Chapter 885: Chapter 523: Harsh Measures in Troubled Times
The gentry inside the room had no choice but to stand and walk out in groups.
...
By the time they reached the banquet courtyard, the last trace of dusk had fallen, night enveloped the entire city, and under the azure canopy, the banquet hall was brilliantly lit.
Swarming mosquitoes danced around the red lanterns.
The main table of the banquet was set in a large hall, with the door wide open, and a few round tables arranged outside in the courtyard.
The gentry and celebrities within the city were seated according to their status, from inside to outside.
Although preparations were rushed, with the foundation of the Lu Family, even within just a few hours, the dishes on the round tables were still extremely sumptuous.
By the time Grand Duke Lu took his seat, the entire courtyard was already filled with people, and a murmur of voices filled the air, carrying with it a strong sense of unease.
Zhao Shande, the grain supervision officer, was also present, arranged to sit at the entrance, accompanied by the eldest son of the Lu Family.
At the entrance of the courtyard, there was also a team of government officers brought by Sun Xiaozhun when he arrived.
"Commander Zhao is here!"
Someone whispered, and the crowd suddenly fell silent, with eyes turning towards the end of the corridor.
Two figures appeared, one was Zhao Douan, the other Sun Xiaozhun.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Douan had somehow changed his attire at some point, no longer dressed like a noble heir, but instead wearing a Junior Guardian military officer’s robe, with a dark silk cap on his head. The crimson official attire, under the lanterns, resembled a blaze piercing through the night.
His right hand gently rested on the hilt at his waist—
The elegantly simple Chasing Saber hung openly at his side.
Grand Duke Lu’s eyes contracted, and he was the first to rise: "Welcome, Grand Governor!"
The others quickly followed, imitating the welcome.
Zhao Douan, with a smile on his face, walked into the hall as everyone watched, glanced at the reserved main seat at the banquet table, but did not sit.
Instead, he instructed a maid beside him, who, startled, quickly went outside. Before long, a house servant from the Lu Mansion brought in a table and placed it at the head.
In an instant, the hall slightly transformed into a place resembling a tribunal court.
Zhao Douan, holding his saber, stepped behind the table, lifted his foot, and placed it on a small stool, casually unfastening the Chasing Saber at his waist, placing it horizontally on the table with a "bang."
He looked down upon everyone and asked Sun Xiaozhun with a smile, "Is everyone here?"
Governor Sun stood to the side with his hands bound, nodding.
"Very well," Zhao Douan smiled brightly,
"It seems that all of you have shown this governor some respect. When I had people send out invitations to you this afternoon, many claimed to have family matters and could not extricate themselves to attend, but you are all here on time."
The crowd forced awkward smiles, someone flattering,
"The governor pacifies the rebellion for the people’s welfare, a blessing to Linfeng. Compared to the governor’s hardships, our little troubles are nothing."
"Indeed, indeed."
A chorus of echoing sentiments ensued.
Zhao Douan’s smile did not falter, seeming to be indifferent to this. Once the flattery subsided, his gaze again was drawn near to Grand Duke Lu at the main table, as well as the sumptuous delicacies, and he remarked:
"I visited Taicang once last year, and there was also a banquet then, though it was for the purpose of investigating a case, so I did not have the opportunity to meet all of you properly. Fortunately, some still remember my face. The fact that we have this banquet today is greatly due to Grand Duke Lu’s efforts in coordinating everything. Without the Lu Family, it would not have been easy for me to invite you all here."
Upon hearing this, many people cast cooler glances at the Lu Family members.
The eldest son of the Lu Family’s expression slightly changed, with a faint anger in his eyes. Zhao Douan’s words made the Lu Family seem like a loyal dog of the court in the eyes of onlookers. The Lu Family had also become the court’s accomplice in today’s "donation."
Yet, how could outsiders know how aggrieved the Lu Family felt? Not only used as a tool, but even their wives and concubines were called upon to serve by Zhao Douan—an utter humiliation... Yet the eldest son dared not show a trace of this, and even had to force a smile in response to Zhao Shande’s curious gaze.
After praising for a while, Zhao Douan suddenly switched his tone. Looking at the lavish dishes, he sighed, "The only drawback is that these dishes are too sumptuous. Currently, war flames are raging outside, with Ning’an and Wenshui counties occupied by the rebel king, even more so, setting fire to fields and massacring civilians! Although the situation hasn’t reached chaos, I have heard that food prices in the market are skyrocketing, and resources are becoming increasingly scarce. People are cutting back on everything, and even soldiers are facing hardships, let alone having meat to eat; even military rations cannot be assured, yet here I am indulging in feasting... In doing so, how can I repay the emperor’s grace? How can I face the people of the world?"
Everyone listened, their faces turning dark, cursing internally, thinking that it was he who ordered the banquet, and now he is pretending to be virtuous.
How can his conscience face the world? Does he not know his own reputation? Shameless, truly shameless.
Grand Duke Lu, ashamed, said, "The governor’s reprimand is justified; it was due to my poor arrangements. To atone for our mistake and for the pacification of the rebellion, the Lu Family is willing to donate half of our clan’s stored grain warehouse, one hundred thousand taels of silver, and various supplies to the governor."
Half of the clan’s grain, one hundred thousand taels of silver! What a massive contribution!
One must know that a large family like the Lu Family, not counting assets difficult to liquidate in the short term, has a total of only about a few hundred thousand taels of silver on their books.
And with just this one donation, giving away half the family fortune? Are they crazy?
This statement shocked the assemblage of gentry.
"Good!" Zhao Douan said with a satisfied smile, "The Lu Family indeed deserves to be the foremost benefactor of Taicang, such a righteous act should be set as an example."
He looked at one face after another, "I am a Martial Artist who dislikes idle chatter, so let me be straightforward. The reason for gathering everyone here today is to raise military grains, salaries, and various supplies for the rebellion pacification. As local gentry, I presume you are willing to contribute to the protection of your communities. Of course, the matter of donations is entirely voluntary; give as much or as little as you wish, it’s all out of goodwill."