The visitor was an elderly man who appeared to be only about sixty years old, but those familiar with him all knew this person was already in his eighties.
This man was named Lu Yun, and during the Northern Ji Kingdom period, he had already experienced three dynasties.
The Lu family was a literary household with over three hundred years of heritage. Their descendants were learned and talented, but the Lu family had few heirs, which led to their current decline and desolation.
Even so, Lu Yun’s influence among the court officials remained formidable.
When Li Qitian first ascended the throne, he also regarded Lu Yun as a banner of Northern Ji Kingdom’s cultural heritage. To show his attitude, he personally visited the Lu family as the Son of Heaven and had long conversations with Lu Yun, which became a celebrated tale.
With such origins, Lu Yun naturally had good relations with the Lu clan and, like them, held considerable influence among the old ministers of the Northern Ji Kingdom faction.
Since Lu Heng’s grandfather entered the cabinet, Lu Yun had become even closer to the Lu family, seemingly following the Lu family’s lead and depending on them.
Now that the Lu family head had changed to Lu Heng, Lu Yun’s relationship with the Lu family remained very intimate.
Therefore, this elder whom everyone knew belonged to the Lu clan faction yet held a transcendent position appearing in Prince Zhongshun’s home left both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining utterly astonished.
“Master Lu’s personal visit must be inseparable from Lu family affairs,” Qin Yining worried. “It’s not convenient for me to be present. You go out to meet him. If there’s anything urgent, have someone quietly come tell me so I can prepare in advance.”
Pang Xiao smiled and pinched Qin Yining’s cheek. “No need to be so tense. Master Lu has a detached temperament and never cares about official fame and profit. Despite such high prestige, he refuses to serve as an official. His coming may not necessarily be about court matters—there might be other reasons.”
“It’s precisely because I can’t guess his purpose that it’s worrying.”
Qin Yining accompanied Pang Xiao as he left the inner residence’s main room. Standing under the covered walkway, she watched Pang Xiao’s figure gradually disappear from view before sighing somewhat worriedly and calling Ji Yun: “Go quietly investigate. If anything happens, come tell me immediately.”
“This servant understands.” Ji Yun composed herself seriously and quickly walked out.
Pang Xiao came to the front hall used for receiving guests. Before entering, he first straightened his clothes, then entered with a smile on his face.
“Master Lu has traveled from afar, and I failed to welcome you properly. This prince is ashamed, ashamed.” Pang Xiao cupped his hands in salute.
Lu Yun smiled and returned the courtesy, his bearing graceful with considerable scholarly elegance. “Prince Zhongshun need not be so formal. This old man has presumed to disturb you.”
“Not at all. A distinguished guest like yourself is someone this prince could beg for but not obtain. Please take the seat of honor.” Pang Xiao smiled and gestured invitingly.
Lu Yun immediately waved his hand. “This old man is but a commoner—how could I presume so greatly? Please, Your Highness, take the seat of honor.”
After some mutual courtesies, Lu Yun finally sat in the secondary seat.
Pang Xiao ordered good tea to be served and asked with a smile, “What instructions does Master Lu have in honoring us with your presence?”
As if not expecting Pang Xiao to ask so directly, Lu Yun was momentarily stunned, then stroked his long beard and smiled. “Your Highness is indeed straightforward. Since that’s the case, this old man will speak plainly.”
“Please proceed.”
Lu Yun looked around, then lowered his voice and said seriously, “This old man has come today to actually seek Your Highness’s assistance.”
“Oh?” Pang Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking quite puzzled.
In truth, he was genuinely puzzled. Lu Yun belonged to the Lu family faction, yet came to him for help—Pang Xiao suspected this was a trap.
Lu Yun seemed to know what Pang Xiao was thinking and smiled faintly. “Actually, the matter this old man seeks, with Your Highness’s keen hearing and clear sight, you should have some speculation. Your Highness should know that there are problems with both the stone and timber materials for His Majesty’s imperial mausoleum construction, right?”
Pang Xiao smiled and nodded. “This prince has heard some rumors.”
“Your Highness is recuperating in Danfu County, so perhaps you know of court matters somewhat later. The granite used for His Majesty’s imperial mausoleum construction—Earl Zhongyi is currently seeking sources to purchase them. As for the timber used for building the imperial mausoleum, some ignorant person actually proposed that His Majesty use timber from abandoned warships of the previous dynasty!”
Speaking of this, Lu Yun’s calm and elegant image completely disappeared. His longevity eyebrows bunched together, and his beard trembled with anger.
“During the Northern Ji Kingdom period, there were several naval battles. When the dynasty was strong, the navy defeated both Goguryeo and Japan thoroughly. Later, as Northern Ji gradually declined and the national treasury was empty, unable to support military expenses for years, the naval forces were reduced several times until the navy was completely abandoned. Over a hundred warships of various sizes were also completely abandoned.
“This time, when constructing the imperial mausoleum coincided with insufficient timber, someone actually proposed to His Majesty to dismantle the warships left from the previous dynasty! The timber from those warships remained uncorrupted in the sea for over a hundred years and is extremely sturdy—this shows how excellent the wood is. When His Majesty heard this advice, he actually agreed.”
Lu Yun was breathing heavily, his face full of anger. After a long while, he squeezed out one sentence: “Simply ignorant!”
Pang Xiao understood the implications and, since Lu Yun was willing to speak frankly, he didn’t hide anything either, asking directly, “The person who made that suggestion should have close ties with Earl Zhongyi, right?”
Lu Yun nodded. “Prince Zhongshun is indeed perceptive.”
Pang Xiao smiled. “Given Master Lu’s relationship with Earl Zhongyi, if the person proposing this matter weren’t Earl Zhongyi’s man, Master Lu could easily discuss it with Earl Zhongyi and wouldn’t need to seek out this prince.”
The corruption involved was also quite obvious.
Li Qitian was willing to pay any price to build the imperial mausoleum. Moreover, now that north and south were pacified, although there were natural disasters, disasters would eventually pass, and the dynasty would remain stable with peace throughout the realm. Having won battles, Li Qitian must be full of confidence. Even the Tatars had submitted, with the Khan bringing people to the capital to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday and present tribute. In Li Qitian’s eyes, places like Goguryeo and Japan were no longer worth mentioning.
So whether the warships remained or not, he felt it didn’t matter. He was thinking of finishing the imperial mausoleum quickly.
Li Qitian might have simply given a casual order: “Since we’re using warships, dismantle as many as needed.”
But with such good timber right there, there must be many officials from the Lu faction who saw profit in it.
Dismantle a hundred ships while claiming only ten were used, casually telling His Majesty they were all used for the imperial mausoleum. Would His Majesty actually go inspect?
Whose pockets would these profits ultimately enter?
Lu Heng probably looked down on such money—his eyes were fixed on the treasure.
But as a superior, when subordinates had ways to make profit, it was natural for Lu Heng to let them skim some benefits. Besides, this money wasn’t his anyway.
Therefore, Pang Xiao completely understood Lu Yun’s current feelings.
This elder understood the importance of warships to the Great Zhou’s coastal defense, didn’t want the navy to completely disappear, couldn’t appeal to Lu Heng, so came to find him.
Lu Yun sighed. “To be frank, regarding these warships—setting aside how much effort Northern Ji Kingdom put into them—even the shipbuilding craftsmanship is probably about to be lost. This old man worries that if these warships are completely ruined by petty people this time, should the Great Zhou need to strengthen coastal defenses in the future, they won’t be able to find a single intact warship, and among the people, they won’t find living shipbuilders either. What would we do then? Such methods are truly too foolish!”
Pang Xiao smiled. “This prince understands Master Lu’s meaning. But look at this prince’s current situation.” He spread both hands. “Now this prince is recuperating here, not knowing when I can continue serving His Majesty. I’m afraid this prince is also powerless regarding this matter.”