Zhou Shuren also reacted quickly. Before Hu Xia could speak, he took over the conversation, "Since it wasn't given to you, then it belongs to Liu Feng?"
After hearing this, Hu Xia still had something to understand. Lord Zhou must have investigated the Gu family. He nodded and said, "Yes, it belongs to Liu Feng's property."
Zhou Shuren peeled the pine nuts without saying anything, motioning Hu Xia to continue.
Hu Xia straightened his posture. He was used to it. The person in front of him was the top boss of the Ministry of Revenue. "Liu Feng's cousin came to visit without saying anything extra. He directly handed over the list of the Gu family's division of property. The division was done before Grandpa Gu passed away. Grandpa Gu wanted Liu Feng's uncles to send it to the capital after his death. Unexpectedly, Liu Feng's uncles did not send it."
Zhou Shuren nodded to show that he understood. He didn't care how much of Gu's property the Gu family gave to Gu Liufeng. He was more concerned that "Liufeng, this cousin, is indeed a smart man."
This is to use the industry that Liu Feng deserves as a stepping stone to settle down in the capital, and this is to seek asylum.
Hu Xia didn't dare to say anything. Gu Liufeng's uncle had just arrived in the capital and was from the Ministry of Rites, which was controlled by the Feng family. The Ministry of Rites intervened in Liufeng's business because Liufeng was engaged to the Zhou family. In the final analysis, he came for the Zhou family.
Zhou Shuren likes smart people. He admires his uncle Liu Feng's actions. It is not easy to take over Liu Feng's property. It is too painful to spit out the gold you have swallowed. It is not just one person who intervened. He must have done a lot of things in the middle.
Hu Xia couldn't tell what Lord Zhou was thinking. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, calming his panicked heart. He was afraid that the Gu family's actions would disgust Lord Zhou. The reason he could become more and more successful in the Ministry of Households was because of Lord Zhou's protection. He knew too well what the Hu family would face if the Zhou family broke off the engagement.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "Liu Feng is a good kid."
Hu Xia's heart dropped to the ground. After thinking about it, Hu Xia decided to tell the truth. "The Gu family's assets have been accumulated for several generations, so the family assets are indeed not small. When Mr. Gu gave Liu Feng's assets, it was not to forgive him, but because the Gu family's assets were large and could not be protected without a backer, so he thought of me. My official position was not high at that time, but I was a Beijing official after all."
Zhou Shuren understood that if he really forgave, he would take Liu Feng back before he died, instead of giving away his property after his death. The old man still wanted to plot against the Hu family.
Hu Xia continued, "I just didn't expect Liu Feng's uncles to swallow up the property. If Liu Feng's uncle hadn't been promoted at that time, the Gu family's assets would have been divided up long ago. Even so, the Gu family has sold a lot of properties over the years, and it is no longer as good as before."
In the end, we were able to keep what we have now thanks to Liu Feng’s cousin.
Zhou Shuren asked, "Yu Shuang and Liu Feng are engaged. Liu Feng's uncles should have known about it. Why didn't they go to Beijing?"
Hu Xia's eyes were filled with contempt. "They are afraid. They have been bullied for many years. They swallowed up Liu Feng's property. They are afraid that Liu Feng will bear a grudge against them. How dare they go to Beijing? Now the Gu family would rather shrink in their hometown and not move anywhere. Liu Feng's cousin became a concubine and is now the county magistrate of Shen County. The county magistrate of Shen County is already over 30 years old."
The information Zhou Shuren inquired about was not so detailed. At that time, he was mainly concerned about the overall situation of the Gu family. He sighed in his heart, thinking that such a good girl was given away as a bargaining chip and her life was ruined.
Hu Xia watched Master Zhou release the pine nuts, and his heart skipped a beat. "Master?"
Zhou Shuren retracted his gaze and said, "It's getting late."
Hu Xia never thought that he could stay for dinner at Zhou's house. Not to mention that he was a person in charge, many officials who came to pay New Year's greetings had never stayed for dinner. It had indeed been a while. He stood up and put the list in his arms on the table. "This is Liu Feng's property."
Zhou Shuren nodded and watched Hu Xia stand up and say goodbye.
Zhulan waited for Hu Xia to leave, then came out from the inner room and picked up the list on the table. There was one thousand taels of silver, not many antiques, but mostly land, a manor in Shen County, two shops in Shen County, some jewelry, etc.
Zhu Lan put down the list and said, "There aren't many things. The valuable things are the land, the farm, and the shop. They are all in Shen County. It's obvious that Liu Feng's grandfather had anticipated the present situation of the Gu family and made arrangements for their retreat. It's a pity that Liu Feng's uncles didn't seize the opportunity."
Zhou Shuren also glanced at it. "At that time, it was more like giving it to Hu Xia than to Liu Feng. After all the calculations, it all ended up in Liu Feng's hands."
Zhu Lan motioned for Mrs. Song to go down, then sat down and said, "Liu Feng's cousin is very considerate. If he is fine, it will be a good thing for Wu Ming. Even if you take care of the people of the Tao family, they will not be dedicated. The Tao family is still very thoughtful. This person who comes up can help Wu Ming a lot."
You can't do it alone. If the people of the Tao family don't know how to cooperate, then you have to find someone who can cooperate.
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "It's a pity that women in this dynasty cannot be officials. If you were given the opportunity, you would do well."
Zhulan chuckled, "I think it's nice to be your behind-the-scenes advisor."
Zhou Shuren held his wife's hand, and a pit appeared when he squeezed it. The fat that he had finally lost was all gone during the two days of the New Year. "I will not see Uncle Liu Fengtang."
Zhulan curled her lips and said, "Do you want to see what this person will do?"
"That's interesting, isn't it?"
Zhulan was originally very happy, but she became unhappy when she saw Zhou Shuren pressing her bulging belly, "It's New Year's Day, do you want to stab my heart?"
Zhou Shuren didn't take his hand back. "You know what, this feels really good."
Zhulan snorted. Being fat has its advantages. The wrinkles she used to have are gone and her skin has become better. It's true that fat people don't look old!
At the Gu family, Gu Zhuomin heard the news reported by the servant and motioned for the servant to go down. Gu Zhuomin's wife, Ding, asked, "Do you think Hu Xia will speak well of you?"
Gu Zhuomin was unsure, "I don't know either."
Mrs. Ding has accompanied my husband all the way to today. The Gu family has fallen into decline, and it has not been easy for my husband to take every step forward. It is common for others to steal his credit, not to mention taking the blame for others. My husband is not young anymore, and he finally made it to Beijing, but the capital is a real den of dragons and tigers. For a small official without any foundation who comes to Beijing, only thorns are waiting for him along the way.
Gu Zhuomin pressed his brows and said, "Master Zhou is not someone who is easy to please. Only if you are in Master Zhou's eyes will he take a closer look at you. Otherwise, no matter how much you do, it will be useless. However, I think this step I took is correct."
He was not in the capital, but he knew people. Although they were all minor officials, he was able to get some information. When he learned that Liu Feng was engaged to the eldest granddaughter of the Zhou family, he was really happy. This was an opportunity for the Gu family.
But he didn't expect that in the end, his family would be ruined by the hands of several cousins. Liu Feng had no extra affection for the Gu family, so he could only create it himself.
Now it seems that all the efforts he put into building this industry were worth it.
On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Zhou family was still busy. Zhang Jinghong also came today, and Zhang Jinghong and his wife came together.