roccoschili Chapter 126 Invitation
Chapter 126 Invitation
Shen Shaoheng was dumbfounded. He never expected that Gu Zongci would be so heartless as to covet his money just because he was hitching a ride!
Gu Zongci pretended not to notice Shen Shaoheng's reluctance and said slowly, "There are many people in Guanzhou who have been affected by the disaster, so the more grain you donate, the better."
Shen Shaoheng knew, of course, that for Guanzhou, the problem was that they were short of grain, not that they had too much.
But his claim of donating food was just an excuse.
Otherwise, how do you explain this sum of money?
Who knew that Gu Zongci would act against the rules of the martial arts world?
Gu Zongci asked again, "Does the Crown Prince have any other concerns?"
"Concerns... hahaha... there are a few concerns." Shen Shaoheng rubbed his nose with his finger: "Well, the officials in Guanzhou embezzled 300,000 shi of grain, and you and Lao Qin sold a batch of grain to them. You also need to donate grain, so where would you get extra grain to sell to me?"
Gu Zongci realized from Shen Shaoheng's reaction that there was something wrong with the money; he had no intention of donating grain at all.
If this sum of money is related to the Guanzhou granary case, then Shen Shaoheng must not be allowed to bring it back to the capital.
As they traveled from Guanzhou back to the capital, passing through numerous checkpoints, people inevitably became suspicious.
Once discovered, this matter will be of great importance, and he may also be implicated and charged with harboring a criminal.
Especially since Gu Zongci suspected Shen Qingtan's identity, if she really was his niece, wouldn't he be implicated?
“Our Gu family has been in business for generations and has a wide network of connections. We can definitely raise enough grain,” Gu Zongci said with a smile. “It just depends on whether the young master is sincere in his willingness to donate.”
Shen Shaoheng certainly didn't mean to donate, but he had already said it, so he couldn't go back on his word, could he?
If I really want to donate it...
Let him contradict himself, he doesn't care about saving face anyway.
Gu Zongci's eyes were bright and piercing, as if he could see into people's hearts. He deliberately mentioned a sentence: "I just remembered an ancestral motto I saw in the medicine hall, 'No one sees the preparation, but Heaven knows the intention.' It is most fitting to apply it to the young master."
Shen Shaoheng: "???" What does that mean?
"This is a warning to the apprentices and their descendants in the pharmacy. Even when they are processing traditional Chinese medicine without others' knowledge, they still need to act with conscience and ensure that the medicinal materials are authentic and the weight is accurate." Seeing his blank look, Gu Zongci patiently explained, "In short, it means to do things discreetly and seek a clear conscience."
Shen Shaoheng felt a sudden chill run down his spine upon hearing Gu Zongci's words.
Although he wasn't well-educated, he was quick-witted and adept at applying knowledge to new situations.
After Gu Zongci's explanation, he figured out another layer of meaning in the sentence, which was that one should not go against one's conscience or forget righteousness for personal gain.
Shen Shaoheng glanced at Gu Zongci a few times, guessing that Gu Zongci had seen through the illegitimate nature of the money and was saying this to give him a warning.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Gu Zongci move slightly. He instinctively became defensive and looked at Gu Zongci warily.
“When I came to the capital this time, I heard people say that the Crown Prince is playful and unrestrained by nature, and his reputation is not very good. But when I met the Crown Prince today, I felt that the rumors were not credible. When you heard that the disaster was serious, you traveled a long distance to Guanzhou with silver to provide disaster relief.”
Gu Zongci's eyes revealed his appreciation: "Your Highness's current actions are in line with the ancestral teachings. No matter what outsiders think of you, you are a kind-hearted person in private. Not to mention those famous young masters from high-ranking families, even I and Old Qin, who has the title of the greatest philanthropist, cannot compare to your sincere heart that does not seek fame or fortune. It is truly admirable."
Shen Shaoheng's probing words were still on the tip of his tongue when Gu Zongci abruptly changed the subject, showering him with praise. All the people in the capital who spouted righteousness and high moral character were no match for him, a good-for-nothing playboy.
He couldn't figure out what Gu Zongci was thinking, so he just took it as a compliment.
After all, this was the first time someone had genuinely praised him, and his feelings were quite complicated.
It's like he tore off his mask and threw it on the ground, but some people thought his face was beautiful, picked it up, dusted it off, and put it back on his face, not only adding more gold to it.
He actually found it very enjoyable, and even felt a little smug.
"Old Gu, no wonder your business is so big. You have a good eye and a knack for judging people. You're always right." Shen Shaoheng knew that if he didn't donate the money today, he wouldn't be able to hitch a ride with Gu Zongci tomorrow.
In any case, money is inanimate; you can't take it with you when you die. If he were to die because of this money, and his great revenge was still unavenged, it would be a huge loss.
He made up his mind: "Since you have extra grain, then exchange these boxes of silver for grain, and you can donate it on my behalf."
Gu Zongci breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Shen Shaoheng had agreed to donate.
His words were meant as a warning. He had originally thought Shen Shaoheng would be someone who wouldn't listen to reason, but he was surprisingly easy to talk to.
Since Shen Shaoheng wants to donate grain, then we have no choice but to donate the grain in Shen Shaoheng's name.
The six chests of silver on the carriage should be counted later, and then an equal amount should be donated from Gu's Money Shop.
"Old Gu, do all business people talk as much as you?" Shen Shaoheng leaned lazily against the car wall, crossing his legs. "Tell me a few more words, what other good qualities do I have?"
Gu Zongci: "..."
Now, even if it's against my conscience, I can't praise it anymore.
-
After the Gu family's carriage left Yongning Town and returned to Guanzhou City, Gu Zongci counted the amount of silver, gold, silver, and banknotes, which totaled a full two hundred thousand taels.
He was convinced that the money was ill-gotten, so he went to the imperial envoy Lin Zhenxing to donate grain, and then donated a sum of silver.
However, he was cautious and only donated 100,000 taels. He planned to donate the remaining 100,000 taels to the military camp after the crisis had passed.
Lin Zhenxing knew that the Gu family was wealthy and donated a sum of money to the military every year, and would be the first to step forward in times of natural disasters. Therefore, he didn't think much of it when he saw Gu donate such a large sum of money.
However, upon seeing Shen Shaoheng donate a large amount of grain, Lin Zhenxing frowned slightly. Before he could ask Gu Zongci, someone outside came to report: "Lord Lin, the grain in the granary has been replenished."
Then, a subordinate handed over a list.
Upon seeing this, Gu Zongci immediately took his leave and returned to the Gu family's residence in Guanzhou.
On this day, all the officials, big and small, in Guanzhou City were arrested, and the people cheered.
Gu Zongci learned that all the officials in charge of grain transport had been arrested and were to be escorted to the capital the next day.
He immediately made a plan and traveled back to the capital overnight.
It seemed he was escorting prisoners, and all the checkpoints were very strict. When he arrived in the capital, the prisoners were also brought there with him.
As soon as Gu Zongci returned to the Gu residence, without even having time to wash up, he wrote a letter and sent it to the Qin residence, entrusting Boss Qin to arrange a meeting with Shen Qingtan.
After all, Boss Qin and Shen Qingtan have a friendship, so it would be more appropriate for Boss Qin to make the invitation.