Chapter 120: Relying on the Young or the Old

Chapter 120: Relying on the Young or the Old

Yiniang paused, of course unable to answer, and could only truthfully attribute it to her son Lu Wen's doing.

Upon hearing this, Lu Song was visibly taken aback. "Wen'er hired someone? He's only three years old; who could he possibly have asked for help?"

"Brother-in-law, Wen'er is a prodigy sent from heaven, not an ordinary three-year-old child. The idea to open these shops was all his, and I've never even taught him to read before. But Wen'er secretly listened in at school a few times, and now he can write many characters..."

As she spoke, Yiniang couldn't help but feel proud that such a talented son had come from her womb.

After listening to her, the shock in Lu Song's eyes was evident. Soon, his interest in his son far exceeded his curiosity about which noble person his son had invited.

With such a promising son, he naturally had to send him to school immediately, unwilling to waste his talent!

Recalling how those people in the Military Office had humiliated him over the past few days, his breathing grew heavier. He had come to realize a harsh truth: lacking money was bad, but lacking power was even worse!

He would continue his business and also cultivate his son. If he could secure the title of Zhuangyuan (top scholar) and enter the Hanlin Academy, there might be a chance to join the Imperial Council in the future. Then, the Lu family could wash away their previous disgrace and slap in the face of those who looked down upon them!

Lu Song was determined to rely on his son to turn things around, but he still had to consider the shop's affairs; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to afford his son's education. "Yiniang, how has the shop's business been over the past few days?"

Yiniang smiled. "Business has been good. If not for that, we would have had to close the shop after Auntie took more than a hundred taels. Brother-in-law, as long as we can endure these few days, we'll have a large sum of silver coming in, and life will get better..."

If not for this, Yiniang might not have been able to hold on through these past few days.

Fortunately, she had listened to her son and opened these shops. The common folk loved the goods and innovative selling methods in their shops.

Lu Song sighed with relief upon hearing this, gently pulling Yiniang into his embrace. "Yiniang, I'm lucky to have you."

If he had truly married a woman like Su Youyue, who was vicious and domineering, who knew what kind of life he would be living now.

Stepping out of the house, seeing Lu Wen outside, Lu Song immediately asked, "Wen'er, who did you find to rescue Father?"

Lu Wen had already prepared his explanation, and thus answered smoothly, "Father, it was when your son accidentally met the Third Princess before and helped her pick up an earring she had dropped, one she liked very much. That's how we became acquainted. This time, when I was truly desperate, I thought of the Third Princess. I didn't expect her to actually agree to help..."

Hearing that it was the Third Princess, Lu Song was surprised. If they could truly connect with the Third Princess, wouldn't they have wealth and glory?

But then he remembered that it was just a small favor, and for the Third Princess to speak up once was already extraordinary. It was unlikely that she would offer further assistance.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Lu Song's eyes.

But Lu Wen quickly seized the opportunity to add, "Father, the princess said she could arrange a position for you in the military. As long as you go, you could become a general in the future!"

Of course, the latter part was fabricated by Lu Wen. In his view, his father had become a general in his previous life based on his own abilities. This life merely lacked the opportunity to enter the military camp.

Once he entered the military, he would surely become a general. He would then be the legitimate son of a general, and no one would dare to criticize his identity again.

Thinking about this, Lu Wen sighed inwardly. Unfortunately, his memories of the royal family in his previous life were vague. He didn't even know how the deposed crown prince had made a comeback and killed the second prince. Otherwise, couldn't his father directly connect with the second prince and follow him in his struggle for the throne...

These matters had originally been taught by his tutor, but they were explained in broad terms. Since he wasn't interested, he hadn't paid attention and, therefore, didn't understand clearly. However, the story of the Third Princess was widely discussed among the common folk, so he knew the ins and outs.

It seemed that he still had to rely on his father in this life.

Lu Wen didn't expect that after saying all this, Lu Song would shake his head. "Forget about the military. The Third Princess is as ruthless and ungrateful as her father... Anyway, it was already difficult for her to save Father because of that beloved earring. Saying she could make me a general was just to deceive you. Wen'er, Father has decided: from now on, we'll focus on business and provide you with an education!"

He knew how hard life in the military was. At best, the Third Princess would merely send him to the military camp and wouldn't bother to care anymore. How could she possibly make him a general?

Now, in the capital, he had a beautiful wife and a thriving business. Why should he join the military? Moreover, his son was so talented. In this life, he only needed to ensure his son's education and rely on him.

The father and son each had their own plans, calculating one louder than the other.

Lu Wen was stunned. "Education?"

How could this be? In his previous life, he would get headaches whenever he saw books and couldn't read them at all. Especially when he saw the stern and strict tutor hired by Su Youyue, he wished he could beat both the tutor and Su Youyue.

He was simply not cut out for studying. In this life, he had already snatched Su Youyue's opportunity to make a fortune. As long as his father followed the original path and became a general, wouldn't their Lu family's power and wealth surpass what they would have if Su Youyue had married in?

As for himself, he could continue being a wealthy young master, waiting to inherit the family fortune. Why study?

Unaware of his son's thoughts, Lu Song patted his small shoulder. "Wen'er, you're a good seedling for education. Father can't delay you. Don't worry, tomorrow I'll hire the best tutor in the capital for you! In the future, Father will rely on you to make our Lu family proud!"

With that, he strode out, although still weak, but his spirit was exhilarated. He planned to quickly visit the shop and take out a sum of money to hire a renowned teacher for his son.

Watching his receding back, Lu Wen panicked. How could this be different from what he had envisioned? It shouldn't be like this. His father was a man of great ambition, destined to become a great general based on his own abilities. How could he think of becoming a lowly merchant in the future!

He also didn't want to study. Writing a few words to deceive others that he was a genius was fine for now, but he was well aware of his own capabilities... Although he could start studying diligently now, enduring ten years of hardship was too bitter. This was not the life he had envisioned!

Everything had changed since Su Youyue broke off the engagement. It was all that wretched woman's fault, making Father lose the desire to join the military and become a general. What should he do now?

For the first time since his rebirth, Lu Wen was at a loss.

But soon, he realized that he couldn't possibly go to study. As long as he successfully took over Su Youyue's business, what did he have to fear? At least he could live a life of luxury for the rest of his life... But the prerequisite was that he had to convince his father first.

With this in mind, Lu Wen hurriedly chased after Lu Song's retreating figure.