After being forced to leave the marriage, I became the wife of a top scholar.

Chapter 254 Money Blinds the Eyes

At this time, Du Family Cloth Shop was still as quiet as ever, with business seemingly slow.

A young waiter looked worried and said to Manager Guo, who was leisurely drinking tea, "Manager, our accounts are getting worse and worse."

"If this continues, the Du family's cloth shop in Yangzhou will probably be shut down by its owner."

"Why don't we quickly consult the boss and think of a solution together!"

Manager Guo, who was holding a cup of tea, couldn't help but feel annoyed when he heard the waiter's words. Such a nice day, such good tea, and he had to be spoiled at this time.

Manager Guo rolled his eyes and said irritably, "What's your hurry!"

"Do you think the owner of our cloth shop doesn't know what's going on?"

The young waiter knew he had angered Manager Guo, and he shrank back, saying, "Now that the master knows, he has to find a way to deal with it."

Manager Guo snorted coldly, "Think of a way?"

"Do you think this Jiangnan region is anyone's territory, and that the Fang family members are all pushovers?"

The young shop assistant pursed his lips. If the Jiangnan cloth shop did belong to the Fang family before, the situation changed after they arrived, and it became a three-way split between the Zhang, Du, and Fang families.

The Du family's expansion is not obvious, but the Zhang family's cloth shops have spread all over Jiangnan. Anyone with eyes can see that the Zhang family is cooperating with the Du family.

But I don't know when it started, the price of Fang's fabrics kept getting lower and lower.

Nowadays, not only do we have to pay extra to supply the Zhang family so that they can still make a profit, but we also have to pay extra to sell the cloth ourselves.

If things continue like this, it won't be long before their Du family cloth shop will be unable to stay in Yangzhou.

The job he finally found is about to be gone.

The young shop assistant was quite frustrated at this thought, but he still wanted to remind the shopkeeper to find a way to revive the cloth shop, "The Fang family is certainly powerful, but we can also rely on the Zhang family!"

"Shopkeeper, why can't we discuss this with the Zhang family again?"

"Let's think of a solution. Wouldn't that benefit both the Du family's cloth shop and the Zhang family's cloth shop?"

Manager Guo felt that the young waiter was talking too much today, so he glared at him angrily. But the waiter felt that he had no way out, so he could only look back at him.

Manager Guo felt his authority was threatened, so he suddenly stood up from his stool, pointed at the young waiter's nose, and cursed, "How dare you mention the Zhang family!"

"Have you forgotten how the Zhang family came to our door to argue back then?"

"Don't you know why we're in such a large deficit?"

"You're just a greenhorn who hasn't even grown any hair yet. Be careful, or I'll kick you out right now."

The young waiter didn't want to leave yet, so he immediately fell silent, not daring to anger Manager Guo any further.

When Manager Guo saw that the young man was still afraid of him, most of the anger in his chest dissipated, but he still snorted heavily and left the cloth shop.

The young shop assistant turned his head and looked at the empty shop, and could only sigh softly.

Perhaps he should start looking for new work.

As Manager Guo left his shop, the sight of the bustling crowd on the street put him in a great mood.

He strolled leisurely into a restaurant, and as soon as he entered, he took out a fifty-tael silver note and slapped it on the waiter, saying, "Go, find me the best private room."

"Don't be stingy with the good wine and food, bring it all to me."

Seeing how generous this person was, the waiter naturally dared not neglect him, and smiled as he took the silver notes, repeatedly saying "thank you."

Then, Manager Guo was led to the innermost private room on the second floor of the restaurant.

As soon as Manager Guo entered the house, he was attracted by the furnishings in front of him. Antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and ancient zithers were all available.

"Tsk tsk tsk, everyone says the lives of the rich are different, and it seems that they really are different today."

"Even a restaurant like this can set up such a private room."

"Yeah!"

Although Manager Guo could read, he had little experience with calligraphy, paintings, and antiques. He stood in front of these paintings and carefully observed them. Although he couldn't figure them out, he felt extremely satisfied.

A short while later, the waiter brought in the restaurant's signature dishes.

"Sir, your fine wine and food have been prepared. Please call me if you need anything else." The waiter still had a big smile on his face, trying his best to please the god of wealth in front of him.

Manager Guo stroked his beard and looked away from the calligraphy and painting. "Alright! Keep an eye on things later. If anyone comes looking for Manager Guo, take them to this private room."

The waiter nodded hurriedly in agreement and then left.

Manager Guo couldn't help but smile as he looked at the table full of delicious food in front of him.

This is life! This is how people should live.

As he sighed, Manager Guo poured himself a glass of wine. The strong liquor made him feel quite lightheaded.

He drank alone for a while, then heard footsteps at the door.

Soon, the waiter knocked on the door and brought someone up.

This person was none other than the Third Master of the Fang family!

As soon as Third Master Fang entered the door, he smelled the strong liquor and curled his lip in disgust.

"Manager Guo, you're different now than before!"

"What a generous gesture."

Manager Guo stood up with a smile and quickly pulled Third Master Fang to sit down.

"Third Master Fang, you're making fun of me. I'm where I am today because of your kindness, Third Master Fang."

When Third Master Fang heard Manager Guo say that, his displeasure quickly disappeared.

"Manager Guo, it's good that you remember. As long as our cooperation continues, Manager Guo, are you afraid that you won't have good days ahead?"

Manager Guo agreed repeatedly, then picked up the wine pot and immediately poured a cup for Master Fang.

"Come on, Third Master Fang, let me toast you."

After saying that, Manager Guo picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. Third Master Fang naturally wouldn't refuse Manager Guo's request and drank the wine in his cup as well.

The two drank heartily, indulging in food and drink, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. However, after they had eaten and drunk their fill, Third Master Fang pulled Manager Guo aside and whispered, "Manager Guo, if you ask me, you are luckier than me."

"Now your chance to make money has come again!"

These days, Manager Guo has made a lot of money. Every day, he watches the silver in his cabinet increase little by little, and he can't stop smiling every night.

Now that they hear there's still a chance to make money, they naturally can't let it pass them by.

"Alright! Alright! Tell me, Third Master, how much stock do you want this time?"

Master Fang waved his hand with a sly grin, leaving Manager Guo completely bewildered. "Don't want the goods?"

How can you make money if you don't sell your goods?
Master Fang said with a smile, "Manager Guo, it's not that we don't want the goods, but that our Fang family wants them all."

Want them all?
These three words exploded in Manager Guo's mind instantly.

He stood up abruptly and waved his hands hastily, "Third Master, this is unacceptable! This is unacceptable!"

"Why not? We'll take all of this. Manager Guo, you'll make a fortune!"

Manager Guo's palms were sweating slightly. "Third Master, it's not that I'm unwilling."

"But with so much stock, if it all disappears, the Du family will definitely notice."

"I'm afraid the Du family won't let me off the hook then."

Master Fang laughed and pressed Manager Guo back into his seat. "Manager Guo, do you think the Du family will let you off the hook now?"

"If the Du family takes this to the authorities, the damage you have caused them will be significant."

"Manager Guo, I'm afraid you'll not only have to vomit up what you've just eaten, but you'll also have to go to jail."

You'd better think this through carefully.

Manager Guo's originally rosy cheeks turned pale in an instant. He still wanted to refuse, but looking at Master Fang's face, he knew he had no chance.

Once you step onto this ship, there's no chance to get off.

Seeing that Manager Guo was still hesitating, Third Master Fang couldn't help but say, "Manager Guo, even now, you're still afraid."

“In the past, you really wouldn’t have been able to get rid of the Du family.”

"But now, you're different! Besides, you have money now."

"If you leave Yangzhou, you'll live just as freely wherever you go, won't you?"

Manager Guo pursed his lips. He had to admit that what Master Fang said was right. Just then, Master Fang handed him another glass of wine.

He took the wine, drank it down, and, emboldened by the alcohol, slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Good!"

"Then I'll do it right away!"

When Master Fang saw that Manager Guo readily agreed, he smiled happily, but his eyes gradually sharpened as he held his wine glass.

Bai Wanqing, you have made me lose face in Huaizhou City.

Now, I'd like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve. The thought of Bai Wanqing possibly kneeling before him and begging for his life made Third Master Fang's lips twitch into a smirk.

Master Fang and Manager Guo drank for a while longer before swaying and leaving.

Manager Du overheard the entire conversation between the two men from next door.

At this moment, the waiter was tied up next to Steward Du, trembling with fear.

"Please, sir, spare me! I promise I won't tell anyone what happened today," the waiter pleaded in fear.

Manager Du raised his hand, and two of his servants gagged the waiter.

Manager Du said with a solemn expression, "Shop assistant, this matter is of great importance, and I cannot release you right now."

"I'm sorry to trouble you for the next two days. Once this is over, I will definitely have someone release you."

After saying this, Steward Du ordered his servants to put the waiter in a cloth bag, apply sleeping potion, and take him out discreetly.

Manager Du continued to send people to follow Manager Guo.

He ran back to report to Bai Wanqing.

Bai Wanqing was somewhat surprised to hear Steward Guo's conversation.

"The Fang family didn't even inform Manager Guo that we had arrived in Yangzhou?"

Manager Du shook his head and said, "They didn't tell us. It's just that the people Manager Guo sent out have all been bribed by the Fang family."

"This matter was not disclosed to Manager Guo."

"so."

"So the Fang family doesn't care at all about Manager Guo."

Manager Du nodded slightly.

"That's fine then! Steward Du, you can continue to work with Manager Guo."

"They want all the goods, so give them to them!"

"Madam Lin, if we give so many goods to the Fang family, we're afraid we'll suffer huge losses," Steward Du kindly reminded her.

Bai Wanqing insisted, "It's alright. I don't think the Fang family would just want us to lose some money."

Manager Du was taken aback, thinking that it made sense, but he still couldn't understand it.

The reason for the losses of Yangzhou cloth shops has already been found, so why take this risk?

Before Steward Du left, Madam Du instructed him to follow Bai Wanqing's arrangements.

Even if he had doubts in his heart, he couldn't say anything.

"Yes, Madam, I will send someone to continue following them immediately."

After Steward Du left, Bai Wanqing pulled Cheng Susu to change into night clothes. "Susu, we should go now."

Cheng Susu raised her chin arrogantly and said, "Alright, let's go!"

(End of this chapter)