"Why did Your Highness choose me? Although I have ambitions, I am not so arrogant as to think I have the talent to help the world."
Gu Yu calmed down at the moment before his head was overwhelmed.
At least he kept his sanity and was not completely bewitched by Liu Zhao's words.
But my heart is inevitably affected. I am a little worried about gains and losses.
He was afraid of rejecting the offer too bluntly and losing the opportunity, and he was also afraid that if he got the opportunity, he would have to pay a price beyond his expectations.
The opportunity was before him, and he was willing to take a chance. But at what cost?
Liu Zhao was surprised that Gu Yu was not easily bewitched by him and was able to think calmly.
Not bad, not bad.
The person he liked was indeed quite capable.
Liu Zhao said bluntly: "Because you are sitting in the right position, you become the most suitable candidate."
"Just because of this?" Gu Yu frowned slightly.
Liu Zhao nodded, "Yes, that's why." He was honest enough and did not lie.
Gu Yu licked his lips. They were chapped and no amount of tea seemed to help.
"How many years does Your Highness require me to serve as the magistrate of Xinmin County?"
Liu Zhao was silent for a moment before he said, "More than ten years."
Gu Yu said hurriedly: "This is against the rules."
Liu Zhao laughed. "What's in Xinmin County that's in accordance with the rules?"
Xinmin County was the only county in the Great Zhou Dynasty without any self-cultivating farmers. However, its tax revenue was unmatched by any other county.
It’s not that the refugees haven’t thought about farming.
Farming is the foundation, and many refugees dream of farming.
However, the land in Xinmin County had long been bought by Gu Jiu, and there was no extra land for the refugees to reclaim.
The refugees were not qualified to touch the land outside Xinmin County.
Even the title deed to the Xinmin County government office is still in Gu Jiu's hands.
Gu Jiu reminded Gu Yu, "At the end of this year, there will be a major assessment. Whether you can continue to sit in the position of Xinmin County Magistrate depends on how things go by the end of this year."
Xiaojiu and I can help you, but at the same time we will also attract a lot of attacks from the imperial censors, and even frame you.
But Princess Huyang is different. If she seeks benefits for her son-in-law, it is absolutely natural. So natural that His Majesty will not care. Do you understand the difference?"
Gu Yu nodded, he understood.
One is to take it for granted that it is natural to fight for benefits for one's own people, and then it will naturally be accepted by others.
One is to seek profit for the prince, which involves the struggle for the throne, and is bound to attract countless criticisms.
As Liu Zhao said, their identities as husband and wife are sensitive. I can protect him temporarily, but I can't protect him forever.
If he wanted to make further progress in his career, he would probably have to waste another 10 to 20 years before getting another chance.
Gu Yu is already thirty years old and he is unwilling to waste time any longer.
The post of Xinmin County Magistrate allowed him to display his talents. He enjoyed this kind of life and was full of energy every day.
Seeing Xinmin County changing every day under his management, he feels full of a sense of accomplishment.
Having tasted the power, who would be willing to stay away from official career and continue to waste another ten or twenty years?
Gu Yu asked directly: "What does Your Highness need me to do?"
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "Don't worry, County Magistrate Gu, you only need to agree to this marriage, nothing else needs to be done."
Gu Yu frowned. Is there such a good thing in the world?
"Also, I'll have to trouble County Magistrate Gu to prepare a generous betrothal gift. Here's the betrothal gift list, which I've already prepared for you. Just follow the list. If you're a little short on money, I'm sure County Magistrate Gu will be able to find a way to solve it."
Gu Yu never expected that Liu Zhao had even prepared a list of betrothal gifts for him.
It was obvious that Liu Zhao came prepared, and it was unknown how long he had been planning this.
Gu Yu was secretly shocked.
The previous Su family was clearly a smokescreen used to confuse people.
Gu Yu even suspected that the reason why Princess Huyang fell in love with Su Zheng was all because of Liu Zhao's secret manipulation.
Why didn't Liu Zhao directly guide Huyang to take a fancy to him?
Gu Yu asked himself and pondered secretly.
Perhaps it was because his conditions were inferior to Su Zheng's, so Princess Huyang looked down on him at first sight.
Su Zheng was a Jinshi (a successful jinshi) and worked in the Hanlin Academy. His family had been a family of scholars for generations. Even if they were temporarily down, their reputation remained.
Gu Yu even speculated that Liu Zhao dared to make such a plan because he was sure that the Su family would refuse.
Even if an unexpected situation occurs and the Su family agrees to Princess Huyang's proposal, Liu Zhao will find a way to ruin the marriage.
Faced with the Su family's ruthless rejection, it is estimated that Princess Huyang will slightly lower her requirements for her future son-in-law.
At this moment, he entered the sight of Princess Huyang, which was just right.
He was also Gu Jiu's blood relative, and he was also the magistrate of Xinmin County. He was mature and steady, and he didn't have any concubines. But his family background was a little inferior.
When Gu Yu thought of this, his heart skipped a beat and he felt terrified.
Does Gu Jiu know that Liu Zhao was plotting all this?
He opened his mouth, but his mouth felt dry and he couldn't speak.
Liu Zhao smiled knowingly, knowing what he was thinking.
In the face of temptation, Gu Yu still thinks of Gu Jiu and is a man of affection.
Liu Zhao stretched out his hand and tapped the table lightly to attract Gu Yu's attention.
He stared at Gu Yu with deep eyes, and said something with a hidden meaning, "Whether County Magistrate Gu agrees with this marriage or not, I hope you won't mention what happened today to anyone, including Xiaojiu. Xiaojiu likes to do business, and I will naturally support her with all my strength.
She's already working so hard, so she shouldn't worry about other things. And she hates these calculations the most. Do you understand?"
Gu Yu nodded subconsciously, "I understand."
Liu Zhao laughed, "County Magistrate Gu is indeed wise."
Gu Yu smiled bitterly.
After careful consideration, he weighed the pros and cons and said, "You can't let her down."
Liu Zhao's face turned cold, "Your Highness will naturally not let her down. You don't need to worry about Xiaojiu."
The rejection was not concealed at all, and even contained a threat.
Liu Zhao was unhappy with any man's concern for Xiaojiu.
Gu Yu gritted his teeth, "If she asks me..."
"Remember to keep your mouth shut." Liu Zhao interrupted Gu Yu directly, "This prince doesn't want any gossip to reach Xiao Jiu's ears. If anyone can't keep their mouth shut, this prince doesn't mind cutting off someone's tongue himself."
A cold light flashed in Liu Zhao's eyes, and a hint of murderous intent overflowed from them.
Gu Yu shuddered and said quickly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will keep my mouth shut and won't reveal a single word."
Liu Zhao smiled, his smile gentle and friendly. "So, County Magistrate Gu agrees to this marriage?"
Gu Yu nodded, "The marriage that Your Highness has introduced is naturally excellent. If I refuse, I would be ungrateful."
"Haha... That's great. Get ready. In a few days, the two families will discuss the marriage. Make sure your family is well-organized and don't make a fool of themselves."
Gu Yu bowed slightly and said, "I will take good care of my family and prevent them from doing anything bad."
Liu Zhao stood up and quickly left the county government office.
Gu Yu escorted the person out the back door and watched the carriage leave.
The cold wind blew and he shivered all over. Only then did he realize that he was sweating coldly and his underwear was soaked.
Gu Yu looked at the gloomy sky, gritted his teeth, and gave it a try!
…
A few days later, news came from Princess Fuming's mansion that the house had been robbed.
The thief was so bold that he even broke into the princess's mansion.
This matter caused heated discussion in the circle.
Immediately afterwards, Princess Fuming's second son went out to play on horseback, but the horse was frightened and broke its leg. The situation was not optimistic.
At this point, Princess Huyang naturally rejected Princess Fuming's proposal.
Who knows if that boy will become lame and disabled after being cured. How can I marry Minmin to a man who might be disabled?
Even if the boy is not disabled, the fact that he broke his leg during the Chinese New Year proves that he is unlucky this year.
It is absolutely inappropriate to talk about marriage at this time.
Princess Huyang did not show up, and appointed the Princess's Household Manager to reject Princess Fuming's proposal.
Princess Fuming had originally prepared two options: one for Gu Jiu and one for Chen Min. However, both failed, and she was so angry that she almost vomited blood.
I wanted to smash the house for fun, but I couldn't bear to do it.
If you don't have much money, you have to be frugal and not take it out on valuable things.
In the end, Princess Fu Ming simply beat and scolded her servants to vent her anger.
During the New Year's Day, wailing sounds could be heard from Princess Fu Ming's mansion from time to time. It was really unlucky.
Anyone passing by Princess Fu Ming's mansion had to take a detour.
I would rather walk a little further than be contaminated by the bad luck of that family.
Princess Huyang was still lamenting Chen Min's ill-fated marriage and how everything was going wrong when a servant's casual remark sparked her thoughts.
"Your Majesty is eager to marry Madam Zhao. I've considered it carefully and found someone else who is quite suitable. He will definitely not refuse your proposal."
Princess Huyang became interested when she heard this. "Who? Does Gu Jiu have any relatives who are suitable for marriage?"
The servant said cautiously, "There is such a person in the Gu family, far away and yet close at hand. That person is Master Gu Yu, the magistrate of Xinmin County.
Madam Zhao deliberately placed him in the position of Xinmin County Magistrate, which shows that he is indeed capable. It is said that Madam Zhao privately calls Gu Yu "Fourth Brother Gu" and thinks highly of him. The most important thing is that this County Magistrate Gu is still unmarried.
Huyang was delighted when he heard this. Xinmin County was the goose that laid golden eggs. Anyone who could sit in the position of Xinmin County Magistrate must be extremely capable.
"This man's name is Gu Yu. How old is he?"
"Early thirties."
Princess Huyang frowned, and immediately showed some disdain. "He's still unmarried at such an old age. Is there a hidden illness? Or is there a special hobby, a tendency towards homosexuality?"
The servant was very upset. After calming himself down, he said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. County Magistrate Gu has no hidden illness, nor is he a homosexual. The reason he is still unmarried at such an old age is because of his unreliable mother."
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