Gu Jiu is short of people.
There is a lack of all kinds of talents.
It is easy to find people, but it is hard to find loyal and reliable people.
So, Gu Jiu asked Nanny Fang to help her find some talents, preferably those who had worked in the palace.
Gu Jiu was very happy when he heard Nanny Fang say that there was some progress on this matter.
She hurriedly asked, "Mammy, how many people did you find? Are they reliable?"
Nanny Fang said solemnly, "I have found two people in total. One used to be a guard in the palace, but was dismissed because he offended someone. Because he is stubborn and easily offends people, he has only been able to make a living by doing odd jobs in recent years."
Gu Jiu said: "It doesn't matter if he has a stubborn personality. As long as he has the ability and is loyal to the master, I dare to use him."
Nanny Fang said, "I told him about the girl's situation, and he agreed to meet with her. He is a man who always keeps his word and will always do what he promised. It was because of his unwavering commitment that he offended the nobles in the palace and was dismissed by the higher-ups."
Gu Jiu nodded secretly, the person that Nanny Fang found was indeed reliable.
A person can be incompetent, but he must keep his promises. People who are both capable and keep their promises are very rare.
She asked, "I can meet with him. What's the situation with the other person?"
Nanny Fang hesitated for a moment before saying, "The other person's situation is a bit more complicated. He used to be a regular attendant, but later lost power and was demoted to a minor eunuch. He's in his forties or fifties, doing the most menial work in the palace.
"I have a good relationship with him, but I am a nobody in the palace and cannot help him. Now I have left the palace, but he is still here. If the young lady doesn't mind, I can introduce him to you."
Gu Jiu looked at Nanny Fang and said, "This man works in the palace and is also a Huangmen Lang. How can I use him?"
"My lady cannot use him now. Wait until you marry into the palace. According to the rules, you can have several eunuchs around you. Then, you can ask the young lady for him through the Minister of the Imperial Household."
Gu Jiu thought for a moment and said, "This person's situation is indeed complicated. We'll discuss it later. We can find an opportunity to contact him first. What was the name of the first person that Nanny Fang introduced?"
"His name is Song Zheng, and he lives near the South Gate. He has a relative who is a gatekeeper, and he lives with his relative."
Gu Jiu asked curiously, "He's not married? How old is he?"
Nanny Fang said, "We had been engaged before, but because he was dismissed from his post in the palace, the marriage was called off. He should be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight now, in the prime of his life."
Gu Jiu asked again: "Where are your parents and family?"
Nanny Fang said, "His parents passed away a long time ago. He has an older brother and an older sister. He and his eldest brother don't have a good relationship. His eldest brother's family is large, so when the family split up, he didn't ask for the house. The relatives he's staying with now are actually his sister's family."
I see.
Gu Jiu said, "Madam, please arrange a time to meet with the other party."
"I will contact Song Zheng right away. If I have any news, I will report it immediately."
"Mammy, go ahead."
Nanny Fang was very efficient and brought the news to Gu Jiu in the evening.
Song Zheng agreed to meet in three days.
Nanny Fang had chosen the teahouse across from Jumeizhai in Shili Hutong as the meeting place. It was a place Gu Jiu was familiar with, and with Erzhuang there, it was safe and secure.
Three days later, Gu Jiu found an opportunity, sneaked out of the mansion through the back door, and headed to Shili Hutong.
Ox carts were plying on the streets, and the situation on the streets was somewhat chaotic.
Along the way, Gu Jiu saw several cases of shops being smashed.
Gu Jiu frowned, "Don't the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Beijing Prefecture Governor's Office care?"
Li Chuan said, "I can't handle it all. There have been too many similar incidents recently."
Nanny Fang coughed lightly.
Gu Jiu asked, "Does Ma know anything about this?"
Nanny Fang whispered to Gu Jiu, "According to Song Zheng, the people who smashed the shop actually have important backgrounds. One is the guard of the Eastern Palace, and the other is the guard of the Ning Wang Mansion. Therefore, it is not convenient for the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Beijing Prefecture Government to intervene in these matters."
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Did the Eastern Palace and Prince Ning's Mansion just fall out?"
Nanny Fang said, "On the surface, the Eastern Palace and Prince Ning's Mansion are still very harmonious. Even if the palace were to ask about the vandalism, they can just say it was done by the younger generation and cover it up."
What the younger generation did was referring to the emperor's eldest grandson and Prince Zhao.
What is Liu Zhao doing?
Is it fun to engage in such childish and impulsive vandalism?
Or is Liu Zhao misleading people again?
Gu Jiu asked, "Madam, have you found out about Master Zhao's injury?"
Nanny Fang shook her head. "I don't have any acquaintances in Prince Ning's mansion, so I can't get any accurate information. However, Song Zheng has a few good friends who used to work with him, and they are now serving as guards in Prince Ning's mansion. If you want to inquire about the situation in Prince Ning's mansion, you can ask Song Zheng later."
Gu Jiu nodded in understanding, "Thank you, Ma'am."
"You are so polite, young lady."
The ox cart arrived at Shili Hutong.
Gu Jiu got out of the car and looked back at Jumeizhai.
Jumeizhai’s doors are still closed.
More than a month has passed since the case, but because the case has not been closed, Jumeizhai cannot open its doors yet.
This unexpected disaster has had a profound impact on Jumeizhai.
The business that was finally opened up was completely gone due to a murder case and long-term closure.
It is easy to imagine that when Jumeizhai reopens, business will be very bad.
All previous efforts were in vain.
Everything is back to the starting point and we have to start working hard again.
Fortunately, Gu Jiu is now full of confidence.
With the three thousand taels of silver from Fang Shaojian to buy his life, plus the silver given to Gu Jiu by Old Madam Wei as a dowry, Gu Jiu is now neither too old nor too young, and can be considered a small wealthy woman.
With more than five thousand taels of silver, she could make a big fortune.
We arrived at the teahouse and went up to the private room on the second floor.
Song Zhengzheng was waiting inside.
The table was clean and there was no tea.
Seeing this, Gu Jiu laughed, "Qingmei, ask the waiter to serve tea and some snacks. You must be Guard Song."
"I don't deserve it. I'm no longer a guard. Miss Gu, call me Song Er immediately."
Song Zheng stood up and saluted.
Gu Jiu looked at him. He was in good spirits and had not been defeated by the hardship of life. His eyes were especially bright.
She sat down opposite Song Zheng, "Guard Song, please take a seat."
Gu Jiu did not change the name.
Song Zheng's eyebrows moved slightly. He did not feel contempt from Gu Jiu's attitude, but instead felt respect.
respect?
It has been a long time since he last understood these two simple words.
Especially respect from people of higher status than him.
Therefore, Song Zheng had a very good first impression of Gu Jiu.
The waiter brought tea and snacks and then left.
Gu Jiu personally poured tea and invited Song Zheng to drink it.
Song Zheng was flattered, "Miss Gu, you're welcome. I can do it myself."
Gu Jiu put down the teapot, "Guard Song, you're welcome. Nanny Fang has told you everything about my situation."
Song Zheng nodded, "I've heard everything."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and blew a breath towards the water surface. The fragrance of tea drifted into his nostrils.
The teahouse is simple, but the tea is good.
She put down the teacup but didn't drink. Instead, she looked at Song Zheng and said solemnly, "At the end of the year, I will marry into the royal palace and become the wife of the emperor's grandson. Therefore, I urgently need all kinds of talents around me.
I wonder if Guard Song is willing to help me? Of course, I can't give you an official position now, but when I arrive at the palace, I promise to get you a seventh-rank guard position."
Song Zheng did not agree immediately, even though the seventh-grade tube body was very attractive to him.
He asked, "Excuse me, Miss Gu, what do you want me to do?"
Gu Jiu pointed at Wang Yi beside him and said, "Inside, I have Wang Yi to protect me. Outside, I need someone with extraordinary martial arts skills to protect me.
In addition, I have several shops that will be opening soon, and I need someone with a wide network of contacts to help keep an eye on them on weekdays to prevent thugs from causing trouble.
Finally, I need your connections to help me get all kinds of information.
Of course, connections require money to maintain. Don't worry about the money; I'll grant you enough. You just need to reconnect with your old connections and find out all the information you can."
Song Zheng picked up the teacup and frowned in thought.
Nanny Fang stared at him. "Why are you still hesitating? The young lady came to see you today with sufficient sincerity. If you miss me, you will never find a better job in your life."
Gu Jiu raised her hand to stop Nanny Fang, "Nanny, don't put pressure on Guard Song. This kind of thing requires willingness and cannot be forced."
Song Zheng quickly drank up the tea in the cup and filled it up with water again.
He stared at Gu Jiu. "Miss Gu just said that she wanted to find out all the news she could. Does that also include finding out about the palace?"
Gu Jiu looked at the other person with a smile on his face and said nothing.
Some things don't need to be said explicitly, it's enough for both parties to know it.
"I do have some connections in the palace, but I haven't been in touch with them for several years, so we've become estranged."
"It doesn't matter if you become distant. If you get to know each other more often, you'll become familiar with each other again."
Song Zheng looked at Gu Jiu and said, "I can't possibly sell myself."
Gu Jiu nodded, "I don't need you to sell yourself, but I need your loyalty."
Song Zheng picked up the teacup and drank it in one gulp.
"Thank you, Miss Gu, for your kindness. I am willing to serve you. I promise you that I will be loyal to my duties and will never let you down."
Gu Jiu smiled with satisfaction, "Guard Song, we are happy to cooperate. However, as a matter of business, please sign this contract."
Gu Jiu prepared three contracts, for five years, ten years, and twenty years respectively.
This is a living contract, which means that Gu Jiu has hired Song Zheng.
Qingmei presented the four treasures of the study.
Song Zheng looked at the contract. Except for the different terms, all other contents were the same.
The core content of the contract is to obey Gu Jiu completely and require Song Zheng to be absolutely loyal.
Song Zheng looked at Gu Jiu, "Miss Gu, do you believe me?"
Gu Jiu said: "I don't trust you now, but I will try to trust you."
Song Zheng suddenly laughed, "Miss Gu didn't say she trusted me the moment we met. I believe she's a methodical person."
After saying that, Song Zheng picked up the pen and signed a twenty-year contract.
Gu Jiu picked up the contract and was very satisfied when he saw the signature and fingerprint on it.
She handed the contract to Qingmei.
After Qingmei put away the contract, she took out a purse and handed it to Song Zheng.
"This is from the girl, keep it. Hurry up and sort out your past relationships and get useful information for her as soon as possible."
Song Zheng opened his purse suspiciously, and found silver bills in it, totaling two hundred taels of silver in various denominations.
Song Zheng suddenly felt the heat in his hands. "It's too much. I don't want that much money."
Gu Jiu said: "Two hundred taels may seem like a lot, but if you want to establish connections, this amount of money is not enough.
Take this money and find a place to settle down and move away from your relatives' house as soon as possible.
Next, think carefully about who you can start with most quickly to rekindle the past relationship.
The recent fight between the Emperor's eldest grandson and Prince Zhao has caused quite a stir. Could you please find out for me what exactly happened? Is Prince Zhao's injury serious?
Also, find out as much as you can about what's going on in the palace. If anything happens, go to Madam Fang. If you run out of money, remember to talk to Madam Fang as well."
Song Zheng pinched his purse and nodded heavily, "Don't worry, young lady, I will find out the news as soon as possible."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I believe you, you will not let me down."
Song Zheng said goodbye and left, busy looking for a place to move and contacting his old contacts.
Erzhuang went upstairs and entered the private room.
"I have met the girl."
"Sit down and talk."
Erzhuang sat down in the seat where Song Zheng had sat.
Qingmei poured tea for Erzhuang.
Erzhuang smiled at Qingmei.
Qingmei rolled her eyes at him.
Gu Jiu asked: "What's the situation now?"
Er Zhuang sighed, "Miss, Ju Mei Zhai may not be able to continue. I'm thinking, if it really doesn't work out, why not move to another location and reopen it."
"Have you found a suitable shop?"
Er Zhuang looked embarrassed.
The most difficult thing about doing business in Beijing is finding a shop.
Er Zhuang said, "There's no suitable shop in Shili Hutong right now. We'll have to look somewhere else."
Gu Jiu was very straightforward. "If you can find a suitable shop, it's okay to reopen in another location. If you really can't find one, don't worry. I plan to open a patent medicine shop. Have you found someone to help you find it?"
Er Zhuang nodded repeatedly, "All the people that the young lady asked us to find have been found. They have all signed contracts and are currently receiving intensive training according to the instructions that the young lady gave us."
Gu Jiu has his own business plan.
To carry out a business plan, the first thing you need is money, and the second is people.
Money, she has some in her hands now.
Since arriving in the capital, Gu Jiu has instructed Er Zhuang to pay attention to recruiting talents.
It's been almost a year, and finally there are some results.
Er Zhuang handed the list to Gu Jiu, "Miss, I have collected ten people in total. Their information is listed here. Please take a look."
Gu Jiu opened the list and looked at it.
Basically, they all meet her requirements.
"Are these people undergoing centralized training now?"
Er Zhuang nodded and said, "I will take them all home for collective training. Do you want to go and take a look, young lady?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "Not for now. Let's find a ready-made medicine shop first. We'll try to open it before the end of the year."
"I understand. Is the jewelry store still open?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Of course I have to open one. My dowry includes two cloth shops and a grain and oil shop. A jewelry shop requires a lot of capital and skilled craftsmen. I'll talk about opening a jewelry shop after I marry into the palace."
It is impossible to open a jewelry store in Beijing without a certain background.
We have to deal with all aspects of relationships.
Gu Jiu’s current identity is just the second lady of the Gu family, which is not enough to support the jewelry shop.
Once her status changes and she becomes the emperor's grandson's wife, she will be able to support all the businesses by herself.
She stood up for herself.
By then, her huge business plan will also be launched one after another.
So, she still needs more talents.
Gu Jiu gave Er Zhuang some more instructions, asking him to recruit more talented people, and of course their character must also be good.
Er Zhuang nodded and agreed, "Don't worry, young lady. I have nothing to do recently, so I have been wandering around the market. If I meet the right person, I will go up and have a few words with him."
After finishing the business, Gu Jiu took the time to return to the mansion.
He quietly entered the mansion from the back door and returned to Zhilan Courtyard smoothly.
Just as he sat down and breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Cui brought Gu Jiu a piece of news.
"Miss, something terrible has happened. I heard that the master brought someone back from outside."
Gu Jiu held the teacup and forgot to drink the tea.
"Who did the master bring back?"
Xiao Cui shook her head, "I don't know. How about I go and find out right away?"
"Go quickly."
Gu Jiu exchanged glances with Nanny Fang, and they both thought of the same thing: could it be that Lord Gu brought back a woman?
Soon, Gu Jiu's guess was confirmed.
Lord Gu did bring back a woman, a woman who could sing little songs and was said to be from a good family.
Her home was just outside the capital, and she was in financial difficulty, so she started singing to make a living. She was spotted by Lord Gu, who took her back to his mansion to be his concubine.
When a new person enters the house, he or she naturally has to pay his or her respects to the mistress of the house first.
Xiao Cui said that Lord Gu was ordering people to pack up the woman, and after she was packed up, he would take her to Furong Courtyard to see Xie.
Nanny Fang said, "Madam's illness hasn't healed yet. If the master brings a woman back at this time, Madam will be upset and her illness will relapse."
Gu Jiu nodded. "For Madam, this is adding insult to injury. Let's go to Furong Courtyard and see how beautiful the new concubine is."
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