Chapter 1077: Chapter 913: Can We Still Pay It Back?
"By the way, the two nightsoil collectors you were asked to investigate last time, one of them is already dead. Is there any news about the other? And how’s the investigation on Lian Xiang’s matter?"
Gu Chengyu suddenly remembered that Lian Xiang and that person were dead, but wasn’t the other one still alive?
"Reporting to you, sir, I was just about to inform you about this matter. I have already asked the government officials guarding the city, and they said they only saw two people enter that day, but did not see them come out before the city gates closed. I sent someone to investigate, and the nightsoil collector’s cart has been abandoned in the remote south side of the city, with no witness as to who abandoned it."
Gu Chengyu frowned. This southern edge of the city was a gathering place for all kinds of people, a chaotic mix, and the personnel was very complex.
Those hooligans and beggars habitually lingered there, as it was their place of refuge, similar to the slum areas of past lives.
The place was very well-informed, but accidents were frequent, and there was a considerable amount of transient and frequent personnel flow.
"We’ve already investigated Lian Xiang’s situation. She was sold into the mansion by a human trafficker. At the time, the old lady of the Li Mansion liked her appearance well enough and intended to keep her for their eldest legitimate grandson as a concubine. For the past two years, she was working as a rough maid while learning manners from the steward’s mama. It was only recently that the madam at the Li Mansion moved her to the main courtyard, promoting her to second-class maid."
"The madam at the Li Mansion usually has gynecological problems and often invites Doctor Yang from Chang’s Clinic for consultations. However, a few days ago for some unknown reason, Doctor Yang returned to his hometown and was replaced by that person who was formerly involved with Lian Xiang."
"Have you investigated Chang’s Clinic? Is there any issue?" Gu Chengyu recalled the other person who was missing. Could they be at Chang’s Clinic?
"There hasn’t been any personnel change inside, nor any additional staff. For now, it seems there are no anomalies. This person went to Chang’s Clinic probably because this person’s medical skills are commendable, especially proficient in gynecological ailments which Chang’s Clinic currently lacks."
"You send someone to check on the original Doctor Yang, to see if they are still alive. According to you, there shouldn’t be any issues with the madam of Li Mansion? But you must have someone keep an eye on her, without relaxing for a moment."
Could it really be a coincidence? But why, when he arrived at Yingnan Mansion, the maid was promoted to second-class maid? Why was she previously called to the hall to work?
"Actually, this matter is somewhat amusing. Previously, it was said that the madam at Li Mansion didn’t like the maid, disliking her for her alluring looks. Then after you came, the maid caught your attention at the banquet, which Li Mansion’s young master found out about, and he pleaded with his mother to have her promoted to second-class maid."
Ming Mo stifled a laugh, sneaking a glance at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu’s temples twitched, understanding Ming Mo’s implication. It seems that the young master of Li Mansion had long taken a liking to that maid, and his actions likely led to misunderstandings.
To prevent the cooked duck from flying away, he pleaded with his mother to transfer the maid to his side.
As for why he didn’t immediately transfer the maid to himself, that remains unknown.
However, what does this have to do with him? Could he be the kind of person who gets distracted at the sight of beauty? That’s quite an underestimation of him, isn’t it?
"Yes! And as for the grain purchase? How much do you plan to buy this time?" Ming Mo tentatively inquired.
"I already mentioned before! Buy ten stones!" Gu Chengyu said as a matter of course, rolling his eyes in the process.
Ming Mo was speechless for a moment, what can ten stones accomplish? Can they still restore the grain in the granary?
The bags filled with mud and sand, he just finished dealing with them. For this matter, he’s fretful and his hair is nearly falling out.
"Next time, when we buy grain, we won’t need to spend any Silver." Gu Chengyu smiled and waved Ming Mo away.
...
"Gentlemen, let’s not beat around the bush, this Lord Imperial Envoy’s move is forcing us into a dead end!" Xia Clan Leader said with heartfelt compassion.
Ju Haoming lifted his eyelids, ignoring Xia Clan Leader’s words.
Xia Clan Leader’s intentions, he understood very well. Today, he called them to discuss countermeasures against Mr. Gu, but Ju Haoming didn’t see it that way.
The Xia Clan Leader had long been envious of their stored grain. During the earlier grain collection, which household hadn’t been openly or covertly suppressed by the Xia Family?
Now Mr. Gu’s tactic of taking the pot away likely has everyone panicking. Not just himself, even the Xia Clan Leader must be quite worried.
"Xia Clan Leader, you must come up with a plan! We’re all in the same boat now. If there’s compensation, it’ll be together. Mr. Gu has sourced so much food from elsewhere; what should we do? With tens of thousands of stones of grain piled up, imagine the Silver loss?"
Jiang Shouren let out a deep sigh, currently at his wit’s end.
Not without considering emulating Mr. Gu by buying grain from other States, but where would the ships come from? If renting government ships, the costs would be astronomical.
Even families with their own ships face significant tax Silver on the canal checkpoints; in the end, it’s the same.
Only because Gu Chengyu is a court official and an imperial envoy with the Emperor’s gold medal can he transport grain at a very low cost.
Otherwise, transporting grain from other States to Yingnan Mansion, the tax Silver and shipping costs remain unpredictable.
Under the banner of disaster relief, bringing grain to Yingnan Mansion to sell is utterly shameless of Gu Chengyu!
And still selling grain at a loss, isn’t this idiocy? Jiang Shouren is utterly baffled.
"Mr. Gu’s calculations are indeed clever. He aims for us to sell grain at a loss for the disaster victims’ benefit. He, as a court official, benefits from the reputation and political achievement, naturally deriving advantages. But on what grounds must we do this? We’re merchants, conducting business for Silver, why must we sell grain at a loss to disaster victims and citizens?"
This sentiment also resonated strongly with the Ju Family’s head, reviving the old adages about ruinous County Magistrates and exterminating Prefects.
Even with untold wealth, what does it matter? A Magistrate alone can extinguish an entire lineage, nullifying all efforts and hard work.
"Indeed! At present, my concern is if he continuously sources grain from other States, rendering our stock rotting in warehouses, resulting in total ruin."
"Indeed..."
"Xia Clan Leader must devise a plan! The only ones that can restrain him are the Emperor or perhaps your Xia Family. How can we confront him? That would be courting death!"
Business magnate Liu Guanghao was highly anxious. Since knowing Gu Chengyu sourced grain from various States to sell at the corner of the government office gate, his mind hasn’t settled.
"I gather you’re all here for collective deliberation on strategies. At present, our only recourse is to unite, assemble as one to find a way."
Seeing everyone fret, Xia Clan Leader immediately became confident in proposing his plan.
Everyone nodded in agreement with Xia Clan Leader’s proposal.
Only Ju Haoming discreetly chuckled inwardly, wasn’t the cunning old fox Xia Clan Leader aware of his own trickery?
