Zhou Ye forced a smile upon hearing this, "Young Master Gu, your presence alone is something I'm grateful for. How could I consider it late?"
Gu Jiusi chuckled lightly and said straightforwardly, "Brother Zhou's matters are my matters. No need for formalities."
With that, Gu Jiusi turned to look at the man sitting opposite him.
The man appeared to be just over thirty, of small stature and somewhat deformed, with one eye covered by a black cloth, giving off a chilling aura.
Gu Jiusi studied him and remarked, "To think even Boss Yang has been stirred into action. It seems this matter is no small affair." He leaned forward slightly, as if familiar with the man, and asked, "Boss Yang, has my friend here lost too much at the gambling den?"
"Indeed," Boss Yang replied with a strange smile, "This young master Fan has lost no small sum. Is Ninth Master certain you wish to intervene?"
Gu Jiusi turned to Zhou Ye, who stiffened and whispered quickly, "He is a young master who came out with me, of noble status. He must not come to harm. Today, we were to leave Yangzhou, but he wanted to experience the local customs and went to the gambling den early in the morning. Then the people there led him to bet on something... 'Jumping Horse.' He thought it was just ordinary betting, but who would have thought..."
Upon hearing "Jumping Horse," Gu Jiusi's expression changed instantly. Liu Yu Ru, curious, whispered, "What is 'Jumping Horse'?"
"It's a game of high and low stakes," Boss Yang explained with a smile, "starting with two taels of silver."
"Two taels?" Liu Yu Ru widened her eyes, puzzled, "Even if you gamble all night with two taels, it shouldn't amount to much... right?"
At least not enough to make Zhou Ye sit here in such a state.
"The initial bet is two taels," Gu Jiusi said seriously, flicking his folding fan open and closed, "but the stakes double every two rounds. First round: two taels, second round: four taels, third round: sixteen taels, fourth round: sixteen times sixteen taels, fifth round: two hundred fifty-six times two hundred fifty-six taels, and so on... Each new round is called a 'horse,' hence the name 'Jumping Horse.'"
Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru understood immediately and blurted out, "How many rounds did the young master bet?!"
"Six rounds."
Boss Yang smiled cheerfully, "I'm an honest man, so I'll round it down. Forty-two billion taels of silver, Ninth Master," he said, "Do you intend to cover this debt for Young Master Zhou?"
That was impossible.
Forty-two billion taels of silver—even a nation's tax revenue over several decades wouldn't amount to that much!
Gu Jiusi flicked his fan thoughtfully and said cautiously, "Boss Yang, you must be joking. Such an amount is beyond what any ordinary person could pay. Aren't you afraid of the authorities cracking down on such gambling?"
"Young Master Gu, there's no need to threaten me with the authorities," Boss Yang replied calmly, "I run an honest business with clear pricing. Gambling is about winning and losing fairly. Even if this were taken to the authorities, I'd be in the right. I understand that this young master Fan can't come up with the money immediately. He can write an IOU, pay thirty million taels first, and take his time repaying the rest over his lifetime."
Everyone exchanged glances. Forty-two billion was utterly impossible, but even thirty million was a stretch. It would likely drain Zhou Ye's entire family fortune, and even that might not be enough.
Zhou Ye grew angry and retorted, "You're taking advantage of his youth..."
"Does youth excuse one from repaying debts?"Boss Yang glanced up indifferently: "Does being young mean you can do whatever you want? His youthful ignorance reflects your poor upbringing. There's no reason for our gambling house to make exceptions for him. Rules are rules. If he walks out of San De Gambling House today without paying, everyone will follow his example. How are we supposed to run our business?"
As he spoke, Boss Yang flicked a throwing knife that landed near the young man's feet: "Either lose your limbs or pay your debts. You must give me an answer."
His words froze the atmosphere. The men behind Boss Yang drew their blades. Liu Yu Ru felt frightened; it was her first time witnessing such a scene. Her hands trembled slightly, but she tried to calm herself, not wanting to appear too disgraceful. She repeated silently in her heart: "It's fine, don't be afraid, they won't do anything..."
Yet the glint of blades kept catching her eye, making her heartbeat quicken involuntarily.
Zhou Ye was even more tense than her. Clenching his fists, his entire body tightened as if ready to strike at any moment.
Boss Yang narrowed his eyes. Zhou Ye's hand instinctively went to his waist. Liu Yu Ru watched everything intently. Just at this critical moment, a hand suddenly covered hers. Gu Jiusi, lounging in his chair, said lazily: "Isn't this just about money? Why so serious? Look how you've frightened my little wife."
He then looked up at Boss Yang with mild reproach: "Boss Yang, women are easily scared. Don't intimidate her like this."
No one spoke. Everyone was poised for action, yet only Gu Jiusi remained his usual carefree self. He even seemed to find Liu Yu Ru's hand amusing, idly toying with her fingers.
Boss Yang stared at him with apparent hostility, but Gu Jiusi paid no attention, as if completely oblivious. Everyone present wondered whether this man was too foolish to comprehend the significance of 4.2 billion taels of silver, or truly confident and completely unburdened by the matter.
With her hand held by him, Liu Yu Ru inexplicably felt relieved. She lowered her gaze, quietly waiting for a response. After a long pause, Boss Yang suddenly laughed.
"So Young Master Gu means you'll repay the debt for him?"
"Of course," Gu Jiusi replied directly. "One must accept losses in gambling and repay debts. How could such Jianghu principles be easily discarded?"
"Young Master Gu!" Zhou Ye exclaimed anxiously, "I..."
"It's fine," Gu Jiusi pushed Zhou Ye aside and leaned forward. "But my gambling itch has been stirred. Before repaying, I'd like to have one game with Boss Yang."
Boss Yang remained expressionless and silent. Gu Jiusi placed his hands on the table, leaning forward: "I've heard Boss Yang can discern dice by their sound. Though lacking in skill, I'd like to challenge you to another round of Jumping Horse."
Boss Yang stared at Gu Jiusi for a long time before finally laughing: "Young Master Gu, your youthful vigor leads you to foolish acts for friends. Though the Gu Family possesses immense wealth, after repaying 4.2 billion taels of silver, I doubt the Gu Family can afford another round of Jumping Horse.""Boss Yang, let's speak plainly," Gu Jiusi said directly. "Once you start gambling with the 'jumping horse' rule, there's no turning back. What are we really gambling? Not just money, but our entire fortunes, and even our lives. You think Young Master Fan's life is worth thirty million, so forty-two billion becomes three thousand. Then take a look at me, Gu Jiusi. How much am I worth? How many rounds can I gamble with you?"
Hearing this, Boss Yang narrowed his eyes.
Gu Jiusi smiled and extended his hand. "Boss Yang, if you win this morning, from then on, no one in Huainan will be your match. You'll be wealthy enough to rival a nation and enjoy a life of luxury forever."
"If I lose..." Boss Yang murmured, "I'll be bankrupt and homeless."
"Not necessarily," Gu Jiusi reminded him. "You still have four hundred million taels of silver that haven't been recovered."
Boss Yang laughed at this. "I may be a few years older than you, Young Master, and I've seen far more storms in my life than you have. I'm willing to gamble, but Madam," Boss Yang turned his gaze to Liu Yu Ru, "are you sure you really want the Young Master to gamble?"
Liu Yu Ru's hands trembled slightly. She looked up at Gu Jiusi, who was gazing back at her calmly and steadily, without the slightest tremor.
Liu Yu Ru felt like she was going mad. She didn't know why, but under Gu Jiusi's gaze, she strangely felt that...
He could do it.
He must have some plan.
She needed to trust him. He would definitely succeed.
So she spoke out absurdly, her voice still trembling, "Gamble!"
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