The voice came from outside the room. Then the door curtain was lifted, and six or seven people filed in. At their head was a middle-aged man leaning on a cane.
He was somewhat gaunt, but his eyes were bright and keen. As he walked, his cane struck the ground with dense, rhythmic taps, drawing everyone's attention without them even realizing it.
"So it's Mr. Huang!"
The people in the room rose from their seats at once and bowed to the newcomer.
"Mr. Huang has come at this hour; he must have something to teach us."
Mr. Huang waved his hand. "You are too courteous. I only hurried here after hearing from Master Lu that the Marquis of Pacifying the Realm was traveling east." As he spoke, another man stepped out from beside him.
This man was about fifty, with half-white hair and a stooped back. He looked like a little old man, yet no one in Ze Prefecture failed to recognize him now.
His name was Lu Jin. Like Lei Yuan and the others, he was one of the Four Great Merchants of Ze Prefecture, and indeed the foremost among the four. Whether in wealth or influence, he surpassed the other three families. His ancestors had once flourished as one of the great aristocratic clans, though the family had later fallen into decline.
Yet just when the Lu Clan seemed on the verge of collapse, someone broke new ground by turning to trade and laying down a foundation. Then several outstanding figures emerged in succession and achieved success in the Imperial Examinations. Though they did not produce a jinshi in every generation, it was enough to preserve the Lu Clan's influence in official circles—using office to shield commerce.
Even now, one of Old Lu's sons and two of his