The five major grain merchants, from largest to smallest, are: the Wei family, the Wu family, the Bai family, the Meng family, and the Liu family.

The Bai, Meng, and Liu families are local powers; the Wei family is a distant relative of Wei Jingzhong, only clinging to Wei Jingzhong's coattails; the Wu family clings to Wu Zhaohui (the father of Wei Shixun's concubine).

These five companies each have their own advantages and are usually competitors, but now, driven by mutual interests, they have become allies.

Wei Shuyun and Shen Su told them that no matter what Gu Shaoyu said, the price of grain was not allowed to be lowered.

A defensive alliance was formed, and the five heads of the family dined together with Wei Shuyun and Shen Su at the Wei family home.

A guard outside reported: "Master Wei, someone from the county government has come and said that Grand Secretary Gu has invited five gentlemen."

A group of people laughed triumphantly.

"You thought you were so capable, but you still came to beg us, didn't you?"

"No matter how capable Grand Secretary Gu is, he can't produce grain."

“When it comes to our two and a half acres of land, he has to humble himself and act like a servant!”

The group was excited and made a pact: "He was the top scholar in the imperial examination that year, entered officialdom at seventeen, and became a cabinet minister at twenty-five. He served as an official for thirteen years, so he must be very eloquent. We'll stick to our guns: no price reduction! If we do reduce the price, it will be by a maximum of five coins."

"OK!"

"Let's go, let's go see the Grand Secretary!"

The group, arrogant and brimming with the thrill of trampling the current Grand Secretary underfoot, entered the county government office.

Gu Shaoyu sat high up, watching them arrogantly enter. He remained seated, glancing at them indifferently.

With just one glance, the heads of the family were instantly jolted awake and knelt down, saying, "This humble subject pays respects to Your Excellency."

Gu Shaoyu said calmly, "Thank you all for your hard work. Please have a seat."

The group sat down, still clinging to the hope of seeing Gu Shaoyu make a fool of himself. They thought to themselves: "Shouldn't you be talking about food by now?"

Gu Shaoyu said calmly, "Please have some tea."

"Yes, yes, have some tea, have some tea."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, smiled awkwardly, and felt uneasy.

After saying "Please have some tea," Gu Shaoyu picked up his teacup and slowly drank the tea without saying a word or even glancing at them.

The heads of the Bai, Meng, and Liu families all began to tremble uncontrollably.

All the initial pride and ambition were now forgotten.