Because he participated in Sun Quan's discussion, Gu Yong returned home with worries and no appetite for dinner.

Not long after returning home, Gu Yong went to his study to be alone and meditate by practicing calligraphy.

Gu Yong's official calligraphy is powerful and powerful, and his handwriting is penetrating and spiritual. He has the style of his mentor Cai Yong.

In early spring in February, the nights are as cool as winter.

Gu's wife, Mrs. Lu (the daughter of Lu Kang), saw that her husband came back from work without dinner. She guessed that he was worried about government affairs, so she asked the kitchen to cook mutton soup, hoping to keep Gu Yong warm from the cold.

Mrs. Lu took the soup to the study, and Gu Yongzheng was concentrating on writing. She only briefly explained a few words, then closed the door and left.

People's words are like their own. Although Mr. Lu doesn't know calligraphy, from a layman's perspective, the words written by Gu Yong tonight are less beautiful than before.

Mr. Lu didn't know that it was Fei Bai's calligraphy. Gu Yong tried to imitate Cai Yong's original work, but he couldn't get the rhyme of it, and it was not as beautiful as the normal calligraphy.

Mistaking that Gu Yong was depressed, Mr. Lu sent away the servants around the study, leaving Gu Yong with a quiet environment.

Although Ms. Lu had a good idea, she couldn't cope with family emergencies.

Not long after she delivered the mutton soup, she hurried to the study again.

Because Mr. Lu had rushed in, the rhythm of Gu Yong's writing was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, leaving a flaw on the paper.

Gu Yong then stopped writing, picked up the slightly cold mutton soup, and drank it in one gulp while facing Mr. Lu.

"You've finished drinking the soup, don't push it any further."

Seeing that Gu Yong was not speaking well, Mrs. Lu hurriedly defended: "My husband misunderstood, I am not here to urge you to drink soup, but something happened at home."

Gu Yong frowned and asked, "What can happen at home? Even my wife can't solve it?"

"It's not our family, it's Zitong's (Gu Ti, a younger brother of the Gu Yong clan) family who has a big problem, and I really can't solve it." Mrs. Lu shook her head.

"Zitong?" Gu Yong was surprised instead of unhappy, and asked hurriedly: "What could happen to his family?"

Mr. Lu replied: "It's Zi Tong's wife's brother. He bought a shop a few months ago, but it was raided by soldiers just before nightfall. Zi Tong asked my husband to come over and talk to me."

After hearing this, Gu Yong disapproved and said contemptuously: "It's just a shop, why is there such a fuss? Why did Zitong's wife and brother suddenly start doing business? Not only can't make a lot of money, but he also violated his identity and wanted me to find Lu Dai (

Wujunjuncheng) begging for mercy? Is the Gu family’s face so worthless?”

Mr. Lu shook his head and explained: "It's not an ordinary shop, it's Yao Ji who sells underwear. I heard that the soldiers who went to check it were not sent by the county government."

"Yao Ji? He's not from the county government yet."

Gu Yong's eyes twitched, and he instinctively realized that it was not simple. He immediately took the cloak from the rack and told Mrs. Lu, "Have someone prepare the carriage immediately."

"The people coming from Zitong are ready."

"Well, madam, take a rest early and go back to your husband."

Before Mr. Lu could finish what he said, Gu Yong tied up his cloak and hurried out.

Mrs. Lu saw that Gu Yong was in a hurry. How could she sleep alone? After finishing what she was doing, she waited in the front hall.

It was not until the eve of Haishi that Gu Yong returned with a dark face.

Gu Yong paid a visit to Gu Ti's house and got two pieces of news, one good and one bad.

The good news is that Gu Ti's brother-in-law did not come forward in person, but found someone to act as a face, so at least the Gu family's face was not lost. Moreover, Yao Ji was placed in the market at that time, and the Zhang family of Wu County was also involved in the partnership, so the losses were naturally shared.

to two families.

The bad news is more heartbreaking. Although the identities of the soldiers who searched Yao Ji were unknown, the money and goods they confiscated from the merchant's store were eventually taken to the back door of Wuhou Mansion.

It turns out that the initiator of the evil deeds turned out to be the young Lord of Jiangdong.

No wonder there's a big divination today, and you're planning to take the lead in donating money, so you don't have to pay for it yourself.

Yao Ji was labeled as a craftsman, and both the Gu family and the Zhang family in the background had no choice but to suffer the consequences of being dumb.

Dai Qiu can be regarded as a worthy death, at least Sun Quan can no longer criticize Yao Ji.

The Gu and Zhang families were able to save money this time, but the thought of still having money and food to share made Gu Yong feel very uncomfortable.

"Husband, are you okay?"

"It's okay, everything has been taken care of."

"That's good."

"My lord is going to use troops against Hefei, and the Gu and Lu families have to take on the important task of raising money and food. You will send someone to Haichang in a few days and invite Boyan to come to your home for a gathering."

"Oh okay."

The day after Yaoji Trading Company was raided, someone secretly placed an account book at the Haichang County Yamen Gate.

Soon, the account book was discovered by the government officials and handed over to the county magistrate Lu Yi.

Lu Yi was greatly shocked after briefly reading it. A few days later, he was invited to a banquet by Gu Yong, and he also brought the account book with him.

After the banquet was over, Gu Yong invited Lu Yi to speak in the study.

"Bo Yan has been in Haichang for two years. I heard that the county magistrate has done a good job and the farming has been very effective, right? This time my lord is attacking Hefei, the Lu family may have to share more."

"Although Haichang's farming has been effective, many places in the county are suffering from drought, and the government's grain stocks are mostly used to provide relief to the victims. Apart from the normal grain taxes paid, I'm afraid there won't be much support for Hefei's operations. If we wait until after the summer rice harvest, there may be

There is some balance left.”

"hehe."

After hearing this, Gu Yong showed a bitter smile: "I also suggested that we start the war after the summer harvest, but my lord was so high-spirited that he refused to listen. In the end, it was Zhu Junli who persuaded me and changed the time for sending troops to April. The task will be assigned to Haichang soon.

Boyan's task will definitely not be easy, and the only way to do it is to use the Lu family's financial resources."

"We donate money and food every year. The Lu family can't stand it even if it's a golden mountain. Why doesn't Mr. Gu fight for it?" Lu Yi frowned after saying this.

Gu Yong replied: "Sun Bofu died in an assassination attempt. I thought Sun Zhongmou would calm down a bit, but I didn't expect him to be more aggressive than his brother. The civil and military officials in the DPRK and China are not outsiders. Yu Zhongxiang and I are really in decline. Besides,

The lord has promised that his donation will not be in vain, and he will have the land and population of Huainan in return."

Lu Yi's face was filled with doubts, and he asked: "This has to be a victory. What will happen if we lose?"

Gu Yong was surprised and asked: "My lord plans to send 100,000 troops. It is said that he is bound to win, but Boyan just spoke sincerely. Could it be that he has a different opinion?"

"I have secretly observed Long Xiang for several years and found that this person is low-key and tolerant, but he has quite powerful abilities. Take the underwear of Yaoji Trading Co., Ltd. as an example. He uses such a few pieces of cloth to exchange for how much resources I have in Jiangdong every year."

Lu Yi watched his words carefully when he spoke. When he mentioned Yao Ji, he saw that Gu Yong's face became embarrassed, so he promptly stopped the topic.

"Hmph, not all of Yao Ji's profits will go back to Hefei."

As soon as Gu Yong finished speaking, Lu Yi's heart began to beat, wondering if he also had the account book?

"Bo Yan continued to explain his reasons. Although my lord sent troops in a hurry, it is hard for me to believe that we will lose to Hefei. After all, it is an army of 100,000."

"There is no guarantee of victory with more troops. Has Duke Gu forgotten Yuan Shao of Guandu?"

Lu Yi shook his head and continued: "Although I can't give any reason, Long Xiang is shrewd and cautious. He dared to offend Cao Cao and Jiang Dong at the same time, which shows that he must be relying on someone and may have laid a trap, so I am not optimistic about this time.

Northern Expedition."

"Since I know that I want to lose, why waste soldiers and horses? Bo Yan guessed that there was a trap, why not let it go?"

"Can you persuade?"

Lu Xing smiled bitterly, took out the book book from his arms, and handed it to Gu Yongdao: "This may be one of the traps of the dragon."
Chapter completed!