CHAPTER 766: CHAPTER 766: SNATCHING THE BUSINESS

Gu Youlu’s eyes sparkled as he listened: "How is the Gu Family so capable? I’m so envious..."

He burst into hearty laughter again: "It’s said that the Gu Family and my family are even related; we all share the Gu surname. The ancestral graves of my Old Gu Family must be emitting green smoke, having produced such a talented descendant."

Gu Youlu wore a smug face, as if to say, "Look, we people of the Gu Family truly possess heavenly talents."

Upon seeing this, Young Master Yu immediately offered flattery: "Brother Gu’s family is full of capable people, each one with impressive abilities, unlike my family, which only deals in cloth business, nothing too remarkable."

In fact, the Yu Family’s cloth business was not small either, already having expanded to Linhe Prefecture. But compared to the official family, it still wasn’t much to behold.

Young Master Fu also flattered him, and Gu Youlu, who adored such compliments, was delighted. He picked up a wine cup nearby, took a sip, and said: "Do you know where this Gu Family resides? Are they in Prefecture City? If they are in Prefecture City, I’ll send my servant over with a card to invite them to pay us a visit."

Hmph, they think they’re so great just for making some lousy money, but compared to the Lai Family, the Gu Family amounts to nothing.

There’s an old saying, isn’t there? ’A destroyed family’s Magistrate, a wiped-out family’s County Magistrate,’ and Lai Vice Magistrate is one of the three highest officials in the Prefecture Government Office. Dealing with lowly merchants like the Gu Family would merely take a flick of the finger.

However, neither Young Master Yu nor Young Master Fu knew where the Gu Family resided: "We only know they are in Tianfu County. As for their exact location within Tianfu County, the Qi Family refuses to say."

Eldest Young Master Qi from the Qi Family serves as a Capital Official in the Capital, and since the Qi Family won’t speak, no one dares to press Master Qi with a knife to his throat.

Gu Youlu heard this and got somewhat angry: "The Qi Family is truly stingy, certainly because they fear everyone else might snatch away their seasoning business, hence they don’t share the Gu Family’s address."

Young Master Yu and Young Master Fu didn’t respond to this. Instead, they scoffed at Gu Youlu in their hearts... Is he out of his mind? Who does he think he is? Nothing more than a descendent of someone who sought favors from the Lai Family, what right has he to speak ill of the Qi Family?

No matter what, the Qi Family remains a noble family of Prefecture City, with their eldest son serving as a Capital Official.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh!" In an awkward moment, Gu Chengzhi choked on Fried Crispy Pork, his chubby face turning beet red, veins bulging in his neck as he continuously thumped Gu Youlu.

Gu Youlu hurriedly brought him a cup of tea to gulp down, scolding him annoyedly: "You inexhaustible troublemaker, how can you choke on meat? Swallow it quickly."

But Gu Chengzhi was choked quite severely, so Gu Youlu could only pat his back. After a few strong pats, Gu Chengzhi finally spit out a half-chewed piece of crispy pork, and his breath eased.

Tears had formed in Gu Chengzhi’s eyes from the choking, and with anger, he grabbed a piece of Fried Crispy Pork from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing furiously as if gnawing at an enemy’s flesh, his appearance sloppy and cruel.

Seeing this, both Young Master Yu and Young Master Fu were disgusted and alarmed; disgusted by this child’s way of eating as if starved, and alarmed by the ferocious expression that a child was capable of showing... How could Lord Lai be raising such a family? It was said they had been living with the Lai Family for over two years; Lord Lai even hired a scholar and a nanny to tutor them, so how did they end up with such manners?

Over two years and they’ve made no progress, much like beggars; the Old Gu Family is beyond hope, not worth delving into a deep relationship, but they can still be used for advantage.

The two looked down on Gu Youlu and his son, yet didn’t show it. Instead, they continued conversing with Gu Youlu, discussing various amusing tales from the Prefecture City.

In the end, they discovered that Gu Youlu was a man of little ability yet great ambition, even declaring, "Since you two younger brothers are so sincere to me, once I become an official, I will surely pull you up with me."

He also said, "My family and the Gu Family both share the Gu surname, relatives under the same ancestor. Now that my family is prospering, living in the residence of the Vice Magistrate, we mustn’t forget our relatives with the same surname. You two are familiar with He’an Prefecture, help me inquire about the Gu Family’s address, so I can have a word with them and invite them to speak in the Vice Magistrate’s residence."

Young Master Yu and Young Master Fu couldn’t bear it any longer. Are those even human words to say? Clearly aiming to take over someone else’s business of seasoning spices yet putting on an air of disdain.

Is there anything great about living in the Vice Magistrate’s residence? The Lord Vice Magistrate isn’t your father!

Besides, the Gu Family has the protection of the Qi Family, and it is said that the Gu Family’s sons are also acquainted with the legitimate heirs of the Jinling Zheng Family and the Shangguan family. Only a madman would help Gu Youlu and offend a family with such connections.

Young Master Yu and Young Master Fu saw they couldn’t continue their conversation with Gu Youlu, and upon seeing acquaintances, they immediately got up and bid farewell to Gu Youlu.

Gu Youlu did not ask them to stay, partly because Lai Bai called him over again, taking him to meet other rich young men.

Gu Youlu mingled among the merchants, rich families, and destitute scholars of the Prefecture, reveling in the flattery.

Gu Chengzhi ate vigorously, only stopping when he was so full he felt like throwing up.

As usual, the Prefecture was lively until the evening on the first day of the lunar month, when the guests gradually dispersed.

Lord Lai, tired from the day’s events, still didn’t want to slight Gu Youwen and Gu Youlu. He instructed Housekeeper Lai: "Prepare a few more tables of exquisite feasts; tonight we are hosting the family who did us a favor."

The title of a benefactor is not only a multi-purpose excuse but also earns him a reputation for being virtuous, earning praise from others: knowing how to repay kindness.

Housekeeper Lai advised, "Lord, you are too exhausted today. Why not host the Old Gu Family tomorrow night instead?"

But Lord Lai wouldn’t listen: "Every year we host the dinner on the evening of the first day; it’s not good to change the date this year. Go and prepare."

He added, "The cuisine from Futai Building is delicious; reserve from them."

Housekeeper Lai had no choice but to prepare the banquet, and two hours later, three tables of the feast were delivered. Coincidentally, Elder Gu felt unwell again, and Gu Youfu had to stay behind to look after him, missing the feast.

Gu Rong wondered, how could it be that every year when Lord Lai invites them for the feast, Grandfather falls ill? How can it be such a coincidence?

Doubtful, she had already planned to investigate.

After a while, the Old Gu Family arrived in the guest hall where the banquet was set. Lord Lai was already there, and everyone was seated in short order.

Gu Youlu immediately raised his glass to toast Lord Lai: "Uncle Lai, I toast to you. Thank you for your hard work; another year where we’ll trouble you to take care of our family."

Although Gu Youlu wasn’t much of an achiever, he knew how to speak pleasingly. Lord Lai liked him and smiled as he drank the wine.

As soon as he finished drinking, Gu Youlu made a request: "Uncle Lai, your nephew has a favor to ask, please help me out."

Lord Lai said, "What is it? Let me hear it. If it’s a righteous matter, Uncle will surely help you."

"Of course, it’s a righteous matter." Gu Youlu pointed to the roast duck on the table. "Uncle Lai, do you know where this roast duck came from? This is a delicacy made by the Gu Family. This Gu Family shares our surname, and I wish to ask for Uncle Lai’s help in finding this Gu Family, to discuss the prospect of our two families joining forces in business. Considering everyone shares the surname Gu and I heard that the Gu Family has no shop in the Prefecture, they would surely be willing to partner with our family in the business venture."