redvbooks Chapter 1339: Money Pit
Chapter 1339: Money Pit
Gu Dexing, Qi Kangming, Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian, Tian Erqiang, and even He Jinseng all went together.
Gu Jin’an not only wanted to stir things up this time, but also wanted outsiders to know that even if the two fiercest people from their few families went to the Northwest, their young ones are still plentiful and united!
And every time Gu Jin’an traveled far, he would say goodbye to Scholar Shang, and this time was no exception. After reaching the entrance to Shang Family Village, he took Zezi to bid farewell to Scholar Shang.
Scholar Shang already knew about Manager Feng’s affair and learned that he had evidence in hand. He also supported Gu Jin’an in making a big fuss, accompanying him out of the village, saying he would see him to the county.
Gu Jin’an agreed and left Shang Family Village, heading straight to town to say goodbye to Master Ouyang.
Master Ouyang knew he wanted to use this affair to assert his influence and intimidate those with ambitions to seize his family’s assets. He was very supportive and sent Ah Song to accompany him.
With Ah Song there, Lord Magistrate would understand the Ouyang Family’s intentions.
Gu Jin’an originally didn’t want to trouble Master Ouyang, but knowing Master Ouyang was a straightforward person who disliked being refused once he offered help, Gu Jin’an thanked him and brought Ah Song along.
As for Young Master Dou, Gu Jin’an hadn’t gone to ask him yet, but he rushed over, looking eager to see the commotion and asked, "Gu Jin’an, has something happened to your family?"
Haha, now without the Young Marquis keeping things steady for you all, something has indeed happened, right? You all are just a bunch of useless people.
Young Master Dou had money. He bought three mansions at a high price on the north side of the town, tore them down, and rebuilt a large separate yard. He drank too much yesterday and intended to see Qin San Lang off, so he hadn’t returned to the county and stayed in the town house.
After hearing this, Gu Jin’an looked at him and smiled slightly.
Uh, a sense of foreboding rose in Young Master Dou’s heart, his interest in the spectacle was gone, and he hastily said, "I drank too much yesterday; my head hurts terribly and I seem to have a fever. I’m sick, sick, exhausted, and need to go back to rest, goodbye!"
With that, he turned immediately, ready to leave.
But it was too late; Gu Jin’an quickly kicked a foot out, tripping Young Master Dou into a stumble, nearly crashing face-first to the ground, but Gu Jin’an timely grabbed him, saying, "Young Master Dou, don’t go; brother has a request."
Request what, damn it, I don’t want to agree, shut up, don’t say it!
But Gu Jin’an said, "My brother-in-law said, Young Master Dou is a righteous man. When Manager Feng colluded with Assistant Judge Jia to seize my family’s assets, Young Master Dou would surely be furious and join me to the Prefecture, helping my family seek justice."
Young Master Dou felt like strangling Gu Jin’an; he knew Gu Jin’an could be vicious when scolding people but never thought he could be deadly when complimenting. In just one sentence, he was firmly cornered.
It seems the Young Marquis wants him to step in and help, alas, Young Master Dou could only agree, turned around, and said with a righteous expression, "Manager Feng is a dog whose grave was dug and conscience eaten! Relying on your family’s recipes and spices to open so many taverns, once your brother-in-law is heading to the Northwest, he changes face and bullies people, bullying kin of soldiers defending the country! I would never agree; I will definitely go with you to the Prefecture Government Office, then to Tong’an Prefecture to ask Magistrate Xi, should the merchant conspiring with Jia to seize another’s property be killed?!"
Goodness, Gu Jin’an just wanted to file a complaint and get Assistant Judge Jia arrested, while Young Master Dou directly wants Assistant Judge Jia’s life.
Alright then, Gu Jin’an gleefully smiled inside but his face showed deep gratitude: "Sure enough, Young Master Dou is noble, I admire it, thank you very much!"
Admire my foot, you just want to drag me into helping you make noise, right.
He stayed in town just to see the Young Marquis off; after all, the Northwest is perilous and far away, saying goodbye now makes meeting again difficult in the future, but now it’s not happening.
Young Master Dou couldn’t see Qin San Lang off, seething inwardly because of Gu Jin’an and glaring at the stunned Brother Cheng, pinching his cheek hard, and coldly sneered: "Little brat, are you going too? This is a big case; when it comes to the trial, lives will be lost, if you see a beheading, you’d better not be scared to death."
Damn kid, don’t blame me for scaring you; you look so much like your brother, I can’t bully your brother, so I can only bully you.
However, Young Master Dou immediately regretted it.
"Wow!" Brother Cheng suddenly burst into tears, startling Young Master Dou. He quickly let go and jumped aside, calling Dou Zhi: "Hurry and comfort him."
Wasn’t it just a pinch, is crying necessary?
Gu Jin’an glanced at Brother Cheng’s broken skinned face, gloomily looked at Young Master Dou, turned and patted Brother Cheng’s head, comforting: "Alright, don’t cry, be a man, no crying."
Brother Cheng cried a few dry sobs, then stopped, sniffled and said: "But my face hurts...the skin’s broken, it’ll cost a lot of silver to heal."
He’s trying to extort money, Dou Zhi, quick-minded, immediately took out a hundred tael silver note, handed it to Brother Cheng: "Young man, don’t cry, take this silver note to see the doctor for your face."
Brother Cheng deftly pocketed the note and immediately stopped crying: "Alright."
Young Master Dou’s mouth twitched, again cursed the Gu Family People: A whole family of no-gooders, the big ones are devious and cruel, the little ones pose and extort, just one pinch costs a hundred taels, simply bandits, he truly wants to destroy them...
Forget it, for the Young Marquis’ sake, he won’t haggle with the Gu Family People.
"Let’s go, let’s go to the government office to seek justice!" Young Master Dou called out, climbed into his ostentatious carriage, and headed to the county government.
County Magistrate Zheng learned of their intentions and looked over those fake Government Officials’ confessions, saying: "This case is clear, Manager Feng won’t escape guilt this time, but Assistant Judge Jia’s side is tricky, however with Young Master Dou there, not afraid we can’t deal with him."
The case happened in Tianfu County, and the county government must send people along, but County Magistrate Zheng and County Captain Jiang had to prepare for recruitment and sending off soldiers, so they couldn’t accompany Gu Jin’an to the Prefecture Government Office. Thus, County Magistrate Fang happily agreed to go along.
This case involves officials from other prefectures, considered a big case, County Magistrate Fang going also means making merits, gladly agreed.
A large group of people then grandly marched toward the Prefecture.
Young Master Dou is disruptive; no Jianghuai or Jiangnan Magistrates who’ve dealt with him were unafraid, with him there, handling Assistant Judge Jia’s matter would be much smoother.
...
When Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang returned home, they went to the kitchen to continue cooking to entertain Madam Guo, eleven dishes, a soup, and a dessert, all made by Gu Jinli.
Once the dishes were served, Madam Guo nodded in satisfaction: "San Lang’s wife, you’ve been thoughtful."
San Lang’s wife?
Gu Jinli was startled; the title was new, the first time hearing it.
"They’re just some home-style dishes, unworthy of aunt’s praise. Please eat." Gu Jinli offered Madam Guo a blossomed fishball, saying: "Taste this blossomed fishball, it’s very fresh and delightful."
Madam Guo listened and tasted, then drank some soup from blooming fishballs, nodding: "Indeed very fresh and delightful."
Zong matchmaker, as the matchmaker, counts as a guest, joined the table to eat. After a few dishes, she praised: "Mrs. Qin’s culinary skills are indeed excellent, comparable to noble lady’s secret delicacies."