lovenovelstory Chapter 118 Handover and Farewell
Chapter 118 Handover and Farewell
Lu Ji Carriage and Horse Shop, Jinan Prefecture.
In late autumn, Jinan already felt a bit chilly.
The maple leaves in the yard have turned red, rustling in the autumn wind, with a few occasionally drifting down and landing on the bluestone slabs.
Lu Yan stood in the center of the courtyard, looking at the residence he had managed for five years, his heart filled with emotion.
Five years ago, he traveled to this era and became a down-on-his-luck scholar, penniless and with a bleak future.
Five years later, he had become a prefectural judge of the seventh rank and was about to take up his post in Dengzhou, where he would also be in charge of the construction of warships.
Only he knows how much effort he has put in to rise from nothing to his current status.
"Master."
Hu Jingshui's voice came from behind.
"Everyone's here."
Lu Yan turned around and nodded.
"Let's go."
……
The main hall was filled with people.
Hu Jingshui, Zhao Tie, Zhao Changying, Shen Qing, along with several managers from the carriage and horse company, several leaders of the local militia, and several captains of the guard team.
These people are all trusted confidants that Lu Yan has cultivated over the years.
Lu Yan walked into the main hall, sat down in the main seat, and glanced at everyone.
"Gentlemen, I am about to take up my post in Dengzhou. I have called you all here today to give you some instructions."
Everyone listened attentively with solemn expressions.
"After I leave, the affairs of Jinan will be managed by Jing Shui."
Lu Yan looked at Hu Jingshui.
"You will be in charge of all businesses—trading companies, shops, estates—all of them. Accounts will be settled monthly, and for any important matters, write to me."
"Rest assured, Master," Hu Jingshui said, bowing. "I will certainly do my utmost and live up to your expectations."
"Uncle Zhao."
Lu Yan then looked at Zhao Tie.
"You'll continue to manage the workshop. Keep up the watercraft orders. Also, after I leave, you'll need to start researching ship construction."
"Boats?" Zhao Tie was taken aback.
"That's good," Lu Yan said. "I'm going to Dengzhou to oversee warship construction. We might transfer some craftsmen from Jinan in the future, so please make some preparations beforehand."
"Don't worry, sir, I understand."
"Long tassel."
Lu Yan looked at Zhao Changying.
"The core members of the guard team will come with me to Dengzhou. You'll be responsible for training the rest."
"Yes." Zhao Changying nodded.
"Leave the militia training to Li Dazhuang."
Lu Yan looked at a burly man with a dark face.
Li Dazhuang was one of the leaders of the militia. He was honest and kind, and also quite skilled in martial arts.
"Dazhuang, the militia is our foundation; it can't fall apart. After I'm gone, you must continue to maintain it, training every month without slacking off."
"Don't worry, sir!" Li Dazhuang said in a deep voice, "I will definitely lead the militia well and wait for your return to inspect them!"
"good."
Lu Yan nodded, then looked at Shen Qing.
"Shen Qing, you're coming with me to Dengzhou."
"Yes," Shen Qing said, bowing.
"Once we arrive in Dengzhou, you'll still be in charge of intelligence. The situation in Dengzhou is more complex than in Jinan, so you need to be extra careful."
"I understand."
After Lu Yan finished explaining all the matters, he stood up and walked to the front of everyone.
"Gentlemen, over the years, thanks to your tremendous help, I, Lu Yan, have been able to achieve what I have today."
He bowed to the crowd with his hands clasped.
"Although I'm going to Dengzhou, I can't abandon our roots in Jinan. Everyone, work hard; when I prosper in the future, you'll all benefit."
"Don't worry, boss!"
Everyone said in unison.
"We will certainly do our best to live up to the expectations of our employer!"
……
After explaining their tasks, everyone dispersed.
Lu Yan remained alone in the main hall, looking at the empty seats, feeling a sense of melancholy.
five years.
From one person to this large group now.
From having nothing to now owning a business.
Only he knows how much he sacrificed.
"Master."
Hu Jingshui's voice came from the doorway.
"What are you doing sitting here all by yourself?"
Lu Yan snapped out of his reverie and smiled.
"Nothing much, just a bit sentimental."
Hu Jingshui walked in and sat down next to him.
"Master, I'm truly reluctant to see you leave."
"What are you reluctant to part with?" Lu Yan laughed. "Dengzhou isn't some distant place; we can meet anytime we want."
"That's true..." Hu Jingshui sighed, "but Jinan is, after all, our foundation. With you leaving, I feel a deep emptiness in my heart."
Lu Yan patted him on the shoulder.
"Jing Shui, you've been with me for so many years, you should know my temperament. I always think three steps ahead before acting."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the maple trees outside.
"Jinan is a good city, but it's still inland. No matter how much development there is inland, there's a ceiling."
"Dengzhou is different. Dengzhou is by the sea, the gateway to Liaodong, and a hub for maritime trade. There, there is greater room for development."
He turned around and looked at Hu Jingshui.
"My trip to Dengzhou is not to abandon Jinan, but to open up a new battlefield. Jinan is our rear, and Dengzhou is our front line. Only through cooperation between the two can we grow stronger."
Hu Jingshui's eyes lit up when she heard this.
"What the boss means is..."
"In the future, goods from Jinan can be shipped out to sea via Dengzhou," Lu Yan said. "Silk, porcelain, and tea can be transported to Japan and Korea, and exchanged for silver and copper. This is a shipping route flowing with gold."
"Maritime trade?" Hu Jingshui gasped. "Boss, this is forbidden territory..."
"Breaking the law?" Lu Yan sneered. "The imperial court's ban on maritime trade only applies to ordinary people. Which of those high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants isn't involved in maritime trade? As long as they have the money to bribe officials, whether it's forbidden or not is just a matter of a word."
Hu Jingshui remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
"What the master says is true. I understand."
"Alright," Lu Yan said. "You stay in Jinan and hold your position well. Once I've established myself in Dengzhou, I'll bring you over."
"yes."
……
October 10th.
The day of departure has arrived.
Early in the morning, the entrance of Lu's Carriage and Horse Shop was filled with horse-drawn carriages.
Lu Yan, accompanied by Zhao Changying, Shen Qing, and twenty guards, prepared to set off.
Hu Jingshui, Zhao Tie, Li Dazhuang, and others came to see him off.
"Have a safe journey, boss!"
"Take care, boss!"
"When you arrive in Dengzhou, don't forget to write to us!"
Everyone started talking at once.
Lu Yan stood beside the carriage, looking at these familiar faces, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
"Everyone, take care."
He bowed to the crowd with his hands clasped.
"I'm going to Dengzhou. I'll leave the affairs of Jinan to everyone."
"Don't worry, boss!"
Everyone said in unison.
Lu Yan nodded, turned around, and got into the carriage.
"Set off."
The convoy slowly started moving and headed towards the city gate.
Lu Yan lifted the carriage curtain and glanced back at the Lu Family Carriage Shop that was gradually disappearing into the distance.
The house he had managed for five years appeared exceptionally tranquil in the morning light.
Goodbye, Jinan.
He muttered to himself.
"Dengzhou, I've arrived."
……
The convoy left Jinan and headed northeast along the official road.
The journey from Jinan to Dengzhou is about 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers), and it would take about ten days if traveling by official road.
Lu Yan sat in the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.
A map of Dengzhou appeared in my mind.
Dengzhou Prefecture is located at the easternmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula, surrounded by the sea on three sides, and connected to the inland only on the west side.
The city is nestled between mountains and the sea, with a wide harbor capable of accommodating large ocean-going vessels.
Starting from Dengzhou, with favorable winds and currents, it only takes three to five days to reach the Liaodong Peninsula.
This is a strategic location, and also a place full of opportunities.
"Dengzhou..."
He muttered to himself.
"My new stage."
He opened his eyes, his gaze sparkling with anticipation and ambition.
Five years ago, he started from nothing.
Five years later, he had become a prefectural judge of the seventh rank.
But this is only the beginning.
Dengzhou was his true stage.
There, he would establish his own power, build his own fleet, and prepare for the chaos to come.
"No matter what..."
He muttered to himself.
"Survive first, then we'll worry about everything else."
The carriage bumped along the official road, slowly heading northeast, towards Dengzhou, towards his future.