While talking and moving forward, soon, everyone stopped in front of a mansion with carved beams and paintings, and the extraordinary magnificence, if it weren't for the Chu family plaque hanging on the gate of this mansion at a glance, Lu Zhen wouldn't dare to recognize that this was his father-in-law's house.

Ten years later, this Chu family is very different, although it is still at the original address, the area of the house has expanded by as much as five or six times, and many of the surrounding residences that originally belonged to neighbors have been incorporated. And just by sweeping a few glances inside, you can see all kinds of precious flowers and trees that the high courtyard wall can't cover, as well as a pavilion and pavilion, which is beautiful, and it is above the Yamen of the City Bo Division, far surpassing Lu Jin's Earl's Mansion in the capital.

Yao Gan and the others couldn't help but look a little stunned, even Lu Zhen was stunned for a moment before he got out of the carriage with a wry smile on his face. With the rapid development of Suzhou's local economy, this extravagant trend is also intensifying, and my father-in-law is really keeping up with the trend.

Seeing that their group stopped in front of their own gate, some house slaves guarding the door hurriedly greeted them, and asked politely, "But is my uncle back?" ”

Immediately, some of his subordinates reported Lu Jin's identity, and some domestic slaves over there hurriedly turned around and hurriedly reported to their master. As early as after Lu Zhen entered Suzhou City, he had already sent someone to send a message to the people of the Chu family, mentioning that he would come over to pay his respects in a while, so the other party would be prepared.

A moment later, Chu Xiangyu, who was nearly sixty years old and had gray hair, but was still in good spirits, and his wife Yan brought the family out with a happy face. After seeing Lu Zhen standing in front of the door, Lao Chu even blew his beard and glared at the person and said angrily: "You really don't understand the rules, how can you let your uncle wait outside the door, he is not an outsider." As he spoke, his footsteps were a little faster, and he quickly came to Lu Jin: "The virtuous son-in-law has worked hard all the way, let's enter the door quickly." ”

Lu Jin didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "The son-in-law has seen my father-in-law and my mother-in-law." ”

The Yan family, who came after Chu Xiangyu, looked a little strange, but he still smiled kindly at Lu Jin: "Uncle doesn't have to be so polite, we are all our own family, just be casual." As she spoke, her eyes kept looking behind her, as if she was expecting something.

Lu Zhen immediately understood, and said a little apologetically: "I disappointed the second elder, Yun Rong didn't come with me to see you this time, she and the child are in the capital." ”

Hearing this, Chu Mu's face really showed a hint of loss, and her expression became more and more strange. She really felt a little guilty about Lu Jin, she hated the poor and loved the rich, and she actually planned to force her daughter to reconcile with her son-in-law, and then marry her daughter to her mother's family. And now, his son-in-law has become a hot figure in the court, and he also has the status of an earl, which is not comparable to his mother's family. And it is because of his support that her family can have such scenery and wealth today, which makes her always feel ashamed when facing Lu Jin.

Fortunately, Chu Xiangyu had a good relationship with Lu Zhen before, and although they haven't seen each other much in the past few years, they often exchange letters, so it's much more natural to deal with it. Seeing this, he said: "Virtuous son-in-law, you have worked hard all the way, so let's go and sit down and drink tea first, and then talk slowly." Please! ”

Lu Zhen followed him to the door, accompanied by several uncles and brothers of the Chu family. Although Chu Xiangyu's own heirs are difficult, and there is only one daughter, Chu Yunrong, but fortunately, he still has brothers in the Chu family who can help, so now this Chu house is still prosperous.

After walking along the winding path, they finally entered a small hall that was quite quiet and chic. Without Chu Xiangyu's instructions, the descendants of the Chu family have quickly sent them tea and snacks, this tea is a little more mellow than the Biluochun drunk in the city, and it is the famous tea Longjing in Hangzhou.

After a little greeting, Chu Xiangyu asked with some concern: "Virtuous son-in-law, did you come to Suzhou this time for official business?" ”

"Exactly. At that time, the son-in-law was in Henan, and suddenly received an edict from the Son of Heaven, so he hurriedly brought people over, but he couldn't pick up Yunrong and them together, which disappointed you. ”

"It's okay, as long as we know that our daughter is doing well in the capital, we can rest assured." As Lao Chu spoke, he gave his wife a look, and Chu's mother immediately came to her senses, and quickly nodded and agreed: "Yes, uncle, you don't have to worry about this." ”

Lu Zhen smiled and thanked him, and at this time, the capable man named Chu Yuntian on the side spoke cautiously: "Uncle, you came to my Suzhou this time by order to have something to do with the sea?" ”

"My uncle is right, I'm here for this." Anyway, it was impossible to hide this matter, so Lu Zhen simply admitted it generously: "By the way, I don't know if my Chu family has been affected?" ”

"The impact is naturally there. After all, my Chu family cooperated with the government when they went to sea, and the few groups of people who went to sea before did not come back. Chu Yuntian sighed and said: "Fortunately, the losses in these few times are not too big, and then we don't dare to move again, just wait for the government to solve the problem before going to sea." It's just that I didn't expect that more than half a year has passed, and there is still no progress. ”

Lu Zhen nodded, and looked at Chu Xiangyu again: "Father-in-law, what do you think about this?" He already knew the government's opinion, and now he wanted to hear what the people in the private sector thought about it. As a leader in local overseas trade, Chu Xiangyu's opinion can obviously be represented. After he went to meet the local officials this time, he immediately came to the Chu family to pay a visit, in addition to his respect for his elders, he also had this consideration.

Chu Xiangyu touched his gray beard with his hand, and then he considered his words and said, "This matter is really strange. The old man has also sent many ships to sea over the years, and this is the first time he has encountered such a situation. In the past, even if there were really bandits, they would fight ordinary merchant ships, and as long as it was a merchant ship with the flag of the government, they would avoid it. But this time, it's a good thing, the accidents are actually ships related to the government one after another, and even a few official merchant ships that have not flagged have never returned, so there have always been rumors that this is not some pirate chaos, but ......" Speaking of this, he glanced at his son-in-law with some hesitation and stopped.

"And what? Father-in-law, but it doesn't hurt to talk about it. Lu Zhen hurriedly asked.

"It's because the government has offended the Dragon King, so their ships have made mistakes at sea one after another." Chu Xiangyu said his own statement at this time, but Lu Zhen was stunned again: "It is even more unbelievable than the so-called ghosts and gods in the official mansion." ”

"Yes, otherwise how could this ship have accidents one after another? Who can make the ships of my Ming Mansion suffer such a big loss at sea? You know, not long ago, the government deliberately sent a military ship disguised as a merchant ship out, but it didn't find anything, and it came back peacefully. Isn't it because it was the Dragon Lord who was going to deal with them, and he knew what they were thinking early on, so he didn't do it? Chu Yuntian also said.

Lu Zhen raised his eyebrows: "There is such a thing?" "Why didn't I hear them mention it to me in the Yamen of the City Boss Division just now? Immediately, he understood again, obviously the other party felt that there was no credit for this matter, so he skipped it and didn't mention it.

"Fortunately, my Chu family now not only has the input of maritime trade, but also has a lot of other transactions, plus the other ships going to sea in Suzhou City are quite peaceful, so they can support it. It's just that I don't know when this thing will come to an end. Chu Xiangyu could see it, and shook his head with a smile.

Lu Zhen could only comfort: "Father-in-law, don't worry, since the son-in-law is here, he will definitely find out the truth of this matter, and then our ship will be able to go to sea safely." It's just that this dragon king's statement is really a bit incredible, if this is the case, there will be no living mouth back. ”

"You're referring to Li Tiezhu who was washed back by the sea, right?" Chu Yuntian said knowingly: "Actually, this matter is better to say. Because he used to do a lot of good deeds, he always released some fish and shrimp or something, so the dragon king thanked him for his merits and did not take his life. Others have no such blessing and can only be buried in the belly of the fish. Moreover, wasn't he frightened and crazy because of this, which is also what the Dragon King meant. ”

Chu Xiangyu also nodded cooperatively: "That's it." So you have to be careful about this matter, but don't offend the gods for the sake of investigating the case. ”

In the face of these people's chatter, Lu Zhen couldn't say anything at all, so he could only agree a few times casually. Fortunately, at this time, Chu's mother changed the topic: "You are really, it's not early now, and my uncle has come from afar, so he must be hungry, why talk about this kind of thing?" It's better to hurry up and let people prepare wine and food for my uncle. ”

"Yes, yes...... Chu Xiangyu patted his forehead and blamed himself: "Why did I forget about this, and I actually talked to my uncle about business." Come on, hurry up and prepare the food and drinks. Virtuous son-in-law, I have always prepared a cross-courtyard for you and Yunrong here, and I asked someone to clean it just now, so I will rest at home after dinner, right? ”

Immediately, several other people also asked Lu Zhen to stay here.

Seeing that they were full of enthusiasm, Lu Zhen naturally refused easily, so he nodded and agreed: "So I will disturb my father-in-law." ”

"You're too angry, we're a family. Didn't you always live in my Chu family back then? Chu Mu said with a smile. It was only as soon as the words came out that I realized that something seemed inappropriate, and my face was embarrassed. It is said that his son-in-law stayed in the Chu family at the beginning, which can be regarded as a host, and life is not easy.

Fortunately, Lu Zhen is not the other Lu Jin, and he is not too sensitive to this, so he just smiled and didn't say anything. And Chu Xiangyu also hurriedly diverted the topic, which led everyone to the canteen on the other side.

At the same time, dozens of men dressed as house slaves were rushing towards the Chu family, and the person who took the lead was none other than one of the evil slaves who had followed Lu Zhen and them far behind!