บท 19: 19. Meet with Du Wenlan
Moving from the side hall to the bright main hall, Lu Yao knew that the matter was essentially settled.
This was the place to receive esteemed guests, and the fact that the three juniors were allowed here spoke volumes about the attitude.
Soon, Du Wenlan arrived with Mr. Gan, followed by a servant who kept his head down.
Lu Yao and the others quickly stood up to pay their respects.
~~~~~~~
After taking their seats, Du Wenlan scrutinized Lu Yao, thinking to himself, "Why does this boy look so ill..."
Without changing his expression, he began, "So this is Young Master Lu. I have received the book, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness."
Lu Yao spoke up clearly, "It's just a modest gift, not worthy of thanks."
Stroking his beard, Du Wenlan inquired, "Young Master Lu is quite knowledgeable about Western learning?"
Although he seemed casual, his many years in a position of authority gave him an intimidating presence, putting great pressure on those seated beside him. The Liao Family Sisters instinctively sat up straight, with Liao Qe uncomfortably shifting a few times.
Lu Yao replied with neither humility nor arrogance, "I dare not claim to be. I merely know a bit. Born overseas, I heard that the gentleman is eager for advanced techniques and specially sought them out to alleviate your worries."
Running his hands over the arms of the Taishi Chair, Du Wenlan was quite satisfied with Lu Yao. Well-mannered and articulate, and capable of procuring advanced techniques, he was exactly the talent needed.
He wasted no time in trying to recruit him, "Some officials have proposed the idea of 'learning from the barbarians to defeat them,' and we are in dire need of capable people at the moment. Why not serve the country and seek a future for yourself?"
Lu Yao, lacking both the energy and the desire to delve into this situation, replied tactfully, "Thank you for your high regard, sir, but I am gravely ill and my life will not be long. I truly am powerless to help."
There was a flicker in Du Wenlan's eyes, "My attendant here is well-versed in medicine and should be able to take your pulse."
The attentive servant immediately stepped forward. At first glance, he seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of menace in his presence.
Lu Yao extended his hand for the man to grasp, feeling a familiar warmth spread to his limbs.
The unassuming servant by Du Wenlan's side was, astonishingly, an Organ Refining Expert!
The check-up was quick, and afterward, the attendant bowed and reported, "Reporting to the gentleman. Young Master Lu suffers from a terminal illness; the disease has reached a critical stage."
~~~~~~~
Upon hearing this, Du Wenlan's expression stiffened.
He had hoped to recruit Lu Yao to his side, but in such a situation, there was no angle to work with all attempts at persuasion or temptation of rank and wealth had to be swallowed back.
He suddenly felt that what was truly difficult to deal with wasn't the overly cunning or those with strong convictions but someone who genuinely did not fear death and had no apprehensions.
After a long silence, he could only say, "Ah, it is indeed a jealousy of the heavens for talent. Rest and recuperate with peace of mind, and I shall surely find a skilled doctor to assist you."
Lu Yao smiled freely, "Thank you for your care, sir. Life is unpredictable; if the King of Hell insists on taking me, then there's nothing to be done about it."
Abandoning the thought of recruitment, Du Wenlan glanced at the Liao Family Sisters and said, "I've heard that you've encountered some trouble. He Kui, take my card and pay a visit to Commander Li of the Patrol Bureau, settle this matter as soon as possible."
He Kui, the attendant who had just examined Lu Yao, bowed and disappeared in the blink of an eye with swift movements.
"The Patrol Bureau shall offer me some respect, you needn't worry about this matter any longer," said Du Wenlan.
Liao Ya revealed a grateful expression and hastily joined her sister in performing a respectful salute to express their thanks, "Many thanks, Governor Du!"
As Du Wenlan gestured with his hand for the two women to rise, he then turned to Lu Yao, speaking earnestly,
"The Imperial Court is in dire straits, and in line with the plans to strengthen the nation's wealth and military, I hope Young Master Lu can find more advanced techniques. In time, whether it be the Imperial Court or my office, neither will fail to reward you."
With both hands clasped together, Lu Yao responded, "Governor Du can rest assured, my senior sister has instructed me repeatedly—you are an important family friend and elder to the Liao family, and I will definitely assist in the matter of advanced techniques."
Looking towards the Liao Family Sisters, Du Wenlan said warmly, "Liao Qigong was a brave and loyal man, and I deeply regret his death. As his descendants, should you need any assistance in the future, do not hesitate to seek me out."
Liao Ya bowed respectfully, "I'm grateful for your deep affection, sir; I understand."
Although the two families had some connections, their interactions were not close. Liao Ya, sharp as frost, knew exactly why Du Wenlan said those words.
She couldn't help but glance at Lu Yao and thought to herself: Junior brother really has divine skills, to be so highly esteemed by Mr. Du.
~~~~~~~~
Seeing their purpose achieved, Lu Yao and the two women were still concerned about the boxing gym and after exchanging pleasantries, they stood up to take their leave.
Du Wenlan personally escorted them to the gate, and before parting, he said, "Young Master Lu, you may seek an audience with me at any time, without the need for reporting or turning away."
Lu Yao bowed deeply and solemnly accepted, then left with the two women.
Watching them walk away, Mr. Gan couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Mr. Dong, why do you value Lu Yao so highly? You even gave him permission to see you at any time."
Being granted an audience at any time with an official who held complete authority as a fourth-ranked official was no easy matter.
Du Wenlan sighed, took out the book "Steel Refining," and said, "I've been running around for three years, groveling before the foreigners, hitting walls everywhere, and the hard-earned results don't match a single page of this book!"
Mr. Gan was astonished, "How could this be possible? Just a book..."
"Exactly," Du Wenlan said, standing with his hands behind him, "The Imperial Court established the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, and Western techniques are secondary. What's truly important is—strong ships and powerful cannons!
Steel is the foundation of everything. With this book, I can build a cannon foundry, set up an artillery school, and cast sharp weapons for the Imperial Court!"
Du Wenlan, gazing towards the sea, was filled with surging emotions! With cannons, and then finding a way to build ironclad ships, the internally and externally troubled Great Shun Dynasty would surely be able to weather this unprecedented crisis!
Mr. Gan, with a complex expression, bowed deeply, "Mr. Dong, you bear the world in your heart and work for the nation and the people; I admire you!"
Although it sounded nice, he truly was not optimistic.
The leaders of the Western Affairs Faction in the capital, because of The Empress Dowager's reasons, didn't dare to be overt in their actions and could only promote their cause through the powerful local officials, which was quite restrained.
The Western Affairs Faction was fractured within: the central faction and the local faction; the self-strengthening faction and the wealth-seeking faction; the stubborn faction and the reformist faction... The infighting was endless.
No matter how you looked at it, it didn't seem like they could accomplish anything...
"I must appropriately assist Mr. Dong, and must not end up like Mr. Lin, 'mired in state affairs,' growing old from the Governor-General of Liangjiang to being exiled to the remote frontiers."
~~~~~~~
On the way back, the Liao Family Sisters kept staring at Lu Yao.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Liao Qe grabbed Lu Yao's arm, laughing, "You're amazing! Talking so confidently with a fourth-ranked official and even getting him to send us out personally. You should have seen the gatekeeper; his eyes nearly popped out—haha!"
Lu Yao smiled and said, "I've just experienced a lot, that's all."
Liao Ya, her clear and bright eyes intently fixed on him, asked, "Junior brother, it seems you don't have much faith in the Imperial Court's strategy of 'learning from the barbarians to control the barbarians,' do you?"
"Hehe~ Senior sister's Spirit Refining Method is getting more and more exquisite, you've seen right through me," Lu Yao's smile faded. "Minor, insignificant changes are useless. The Shun Dynasty isn't lacking advanced techniques or strong ships and powerful cannons."
"Well said!" Liao Ya strongly agreed with this, nodding repeatedly, "If you ask me, we need to strengthen ourselves! Promote the Martial Path, let everyone practice martial arts, assemble a team of Great Grandmasters in the Indestructible Golden Body Realm, able to withstand cannonballs with their bodies, and there would be nothing to fear from foreign invaders!"
"..."
Lu Yao was suddenly at a loss for words: Master Liao, that's not quite what I meant...
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