In the yellow hall of the Prefect's yamen in Yanhai County, Zhou Fugui inquired about the plague. Xu Ruyan said, "I misunderstood the Grand Governor the other day. Please forgive me, forgive me."
"Oh? Misunderstood what?" Zhou Fugui asked.
"I thought the Grand Governor was no different from... those people," Xu Ruyan replied. "But the Grand Governor is not like that. I've also heard about this plague. Everyone knows how fierce it is, and they turn pale at the mere mention of it. Those barbarians... Grand Governor, please do not be angry, I mean those Xianbei people... they would surely abandon the city and flee at the news, and when they leave, they will plunder the people again. But the Grand Governor is so concerned for the people, ordering relief efforts. I am deeply impressed. Your past deeds truly live up to your reputation!"
"What past deeds?" Zhou Fugui asked, feeling a bit pleased.
"I have long heard of the matters in Guangling Prefecture and Suining County," Xu Ruyan replied.
After speaking, Xu Ruyan glanced at Huang Shirin, implying that he also knew about Guangling Prefecture and Suining County, so why did he provoke him by saying "Here come the barbarians, there go the barbarians, here come the Han thieves, there go the Han thieves"?
"Alas, this happened several years ago. I didn't expect you to know?" Zhou Fugui sighed. "To be frank with you two young masters, regarding my position as an official of Yan, I... Damn it, who in their right mind would willingly bear such infamy? I was forced into it! If there was even a shred of possibility, I wouldn't want to bear this notoriety..."
Zhou Fugui's sudden outburst of vulgar language startled the two young masters, who exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
Huang Shirin's golden-flowered folding fan inexplicably dropped, and he stared blankly at Zhou Fugui.
"Alright, enough idle talk. Let's discuss the plague," Zhou Fugui said after a few curses. "My intention is, what is the general sentiment in Donghai County? After hearing about the plague, I have also taken some measures. What are the people's reactions? Do they find them appropriate?"
Zhou Fugui felt somewhat regretful. After saying those few words in front of these two strangers, if they were overheard by the Xianbei people, it would be of no benefit.
He considered himself young and impulsive, and after self-reflection, he pondered a solution.
The solution was to detain these two young masters in the military camp, or even silence them!
Of course, Xu Ruyan did not know that Zhou Fugui had already conceived a murderous intent. Seeing Zhou Fugui with a worried expression, he thought he was concerned about the plague and replied, "The people of Donghai County are fierce, but they also know gratitude and vengeance. If they receive kindness, they are deeply grateful; if they have enmity, they hate it to the bone. Your actions, Grand Governor, even if the people do not understand them for the moment, they will repay your kindness later."
"That's good, that's good," Zhou Fugui nodded upon hearing this.
"The Grand Governor's intention is not just about the wine, is it?" Huang Shirin suddenly asked.
"Are you my stomach, to know me so clearly?" Zhou Fugui smiled and asked, "Then tell me, what other intentions does this 'drunkard' have?"
"Bah, you scoundrel, shameless barbarian," Huang Shirin muttered curses at Zhou Fugui in his heart... Then he said, "The Grand Governor probably wants to ask about money and grain, right?"
"Impressive! Young Master Huang is indeed impressive!" Zhou Fugui exclaimed in surprise, giving him a thumbs up, then sighed, "Alas, even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice. These words, money and grain, are indeed making me sick with worry... The plague is raging, without money, grain, medicine, or doctors, how can I control the epidemic? How can I provide relief? How can I pacify the people? How can I..."
"Why doesn't the Grand Governor talk to our family head?" Xu Ruyan interrupted Zhou Fugui's rambling and asked.
"How much do you want?" Huang Shirin asked Zhou Fugui without waiting for an answer.
Huang Shirin then glanced at Xu Ruyan.
He probably thinks that family heads are all experienced and cunning, and we are easier to deal with. Huang Shirin thought to himself.
But don't underestimate us too much, Huang Shirin added mentally.
"Very well, I didn't expect Young Master Huang to be such a straightforward person. In that case, I won't be polite. Someone, fetch a fur or a robe!" Zhou Fugui praised Huang Shirin and then instructed his subordinates.
What does he want to do? Huang Shirin and Xu Ruyan exchanged glances, both inwardly bewildered, as were the guards.
Hearing this, Pi E took a fur robe and handed it to Zhou Fugui.
Zhou Fugui draped the fur robe over his right arm, covering his palm and wrist, and then extended his hand towards the two young masters.
"Grand Governor, what is this...?" Xu Ruyan asked in surprise.
"I never expected it, the Grand Governor also knows about the 'Universe in the Sleeve'?" Huang Shirin said, surprised.
The so-called "Universe in the Sleeve" is a method of bargaining in this world. When people conduct business negotiations, they don't use open prices or oral discussions. Instead, they use "Universe in the Sleeve" or "Negotiation in the Sleeve." Both parties place their hands inside their sleeves and use finger gestures to bargain, also called "pulling hands to compare prices" or "pulling hands inside the sleeve." The purpose is to avoid interference from bystanders during transactions, as too many opinions can affect the outcome or compromise secrecy. Or, like Zhou Fugui, some things are difficult to say directly, and thus they use the "Universe in the Sleeve."
Although Huang Shirin was not old, he had traveled extensively with his father since childhood, so he was familiar with the "Universe in the Sleeve." Xu Ruyan, on the other hand, was a bookworm and knew nothing about it. The Xu family's business mainly involved collecting rent from tenant farmers.
The Huang family, however, was primarily involved in the resale of various commodities, and even had maritime businesses.
The fact that Zhou Fugui, this Han thief, the Grand Governor of Donghai and Prefect of Donghai in the Great Yan kingdom, knew about the "Universe in the Sleeve" surprised Huang Shirin.
I know much more than that, Zhou Fugui smiled slightly and extended his right hand, covered by the fur robe, towards Huang Shirin.
Since Xu Ruyan didn't know, he could only conduct the "Universe in the Sleeve" with Huang Shirin.
Huang Shirin hesitated for a moment, then retracted his right hand into his large sleeve and clasped Zhou Fugui's right hand.
"Bah, you don't know at all..." a moment later, Huang Shirin threw off Zhou Fugui's right hand and spat.
Generally, in the "Universe in the Sleeve," the right hand is placed inside the sleeve. A fist represents ten, the thumb represents five, the thumb and little finger represent six, the thumb and index and middle fingers pinched together represent seven, the thumb and index finger extended represent eight, hooking a finger represents nine, and so on. Even a finger joint can represent a number.
However, after Zhou Fugui and Huang Shirin clasped hands, they fumbled and squeezed randomly... thus exposing the deception.
"Grand Governor, what exactly do you want? Just say it," Xu Ruyan asked with some disdain when he saw this.
Since you don't know the "Universe in the Sleeve," it means you intentionally insulted Huang Shirin. And Huang Shirin is still a young boy with fair skin and red lips, which is even more despicable.
Could it be that the Grand Governor of Donghai and Prefect of Donghai of the Great Yan kingdom has a penchant for young men?
"Haha..." Zhou Fugui laughed, having confirmed something. "I need to borrow grain and money, each..."
"What? That much?" Xu Ruyan and Huang Shirin exclaimed in unison, shocked.
"No..." Xu Ruyan then shook his head. "Even if my entire Xu family were ransacked, we couldn't produce such a large sum of money and grain."
Xu Ruyan's attitude was extremely firm and even a little flustered. It was clear at a glance that his Xu family truly could not afford such a sum of money and grain.
"Grand Governor..." Huang Shirin, however, was not flustered. After thinking for a moment, he said to Zhou Fugui, "This matter is too significant. My brother Xu and I really dare not make decisions on our own. We need to go home and discuss it with our family head."
Huang Shirin neither agreed nor disagreed, leaving himself room for maneuver, which was indeed a testament to his upbringing in commerce with his father.
"Meng... Young Master Huang speaks reasonably," Xu Ruyan said, recovering his senses.
If they angered Zhou Fugui and forced him to take harsh measures, no one would have a good time. Therefore, Huang Shirin's tactic of "delay" was more appropriate.
Zhou Fugui knew that Huang Shirin was employing a delaying tactic. Borrowing money and grain could be delayed, but the plague could not, and neither could the people. Therefore, Zhou Fugui pressed, "When will you give me an answer? How about three days from now?"
"Grand Governor, why must you be so relentless?" Huang Shirin waved his golden-flowered folding fan again, and said indifferently, "You probably think my Huang family and the Xu family are as rich as a nation? Today, I will tell you that the Huang family and the Xu family are also at their wit's end. In this chaotic world, people either die or flee, with no one for miles around, and no roosters crowing for miles. The Huang family does have some land, but land needs to be cultivated, doesn't it? The Huang family finally hired some people to farm, but last year we had a great drought, and this year there is a plague. Where will the grain come from? The Huang family does have some businesses, but it is also due to the chaotic times. Trade routes north and south are cut off, and there are pirate raids at sea. How can business be done? My Huang family's goods have been robbed several times last year, and we are on the verge of collapse."
Xu Ruyan nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
"Alas, how can I not know about this world?" Zhou Fugui also nodded. "You are in trouble, I am in trouble, everyone is in trouble, but no matter how difficult it is for you, can it be more difficult than for the common people? Can it be more difficult than for me?"
"You are in trouble? I heard that the Grand Governor occupies the Donghai King's mansion and spends his days indulging in pleasure with his beloved wife and concubines," Huang Shirin said with a smile.
Zhou Fugui's face turned slightly red upon hearing this. "I occupy the Donghai King's mansion? The Donghai King's mansion is merely a temporary residence for me. It will be returned to the treasury sooner or later. Moreover, I have already ordered that all unnecessary personnel be dismissed, and all the King's mansion's possessions be used to relieve the people. As for beloved wife and concubines, they are merely old acquaintances I brought from the capital. I have not touched a single woman in the King's mansion. Besides, I am not married, so where do I have beloved wives? Moreover... this matter... is it any of your concern?"
"Swish!" Huang Shirin opened his fan again, covering his slightly reddened cheeks, and then said to Zhou Fugui, "How many women the Grand Governor has is of course no concern of mine!"
So this fellow is not married yet? What is the reason for this? Huang Shirin pondered inwardly.
Although Zhou Fugui was not old, he was already over twenty. In this world, men over twenty were generally married and had families, even children, provided they had the means.
Zhou Fugui, holding a high position, a prominent minister and general of the Great Yan kingdom, had not married or had children. This made people curious and aroused Huang Shirin's curiosity about him.