After seeing Su Zheng off, Gu Jiu glared at Liu Zhao as soon as he returned to the study.
Liu Zhao pinched his nose and said, "Where do you feel uncomfortable? Let me pinch it for you."
It is impossible to apologize.
Gu Jiu snorted, "You're just suspicious. Cousin Su and uncle are worried about me and came to visit me specially."
"My lady is right, I am narrow-minded. But later I invited him to dinner, but he refused. It seems that he doesn't like the food in the palace."
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes and asked, "Can you have some shame?"
"You said that privately befriending the princes and grandchildren of the emperor would hinder his career, so how could he dare to stay? Okay, don't stand there, I have to be busy."
"Is it a big deal? Do you want me to intervene with Lord Cheng En?"
Gu Jiu raised his hand to stop him, "Please don't do this unnecessarily. I have my own ideas on this matter."
Liu Zhao was worried. "I heard from Qian Fu that the Zhu family has caused you a lot of trouble, and all your suppliers are out of stock. Is this really not a big deal?"
Gu Jiu didn't say anything, but took out a document from the desk piled with information books and handed it to Liu Zhao.
He looked puzzled.
Gu Jiu gestured for him to open it and take a look first.
He looked through the information and found that he didn't recognize any of the people on the list.
But the surnames on the list are quite familiar.
"Are they all related to the Zhu family?" he asked directly.
Gu Jiu said: "To be precise, they are all relatives and friends of the Zhu family. And they help the Zhu family manage their business."
The Zhu family is a family business.
The biggest characteristic of a family business is that it places relatives and friends everywhere.
The Zhu family is also unconventional.
After a pause, Gu Jiu continued, "Perhaps because they are worried that a large tree will attract wind, many of the Zhu family's properties are registered under the names of relatives and friends. This is the list you see now.
The Zhu family certainly could not have imagined that the action they thought was safe at the time would make things convenient for me today.
Do you have any way to convince the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest them all on the charge of tax evasion? I have already informed the tax officer of the Ministry of Revenue.
As soon as the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrests someone, the Ministry of Revenue will follow up on the case. The Cheng'en Marquis's mansion is tax-exempt, but the Zhu family's relatives and friends have no achievements or official positions; they are just ordinary people. Tax evasion is a matter that will be investigated and no one will get away with it.
Liu Zhao asked, "When did you become so familiar with the tax officer from the Ministry of Revenue?"
Gu Jiu smiled proudly, "Because I'm a big taxpayer! And this will also benefit the tax collectors of the Ministry of Revenue. Who wouldn't be happy to collect taxes?"
Liu Zhao had no way to refute.
"It's not enough to ask the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest someone just for tax evasion. It would be better if there were other charges."
"You committed the crime from behind."
Liu Zhao followed suit and turned to the next page.
As expected, all of Zhu family’s relatives and friends have dirty hands.
There are countless examples of this, such as occupying good farmland, forcing women into prostitution and slavery, forced buying and selling, market manipulation, and the destruction of families.
Some people were involved in murder lawsuits, which were suppressed by the Zhu family through money.
After reading it, he said, "These charges are enough."
"Can you ensure that the Xiuyiwei can be persuaded to cooperate?" Gu Jiu was a little worried.
The Cheng'en Marquis's Mansion wasn't just a bunch of random people; these people were all relatives and friends of the Zhu family. Asking the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest them would be tantamount to forcing them to break ranks with the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion.
For the Xiuyiwei, this matter is risky and they may not agree to it.
Gu Jiu could only rely on Liu Zhao for this matter.
Liu Zhao asked, "Did Xu Xianzhi, the Left Guard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, also invest money in the project outside the South City Gate?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "I did invest some money, but not much."
"It's all right if you invest the money. I'm going to go drink with Xu Xianzhi now. I might be back very late tonight, so you don't have to wait for me."
"Are we going now?"
Liu Zhao gently stroked Gu Jiu's cheek, "Time waits for no one. Get it done sooner so you can relax. Don't worry about me."
Gu Jiu hummed and rubbed his palm, "Go early and come back early. If Xu Xianzhi asks for too much, don't pay attention to him. At worst, I can find another way."
"No problem. I'll convince him to cooperate with your actions."
Liu Zhao deliberately emphasized the word "persuade", and Gu Jiu began to doubt how he was going to persuade Xu Xianzhi.
…
The five-day period has expired.
Gu Jiu came to visit the Shaofu Jialing Mansion as promised.
The housekeeper greeted her at the gate, "Madam Zhao, please come in. The housekeeper is waiting in the hall."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Thank you, butler, for leading the way."
She followed the housekeeper to the flower hall.
The maid served fragrant tea.
"It's really not easy to see the ancestors."
Gu Jiu complained casually like a coquettish junior.
The Shaofu Household Commander laughed heartily, "Xiaojiu, I really shouldn't underestimate you. This time you and Cheng'en Bo Zhu Ci went up against each other, and the entire capital was thrown into chaos by you. I was also in a difficult position."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Don't worry, Grandfather. As long as you lend me a helping hand, Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci will be nothing more than a clown."
The Imperial Household Supervisor shook his head slightly. "Cheng'en Bo Zhu Ci is no clown. You've been having a hard time these days, I'm sure. I heard the construction site is about to stop. If it stops, where will tens of thousands of refugees find food?"
"Of course I have to go to the Ministry of Revenue to find food. It won't work if the old man in the Ministry of Revenue is not happy about it." Gu Jiu said with a smile.
The Shaofu's brows jumped, and he asked nervously, "You're not really going to let tens of thousands of refugees flood into the capital to cause trouble for the Ministry of Revenue, are you?"
"Does the ancestor need help?" Gu Jiu asked instead of answering.
The Shaofu family official bared his teeth, his heart beating faster, "Xiaojiu, what you did is not right. Aren't you making things difficult for me?"
Gu Jiu smiled lightly and took out a loan agreement directly. "Two million taels, please approve it for me."
The Shaofu household official took a deep breath.
"Two million taels? Xiaojiu, can you pay back that much money you borrowed all at once?"
"As long as the old ancestor is willing to lend it to me, I can pay it back."
The Shaofu household official shook his head vigorously.
Even though he dealt with money all day and had seen millions, even tens of millions, of taels, of silver, this was the first time he had seen a personal loan of two million taels.
The Shaofu household official was overwhelmed.
Of course he hoped that Gu Jiu could get through this difficult time smoothly, but he was also worried that the money he lent would be wasted.
When we check the accounts next year, it will be a huge deficit.
The Shaofu household official picked up the teacup, which was surrounded by mist, seeming both real and illusory.
He weighed the pros and cons and asked bluntly, "Tell me, how do you plan to respond to the Zhu family? Are you planning to start a price war with them?"
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Are you underestimating me, old ancestor? With such a good opportunity, how could I possibly engage in a price war?"
"Then tell me the truth, what exactly do you want to do?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Grandfather, why don't you send someone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to ask. The Embroidered Uniform Guard went out in full force yesterday. Who did they arrest? I guess that Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci is cursing me for being a piece of shit right now."
When the Shaofu household official heard this, he was shocked and immediately ordered someone to go to the Xiuyiwei to inquire about the news.
"You actually managed to convince the Embroidered Uniform Guard to help you?"
Gu Jiu chuckled softly, "Old Ancestor thinks highly of me. There are many people in the capital who dislike the Zhu family of the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion. I'm just lucky to have found someone who shares the same ideals."
The Shaofu Household Officer didn't believe a word of this.
While the person who came to inquire about the news had not returned, Gu Jiu chatted with the Shaofu Housekeeper about all sorts of things and talked about family matters.
The Shaofu Household Officer wanted to ask Gu Jiu several times how he used the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest people, but Gu Jiu always changed the subject.
He pointed at Gu Jiu and said, "You are getting smarter and smarter. I am always being led by the nose by you."
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled, "I don't like what you said, old ancestor. I am obviously considering you, as the saying goes, words are not enough, seeing is believing. Can you lend me two million taels just by my mouth?"
"I'm just afraid you won't be able to pay it back."
"My ancestor really has no confidence in me. Are you really that afraid of Zhu Ci?"
"I'm afraid of him? That's a joke."
The Shaofu household steward snorted twice, showing great dissatisfaction.
"Don't be angry, old ancestor. I just said it casually."
Just at this time, the person who was asking for news came back.
"Sir, the Embroidered Uniform Guards arrested forty or fifty people yesterday, all of them relatives and friends of the Zhu family. The tax collector from the Ministry of Revenue is working with the Embroidered Uniform Guards to investigate the case."
ah?
"What does this have to do with the tax collector at the Ministry of Revenue?"
The Shaofu Household Manager stared at Gu Jiu, waiting for her answer.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Of course it's to investigate tax evasion!"
The Shaofu Household Manager was a little confused at first, but then he suddenly realized.
He looked incredulous and shocked.
After decades of self-cultivation, he was still shocked by Gu Jiu's amazing operation at this moment.
Because Gu Jiu's breakthrough was something he had never thought of. Tax evasion, who would have thought that Gu Jiu would take a different approach and start with taxation.
No wonder the Shaofu family official was surprised.
These days, it has become a tacit rule that anyone with honors or titles does not have to pay taxes.
Therefore, no one will make a fuss about taxes.
Because everyone has a dirty hand, if you report someone for tax evasion, be careful of backlash.
But Gu Jiu is different.
Gu Jiu didn't have to worry about backlash because she had always paid her taxes in full. When it came to tax, no one was more innocent than Gu Jiu.
The Shaofu Housekeeper took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Are you sure this method will work?"
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, then asked, "Why not?"
"Cheng'en Bo Zhuci is an earl, so he doesn't have to pay taxes."
"Yes, it's true that Marquis Cheng'en Zhu Ci is exempt from taxes. But the Embroidered Uniform Guard didn't arrest him! They only arrested Zhu's relatives and friends. These people have no achievements or official positions, they are just ordinary people, so they are not eligible for tax exemption."
After Gu Jiu finished speaking, he took out an account book and placed it in the hands of the Shaofu Household Officer.
She continued, "You should know that many of the Zhu family's properties are registered under the names of relatives and friends. We all know that these properties actually belong to the Zhu family, but the contents of the government registration are not written in this way.
The government collects taxes based on registered property rights. It's only natural for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to arrest people and for the Tax Office to inspect taxes. "Old Ancestor, I'm handing you a large sum of tax with both my own hands, and you have the heart to refuse my loan?"
The Shaofu household official was flipping through the account book.
The account book records the specific industries owned by these arrested people.
Knowing is one thing, but seeing it with your own eyes is another.
The Shaofu Household Manager was secretly shocked. "How could the Zhu family register so many properties in the names of relatives and friends?"
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly, "Of course I'm afraid that a big tree will attract the wind."
There are 40 to 50 people, and each person owns an average of 5 to 6 shops. There are more than 200 shops here.
The business scope involves food, clothing, housing and transportation, and every industry.
Some people even registered a business directly under their name.
This trading company is very famous, and its annual business volume is at least millions.
None of this is taxed.
"Hahaha……"
After flipping through the account book, the Shaofu household official laughed three times.
"Investigate, investigate thoroughly. Every store will be fined and taxed. Even if Uncle Zhu Ci has mountains of gold and silver, he will be made to pay for it."
Gu Jiu nodded repeatedly.
Isn’t Cheng’enbo Zhu Ci relying on abundant cash flow?
Then she would cut off the Zhu family's cash flow at the source.
Given how vicious the tax officer of the Ministry of Revenue is, he will never give up until the Zhu family is skinned alive.
Make trouble in front of the emperor?
That's even better.
What does the emperor love?
The emperor loves money!
Will the emperor give up millions of taels of tax and fines for the sake of his uncle?
dream!
The emperor will only continue to skin the Zhu family.
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled.
If Marquis Cheng'en Zhu Ci dared to fight with her, she would cut off the source of his troubles and make the entire Zhu family suffer.
The Shaofu Housekeeper closed the account book and said, "Your idea is not bad. But there is a problem. Without the account book, we can't collect taxes."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Don't worry, ancestor, you won't have to worry about not getting the account book under the three-foot stick."
"That's good, that's good."
Gu Jiu pushed the loan agreement forward and said, "Grandfather should approve it for me."
The Shaofu Housekeeper was worried, "Two million taels is really too much. How about borrowing one million first, and then I will approve another one million after the crisis is over."
"Okay!"
One million taels of silver in cash was enough for her to deal with the Zhu family's crazy revenge.
Yes, the Zhu family will not give in so easily. They will counterattack even more fiercely.
Especially that irritable Master Zhu Er.
…
Zhu family.
"Father, let's file a complaint with the emperor. Prince Ning's Mansion is colluding with the Embroidered Uniform Guards. This is a rebellion! Just accuse him of rebellion. I don't believe Gu Jiu will be able to get away with it."
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci's face flushed red with anger.
His eyes widened in anger. "Do you know why the Embroidered Uniform Guards arrested us? They're investigating taxes!"
"Why should we be afraid of a tax inspection? As a noble Earl, do we have to pay taxes for doing business?"
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci looked at his second son as if he was looking at a mentally retarded person.
Housekeeper Zhu explained, "Second Master, Madam Zhao clearly came prepared this time. The people who were arrested all have properties registered with our Zhu family, but their identities are common people and are not eligible for tax exemptions.
Everyone knows that these are all our Zhu family's assets, but the government registration does not state this. The Ministry of Revenue's tax officials jointly conducted tax inspections with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which is legally justifiable."
Upon hearing this, Master Zhu Er screamed in anger.
"Gu Jiu dared to have our taxes checked, so we'll retaliate by having her taxes checked. I don't believe Gu Jiu is clean."
Butler Zhu looked towards Zhu Ci, the Earl of Cheng'en.
Cheng Enbo Zhu Ci narrowed his eyes. "That's one way. If she checks our taxes, we can also check hers. Besides that, we can continue to raise the price of building materials and force the construction site to stop work."
If construction stops, I'll see how she feeds the tens of thousands of refugees outside the South City Gate. If those refugees start making trouble, she won't be able to clean up the mess, and it might even alarm His Majesty.
In the end, in order to appease those refugees, it was still up to our Zhu family to clean up this mess. And only our Zhu family has the strength to take on such a large project."
"Father is absolutely right. If Gu Jiu wants to fight, we will fight with her. I don't believe she can defeat our Zhu family."
Master Zhu Er smiled complacently.
He even planned that when Gu Jiu couldn't hold on any longer, he would ridicule him in person, stomp on his face, and crush him.
Rumble!
After being sunny for many days, a storm finally came.
Just like the business world in Beijing, there are lightning and thunder overhead.
When two gods fight, the people below suffer.
Everyone hopes that the fight between the gods will end quickly.
The rain lasted for two days and two nights.
The water level of the Wei River rose and flooded the river banks.
The water level of the inner city river also rose, getting closer and closer to Yuhua Lane.
Fortunately, when Yuhua Lane was built, the overall terrain was raised by one meter.
Even if there were torrential rain for another two days, the water from the inner city river would not reach Yuhua Lane.
As soon as the rain stopped, Bai Zhong took people to patrol the dock and Yuhua Lane to prevent any accidents.
Some time ago, Wu Dabiao, a northern businessman, transported a batch of timber to the capital.
After arriving in the capital, he lived on the second floor of Yuhua Lane.
He saw Bai Zhong as soon as he saw him and hurriedly greeted him.
"Eunuch Bai, you've worked hard all morning. I'll treat you to tea."
"That would be great."
Wu Dabiao hurried downstairs and asked someone to prepare the best tea.
When several other wealthy merchants heard the noise, they also rushed over to join the fun.
Bai Zhong was invited to the main seat, and Wu Dabiao served him tea with both hands, very politely.
Everyone started chatting about family matters, but then the topic changed. Wu Dabiao asked cautiously, "I heard that the Dong family and the Zhu family of the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion have been fighting. What's the situation now? Can the Dong family still hold on?"
Several wealthy merchants looked at Bai Zhong nervously.
If the owner can't hold on, will Yuhuaxiang Wharf also need to change people?
This will definitely have an impact on everyone’s future business.
You have to prepare early.
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