For the first time in my life, my hand was not cramped when I received money, but it was hot.

There were more than a dozen boxes of different sizes. The big box was filled with money, and the small box was filled with silver cakes and gems. Gu Qing made a rough estimate, and all the items together should be able to buy ten houses in Chang'an City.

Gu Qing's eyelids were twitching, and he didn't have any surprise in his heart about the windfall. Instead, he felt that the dozen boxes in front of him were like thunder, and if he was not careful, they would blow him to pieces.

Why is it sacred? It is such a big deal. Is the signature of Zuo Wei Changshi really worth so much money?

Let's speculate again, even if a bribe is given so generously, how significant is the amount on that purchase list, and how much can the people behind the scenes earn? After all, Zuowei has a huge base of tens of thousands of soldiers, and will distribute it to each soldier.

With a little manipulation on the winter clothes and weapons, the premium of more than ten yuan is a very scary figure. What's more, Gu Qing has read the list, and he has roughly estimated that the range of the premium on the list may be more than a dozen yuan.

Butler Xu looked worried and rubbed his hands and said: "Young Master, this old man feels that this gift is strange. I have never seen such a disrespectful gift. A group of servants in Tsing Yi carried burdens and placed the box in front of our door.

, then turned around and left. When the last person left, he only said, "My master gave it to Gu Changshi as a meeting gift." The old man wanted to go up and ask what happened, but the group of people walked very fast, and in the blink of an eye, they blended into the crowd and disappeared.

."

Looking at Gu Qing's face carefully, Butler Xu said calmly: "Young Master, this gift...isn't a good idea, is it?"

Gu Qing smiled: "It's really not a good way to go. It's a bit hot, or... a bit fatal."

Butler Xu was anxious: "What should we do? Even if we want to return it, we can't find the owner."

"Don't worry, the master will show up sooner or later. Uncle Xu asked people to take good care of these boxes. The boxes are locked and cannot be moved. We will know in a few days."

Butler Xu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, the old man is watching them personally. If anyone in the house who doesn't have eyesight dares to reach out, the old man will destroy him."

Gu Qing touched his chin and stared at the box in deep thought.

There are more than a dozen boxes of valuable things, which add up to almost 2,000 guan. This is a huge sum of money, and the value of the gift has obviously been carefully analyzed by the other party. His official position as Gu Qingzuo Guard Chief Shi has a lot to do with this matter.

The role it plays is probably worth this price, and only this price.

Giving too much will inevitably lead to arrogance, and the lion may ask for more. Giving too little will make people feel insulted, which will be self-defeating.

Two thousand guan, in their eyes, Gu Qing was worth this amount. Perhaps it was not just for Zuo Wei Changshi's signature, but for Gu Qing as a person.

Even if Gu Qing doesn't sign on the list, he is still worth two thousand coins.

Of course, it is best to sign the deposit honestly.

…………

Gu Qing kept the official list of documents with him and didn't sign it, but he didn't reject it either.

Gu Qing was waiting, waiting for the master who was hiding behind the scenes to show up. Heavy gifts and a list were given, but someone had to come out and explain the matter. Hiding one's head and showing one's tail and giving a heavy gift was not enough.

In the afternoon, Gu Qing did not go to Zuowei. He held the list in his arms and planned to go to Dongshi. According to the unit price on the list, he asked about the actual price in Dongshi. Gu Qing knew that the list was mixed with water. As for how much, Gu Qing did not know.

He didn't know much about prices in this era.

Gu Qing had little experience in dealing with Dongshi merchants, so he planned to call in the two shopkeepers, Hao Donglai and Shi Daxing. However, Hao Donglai had not recovered and was walking with a limp. Shi Daxing was too busy with the latest issue of Bagua Bao.

With his feet not touching the ground, Gu Qing had no choice but to give up. After thinking for a long time, he decided to ask Zhang Huaijin for help.

Women are naturally price-sensitive. Asking her to ask for and negotiate the price for you, and then settle on the final price, should be considered as making the best use of everything... right?

Arriving directly at Zhang Jiuzhang's residence in Daozhengfang, Gu Qing stood in front of the door and suddenly felt guilty.

It stands to reason that the Zhang family should be the closest people to Gu Qing in Chang'an besides Li Twelve Niang. However, Gu Qing rarely visits the house. On the contrary, Zhang Jiuzhang often sends servants to bring some exquisite food and clothes, and sometimes even

He would write a letter in person and tell Gu Qingtian to put on more clothes.

The Zhang family truly regards Gu Qing as one of their own, but Gu Qing rarely takes the initiative to express anything to the Zhang family due to his personality. As a person of two generations, Gu Qing is always a little at a loss when it comes to the kindness he gives to others.

Approaching the Zhang family's gate, the butler rushed out from the side door and saluted with a surprised look on his face: "Young Master has not been here for a long time. How lucky you are to come today."

Gu Qing smiled. The prime minister's family was really extraordinary. A housekeeper spoke so elegantly and politely. But when his housekeeper Xu saw Gu Qing, he would always say hello "Young Master is back?" and then kick him out.

A handyman came out to wait on him.

I really should bring Butler Xu here and let him intern at the Zhang family for half a year. If he doesn't learn some elegant skills, don't come back. Don't let me get in trouble.

Gu Qing cupped his hands towards the housekeeper and said with a smile, "I wonder if my second uncle is in the house?"

The housekeeper smiled and said: "In the mansion, in the mansion, today the master is taking a rest. He did not go to Honglu Temple and was reading in the backyard. The master has already given instructions. There is no need to notify the young master when he comes at any time. You can do it on your own.

Once inside, Young Master can go to the backyard to find the master."

Gu Qing hesitated and said, "I'm afraid it's inappropriate for me to go to the backyard, right?"

The backyards of wealthy officials' homes were not accessible to outsiders. These days, intruding into other people's backyards without permission is almost equivalent to slapping the owner in the face, which is a very bad and rude act.

The housekeeper smiled and said: "Young Master is not an outsider. You can go to the backyard. Don't worry, you will never be rude. The Zhang family has never treated Young Master as an outsider. There is no defense against Young Master anywhere in the house."

Gu Qing's heart warmed up and he smiled at the housekeeper. He stopped being pretentious and walked straight into the side door after saying hello.

After entering the door, the servants of the Zhang Mansion all bowed respectfully when they saw Gu Qing, and quietly turned aside to let Gu Qing pass.

After entering the backyard without any obstruction, Gu Qing saw Zhang Jiuzhang in the flower hall on the south side of the backyard. Zhang Jiuzhang was lying half alone on a bed. He seemed to have presbyopia and was reading a book with squinted eyes. The tip of his nose was almost touching the book.

Gu Qing's heart moved and he secretly paid attention.

Glass has already been available these days, but it is not pure enough and looks a bit turbid. If he can find high-purity transparent glass, Gu Qing would like to make a pair of reading glasses for Zhang Jiuzhang.

Not knowing how to express his feelings, Gu Qing could only use these small details to respond to the Zhang family's kindness to him.

Hearing the sound outside the flower hall, Zhang Jiuzhang looked up and saw Gu Qing outside the door. Zhang Jiuzhang happily put down his book and greeted him personally. Without waiting for Gu Qing to salute, he took Gu Qing's hand affectionately and laughed: "

I was still talking about you this morning. I told Huaijin that you were a heartless kid and never took the initiative to come to see me. You really came without thinking about me, haha."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "It's my fault. I've been too busy recently. Zuo Wei Changshi has too many official duties. My grandnephew is already overwhelmed and has no time to take care of him. My second uncle forgives me."

"Haha, I don't blame you. I know how busy Chang Shi is, and I told Huaijin not to disturb you when he has nothing to do. That child is so wild that he can't even be locked up. He wants to run away all day long. It's really unfortunate for the family. Goddaughter

Wufang..."

Mentioning Zhang Huaijin, Gu Qing smiled happily: "Sister Huaijin is very good. It's not a bad thing to be more lively. It shows that she has a kind heart and has no ill intentions towards the world. My second uncle must not be too harsh on her and discipline her too strictly. Sister Huaijin will never be the same again."

If you lose your spirituality, you will lose more than you gain.”

Like all ordinary old people, when it comes to children, he has a sad expression. Zhang Jiuzhang shook his head and sighed: "A woman will eventually get married. She is so bad that she just goes to the house to lift the tiles and pick the peaches from the tree... No,

She has really done a lot of picking peaches from trees and tiles in houses. Alas, she is so wild and untamed, which family will be willing to marry her in the future?"

Gu Qing hurriedly comforted him: "Second uncle has spoken harshly. How can Sister Huaijin be so unbearable? Anyone who truly understands her will treat her like jewels and cherish her forever."

Zhang Jiuzhang's eyes lit up: "Oh? So you don't dislike Huai Jin? I once had the idea of ​​​​betrothaling Huai Jin to you. It seems that it is not repayment of kindness?"

Gu Qing's eyelids twitched and he said hurriedly: "Second uncle, calm down! Such a harmonious chatting atmosphere, if it is destroyed, it will be a disaster."

Zhang Jiuzhang sighed in disappointment: "You really meant your words to be kind, and that's what you think about it. Who would jump into a fire pit knowing that there is a fire pit in front of them? The Zhang family doesn't want to put the blame on others. Huaijin has no hope, so he will turn back.

I wrote to Jiugao and asked him to ask the eldest son and his wife if they would like to have another child..."

Gu Qing was dumbfounded. The big one was exhausted. At this moment, he thought of opening a vest to raise a small one. Don’t you think it’s too late? Zhang Huaijin’s parents are at least in their thirties, right?

He was full of complicated emotions and didn't know how to speak. Gu Qing was thinking deeply when he suddenly heard a surprised voice coming from outside the flower hall.

"Second brother! Is it the second brother who is here? Second brother!"

Zhang Jiuzhang was stunned: "Who is the second brother?"

Gu Qing's face was stunned, and he turned his head and pretended to look at the scenery.

Outside the door of the flower hall, a delicate figure appeared, wearing a lavender palace skirt on Zhang Huaijin, like an elf full of floral fragrance, dancing in the deep forest.

After seeing Gu Qing, Zhang Huaijin didn't even notice Zhang Jiuzhang in the flower hall, and solemnly clasped his fists: "Second brother!"

Gu Qing rolled his eyes and tried to pretend he didn't recognize her.

Zhang Jiuzhang looked at Zhang Huaijinxiu in shock, his hand stroking his beard trembling slightly.

The atmosphere was awkward for a while, but Zhang Huaijin didn't notice at all. Seeing that Gu Qing ignored her, she acted very disappointed. The etiquette of meeting brothers has been paid less and less attention by Gu Qing recently. This is a precursor to the collapse of etiquette.

"Second brother!" Zhang Huaijin continued to clasp his fists reluctantly.

Seeing the disappointed look in Zhang Huaijin's eyes, Gu Qing knew it was just a childish behavior, but still didn't want to disappoint her. He glanced carefully at Zhang Jiuzhang, who was shaking and showing signs of a stroke. Gu Qing sighed as if giving up, and then returned the favor with fists.

"Third brother!"

After receiving the response, Zhang Huaijin turned his resentment into happiness and continued to clasp his fist happily: "Second brother!"

Gu Qing half-closed his eyes, with a desperate expression on his face: "Third brother!"

"Second brother!"

"Third brother!"

"Second brother..."

"Zhang Huaijin, that's enough!" Gu Qing couldn't bear it anymore.

The person who was even more intolerable was Zhang Jiuzhang. He suppressed his anger and actually calmly waited for the etiquette of meeting brothers to be completed before he stood up, pointed at Gu Qing and Zhang Huaijin, and said tremblingly: "You... you are doing this.

What? What is 'second brother'? What is 'third brother'? What the hell is this title!"

Zhang Huaijin didn't seem to notice Zhang Jiuzhang's existence until this moment. He couldn't help but screamed in fright and hid behind Gu Qing. He stuck out his head and looked at Zhang Jiuzhang cautiously and said: "Second ancestor, Mo Nu, this is the first time our brothers have met.

Ritual, "Li" says: 'Ritual cannot be abolished, otherwise it will lead to chaos'..."

Zhang Jiuzhang was furious: "Shut up! It's already messed up! What kind of etiquette is this?"

I don’t know if it was because he felt safe hiding behind Gu Qing, but Zhang Huaijin actually said plausibly: "Zi Lu said: 'The bond between elders and children cannot be abolished.' I regard him as my second brother, which is a 'ritual'..."
To be continued...