"The day after the bank opened, Boss Hu personally came to the bank and gave us twelve thousand taels of silver, saying he didn’t want a share, just wanted to help the farmers." Young Master Dou is quite sly; although he didn’t explicitly say the Xu Family’s silver was less, he emphasized Boss Hu’s gesture of sending silver.

Ending with a statement: "Boss Hu not only demonstrated high virtue but also was very considerate, directly sending silver, saving us the trouble of exchanging silver notes, since farmers need actual silver."

Elder Xu’s expression was quite complicated after hearing this, wanting to smile to alleviate the embarrassment but was too enraged, ending up pulling a somewhat grim face.

Xu Zhao Ming hurriedly spoke for his family, "Young Master Dou, there are numerous clan members and relatives in our Xu Family, as well as many employees and tenant farmers; these families also need silver to pay taxes, my grandfather lent them silver, so the family’s silver has decreased significantly, thus only providing seven thousand taels of silver notes... Please do not think it’s too little."

Elder Xu was even more infuriated upon hearing this. His precious scholarly grandson, how could he swallow his pride and explain to Young Master Dou like this?

This Young Master Dou is too bullying. They’ve already given silver, why does he insist on snubbing their family? Is there any fun in that?

Indeed.

Young Master Dou was so busy recently that he almost dropped dead, looking at the accounts daily until his head spun. Snubbing others gave him a sense of satisfaction.

Gu Jin’an shook his head and said to Elder Xu, "Brother Dou has that kind of temperament, please don’t mind it, Sir."

As he spoke, he looked towards Young Master Dou.

Young Master Dou, seeing this, could only have Dou Zhi take a few name cards and give them to Elder Xu, saying, "Take these, Sir; at crucial times, you can go to the Dou Family’s shop or the local government office for help with these."

He has many businesses in Jiangnan, and the government offices there should show him some respect.

Elder Xu was very moved, taking the name cards with trembling hands, saying, "Young Master Dou, old man thanks you."

As well as Gu Jin’an...

"Good Brother An, Grandpa Xu thanks you."

If it weren’t for Gu Jin’an, Young Master Dou wouldn’t have given the Xu Family name cards so easily.

This marriage alliance is truly connected, even though the Xu Family is merely the Yue Family of Gu Dexing, yet Gu Jin’an still looks after them.

Elder Xu then pointed to the two food boxes on the table and said, "These are homemade nourishing supplements and some cakes to fill your stomach; have some before you get busy."

Young Master Dou glanced and said, "Dou Zhi, take them to the backyard for Brother Xing and the others to eat."

He wasn’t going to eat them; who knows if someone tampered with outside food?

Elder Xu was a perceptive person, seeing the matter was concluded without Young Master Dou taking offense, he bid farewell: "There are numerous matters at the bank, I shall not disturb any longer."

Just as he spoke, a group of government officials arrived at the bank’s entrance, Luo Wu came in, asked for Young Master Dou in the adjacent room, then directly entered.

Seeing the Xu Family grandson duo momentarily, feeling they were trustworthy, he straightforwardly said, "Young Master Dou, Good Brother An, the Vice Magistrate from the Prefecture has arrived, and Lord County Magistrate requests your urgent presence at the county government."

Young Master Dou closed his eyes, slapped his forehead, "Gu Jin’an, what’s with that mouth of yours, you just mentioned it last night, and it comes true today! I don’t want to go to the Prefecture!"

Gu Jin’an said last night that soon Magistrate Gu would summon him to the Prefecture to discuss matters regarding the new banks in various places, and at that time, other Prefecture magistrates would surely return. He wouldn’t be able to escape.

Elder Xu’s eyes lit up. The Vice Magistrate of the Prefecture personally came to invite Young Master Dou to the Prefecture? That’s not ordinary honor.

Luo Wu didn’t care if Young Master Dou was pleased, urging, "Young Master Dou, Good Brother An, please tidy up quickly and come with me to the county government."

Gu Jin’an nodded and said to Young Master Dou, "Brother Dou, let’s go."

Since it can’t be avoided, it’s best to promptly meet it. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Young Master Dou’s face was quite displeased, but he could only nod, following Luo Wu and the others to leave.

Elder Xu didn’t stay longer, he left the bank, boarded the mule cart, and said to Xu Zhao Ming, "When we return, exchange three thousand taels of silver and send it to Dou Ou Bank."

"Send more?" Xu Zhao Ming frowned and said, "Grandfather said this era is bad, silver is hard to earn, and we should save some silver for emergencies?"

Elder Xu glared at him, "You truly have been reading too naively, didn’t you hear the Vice Magistrate of the Prefecture personally came to invite Young Master Dou back? This surname Dou is not simple, after the matter of opening the bank and lending money to farmers, he is no longer just a merchant but praised as a righteous hero. Even scholars and madmen, who look down on others, don’t dare label him a profiteer anymore. Such a protector, our family has managed to connect through Brother Xing, we must maintain it."

Elder Xu pinched the name cards Young Master Dou gave and said, "What’s the harm in sacrificing some silver? With these name cards, those scoundrels from the Prefecture and Jiangnan will find it hard to suppress our Xu Family; even sending ten thousand taels of silver to Young Master Dou is a gain."

"I understand, grandson will handle it immediately upon return," Xu Zhao Ming replied, then asked, "What about the dowry for big sister? Do we still reduce it?"

After the tax matter came out, Elder Xu knew Great Chu was going into chaos, intending to hold onto the family’s silver, initially saying he would reduce Xu Zhong’s dowry.

Elder Xu was agitated, wanting to hit Xu Zhao Ming, "Reduce what? Your cousin has finally found a good match, how can we reduce her dowry? Cut down on household expenses and your socializing silver outside, but don’t reduce Miss Zhong’s dowry silver."

Xu Zhong now represents the Xu Family’s tie to the Gu Family, Ouyang Family, Dou Family, and even the Zheng Family. How can she be slighted?

The dowry must be ample, Gu Dexing must treat her well; thus, should Great Chu indeed experience turmoil, the Xu Family can rely on the Gu Family for a series of protections.

"The fiancé of Good Brother An’s second sister is Company Commander Qin, and he’s a beloved general under General Guo. Even Little General Guo personally attended the engagement ceremony... If Great Chu indeed faces any adversity in the future, those who hold military power are the real protectors." Elder Xu told Xu Zhao Ming, showing fox-like wisdom, elaborating on these connections.

Xu Zhao Ming was shocked after hearing it, saying, "Grandfather is truly thorough."

Indeed, compared to the family-trained Protectors, the soldiers under Company Commander Qin and his connection to the Prefecture garrison are the true forces that can provide them shelter.

Elder Xu was gratified seeing his grandson understand, not wasted his effort to teach him personally for several months, making him aware of harsh realities rather than being naively foolish.

However, Elder Xu still instructed Xu Zhao Ming, "Don’t rush to send the silver, prepare it but wait until Young Master Dou returns to the bank before bringing it in, ensuring you meet them and probe the situation in the Prefecture."

Old Fox!

Xu Zhao Ming’s mind suddenly produced these three words, feeling it’s disrespectful, he quickly lowered his head, silently apologizing in his heart, "Grandfather, I’m sorry."