Jiuxi

Chapter 40 040 [Planning]

After the Hua Yue Restaurant in Xicheng was closed down by the Weaving Department, many gourmets secretly regretted that they could no longer eat the delicious five-flavor apricot cheese goose.

However, these people never imagined that in a house two streets south of Huayue Tower, a man in his thirties was sitting at the table, feasting on a plate of five-flavored apricot cheese goose.

“This still tastes authentic.”

The man quickly finished off the bowl of white rice, picked up the wine cup next to him and drank it all in one gulp, then let out a long sigh of satisfaction.

He calmly took the handkerchief and wiped his mouth, looked at the man of similar age sitting across from him, and said with a smile: "Young Master Gu deserves to be kept waiting for so long."

Gu Junye smiled apologetically and said, "Mr. Ou, you are speaking harshly."

If others acted like this in front of him, no matter what he would do to them, he would at least walk away.

The Gu family is similar to the Lu family in that they are both local families in Guangling, but his family has risen faster.

Starting about 20 years ago, the Gu family's business expanded rapidly. Within seven or eight years, it left behind other businesses, leaving only the Lu family ahead.After more than ten years of competition, although the Gu family has not surpassed the Lu family, they have caught up and kept pace.

As the heir designated by the head of the family, Gu Zisi, Gu Junye is quite respectable in the Guangling area. Even the prefect Zhan Hui treats this young man with a certain degree of intimacy. After all, the Gu family has sent money to the government office in recent years, of course. In the name of paying taxes.

Some time ago, Shi Chenyi, the governor of the governor's office, fell. Everyone who was well-informed knew that he was the Gu family's backer in Huaizhou, but not many people thought that the Gu family would be implicated. It was said that Gu Zisi also had many connections in the capital.

Sure enough, Li Jin, the new inspector of the Sutra Weaving Department, just gave Gu Zisi a beating. On the surface, the Gu family behaved with their tail between their legs, but in fact, they did not harm their bones.

Gu Junye was tolerant on the outside and strict on rules at home, but he did not dare to be tough in front of Mr. Ou because he knew that the other party could easily destroy everything in the Gu family.

The reason is very simple. This person is the head of the Beiyan Procuratorate in Huaizhou.

In other words, the Gu family has been connected with Ou Zhiqiu a long time ago. The other party has a lot of evidence in his hand. Once exposed, it will be enough to kill everyone in the Gu family.

Ou Zhiqiu didn't go too far. After some careful consideration, he turned to the topic and said, "My people have confirmed that Li Chengen, the bodyguard around Lu Chen, has indeed discovered that your long-term follower is weird. He sent people to Chunman Building and also inquired about it. Who has Chang Sui looked for? Lu Chen must be following this line to investigate."

When the word Lu Chen was mentioned, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Gu Junye was shocked and frightened, and said with regret, "Fortunately, Mr. Ou found out in time, otherwise I would have been kept in the dark."

Some time ago, Ou Zhiqiu told him that he was being targeted by people from the Lu family.At first, Gu Junye didn't believe it, so Ou Zhiqiu asked him to find a close aide and went to Chunmanlou twice, pretending to be mysterious, and it turned out to be true as he said.

There was no complacency on Ou Zhiqiu's face, and he said calmly: "Whether it's Li Cheng'en or other guards in the Lu family, these people are not weak in martial arts, and they can be considered good hands in the world. But when it comes to tracking, warning and hiding After all, they are still a little behind on their whereabouts. As for Lu Chen, I am a little impressed."

Gu Junye said in awe: "How can Lu Chen be compared with adults? He is just a child and is not worth mentioning in front of adults."

Ou Zhiqiu smiled solemnly and changed the subject: "Compared with the abilities of Lu Chen and his men, I am more curious about the reason why this happened. Can Young Master Gu explain why Lu Chen targeted me after I returned to Guangling? you?"

Gu Junye was stared at by his deep eyes, and he could not restrain his fear immediately. He quickly explained: "Sir, please calm down. I really don't know why I am like this."

Ou Zhiqiu said: "Everything must have a reason. Although your two families have business competition and have had some conflicts in the past, they are all trivial matters that are not worth mentioning and will not cause Lu Chen to send people to follow you day and night. Don't tell me, because Lu Chen will hold a grudge to this extent after your second brother had a small confrontation that day."

Gu Junye knew very well that this person was very suspicious, and these words had made it clear.

Although this room was within the Gu residence, he did not dare to make any changes. He could only try to recall the details of that day at the Chundai Water Restaurant, and said sincerely: "Mr. Ou, how could I leak the information without knowing the importance? Furthermore, , even if I’m tired of working here, the one I’m looking for is Prefect Zhan or the Sutra Weaving Department, who does Lu Chen think he is?”

This reason is quite reasonable. Ou Zhiqiu slowed down his tone and said, "Think about it again and see if you have inadvertently exposed any flaws."

Gu Junye shook his head decisively and said: "Absolutely not. That day, my younger brother was slapped by Lu Chen. I didn't know it was him, but I was a little surprised when I saw him, because... I didn't expect him to be in the Procuratorate and Sutra Weaving Department. He escaped unscathed from the battle. At that time, he mentioned Chen Yi, but I ignored him and left. I have never seen him again since then."

Ou Zhiqiu tapped his fingers lightly on the table. While Gu Junye waited uneasily, he said slowly: "Send your long-term follower to Taixing Mansion in two days and tell him to wander around Taixing City every day."

Gu Junye was able to gain the respect of his father, of course, not just because of his status as the eldest son. In fact, his brain was not slow, and he immediately understood the purpose of this move, lowered his head and said: "Yes."

"Ignore Lu Chen for the time being. The false clue of Chun Manlou, plus the long follower you sent to Taixing Mansion, will be enough for him to investigate for a month or two." Ou Zhiqiu originally wanted to kill Lu Chen, but After receiving Wang Shidao's secret order, he naturally would not create any side issues that would affect the overall situation.

Gu Junye listened respectfully.

Ou Zhiqiu continued: "When will that relative of your family nod?" Gu Junye said with shame, "Please give me more time. This matter is too big. I don't dare to speak casually until I am absolutely sure. "

Ou Zhiqiu shook his head and said: "I can only give you half a month at most, because there are still many things to arrange in the future. Young Master Gu, I will say the ugly things first. If you can't give me a satisfactory answer by then, the Gu family's The future... is hard to say."

Beads of sweat broke out on Gu Junye's forehead, but he couldn't muster the courage to resist. At this moment, he couldn't help but secretly lament, if the Gu family hadn't thought of making huge profits through smuggling, hadn't gotten in touch with the prosecutor's office, and hadn't gotten help from the other party. Why am I being cornered today after amassing so much money?

It's a pity that there are no ifs in the world.

My father must have anticipated this situation, so he asked himself to deal with Ou Zhiqiu.

When he thought of this, he could only nod and said: "I will do my best."

Ou Zhiqiu finally smiled lightly and said leisurely: "Then you'll have your work. Young Master Gu, please help yourself. I have to live here during this period, so please don't take offense if you disturb me."

Gu Junye reluctantly cheered up and said a few polite words, then left with heavy steps.

When he came to the courtyard and looked up at the sky, the sunshine today seemed to be particularly dazzling, making him almost unable to open his eyes.

……

When Lu Chen came out of the other courtyard that evening, Li Chengen couldn't help but wipe his eyes.

Why does the smile on the young master's face look weird today?

"Ahem...what's that look in your eyes?" Lu Chen walked closer and asked deliberately with a straight face.

Li Chengen felt that he should not have been dazzling just now, but after all, he had a dutiful character, especially when something happened again today, so he said seriously: "Young Master, Chunmanlou has found out that Gu Junye's long follower has been looking for him twice. It’s a woman named Yun’er. This Yun’er is from Donghai Mansion. She suddenly ransomed herself a few days ago, saying she wanted to return to her hometown to serve her parents.”

Lu Chen said absently: "A ransom for yourself?"

"Yes." Li Chengen looked solemn and added: "This morning, Gu Junye's eldest son rode out of the city towards Taixing Mansion. I have arranged for two skilled brothers to follow him and keep an eye on him."

Lu Chen was startled for a moment, the expression on his face became serious, and then he fell into deep thought.

What he saw in the restaurant that day made him suspect that Gu Junye was related to Suohunxiang.Originally it was just a tentative follow-up, but he didn't expect to find something strange. However, now that all the signs are connected, Lu Chen feels like he is being led around.

This was an intuition he had developed through countless tests in his previous life.

He turned to look at Li Chengen and asked, "Do you think these clues appear strange?"

Li Chengen looked slightly confused and said: "What do you mean by this, young master?"

From his point of view, it was not easy to keep an eye on the long follower, and it took a lot of effort to find out his whereabouts in Chunmanlou. After all, Lu Chen requested not to alert the enemy in the first place, so all investigations could only be done cautiously from the side.

Lu Chen stared intently and asked, "Then when was the first time Changsui went to Chunmanlou?"

Li Chengen thought for a moment and said, "It should be the fourth day after the young master ordered me to keep an eye on Gu Junye."

Lu Chen said slowly: "I asked you to keep an eye on Gu Junye. After a few days, there were flaws in his long bodyguard, and he mysteriously ran to visit the brothel. If that was all, that Yun'er disappeared again. Then he He left Guangling again and ran to Taixing Mansion. Chengen, if you have a secret you want to tell that Yun'er, what's the easiest way?"

Li Chengen gradually came back to his senses and whispered: "Exchange information privately while no one is paying attention. The shorter the time, the better... I understand, young master."

Lu Chen looked at him with a smile and said, "You haven't received special training from Xiaozuo, so you can still figure this out. It shows that there must be something fishy about this matter. If Chang Sui is looking for Yun'er to pass on the news, why bother to lie twice?" I pretended to be disguised and stayed in Chunmanlou for two hours at a time, for fear that no one would notice."

Li Chengen frowned and said, "Master, what you mean is that Gu Junye found out that he was being followed by us, so he was trying to be mysterious? However, the brothers below are very careful and should not be exposed easily."

Lu Chen was noncommittal and said thoughtfully: "Yun'er is a long-term follower. Just continue to arrange for people to follow and investigate, and continue acting with her. As for the Gu family -"

Li Chengen asked: "What do you mean, Master?"

There was a sharp look in Lu Chen's eyes: "It seems that his family has more stories than I thought. Let's find out the details first."

(End of this chapter)