Thief Emperor

Chapter 105: Controlling the Gu Family
The side hall of the Gu family.

This time, Captain Li treated the guests very well. Almost everyone in the Gu family who was at home came, including the head of the Gu family, Gu Wen, and the second master, Gu Zhang, who were all present to entertain the guests.

This time, Li Yun was invited to sit at the second seat, which was rare. Everyone in the Gu family was very polite to him. Mr. Gu even poured tea for Li Yun himself and forced a smile on his face: "Li... Captain Li, I wonder what brings you here this time? Is it..."

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Is there any news from Mr. Wenchuan?"

Last time, Gu Wenchuan almost used rogue methods to arrest all the officials of Xuanzhou, big and small, leaving only a few people like Xu Du in Xuanzhou as directors.

That night, the Gu family was terrified.

After all, their family is not clean either. As long as Governor Tian and his men cannot resist and say something they shouldn't, the Gu family will definitely be severely punished by the court, and even Gu Jin, who is an official in the court, will be implicated.

Now, Gu Wenchuan has returned to Beijing for many days, but the results of the handling of Governor Tian and Cao Rong have not been announced yet, so there is naturally no news on how to deal with the Gu family.

In other words, the shoe has not dropped yet.

Times like these are often the most difficult to endure, because the imperial court's iron fist could fall at any time, and by then, the Gu family, a small and insignificant family, would immediately fall into poverty.

Now, even the third master of the Gu family in the capital is worried every day.

During this period, they have been asking around, but there has been no news.

Li Yun was stunned for a moment before he understood why the Gu family treated him so solemnly today. He smiled and said, "Mr. Gu misunderstood. After Mr. Wenchuan left, he had no contact with me."

Mr. Gu's face fell all of a sudden. After being silent for a while, he stood up and sighed, "Then Captain Li, please have some tea here. I have been restless recently and couldn't sleep all night. I need to go to sleep now."

After saying that, he was about to walk out.

Li Dutou smiled and said, "But I have some guesses that I can tell Master Gu."

Gu Wen stopped and looked at his family members. After hesitating for a moment, he waved his hand and said, "Everyone go down."

Then, everyone present left.

Soon, there were only two of them left. Gu Wen looked at Li Yun, a little nervous: "Captain Li, you...go ahead."

"The Gu family doesn't need to worry too much."

Li Yun smiled and said, "How to deal with the situation of Governor Tian is now being debated by the bigwigs in the capital, but at this juncture, no one should insist on a life-and-death fight. In order to prevent some bigwigs from losing their reputations, I guess this matter will probably stop with Governor Tian and Sima Cao."

In a fight, someone has to compromise in the end.

The greater probability is that both sides will make some compromises and concessions. For example, in this incident, Gu Wenchuan certainly wants to use this to affect the prince, or even make the matter even bigger.

And the prince, or Master Pei, would not allow them to make such a fuss. In the end, the captured Governor Tian might die inexplicably in prison, and the matter would come to an abrupt end.

Mr. Gu looked at Li Yun, hesitant to speak, and stammered: "Mr. Wenchuan, no news..."

Li Yun shook his head, drank a sip of tea, and continued, "But Li came here this time for something else, to discuss with Master Gu."

Master Gu sighed and said, "I don't have any thoughts now."

"Master Gu still needs to have this thought."

Li Yun smiled and said, "A few days ago, the new governor Cui Shijun arrived in Qingyang and commissioned me to clear out the bandits in Xuanzhou. The imperial envoy gave the order, and I dared not disobey. However, I didn't know where to start, so I could only start from Shidai."

"After arriving at Shidai, I realized that there was no focus for this matter."

"Because Envoy Cui didn't give me any money or food, I can't find any help for a while."

Li Yun smiled and said, "Master Gu is the richest man in Shidai, and he should also be the best man in Shidai. I would like to ask Master Gu for help in this matter."

Gu Wen was no longer interested. He sighed, looked at Li Yun, and asked, "How much money does Captain Li want? I'll ask the accountant to withdraw it for you."

"It would be best if the Gu family could pay."

Li Dutou changed the subject and said with a smile: "But it would be best if Mr. Gu took the lead and called on the wealthy families in Shidai to donate money to suppress the bandits. Then I can guarantee that within half a year, the bandits in Shidai will be completely eliminated."

Master Gu sighed, "I have not had the energy to do anything lately. I really have no interest in anything. Since Captain Li has the bandit suppression document from Envoy Cui, let's go find the new Shidai County Magistrate to handle this matter."

Li Yun was not in a hurry and said with a smile: "Then the Shidai County Government will be involved in the suppression of bandits. It will be fine if the bandits are eliminated, but if something is seized and seen by the government..."

"Will this new county magistrate give Mr. Gu face?"

Gu Wen's face suddenly changed when he heard this.

He turned his head and looked straight at Li Yun: "What does Captain Li mean by this? What can be seized from the mountain stronghold?"

"I don't know about this Li."

Li Yun continued, "However, some time ago, when I led a team to suppress the Ten Kings Village and fought with the bandits there, I heard what several leaders of the Ten Kings Village said."

Gu Wen frowned: "What did they say?"

Li Dutou scratched his ears and said with a smile: "It's been too long, I can't remember clearly."

He looked at Master Gu and smiled, "Since the Gu family is in a state of panic right now, they have no interest in participating in the suppression of bandits."

Captain Li stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Then I'll take my leave. I'll think of a way to suppress the bandits."

The Gu family is the richest family in Shidai, and even among the top three richest families in the whole Xuanzhou.

Their business was already very big, and they even had connections with the Shiwang Village. These were all recorded in Li Yun's notebook, and they would have to settle accounts with them one by one sooner or later. Since the Gu family had connections with the Shiwang Village, it was hard to say that they had no connection with the local mountain strongholds in Shidai.

Maybe some of the villages are simply maintained by them!
Seeing Li Yun was about to leave, Gu Wen took a deep breath, stood up and pulled Li Yun's sleeve, and said, "Since Captain Li is suppressing the bandits for us in Shidai, the Gu family, as Shidai people, naturally have to do their best to help with the fundraising."

"Gu will start doing it tomorrow."

He looked at Li Yun and whispered, "Captain Li, it's not surprising that the bandits in the Ten Kings Village would make false accusations when they are desperate."

Li Yun blinked his eyes and said with a smile: "Of course, those vicious bandits can't be trusted."

Gu Wen heaved a sigh of relief and continued, "Also, Captain Li, Mr. Wenchuan stayed at my house for those two days. My family did our best to protect Mr. Wenchuan, and we deserve credit..."

"That fire had nothing to do with the Gu family. If this matter comes to a head in the future, Captain Li must bear witness for the Gu family."

Li Yun thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"This is natural. That night, the fire started for no apparent reason. I certainly didn't see the Gu family setting the fire."

Mr. Gu was overjoyed when he heard this, and he escorted Li Yun all the way to the gate of the Gu family. Before leaving, he handed Li Yun a wooden box and sent Li Yun out politely.

"Don't worry, Captain Li. The Gu family has no choice but to fulfill the orders given by Envoy Cui."

"After the matter of Shidai is settled, please ask Captain Li to speak well of the Gu family in front of Envoy Cui."

Li Yun was not polite. After accepting the wooden box, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master Gu. If Shidai can successfully suppress the bandits, the Gu family will have made a great contribution."

He looked around and whispered, "Master Gu, I wonder if there are any villages in Shidai that are inconvenient to attack. If so, please tell Li in advance."

The muscles on Master Gu's face twitched and he shook his head, saying, "Captain Li, what are you talking about? Since we are suppressing bandits, then we must eradicate all evil."

"It's all convenient. It's all convenient."

Li Yun smiled and nodded: "Okay, then I will start to deal with the bandit suppression."

After saying that, Li Dutou put his hands behind his back and left the Gu family with an open mind.

Mr. Gu looked at Li Yun's receding back, clenched his fists, and cursed viciously.

"Scoundrel!"

After cursing like this, he turned his head and looked at his son Gu Cheng. After a long silence, he sighed and said, "Go, send the greeting card. Tomorrow, your father will invite the Zhang family, the Zhu family, the Wan family, and... the Cheng family to dinner."

Gu Cheng looked at his father and lowered his head again.

"Yes, son, go right away."

………………

In the inn room, Li Yun put the wooden box on the table, opened it and took a look.

In the box is a jade statue, carved with a Bi'an. The jade is transparent and the carving is exquisite.

Bi'an is a litigious person and is also a symbol of prison. It can be said that it is more or less related to Li Yun's current occupation.

“Someone else carves this thing.”

Li Yun closed the box and shook his head, "It's hard for him to find it."

Li Zheng, who had arrived a few days earlier, had returned to Li Yun's side. Upon hearing this, he opened the box and took a look. He smiled and asked, "Second brother, is this thing valuable?"

"I guess I can buy a house in Qingyang."

Li Yun smiled and said, "I'll give it to you if you want it."

"I don't want it."

Li Zheng waved his hand and said, "Second brother, keep it for yourself."

Li Yun poured a glass of water, raised his head and drank it, then asked, "How many days earlier did you arrive? Did you find out any news? Which are the larger villages in Shidai?"

"The largest Seven Tigers Village is on Xianyu Mountain."

"Seven Tiger Village..."

Li Yun touched his chin and said with a smile: "I guess it was copied from the name of the Ten Kings Village."

"how many people?"

“I don’t know the details.”

Li Zheng said, "But there should be about 40 to 50 people, which is quite a large number."

Li Yun nodded slowly.

"Let's check out the place first and wait for the money to arrive."

"Let's go and kill these seven tigers."

(End of this chapter)