Chapter 414: Debt Collection
Gu Baijiang let out a cold snort, refraining from bringing up the matter of dividing the household again. It wasn’t that he couldn’t bear to part with this son, but rather that he didn’t want to make a bigger fool of himself. The family only had so much silver left. If he actually took it out to divide, his second son would undoubtedly throw a fit.
Gu Kaiping and his wife were somewhat disappointed. It had been such a perfect opportunity, as their father had already spoken the words. If not for the unexpected complication caused by Mrs. Xu, the family might have successfully separated today.
"Uncle Bai Jiang," said Gu Kaishan, one of the visiting members of the Gu Family who had stepped forward. "The Clan Leader sent us here together. We were wondering how you plan to settle us, Uncle Bai Jiang? The rest of the Gu Family back home is also waiting for news from you."
Seeing these clan members tag along, Gu Baijiang knew exactly what their intentions were. He already had a massive mess to deal with right here; how could he possibly have the time or energy to care for these people? How could he settle them? What did he even have to provide for so many people right now?
Yet, he couldn’t just ignore them. With a face full of bitterness, he replied, "I understand the Clan’s intentions, and it is indeed what I promised before.
"It’s just that life here in the capital is different from what we imagined. I haven’t even fully settled down myself yet, so I don’t have the means to accommodate so many of our people.
"How about this? I’ll give you some travel silver later so you can go back first. Once I’m properly settled and have found a suitable place, I’ll write a letter and invite you all over."
"Uncle Bai Jiang, it’ll be hard for us to explain things when we go back if you do this," Gu Kaishan said. "Look, since we’re already here, why don’t you just settle us down first?
"Don’t worry, we are all strong and able-bodied. If there’s any work to be done, just give the word.
"Just point us to a piece of land, and we’ll build our own homes with our own hands."
Before they came, the clan members and the Clan Leader had made it clear: no matter how bad the situation was, even if Gu Baijiang refused to deal with them, they had to shamelessly cling on and stay. Given Gu Baijiang’s personality, presenting facts and reasoning with him simply wouldn’t work.
Gu Baijiang looked toward his eldest son, hoping Gu Kaiping would step up to resolve the issue. Instead, he found the brat staring down at his teacup, refusing to look up at all. He was clearly playing dumb. As for his second son, Gu Kaichen was chatting enthusiastically with the visiting members of the Gu Family. Anyone who didn’t know better would think these men were his real brothers.
They were all a bunch of scoundrels. Gu Baijiang really wanted to curse them out, but remembering the people outside waiting to watch a good show, he continued to placate them. "I have my own difficulties, too. Having just arrived, we haven’t found our footing yet. We barely have any silver on hand, so we simply can’t afford to buy a large enough plot of land for the Gu Family to move into. This matter really needs to be postponed. Otherwise, even if you hold a knife to my throat, I still won’t be able to produce the silver."
Seeing Gu Baijiang resort to acting like a rogue, the expressions of the visiting Gu Family changed. It was exactly as they had expected on their journey here—this Gu Baijiang really was a piece of work, stringing them along once again.
"Uncle Bai Jiang, that’s not right. You didn’t say this back in Lingnan," Gu Kaishan retorted. "Look at the life you’re living now, the clothes you’re wearing, and the jewelry your female family members are wearing. Does this look like you don’t have silver?
"You’ve already broken your promise once. Are you going to play us for fools again this time?" Gu Kaishan stood up, and the rest of the Gu Family stood up with him. "No matter what, you must give us a proper explanation today.
"Otherwise, don’t blame us for sending a letter back. When that happens, the entire Gu Family will come over."
"Brother Kaishan, that’s a great idea," Gu Kaitian, standing behind him, looked at the Gu Family and said. "I said it back then—we should have had our clan members come together.
"The road from Lingnan is very easy to travel now. Moreover, now that it is Kai Chun, there are plenty of wild vegetables along the way. They can easily sustain everyone all the way to the capital."
Seeing them resort to threats, Gu Baijiang could only swallow his anger. "You youngsters shouldn’t be so hot-headed. I haven’t even finished speaking.
"The cost of living in the capital is astronomical. Rice is as expensive as pearls, and firewood as costly as cinnamon. It’s not as simple as you think.
"With our clan having so many people, it’s impossible to find such a large place on short notice.
"If you don’t believe me, you can stay here for a few days and go out to ask around yourselves. If you find out I’m lying, then you can come back and accuse me."
Through a string of smooth excuses and pulling out a few taels of silver to hand over, he finally managed to placate them for the time being.
He first had the men escorted back to the guest rooms. Once only their immediate family was left in the hall, Gu Baijiang dropped the act. He delivered a vicious slap that sent Gu Kaichen crashing to the floor. "You idiot! You can’t do anything right, but you’re an expert at ruining things!"
"Dad, what right do you have to say that about me? How am I an expert at ruining things?
"You abandoned me in Lingnan to suffer while you all enjoyed wealth and luxury here! Am I even your son?" Gu Kaichen yelled. Knowing the time for reckoning had come, he immediately launched a counterattack.
"I wish you weren’t my son!" Gu Baijiang said resentfully. "You actually went gambling in Lingnan! Otherwise, with all the silver I left for you, you could have lived comfortably for over half a year while waiting for us to pick you up.
"But look how little time has passed, and you’ve ruined it all! How do you have the nerve to complain to me?
"It would be one thing if it was just the two of you who came, but why did you have to bring them along too?"
"Dad, you’re being unreasonable now. Why did they come over? Do you really not know? Wasn’t it you who promised them?"
Xu Yulan was so terrified that she stood to the side, not daring to utter a single word. When her father-in-law’s piercing gaze swept toward her, she trembled in fear, her legs gave out, and she fell straight to her knees.
"Mrs. Xu, you speak."
Seeing that there was no way to escape, Xu Yulan had no choice but to recount all the foolish things Gu Kaichen had done.
Gu Baijiang and Gu Kaiping now felt that Xu Shuanghong had actually held back in her previous account. This scoundrel was truly ruined.
"So, you owed a massive debt of silver, and because you couldn’t pay it back, you secretly ran away?"
Did he really think he could just run away from his problems? The monk might run, but the temple remained. Those who ran casinos would definitely have a way to deal with them, even if they didn’t personally chase them all the way to the capital to collect the debt.
Just as he had this thought, the butler reported from outside, "Mr. Gu, there are guests at the door."
"Who is it?"
"They are here for Second Young Master Gu..."
For some reason, the Gu Family in the room could detect a hint of gloating in the butler’s tone.
Gu Kaichen was completely baffled. He had just arrived—who would be looking for him?
"Is there a mistake? They must be here for my older brother."
"That shouldn’t be the case. They specifically asked for Second Young Master Gu by name."
Since people had already shown up at their doorstep, hiding inside wasn’t an option. The entire family went out together to see who the visitors were.
Gu Kaichen looked bewildered. "You are?"
The visitors were three burly men dressed in short martial tunics, with blades tucked into their waists. He was absolutely certain he didn’t know these men, and his back instinctively stiffened.
"So you are Second Young Master Gu." Lu Daniu looked Gu Kaichen up and down. Seeing the other party nod, his expression darkened as he immediately said, "We are here to collect a debt. You might not know me, but you definitely know my cousin, Fang Dayong. He sent word to us via carrier pigeon. It’s about time you settle the debt you owe our casino."
Hearing these words, Gu Kaichen felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had fled all the way to the capital, and yet the debt collectors still caught up to him...