Chapter 703: Beating a dog with a stick that kills it is impossible to defeat it

I have to say that Gui Sheng’s arrangements are indeed thoughtful and rigorous.

Sang Zhixia thought about it but couldn't find any possible flaws. She naturally looked up and asked Xu Yu, "What do you think?"

Gui Sheng was stunned silently.

Xu Yu blew the pine nut bark off his fingertips and said lightly, "It's okay."

"How much do you know about the pirates?"

This was the first time Xu Yu spoke in front of Gui Sheng.

In a word, the conversation was directed at Gui Sheng.

Gui Sheng had met many dignitaries and was highly praised by others.

The silent oppression revealed in Xu Yu's casual words hit Gui Sheng's heart like a heavy hammer with a loud bang.

This is the tone that superiors are accustomed to.

There was no way this man could be a simple guard or a male concubine.

Gui Sheng frowned, not having time to think about it. He lowered his head slightly and said, "River bandits have been a scourge along the canal for many years. Initially, some extremely vicious criminals gathered together and took advantage of the lack of shelter on the water to rob and kill passing merchant ships."

"After the establishment of the Water Transport Bureau, the rampant water bandits have slowed down a bit, but..."

"This is nonsense that even a three-year-old child knows. What kind of drama are you making out of this?"

Xu Yu interrupted Gui Sheng, flicked his fingertips and said lightly, "How did the Water Transport Bureau interact with the pirates? How did you contact the pirates to ensure that your merchant ships would not be robbed? Tell me the details."

Gui Sheng looked at Sang Zhixia seemingly at a loss.

Sang Zhixia smiled softly, spread his hands and shrugged, saying, "Master Gui, I also listen to him."

Gui Sheng's heart trembled again. He dared not be vague anymore and told what he knew as concisely as possible.

Finally, Gui Sheng lowered his head and said, "Governor Qian An of the Water Transport Department has a concubine whom he dotes on very much. As far as I know, that concubine is the biological daughter of Gao Liang, the leader of the water bandits."

"According to the rules of the Water Transport Bureau, merchant ships passing through the canal every day must report their routes to the Bureau in advance. The pirates were able to obtain accurate looting routes every time because they received information from the Bureau in advance."

"The merchant ships of the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce are not harassed by pirates because every year the Chamber of Commerce, led by the Yan family, raises a sum of mercury and sends it to the Water Transport Bureau. At the end of the year, each family also pays a tribute of mercury, thus ensuring worry-free sailing throughout the year."

Sang Zhixia was curious and asked in a playful tone, "An Shuiyin, Shui Jingyin?"

"How much is the total amount of these two sums of money?"

Gui Sheng didn't even think about it and said a number. Sang Zhixia was secretly shocked: "I was only the prefect for three years before. One hundred thousand silver coins is an exaggeration."

"After listening to this today, I realized that I was short-sighted."

What is one hundred thousand snowflake silver?

Qian An, the governor of the Water Transport Bureau, earned a million taels of silver in a year without leaving his house, not including the countless gifts he received during various festivals.

What’s the difference between making money at this rate and waiting for a pie to fall from the sky?

Xu Yu was amused by Sang Zhixia's tone. He rubbed his fingertips and asked calmly, "What is the approximate size and number of the pirates?"

Gui Sheng smiled bitterly: "I really don't know about this."

"The Gui family has some influence in Nanyun, but they are still under the pressure of the three upper families. Their connections with the Water Transport Bureau have also been cut off by the three upper families. We are only qualified to follow orders and raise money, and we have no chance to say anything."

"If there wasn't one before, then let's find a way."

Xu Yu came over and sat down next to Sang Zhixia. He picked up the teacup that Sang Zhixia had just taken a sip from, drank it all, and said casually, "Three days."

"In three days, I want to know the detailed distribution of the Water Transport Bureau's personnel and the hiding places of the water bandit leaders."

"Send the information you find here at noon three days from now."

Xu Yu gently placed the empty teacup on the table. The bottom of the teacup made a clear crisp sound when it hit the table, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on Gui Sheng's forehead.

"Gui Sheng, don't play tricks."

“No one cares whether Nan Yun has a Gui family or not.”

Xu Yu spun his teacup and sneered, "But I know you care."

"Whether the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce can retain the so-called Seven Great Families, and whether the Gui family can still enjoy wealth and happiness after this incident, all depends on your decision."

The same words, spoken by Sang Zhixia in the gentle breeze and drizzle, leave a lingering aftertaste that makes people dare not think too much about it.

There was a hint of indifference and calmness in Xu Yu's words, but to his ears it sounded even more shockingly cold and murderous.

Gui Sheng once again clearly realized that after he chose to agree to Sang Zhixia's conditions, he led the entire Gui family onto the edge of a knife where their lives were always hanging by a thread.

If you are not careful, you will be crushed into pieces in the abyss under the endless murderous intent.

Gui Sheng wiped the cold sweat that had dripped down his nose and whispered, "Now that I've made up my mind, I won't hesitate any longer."

"only……"

"I'd like to ask, are you investigating the pirates and the Water Transport Bureau to guard against the imperial army outside the city?"

Gui Sheng cautiously probed: "The army outside the city can't actually enter for the time being, you..."

"That's not something you should ask."

Xu Yu flicked the teacup away with a flick of his finger. Amid the sloshing sound of the cup, he said slowly, "Do what you need to do."

Gui Sheng quickly stood up and responded in a low voice.

Seeing that Xu Yu and Sang Zhixia didn't seem to have anything else to say, Gui Sheng suppressed his fear and said hesitantly: "I am willing to lead the Gui family to abandon darkness and join the light, and only ask that the Gui family be preserved in the face of great waves, as long as..."

Catching Xu Yu's cold glance, Gui Sheng lowered his head even lower and said in a tense voice, "To help you accomplish your mission, the Gui family is willing to put all of our belongings at your disposal."

"all?"

Xu Yu sneered, "You're willing to cut off your tail."

Gui Sheng said anxiously: "I..."

"Don't worry, people who know what's good for them won't end up in a dead end."

Xu Yu didn't give Gui Sheng a chance to say more. He waved his hand inward and said, "Go down."

Gui Sheng felt relieved and didn't dare to say anything more. He bowed and walked out.

After Gui Sheng left, Sang Zhixia whispered, "They say a desperate dog will jump over the wall. They're so cooperative, aren't we pushing them too far?"

"Cooperate?"

Xu Yu looked at Sang Zhixia, who was genuinely a little worried about this. The frost in his eyes faded, replaced by a gentleness that others couldn't see: "Zhizhi, you think this person is too soft-hearted."

Gui Sheng seemed to be cooperating in every aspect, but in fact he had been trying to transfer the Gui family's property since last night, and he also planned to secretly send away all the direct descendants of the Gui family.

The idea of ​​escaping is quite good.

Xu Yu would not dare to use such a person without extreme precautions.

Otherwise, if you train an eagle and end up getting your eyes pecked by it, wouldn't it be a waste of effort and make you a laughing stock?

Sang Zhixia blinked as if she understood something.

Xu Yu lowered his head and kissed Sang Zhixia between the eyebrows, whispering, "Don't panic."

"If you don't use a stick that kills a dog, it won't yield."

"I know my limits."

Xu Yu didn't want to tell Sang Zhixia about this shameful and secretive method and pollute her ears.

After Xu Yu said this, Sang Zhixia didn't bother to ask more questions. She nestled in Xu Yu's arms and began to think about what to eat for dinner today.

Gui Sheng left Xiangshui Pavilion as usual. After seeing Gui Lianzhi and learning what had happened, he instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Gui Sheng said with a pale face, "You mean, I sent someone to pick up Jue'er and the others from the academy?"

"Have all our children been taken away?"

Gui Lianzhi didn't know why Gui Sheng had that expression. He paused and said in surprise, "Dad, someone from the academy came to tell you that it was your steward Fu who personally took the person away."

"I'm surprised to hear that. Didn't you say last night that you wanted to send Jue'er and the others somewhere else? Why did you suddenly..."

Steward Fu, who had been following Gui Sheng, immediately changed his expression. He knelt on the ground with a thud and said, "Master, I have been following you everywhere. I didn't go to pick up Young Master Sun and the others!"

"Master, you know, little one..."

"You weren't the one who went?!"

Gui Lianzhi said in disbelief: "Who took Jue'er and the others away?!"

“Dad, I…”

"Master, there's a guest outside who wants to let you know he's safe."

Gui Sheng gritted his teeth and turned around: "Bring the person in."

The person who came to report the news was Ling Chu, who had been following Sang Zhixia.

Ling Chu's face was full of harmless gentleness, and he said with a smile: "Master Gui, Young Master Gui, my master sent me to pass on a message, saying that he has taken the liberty of inviting Young Master Sun and others from the Gui family to be his guests. During this period of time, he will definitely take good care of them and won't let them get hurt in the slightest."

"Once everything is done, I will return the jade intact to Zhao without delay."

Gui Sheng was so overwhelmed by the bad news that he instantly collapsed into a chair.

Ling Chu smiled and said, "Also, my master is worried that the Gui family is short of manpower, so he specially assigned a group of people to come and ensure the safety of the Gui family's masters and servants."

"For the next few days, Patriarch Gui can rest assured about everything."