has some history with my father. Let’s visit him tomorrow."