Greenwater City, Qian Yue Restaurant. Lu Dongliang held a banquet to announce to the public that he intended to retake control of the Lu Family’s flag.
The Lu Family Main House and the families from the Outside Provinces all received invitations. Those who were willing to attend tonight were proving their acknowledgment of Lu Dongliang as the Family Head.
Firstly, the branch led by Lu Maoxian, who had been expelled from the family by Lu Chunying, all showed up today. This was their chance to return to the Lu Family.
Some of Lu Dongliang’s loyal followers had also returned. They had never approved of Lu Chunying, but with Lu Dongliang’s absence, they were unwilling to defect to other families and could only follow Lu Chunying for the time being. Now that Lu Dongliang had returned, these people also came back to acknowledge their lord.
Lu Dongliang’s appeal was indeed not small. He had prepared ten tables for the feast, and seven were filled with guests. In addition to the Lu Family’s members, he also invited many other guests, including one important figure: Ma Chunting, the Family Head of the Ma Family.
Those present were somewhat puzzled to see Ma Chunting arrive.
Previously, Ma Junyang had conflicts with the Outside Provinces, and Ma Chunting had sent his son to attend a song gathering at Xiaoyao Lodge. Everyone thought that the father and son had resolved their past grievances.
Yet today, Ma Junyang clearly sided with Lu Chunying, while Ma Chunting supported Lu Dongliang, as if he was once again at odds with his son.
A few people discussed this privately, feeling that Old Ma was truly aging. At his age, not only could others not understand his actions, but he himself also seemed muddled.
At seven o’clock sharp, the feast began. Lu Dongliang raised his glass first and said, "I have been away for many days, and the Lu Family has gone through many changes, causing much trouble for everyone. With this glass of wine, I shall first offer my apologies!"
After speaking, Lu Dongliang drank it all in one gulp.
This posture, this aura, the measured nature of his words—who would dare to say he was not Lu Dongliang?
After finishing one drink, Lu Dongliang raised his glass again and said, "Since I have returned, the rules of the Lu Family must also revert. I will state three matters here.
"The first matter: the members of the Lu Family will always be Lu Family members. No matter how many grievances arose in the past, starting from today, let bygones be bygones!"
As his voice fell, the crowd resonated with approval.
The Lu Family’s Head, the Big Dipper of Puluo State, spoke with such a domineering presence.
Lu Dongliang continued, "The second matter: the money of the Lu Family will always belong to the Lu Family. During my absence, all businesses that were given away must be reclaimed!"
When he finished speaking, quite a few people voiced their approval, but others remained silent.
The Lu Family had indeed given away many businesses during this time, most of which went to Li Qi.
Li Qi was a ruthless man who dared to stand up to the Border Defense Envoy. He didn’t just hold his own but also managed to cut the transportation fee in half.
He had also turned an entire New Land into Proper Land and connected it with Wuqin Village, creating his own Qi Qiu City.
With Li Qi at the height of his influence, it wouldn’t be easy for Lu Dongliang to snatch the businesses back from him.
None of those present wanted to offend Lu Dongliang, nor did they wish to offend Li Qi. They could only wait and see if a perfect solution that satisfied both sides could be found.
Lu Dongliang then said, "The third matter: the friends of the Lu Family will always be friends of the Lu Family. Today, Master Ma has come, and all my friends are here. This friendship, I shall always remember. I also ask you to convey a message to those who did not come today: this grudge, I too shall remember. I have never been a forbearing person. When the time comes that they seek my help, they should not blame me if I show them a sour face!"
The hall erupted with continuous praise, and everyone secretly rejoiced, glad that they had not slighted Lu Dongliang.
After three rounds of drinks, everyone began to eat. Lu Dongliang instructed his subordinates to prepare the Contract Books.
Coming to eat without establishing a contract would mean the meal was for nothing.
A subordinate went to the private room and asked, "Are the Contract Books ready?"
He Jiaqing smiled. "They’ve been ready for a while. I’ll take them to the master right away."
The subordinate stopped He Jiaqing. "What status do you have to handle this? Give me the Contract Books!"
He Jiaqing frowned. "I’ve always been in charge of the Contract Books. It’s not appropriate for you to take them now, is it?"
"Enough chatter! Hurry up and hand over the Contract Book—"
Before the subordinate could finish speaking, he froze on the spot, his gaze vacant, unmoving.
He Jiaqing scoffed, "So you won’t let me speak? I couldn’t be bothered talking to you anyway." He then glanced briefly at a Contract Book and chuckled. "Everyone who came today counts as his relative, according to this. Given how it’s written, I have my Brotherhood Alliance; he might as well form a Relatives Alliance."
How did He Jiaqing end up serving under Lu Dongliang? Of course, he had no such interest. He had merely disguised himself as a servant to borrow something from this "special" Lu Dongliang.
Given his familiarity with the real Lu Dongliang and his household, He Jiaqing had put meticulous effort into his Disguise Technique. After securing the Contract Books, he bowed respectfully and delivered them to Lu Dongliang’s side.
Lu Dongliang glanced at a Contract Book and said, "Have everyone sign them."
He Jiaqing nodded repeatedly. Then, with a feigned slip of the foot, he accidentally brushed against Lu Dongliang.
Lu Dongliang frowned, and He Jiaqing quickly apologized.
Lu Dongliang did not pay much attention to this young man. His attendants were all newly recruited, and he was not too familiar with them.
He Jiaqing, holding the Contract Books, distributed them one by one. Everyone inspected them very closely. Pens were handed out, yet nobody seemed eager to sign.
Could there be an unexpected turn of events here?
Lu Dongliang stood up, raised his glass for another toast, and urged everyone to sign the Contract Books.
Everyone readily agreed, but still, no one hurried to put pen to paper.
Lu Dongliang sent some men to inquire about the reason. Since these subordinates were newly recruited, they naturally weren’t as reliable. They took a long time but found out nothing. Meanwhile, many guests had already left.
Ma Chunting stood up and said, "Younger Brother Lu, I’m getting old and can’t stay up late. I must go to sleep by eight o’clock."
Just the night before, at two in the morning, Ma Chunting was spry enough to visit the Book Residence, and now he claimed he had to sleep by eight o’clock?