♂?，，

  Han was busy arranging Mingzhu's return home while anxiously waiting for Gu Xian's news.

  On this day, in a half-old house in the north of the city, Mr. Sun was anxious and at his wit's end: "Mr. Gu, isn't this harming me? I've investigated recently, and the Huang family didn't invest in the coal mines in Shanxi at all. Ning Wangsun did open a mine, but it wasn't on this path. I've been keeping these secrets for you, as long as we make money, these aren't problems. But now you're telling me that both of the mines invested by my wife are abandoned mines. How can I explain this to my wife?"

  The old gentleman opposite frowned and said regretfully: "Do you think I wanted it to be like this? I even invested a share myself. The savings of these years have been lost. Who can I blame? If you want to make a fortune, you have to take great risks. If you win, it's good luck; if you lose, it's fate. Who knew the coal seam was so shallow and there was only that little bit left."

  Mr. Sun pulled up his sleeves and put on a rogue posture, this matter is not to be trifled with, if things go wrong, it will end in a lawsuit.

  "I don't care if I lose or not, it was you who convinced me to invest, saying what a rare opportunity it was. Now think of a way to get the money back, otherwise my wife will definitely drag me to see the officials."

  Mr. Gu looked up, stared at Mr. Sun who was trying to be clever for half a moment, and sneered: "I'm saying, Mr. Sun, does a once-in-a-lifetime good opportunity mean stable profits with no losses? You've read books, after all."

  Mr. Sun was blocked for a moment, and then said, "How can you explain what happened between the Huang family and Ning Wangsun?"

  Mr. Gu said calmly, "Did I mention Huang Jia and Ning Wangsun?"

  Mr. Sun was choked again, pointing at Mr. Gu and sticking out his tongue, saying: "...... Is this trying to play dumb?"

  Mr. Gu slowly got up and walked to Mr. Sun's side, patted Mr. Sun's shoulder, and asked him to sit down. He said slowly: "Brother Sun, things have turned out like this, no one wanted it, I lost and the lady also lost, but Brother Sun, you didn't lose at all, did you?"

  Mr. Sun's face stiffened and his expression was uncertain and suspicious.

  "I'm not afraid of anything, even if you want to take me to see the officials. I have all the necessary documents for opening a mine, and your investment was made willingly with your signature. Do you think you can accuse me of cheating? Ha ha, it's not that easy. Besides, what would be the benefit of framing me? Would I spit out all the silver I've earned? Should I move my wife and children out of our new home in Tianjin's Guihua Alley?"

  Mr. Gu's words left Mr. Sun even more astonished and bewildered, staring at Mr. Gu: "How did you know..."

  Mr. Gu laughed loudly and said, "Don't forget that I used to be the instructor of the boatmen's guild. I won't say that my brothers are all over the world, but if you want to know something, it's easy."

  Mr. Sun's face turned pale and he jumped up from his seat: "What do you want?"

  Mr. Guo motioned for him to sit down, with a warm smile but sharp eyes that conveyed a clear threat: "Brother Sun, don't be impatient, I just want to understand, if Madam knew she had gained so many benefits from this, would she still trust us? She might even think we're in cahoots to cheat her. As an outsider, I'm despicable, but the traitor within is unforgivable. So now, we're all on the same boat, and if it capsizes, no one can escape."

  Mr. Sun painfully held his head in silence for a long time, and then asked in a hoarse voice, "What should we do?"

  Mr. Gu smiled faintly and said slowly, "As long as you cooperate with me properly, this matter is not difficult to resolve. The Li family's official business is huge, losing a little silver is a small matter. After the incident, they can still live in their new house and open their grocery store."

  Mr. Sun hesitated for a moment, and the silver in his hand was not something he wanted to spit out again. Anyway, the Li family had plenty of assets, and they wouldn't be ruined by this loss. Mr. Sun's eyes gleamed, and with a resolute slap on the table, he said: "Alright, I agree to everything."

  Han and Jiang's mother Yao's mother were in the warehouse selecting gifts for the old master together.

  "Madam, I think this dark flowered brocade is quite suitable." Jiang Mama brought over a piece of dark brown dark flowered brocade.

  Mrs. Han patted the package and sighed, "This was originally left for Master, never mind, add it too. Also, take that piece of embroidered gauze and send it to Eldest Maternal Aunt together."

  Mrs. Yao hastily ordered someone to bring out both rolls of fabric and record them in the warehouse's entry and exit logbook.

  "Mother Jiang, go and pick out two more pieces of unused satin, I remember there are also two celadon screens, bring them along as well. And add a pair of jade scepters, that will be the betrothal gift for the Yu family." Madam Han instructed with great reluctance, if not for Old Lady's repeated reminders, she wouldn't have bothered to prepare a betrothal gift for that cheap thing.

  Jiang's mother and Yao's mother exchanged a glance. Jiang's mother raised her chin slightly, giving Yao's mother a signal with her eyes. Yao's mother then went to pick out two pieces of leftover brocade from last year.

  Chun Xing came to report and said that Mr. Sun wanted to see him.

  Han's expression turned stern and he said, "Mother Yao, hurry up and get everything ready. Mother Jiang will follow me to the Flower Hall."

  Mr. Han hastily arrived at the flower hall and saw that Mr. Sun had brought Mr. Guo over. Initially delighted, he couldn't help but notice Mr. Guo's worried expression - last time when he came to deliver the dividend, he was all smiles. Mr. Han felt a pang in his heart and shifted his gaze to Mr. Sun, who lowered his head, making Mr. Han even more uneasy.

  Mr. Gu bowed and said, "I've seen Mrs. Li."

  "Mr. Gu, is everything all right in Shanxi?" Han asked directly. She had sent Sun there to ask around these past few days, but he couldn't find out any news, which made her so angry that she didn't dare make a big move, fearing Master would find out. Worried and sleepless, she looked much older, and Old Madam thought she was still upset about Yu Lian's affair, repeatedly advising her to let it go, but she had no mood to care about Yu Lian's trivial matters now.

  Mr. Gu's face was difficult to look at: "Mrs. Li, this matter, I really don't know how to bring it up."

  Han felt a chill in her hands and feet, and her voice trembled: "Just say it." During this time, she had thought a lot and made the worst plan. She was being deceived by Mr. Gu, losing all her money, but since Mr. Gu could stand here today, the possibility of deception should be ruled out. The remaining possibilities were that the mine she invested in was not making as much money as expected, and it would take some time to recover the investment, or even lose a little. It didn't matter, she could accept all this, but the taste of her pleasant plan falling through was really unbearable.

  "Mrs. Li, this mine was personally inspected by Mr. Gu at the beginning, and the coal that came out was of excellent quality, and it was in a shallow layer, easy to dig. Everyone said that this mountain could make a lot of money, and indeed, for the first two months, they did make a lot of silver. However, as they dug deeper, all they found were worthless rocks and very little coal. Mr. Gu was not willing to give up, so he ordered people to continue digging deeper, but it was still...the same situation." Mr. Gu said apologetically.

  "What about the other mine?" Mr. Han asked urgently.

  Mr. Gu shook his head and sighed, "These two mines are connected together, their situations are the same."

  Mr. Han's eyes widened in shock, and he anxiously asked, "Does that mean... we won't make any money? What about our investment? Can we get it back?"

  Mr. Gu shook his head again: "I'm afraid it's difficult."

  Mother Jiang hastily said: "But wasn't it said earlier that these two mines are extremely good and will definitely make money?"

  Mr. Gu said with embarrassment: "According to common sense, it should be so, but even the local experienced miners were blinded, and I am also helpless. After all, this thing is buried underground, we don't have X-ray eyes, can't see it? Opening a mine is extremely risky, if you open it right, you'll dig up a mountain of gold, if not, it's just a pile of waste rocks."

  Han sat there, his whole body cold and shaking, barely holding on after all these days. He was already exhausted, both physically and mentally, and this latest blow was almost too much to bear. After a few deep breaths, Han suppressed the disappointment and anxiety in his heart, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Mr. Gu, asking in a cold voice: "You said earlier that the Huang family had also invested, but from what I know, they are not aware of this matter. How do you explain this?"

  Mr. Gu said with feigned surprise: "No wonder Mrs. Huang blamed me for not being careful with my words. Ah, Mrs. Li, how could you ask Mrs. Huang? At first, I promised her that I would never spread this matter outside, but since you really want to join in and are hesitant, I told you about the Huang family to put your mind at ease."

  "Is that so? We've had so much silver in our hands, and now with just one word, the silver is gone, and we can't make a profit. Can this matter really be settled like this...?"

  Mr. Gu interrupted: "Mrs. Li, Mr. Gu knows that this matter has disappointed you greatly. To be honest with Mrs. Li, before coming to the Li residence, Mr. Gu had already gone to the Huang family and another master's house to explain the situation. At the time, Mr. Gu said that this matter could not be guaranteed to be risk-free. If you don't believe me, each household can send their most trusted person to follow Mr. Gu on a trip to Shanxi, and then you will know whether or not Mr. Gu is deceiving you."

  Han's calm and composed tone: "Dare I not? On my side, let people contact the Huang family, go to Shanxi together to see what's going on."

  "Madam Li, regarding this matter of investment, I must advise you to reconsider. You know how much capital is required for mining investments. Your two mountains, one occupying 20% and the other 30%, they have invested far more than you. If we were merchants, it wouldn't be a problem, but unfortunately, we are officials, and several of our masters hold important positions. With just their salaries, where would they get so much silver to invest in mining? Of course, I know your silver comes from legitimate sources, the Li family's many industries and years of savings make this amount insignificant. However, people from the Imperial Censorate won't think that way, nor will ordinary people outside. If rumors spread, it might not be beneficial for our masters. I speak with sincerity, please consider carefully, Madam Li. The Huang family has repeatedly warned me not to reveal this, and another even more prominent household has coerced me, threatening to take my head if a single word leaks out... Your participation in the investment, I have never mentioned it to anyone." Mr. Gu said earnestly.

  Complete works txt download, full text free, e-book, remember 77 reading books