Destined

The Zhao family's money was delivered in full, and once this matter was concluded, all the wealthy merchants in Wangdu were trembling with fear.

Undercurrents surged in Wangdu, and everyone was preparing for the worst—counting their silver while making connections far and wide.

Huzi brought daily reports of these merchants' movements to Gu Jiusi, who secretly provided Huzi with funds. Huzi had now become virtually the leader of all the vagrants in Wangdu. Gu Jiusi studied the merchants' activities, furrowing his brow for a long while before sighing and saying, "Understood. Keep a close watch on Madam for me."

Liu Yu Ru also sensed something amiss. She gradually noticed an increase in beggars and vagrants around her, seemingly keeping watch every day.

So, gritting her teeth, she spent money to hire several bodyguards while constantly gathering information about the city's developments.

Her business flourished more and more, and Liu Yu Ru increased her daily shipments, opening another branch in nearby Anyang. She frequently traveled between Anyang and Wangdu, busy with shop affairs. Occasionally, she couldn't resist asking Gu Jiusi, "What are Fan Xuan and Zhou Gaolang planning? Haven't they given you any news yet?"

Gu Jiusi acknowledged with a sound, then said, "They might still be thinking it over."

Fan Xuan and Zhou Gaolang deliberated for a long time, and after nearly ten days, they finally sent word to Gu Jiusi.

That day, Fan Xuan came in person. He spent a long time reconfirming his plan with Gu Jiusi, ensuring every detail was in order, before finally saying, "Your method is too risky, but it is indeed a solution. You may try it in Wangdu. If it works there, we will implement it further."

"Yes," Gu Jiusi breathed a sigh of relief. This outcome was already much better than he had originally anticipated.

"However, since this method is being trialed, Wangdu must show results. By the end of this year, the taxes submitted by Wangdu must reach this amount."

Fan Xuan picked up a brush and wrote down a figure.

Eight million taels of silver. Nine hundred thousand dan of grain.

The annual tax revenue of Darong was eighty million taels of silver, and the monthly provisions for one hundred thousand soldiers required three hundred thousand dan of grain. Youzhou had nearly two hundred counties, yet Fan Xuan demanded that Wangdu—a single county—contribute one-tenth of the nation's tax revenue and a quarter's provisions for one hundred thousand troops.

Gu Jiusi quietly looked at the number. Fan Xuan set down the brush and said calmly, "I need this much silver, and this amount cannot include the donations from your Gu Family. If you can raise it, I don't care what methods you use. I will entrust Wangdu to you—go ahead and act freely. The entire city's military defense and finances, I hand over to you. If you succeed,"

Fan Xuan lifted his gaze to Gu Jiusi, his expression solemn, "Your name will be in the Ministry of Revenue."

Gu Jiusi pressed his lips together. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "This humble official understands."

After seeing Fan Xuan off, Gu Jiusi stood up.

He had long been prepared, waiting only for Fan Xuan's word. The moment Fan Xuan left, he immediately set out to visit the major influential families in Wangdu.It was only September, with three months left until the end of the year. The current tax revenue in Wangdu amounted to just two hundred thousand taels of silver. Even with the donations from the Gu Family and the Zhao Family combined, it only reached seven hundred thousand taels. Wealthy merchants and prominent families mostly held their assets in land, with very little cash on hand. Although the Gu Family was reputed to be the wealthiest in Yangzhou, with assets equivalent to a year’s tax revenue of the Great Rong Dynasty, most of their wealth was tied up in land. In the end, they could only bring eight million taels of silver to Youzhou. Raising eight million taels without harming the merchants’ core interests was no easy task.

Nevertheless, the task had to be accomplished. Gu Jiusi first visited the Yao Family, a major merchant family in Wangdu. The Yao Family had deep roots in the city, with their members holding positions throughout the local government. Even Fan Xuan had to show them some respect.

Upon Gu Jiusi’s arrival, the Yao Family received him cordially. After he explained his proposal, they hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I understand your intentions, Lord Gu." They sighed and added, "This is the only way forward. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf."

With the Yao Family taking the lead, several other families came forward to purchase Gu Jiusi’s "Youzhou debt" even before he had a chance to visit them.

Gu Jiusi divided the 7.3 million taels of debt into two parts: six million taels in long-term debt, which merchants were required to purchase based on their financial capacity—nearly a hundred merchant families in Youzhou were involved—and the remaining 1.3 million taels in short-term debt, which he made available for public sale.

He set up a dedicated room in the Magistrate Office to sell the "Youzhou debt." There were no restrictions on purchasing the short-term debt; even a single coin could buy a share. For the first three months, buyers not only received high interest but also earned a portion of the interest from any friends or relatives they referred.

This made the accounting extremely complicated, forcing Gu Jiusi to appoint someone specifically to manage the books. Liu Yu Ru stepped in, taking charge of organizing the accounts for the short-term debt.

In the first month, there weren’t many buyers. Liu Yu Ru used this time to streamline the process, issuing tokens, paper contracts, and serial numbers to categorize and record everything systematically.

While Liu Yu Ru managed the short-term debt, Gu Jiusi spent his days persuading merchants to purchase the long-term debt.

Half a month passed, and sales of the short-term debt remained modest, mostly consisting of small purchases by curious commoners spending a few dozen or a hundred coins for amusement. Meanwhile, Gu Jiusi, after securing agreements from the initial families, found himself facing tougher opposition.

The Liang family, backed by military figures in Youzhou, repeatedly ignored his appeals. On his third visit, the eldest son of the Liang family impatiently retorted in pure Youzhou dialect, "You country bumpkin from Yangzhou, why can’t you understand plain words? You want money, is that it? If you keep bothering us, I’ll make sure you lose your life!"

Such threats did not intimidate Gu Jiusi, but he realized that gentle persuasion would not work with the Liang family.

That night, he returned home and tossed and turned in bed. Seeing his restlessness, Liu Yu Ru took his hand and said gently, "Don’t worry so much, my husband. You’ve been in office for some time now. It’s about time you showed some iron resolve."Gu Jiusi pursed his lips. Liu Yuru leaned against his chest and chuckled softly, "I know you have a soft heart. If you truly can't bear it, rest a while longer. In a few days, when the first month's interest is distributed to the people, short-term debts will start selling. I'll find a way for you."

Gu Jiusi remained silent. Looking at the girl resting against his chest, his heart stirred. With such warmth and fragrance in his embrace, it was natural for other thoughts to arise. Yet, for some reason, whenever such thoughts emerged, they felt suppressed by something. He found them somewhat sordid, preferring instead the tranquility of Liu Yuru quietly leaning against him—a peace that made his heart calm and gentle, bright and clear.

So he raised his hand to hold her. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Forget it. I'll think of something tomorrow."

The next day, he went to the Liang family again, but they simply closed their main gate. Gu Jiusi stood at the entrance for a long time, feeling somewhat helpless, and eventually returned to the County Government Office.

As a newly appointed official, aside from pressing for funds, he had many regulations to revise. Thus, he busied himself at the Magistrate Office for the entire day. By the afternoon, as warm sunlight streamed into the room, he suddenly felt a palpitation in his heart. Lifting his head, he gazed absently at the swaying plants outside the window.

A moment later, Huang Long hurried in anxiously and said, "Sir, something terrible has happened."

Gu Jiusi looked up, somewhat bewildered, as Huang Long continued, "Madam has been robbed on her way to Anyang!"

Gu Jiusi's brush trembled slightly, ink splattering onto the paper, spreading a stain of dread.

Liu Yuru had opened a new shop in Anyang.

She hadn't originally planned to travel far, but since the new shop was established, she felt she ought to inspect it. Thus, she specially hired escorts from a security agency and brought along several strong men before setting out.

She chose to travel during the day, hoping to make a quick round trip in broad daylight, at least to get a clear understanding of the situation in Anyang.

Unexpectedly, despite such thorough preparations, the assailants showed no fear. Dozens of rough men on horseback descended from the mountains, clashing fiercely with the escorts. In the ensuing chaos, only Liu Yuru and Yin Hong remained in the carriage.

Yin Hong trembled with fear, while Liu Yuru, though pale, feigned composure. Clutching her skirt tightly, she forced herself to remain calm and said, "If you gentlemen seek wealth, there isn't much on this carriage. Perhaps you could allow me to send someone to fetch it."

Hearing this, the men burst into laughter. One of them used his knife to lift the curtain and peered inside.

Liu Yuru looked up and saw a man who appeared to be under twenty, quite handsome with a rugged, hearty northern demeanor. A scar ran across his face, lending his handsome features a ferocious and unsettling appearance.

"Well now," the man turned to those behind him, "there are two women here. We've hit the jackpot."

Upon hearing this, Yin Hong and Liu Yuru turned deathly pale. The man reached out and grabbed Yin Hong first. Yin Hong screamed, and Liu Yuru pulled her back. Yin Hong kicked and struggled, crying out in terror, "Madam, save me! Save me!"

Liu Yuru's hands shook as she tried to hold onto Yin Hong, but the burly man sneered and yanked forcefully, dragging both women out of the carriage.

Liu Yuru and Yin Hong were pulled from the carriage and thrown to the ground. The men on horseback began circling around them.The feeling of being completely surrounded filled both of them with despair, but Liu Yuru forced herself to remain calm. Clutching Yin Hong's hand, she said in a trembling voice, "Don't be afraid."

Upon hearing this, the scar-faced man sneered. He wrapped an arm around Liu Yuru's waist and, ignoring her startled cry, hoisted her over his shoulder.

"Madam! Madam!"

Yin Hong screamed and rushed forward, only to be pulled into the arms of another man nearby. Everyone whistled as the scar-faced man tossed Liu Yuru onto a horse, then led his men, with Liu Yuru in tow, into the mountains.

Liu Yuru realized that struggling and screaming only excited the men further, so she clenched her teeth and forced herself to remain silent.

Meanwhile, Yin Hong continued to shriek under the others' teasing. Listening to Yin Hong's screams and pleas for mercy from behind, Liu Yuru controlled her trembling, bit her lower lip, and let tears well up in her eyes.

She desperately analyzed the situation.

These men hadn't come for money but had taken them directly, clearly aiming to capture them. Her life now mattered most to Gu Jiusi, so it was highly likely these men had been sent by those trying to pressure him.

These bandits were either hired by the other party or were men cultivated within their own household.

As Liu Yuru assessed them, one of them, noticing her prolonged silence, laughed and said, "If you hadn't spoken earlier, I'd have thought you were mute."

Liu Yuru lowered her head without a word. The man pinched her chin, forcing her to look up at him. He stared at her appraisingly, while Liu Yuru met his gaze, her shocked eyes tinged with fear. After a moment of eye contact, he suddenly laughed. "You're quite bold for a girl. I'm Shen Ming. What's your name?"

Liu Yuru stared at him, resisting silently. He scoffed and said, "Even if you don't tell me, I know. You're Liu Yuru, the owner of Floral Visage." Shen Ming then turned to a burly man behind him and said, "Brother Xiong, your wife really likes her rouge, right?"

"Yeah," Brother Xiong replied with a simple laugh. "I went to buy some for her just the other day, but the ones she wanted were out of stock."

Listening to their casual conversation, Liu Yuru felt they weren't entirely vicious, and her heart settled slightly. She contemplated gathering information, and Shen Ming made no effort to hide anything from her, chatting freely with the others.

Liu Yuru gathered that they were bandits who frequented the area, with Shen Ming as a minor leader, and their top boss was someone called Lord Tiger.

Liu Yuru was taken to their mountain stronghold, where Shen Ming tied her and Yin Hong up and locked them in a woodshed.

When everyone else had dispersed and only Shen Ming remained to bring them food, Liu Yuru finally spoke. "Young Master Shen, I can double whatever those people paid you."

Hearing this, Shen Ming was taken aback. After a moment, he burst into laughter.

Liu Yuru frowned, unable to understand what he found so amusing.

A short while later, Shen Ming wiped his tears and said, "Sorry... It's the first time anyone's called me 'Young Master.' I found it a bit funny..."

Liu Yuru: "..."

She suddenly felt a wave of despair, realizing she was dealing with someone with whom negotiation seemed impossible.

After drying his tears, Shen Ming cleared his throat, trying to appear more serious, and then asked, "So, do you know who paid me?""The one in Hope Capital City," Liu Yu Ru said with a confident expression, as if she already knew who it was but was deliberately being mysterious. She spoke calmly, "He just wants to use me to threaten Jiusi. But what Jiusi is doing isn’t actually bad for them—they’ll be grateful to him in the future. You’re only after wealth, and I can guarantee that I can offer you more than he can."

Shen Ming didn’t respond. Liu Yu Ru looked up at him; he was holding a greasy chicken leg, chewing on it intently.

Liu Yu Ru felt a sense of suffocation and couldn’t help saying, "Are you even listening to me?"

"Huh?" Shen Ming snapped back to attention, cleared his throat lightly, and nodded. "I heard you."

"What do you think?"

"You’re quite beautiful."

"Huh?" Liu Yu Ru was bewildered. Shen Ming looked at her, his eyes full of admiration, and said earnestly and frankly, "I’ve realized you’re much prettier when you talk than when you’re silent. Honestly, in my nineteen years, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and you have great presence too. Since you can’t go back anyway, why not stay with me?"

With that, Shen Ming leaned back, looking rather proud. "Stay with me, and I promise you won’t be treated poorly."

Liu Yu Ru took a moment to process his words, then flushed with anger, clenching her fists. She didn’t dare talk back, so she gritted her teeth and said, "I’m already betrothed."

"Oh, that Magistrate Gu, I know. But what good does that do?" Shen Ming spread his hands. "You’ve been taken by me, your reputation is ruined. Even if you go back, do you think Gu Jiusi would still acknowledge you?"

At this, Liu Yu Ru’s face turned pale. Shen Ming leaned closer, his eyes full of amusement. "Even if he did take you back, for the rest of his life, he’d remember this incident. And if you happened to get pregnant around this time, he’d spend his whole life wondering whose child it was."

He gave a half-smile, his tone tinged with regret. "How humiliating, isn’t it?"

"He wouldn’t..." Liu Yu Ru’s voice trembled. Shen Ming leaned back again, studying her. He seemed to enjoy watching people struggle in pain. Propping his chin on his hand, he said calmly, "If he wouldn’t, then why are you shaking?"

"My lady is afraid of you!" Yin Hong mustered her courage and shouted. Shen Ming shot her a cold glare. "Who gave you the right to speak?"

Yin Hong shrank back, her bravado instantly deflated. Shen Ming laid out the pros and cons for Liu Yu Ru. "To be honest, kidnapping you wasn’t my decision. Talking to me about money or anything else—I don’t care. I’m almost twenty now, and my mother keeps nagging me to find a wife. I’ve looked around, and you’re the only one who catches my eye. Mainly because you’re good-looking."

He glanced at Liu Yu Ru again. She felt humiliated and turned her head away. Shen Ming continued, "As for me, I’m skilled in martial arts, good with words, not bad-tempered, and I treat my wife well. Whatever you like, I’ll buy it for you. Plus, I don’t have those old-fashioned ideas like those stuffy scholars. I don’t mind that you were married before—I just like you for who you are. Going back isn’t realistic. Even if Gu Jiusi rescues you, how will others see you once you return? Why not stay on the mountain? We can live happily together for the rest of our lives. Isn’t that better?""My husband is not that kind of person." Liu Yu Ru glared at Shen Ming as she spoke. "He wouldn't mind these things. He will definitely come to rescue me. He can accomplish everything you mentioned. Why should I spend my life with you?"

Shen Ming was taken aback for a moment, then looked seriously at the young woman before him. "He's better looking than you, skilled in martial arts, has an excellent temper, and treats me very well. He buys me whatever I want, even spending a whole month's salary on rouge for me. Can you do that?!"

Spending a month's wages on rouge...

Shen Ming fell silent for a while before finally saying, "Is your face some kind of enormous canvas like the 'Mountains and Rivers Scroll'? How could you possibly use that much rouge in a month?!"

Liu Yu Ru was momentarily stunned, then angrily retorted, "You country bumpkin! Who says you have to use up all the rouge you buy?!"

"Then what's the point?" Shen Ming looked completely bewildered. "If you're not going to use it up, why buy it? You're practically a spendthrift woman."

Liu Yu Ru was so angry she became flustered. Meanwhile, Yin Hong, who had been watching their argument, suddenly became unusually calm for some reason. She tugged at Liu Yu Ru's sleeve and whispered, "Madam, don't argue with him. He's foolish."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru collected herself. She took a deep breath, suppressed her temper, and said to Shen Ming, "Young Master Shen, if you cannot make decisions about this matter, perhaps you could relay my words to the fortress chief. What he wants can all be negotiated."

"Don't worry." Shen Ming sighed. "This isn't something you can negotiate. You should just focus on keeping yourself alive."

While Shen Ming and Liu Yu Ru were talking, Gu Jiusi stood in the courtyard.

He wore plain clothes with a jade-adorned hair crown, his expression calm and steady.

Huzi rushed in anxiously and reported, "Ninth Master, we've found out - it was Black Wind Fortress who made the move."

Gu Jiusi nodded. "Have you consulted with Brother Zhou? Is everything arranged?"

"All arranged."

Huzi responded promptly: "The eldest young master has already taken troops to the Liang family as you instructed."

"Hmm."

Gu Jiusi acknowledged. After a moment, Yun Yun entered anxiously, holding a small note. "Young Master, the note you were waiting for has arrived. It was shot onto our doorstep with an arrow, but we couldn't find where it came from."

Gu Jiusi showed no surprise. He took the note from Yun Yun. The message was simple:

Come alone to Black Wind Fortress.

Seeing the content, Huzi immediately exclaimed, "Ninth Master, you mustn't go! This is clearly their trap - they're obviously sending you to your death!"

Gu Jiusi remained silent for a while, then finally said:

"She should be fine."