Zhang Guangdao frowned.
Gu Xianxiong spoke in an unquestionable tone, as if he was Gu Xianxiong's subordinate, as if he was giving orders to him.
In the past, Gu Xianxiong was the 'prime minister' appointed by Zhao Gou and held great power. Even the head of a wealthy family like Yu Yong was dwarfed by Gu Xianxiong. Gu Xianxiong is the chief among all the chiefs of Yangzhou's big clans.
Zhang Guangdao is no exception.
Today, things are not what they used to be.
His granddaughter is Zhao Shan's woman and she enters the palace as a concubine. When Zhao Shan is given a fat boy next year, his status and influence of the Zhang family will be even more different.
Just like this, Zhang Guangdao's mood is different. Because I have confidence, my tone and attitude of speaking are also different.
Zhang Guangdao stroked his beard and said, neither humble nor arrogant: "Does the head of the Gu family think that the Zhang family is a vassal of the Gu family and cannot make the decision on his own?"
Gu Xianxiong was stunned for a moment.
Something is wrong with Zhang Guangdao.
Zhang Guangdao didn't have such an attitude before. Could it be that Zhang Yingxue returned to Zhang's house and said something to Zhang Guangdao? Or did Zhang Yingxue become Zhao Shan's woman and Zhang Guangdao changed?
Gu Xianxiong was more inclined to the latter, and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Zhang, the Zhang family is naturally an independent family, and it is also the Zhang family that is controlled by Gong Zhang. However, the Zhang family and our Yangzhou families are in the same vein, and they should not fight independently. It shouldn’t be a ball of loose sand.”
Zhang Guangdao said: "I have a question. We use old grain as good food. We divide the family to retain the land. Once His Majesty finds out, His Majesty is angry and we are liquidated. Who can afford this price?"
"It won't be discovered."
Gu Xianxiong looked confident.
The plan to split up the family and use poor quality food as good food was also first proposed by Gu Xianxiong, turning the big family into a small family and retaining more fertile land.
This is the lifeblood of the big family.
Zhang Guangdao snorted and said: "My Zhang family finally has a glimmer of hope with Yingxue entering the palace as a concubine. You want me to take risks with you? This is impossible. I can't gamble with the fate of my family."
Gu Xianxiong's face turned completely cold, and he said in a deep voice: "The head of the Zhang family has become prosperous, so will he leave the other families behind?"
"Leave it behind?"
Zhang Guangdao sneered, shook his head and said, "How can we talk about this?"
Gu Xianxiong asked: "Isn't it just a matter of leaving behind?"
Zhang Guangdao said: "The Zhang family's plan is very simple, that is, not to violate the conditions promised to His Majesty, and not to violate it. Does this mean that you are leaving behind? If you want to fight with His Majesty, if I, the Zhang family, do not follow, is it that you are leaving behind?"
"You are going to die. If I, an old guy, don't die with you, will you leave me behind?"
"All the families in Yangzhou are indeed in the same spirit, and they should cheer up together and face all difficulties together, instead of like now, you have to follow the conditions you promised yourself, and you have to gamble with the fate of the family that your majesty will not pursue it. "
"If we are held accountable, can you afford it?"
"If we are held accountable and the Yangzhou clan is wiped out, will you resist the responsibility? Will you compensate the families for so many lives?"
Zhang Guangdao flicked his sleeves and said: "If you, Gu Xianxiong, think that I am not colluding with you, that I have abandoned the Yangzhou clan and renounced myself from the Yangzhou clan, I have nothing to say, so just leave me alone."
Gu Xianxiong was even more angry.
He originally planned to persuade Zhang Guangdao, but at this moment he lost his mind and turned around to leave with a flick of his sleeves.
Zhang Guangdao looked at Gu Xianxiong's leaving back with thoughtful eyes. Simply falling out with Gu Xianxiong would definitely not be enough.
This is just a statement at most.
In order to get more benefits and to satisfy the emperor, there must be further operations.
Zhang Guangdao ordered: "Come, prepare a car, I'm going to visit the Yu family."
The people in the house prepared the carriage, Zhang Guangdao changed his clothes and took the carriage towards Yu's house.
The Yu family has Yu Qinghuan entering the palace, so it is natural that they stand with the Zhang family. Zhang Guangdao's first target is Yu Yong. When Zhang Guangdao arrived at Yu's house for a visit, he successfully met Yu Yong in the study.
Yu Yong learned about Zhang Yingxue and knew that the Zhang family had prospered since then.
Yu Yong felt a little envious.
However, he was also open-minded. Although his sister had not slept with him yet, Zhao Shan had already agreed to accept her, and it would be a matter of time before she slept with her. It's just a step too late, and with the little girl's desireless character, it would be better to go slower.
Yu Yong smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang came to visit today. What can I do for you?"
Zhang Guangdao didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Master Yu, I'm here to visit you today. The reason why I'm here is to split up the family reserved land among the major families, and to present old grain and other matters."
Yu Yong said: "What can Mr. Zhang teach you?"
Zhang Guangdao said: "I think this matter is not feasible and must not be done."
Yu Yong asked: "Why?"
Zhang Guangdao said in a deep voice: "First of all, Your Majesty is not easy to mess with, and he is a very difficult person to deal with. In the whole world, the Northern Wei Dynasty and the Jin Kingdom were so powerful, but they were defeated by Your Majesty. Xiliang was so fierce, but they were annexed by Your Majesty."
"Zhao Gou, as the king of Wu, was also destroyed."
"We are indeed the Tu Emperor in Yangzhou. But no matter how great the Tu Emperor is, can he compare to the Xiliang Emperor?"
"That's incomparable."
Zhang Guangdao solemnly said: "Secondly, both the Zhang family and the Yu family, headed by the Yu family, have women who have entered the palace as concubines. They have been accepted by His Majesty and have a way out. In the future, Yingxue will give birth to a son, or Qing Huan will give birth to a son. Having a son is good for both of us."
"The Zhang family and the Yu family will definitely not be worse than they are now."
"Why take the risk?"
"Thirdly, if we fail to deceive His Majesty, Yingxue and Qing Huan will definitely be affected. Do you think the Yu Family Master and Miss Qing Huan, who are from the same mother and father, should see that what they have done has implicated their sister?"
Zhang Guangdao continued: "Fourth, Gu Xianxiong has not gained anything, and hopes to fight against His Majesty to protect the interests of the Gu family. The Gu family is the strongest in Yangzhou, and he is willing to fight against His Majesty. We are weak and have our own way, so why are we messing around? ?”
Yu Yong's eyes were thoughtful.
For a while, some were affected.
Every point Zhang Guangdao mentioned touched Yu Yong's heart.
His sister was left behind by Zhao Shan, and sooner or later she would sleep with him. In the future, she would be a concubine in the palace, or even a noble concubine. If Yu Qinghuan gives birth to a son in the future and gets greater opportunities, the Yu family will naturally be good.
Why take the risk?
Now the emperor's condition is to hand over the land and food. At least the family still has farmland and the shops have not been confiscated, so they can continue to live a good life.
The emperor gave him a chance to change his ways. If he further provoked the emperor and made him angry, the consequences would be disastrous.
This is not cost-effective in any way.
After Yu Yong thought about it, he smiled and said: "I agree with Mr. Zhang's proposal. I agree not to violate it in disguise, but to obey the emperor's arrangements honestly, and will never go against the emperor's conditions."
Zhang Guangdao had a smile on his face.
Done!
With Yu Yong, he has a trump card. When he goes to lobby other people, he can snowball step by step to get everyone to agree.
Zhang Guangdao thought about Gu Xianxiong's bossy attitude, a cold light flashed across his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Master Yu, what do you think about Gu Xianxiong's Gu family?"
Yu Yong asked: "What does Mr. Zhang mean?"
Zhang Guangdao replied: "My idea is that Gu Xianxiong insists on going his own way and insisting on confronting His Majesty. The Gu family should now be completely swept into the garbage heap. The Gu family has occupied so many positions and resources over the years, and it is time to hand them over."
hiss!
Yu Yong took a breath.
Somewhat horrified.
He did not expect that Zhang Guangdao, who was secretive, would reveal his sharp fangs once he gained power.
Yu Yong asked: "How will Mr. Zhang arrange it?"
Zhang Guangdao said in a deep voice: "I have rejected Gu Xianxiong and do not agree with his arrangement. In order to exclude me, Gu Xianxiong will definitely lobby the families again and come to see the head of the Yu family. When he comes to see you, you agree to him directly. There is no need to deny the conditions, just pretend to agree.”
Yu Yong is also a capable person.
In an instant, he understood Zhang Guangdao's plan and said: "Gong Zhang's idea is to lobby other families and persuade them to cooperate with His Majesty and honestly hand over land, food, etc. On the surface, he wants to deceive Gu Xianxiong and let him Going to deceive His Majesty alone?"
"Of course!"
Zhang Guangdao replied with a smile.
There was endless coldness in the laughter. Zhang Guangdao continued: "Don't you, Master Yu, want to grab some of the resources of the Gu family? I remember that Gu Xianxiong once used his status as prime minister to force your Yu family to give you three shops and plunder them. Let’s take 30% of the profits of the Yu family’s grain merchants in Kuaiji County.”
Yu Yong's pupils shrank and she chuckled: "No problem, I agree."
"good!"
Zhang Guangdao clapped his hands and praised.
Yu Yong asked: "I have one last question. When Mr. Zhang goes to see everyone else, aren't you worried that someone will tell Gu Xianxiong the news?"
"do not worry."
Zhang Guangdao looked confident and replied: "First, each family has its own interests and needs, and also hopes to expand the family's benefits. When a whale falls, all things will grow. The fall of the Gu family will not harm us at all, so why should we resist?"
"Secondly, the emperor has the upper hand. Anyone who dares to disobey His Majesty is seeking death. You and I have already stated that we will no longer defy the situation. If someone steps up to take the lead, they will not dare to take risks again."
"The head of the Yu family said he was worried about them telling Gu Xianxiong. In fact, aren't the others worried about us telling His Majesty?"
"It's the same thing."
Zhang Guangdao said confidently: "This is my confidence, and this is also my confidence to unite everyone and leave Gu Xianxiong out."
Yu Yong smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, happy cooperation."
Zhang Guangdao also said it was a pleasure to cooperate.
Zhang Guangdao didn't stay long, and then left the Yu family to run around.
At the same time, Gu Xianxiong was also running around and came to see Yu Yong specifically to talk about Zhang Guangdao's betrayal of the Yangzhou family and his plans to target Zhang Guangdao. He also said that after overthrowing the Zhang family, he would support Yu Qinghuan alone.
Yu Yong was disdainful.
Gu Xianxiong's idea is simple, but if the emperor is involved, Gu Xianxiong's plan is doomed to fail.
Yu Yong's answer was simple, saying that he rejected Zhang Guangdao's request and was unwilling to lose the family's interests.
Gu Xianxiong immediately believed Yu Yong's words. Gu Xianxiong himself is reluctant to give up the family's interests. From his perspective, he also believes that everyone else is reluctant to give up the family's interests.
Just like this, Gu Xianxiong went to meet Bai Wanli, Zhou Xin and other family heads one by one, and received affirmative answers. He had no doubts at all and became more and more confident.
Zhang Guangdao became arrogant when he succeeded. Did he really think that by marrying his granddaughter to Zhao Shan, he would skyrocket?
There are too many widows in the palace.
Too many people were eaten and wiped clean in the palace.
Gu Xianxiong prepared confidently. He also discussed with everyone. If Zhang Guangdao dared to reveal the news, they would deny it. They all said that the food was like this and that the families had been separated long ago.
Gu Xianxiong believed that Zhang Guangdao did not dare to expose him because the Zhang family was still in Yangzhou.
In the blink of an eye, another three days passed, and Gu Xianxiong, Zhang Guangdao, Yu Yong, Bai Wanli, Zhou Xin, and other major families in Yangzhou had prepared food, land records, money and supplies.
Everyone came to Prince Wu's Mansion to meet Zhao Shan.
Everyone entered the hall and saw Zhao Shan sitting directly above them. They all saluted and stood aside.
Zhao Shan looked around at everyone, glanced around and smiled and said: "Everyone has come together to see me. It seems that they have prepared the land, population and materials that they should hand over to the court. Who will come first?"
