Carrying the little lucky star, leading the villain on the road to exile

“My lord, there’s a misunderstanding,” Gu Baimu said, forcing himself to speak. “I am the patriarch of the Gu clan and also Gu Kaiping’s elder.”

Because of some trivial matters within the clan, we wish to have Gu Kaiping return and clarify things. We hope you, sir, will grant us this favor.

He Guangtian raised an eyebrow at them, then turned to Gu Kaiping and asked, "Is what he said true?"

Gu Kaiping felt bitter inside, "What the clan chief said is all true."

Many of these people are his elders, and he cannot refute them. Otherwise, with each charge against him weighing on him, he probably wouldn't even be able to remain a minor official.

“Since this is your private matter, then find a place to sit down and talk it out properly. You must not resort to force.” He Guangtian could not interfere in the clan’s affairs, but he had to protect Gu Kaiping, so he could only instruct him, “Gu Kaiping, we still have to travel tomorrow. Make sure you talk things out as soon as possible and come back as soon as possible. We can’t delay everyone’s affairs, otherwise you will suffer the consequences.”

Gu Kaiping was very grateful to He Guangtian. After hearing those last words, even if the Gu clan hated him, they couldn't do anything about it.

He's really scared now; the old man left him with this mess.

Knowing that he came here to survive and also to seek a better future, they still let him bring a few clansmen back. The place he was to take up his post was not far from Zhang County. This was simply to cause him trouble.

He doesn't dare to think about what he will encounter in the future; he only wants to get out of this predicament as soon as possible.

Knowing that there was no danger to his life on this trip, and at most he would only encounter some difficulties, Gu Kaiping simply followed them toward the city gate.

As soon as they left the city gate, some distance away, the Gu clan members stopped.

Back in the county town, I was afraid of attracting some important people or causing some negative influences, but it's different here.

Everyone surrounded Gu Kaiping, their meaning clear: an explanation was demanded today.

Gu Kaiping sighed deeply. He had neither money nor land, so what could he say?
They refused to go find Gu Kaiyuan, so we'll all continue to suffer poverty together.

Faced with so many unfriendly stares, and knowing that if I didn't speak up, I might not die, but I would probably suffer some physical pain.

"Dear elders and clansmen, it's not that I don't care about you, but my current circumstances don't allow it."

How about this? Maybe you could go find my third son…

"Give your third son back?" a clansman mocked. "The relationship was so strained back then, did they think we were fools? Going there now would only be humiliating us. Don't bring this up again."

With so many servants and guards around him, and knowing so many important people in the county, how could they possibly afford to offend Gu Kaiyuan?
"Then why don't you go to the capital? You know that my father makes all the decisions at home."

Gu Kaiping actually leaned more towards this. Anyway, his father and the others had no worries about food and drink in the capital, and the Third Prince was in charge of all the expenses in the mansion. Didn't these people always want to live the life of the elite?
Going there is just right. He can rest well in the backyard, and we won't have to keep a close eye on him anymore.

"Heh, go back to the capital?" A few young men who had just returned from the capital sneered. "We don't want to be locked up in that backyard again. They only give us scraps every day, and we have to be grateful for it."

While that might be an exaggeration, the Gu family wasn't exactly treating them any better; they probably ate worse than the servants. "Then there's only a third option," Gu Kaiping sighed. "Everyone's struggling right now, and my family really can't afford to compensate so many people. Why don't you stay here for now? Don't worry, once I'm in power, I'll find a way to create some positions for you in the neighboring county."

"Gu Kaiping, do you really think we're fools?"

"You're just going to be a minor official, and you dare to agree to this?" Among so many people, there are bound to be a few quick-witted ones who immediately seized on his flaw, "With so many households in our family, who are you going to appoint and who aren't you going to appoint?"
Moreover, we traveled together and saw Lord He on the way back. He didn't seem very satisfied with you either. What makes you so capable of making such a request? And yet you dare to promote everyone?

"Yeah, we've already been fooled once, are you going to let us fall for it again?"

"Your father is just like that, always making empty promises to us. If you're so capable, you should arrange things for him now, otherwise stop talking nonsense."

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in noise again, pointing their fingers at Gu Kaiping and cursing him, saying he was an unfilial son who had harmed his own people.

Gu Kaiping spread his hands nonchalantly, "This won't work, that won't work, so what do you suggest? Even if you skin me alive, I still won't have any money left."

He now finds the second brother's helpless expression quite amusing; seeing these people looking so lost gives him instant satisfaction.

The Gu clan members are now at a loss, but they are unwilling to suffer such a great loss.

If Gu Baijiang hadn't made that promise before, they might already be diligently working in the fields, and they'd soon have another harvest.

But they've already been delayed for so long. Even if they want to plant, they'll have to wait until the next season. How are they going to survive? Continue to rely on wild vegetables?

"How much silver do you have on you right now?" Gu Baimu had no choice but to settle for second best and get some benefits first.

Gu Kaiping said, "I only have five taels of silver, and I need to settle down when I arrive at my destination, so I don't have a single copper coin to spare."

“You’re lying. Gu Baijiang clearly gave you a hundred taels of silver when you came out,” several clansmen who were with him started calculating on the spot and quickly came to a conclusion. “You still have at least 50 taels of silver on you. You’re lying to us in front of us again. Do you really think we’re easy to bully?”

One of the clansmen couldn't resist kicking him, instantly igniting the resentment in everyone's hearts. Those who were nearby immediately started hitting or kicking him. Before Gu Kaiping could even react, he had already been given a good beating. He could only helplessly squat in the middle, holding his head.

Gu Baimu, fearing trouble, stepped in to stop them, saying, "If beating people could solve the problem, I would have led you all to beat up their whole family long ago. Don't forget, I promised that sir that we shouldn't cause trouble for ourselves."

The crowd finally stopped, but they all stared at Gu Kaiping with unfriendly expressions, demanding an explanation today.

At the same time, he thought to himself that 50 taels would be fine too. Even a small amount is still money, and if each family could share a little, they could make it last for another month or so.

"Hand over the silver!" someone shouted, and everyone else joined in.

Aching all over, Gu Kaiping no longer had the courage to confront these enraged clansmen. Trembling, he pulled out the silver notes from his pocket. "They're all here." (End of Chapter)