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

Xiao Ye put down his pen and looked up at the Prince of Qi.

What was the Cui family's reaction?

Xiao Jue stopped smiling, and his expression became more serious.

"The Cui family was furious. They closed several docks along the way, preventing Pujitang's merchant ships from docking for supplies."

Xiao Ye raised an eyebrow.

"Then?"

Xiao Jue couldn't help but smile again.

"Those porters from Puji Hall were originally river bandits. They wouldn't let us dock? They just disembarked and seized the Cui family's dock."

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Xiao Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, as if remembering something, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

"This must be a plan that Mingli and his sister came up with. On one hand, they're keeping the Cui family in check, and on the other hand, they're coming to the palace to subtly remind and hint at things to me through storytelling."

"It seems that Mingli has entrusted the entire Gu family's future to me."

Xiao Jue nodded in agreement, took out a memorial from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands.

"The Cui family has already submitted their petition."

"We accuse Pujitang of misappropriating public funds and demand severe punishment."

Xiao Ye took the folded book, flipped it open, and glanced at it.

Then he threw the folding paper back onto the table.

I stood up and walked to the window.

The sunlight outside the window was bright, casting dappled shadows on the trees in the courtyard.

The teammates have already tied down the Cui family on the main battlefield.

It was his turn to steal the enemy base as the "jungler".

Xiao Ye stood with his hands behind his back, his voice becoming deep.

"Have the Control Yuan conduct a surprise inspection of the Ministry of Works' accounts."

"From the founding of the Dayong Dynasty to the present, every single project involving the construction of wharves along the Grand Canal, regardless of whether it was ultimately completed or not, as long as the land was approved, will be thoroughly investigated."

Xiao Jue cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your subject understands."

……

Today, the Pujitang Logistics Park has already taken shape.

The number of workers on the canal transport lines and at the docks alone exceeded three thousand.

Qian Dajiang recruited many of his close associates from the canal gang.

Pei Yu then recruited many minor nobles' canal transport ships to join him.

Gu Mingyue sat in her office with an account book spread out in front of her.

Listening to Master Lu and Pei Yu report on their work.

Pei Yu wore a new indigo robe today, her hair was tied up high, and she looked energetic and exceptionally neat.

"Boss, this is the payout details for this month's canal transport insurance business."

Pei Yu placed the booklet on the table, opened it to the first page, and pointed it out to Gu Mingyue.

"As of yesterday, Pujitang Canal Insurance has insured 412 merchant ships."

"A total of 306 ships were involved in the collision."

Total compensation paid: 57,000 taels.

Gu Mingyue glanced at Pei Yu.

The amounts don't match.

She opened the system and glanced at the task balance.

[Task Balance: 43,000 taels]

[Remaining period: 22 days]

Gu Mingyue wasn't worried about the money.

However, her management style would never tolerate inadequate supervision or fraudulent practices by her subordinates.

She asked sternly, "Three hundred and six ships, how can you pay out more than fifty thousand in compensation?"

Pei Yu rubbed his hands together and smiled, quickly offering an explanation.

"Master, the pirate boats on the canal are almost wiped out by ramming."

"Whenever our merchant ships encounter a pirate ship, several ships rush up and scramble to plow it repeatedly."

"Each pirate ship will be plowed up at least seven or eight times. So..."

Gu Mingyue: "..."

Wait! What does "rushing up and plowing repeatedly" mean?

Why did the boat from Pujitang rush up and ram into others?

Her eyelids twitched.

"Let me see the insurance terms and conditions."

After a while.

Gu Mingyue pinched her brow and fell silent.

Pei Yu has turned the insurance business into a bounty business!

Pei Yu lowered her head, looking aggrieved, and shrank her shoulders in fear.

"Boss, did I make a mistake in the terms and conditions?"

Gu Mingyue took a deep breath.

Of course it's wrong!

And it's ridiculously wrong!

This isn't just about stealing customers; it's about taking over the entire canal transport route.

But this behavior is illegal!

If the Cui family were to take their case to the imperial court, her Puji Hall would become a den of bandits.

No, we still need to get her brother into the palace and find a way to smooth things over.

Gu Mingyue looked up.

Pei Yu shuddered in fright.

"The...Master?"

"It's okay, you did a great job."

Gu Mingyue offered comfort.

After all, Pei Yu is a rich young man who is just entering society, and it is already quite good that he can devote himself to his job.

Now that things have come to this, she can only try her best to seize the market share that originally belonged to the Cui family.

As for what happened next, it was left to the King of Qi and the Emperor to handle.

Gu Mingyue said calmly, "Grand canal ships are scarce, and it takes a long time to order replacements after they are damaged."

She looked at Pei Yu.

"Amend the insurance regulations to uphold the principle of 'I will not attack unless attacked,' and change the award to a legitimate self-defense and counterattack award."

Pei Yu nodded vigorously, having clearly remembered the main points of the charter this time.

Gu Mingyue already had a plan for the next step in mind.

She wants to build a logistics hub center for large and medium-sized state capital areas.

Then, through logistics hubs, it gradually radiates to all prefectures and counties of Dayong.

Gu Mingyue looked away and continued making arrangements.

"Master Lu, within two days, you and Pei Yu will compile a map showing the distribution of wharves in various prefectures along the Grand Canal."

"Mark which ones belong to the Cui family, which ones are directly under the control of the imperial court, and which ones belong to minor nobles."

Lu Qinghe cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes, sir."

Pei Yuli stood at attention. "Understood! Don't worry, boss!"

Although I don't understand my employer's intentions, I'm sure what they're talking about are top-notch strategies.

He readily agreed and immediately did as instructed.

After giving her instructions, Gu Mingyue boarded a carriage and returned to the Gu residence.

We need to discuss this with her brother.

The sun had risen high in the sky, and the backyard of the Gu residence was quiet and peaceful.

The leaves of the big tree in the yard curled up from the sun.

The cicadas chirped in waves.

Gu Mingyue walked through the moon gate and headed towards Gu Mingli's courtyard.

As I passed through the main courtyard, I happened to run into Gu Debai coming out of his study.

Gu Debai was wearing a casual gray-blue robe and holding a palm-leaf fan in his hand.

Upon seeing Gu Mingyue enter, he greeted her with a smile.

"My daughter is back."

"Dad, where's my brother?"

"Still asleep."

Gu Mingyue's lips twitched.

"What time is it and he's still sleeping! His Majesty granted him a day off, and he just wants to sleep forever."

Gu Debai grinned.

"Hey, you two siblings are busier than Dad these days. Now that you've finally got a break, let him sleep a little longer."

"You should just spoil your son."

Gu Mingyue smiled and waved her hand, then went to find her brother.

Gu Mingli's East Courtyard.

The servant boy at the door was squatting under the eaves, dozing off.

Yi Shi lay on the rattan chair by the door, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. When he saw Gu Mingyue coming over, he quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Miss."

"Um, where's my brother?"

"The young master is still asleep inside."

Gu Mingyue pushed open the door and went in.

The windows inside were closed, and curtains were drawn, making the room dimly lit.

Gu Mingli lay sprawled on the bed, fast asleep, oblivious to the time.

Gu Mingyue stepped forward and pinched her brother's nose.

"Brother, get up. It's already noon."

"Well……"

"elder brother."

"Sleep a little longer..."

"I have important business to attend to."

Gu Mingli frowned in annoyance, his morning grumpiness was quite severe.

He squinted at Gu Mingyue for a while.

"What's up?"

"Let's discuss the logistics hub. Get up, I'm waiting for you."

Gu Mingli hummed with his eyes closed.

After dawdling for a few more moments, he slowly sat up.

He put on his coat and slippers, walked to his desk, poured himself a glass of cold tea, and gulped it down.

He accompanied Xiao Ye for two hours last night.

My whole body aches and aches when I woke up today.

Gu Mingli supported his waist with one hand and held onto the table with the other, then swayed as he sat down.

Gu Mingyue glanced at her brother, who was half-dead, and looked him up and down.

A cryptic smile played at the corners of his lips.

"Brother, what did you do last night?"

"last night?"

Gu Mingli was still drowsy, so he yawned and gave a perfunctory reply.

"Play with the princess."

Gu Mingyue rested her chin on her hand, her eyes brightening.

"Was it pretty intense?"

"Mmm...that's so exciting."

Hiding all night, the kind of situation where getting caught is a death sentence.

Gu Mingli lowered his eyelids and nodded dazedly.

Gu Mingyue pursed her lips, her mouth twitching as she tried to suppress her urge, and casually pressed on with her question.

"No wonder I didn't see you come back last night... Did you stay at the palace?"

"No, His Majesty had the Imperial Guards bring me back at midnight."

"Wow~~~ It's the Imperial Guards escorting us?"

Gu Mingyue drawled out the last syllable, her tone full of "those who know, know" implications.

"..."