Master Ouyang angrily said, "You little rascal, you sure know how to talk, are you cursing me?"

"Does the great scholar of your generation still believe in that?" Young Master Dou laughed, then added, "I’m just worried about you, sir. We’ve been busy for so long and traveled day and night to the Prefecture City. Your body is exhausted to the limit. You need to rest, or else it’ll be the end."

Even with the awakening pill made by Gu Jinli, it can’t hold up. Besides, the Young Marquis said the awakening pill is only for emergencies and shouldn’t be taken excessively.

Master Ouyang, however, responded, "Fine, I’ll go meet them."

Magistrate Gu, overjoyed, said, "No need, you should rest. I will invite them over; all the colleagues are just in the adjoining room."

After speaking, he looked at a few people who were reluctant to leave, first pointing to Master Qi, "Master Qi, it’s getting late. I would trouble all of you to leave first, and on another day, I will host a banquet to thank you all for your generous contributions."

After all, he donated ten thousand taels and is a local noble family, so some face must be given.

Master Qi felt very disappointed; he wanted to stay and serve Master Ouyang to strengthen the relationship between the two families, but now he could only wisely take his leave: "Lord Magistrate, your words are too kind. I will take my leave along with the other gentlemen."

Speaking this, he signaled to Boss Fan and Old Master Shi and then led them out himself.

Feeling quite regretful inside, he thought that he should have left with Boss An earlier. Now, leaving with Boss Fan and Old Master Shi might make others think they were a group.

Boss Fan and Old Master Shi were previously associated with Shen Si. When Shi Laoer was poisoned, he was even forced to drink sewage, which is disgusting to think about.

Thinking about this, Master Qi quickened his pace, but in the end, he was still stopped by Old Master Shi, who asked, "Brother Qi, when did you become acquainted with Master Ouyang? Why not introduce me?"

Originally thought that Qi Chengfang was just a fake scholar reeking of money, but unexpectedly, he hid it well and quietly established a good relationship with Master Ouyang.

Master Qi said, "Brother Shi, it’s not that I don’t want to introduce you to Master Ouyang. It’s just that Master Ouyang asked that he came south merely to secretly experience the life of southern farmers and didn’t want to make it known. I am unable to assist."

Master Qi used to fear the Shi family because Shi Laoer was a madman with quite a reputation in the south. But now Shi Laoer is paralyzed and his reputation has also been tarnished. Meanwhile, Qi’s elder brother still holds an official position in the Capital, so there’s no need to be polite to Old Master Shi anymore.

However, the Shi family’s history in He’an Prefecture is even longer than the Qi family’s. Master Qi habitually felt cowardly and, wanting to leave room for future relations, said an additional sentence: "I previously gave First Place Gu a card invitation, inviting him along with Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou to a banquet at the Qi family. On the day of the banquet, Brother Shi will be informed, and you are welcome to join for a meal, what do you say?"

Old Master Shi, hearing this, finally looked pleased and smiled, "Brother Qi, you are truly a righteous businessman known throughout He’an Prefecture. I appreciate it greatly."

Boss Fan seized the opportunity and immediately said, "Master Qi, a batch of cloud frost silk just arrived at my shop, perfect for wearing in the blazing heat season. I will send it to your residence tomorrow, so the Old Madam can make some clothes. With cloud frost silk, the summer will be more bearable."

Master Qi, feeling delighted inside, still pretended to be unmoved by wealth, saying, "Since it’s Boss Fan’s respect for the elderly, I thank Boss Fan on behalf of my mother."

He added, "On the day of the banquet with First Place Gu and others, Boss Fan, if you are free, please join us as well."

Boss Fan wanted nothing more than these words and happily expressed his gratitude to Master Qi.

Old Master Shi asked, "I heard that First Place Gu has good relations with Master Ouyang, Young Master Dou, the Zheng family, and the legitimate heir of the Shangguan family, but seeing Master Ouyang today, he didn’t seem to interact much with First Place Gu. Could the rumors be false?"

The second son, that wretched thing, once sent people to harm Gu Jin’an. If Gu Jin’an had a good relationship with Master Ouyang, it would be worrying.

Master Qi frowned, saying, "...The relationship should be fine, but Master Ouyang, after all, comes from a great family and likely feels talent for First Place Gu. But the Gu family’s status is too low."

From what I saw today, Master Ouyang indeed didn’t pay much attention to Gu Jin’an. Gu Jin’an was like a servant, quietly following Master Ouyang, occasionally serving tea, and providing pens and ink.

In fact, Master Ouyang did it on purpose. Before coming, he specifically told Gu Jin’an that among those present today, there were many powerful families, backed by the Ying and Zongzheng families, and they were there to cut off people’s financial paths. These people would surely resent it. They wouldn’t dare to confront the Ouyang family but might target the Gu family.

Master Ouyang advised Gu Jin’an to remain silent and not attract attention.

Master Ouyang’s goal was achieved. Almost no one noticed Gu Jin’an today; everyone’s eyes were on Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou. If there were to be any retaliation, Dou Ke would be the first choice, not expecting the Gu family to be involved.

Old Master Shi was delighted after hearing this. He no longer had to worry about Master Ouyang helping Gu Jin’an against their family. Ha, Gu Jin’an wanted to oppose families like theirs? He’d better wait for several more generations. Just an upstart fleeing from hardship, thinking becoming a scholar could make him soar?

It’s known that heaven isn’t something farmers can ascend to. Only families with wealth and status for several generations can touch the ladder to ascend to heaven.

...

In the previous room, the Magistrate of Hushan Prefecture almost jumped up, incredulously asking Master Ouyang, "Sir, you really want to open a bank in Hushan Prefecture?!"

The Magistrate of Hushan Prefecture was so excited he nearly fainted. The feeling of being overwhelmed by silver is truly delightful!

Master Ouyang nodded, "Naturally, it is true."

Young Master Dou corrected, "It’s not opening a bank in Hushan Prefecture’s Prefecture City; it’s opening a new bank in Bagu County of Hushan Prefecture. The staff for opening the bank have already gone to Bagu County, and the silver is on the way."

"The silver is all on the way!" The Magistrate of Hushan Prefecture was overjoyed and then frowned, asking, "Young Master Dou, why open a bank in Bagu County? Go open it in the Prefecture City. With my office overseeing, no one would dare cause trouble at the bank, and the Prefecture City can reach across all counties of Hushan Prefecture to assist all farmers." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Young Master Dou laughed, "Magistrate Xie, you are the Magistrate of Hushan Prefecture. Since you can become a magistrate, you should understand why we’re opening a bank in Bagu County."

Magistrate Xie naturally knew, but he didn’t want only Bagu County in his jurisdiction to have a Dou Ou Bank, so he looked at Master Ouyang and pleaded, "Sir, Hushan Prefecture hasn’t been very stable lately. A Chief Commander, along with soldiers, defected, and many farmers cannot pay their taxes. They urgently need a new bank for survival. Why not open another new bank in Hushan Prefecture Prefecture City to lend a hand to the farmers?"

"Ha, Brother Xie, listen to how your words sound, as if the farmers in the other Prefectures can pay their taxes." The Magistrate of Changhuai Prefecture sneered coldly, cursing Magistrate Xie in his heart.