Gu Jinli had been pondering this method since she learned about the Kangrong tax collection. However, it wasn’t an ideal method, and if possible, she didn’t want to use it.

But seeing Gu Jin’an’s appearance, it was clear that Master Ouyang didn’t have a solution either, so she proposed it.

"What method? Hurry and tell me." Gu Jin’an just needed any method now; whether it was perfect didn’t matter.

"Money, borrowing money." Gu Jinli summed it up in a few words: "We’ll find a few wealthy and trustworthy families to jointly set up a bank, lending money to farmers who can’t pay the tax, helping them get through this difficult time. As long as they survive, He’an Prefecture won’t fall into chaos. If He’an Prefecture remains stable, we will have a place to settle and thrive."

Once the turmoil occurs elsewhere and Emperor Chu realizes that collecting exorbitant taxes is a bad idea, he will surely change his approach, either by sending troops to suppress the uprising or calming the agitators. After this wave of chaos passes, our family will be completely safe.

"Borrowing money?" Gu Jin’an nodded after listening: "This method is indeed feasible but not very good; it’s a losing proposition."

It would require throwing in a lot of silver.

Gu Jinli said, "Brother, this business is profitable. Only by stabilizing He’an Prefecture can our businesses continue; only by lending out silver so that farmers from ten miles and eight villages can pay their taxes will our home not be blocked by people demanding money."

She nodded her chin towards the direction of the workshop house and said, "People from Lianghe Village have already come, asking dad for a loan in the workshop house."

The people from Lianghe Village were familiar with them and would still borrow. If it were another village and they truly couldn’t survive, they wouldn’t borrow; they would simply rob.

Gu Jin’an frowned, looking displeased, and called out to Zezi: "Zezi, go to the workshop and tell dad and Third Grandpa not to lend out the silver yet!"

Gu Jinli stopped Zezi and said, "Brother, don’t rush. I’ve already sent Da Tuan to tell dad not to open this door."

Lending money to farmers was okay, but it couldn’t be done in their family’s name; it had to be in the name of the bank. Otherwise, after lending to this village, people from other villages would swarm in, no longer borrowing from the bank.

Because borrowing from banks involves interest and banks are not easy to borrow from for farmers; only wealthy households with property can borrow from banks.

Gu Jin’an felt relieved and added, "For your method to work, it requires a lot of silver; our family’s silver cannot all be invested."

Without money in hand, Gu Jin’an felt anxious. They had been through poverty and knew the pain of having no money.

After hearing this, Gu Jinli smiled and said, "Of course, all of our family’s silver can’t be invested. I’ve already thought of someone—he’s wealthy and trustworthy."

Moreover, he’s naive.

"You’re talking about Young Master Dou?" Gu Jin’an thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "He really is a suitable candidate."

To not trick such a wealthy person into investing some silver would be a waste.

The siblings exchanged a glance, deciding on the plan to swindle in Dou Ke.

"As for the influential and trustworthy family, the Ouyang family is the only option." Gu Jinli looked at Gu Jin’an as she said this and added, "If you’re not happy with that, we can also go to the Zheng family."

There is a risk involved in doing this; one wrong step, and the Ouyang family could be labeled as deliberately opposing Emperor Chu.

And Miss Ouyang is someone my brother likes; no one wants to involve their loved one in such matters, so Gu Jinli took a step back and provided the Zheng family as an option.

Gu Jin’an shook his head and smiled: "No need to change; let’s stick with the Ouyang family. You don’t need to worry about Miss Ouyang; she is a person of high moral standing."

The Ouyang family’s status came from Ouyang Hong’s two generations as the Emperor’s Master, so even if they did something opposing Emperor Chu, he would be lenient, but not the Zheng family.

The Zheng family is a noble family, initially disliked by the first Emperor of Great Chu. Now, Zheng Ying’s grandfather serves as a high-ranking official in the capital, and many people keep an eye on the Zheng family. One misstep, and the Zheng family could be attacked, making matters worse.

The Ouyang family is the most suitable among the influential families they know.

"Since brother has no objections, let’s split up. You deal with talking to Master Ouyang about lending to the farmers, and I’ll handle swindling Dou Ke." Gu Jinli said and then leaned in to ask Gu Jin’an, "Did you happen to see Miss Ouyang today?"

He must have met her, otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken so highly of her.

Gu Jin’an paused, his expression a bit unnatural, but he nodded: "Met... she’s even better than I thought."

The last time, he just thought she was good at seeking justice; today, he realized she is a righteous woman who cares about the common people’s plight.

Gu Jinli looked at her brother’s somewhat dazed expression and clicked her tongue: "Brother, you’re done for; you’ve fallen into the river."

"Hm? You’re talking nonsense again. I’m perfectly fine; when did I ever fall into a river?" Gu Jin’an gave her a look as if she was being silly.

Gu Jinli replied with a serious tone: "You’ve fallen into a river, called the river of love. Got it?"

River of love? 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"I don’t get it; what does it mean? Is there really such a river by that name?" Gu Jin’an asked, utterly puzzled.

Gu Jinli: "...Forget I said anything."

Forgot that ancient people didn’t understand this.

"I’m leaving now." Gu Jinli waved at Gu Jin’an, leaving the front yard guest hall, she called for Erqing and instructed her to send Si’an to inform Young Master Dou: "Tell him I have a money-making deal here. If done successfully, it will bring both fame and fortune, and it’s in collaboration with the Ouyang family, making it very sought after. If he’s interested, he should come quickly."

...

"What?!" Young Master Dou looked at Dou Zhi in shock, so startled that he rolled off the soft couch: "Both fame and fortune, benefiting three generations, could make millions of taels, and it’s a big business deal in partnership with the Ouyang family!"

Dou Zhi nodded: "Yes, that’s what Little Boss Gu said, telling you that if you’re interested, you should hurry to Qingfu Town because they won’t wait."

"Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and prepare the carriage to Qingfu Town!" Young Master Dou ordered while putting on his shoes.

Dou Zhi didn’t move but asked his young master, "Young Master, do you believe it?"

It sounded so exaggerated, almost like a scam.

Young Master Dou hesitated, squinted his eyes in thought, and finally nodded to Dou Zhi: "I believe it."

Previously, if he heard such a thing, he would think the Gu family had gone mad, but now he believed it deeply. His trust didn’t come from Gu Jinli but from the Young Marquis.

The Young Marquis had always been a serious person, and since Gu Jinli was his intended fiancée, he would not let her engage in deceitful affairs.

The upbringing in the Marquis Mansion and the character of the Young Marquis were trustworthy.

However, Young Master Dou forgot that some men become henpecked; no matter what their wives do, they think it’s good.

"Believe it?" Dou Zhi was astonished; young master, have you gone mad too? You believe this?

Young Master Dou looked at Dou Zhi’s expression, which was a mix of shock and speechlessness, and shouted, "What’s with that look? Hurry up and prepare the carriage. Don’t dawdle. If you delay my fortune-making, forget about getting that manor I promised you."