NCCnovel Chapter 163 The Decline of the Gao Family
Chapter 163 The Decline of the Gao Family
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What followed was a matter of following the established procedures, with everything operating according to the conventions of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom.
As fate would have it, the once-glorious Hongtu Money Shop was shut down by the governor's office, from its main branch to its branches, just like when Gao Hongtu had betrayed the company and the governor ordered the closure of the Wanhualou and wineries in Hangzhou. Gao Shunqin was dismissed from his position as censor and, along with his "henchman" Gao Hongtu, was taken to the capital for trial. Zhou Guoxin got his wish and thoroughly searched Gao Shunqin's private residence under the pretext of investigating the case, taking away a number of "evidence"—mostly gold, silver, jade, antiques from the previous dynasty, and calligraphy and paintings by famous artists—it was not a house raid, but it was worse than a house raid.
As for the handling of the Gao family members, the governor's office dispatched personnel to carry it out, with Liu Ye, the instigator of the whole affair, naturally in charge. Of course, he appeared in the capacity of the governor's battalion commander, and the guards also changed into the uniforms of the governor's battalion commander.
Liu Ye arrived at the Gao residence the day after Gao Hongtu was escorted to the capital. At the main gate of the Gao residence, the two stone lions still stood majestically, seemingly telling of the owner's past glory, but the former liveliness was gone—the branch managers and colleagues who used to come and go in an endless stream had all disappeared without a trace as soon as they heard that Gao Hongtu had colluded with bandits and been arrested, leaving the residence deserted.
Upon entering the gate, the steward of the Gao family was standing respectfully to one side, awaiting Liu Ye's arrival. This was not because he was particularly enlightened; at the same time Gao Hongtu was arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Liu Ye, under the guise of the governor's office, sent people to guard the Gao family mansion, neither allowing anyone to enter nor leave, and everyone was kept inside awaiting their fate.
Upon seeing Liu Ye, the steward vaguely remembered that he had been ordered by his master to threaten this man for the sake of the Wan Hua Lou in Hangzhou. Later, his master even informed on him, leading to the governor's office sealing off the man's shop. Now, the man's revenge had come: the money shop was shut down, his master was being escorted to the capital to be executed, and the lives of everyone in the Gao family were in danger... This was a move to destroy the Gao family! If only he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have done it in the first place.
Just as the butler was sighing, Liu Ye's voice came through: "If I remember correctly, you are Gao Hongtu's butler, right?"
The steward quickly composed himself, straightened his posture, and respectfully replied, "Sir, I am the steward here. What are your orders?"
Liu Ye recognized him, but he disdained to dwell on past grievances with such a nobody, besides, he was just a gofer.
"How many people are there in the Gao family, young and old? What is the situation in the mansion?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, the main wife, concubines, young masters and young ladies of the Gao family total thirteen people, along with forty-seven maids, old women, and servants in the mansion. They are all in the mansion, awaiting the authorities' decision."
Liu Ye nodded and said, "Yes, very good. Lead the way."
Led by the steward, Liu Ye and the others passed through the front yard and arrived at the flower hall. Behind the flower hall was the Gao family's daily living quarters, which were no different from those of an ordinary wealthy family. There was also a garden in the backyard, but it was much more magnificent than the garden in the backyard of the governor's yamen, and the surrounding corridors were decorated with gold and jewels.