Chapter 900: Smart People

Zhou Shuren reacted quickly, and before Hu Xia could say anything, he took over the conversation, "Since it wasn't given to you, then it belongs to Liu Feng?"

Hu Xia was confused after hearing this. He thought that Lord Zhou must have investigated the Gu family. He nodded and said, "Yes, it belongs to Liu Feng's family property."

Zhou Shuren peeled pine nuts in silence, motioning Hu Xia to continue.

Hu Xia straightened his posture. Ahem, he was used to it. The person in front of him was the top boss of the Ministry of Revenue. "Liu Feng's cousin came to visit without saying anything extra. He directly handed over the list of the Gu family's division of property. The division was done before the old grandfather passed away. The old grandfather intended to have Liu Feng's uncles deliver it to the capital after his death. Unexpectedly, Liu Feng's uncles did not deliver it."

Zhou Shuren nodded to show that he understood. He didn't care how much of the industry the Gu family gave to Gu Liufeng. He was more concerned that "Liufeng, this cousin, is indeed a smart man."

This is using the industry that Liu Feng deserves as a stepping stone to take root in the capital, and this is seeking protection.

Hu Xia didn't dare to say anything. Gu Liufeng's uncle had just arrived in the capital and was from the Ministry of Rites, which was controlled by the Feng family. They intervened in Liufeng's business because Liufeng was engaged to the Zhou family. In the final analysis, he came for the Zhou family.

Zhou Shuren likes smart people. He admires the actions of his uncle from Liufeng Hall. It is not easy to take over Liufeng's business. It is too painful to spit out the gold you have swallowed. It is not just one person who intervened. He must have done a lot of things in the middle.

Hu Xia couldn't tell what Lord Zhou was thinking, so he picked up the teacup and took a sip to calm his flustered heart. He was afraid that the Gu family's actions would disgust Lord Zhou. He was able to have a smooth career in the Ministry of Revenue because of Lord Zhou's protection. He knew too well what the Hu family would face if the Zhou family broke off the engagement.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "Liu Feng is a good kid."

Hu Xia's heart dropped to the ground. After thinking for a while, Hu Xia decided to tell the truth. "The Gu family's assets have been accumulated for several generations, so the family assets are indeed not small. When the old master gave Liu Feng's assets, it was not out of forgiveness, but because the Gu family's assets were large and could not be protected without a backer, so he thought of me. My official position at that time was not high, but I was an official in Beijing after all."

Zhou Shuren understood that if he really forgave him, he would take Liu Feng back with him before he died, instead of giving away the property after his death. The old man still wanted to plot against the Hu family.

Hu Xia continued, "I just didn't expect Liu Feng's uncles to swallow up the industry. If Liu Feng's uncle hadn't been promoted at that time, the Gu family's assets would have been divided up long ago. Even so, the Gu family has sold a lot of their industries over the years, and they are no longer as prosperous as before."

The fact that we are able to keep what we have now is all thanks to Liu Feng’s uncle.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Yu Shuang and Liu Feng are engaged. Liu Feng's uncles should have known about it, but why didn't they go to Beijing?"

Hu Xia looked contemptuous, "They are afraid. They have been bullied for many years. They swallowed up Liu Feng's industry. They are afraid that Liu Feng will bear a grudge against them. How dare they go to Beijing? Now the Gu family wants to stay in their hometown and not move. Liu Feng's cousin became someone's concubine and became the county magistrate of Xin County. The county magistrate of Xin County is already over 30 years old."

The information Zhou Shuren inquired about was not that detailed. He was mainly concerned about the overall situation of the Gu family at that time. He felt sad in his heart that a good girl was given away as a bargaining chip and her life was ruined.

Hu Xia watched as Lord Zhou let go of the pine nuts, and his heart skipped a beat. "Lord?"

Zhou Shuren retracted his gaze, "It's getting late."

Hu Xia had never thought that he could stay for dinner at Zhou's house. Not to mention that he was a person in charge, many officials who came to pay New Year's greetings had never stayed for dinner. It had indeed been a while. He stood up and put the list in his arms on the table. "This is Liu Feng's industry."

Zhou Shuren nodded and watched Hu Xia stand up and say goodbye.

Zhulan waited for Hu Xia to leave, then came out and picked up the list on the table. There was one thousand taels of silver, not many antiques, but mostly land, a manor in Xin County, two shops in Xin County, some jewelry, etc.

Zhu Lan put down the list and said, "There aren't many things here. The valuable things are the land, the farm and the shop. They are all in Xin County. It's obvious that Liu Feng's grandfather had anticipated what would happen to the Gu family today and made arrangements for their escape. It's a pity that Liu Feng's uncles didn't seize the opportunity."

Zhou Shuren also took a look, "At that time, it was more for Hu Xia than for Liu Feng. After all the calculations, it all ended up in Liu Feng's hands."

Zhu Lan motioned for Mrs. Song to leave, then sat down and said, "Liu Feng's cousin is very considerate. If he is fine, it will be a good thing for Wu Ming. Even if you take care of the Tao family, you won't be able to do your best. The Tao family is still very cunning. This person who comes up can actually help Wu Ming a lot."

It's difficult to do it alone. The people of the Tao family won't cooperate, so I have to find someone who can cooperate.

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "It's a pity that women in this dynasty cannot be officials. If you were given the opportunity, you would do well."

Zhulan chuckled, "I think it's nice to be your behind-the-scenes advisor."

Zhou Shuren held his wife's hand, and it was so tight that a pit came out when he squeezed it. He finally managed to lose some of the flesh, and they all came back during the two days of the New Year. "I will not meet Uncle Liu Feng Tang."

Zhulan curled her lips and asked, "Do you want to see what this person will do?"

"That's interesting, isn't it?"

Zhulan was originally very happy, but she became unhappy when she saw Zhou Shuren pressing her bulging belly. "It's New Year's Day, are you going to hurt my heart?"

Zhou Shuren didn't take his hand back. "You know what, this feels really good."

Zhulan snorted. Being fat has its advantages. The wrinkles on her face are gone and her skin has become better. It's true that fat people don't look old!

At the Gu family, Gu Zhuomin heard the news reported by the servant and signaled the servant to go down. Gu Zhuomin's wife, Ding, asked, "Do you think Hu Xia will speak well of you?"

Gu Zhuomin was unsure, "I don't know either."

Mrs. Ding has accompanied my husband all the way to today. Now that the Gu family has fallen into decline, it has not been easy for my husband to walk every step of the way. It is not uncommon for him to have his credit taken away from him, not to mention taking the blame for others. My husband is not young anymore, and he finally made it to the capital, but the capital is a real den of dragons and tigers. For a small official without any foundation who comes to the capital, only thorns are waiting for him along the way.

Gu Zhuomin pressed his brows and said, "Lord Zhou is not someone who is easy to please. Only if you are in Lord Zhou's eyes will he take a closer look at you. Otherwise, no matter how much you do, it will be useless. However, I think I made the right move."

Although he was not in the capital, he did have acquaintances. Although they were all minor officials, he was able to get some information. When he first learned that Liu Feng was engaged to the eldest granddaughter of the Zhou family, he was really happy. This was an opportunity for the Gu family.

But he didn't expect that he would end up being ruined by the hands of several cousins. Liu Feng didn't have much affection for the Gu family, so he could only create it himself.

Now it seems that all the efforts he put into building this industry were worth it.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Zhou family was still busy. Zhang Jinghong also came today, and Zhang Jinghong and his wife came together.

(End of this chapter)