Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Gu Mingyue has always had a sharp eye for people.

Knowing which task should be assigned to which type of person.

Yan Xiaoliu noticed this person when she was registering for the exam.

He's approachable and good at bluffing.

Gu Mingyue's voice was steady and her expression serious, as if she were truly about to entrust him with an important task.

"I'm giving you a secret mission."

"Only someone as eloquent and quick-witted as you could accomplish this."

Yan Xiaoliu's sense of responsibility surged instantly, and his expression became serious.

"Please speak, sir!"

Gu Mingyue instructed, "First, I want you to blend into the crowd of disaster victims, befriend them, and soothe their emotions."

"People's hearts are restless right now, and they are easily swayed by those with ulterior motives. You must instill the words 'The employer is kind and generous, providing food and lodging; better days are ahead' into everyone's heart."

Yan Xiaoliu nodded vigorously: "Understood!"

"Secondly, find out if there are any carpenters, bricklayers, or blacksmiths among the disaster victims, make a separate list, and give it to me tomorrow."

"at last."

Gu Mingyue paused for a moment, looking at him with a calm gaze.

"If someone asks you, 'Which family's daughter am I?' what will you say?"

Just as Yan Xiaoliu was about to open her mouth, she suddenly realized something and swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

He looked up, rubbed his hands together, and tentatively replied, "Could it be... that you mean the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family?"

Gu Mingyue's eyes turned cold as she sized him up for a moment.

Yan Xiaoliu may seem carefree and irresponsible, but he has a clever mind hidden deep down.

The fact that he knew this information shows that he was indeed well-informed in Kyoto.

Yan Xiaoliu felt a chill run down his spine as Gu Mingyue's scrutinizing gaze swept over him, and quickly raised his hand to lightly pat his mouth.

"Don't worry, boss! I've traveled all over the country in my life, what kind of people haven't I seen? This mouth of mine, I'll say what should be said, and even if I seal it shut, it won't leak a word!"

He took a half step back, put away his arrogance, and solemnly bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Master, you are the first person to use me, and the one who truly values ​​me. My life, Yan Xiaoliu, is worth little, but I am willing to serve you."

Gu Mingyue wasn't afraid of her identity being exposed, since this matter wouldn't be kept secret for long.

She needed to establish a good image in the minds of the disaster victims before the news of the embezzlement of disaster relief funds reached the public.

This lays the groundwork for the subsequent "smuggling".

Gu Mingyue sized up Yan Xiaoliu for two seconds, then lowered her voice.

"Just say my surname is Gu, I'm the daughter of a merchant, and my family is wealthy. That way, everyone won't have to worry about running out of money and can settle down with peace of mind."

"The employer will never mistreat any worker who is willing to work diligently for Pujitang."

Yan Xiaoliu's eyes lit up, and she was overjoyed.

"Alright! Don't worry, boss! I'm a master storyteller! I'll make sure you have a truly moving tale of entrepreneurial struggle. That way, everyone can relax!"

Gu Mingyue gave a slight smile and offered a gentle reminder.

"Ten days' worth of porridge for disaster relief is not as good as providing everyone with a long-term livelihood. Don't you agree?"

Yan Xiaoliu's eyes darted around, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"Understood, boss."

Gu Mingyue waved her hand.

"Alright, go ahead. Let's see what you're made of. Let me see what you're capable of."

"Alright, boss, just you wait and see."

Yan Xiaoliu bowed and withdrew, reverting to his usual carefree and irresponsible demeanor.

He picked up the foxtail grass again, put his hands in his sleeves, and strolled leisurely toward the pile of disaster victims.

Gu Mingyue turned and instructed Taozhi, "Go and have someone from the manor send over the prepared dry rations."

"Let everyone eat something tonight, and we'll get all the daily necessities ready tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss."

Dusk gradually fell.

Several campfires rose in the wilderness, their orange-red flames flickering in the wind, warming the faces of the hungry and cold.

Among the people closest to the fire, a boy could already be heard telling a story vividly.

"Tell me, our Boss Gu is truly remarkable! She started traveling all over the country with her father at the age of seven to earn money, and by the time she was nine, her family's treasury was already overflowing with gold and silver!"

"Really? She doesn't look that old."

"Of course it's true! Don't underestimate the boss just because she's small-town; she's a business genius! How could someone who hasn't earned money herself understand the principle of 'utilizing people's strengths'? How could she be so generous to her employees, offering them such high monthly wages?"

The group discussed quietly, nodding in agreement.

"Yes, yes, yes, such a high monthly salary is really rare! We definitely have to work hard!"

Yan Xiaoliu spoke with great passion and enthusiasm.

"Of course we have to work hard! With such a good employer, we'll be rolling in money in a year, buying a house in two years, and when we go to the city in three years, everyone will see us and shout, 'Sir! You've arrived!'"

"Ha ha ha ha,"

The crowd laughed, but their eyes were full of longing and anticipation for the outside world.

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Yan Xiaoliu added a timely remark.

"Take the government's disaster relief funds, for example. Even if they reach Jiangzhou, we won't get a share. Rather than waiting for the government to give us a couple of taels of silver for disaster relief meals, we should work for our employer and earn money. That's the kind of life we ​​can look forward to!"

Everyone: "Yes, yes, yes! Those corrupt officials can't compare to our boss..."

Gu Mingyue listened faintly from inside the carriage in the distance and chuckled softly to herself.

"Let's go back to the manor."

……

Dinner at the Prime Minister's residence.

There were eight dishes on the table, all piping hot.

Gu Debai sat in the main seat, a forced smile on his face. He placed a piece of braised pork on Gu Mingyue's plate, his chopsticks steady, but his eyes darting around.

Gu Mingyue knew perfectly well what was going on, and slowly chewed her meat, waiting for him to speak.

Sure enough, Gu Debai couldn't hold back any longer, not even after drinking half a cup of tea.

"Oh, the moon..."

"Um?"

"About that...land purchase today..."

He paused, took a deep breath, and tried to make his tone sound nonchalant.

"How much did it cost again?"

Thirty thousand taels.

Gu Debai's chopsticks remained suspended in mid-air for a full three seconds.

"oh."

He put down his chopsticks, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Thirty thousand taels. Hmm. Quite...quite good. I suppose Yue'er has a unique eye for talent."

Gu Mingyue turned her head and glanced at him.

The powerful Right Chancellor's expression at this moment resembled that of an old father staring at a bank statement but not daring to look closely.

He said it was fine, but his knuckles were white from gripping the teacup so tightly in his hand.

"Father," Gu Mingyue put down her chopsticks, "have you ever heard of 'wealth being distributed among the people'?"

Gu Debai maintained his smile: "...I've heard of it."

"I call this a strategic retreat."

She tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

"Those 30,000 taels bought land, resources, and a future market. When the time is right, the profit will at least double. 30,000 taels will turn into 60,000 taels."

Gu Debai listened with a stiff face, remained silent for two seconds, and then nodded.

"Hmm. Sixty thousand taels back."

"Yes."

"Double it."

"right."

Ha ha.

Gu Debai took a deep breath; his heart was bleeding.

That desolate, godforsaken hilltop? And you're going to double the price?

His silly daughter! She got ripped off and still helped him count the money!

Garlic bird, garlic bird, I should work harder in the future to make more money so my daughter can spend it happily and without worry!

A forced look of relief appeared on Gu Debai's face.

"Good! Good girl! You've made something of yourself! You've succeeded! Dad's so happy!"

His voice choked for a moment, and he turned his head, secretly dabbing at the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

Gu Mingyue slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze sweeping over her father's bloodshot eyes, then silently lowered her head and continued eating.

"Where's my brother?" Gu Mingyue glanced at the empty seat on the other side of the dining table.

The servant standing nearby bowed and said in a low voice, "Miss, the young master locked himself in his room at noon and hasn't come out yet. He hasn't eaten either."

Gu Mingyue paused with her chopsticks.

Her brother hasn't even climbed onto the dragon bed yet, could it be that he's already triggered a new quest?