Lady Wan Guan

That night, the heads of the seven families came to the government office one after another.

After everyone arrived, Gu Zhouting asked Mr. Qiu to go to the living room with him.

Master Qiu followed Gu Zhouting, complaining secretly.

He was forced to write the post, so the heads of the seven families should not blame him afterwards.

"The imperial envoy has arrived..." the guard shouted loudly.

The heads of the seven families stood up and bowed to greet them.

Gu Zhouting could not help but smile in the spring breeze: "Everyone, please take a seat. Feel free to sit down."

After all the family heads sat down, they took a closer look at the imperial envoy. He was a bit too young, fair and handsome, with a gentle smile, and looked like he was easy to get along with.

But they didn't dare to underestimate this person because of this.

To be able to sit in the position of Minister of Dali Temple at such a young age, one must either have a very strong family background or have real talent and great learning skills.

Everyone makes eye contact with each other.

See Tricks and Tricks.

Gu Zhou stopped and said, "I heard from Mr. Qiu that you are from a distinguished family in Dengzhou. You control not only the entire sky in Dengzhou, but at least half of it. Gu came here on the emperor's order to solve the food shortage in Dengzhou. I hope you can do your best." Please help each other, and when I return to the court after my success, I will certainly have to ask for your merits in front of the Emperor."

There was silence at the table, and everyone was complaining about Mr. Qiu. How could Mr. Qiu say such things? The sky in Dengzhou belongs to General Lu, and they are just a corner at most. What Mr. Qiu said was like putting them on fire. .

Master Qiu felt miserable. He swore to God that he had never said such a thing.Mr. Gu looks upright, how can he make up lies?

But he didn't dare to expose it to his face.

"What trouble do you have?" Gu Zhou stopped showing no trace of anger or embarrassment on his face, and still smiled gently.

"Master Gu, I only have a little wealth. Master Qiu thinks highly of us. What he said is exaggerated. In recent years, the Zhenbei Army has been stationed in Dengzhou City. Apart from the food and grass allocated by the imperial court, the rest of the [-] soldiers and horses are all We have tried our best to help you, but we can barely provide enough. This year's harvest in Dengzhou is not good, and we have very little food left at home. Although we are willing to help you, we are really... unable to do what we can, so please don't blame me." Mr. Zhou took the lead. Open your mouth.

"Yes, Master Gu, there is really nothing we can do."

"I hope Sir Gu will not blame you."

Everyone started to cry out of poverty.

The attitude is very sincere.

Gu Zhou stopped laughing and said nothing, clapped his hands, and several soldiers came in carrying several large boxes.

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing what they meant.

Gu Zhou stopped and said: "These are the fish scale books of Dengzhou City. Gu ordered people to keep statistics overnight. The fertile land owned by the seven of you alone accounts for more than [-]% of all the fertile land in Dengzhou City. If we check more carefully, your relatives and subordinates will be All things considered, this number is even more impressive. If I order someone to go to the fields to measure it again..."

Everyone's expressions changed slightly. Whoever didn't bribe the government to falsify the fish scale book would not be able to withstand the investigation.

"It can be said that more than [-]% of the fertile land in Dengzhou City is in your hands. Master Qiu said that you control the entire sky in Dengzhou is not an exaggeration. I also know that you are responsible for the food and grass of the Zhenbei Army. The pressure is great, so you can turn a blind eye. Gu doesn’t want to pursue the matter of closing one’s eyes, but there is a food shortage in Dengzhou right now, and if people really starve to death, who will cultivate so many fertile fields for you next year?”

"Everyone should take a longer-term view, suffer temporary losses, and enjoy long-term health. You will not lose this debt."

There was another silence at the table.

Master Qiu said sarcastically: "Everyone's family background is in Dengzhou. If Dengzhou is safe, you will be safe. If Dengzhou is in chaos, everyone will have a hard time. Mr. Gu has the emperor's mandate, and he doesn't mean to deliberately embarrass you. Please help if you can." It will be good for Dengzhou and all of your families." Mr. Zhou gritted his teeth, as if he had made a lot of determination: "Since Mr. Gu and Mr. Qiu have spoken about this, I will help no matter how difficult it is. Your Excellency, our Zhou family is willing to contribute our remaining grain, a total of [-] shi."

"Since Brother Zhou has taken the lead, our Huang family will not fall behind. The Huang family is willing to donate six hundred dan of food."

"Five hundred stones from the Feng family."

"Six hundred stones from the Zhang family."

"The Liu family has five hundred stones."

"The Qi family has seven hundred stones."

"The Zhu family has five hundred stones."

Gu Zhou stopped stroking his palms and said, "The heads of the family are really generous. They actually collected [-] dan. Come, come, come, I'll give you a toast, Gu."

Gu Zhou stopped and picked up the wine cup.

Seeing that he didn't look displeased, the family leaders secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This Master Gu is quite easy to fool!

"Don't dare, I respect Mr. Gu. Mr. Gu has come all the way. It's my duty to show my gratitude to the landlord. Tomorrow, I, Zhou, will be the host of Chunfeng Tower to help Mr. Gu." Mr. Zhou said with a smile.

After everyone drank a glass of wine, Gu Zhou stopped and put down the wine cup, sighed and said: "Unfortunately, these [-] dan are still a drop in the bucket in solving the food shortage in Dengzhou. It seems that I will have to go to the fields tomorrow to measure the fields carefully." , see where we can get some food.

Family heads: Uh...

This is not over yet?

Everyone looked at Mr. Qiu, who winked at them and signaled them to do more, otherwise everyone would not be able to eat and walk around.

Gu Zhou stopped to pour his wine and drink, pretending not to notice their silent communication.

Mr. Zhou weighed it for a moment and said: "Mr. Gu, it's not that we won't cooperate. It's true that our family has a big business and a lot of expenses. The surplus grain at home was sold south long before the grain shortage. It's really true now Can’t get any more.”

They can't let this Master Gu get used to him. Master Gu is just trying to deceive them. Once they give in, what awaits them will be endless demands.

The rest of the Patriarchs also echoed.

Gu Zhouting gave a slight sip and put down his wine cup: "Masters of the house, I still have official duties to attend to. Please excuse me. By the way, I have asked your entourage to go back to deliver the message. You will stay in the government office and with me." The officials discuss important matters together, when the matter is resolved, and when to go home."

ah?This……

Everyone realized that Master Gu was going to put them under house arrest here.

"Sir, we have done nothing wrong or broken any laws. On the contrary, we are willing to donate part of our food to help you solve the food shortage crisis. How can you treat us like this?" the head of the Feng family said angrily.

Gu Zhouting pretended to be confused: "What did I do to you?"

He pointed to a table of food and wine: "I will entertain you with good wine and food. I will provide you with beds and quilts at night. You will never be cold. You are all Dengzhou law-abiding, loyal and patriotic rich squires and famous families. You volunteer." Assisting me here, sharing the worries of the court and the emperor, this is an act worthy of commendation, isn't it?"

Gu Zhouting finished speaking with a smile and looked at Master Qiu: "Master Qiu, didn't you say you wanted to show me the tax account books?"

Master Qiu wiped the sweat from his forehead, ignored the several family heads who glared at him, and hurriedly got up and followed Master Gu.

He really wanted to cry without tears. This Master Gu was so insidious. Before, he only said that he would invite the seven masters to come over to discuss donating food. Who would have thought that Master Gu would dare to detain people here.