Negotiations are like a tug of war.
General Pei, who should have been making decisive decisions on the battlefield and winning battles thousands of miles away, had to do the work of an accountant.
Like a miser, he fights for every penny.
Mr. Dou left the villa and found two real logistics accountants to start counting the supplies needed by the Northwest Army.
Once the Northwest Army captures the Western Liang Kingdom, it will be the day when the Duke of Lu will be crowned king, and it will also be the day when the imperial court will cut off its supply of materials.
So you must prepare in advance and ask for as many supplies as possible.
I lack everything and I want everything.
Not even a scrap of cloth can be spared.
The more weapons and medicinal materials, the better.
Ask for more now and you can save money later.
On Gu Jiu's side, the powerful accounting team killed Pei Meng and his men without leaving a single one alive.
It is the job of an accountant to calculate every penny.
Pei Meng wanted to ask for a huge amount of money, but the accountant on Gu Jiu's side tried every means to deduct the money based on the number of people consumed.
The sound of abacus can be heard in the villa from morning to night.
Pei Meng and Mr. Dou were a little overwhelmed.
Mr. Dou left the villa again and called in a dozen accountants to start a war.
Gu Jiu was at ease.
She took her children to the horse farm for a few days and then returned to the palace.
When Liu Zhao learned that Pei Meng and Mr. Dou were trapped in the villa, he laughed out loud.
He took Gu Jiu's hand and said proudly, "Your method is still the best. I really want to see Pei Meng's anxious look with my own eyes."
Gu Jiu reminded him, "Don't go too far, or you might piss him off to death."
"He won't die of anger! He is very lucky." Liu Zhao said proudly.
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "What are you going to do about the Pei family?"
Liu Zhao said, "According to the rules, the entire Pei clan must remain in the capital. However, since we are using the Marquis of Lu and his son to expand the territory of the Great Zhou, I am willing to show a little sincerity. The Marquis of Lu and his son can take their families with them. However, the Pei clan members, such as my uncles and their families, must remain in the capital."
Gu Jiu said softly, "Whether the Pei clan members stay or not makes no difference to the Marquis of Lu and his son. They are both heartless men and have long been prepared for the genocide of their clan. Of course, allowing them to take their families with them at least demonstrates the court's kindness and generosity towards its own people."
Liu Zhao said solemnly: "I need you to talk to the wife of Lu Hou in advance."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows. "I come forward to talk? She is your aunt, why don't you come forward?"
Liu Zhao frowned and was silent for a moment before he said, "When I was young, Lady Lu was very kind to me. There are some things I cannot bring myself to say."
Gu Jiu understood, "But I have never seen you go to the Marquis of Lu's mansion, nor have I seen you show the slightest kindness to the Marquis of Lu's wife."
"There are some favors that I will always remember in my heart."
Keep it in mind and never forget it.
Although they don't interact on a daily basis, he will repay the favor when necessary.
Liu Zhao is definitely not an ungrateful person.
Gu Jiu agreed to this matter, "I will talk to Madam Lu Hou."
…
Lady Lu Hou was really surprised when she received the invitation from Queen Gu.
She felt a little flustered.
It finally came.
Pei Man happened to be visiting her parents' home. When she learned that Queen Gu had invited her mother to a private banquet, she also became nervous.
"Mother, will your daughter enter the palace with you?"
"Ridiculous! Do you think the palace is a market and you can go there whenever you want?"
"My daughter will go back and ask Gu Ting..."
"You're not allowed to go!" Lady Lu stopped Pei Man from being so willful. "Mother knows you're worried, but the Empress has always been kind. I think you should be fine this time when you enter the palace."
"But Big Brother has disappeared for several days, and no one knows where he is. What if Big Brother has been..."
"Don't let your imagination run wild! Mr. Dou has come back twice, and although he hasn't revealed anything, I'm sure your brother is fine."
"Why is mother so sure that big brother is fine?"
Madam Lu Hou smiled and said, "Half of the Jinwu Guards outside have withdrawn. I think things have taken a turn for the better."
ah?
This was the first time Pei Man knew that there were Jinwu Guards watching outside the Marquis of Lu's Mansion.
She burst into tears and felt deeply frightened.
"Mother was very close to being imprisoned. Why didn't she say a word about such a serious matter?"
"Telling you this is just to make you worry in vain. Nothing has happened yet, and the storm will soon pass. So, you don't have to worry. Don't tell Gu Ting about this, and don't put him in a dilemma."
Fearing that Pei Man would get too hung up on herself, Lady Lu had to remind her, "You still have to think about your three children. For the sake of the children, you must keep this a secret from Gu Ting and not let him speak up for the Pei family. If you ruin the brother-sister relationship between him and the Empress, the children will suffer too. Can you bear it?"
Pei Man shook her head repeatedly, feeling extremely painful.
On one side was her natal family, her biological mother who had given birth to her and raised her, and on the other side were her husband and children. She was caught in the middle and wished she could just die.
"Mother, what can I do?"
"Don't do anything else. Just supervise Gu Ting and make sure he completes the assignments given by the Empress. Your wealth and the wealth of your children are still waiting for you."
Pei Man didn't understand.
Lady Lu Hou stroked her cheek, "Silly girl!"
Pei Man was crying as she squatted on the ground, looking up at Lady Lu, "My daughter is really stupid!"
"Fools have their own luck!" Lady Lu Hou laughed.
The palace has been reluctant to issue an edict to confer a title on the Gu family, a relative of the emperor. It is clear that they are waiting, waiting for the right time and the right person.
Many people in the capital city saw through this.
Only Queen Gu's biological father, Master Gu, could not see through the situation. He was busy all day long and made a lot of jokes.
Pingnan Hou Gu Jia must have understood the palace's intentions, but could not tell Master Gu the truth, fearing that it would provoke Master Gu to do something even more crazy.
Lady Lu Hou was a woman who understood politics. She had seen through everything long ago and could not say anything either.
She implicitly reminded Pei Man, "Be patient, there will be results soon."
Pei Man wiped her tears and said, "Why not ask big sister for help?"
Pei Yun married into the Wei family of the Duke of Zhuguo's Mansion. The Duke of Zhuguo's Mansion is full of loyal and brave people, and is related to the Gu family by marriage, so there must be a way.
"Your eldest sister is in mourning, don't bother her."
Last year, the ancestor of the Zhuguo Mansion passed away. As the eldest grandson's wife and a clan member, Pei Yun had to observe heavy mourning.
Calculating the time, it will take another half year before the mourning period comes.
Because Pei Yun was in mourning, Pei Man did not dare to disturb her after returning to Beijing, but only sent someone to deliver gifts.
"But this concerns the lives of the entire clan. How can we be so particular about this at this time?" Pei Man was anxious.
Madam Lu Hou smiled and said, "I've already said that things have taken a turn for the better. The result won't be as bad as you think?"
Pei Man asked nervously, "Really?"
"Most of the Jinwu Guards outside the gate have withdrawn. This is certainly true."
"Then, then I will stay here and wait for mother to return from the palace."
"No! You are the daughter-in-law of the Gu family, you have to go back to the Gu family."
"But I'm worried about Mother."
"When there is news, mother will send someone to inform you."
Lady Lu forced Pei Man to leave.
Pei Man kept crying and only stopped when she returned home.
Fearing that Gu Ting would notice something was up, she hid in her room and did not show up. Using the excuse of feeling unwell, she sent Gu Ting to the study to rest.
…
The wife of the Marquis of Lu put on her court dress and went to the palace to keep her appointment.
She only brought two maids with her.
It is hard to predict whether this visit to the palace will be good or bad.
She was not afraid of death, she just wanted to save the lives of her grandchildren and give them a way out.
As for the Marquis of Lu, her eldest son Pei Meng, and several other sons, she was no longer able to take care of them.
"Madam, please come this way! The Queen is waiting for you in the side hall of Xingqing Palace!"
"How dare I trouble Your Majesty to wait? This humble subject shall be punished by death!"
"Ma'am, you don't have to do this!"
The palace maid invited the wife of the Marquis of Lu to a side hall and settled her there.
A moment later, Gu Jiu appeared in the side hall with the palace servants.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May you be blessed with good fortune and happiness!"
"Madam, you are so polite! Today we don't need to pay attention to these empty formalities. Madam, please be at your ease and just chat."
"Your Majesty obeys!"
The wife of the Marquis of Lu was very old, with gray hair, and she spoke with great vigor.
Gu Jiu asked curiously, "Is Madam sixty?"
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I turned sixty last year."
"Last year was a turbulent time. I even missed my wife's sixtieth birthday."
"The country is in a difficult situation. Last year, we just got together as a family for a meal. We didn't have any big celebrations."
Gu Jiu said, "We should pick a date to hold a birthday banquet for Madam."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! I am used to keeping things simple, so please excuse the birthday banquet."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Since Madam insists, I won't force it. How is your family? How are your nephews and nieces?"
It is appropriate for Gu Jiu to call the grandchildren of Lady Lu Hou nephews and nieces.
Lady Lu Hou hurriedly said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Everything is fine at home. The boys and girls are busy studying and practicing martial arts, and they are quite diligent."
"I heard that Madam's eldest grandson has been training in the army for many years?"
"What the Empress said is correct. The eldest grandson, the second grandson... all four grandsons are training in the military, all in the Northwest Army. They only achieved minor military achievements and were severely punished by their father."
The eldest grandson and the second grandson mentioned by Lady Lu were all Pei Meng's children, both born to his first wife.
"Does Madam miss them?"
"A man's ambition is to serve the court. The family is looked after by a court lady, so we must not delay the children's work and future."
"Madam, you are so righteous! Master has returned to the capital. Have you talked to him?"
"I wonder what the Queen is referring to?"
Gu Jiu smiled and suggested, "For example, the future of the Pei family."
Lady Lu's heart was beating fast, and she was a little flustered. She lowered her head and said, "We haven't discussed it in detail."
Gu Jiu pondered for a moment, "Now there is an opportunity. Madam, would you like to go to the northwest to reunite with Marquis Lu?"
Mrs. Lu was stunned and unable to react.
How many years?
How many years have passed since she and the Duke of Lu were separated?
She could hardly remember what the Duke of Lu looked like.
She was at a loss as to what to do when she suddenly heard about reunion.
"I do not understand what Your Majesty means. Could you please clarify?"
"Your Majesty and I have some ideas. We want to send Madam to the northwest to reunite with Marquis Lu."
Lady Lu asked, dumbfounded, "Won't the court kill him?"
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