Er Zhuang's words gave Gu Jiu a new idea.
How could she be so stupid? She is simply blinded by one thing.
In the past, I only thought about cultivating talents myself, but never thought about poaching.
However, it doesn't seem a good idea to dig at Liu Zhao with the hoe in the first round.
But besides Gu Jiu, there is another person whose background we can try to explore. That is Mr. Gu.
In his private life, Mr. Gu is a complete scumbag. Mr. Gu is also a descendant of this.
However, when Mr. Gu was young and strong, he also made some achievements in his career and was surrounded by a group of loyal old subordinates.
After he retired, most of his old subordinates also retired with him and made a living working for the Gu family.
Many of the guards in the Gu Mansion today are former subordinates or their children.
The few useful people around Master Gu were also selected from among his old subordinates.
Gu Jiu first let Er Zhuang do the work, and then began to think about the feasibility of this matter.
The sky gradually darkened.
Liu Zhao came back early today. He was already home before it got dark.
He went to wash up first.
The weather was hot and the yamen was a bit far from the palace, so I was sweating all the way back.
After washing up, I changed into light home clothes and went to the small study.
Seeing Gu Jiu frowning in deep thought, he stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her eyes, "Wake up!"
Gu Jiu came back to his senses, "You're back. When did you come back?"
"What are you thinking about so seriously? You didn't even know I was back for a while."
"I'm thinking about how to poach your girl." Gu Jiu said with a smile.
Liu Zhao became interested. "You want to poach my girlfriend? Tell me, who do you like?"
Gu Jiu stood up and walked around twice to stretch his legs.
She said to Liu Zhao, "I'm short of talented people. The servants and eunuchs around you are all very capable. How about assigning a few of them to me? I'll hire them with a large sum of money."
Liu Zhao laughed heartily, then said in a resounding voice, "No!"
Gu Jiu was planning to turn against him.
Liu Zhao hugged her and said, "The people around me are all busy and can't lend them to you. But since you are short of people, I can help you find a solution."
"What method?" Gu Jiu was curious.
Liu Zhao said, "You didn't manage the palace, you only managed the kitchen. You probably don't know how many people are under the palace's name."
Gu Jiu nodded. She only knew that there were nearly a thousand people working in the palace.
However, she had never found out how many people were under the palace, where they were, or how they survived without jobs.
"I know." Liu Zhao said softly, "There are a total of more than 5,500 people registered in the palace. Excluding those working in the palace, farms, and shops, and the palace guards, there are still two to three thousand idle people.
There are elderly people who are too old to work, and children who are too young to serve. The remaining half are young and strong people between the ages of sixteen and fifty, both men and women.
Gu Jiu suddenly realized, "You mean, you want me to select talents from these young and middle-aged people who have no jobs?"
Liu Zhao nodded. "If you are worried about their loyalty, I can ask the Lord of the Household to transfer their indentures to your name. From now on, they will belong to you alone as slaves."
Gu Jiu frowned slightly, "Is there anyone here who can be used?"
“Not only that, but there are quite a few.”
Gu Jiu became interested and said, "Tell me about it."
Liu Zhao pondered for a moment, "Of the thousands of idle personnel, some truly didn't get a job because they were dull and unlikable, ugly, or lacked ability or connections. Others were capable, knowledgeable, and able to write and calculate, but were dismissed from their jobs and expelled from the palace simply because they had offended someone."
Gu Jiu asked curiously, "Those people were kicked out of the palace, but the palace still holds their indentures?"
Liu Zhao said as a matter of course, "Of course. Over the years, the palace has let out only a handful of people. Those who have worked in the palace must not be let go easily. If they take the indenture and enter another mansion, they might harm the palace at any time."
Gu Jiu understood.
"Tell me about these people who were kicked out of the palace because of their crimes, but whose indentures are still held by the palace. What kind of people are they?"
Liu Zhao picked out a few people who impressed him and introduced them to Gu Jiu one by one.
After listening to this, Gu Jiu asked, "How do these people survive now?"
"Usually they do short-term jobs or small business."
"The palace won't interfere?"
Liu Zhao nodded. "These people have no jobs, so they have no income, but they still need food and clothing. The palace doesn't care about them, but it can't completely cut off their livelihood."
The palace has always tacitly approved of odd jobs and small businesses.
Ask the maids around you; their hairbands and pearl flowers are basically bought from these people. They rely on the small business of serving as servants in the palace to support their families.
Gu Jiu looked at Qingmei.
Qingmei waved her hand, "I never buy things through the back door. Xiao Cui knows this."
Gu Jiu understood, "Call Xiao Cui over, I'll ask her."
Soon, Xiao Cui came to the study.
Gu Jiu stared at her, "Xiao Cui, who bought the hairband on your head?"
Xiao Cui was a little nervous. Why did Madam ask about this? Was there something wrong with her hairband?
Qingmei reminded her, "Madam is just curious, there is no other intention. Just tell her the truth."
Xiao Cui breathed a sigh of relief. "Madam, I bought this hairband from Xu Sanwa. It used to be sold by Xu Youfu, but recently it has been sold by his son Xu Sanwa."
"Who is Xu Youfu?" Gu Jiu looked at Liu Zhao curiously.
Xiao Cui was a little confused and didn't understand why the lady was interested in Xu Youfu.
Qingmei waved her hand and asked Xiaocui to go out first.
Xiao Cui tactfully left the study.
Liu Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Xu Youfu was originally a clerk beside my father. Later, because of his improper behavior, he secretly slept with a maid in Wang Bixi Pavilion and was kicked out. I didn't expect that he had already had three children, and the children are still so grown up."
Gu Jiu: “…” The servants around the prince made mistakes that were so similar to their master’s. It’s true that like master, like servant.
She asked curiously, "Did he marry that maid?"
Liu Zhao nodded. "Since they've already slept together, they naturally have to take responsibility. They were both driven out of the palace, and as far as I know, they got married soon."
Gu Jiu asked again, "Has Xu Youfu been making the same mistakes all these years that other men make?"
Liu Zhao was stunned for a moment before he understood the true meaning of Gu Jiu's words.
"So this is a mistake all men make. One day, I'll make a mistake all men make."
"You dare!"
Gu Jiu looked fierce.
Liu Zhao laughed and scratched her nose, "You little jealous girl."
Gu Jiu snorted, "Watch out for your lower body, or don't blame me for being rude."
"With you here, how dare I say no?"
"I'm glad you know. Qingmei, call Qian Fu, and go together to see the Lord of the Household and ask him for a list of unemployed people. Preferably those who have worked in the palace, who can write, calculate, and do things. If you have any good candidates, you can recommend them to me."
Qingmei hesitated, "Will the Lord of the Household give it to you?"
"Tell him that it is me who wants the list, and he will give it to you." Liu Zhao said before Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu laughed, "Yes, you just use the title of Young Master, and the Lord of the Household will not dare to refuse."
While Prince Ning is away, the palace is run by the eldest son, Liu Zhao.
When Liu Zhao spoke, the household steward dared not disobey.
Qingmei felt relieved and went out to call Qian Fu to meet the head of the household together.
Speaking of Prince Ning, this matter is becoming more and more troublesome.
Gu Jiu asked, "Your Majesty still won't give in?"
Liu Zhao nodded. "I, the Zhao Palace, and the Yan Palace worked together, but we still couldn't make the emperor change his mind."
"Do you think His Majesty is too fearful or too confident?" Gu Jiu asked secretly in a low voice.
Liu Zhao's expression changed slightly, and he glanced at her eyes. He also lowered his voice and said, "From what I see, there is both fear and confidence."
The emperor was afraid of death and being replaced by an adult prince, but at the same time he was very confident that he could live another ten or twenty years.
Where does the emperor’s confidence come from?
Even at the age of sixty or seventy, she was still able to make Concubine Li De and Jiang Shuyi pregnant one after another. Moreover, Concubine Li De gave birth to a healthy little prince.
Out of fear, the emperor drove the adult princes out of the capital.
Because of his confidence, the emperor refused to give in and refused to allow the adult princes to return to the capital.
Gu Jiu frowned slightly, "This is troublesome. If father wants to return to the capital, he must find an opportunity."
Liu Zhao looked at her without saying anything.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and touched his cheek, "What are you looking at me for?"
"Perhaps the opportunity lies with you."
"Don't joke."
Gu Jiu sat further away from Liu Zhao, to avoid being betrayed by him.
Liu Zhao held her hand and refused to let go.
He said, "We have tried every possible means. Now I think that the methods used in the court will not move the Emperor's grandfather."
Gu Jiu snorted twice and didn't respond.
"If the court's methods don't work, then we have to find another way."
Gu Jiu stared at him, "What do you want me to do?"
Liu Zhao only said three words, "South Gate."
Gu Jiu frowned, "Let me think about it."
"I won't force you to do this. If it really doesn't work, then let Father continue to suffer outside."
Gu Jiu glanced at him with disdain. "Don't try to be so rude. You're just wishing that Father could return to the capital tomorrow. Every day Father and his men are away from home, there's more uncertainty in the capital. Your Majesty is getting older, and maybe one day... no one can predict what kind of chaos the capital will be in."
Liu Zhao lowered his head and wiped the back of her hand.
"My wife is the only one who understands my worries."
Gu Jiu really wanted to say to him: You are shameless.
In order to get her help, he even used the beauty trap.
But she just fell for it.
Liu Zhao's face, coupled with Su Su's love words, ah, it's really the ultimate enjoyment.
It's like drinking a big glass of iced watermelon juice in the dog days of summer. So refreshing!
Gu Jiu was not deceived by the beauty, but he was not as determined as he was at the beginning. "I need to think about this matter again. I may not be able to find an opportunity here."
"I know. So don't force yourself. If there's an opportunity, tell me and I'll take care of it."
"You don't understand."
Gu Jiu expressed his dislike for him very directly.
Liu Zhao was very depressed.
Gu Jiu said confidently, "You don't understand the economy and people's livelihood. Did your teacher teach you when you were in school?"
"The Master taught us to reduce taxes and levies!"
"Just teaching the conclusion without the specific operational methods is just a hooligan. It seems that your teacher is also a half-baked person with no real skills."
Liu Zhao chuckled, "Master is a world-renowned scholar."
"The Confucian school has never been able to solve economic and livelihood problems. When money is scarce, all they know how to do is raise taxes or use empty slogans to deceive people. Their talk of a sage's rule is the biggest lie."
Liu Zhao smiled but said nothing.
After Gu Jiu finished speaking, he suddenly felt a little guilty, "Am I a heretic and said something wrong?"
Liu Zhao shook his head. "No, I think what you said makes sense. The Master is a great scholar, but he can't solve any problems. However, studying with the Master is a good way to cultivate one's character."
Gu Jiu smiled guiltily, "Your teacher is a great scholar, he must have real talent and knowledge."
Liu Zhao nodded. "Master's writing is so beautiful and brilliant, it's truly unmatched. You know, back when I imitated Master's writing style, I wrote quite a few political commentaries. Everyone who saw them praised them, saying I was first-rate in talent. Only my grandfather didn't think they were good.
I still remember clearly that my great-grandfather commented on my writing with four words: flashy but not practical. Since then, I have never imitated Confucius again. I write and do what I think.
Then I realized I wasn't capable of writing elaborate articles. What I really enjoyed was the clean, sharp, and decisive execution of a piece.
So you can't beat those civil officials with just empty talk.
Gu Jiu silently complained about Liu Zhao in his heart.
Liu Zhao is not good at talking big, and Gu Jiu gradually realized this after marrying him.
However, Liu Zhao is very capable and has a first-class learning ability.
"Are you grateful to your master?"
"Of course I'm grateful. But I never want to listen to his teachings again."
Gu Jiu laughed when he heard that.
"If your teacher knew, he would be furious."
"I'm not angry. He's known for a long time that he and I disagree. He once said that I was the first student who made him feel frustrated. I would even speak out against him because of things I didn't agree with."
"Then you will be blacklisted by all civil officials."
Liu Zhao's eyebrows twitched. "That's about right. The civil officials prefer the King of Chu. The King of Chu's articles are so beautiful and brilliant that they are deeply loved by the Master."
"So you and the King of Chu are not only cousins, but also classmates."
Liu Zhao was very upset. Gu Jiu was bringing up things that were irrelevant to the topic.
"We don't talk about the King of Chu."
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly.
The conflict between Liu Zhao and the King of Chu probably started during their early childhood. No wonder they both disliked each other.
Qingmei successfully got the roster.
Gu Jiu was very straightforward and threw the list to Liu Zhao, "You make the preliminary selection for me, and I'll review it."
Liu Zhao shook his head and smiled, then circled the people with his pen.
He immediately selected eighty people for Gu Jiu. "All of them can write and calculate, so they can be used after a little training. As for their character and how they have survived these years, you can ask Qian Fu to do an investigation."
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Qian Fu, you heard everything. From now on, these eighty people will be handed over to you. I hope you can strictly supervise them for me."
Qian Fu was very depressed.
He was already very busy, yet the young master took the initiative to give him more work.
Oh, oh, oh!
He listens to the young master, and the young master listens to the lady. In the final analysis, he still listens to the lady.
The lady has already spoken, what can he do?
I had no choice but to take this job.
"Because there are so many people involved, the investigation will take time. Madam, please give me a little more time."
Gu Jiu thought about the subsequent plans and said, "I'll give you half a month. Is that enough?"
"Thank you, ma'am, for your understanding."
It will take half a month for Qian Fu, but not for Mr. Gu.
When Mr. Gu heard that Gu Jiu wanted people, he made a list without saying a word and selected twenty people to send to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu didn’t know whether these twenty people were useful or not.
She handed the people over directly to Erzhuang and asked Erzhuang to examine them.
As long as it works and has no major problems, you can keep it.
If the illness is more serious, I'm sorry, we can only send the person back to the Gu Mansion and return the person to Mr. Gu.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye it was the first day of the new year, and the first phase of the project outside the South City Gate was opened for sale.
All construction sites are closed today.
It was just dawn and the sun had not yet risen when the sounds of people getting up were heard from inside the low shack.
Wang Jiangen rubbed his face and became more sober.
He first carried back two buckets of water.
Then wake up the whole family.
After a quick wash, they heated up the steamed bread they had brought home last night. The family shared two steamed breads for breakfast.
There are two steamed buns left, which is lunch for the whole family.
The construction site is closed today and no one is working, which means no income.
Wang Jiangen felt very distressed.
I feel bad about the food and the money.
When he thought about buying a house today, he became excited again.
After finishing the last bite of steamed bread, he straightened his clothes and hung the identity badge around his neck.
Then he said with great pride: "We went to look at the house together as a family."
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