Chapter 1144: Disaster Star

Shi Huai said dryly, "Yeah, it's indeed a coincidence."

What a coincidence! We have worked together before and we are all old foxes. We know each other well. How can there be such a coincidence? We are all figuring out each other's intentions.

Yu Yun noticed it as soon as he came, his face froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, "It turns out that it wasn't just me that was invited."

Gu Ren turned around. He had already checked and found that there was no problem with the identity of the foreign envoy. He smiled and said, "I just met him, so I came here to sit."

Shi Huai smiled and said, "We have an appointment to go to the opera."

It means, Gu Ren, you can leave now.

Gu Ren, "I happen to be free, can we join me?"

Shi Huai did not plan to take his son with him. He listened to his son's words very much now. People don't want to look back on the past. He didn't want people to talk more about his son's background because of him.

Yu Yin said, "Okay, I like listening to opera the most, let's go together."

Shi Huai was stunned for a moment, and Yu Yun quickly explained, "I will settle in the capital in the future, and I will also have a merchant under my control, so I want to know more about which business is better in the north and south."

Shi Huai thought about it and acquiesced. Gu Ren's eyes lit up and he smiled, "You've asked the right person. Our Gu family has been doing business all over the country, including maritime trade."

Yu Yin smiled and said, "Then I'll have to listen more."

Inside the palace, fighting has already broken out on the southwestern border. The emperor is extremely angry and has gone too far.

Xiao Qing stepped forward and said, "The last batch of grain and fodder has been transported to the southwest."

Li Zhao also had a cold expression on his face. "According to the army's schedule, it will take another day to arrive."

The government hall was quiet. Frictions continued in the southwest, and urgent war reports were sent to the capital. The capital had prepared food and fodder and mobilized troops as quickly as possible, but it was still too slow.

Zhou Shuren's heart was bleeding, war was fought with money, it was a headache, there were many mountains and forests in the southwest, the terrain was complex, there were many ambushes deep inside, it was actually quite difficult to fight, the roads were blocked, the roads were rugged, the transportation of food and fodder was constant, it was not easy to wipe out the enemy.

Zhou Shuren was thinking about the medical department that was separated from the Imperial Hospital some time ago, and the money allocated from the Ministry of Revenue. This year's expenses were a bit too much.

Then he thought about the memorials submitted to the court, which cost a lot of money.

Following the emperor's arrangements, half an hour later, the ministers left the government hall.

Xiao Qing straightened his back and said, "You have been in the Ministry of Revenue for quite some time."

Zhou Shuren tilted his head, "Yes, it's been four years including this year."

Xiao Qing's steps became lighter, "Time flies by so fast."

He is finally about to let go completely. Starting this year, the emperor has rarely interfered in state affairs except for major events. Those who know the situation know that this is a transition. The prince is about to ascend the throne, especially since the emperor has hinted at him.

Zhou Shuren also felt a little emotional. It was indeed very fast. In a blink of an eye, he was able to take charge of the Ministry of Revenue.

Two days later, someone came to visit the Shi family. Shi Huai did not expect Gu Ren to come. "Why are you here?"

Gu Ren, "I can't wait for your invitation, so I have to come here in person."

Shi Huai thought of the question his daughter-in-law had sent over just now and narrowed his eyes, "We are no longer a merchant family."

Gu Ren said, "I know. I also know that your son is in the Commercial Department of the Ministry of Revenue, so he wants to ask for something."

Shi Huai knew that his son had always been very cautious in his official career. He was looked down upon because of his family background and was afraid of being caught. "You can go back."

"It's not in vain that I helped you. I came here with sincerity. Take a look."

As he spoke, Gu Ren opened the box, which contained a thick banknote. "I know your Shi family still has some assets. Here is 100,000 taels. Although it is not much, it can still help you smooth out the relationship with the higher-ups."

Shi Huai felt a little disappointed. Such a big undertaking must be asking for a lot. "We can't help."

"Don't worry, we just hope your son can help us register and cover it up."

Shi Huai still shook his head, "No, no."

Gu Ren didn't expect it to work in one go. He knew Shi Qing, who had become an official, would naturally be careful. "You think about it first, I'll come back."

In fact, he could look for Zhang Yang, as he has already laid out his cards, but he cannot use Zhang Yang. It would be too deliberate for Zhang Yang to show up. It is good that Zhang Yang continues to love beauty.

At the Zhou family, Zhulan, her elder brother and sister-in-law saw Yang Wen off. Yang Wen's vacation ended early and the marriage had not been finalized yet.

Yang Zhumu, "What is this?"

Zhu Lan said, "Yang Wen is still young, so there is no rush. We can wait a little longer."

Yang Zhumu sighed, "Your sister-in-law and I came here for him. Forget it. Yang Wen is not in the capital, so we will go back. But the marriage of this child depends on you. I trust your vision."

Zhulan knew that her elder brother wanted Yang Wen to settle down in the capital, so she gave Yang Wen the Yang family's house in the capital. "My elder brother trusts me, and I will definitely do it well."

Yang Zhumu, "Then let's pack up and go back."

Zhulan was reluctant to leave, "You and sister-in-law should stay for a few more days."

Sister Yang, "I'm worried about my family!"

Zhulan didn't say much.

In the evening, Shi Qing came back. Shi Huai did not dare to hide the truth and told him what happened during the day. He was a little nervous and said, "I didn't agree. I didn't accept it."

Shi Qing's eyes lit up, he was really hooked, "Dad, you can take it next time you come."

Shi Huai was dumbfounded, "Huh?"

Shi Qing said, "I am not greedy for money. You will know in the future."

Shi Huai frowned, "It's not easy for the Shi family to be where they are today. You better not go astray."

Shi Qing felt complicated. "I know what's going on."

Shi Huai was still worried, but his son's attitude was firm. He moved the corners of his mouth and walked out regretting it to death.

Two days later, Zhou Shuren stood at the door of the Ministry of Revenue, saw off the Minister of War who came to collect the silver, turned around, and asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

Shi Qing said, "I have seen you, sir. I am here to wait for someone."

Just as Zhou Shuren was about to ask who he was waiting for, a horse-drawn carriage stopped and a man got out.

Gu Ren got off the carriage and was stunned for a moment, "Master Shi, who is this?"

Shi Qing didn't want to say more because Lord Zhou was too smart. Shi Qing didn't know anything at all, but Zhou Shuren knew everything.

Shi Qing introduced, "This is Mr. Zhou, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

The smile on Gu Ren's face froze. Lord Zhou, he had tried several times but failed to kill him. This was the first time he saw Lord Zhou. What did he look like?

Gu Ren quickly restrained his expression and said earnestly, "I have met the Minister."

Zhou Shuren didn't leave either, and asked Shi Qing, "Who is this?"

Shi Qing introduced him reluctantly, "This is my father's former partner. He asked me to help him register today."

Zhou Shuren's gaze deepened, so this person must be a member of the Zhang family. Looking closely, he really doesn't look like the emperor. That's right, fourth uncle said that Zhang Xiaowu looks like his mother.

Gu Ren was puzzled. Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze and turned to Shi Qing, saying, "You go ahead and do your work."

Gu Ren's heart skipped a beat, and he felt that things were not going well today. Nothing good had happened since he met Zhou Shuren. In the Zhang family, Zhou Shuren was a disaster star. He hurriedly took out a thick purse from his pocket and handed it over, "Master Zhou."

Zhou Shuren took a step back, then realized that he was too radical. There was nothing he could do. The Zhang family wanted to kill him. He cherished his life, so he kept his composure with a dark face. "What is this official?"

Shi Qing, "."

Why is Gu Ren so stupid today?

Gu Ren's hands also froze. He knew that he was being reckless. Who said Zhou Shuren was a disaster star? He was scared!

(End of this chapter)