Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 375 Wonderful, wonderful, Miss Shen is really my lucky star

Lu Zheng discussed matters with the magistrates of other counties based on the size of his official rank.

Several county magistrates pooled their money to order a set of winter hats, winter boots and gloves.

All told, each person spent fifty taels of silver, which fits the idea that small gifts for officials should not be too expensive.

Although this set of warm items is not expensive, it is very thoughtful and is in response to the subjects' birthday wishes to the emperor.

Unexpectedly, after Lu Zheng sent someone to deliver the gifts to the capital, Mr. Lu didn't say anything when he found out.

The gifts were delivered to the official as per usual practice, but he immediately sent his most reliable old steward, Lu Changping, to Anping County immediately.

The old butler brought a message from Mr. Lu, criticizing Lu Zheng for not being thoughtful in giving gifts.

Although the gift he gave was suitable for the county magistrate's status, it was too ordinary and simple.

If such a gift was sent to the imperial palace, it would probably be picked out and put into a pile of inferior items before it even reached the emperor.

Being able to have an entry on the registration list is already the best outcome.

There is no way the emperor would see it, let alone appreciate it.

Mr. Lu also asked Lu Changping to bring a silver note worth five thousand taels of silver.

He told Lu Zheng to find a decent gift these days.

Wait until the Spring Festival to present it separately in the name of the Lu family's children to make up for it and to make the presence felt in front of the emperor.

But Anping County is a small county and does not produce any special products.

Before there was a market, it was just a remote and ordinary small county town.

With the establishment of the market, there are some unusual and diverse items.

However, there are not many truly valuable treasures of calligraphy and paintings.

Lu Zheng discussed with the two advisors for half a day, but still had no idea what to give.

After finding out about the local specialties, even the old housekeeper who came to deliver the message was in a dilemma: "The old man has a good idea."

"But when it comes to precious treasures, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and ancient books, nowhere in the world can compare to the capital."

"In this small county, I'm afraid even if I have money, I won't have anywhere to buy it."

Lu Zheng was also worried and said, "Father makes it sound easy, but I really don't know what would be a decent gift."

"The emperor is the richest man in the world, and he has seen all kinds of good things. What should we do?"

Lu Lang listened silently for a while, then he said, "Father, you once said that the emperor is also a devotee of Buddhism and highly respects it, right?"

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Yes, otherwise how could Buddhism be so popular all over the world and why would famous temples everywhere be so prosperous?"

Lu Lang had a clue in his mind, and continued, "If the abbot of Guang'an Temple, the most famous temple in Anping County, Master Ci'en, hand-copied a sutra, it would be considered a decent gift."

Lu Zheng's eyes lit up, and he said casually and frustratedly: "Abbot Ci'en is not only proficient in Buddhism, but also in calligraphy."

"His handwritten scriptures are certainly a great gift, but where can we find them?"

Master Qian added: "I heard that Master Ci'en's calligraphy is also quite famous in the capital."

"His hand-copied sutras were sold for 1,000 taels of silver a few years ago."

"But the master is old and seldom writes. I heard that even 1,500 taels of silver would not be enough to buy his handwritten scriptures now."

Lu Lang smiled slightly: "Then father doesn't have to worry. I happen to have a handwritten copy of Master Ci'en's scriptures here."

"I had planned to finish all the matters concerning the Wanshou Festival and then hand them over to my father."

As Lu Lang spoke, he called Qi Xi and asked him to go to the study and quickly get the sutra wrapped in cloth on the desk.

Qi Xi agreed and ran to get the scripture and handed it to Lu Lang. Lu Lang hurriedly handed the small package to Lu Zheng with both hands.

Lu Zheng had already washed his hands again, wiped them dry with a towel, and waited.

He took the cloth bag and opened it carefully. It was indeed the handwriting of Abbot Ci'en. He was sure that it was undoubtedly his handwritten sutra.

After confirming it, Lu Zheng, the two masters and the old butler were all a little surprised, and hurriedly asked Lu Lang where he got the scripture from.

After Lu Lang told him where the scripture came from, Lu Zheng smiled as if he had found a treasure: "Wonderful, wonderful, Miss Shen is really my lucky star."

"She made flower cakes for me, and Abbot Ci'en praised me highly, saying that I had good taste and elegant style. He also promised that I could go to Guang'an Temple to ask him about Buddhism at any time."

"She came to the county government office and cooked for me. Yang Laoliu was very happy with the meal. He praised me for my ambition and promised to speak well of me when he met his father."

At this point, Lu Zheng couldn't help but high-five and praised her, and added: "Because the flower cakes are so well made, Abbot Ci'en plans to let her make cakes for the Wanshou Festival."

"I never expected that I would win the favor of Abbot Ci'en because of this, and she gave her a handwritten scripture."

"The most surprising thing is that Miss Shen didn't keep it for herself and gave it to me."

Lu Zheng thought it over himself, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that things had been going better and better for him since he met Shen Yu.

Just as she was feeling happy, she suddenly felt something was wrong: "Hey, that's not right. If this scripture is so precious, why didn't Miss Shen keep it for herself and give it to me?"

Lu Lang hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether he should tell Shen Yu her real concerns or repeat her upright words.

The old butler Lu Changping next to him is a relative of the Lu family.

Since he became Mr. Lu's book boy when he was young, he has followed Mr. Lu for most of his life and is Mr. Lu's confidant.

Following Mr. Lu in entertaining and socializing, I have seen all kinds of people. After many years, I have become a shrewd person.

As soon as Lu Lang finished speaking, he understood Miss Shen's concerns.

It’s just that when Lu Zheng was at home, Mr. Lu helped him solve problems and pave the way for him.

When he arrived in Anping County, Lu Lang and two legal advisors helped him take care of chores and trivial matters.

He just lay down and enjoyed his peaceful and comfortable official life, and didn't think about it for a moment.

The old butler thought about it and decided to explain the pros and cons to the master.

Otherwise, even though the master has become an official, he is still confused and looks ignorant of the world. What will happen then?

If I go back and tell the old man the truth, he will be so angry that he will jump to his feet again.

Thinking of this, the old housekeeper cleared his throat and said, "Master, this scripture is so expensive. The Miss Shen you are talking about is just a little cook with no power or influence."

"Even if she wanted to keep the scriptures, she couldn't keep them."

"If people knew she had such a scripture, it would be easy for someone to steal it openly or secretly."

"It is better to present it to the master. The master is the head of the county. The scriptures are in your hands. Who in Anping County dares to covet them?"

The old housekeeper broke the window paper with just a few words.

Lu Zhengcai said "Oh" and looked as if he had suddenly realized something.