Chapter 482

"Boyan, why is your Uncle Ji crying?"

Unaware of the situation, Lu Kang couldn't help but look at Lu Xun with confusion.

Given Lu Xun's personality, he didn't seem like the type to bully a child.

But why did Lu Ji suddenly start crying?

Seeing this, Lu Xun hurriedly explained the ins and outs of the matter to Lu Kang.

After listening, Lu Kang couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

If this were before the Lu family had lost so many clansmen, a child from a collateral branch like Lu Ji naturally wouldn't have received much attention.

But now.

The Lu family had so few people left in total.

Especially the young ones, who were few and far between.

Although Lu Ji was born into a side branch, he was destined to become a capable assistant by Lu Xun's side in the future.

Thinking of this.

Lu Kang hurriedly stepped in personally to do ideological work with Lu Ji.

It must be said, perhaps because Lu Kang was older.

He was actually quite good at coaxing children.

Soon, Lu Ji, who had been covered in snot and tears, was coaxed into hearty laughter by Lu Kang.

However.

Just as Lu Kang hadn't even caught his breath, several middle-aged men suddenly arrived outside the Lu residence.

These men were none other than Zhang Dai, the patriarch of the Zhang family; Gu Hong, the patriarch of the Gu family; and Zhu Yong, the patriarch of the Zhu family.

As patriarchs of the four great aristocratic families, they interacted frequently in their daily lives.

At this moment.

The three of them wore expressions of extreme anxiety.

Before Lu Kang could even speak.

The three had already entered the Lu residence on their own and sat down.

Seeing this scene, Lu Xun frowned slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Next, the patriarchs of the Gu, Zhu, and Zhang families spoke in unison, asking Lu Kang:

"Patriarch Lu, the situation in Jiangdong is becoming increasingly rotten."

"What should we do next?"

However.

How could Lu Kang have any good solutions?

The rebellion in Wu Jun had already sounded the final alarm for them.

Although Lu Xun's "pirated serfdom reform" had barely stabilized the emotions of the retainers and hidden households.

The group that participated in the Wu Jun riot didn't buy into that at all.

I fear that in the coming days, even if Gu Yi didn't send troops to attack Chaisang.

Those retainers and hidden households who participated in the Wu Jun riot would take the initiative to unite and launch an attack toward Chaisang.

The situation facing the Jiangdong aristocratic families was already like being roasted on charcoal, with the risk of falling off at any moment!

Hearing that Lu Kang, the most virtuous and prestigious among the four patriarchs, had no good solution.

Zhang Dai, Gu Hong, and Zhu Yong fell into complete despair.

Could it be... that in the days they had left, they could only wait for death?

Just as everyone was distressed and worried.

Lu Xun suddenly spoke up:

"Everyone, there is actually one more way to resolve the current crisis."

"But I fear that you will have to pay a considerable price for it."

As his voice fell.

The men looked at Lu Xun with glowing eyes as if they had grabbed a life-saving straw, and asked:

"Boyan, what exactly is the way? Tell your uncles quickly!"

Lu Xun paused deliberately and said in a deep voice:

"Uncles, with our strength, resisting Gu Linzhi is no different from seeking death."

"The final outcome, I fear, is that even our families will not be able to survive."

"Since that is the case, what are we still holding on for?"

"Why not surrender to Gu Linzhi?"

"Although we might have to pay a lot for it, as long as the family can survive, there is still hope for everything."

Except for Lu Kang, the other three patriarchs all fell into silence.

Let them go and defect to Gu Yi?

If this had been said two months ago, they would surely have scoffed at it.

But now.

It was no longer a question of whether they were willing to surrender to Gu Yi, but whether Gu Yi was willing to accept them!

Gu Yi, who held all the initiative, could crush the Jiangdong aristocratic families as easily as pinching a small insect to death.

Seeming to have guessed the worries of the patriarchs, Lu Xun continued:

"If you choose to surrender to Gu Linzhi, your posture must be very low."

"Besides that, you don't actually need to have too much of a burden in your hearts."

"On this land of our Jiangdong, there is no lack of precedent for surrender."

"Hundreds of years ago, King Goujian of Yue also chose to surrender to King Fuchai of Wu."

"After years of sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, he eventually rebuilt the State of Wu."

"Although Gu Linzhi is powerful now."

"But how could he easily destroy something like an aristocratic family?"

"This time, as long as one has a discerning eye, one can see that the mastermind behind the Wu Jun riot is none other than Gu Linzhi."

"When the time comes, how will those aristocratic families from various regions who have already submitted to him view him?"

"You must know that the Wu Jun riot is not just digging up the roots of our Jiangdong aristocratic families, but digging up the roots of all aristocratic families in the entire world!"

"Now, we only need to endure, and you will surely be able to wait for the day of a comeback!"

As Lu Xun's words fell.

Light appeared in the eyes of the several aristocratic leaders.

That's right!

Just as Lu Xun said.

In ancient times, King Goujian of Yue slept on brushwood and tasted gall to serve King Fuchai of Wu.

Today, why can't they, the Jiangdong aristocratic families, do the same?