Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 373 - 209 Threat

Gu Chengyu pondered inside the room for a long time, feeling that this matter could either be big or small. Fortunately, Gu Chengyi and the others had already split households.

"What are you doing? Why should I put my fingerprint? I won’t do it."

Gu Chengyi was already furious when Ming Mo and the others seized the silver from him. Now that they wanted him to put his fingerprint on a piece of paper without knowing what was written on it, he naturally refused.

Ming Mo and Ming Yan held down Gu Chengyi, forced his fingerprint onto the IOU, and then handed the IOU and the silver note together to the Yang Family, clearly stating that the rest of the silver would be repaid by the end of the year.

The Yang Clan Leader naturally wouldn’t agree. They wanted the silver now. Could they even wait until the end of the year?

Gu Chengyu stood by the window and watched. After Ming Mo drew the sword and mentioned that the sword hadn’t tasted blood for several days, the Yang Clan Leader and the others finally fell silent.

Gu Chengyu entered the yard and called out to the few people who were about to leave, "Clan Leader Yang! My followers have already spoken with you about what should and should not be said. I think you have a clear understanding. Otherwise, Lv Yang from Dayang Village will be your fate."

Clan Leader Yang was not unfamiliar with Lv Yang; wasn’t this person Mrs. Lv’s older brother? It was said that he had also caused trouble at the Gu Family, but later, for unknown reasons, he never returned. Even during festive occasions, he didn’t visit.

It was rumored that he became mute overnight and broke a leg. Could it be that this little kid in front of him did it?

Clan Leader Yang hastily glanced at Gu Chengyu, only to see a deep, dark gleam in his eyes and a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. He shivered; how could someone who could be so ruthless even to his maternal uncle’s family be lenient with village folks like them?

"Of course, of course! Rest assured, Mr. Scholar. The five of us here won’t leak a word." Clan Leader Yang repeatedly cupped his hands, showing immense sincerity.

Among the accompanying four people, some were still puzzled but quickly swallowed their words after seeing the terrified look of Clan Leader Yang.

"It’s best if you can restrain them. Otherwise, I don’t mind lending a hand. But when I take action, at least a leg or an arm will be broken, or I won’t feel satisfied."

Clan Leader Yang was terrified upon hearing this. Looking at Gu Chengyu, who was still smiling, he found his appearance particularly detestable.

Gu Chengyu glanced nonchalantly at the Yang Family, seeing Clan Leader Yang and the others thoroughly shocked only then instructed Ming Mo to open the door and let them out.

"Young master! We found a total of one thousand five hundred and forty-six taels from the second room, including the silver note and some loose silver. The remaining silver, I wrote an IOU and had the second master put his fingerprint on it."

Gu Chengyu waved his hand, who would have the patience to listen to this now.

He glanced at He, who was tied up, and Gu Chengyi, who still looked sickly yet glared at him with anger, and said to Uncle Gu, "Uncle, bring everyone inside!"

Uncle Gu and the remaining two family members finally snapped out of Gu Chengyu’s previous harsh demeanor. They exchanged glances, realizing that someone capable of becoming a scholar couldn’t be an ordinary person.

Uncle Gu quickly called over two family members, and with the help of Ming Mo and others, they dragged He and the others tied up to the outer courtyard study room.

Mr. Gu sighed as he looked at Gu Chengyu, fearing that the mischief caused by the second son’s family had worn out the last bit of brotherly affection the fifth son might have.

In truth, Mr. Gu didn’t realize that there was no affection left between the two. If not for Mr. Gu and wanting to make it up to his mother, Gu Chengyu would have long taught these hold-back teammates a lesson.

"Second son’s family, tell me, to whom did you lend all the silver?" So much had happened from morning till now, and even Mr. Gu’s spirit was somewhat depleted. He felt deep helplessness toward the second room at this point.

"Father! I hid the silver in several places at home, yet this treacherous woman still found it. It’s truly difficult to guard against a thief at home! Now the household silver is gone, and I owe so much external debt—all her doing."

Recalling the silver that was taken, Gu Chengyi felt as if his flesh was being carved, and his face turned even paler.

Gu Chengyu motioned for Ming Mo to remove the cloth from He’s mouth, and as soon as He had a chance to speak, she shouted, "I took the silver to lend. Didn’t you know? How come now you’re blaming me?"

"Did I ask you to take so much silver? You took over two thousand taels, you foolish woman."

"What are you arguing about? Second son, explain the matter clearly, in full detail," Mr. Gu intervened to stop the two as they bickered again.

Gu Chengyi regretted not realizing sooner. Usury had already been going on for over two years. In the beginning, He frequently visited her parental home. After several visits, he saw through the situation.

As it turned out, He’s older brother had made some disreputable friends, one of whom worked under a money shop.

It was said to be a money shop, but secretly they engaged in such dealings. The silver in the second room was managed by Gu Chengyi, and He didn’t have much money. However, after splitting households, she had more in hand than before.

Her older brother, upon hearing others bragging, informed He of the benefits, which made He very tempted.

He wanted to lend money but didn’t have any silver, so she set her sights on the second son. The second son needed money for school, and Gu Chengyi never shortchanged his expenses. But the second son was very savvy; He couldn’t deceive him, so she told him about it.

She managed to get twenty taels from the second son, added her own ten taels to it, and had her older brother lend it out.

A month later, the interest turned out to be as much as 600 wen, which He thought was a hugely profitable business. She tasted the sweetness and became even more tempted.

She reported the matter to Gu Chengyi, who also wanted to try, so he agreed to lend out a hundred taels for a start.

Indeed, a month later, they received two taels. Both were very excited. They lent out several more times, but Gu Chengyi remained somewhat clear-headed. Although the interest money was easy to get, the risks were also high.

They had no connections, and if the money wasn’t repaid, what would they do? Besides, such dealings were disgraceful. The second son wanted to pursue a career in civil service; if it undermined his future, wouldn’t it be putting the cart before the horse?

By last year, Gu Chengyi had decided that this couldn’t continue. Previous dealings were small, with the largest being only three hundred taels. Although the silver came quickly, it wasn’t a long-term plan.

Particularly when He’s older brother later kept urging them to invest more, saying the profit could multiply. Gu Chengyi gritted his teeth but refused.

Who would have thought He would steal the household silver to give to her second brother?

Gu Chengyu was somewhat speechless. Storing thousands of taels of silver notes at home without making big investments or even daily necessities, they didn’t deposit them at the Money Shop, nor did they fear thieves.

Moreover, even the second son knew about his mother lending money? Wasn’t he worried about being exposed and ruining his future?

"How long has the silver been lent out? Can it be retrieved early?" Mr. Gu was also shocked by the audacity of the second son’s family; even two thousand taels dared to be lent out. If it wasn’t repaid, wouldn’t they just cry from grief?