flstandardbreds Chapter 160 The "Big Fish" Has Arrived
Chapter 160 The "Big Fish" Has Arrived
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Gao Shunqin paced back and forth, pondering and muttering to himself, "What does this Liu guy want? Could it really be, as he says, that he wants to seize your bank? But can he really achieve his goal by causing trouble like this? Liu guy isn't that stupid, is he?"
Gao Hongtu speculated: "I heard that the man surnamed Liu has a close relationship with the governor. Is it because the governor is backing him up?"
Gao Shunqin immediately thought of his own Dingfeng Shipping Company, his face turning ashen. He then shook his head: "Mu Tianyan is an old fox, he wouldn't do something so reckless. Didn't you say he had an old grudge against you? It's probably just that Liu guy using your power as an excuse to vent his anger."
"Whether it's venting anger or not, the money shop has been smashed to pieces. Lord Gao, you can't just sit idly by!" Gao Hongtu pleaded. "You also have a share in the money shop..."
Gao Shunqin said with difficulty, "But I am just an imperial inspector, neither a local official nor the commander-in-chief of Guangdong. What reason or authority do I have to interfere in this matter?"
“As long as you show your face, that Liu fellow will definitely behave himself. He's just a military officer who was granted amnesty, with no connections or influence in the army or the court. He'll certainly be wary of you, an imperial censor who has the power to reach the emperor…”
Gao Shunqin shook his head again, still looking troubled.
Seeing this, Gao Hongtu gritted his teeth and held up three fingers: "As long as you help me get through this crisis, I will give you 30% of the money shop's share!"
It turned out to be just a phantom share, with no actual ownership of the money exchange. Suddenly, it had increased to 30%, meaning that the money at the end of the year could more than triple. Gao Shunqin was tempted. After thinking for a moment, he agreed: "Then I'll go and meet that Liu Ye."
As Gao Shunqin stepped down from the sedan chair and entered the money shop, the first thing he saw was the signboard he had personally written. The four characters "Hongtu Money Shop" had been trampled beyond recognition. A surge of anger rose within him; this brute was far too arrogant.
Although Liu Ye had never directly interacted with Gao Shunqin, he could tell from the official's robes, color, and demeanor that the main figure had finally arrived. He leisurely took a sip of tea and asked, feigning concern, "Mr. He, if I'm not mistaken, the gentleman who just entered is a minor official of the seventh rank, isn't he?"
He Chengzong quickly corrected him: "General, this is no insignificant official, but the Imperial Inspector Gao Shunqin of Guangzhou, who is on tour of inspection on behalf of the Emperor to investigate and rectify official corruption..."
"Oh? It's Inspector Gao! My apologies!" Liu Ye began to dig a hole, "Inspector Gao's arrival at this critical juncture, is he here to support Hongtu Money Shop?"
Gao Shunqin snorted coldly, "I was just passing by when I heard a lot of commotion at the money shop, so I came to take a look. Judging from this, is General Liu going to raze the money shop to the ground? Since when can people's private property be destroyed at will? Does Lieutenant General Liu not respect the laws of the Ming Dynasty, or does he think we censors and officials are just sitting around doing nothing?"
"So it wasn't specifically to back up the money exchange, that makes things easier." Liu Ye ordered the soldiers, "Get to work quickly! Dismantle what you can, and smash what you can't. Are the tools in your hands just firewood sticks?"
Gao Hongtu grew anxious and looked at Gao Shunqin, "Lord Gao..."
Gao Shunqin hadn't expected Liu Ye to be so arrogant, completely disregarding him. His anger burned even brighter, and he asked in a deep voice, "What grudge does General Liu have against Manager Gao of the bank that he's so determined to destroy it? You, a mere general from Qiongzhou, are causing trouble in Guangzhou. Aren't you worried that I'll impeach you?"
"I was naturally worried when Inspector Gao wanted to impeach me, but that's a matter for later."