After the death of the previous emperor, the Empress Dowager became arrogant

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, but steady and powerful, and he even wore the solemn official robe in a way that gave him a Taoist and immortal air.

Lou Haiping was flattered. "I should have been the one to visit first. How dare I trouble you, sir?"

Fang Shuo waved his hand and said, "This is all for the sake of the people of Jiangzhou, Patriarch Lou, there is no need to be too modest.

I have lived in the mountains for a long time, and have not cared about worldly affairs. After being appointed as the prefect of Jiangzhou, I have been unable to sleep day and night, fearing that I have let down Your Majesty and the people's high hopes.

Now that the head of the Lou family is assisting in government affairs, I feel relieved."

These words exploded into the Lou family's hearts like a thunderbolt.

Businessmen are ranked last, and any violation of their authority to interfere in government affairs is a very serious crime.

They could hear the probing and threatening meaning in Fang Shuo's words.

Ever since Lou Yin got married, the status of the Lou family has risen along with this marriage.

They acted cautiously and were careful in what they said and did, fearing that they would bring disaster to the family. However, they did not expect that they would still attract jealousy and hatred.

Lou Haiping has been in the business world for many years and has mastered the art of keeping a low profile.

Lou Jiangping glanced at his elder brother and remained silent.

Lou Jing tightened his grip on the cup, looking worried.

After all, he is still young and impatient.

Fang Shuo took in all the different expressions of the three people.

Lou Haiping put away the tea leaves, took a sip and said, "The Lou family has been engaged in business for three generations. My grandfather was also a Jinshi, but his official career was not smooth, so he returned to his hometown to do business. Until now, he has accumulated a little property and used his limited strength to help the neighbors.

The former prefect, Mr. Yu, treated people with sincerity. I am grateful that he valued me and called me a brother. In our daily interactions, we are bound to encounter some special situations.

I have intentionally avoided all official business, and the accompanying officials have recorded it in the book. You can go to the government office to check it yourself.

I wonder where Lord Fang heard this rumor from?"

Facing his question, Fang Shuo laughed and said, "Master Lou, don't get excited. It's just a rumor. If you don't pay attention to it, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Lou Haiping nodded, "Master Fang is right."

Then he remembered the purpose of Fang Shuo's coming here, and said, "The auction is complicated and cannot be covered in a few words.

The mansion has prepared a banquet to entertain you, and we will discuss this after lunch."

Fang Shuo did not refuse and nodded in agreement.

The gatekeeper ran into the yard anxiously, found the housekeeper, and said he had an urgent matter to report.

After getting the permission from the master of the house, the butler bowed and saluted.

Seeing that there were guests present, he hesitated a little, not knowing whether he should speak.

Lou Haiping put down the teacup and said, "What's the matter? Tell me."

"Report to the master, a guard has found out the situation and said that a large number of troops are coming towards the mansion and are about to reach the door."

Upon hearing the news, Lou Jing stood up from his seat and asked, "Can you find out who it is?"

Lou Haiping scolded him: "You are so impatient. How can you behave like that?"

The housekeeper hurriedly replied: "I'm not sure, it seems to be a group of civilians. I have sent people to investigate again."

It's not like we haven't encountered troubles before, but from the housekeeper's description, this trouble is quite serious.

No matter what the situation is, Fang Shuo must not be involved in the personal grudges of the Lou family.

Lou Haiping looked at Fang Shuo and said apologetically, "Something unexpected happened in the mansion today. I'm afraid we can't keep you here any longer. Please leave with me as soon as possible to avoid being affected."

Fang Shuo also stood up, waved his wide sleeves, and put his hands behind his back, "Since the Lou family is in trouble, how can I stand by and watch?

As the prefect of Jiangzhou, it is my duty to relieve the people's worries.

"Master Lou, don't worry. I will go out with you to take a look. If there is really a villain causing trouble, we will not let him off!"

Since Fang Shuo said so, Lou Haiping had no reason to refuse.

The servant boy guarding the gate leaned out half of his body to check the situation, and saw a large group of people coming from afar. He immediately ran back to the house and closed the door.

He brought some wooden bars to block the door and called on the idle servants in the yard to hold the door together with their bodies.

There were about ten people crowded on the door panel. Lou Jiangping frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Deputy Patriarch... Patriarch, we have no other choice," the servant boy tried hard to hold on to his legs, but his voice was trembling as soon as he opened his mouth, "There is a large group of people outside the door, each holding a weapon, heading towards the Lou Mansion, looking ferocious and vicious.

I was really scared, but I didn't dare let them into the house because the masters were all there. What if they broke in and damaged the flowers and plants in the house?

My life is worthless. If I can help my masters escape, I will be willing to die!"

He closed his eyes and shouted to Lou Jing, "Master, take your people and leave quickly. As long as there is life, there will be no shortage of firewood!"

Then, as if waiting to die, he gritted his teeth and held against the vermilion gate behind him.

Lou Jing walked over, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Even with what you said, we can't leave you alone to escape. We have to bear this together.

Besides, the Lou family is upright and will not be afraid even if wolves, tigers or leopards come.

Open the door and welcome guests. "

The servant boy opened his eyes and was relieved to see that neither the head of the family nor the deputy head of the family looked worried.

But he was still afraid that his masters would be injured by the people, so he ordered a few people to go to the back hall to fetch sticks, just in case.

Fang Shuo stood behind the door, not saying a word.

The gate was opened and the servants lined up with sticks in hand.

The people took a few steps back and looked at the solemn expressions of the Lou family members in fear.

Lou Haiping waved his hand, and the guards stopped intimidating him and hid their sticks behind their backs.

The man threw the bully Lu to the ground, then knelt down and said, "Please give us justice, Master Lou!"

The people also knelt down with him, echoing the man's words and demanding justice.

Bully Lu was dragged all the way here, so his clothes were already in tatters. If the material of his clothes was not strong enough, he would have been naked long ago.

He dared to do evil in the name of the Lou family, but he would never dare to go to the head of the Lou family and beg for mercy.

When Lou Haiping leaned over to look at him, he dared only to hide his head in his clothes.

"Who is this..." Lou Haiping asked, pointing at the man covered in mud on the ground.

The man said indignantly: "This man is a bully in the city. He usually relies on his relatives to do evil and kidnap women!

Today he was grabbing a foreign woman on the street again, and we happened to see him, so we tied him up and brought him to the head of the Lou family to ask for an explanation!"

Lou Haiping was even more puzzled. Shouldn't the person who sought redress for his grievances go to the government office and beat the drum? Why did he come to him to seek an explanation?

"Please take a closer look at who he is, Master Lou!"

The man grabbed the bully Lu by his hair and dragged him up from the ground.

Bully Lu's scalp was hurt by the pulling, and his eyes stared at him like poison.

The man was not afraid. He took out a wet cloth from somewhere and wiped the mud off his face. Only then could he see the face clearly.

This... isn't this the youngest son of Lu's family?

Lou Haiping subconsciously glanced at Lou Jing.

Lou Jing was also wondering why Lu Jiankang became like this?