Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1242: Trap

Gu Dexing was taken aback, a trace of fluster appearing on his face. The Xu Family represented his future in-laws, the Yue Family. He wished to speak up in their defense but feared the scolding of Young Master Dou.

The severity of Young Master Dou’s reprimands was well-known, leaving Gu Dexing to look towards Gu Jin’an for assistance.

Gu Jin’an spoke up, "Brother Dou, Elder Xu is a senior and an in-law to our Gu Family. Why not grant him an audience and hear his proposition?"

Young Master Dou scoffed, "There’s no need. He must be here with silver to invest in a share. We painstakingly established this bank, and now he desires to join – he can dream on."

Dou Zhi, overhearing the exchange, chimed in, "Young Master, you ought to see them. Elder Xu has brought a considerable sum of silver."

"Considerable?" Young Master Dou’s eyes gleamed. Dou Zhi, having accompanied him through many financial dealings, understood that her 'considerable' meant a significant amount.

The prospect tempted Young Master Dou, who began rubbing his hands together and pacing. After a moment, he finally relented, "Very well, let us go and see them."

He then turned to Gu Dexing, "You had best not come. You are aware of my temperament. Should I lose my temper, your presence would not reflect well."

Gu Dexing’s cheek twitched. *You certainly know yourself well,* he thought. However, he had no recourse and simply replied, "Please, Young Master Dou, show some leniency."

At twenty-two, arranging a marriage was no simple feat, and he could not bear to see it fall apart.

"Worry not, worry not, I won't provoke the old man to his demise." Young Master Dou waved his hand dismissively, called to Gu Jin’an, and departed with Dou Zhi.

Before long, the trio arrived at the guest room located in the front of the establishment.

Elder Xu and Xu Zhao Ming were already in attendance. Upon witnessing the arrival of Young Master Dou and his companions, they promptly rose. "Young Master Dou, your noble and righteous act, rescuing the farmers of Tianfu County from hardship, fills me with deep admiration. Please accept this bow."

Young Master Dou rolled his eyes internally. *An old fox attempting such a maneuver on me, truly remarkable,* he mused.

He took Elder Xu’s arm, laughing heartily. "Elder Xu, we are not adversaries, are we? Since we are not, pray do not hasten my end."

*You are practically on your deathbed. Bowing to me—who could possibly accept such a gesture?*

Elder Xu chuckled at the remark, thinking inwardly, *Indeed, Young Master Dou possesses a sharp tongue, speaking with remarkable directness.*

However, when Xu Zhao Ming bowed to Young Master Dou, the latter accepted it without hesitation.

Elder Xu felt a pang of secret irritation. *My grandson is a Scholar, yet you unreservedly accept all this deference.*

Young Master Dou shot Elder Xu a glance and declared, "Our young master procured a Yulin Army Spear rank years ago."

*I am an official, a position far above your grandson's Scholar status.*

Elder Xu was momentarily speechless and could only offer a laugh, inquiring, "Where is Brother Xing? Why is he not present?"

Young Master Dou replied, "The bank in Luchang County is on the verge of opening, and he is occupied with its preparations, thus unable to come."

Elder Xu nodded and, following Young Master Dou’s lead, proposed, "My Zhao Ming is also adept with accounts. Perhaps you could allow him to remain and assist Young Master Dou, hmm?"

Xu Zhao Ming quickly interjected, stopping Elder Xu. "Grandfather, the work at Dou Ou Bank is all highly confidential; it is not suitable for your grandson to be involved."

*Brother Xing could offer assistance due to his connections with Brother An and Brother Wang. Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou trusted Brother Xing because of this, but I am different. I am the grandson of the Xu Family, whose influence has long dominated Tianfu County, and we maintain ties with certain influential families within Tianfu County and the Prefecture. These are connections the Dou Family and Ouyang Family tend to avoid.*

Young Master Dou’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Elder Xu, your grandson is correct. Do not make things difficult for our young master."

Gu Jin’an, not wishing to prolong the charade, directly inquired, "Elder Xu, Brother Zhao Ming, what brings you to the bank today?"

He then addressed Elder Xu more directly, "Our Gu and Xu families are related by marriage. Forgive my bluntness, but if you are here to assist the wealthy households of the county and the Prefecture in purchasing shares, then there is no need for further discussion. The Ouyang Family and the Dou Family will not consent, and you need not undertake this thankless task."

Elder Xu understood that Gu Jin'an’s candor was for Gu Dexing's sake, but he stated, "The Xu Family has been established in Tianfu County for many years, and we also conduct business in the Prefecture. Certain relationships must be maintained; it is not possible to simply not come."

He added, "I will not pressure you to agree, but I implore you to allow me to complete my statement."

*As long as the messages from each family are conveyed, my task will be fulfilled, and those old business associates will no longer be able to create difficulties for the Xu Family.*

Elder Xu presented a box, which he opened and placed before Young Master Dou. "Herein lie fifty thousand taels in silver notes; there are three families within the county, two in the Prefecture, and one situated in Jiangnan. They have expressed that should Young Master Dou consent to allow them to purchase shares, an additional sum of one hundred thousand taels in silver notes will be offered upon the signing of the contracts. Furthermore, should the bank ever face financial difficulties, they are prepared to inject more silver."

"That is a substantial amount of silver, quite generous indeed," Young Master Dou acknowledged, his desire for the silver palpable, yet he perceived the underlying trap. "What are the conditions?"

Elder Xu explained, "They are requesting an increase in interest rates and hope that Young Master Dou will not restrict lending silver solely for farmers to pay taxes, but also extend loans to them for other purposes."

With a resounding thud, Young Master Dou slammed his fist onto the box containing the silver notes, a sneer twisting his lips. "Ha, their calculations are quite audacious. Do they take our young master for a fool? Or perhaps they believe the Ouyang Family to be dim-witted, willing to serve as their unpaid tool? Attempting to leverage our bank and reputation for their usurious dealings, they are so adept at business, why don't they venture into the underworld and discuss matters of life and death with King Yan?!"

The Dou Ou Bank was instituted precisely to avert the chaos associated with exorbitant taxes. Its two paramount rules stipulated that interest rates must remain exceedingly low, affordable for the common farmer, and that loans would be exclusively for tax purposes, not a single cent more for any other miscellaneous silver.

Elder Xu was taken aback, not anticipating Young Master Dou's forthrightness. Nevertheless, a sense of relief washed over him, as he himself was disinclined to engage in such dubious practices.

Xu Zhao Ming quickly interjected, "Young Master Dou, please calm yourself. My grandfather was also coerced. Our family harbors no intention of assisting them in harming the farmers."

Young Master Dou waved his hand dismissively. "Say no more. For the sake of Brother Xing, this young master shall not make things unduly difficult for the Xu Family."

Upon hearing this, Elder Xu's spirits soared. Brother Xing, he was certain, would undoubtedly ascend to the golden mountain bestowed by Young Master Dou.

Young Master Dou fixed his gaze upon Elder Xu and declared, "Elder Xu, upon your return, convey to those individuals that if they are prepared to withstand the combined wrath of the Dou Family, the Ouyang Family, the entire scholarly class, and the farmers, then by all means, let them come."

An increase in interest rates, even solely on this point, would be enough to incite farmers to tear down those scoundrels' homes.

Elder Xu readily agreed, "Rest assured, Young Master Dou, your words shall be conveyed."

With that, he glanced towards Xu Zhao Ming.

Xu Zhao Ming, grasping the implication, produced a small box and offered it to Young Master Dou. "Young Master Dou, this is a token of appreciation from the Xu Family. Kindly accept it."

He further clarified, "This is not an investment for shares. The Xu Family seeks no stake in the bank, but rather hopes to provide assistance to the farmers."

Young Master Dou chuckled, accepting the box without hesitation. "The Xu Family demonstrates true righteousness. I express my gratitude to Elder Xu on behalf of the farmers."

Ah, surely they had come to present silver, but the amount was rather meager, a mere seven thousand taels. Would it have been too much to ask for them to round it up to ten thousand?