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

The main hall of the Jizhou guesthouse was brightly lit.

Gu Mingyue stood in front of a large desk, on which lay an abacus and several thick account books.

Xiao Ye sat in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand, and said seriously:

"Just as Master Gu predicted. A message came from the Ministry of Revenue saying that grain prices in the south have soared and it is difficult to purchase grain."

"If the relief grain cannot be delivered in time, Pujitang's affordable grain stores may run out of stock."

"It's alright."

Gu Mingyue calmly picked up an account book and flipped through it.

"The Pujitang Jizhou branch is currently distributing 45,000 cash wages daily and has purchased one million catties of sweet potatoes and potatoes."

"Now that the disaster victims have cash on hand, they can directly buy grain at our newly opened grain store."

"When the Ministry of Revenue can no longer supply grain, we will start selling potatoes and sweet potatoes."

Gu Mingyue took out a plan and pushed it in front of Xiao Ye.

"Next, it's time to prepare in advance for the Cui family's grain speculation."

Xiao Ye put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly: "How should we deal with this?"

"The Cui family hoarded and speculated on food in order to create a food panic and force the imperial court to compromise."

Gu Mingyue pointed to the charts on the paper.

"But now, their plans in Jizhou are going to fall through."

"Therefore, we must complete the disaster relief in Jizhou as soon as possible and move on to the Jiangnan region in preparation for the Cui family to monopolize the grain market."

"The ten million ducks transported from Jiangzhou will arrive the day after tomorrow."

"Once the ducks land, the locust problem will be solved. The rumors of 'disaster from heaven' spread by the Cui family will be debunked."

"By then, public morale will be stabilized, giving us ample time to resolve the subsequent food shortage issue!"

"Of course, if the Cui family remains stubborn and insists on monopolizing the grain trade, then I'll play along!"

Gu Mingyue placed her hands on the desk, her eyes filled with extreme confidence.

"Let them experience what it means to 'go long and get liquidated'."

Xiao Ye listened quietly, his deep eyes revealing great shock and admiration.

This series of combined attacks, though bloodless, drove the well-established Cui family to the brink of ruin.

"Master Gu's business acumen is simply that of a born genius."

Xiao Ye offered a sincere evaluation.

"If you were to manage the Ministry of Revenue, the treasury of the Great Yong Dynasty would surely be overflowing within three years."

Gu Mingyue smiled modestly, "That's basic stuff for a high-level working person, don't be silly."

"Your Majesty flatters us. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's support that Pujitang has the confidence to engage in capital operations."

Having said all he could say, Xiao Ye didn't continue the topic.

If we continue, we'll delve into the history of Pujitang's rise to power and bring up the wealthy and powerful Gu Debai.

The current win-win situation is the most appropriate.

Xiao Ye stood up and straightened his clothes.

"I heard your brother is preparing to roast that thing called 'sweet potato' in the backyard?"

Gu Mingyue nodded.

"Yes. He brought back a sack full of good quality ones today, saying he wanted to roast them for everyone to try."

"Let's go take a look at the backyard."

Xiao Ye strode out.

Liu An immediately followed with two eunuchs.

Liu An was followed by Geng Zhi, and Geng Zhi was followed by Gu Mingyue and Taozhi.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of the mansion.

Gu Mingli was squatting in front of a bonfire.

Five or six grayish sweet potatoes were buried in the fire, steam rising from them.

Just as he was shoveling the ashes with a stick, a sharp "ding" sound suddenly rang in his mind.

The pink system panel was practically smeared across my face.

[WARNING! Confidential information detected!]

This clue will trigger Xiao Ye's tyrant mode! He will unleash a bloodbath, leaving rivers of blood flowing!

Gu Mingli shook the wooden stick in his hand.

Not again?!

Would the host like to view new messages?

"Nonsense! Check it out!"

[Prerequisite for access: Complete the second task of "Companions in the Mortal World": Strengthen camaraderie and trust among allies.]

[Task Requirements: The system provides a classic video. Please gather at least ten allies to recreate this scene.]

[Note: This mission has no target restrictions; all friendly units are acceptable.]

Next, the system panel began playing a video.

A smiling kindergarten teacher, leading a group of children sitting on small stools, sang while making flower gestures with her hands beside her cheeks:

"In what kind of garden are we digging and digging and digging...?"

Children: "Let's dig and dig and dig in our little garden!"

Gu Mingli was petrified on the spot.

I knock on the road!

Is there something seriously wrong with this system?!

In this perilous Jizhou inn, late at night, where was he supposed to find ten kindergarten children?!

Just as he was about to unleash a torrent of curses, he suddenly heard faint footsteps coming from the base of the courtyard wall.

Turning my head, I saw the shadow guards changing shifts in the corner.

Just then, several shadow guards who had just finished their shift walked out from the courtyard wall and were preparing to go back to their rooms to rest.

Gu Mingli's eyes lit up; he had a good idea.

He looked around and quickly called out, "Ten!"

The next moment, a figure appeared beside him with a "whoosh".

Yi Shi smiled adorably with her curved eyes.

"What is it, young master? Are the sweet potatoes ready?"

"Hey, it's not ripe yet."

Gu Mingli held Yi Shi's arm with one hand, and the two huddled together to listen to the crickets chirping softly.

"Ten, this is the first time this sweet potato has appeared in the world. There must be a ritual to worship the food given by the god of food."

"Yeah?!"

Yi Shi's eyes lit up; he was very interested in this.

"Is this interesting? What kind of ceremony does Young Master need to prepare?"

Gu Mingli made up a story with a serious expression.

"First, I need ten helpers to sing the sacrificial hymns with me."

Yi Shi scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"But none of us can sing."

"It's alright! I'll teach you. After the sacrificial ceremony, everyone will get a roasted sweet potato!"

These words were spoken very sincerely, without any hint of deception.

Yi Shi nodded quickly after hearing this.

"Okay! I'll go get someone right away."

Before long, six men in black arrived in the backyard.

They are 10, 15, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

Four more people are needed.

Gu Mingli then brought over four more Dragon Scale Guards who were taking a break from their shifts.

A group of people were secretly brought to the backyard, where they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Not sure why.

As soon as Lord Gu mysteriously raised his hand, everyone squatted down and formed a circle, waiting for Lord Gu's instructions.

Gu Ming cleared his throat and began to explain the mission to everyone.

"These roasted sweet potatoes are a gift from heaven to us."

"Before we eat, to give thanks for nature's bounty, we must perform a blessing ceremony. This is called 'carb blessing'."

Yi Wu was an honest man, and he asked seriously, "May I ask, young master, does this ceremony require bloodletting?"

"No, no, no, it's not bloody, it's very pure."

"Just repeat two incantations and make a hand gesture after me."

"I'll say something, and you all repeat after me."

Gu Mingli suppressed his shame, steeled his resolve, and squatted down among the ten people.

"Come on, watch my moves."

"Make fists with both hands, extend your index fingers, and draw circles along both sides of your cheeks. Like this."

Gu Mingli made a very standard cute gesture.