“I appreciate your good intentions and thoughts, and I am very touched. But I hope you can focus more on your own growth.”
"Huiyi, you'll be eighteen after the New Year, and it's time to think about marriage. You need to think carefully about what kind of husband you want in the future, sort out these thoughts, and then your mother and I will help you choose."
Zheng Huiyi blushed slightly: "Sister-in-law, I'm still young, there's no rush. I want to enjoy my freedom at home for a few more years."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "Of course you can stay a few more years if you want, but choosing a husband is a major life event that requires advance preparation. How can you wait until the crucial moment to panic and deal with it? Aren't you worried that all the good husbands will be taken, leaving only the less ideal ones?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Huiyi's heart tightened, and a shy blush rose to her face. She whispered, "But, I don't know what to choose..."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "Therefore, I want you to think it over carefully. Marriage is a crucial decision for women in the inner quarters of their lives and should not be taken lightly. Take your time to choose, and I will help you consider it carefully later."
Zheng Huiyi lowered her head shyly and softly agreed.
Gu Qinlan then turned to Zheng Huaiyu and said gently, "Although you are still young, you are quite ambitious. The knowledge you need to learn far exceeds that of your aunt. If you think about it carefully, your time is quite tight. You promised me before that you would study diligently and ask questions."
Zheng Huaiyu immediately tensed up and said firmly, "Mother, I will go and study hard right away!"
Zheng Huiyi also stood up and said softly, "Sister-in-law, I'm going back now too."
Gu Qinlan personally saw the two out, pondered for a moment, and then instructed them, "Tell Feng Yun and Feng Hui to stop fooling around and focus on their studies. They should devote their time to serious matters. This will make me more gratified than any form of flattery."
She felt both touched and worried about the Zheng family members who shared similar ways of thinking. She feared that if she relaxed even slightly, they would start reenacting this scene every day.
Who could stand living like this!
She is just too busy.
The aunt and niece agreed and left hand in hand.
Gu Qinlan then turned back to study the Gu family's business empire.
After several days of careful analysis, Gu Qinlan finally revealed the clear outline of the Gu family's business empire. The Gu family's business empire was vast and complex, spanning multiple sectors. They owned over a dozen restaurants alone, and ten merchant fleets and shipping companies. In addition, they had more than twenty pawnshops, jewelry stores, and money exchanges, and even two gambling dens.
Among them, Gu Qinlan paid special attention to the ten caravans and fleets.
She speculated that this was likely the part of the business that the Gu family took over after the Jiang family was exiled.
However, Old Master Gu did not entrust this part of the management to her. His reason was that those merchants were rough and unruly, and not suitable for Gu Qinlan to interact with. But Gu Qinlan knew in her heart that this was probably because the old man was worried that she would discover the secrets involved.
With the capital currently under lockdown, she is indeed unable to contact the leaders of the caravans and fleets.
She wasn't in a hurry, so she asked Hongye to invite Jin Tianming over.
Jin Tianming still came with his wife.
When Aunt Lian visited, she brought a pair of hand-sewn knee pads, her words filled with warmth and concern: "Although I know you have everything you need in the noble Prince Duan's mansion, I had nothing to do at home, so I made these knee pads for you myself. If you don't mind, please accept them."
Gu Qinlan accepted it with a smile and sincerely praised, "Aunt Lian's embroidery skills are simply exquisite, and the floral pattern is quite unique. I really like it."
Aunt Lian smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons: "I knew you would like it. This pattern originated from Kyoto and is quite rare in Jindu right now."
"Alright, you two go discuss important matters. I'm going to talk to your aunt. We haven't seen each other for a while since the lockdown started, and I really miss her."
After Aunt Lian and Mrs. Liang met, they hit it off and had a very pleasant conversation. Mrs. Liang often visited Aunt Lian's shop for a while, but since the capital was locked down, the two had no chance to meet again.
Gu Qinlan was also pleased for Liang Shi. After all, it was a blessing that she could make friends with Aunt Lian after leaving her hometown and coming to Jindu.
After Aunt Lian left, Jin Tianming asked, "Madam summoned us here. Is there something important you wish to discuss?"
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly: "I do want to know some information about the people in charge of the Gu family's merchant caravan and fleet. Is Uncle Jin familiar with them?"
Jin Tianming smiled slightly: "I am naturally very familiar with the details."
He slowly sat down, took a sip of fragrant tea, and said slowly and deliberately, "The Gu family's merchant fleet and ship fleet are each managed by two capable leaders, one named Gu Kui and the other Zhang Lei. The two of them have been loyal to your father since he first entered the business world, for more than twenty years."
"It can be said that the achievements of the Gu family's merchant caravan and fleet today are inseparable from these two loyal and dedicated contributors."
Within the Gu family, Gu Kui and Zhang Lei held prominent positions, enjoying immense respect despite being servants. Gu Dingli trusted them implicitly, entrusting them with full authority over many important matters.
Therefore, when they heard that Old Master Gu intended to hand over the family business to Gu Qinlan for temporary management, Gu Kui and Zhang Lei were immediately agitated and even had the idea of causing a scene at Gu Dingli's funeral.
However, their impulsiveness was ultimately dissuaded by Old Master Gu, preventing the situation from escalating.
After listening to Jin Tianming's account, Gu Qinlan couldn't help but smile faintly.
It was obvious that Old Master Gu had revealed his intentions, otherwise these two originally arrogant and domineering characters would not have suddenly calmed down.
Upon closer reflection, these two individuals did indeed possess extraordinary skills.
In her past life, when she and her uncle ran a business together, the two of them secretly sabotaged her behind her back.
Now, they control the Gu family's fleet and merchant caravan, and they still harbor resentment towards her.
In that case, we might as well use them as practice subjects first.
So, Gu Qinlan looked at Jin Tianming and said softly, "Uncle Jin, I would like to ask you for your help."
Jin Tianming immediately replied, "Madam, you flatter me. Whatever your needs, I will do my best."
He was full of anticipation for being able to do more for Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan spoke frankly: "I need you to pass on certain messages among them to ignite their ambition. For example, imply that the Gu family business they control is currently without a leader, with the elders being too old and the younger ones too young, and the one in charge being a naive woman. Rather than spending their lives working for others, they should establish their own business and become the true masters."
Jin Tianming frowned slightly: "Madam, do you mean... that you intend to incite them to betray their master?"
Gu Qinlan chuckled lightly: "That's exactly what you're thinking. Those who can't be used by me must be eliminated by any means necessary."
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