The Marquis' Wife

Meeting with Prefect Zhong

Lu Xiang arrived at the city of Fucheng in the afternoon, he decided to stay at an inner-city inn that he found easy as it was no longer the exam season.

The next day the yamen officer under the direct command of Prefect Zhong picked up Lu Xiang and led the Xiefu to meet with their leader.

"Hahaha, welcome scholar Xiefu. I've been wanting to see you for a long time". Prefect Zhong greeted Lu Xiang's arrival warmly.

"It is a matter of pride for Lu Xiang to be able to meet you Prefect Zhong".

"Haha. Don't speak so stiffly, just call me Uncle Zhong". Prefect Zhong was pleased with Lu Xiang's courtesy despite the young man that he was in control of this meeting. This shows that the man is not easily arrogant when achieving something.

"How could I be so impolite as that Prefect Zhong" Lu Xiang still rejected Prefect Zhong's words.

"It's okay. I told you to call me uncle".

"Alright uncle". Lu Xiang finally summoned Prefect Zhong as uncle, he could no longer resist as it would look hypocritical.

"Sit down, sit down. How's the trip here, is it safe?". Prefect Zhong had punished Feng Shanming for cheating at the fu-shih examination with a temporary cors after receiving evidence that his family was talking about marriage with the Tian family's son who took the fu-shih exam years ago this, since this was an internal matter he did not need to tell Lu Xiang.

"My trip was very smooth uncle. The atmosphere in the city of Fucheng was very different from the city of Cheng, looking so crowded as usual".

"Now you'll be staying here too". Prefect Zhong made small talk with Lu Xiang, inquiring about the young man's family before getting into their main topic.

"Actually uncle wants to meet you because the idea you wrote on the exam is very interesting and I think it can be realized. Therefore today I would like to discuss more about the trench flowing water to all the rice fields that you write about".

Lu Xiang smiled knotingly. He took the floor plan he had stored in a bamboo stick and showed it to Prefect Zhong. "Before I explain uncle. It's good uncle look at this plan first".

Prefect Zhong looked at the detail plan and became understanding, his eyes widened in astonishment at the plan he saw. If this could be realized then it would be something spectacular in the Emperor's eyes.

"It's all you made?!". Prefect Zhong's eyes could not escape the drawing of the floor plan on the yellow paper.

"Yes Prefect Zhong. After I discussed it with Juren Zhao's teacher I was only able to describe this plan".

Prefect Zhong nodded strongly. "As expected of Zhong Fan's disciple. You can make something great, if this is successfully implemented then you will have a great merit Lu Xiang".

"It's all thanks to the teacher and uncle who helped Lu Xiang a lot". Lu Xiang replied humbly.

"Hahaha, uncle will use this floor plan to discuss further with the other employees. Spring is the perfect season to make this a reality. Uncle is so proud of you hahaha". Prefect Zhong struck Lu Xiang's shoulder in high spirits.

The two talked enthusiastically about what and how to realize the plan to the financial side. Without telling the Emperor it would be very difficult for them to raise funds to make the long dike and irrigation, but Prefect Zhong did not want to take the risk by telling the Emperor first and later failed because it would be fatal for his career and family.

"Uncle. My wife can make a little fruit wine, I don't know if this wine will suit you but I hope uncle likes it". Lu Xiang gave two small jugs of wine, with the ability of Prefect Zhong, he could definitely find out the fact that Adelia could make wine and sell it and give it to teacher Zhao so it was impossible for him to give high-quality tea since Prefect Zhong could buy it himself.

"Oh! Your wife can make wine?" Prefect Zhong remained shocked even though he already knew that Adelia could make wine, he had already investigated about Lu Xiang's family before meeting the young man.

"That ability can't be called uncle's clever. My wife can only make wine for our own family, I saw that teacher Zhao liked her and thought that uncle would like her too so I brought this wine. I hope uncle understands what I'm doing".

"Hahaha, I'll definitely like it. Your wife is very competent because not only makes unique cakes until famous in the city of Fucheng, she even has a rare ability like making wine".

"Uncle praised excessively. My wife would love to hear your compliments uncle".

The two talked about books or poems before the meeting was over. Both Lu Xiang and Prefect Zhong were equally satisfied with their discussions today.

Lu Xiang was stunned and thanked. "Thank you for your help uncle".

Wei Nian who was already waiting outside immediately led Lu Xiang to get a proper home. He gave Lu Xiang three choices of places. One house close to the governor's office, the, the house was quite large because it had one main house and 5 side houses with a selling value of 11,000 silver coins but Lu Xiang did not choose it because it was far from the academy located in the outer part of the city.

The second option is a house in the city center, the house is smaller because it only has one main house and 3 side houses but again Lu Xiang did not choose for the same reason. Lu Xiang was very interested in the last house which was a house close to the inner gate of the city. The house looked new and had one main house and 4 side houses with a selling value of 8,000 silver coins, Lu Xiang immediately chose this house.

"These masons were not originally sold but because the owner wanted to move to another city quickly so they chose to sell the lowly mansion. You are very lucky scholar Xiefu".

"Just call me Lu Xiang, I'll call you Wei Nian".

"Hahaha then I will call you Lu Xiang". Wei Nian felt increasingly familiar with Lu Xiang after having a casual talk with the young man.

"Wei Nian, do you know of any stores that are sold close to my house? My wife owns a cake business in Cheng city and wants to continue her business here".

"Hm.. I guess someone wants to sell a store near the area but the price is very high".

"How much is the price range?".

"About 17 to 18 thousand silver coins. Usually the store on the street is only around 12 to 14 thousand but in addition to the store it has a flower garden which is also included in the part of the store so that the price is much more expensive". Wie Nian thought that Lu Xiang would not be able to afford it after the young man had just bought a house but his estimation was wrong.

"Can you make a meeting with the store owner?".

"of course. He's one of the biggest traders in Fucheng, he sells it for one reason or another, come with me".

They walked for nearly ten minutes before arriving at a large house that read Wang on the board above the gate.

The shopkeeper immediately greeted them enthusiastically.

"It's nice to meet you Xiefu scholar and Wei officer, my name is Wang Xiaowang". Wang Xiaowang was stunned after Wei Nian introduced Lu Xiang.

"It's nice to meet you too. I'm here because I want to buy your shop on Shenzhen Street" Lu Xiang immediately stated the purpose of his arrival.

"Oh! I was forced to sell the store because I wanted to buy a store in the capital. Come with me to see the store before we talk about the price".

They went to Shenzhen street which was not far from the shop owner's house. Lu Xiang looked at a two-storey shop, the former tea shop so that the interior was in an elegant design, in addition to the shop there was a flower garden that was blooming making the atmosphere cool and beautiful scenery. The flower garden is often rented by scholars who want to create an inter-graduate association event.

"I am satisfied with the location and the store building. How much would Uncle Wang want to sell for this store building?" Adelia would surely love to see the flower garden next to the store and get a brilliant idea to take advantage of it.

"Since the Xiefu scholar himself wanted to buy it then I would sell it for 16,500 silver coins. How is scholar Xiefu? Are you satisfied with the price I offer?" If Lu Xiang still wanted to bid the price again then he would give the price of 16,000 silver coins, that was the lowest price he could offer. If Lu Xiang had not been a Xiefu scholar then it would not have sold at such a low price.

"Alright uncle Wang. I will buy it but my money is not enough to buy full cash, can I pay it with 12,000 silver coins first? After I move to Fucheng I will pay the rest".

Wei Nian and Wang Xiaowang were stunned. Both did not expect that the Xiefu family had a lot of money to be able to pay almost the full price of the shop building.

"Ten-of course Xiefu scholars. Let's do the sales process". He was very happy to get money that he could use directly for his plan. Wang Xiaowang immediately went to the yamen office to complete the sales procedure, with the help of Wei Nian the sales process did not take long. Wang Xiaowang immediately handed Lu Xiang the land letter and the store building without fear of the young man being unable to pay.

With Xiefu's bachelor's degree and backing from the yamen attendant, there was no way Lu Xiang would not pay the rest of the store's sales money.

Lu Xiang received the earthen letter and the shop building and smiled, he could already imagine Adelia's reaction when he saw the store for the first time. He thanked Wei Nian by inviting the man to eat at Fuyuan's restaurant which also opened a branch in Fucheng.