Gu Dexing was taken aback, somewhat flustered. The Xu Family was his future Yue Family; he wanted to help speak up but feared being scolded by Young Master Dou.

The Dou’s scolding could be quite vicious, so Gu Dexing could only look to Gu Jin’an for rescue.

Gu Jin’an said, "Brother Dou, Elder Xu is an elder and also an in-law with the Gu Family. Why not see him and hear what he has to say?"

Young Master Dou said, "No need. He must be here with Silver to buy a share. We’ve worked hard to establish the bank, and now he wants to join in–in his dreams."

Dou Zhi listened and said, "Young Master, you should see them. Elder Xu has brought quite a bit of Silver."

"Quite a bit?" Young Master Dou’s eyes lit up. Dou Zhi, who had been with him, had seen large money before, so "quite a bit" to her meant a lot.

Young Master Dou was tempted, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth. After a moment, he finally said, "Alright, let’s go see them."

He stopped Gu Dexing and said, "You’d better not go. You know my temper. If I lose control, it won’t look good for you being there."

Gu Dexing’s cheek twitched; you sure know yourself well. But he had no choice, and simply said, "Please, Young Master Dou, show some mercy."

He was already twenty-two, and it wasn’t easy to arrange a marriage, so he couldn’t let it fall apart.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry, I won’t provoke the old man to death." Young Master Dou waved his hand, called out to Gu Jin’an, and left with Dou Zhi.

Before long, the three arrived at the guest room in the front shop.

Elder Xu and Xu Zhao Ming were already waiting. Seeing Young Master Dou and the others arrive, they immediately stood up and said, "Young Master Dou, noble and righteous, saving the farmers of Tianfu County from dire straits. I am in deep admiration, please accept this bow from me."

Young Master Dou rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking, old fox trying this trick with me, you’re really something.

He held Elder Xu’s arm, laughed, and said, "Elder Xu, we’re not enemies, are we? Since we’re not, don’t let me die earlier."

You’re almost in the grave. Bowing to me—who could accept it?

Elder Xu chuckled upon hearing this, secretly thinking, indeed, Young Master Dou had quite the sharp tongue, speaking very directly.

However, when Xu Zhao Ming bowed to Young Master Dou, Young Master Dou unhesitatingly accepted.

Elder Xu was secretly annoyed; my grandson is a Scholar, yet you are unreservedly taking all this.

Young Master Dou glanced at Elder Xu and said, "Our young Master bought a Yulin Army Spear rank early in the years."

I’m an official, much higher than your grandson’s Scholar status.

Uh, Elder Xu was at a loss and simply laughed, asking, "Where’s Brother Xing? Why isn’t he here?"

Young Master Dou said, "The bank in Luchang County is about to open, and he’s busy with that, doesn’t have the time to come over."

Elder Xu listened and followed Young Master Dou’s lead, saying, "My Zhao Ming is also good with accounts. How about letting him stay and help Young Master Dou, hmm?"

Xu Zhao Ming hurriedly stopped Elder Xu: "Grandfather, the work at Dou Ou Bank is all confidential; it’s not suitable for your grandson to help."

Brother Xing was able to assist, thanks to the relationship with Brother An and Brother Wang, Master Ouyang and Young Master Dou trusted Brother Xing because of this, but he is different. He is the grandson of the Xu Family, which has long dominated Tianfu County, and has connections with certain families in Tianfu County and the Prefecture, avoided by Dou Family and Ouyang Family.

Young Master Dou’s mouth curved slightly, he said, "Elder Xu, your grandson is right. Don’t make it difficult for our young Master."

Gu Jin’an didn’t want to waste much time watching them play tricks, and directly asked, "Elder Xu, Brother Zhao Ming, what brings you to the bank today?"

And to Elder Xu, he said, "Our Gu and Xu families are in-laws. Forgive me for being blunt, but if your elder is here to help the wealthy households of the county and the Prefecture buy shares, then there’s no need to discuss. The Ouyang Family and the Dou Family will not agree, and you need not be the one to do this dirty work."

Elder Xu knew Gu Jin’an would speak to him this frankly for Gu Dexing’s sake, but: "The Xu Family has been in Tianfu County for many years, and also has business in the Prefecture. Some connections need to be maintained, it’s impossible not to come."

He added, "I won’t force you to agree, but I ask you to let me finish saying what I need to say."

As long as the messages from each family were delivered, his task was complete, and those old business acquaintances couldn’t make things difficult for the Xu Family anymore.

Elder Xu took out a box, opened it, and placed it in front of Young Master Dou: "Here are fifty thousand taels in silver notes; there are three families in the county, two in the Prefecture, and one over in Jiangnan. They said if Young Master Dou agrees to let them buy shares, when the contracts are signed, another hundred thousand taels silver notes will be offered, and if the bank ever encounters difficulties, they can add more Silver."

"That’s a lot of Silver, quite generous," Young Master Dou wanted those Silver, but knew it was a trap: "What are the conditions?"

Elder Xu said: "They request an increase in interest, and hope Young Master Dou won’t restrict lending Silver just for farmers to pay taxes, but also lend to them for other purposes."

With a bang, Young Master Dou directly smashed the box with silver notes, sneering: "Ha, they’re calculating quite loudly. Do they think our young Master is a fool? Or maybe they think the Ouyang Family is stupid, willing to be their tool for free? Trying to use our bank and reputation to lend usury on their behalf, they’re so good at business, why not go to the underworld to talk business of life and death with King Yan?!"

Dou Ou Bank was established to prevent tax chaos; the most important two rules are that interest must be kept low, so low that farmers can afford to pay; and that loans are only for taxes and not one cent of other miscellaneous Silver.

Elder Xu was astonished, not expecting Young Master Dou to be so blunt, but he breathed a sigh of relief, for he was unwilling to do such a thing.

Xu Zhao Ming quickly said, "Young Master Dou, calm down, my grandfather was also coerced. Our family has no intention of helping them harm the farmers."

Young Master Dou waved his hand and said, "Don’t say any more, for the sake of Brother Xing, this young Master will not make things difficult for the Xu Family."

Elder Xu was delighted upon hearing this; Brother Xing could certainly ascend the golden mountain of Young Master Dou.

Young Master Dou looked at Elder Xu and said, "Elder Xu, when you return, tell those people if they are ready to withstand the wrath of Dou Family, Ouyang Family, the entire scholars, and the farmers, then let them come."

Increasing the interest, even just this item, would make farmers tear down those bastards’ homes.

Elder Xu agreed, "Rest assured, Young Master Dou, I will convey your words."

With that, he looked at Xu Zhao Ming.

Xu Zhao Ming got the hint, took out a small box and handed it to Young Master Dou: "Young Master Dou, this is a token of appreciation from the Xu Family. Please accept it."

He added, "It’s not money to buy shares; the Xu Family does not seek to invest in the bank, only hopes to assist the farmers."

Young Master Dou laughed, unceremoniously accepting the box: "The Xu Family is righteous. I thank Elder Xu on behalf of the farmers."

Aha, surely they came to deliver Silver, but this Silver amount is rather small, only seven thousand taels. Would it kill them to make it up to ten thousand taels?