Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1255: Down on One’s Luck

Then, talk shifted to Young Master Dou. "That brat Dou Ke is far too arrogant. If the two young masters don’t mind, perhaps you could teach Dou Ke a lesson? Let him realize that lowly merchants ought to live their lives kneeling before the royal clan!"

The Third Young Master Ying, being quite astute, caught the implication and responded, "The Dou family does indeed tend to cause trouble. Brother Qin, your skills and experience are exceptional. I shall entrust this task of teaching the lowly merchants a lesson to you."

Zongzheng Qin, known for his impulsive nature, readily took the bait upon hearing this. "Certainly, Brother Ying! Rest assured, I will definitely teach that scumbag Dou Ke a significant lesson!"

The Dou family’s arrogance towards merchants was one thing, but to dare show disrespect was practically inviting their own demise!

Elder Shen Si, pleased by this turn of events, let out a hearty laugh. "Then Shen shall await the good news from the Fifth Young Master."

Their attention was fixed upon Young Master Dou. As for Gu Jin’an, who was he? In their eyes, merely a worthless bookworm serving Master Ouyang, not deserving of even a glance.

After their discussion, Elder Shen Si, Third Young Master Ying, and Zongzheng Qin proceeded with their preparations for the grand opening of the new bank.

Master Ouyang was equally diligent, dispatching the Ouyang family’s Shadow Guards on swift horses to deliver letters and the contract for Dou Ou Bank to Elder Ouyang Hong.

Following the dispatch of the letters, Master Ouyang remained in the prefecture, showing no haste to depart.

Magistrates from various prefectures sought an audience with him, but their pleas were met with a polite refusal. They departed with regret, unable to abandon their own territories; a delayed return could even result in their government offices being usurped.

Only Magistrate Xie of Hushan Prefecture departed with a smile. While only Bagu County had secured a new bank, he had heard that the Dou Ou Bank in Tianfu County had extended loans to farmers across four neighboring counties.

Four counties meant that over half of the prefecture’s farmers had received loans. If the Dou Ou Bank in Bagu County could extend similar benefits to four adjacent counties, the severe crisis gripping Hushan Prefecture would be significantly alleviated!

These thoughts brought an uncontrollable smile to Magistrate Xie’s face.

Observing this, the steward inquired, "Why does master find amusement?"

Fanning himself gently, Magistrate Xie replied, "Consider the expressions on the faces of those in Yuyang Prefecture and Baishan Prefecture, then look at our Hushan Prefecture. If I cannot laugh heartily, I would be foolish indeed."

He resolved not to let down the good intentions of Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou.

The steward quickly offered a caution, "Master, please exercise restraint. Although Hushan Prefecture has gained an advantage, the crisis is only partially resolved. The other prefectures face dire circumstances. Should their lords discover you laughing at their plight, they might resent you, accusing you of reveling in their misfortune."

This could prove detrimental to your future career.

While Magistrate Xie did indeed find amusement in their predicament, he nodded upon hearing the steward’s words. "Hmm, the steward speaks wisely. I am, of course, quite concerned for the other prefectures."

After delivering these insincere words, he instructed the steward, "Dispatch swift horses to inform the County Magistrate of Bagu County. Have him present himself at the government office immediately; I have matters requiring his attention."

He then reconsidered, adding, "Furthermore, have Squad Leader Xu directly escort people to Bagu County and bring the County Magistrate of Bagu County to the government office."

He intended to maintain a firm grip on Bagu County. With such substantial funds involved, meticulous management was essential; not a single cent could be squandered by the County Magistrate of Bagu County!

"Yes, sir." The steward promptly sought out Squad Leader Xu, dispatching him with half of the accompanying government officials to Bagu County to escort the County Magistrate back to the prefecture.

Ever since meeting Manager Dou, the County Magistrate of Bagu County had been in a state of both elation and apprehension. He rejoiced at the prospect of Dou Ou Bank establishing a branch in their county, yet feared that Chief Commander Liu might learn of it and lead his band of deserters to plunder the silver.

Caught in this precarious situation, he then encountered Squad Leader Xu. Upon hearing Xu’s directives, he unleashed a torrent of curses upon Magistrate Xie’s ancestors.

“Damn it! This Xie fellow truly knows how to manipulate things, intending to seize the silver from Dou Ou Bank in Bagu County and distribute it to other counties!”

“Hmph, absolutely not! I must safeguard Dou Ou Bank’s silver. Let the farmers of Bagu County borrow it first!”

“If Bagu County descends into chaos, my official position is at risk. As for whether other counties fall into disarray, that is none of my concern.”

Though officials of higher rank possessed the authority to oppress those beneath them, as a County Magistrate, he found himself powerless against the prefecture's magistrate. His only recourse was to comply with Squad Leader Xu and the others, accompanying them to the prefecture.

Before their departure, however, Manager Dou conveyed a crucial directive: "As Dou Ou Bank has established its presence in Bagu County, the silver shall first be allocated to the farmers of this county. Only after every farmer in Bagu County has secured their loans will we extend credit to residents of other counties. The same operational principle applies to the bank in Tianfu County."

Upon hearing this, the County Magistrate of Bagu County experienced a profound sense of relief.

...

In recent times, Young Master Dou found himself ensnared in a series of unfortunate circumstances, expressing his bewilderment: "Could it be that this Young Master has recently become the target of the god of misfortune? Why do I continuously encounter such unlucky events?"

These unfortunate incidents, it turned out, stemmed from two distinct traps – one involving financial matters and the other concerning women.

The financial entanglement was hardly worth dwelling on; his sharp business acumen allowed him to perceive the snare from the outset, and he had even managed to turn the tables on his adversaries.

The matter of women, however, proved to be a rather more complicated affair.

As a normal man in the prime of his youth, the need for female companionship was natural. During his recent days of idleness in the prefecture, his thoughts had indeed turned to such pursuits.

Yet, Dou Meng's handling of these delicate matters paled in comparison to Dou Zhi's usual adeptness. Despite securing a woman of exceptional beauty, she was unfortunately not as flawless as she appeared. A summoned physician's examination revealed she was suffering from a venereal disease.

The affairs of the Old Gu Family were widely discussed, becoming fodder for storytellers who eagerly recounted their tales. Young Master Dou, having privy to these narratives, was aware of the venereal disease afflicting Gu Chengxian and others.

The storytellers' vivid descriptions, often exaggerating the terrifying consequences of venereal disease, instilled a deep-seated fear in Young Master Dou. Upon learning of the beauty's condition, he was thrown into a state of near-trauma, vociferously scolding Dou Meng: "What sort of individuals did you procure? Bringing such a person to a secluded courtyard without first thoroughly investigating her background and conducting a comprehensive physical examination to ensure she was free of illness? To bring her here only to examine her afterward? Are you attempting to bring about this Young Master's demise?!"

Dou Meng, undertaking this task for the first time, had initially assumed it to be a straightforward endeavor. Dou Zhi had always managed such arrangements with impeccable precision, never faltering. Little did Dou Meng anticipate his inaugural attempt would be marred by such a significant error.

"Please calm yourself, Master. That individual has already been dealt with. Rest assured, you will remain unharmed."

"Silence! It is you who will face trouble!" Young Master Dou, incensed, declared, "Have the room this woman occupied thoroughly disinfected, and then sell off the secluded courtyard. It is no longer fit for use."

He certainly did not dare to remain in that separate dwelling any longer; selling it and acquiring a new one was imperative.

"Yes, your subordinate will attend to the matter immediately." Dou Meng, concurring that retaining the secluded courtyard was indeed inadvisable, promptly departed to execute the order.

Upon hearing of these events, Gu Jin'an sought out Young Master Dou, advising him gravely: "The predicaments you have encountered lately are far from simple. It is highly probable that you are being targeted. You must exercise extreme caution."

The Shen Family, the Ying Family, and the Zongzheng Family were not to be trifled with; they possessed the audacity to engage with Young Master Dou, a scion of an Imperial Merchant house.