Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 29 Gu Tingye's Predicament! (Bonus Chapter for everyone)
In the original storyline, Sheng Hualan was to marry the second son of the Zhongqin Earl's family, and the eldest son of the Zhongqin Earl's family, Yuan Wenchun, was to go to Huainan to handle the wedding arrangements.

At that time, Gu Tingye wanted to go down to Huaizuo because of his maternal grandfather's affairs. He chose to travel by boat with others and met Sheng Hong through the game of "pitch-pot".

Now that Jiang Zhao and Sheng Hualan are married, the matter of the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion is naturally no longer relevant.

Therefore, Gu Tingye did not know Sheng Hong, and Sheng Hong did not know that "Bai Ye" was such a person with an extraordinary background.

What may seem like minor changes can actually have a significant impact.

Sheng Hong, the Vice Prefect of Yangzhou, was the third-highest-ranking official in the region.

In the TV series, Sheng Hong is often portrayed as timid and hesitant, giving people a first impression of being cowardly and cautious.

But that's because he was in the capital city, where officials and nobles were everywhere.

As a minor official of the fifth or sixth rank, it would be strange if he weren't timid in the treacherous political climate of Bianjing.

But in Yangzhou, Sheng Hong would be an absolute and powerful official, with extensive connections and a truly influential figure.

Even though Sheng Hong's favoritism towards his concubine and neglect of his wife became common knowledge in Yangzhou, he showed no fear whatsoever.

His subservience in Bianjing did not mean he would be subservient in Yangzhou!
At Old Master Bai's funeral, Gu Tingye dared to boldly step forward and present the will as evidence for three main reasons:
First, they took advantage of the large number of people at the funeral hall.

With many people around, there's a lot of talk, and some things are hard to hide.

Secondly, he relied on his status as the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

Third, relying on their acquaintance with Sheng Hong and their understanding of his character to a certain extent, they were not afraid of colluding with officials and businessmen to double-cross each other.

At that time, Sheng Hong, as the powerful third-in-command, also knew that "Bai Ye" had an extraordinary background, so he naturally chose to support him.

But this time it won't work. Because of Jiang Zhao's influence, Gu Tingye, unless he is a reckless person, would certainly not dare to jump out recklessly.

After all, the key to a three-card game is the third card.

Without Sheng Hong's support, and with so many people talking at once, his appearance as the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningyuan naturally shocked the guests.

However, in a prefecture or county, interests are intertwined, and who knows what connections those people have?
He jumped out, and the Bai family was sure to make a move. If no one stood up for him, he would suffer in silence, unable to express his bitterness.

Blood might spill on the spot.

Even though the news got out afterward, and even his father was so angry that he sought revenge for him, it was all in vain.

A person only has one life; once it's over, it's gone.

Even if there was only a 10% chance, Gu Tingye wouldn't dare to gamble on it.

Now, I don't know anyone named Sheng Hong.

Having neither the opportunity nor the connections, and being completely unfamiliar with the place and its people, Gu Tingye didn't know a single person with the authority to make decisions.

Gu Tingye may be brave in martial arts, but he is also a well-educated and intelligent person.

Without the backing of a powerful figure, he naturally had to be more cautious in his actions, fearing that money might be used to influence power.

If the Bai family colludes with local officials to double-cross each other, then there will be no one to turn to for help.

Unfortunately, he had already been assassinated, and his grandfather was about to be buried; time was of the essence.

How to do it?

ask for help!

Whom should I ask?

They sought help from a person who was famous throughout the world and had no shortage of the Bai family's wealth.

A person who could never possibly have colluded with the Bai family.

Jiang Zhao!

Top scholar!
This was the only connection he knew, and also the most powerful connection he knew in Huaizuo.

Moreover, he is also a heavyweight figure in Huaizuo!

"Brother-in-law, if you have something important to attend to, please go ahead and do it." As soon as Sheng Changbai heard that someone was requesting an audience, he knew that Jiang Zhao had something to deal with.

Jiang Zhao nodded: "Do as you please, don't wrong yourself."

Sheng Changbai nodded quickly.

Jiang Zhao smiled gently and strode out.

After walking a dozen steps, Jiang Zhao waved: "Jiang Xiao, Jiang Xu."

Six years have passed. The second brother, Jiang Xiao, is now fourteen years old and has made many friends, while the third brother, Jiang Xu, is almost ten. Both of them have gradually started to participate in gatherings and broaden their horizons.

This was in order to cultivate the two's social circles in order to manage the Jiang clan.

After all, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jiang Zhao will most likely become a very accomplished person and hold a high position in the government.

At that time, just like his grandfather Jiang Zhi, Jiang Zhao will not pay any special attention to things in Yangzhou.

In the generation of my grandfather Jiang Zhi, the one who truly managed the Jiang clan was actually my grandfather's younger brother. When my father Jiang Zhong came of age, my grandfather's younger brother became a clan elder, and the management power gradually shifted to my father. The clan elders discussed matters with my father.

If Jiang Zhao becomes successful in the future, it will be the same. First, his two younger brothers will manage the Jiang family. When his son comes of age, his two younger brothers will become elders of the clan and discuss matters together.

To put it bluntly, matters of a mere clan are absolutely not worth the attention of high-ranking officials.

"Big brother." The two stepped forward.

Jiang Zhao instructed, "I have important matters to attend to. You two should spend time with Changbai whenever you have free time, and don't neglect him!"

"Leave it to me." Jiang Xiao nodded with a smile.

He was about the same age as Sheng Changbai.

The two have spent a lot of time together over the years and are very familiar with each other.

The trouble with being famous is that people are always asking you for favors.

First floor.

Individual travelers were everywhere, merchants roamed freely, and the sounds of pushing and urging others to drink were incessant, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

In a secluded booth on the west side, there was a handsome, tall boy of about fourteen or fifteen years old. His hair was soaked with water, and his eyes looked around warily, with a hint of worry flashing in them from time to time.

Gu Tingye was a little flustered.

He was assassinated!

And those people were looking for him.

"The Bai family!" Gu Tingye clenched his fists, his eyes filled with shock and anger.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally knew why he was being hunted down.

It's nothing more than a dispute over inheritance!

His hair was now soaked, a sign that he had been hunted down, but fortunately his personal servant died in his place, allowing him to escape.

Gu Tingye let out a long breath, his eyes darting left and right, filled with both anticipation and worry.

He was very clear about one thing: the Bai family had considerable influence in Yangzhou.

The wealthy salt merchants were involved in many people and industries.

Since his grandfather passed away, those businesses have undoubtedly been in the hands of the Bai family.

From top to bottom, from the Bai family members to a lowly manager, everyone is a beneficiary of the system.

As beneficiaries, those people want stability and to maintain the status quo, not anything that might jeopardize their interests.

And for him, a complete stranger, to suddenly appear and claim the family business was undoubtedly a huge variable.

Those people didn't want him to live.

Gu Tingye's heart sank, and he gritted his teeth.

But there will always be someone who can deal with them!
There are always people with great wealth who don't care about the Bai family's small amount of money.

Moreover, he had no intention of changing anything.

If my maternal grandfather could offer money for protection, so could he.

For those local tyrants, it doesn't matter whose protection money they collect, it's all the same.
Of course, it's easier said than done.

It doesn't matter whose protection money you collect, the question is why they should collect it from you?

If you want to get a different local tyrant to collect protection money, you still need a powerful figure as an intermediary.

As luck would have it, he actually met such an important person!
"Young Master Bai, my master invites you." The gray-robed pageboy, Hesheng, quickly stepped forward and extended his hand to lead the way.

Gu Tingye's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly followed.

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(End of this chapter)