Wave after wave of discussion and confrontation spread out from the meeting hall, converging into a fierce and noisy tide of voices, gradually spreading to the small square outside the meeting hall and the surrounding area. All kinds of discussions were ringing, following their own arguments and logic. Sometimes, it would also cause a small debate. Even if it did not spread out, it was not a common situation in the Su family in the past.
"Fifty thousand, ten thousand … there is more than twenty thousand over there. I have long said that the first branch has been messing around these years …"
"I have seen through the red cloth business in Rao Zhou. I have always said that there is no extra money, no extra money, if not for this …"
"This kind of thing is simply messing around. Let's see, after today, I don't know how many more problems will occur …"
"I guess it is at least a deficit of two hundred thousand, maybe more … I really don't know how to hide it …"
"Second Sister definitely can't do it anymore …"
From the moment Su Tingguang was the first to step forward and take out some of the accounts in his hands, to the second and third shopkeepers coming out, it was as if something hidden under the dark curtain had exploded like a bomb. Similar sayings had already spread uncontrollably outside, buzzing incessantly. In the meeting hall, the people of the first branch, the second branch and the third branch were arguing about the cause of these accounts.
In fact, similar situations were not rare in a situation where the business operation of one family was divided into three branches. If one really carefully tracked the whereabouts of each sum of money, these funds might not really be a big deficit. At the end of each year, when the general account was calculated, the profits and development obtained in a year might not be worse than the second and third branches. This was clear evidence. It was just that Su Tan'er had indeed sacrificed a greater possibility of development to extract funds to operate matters related to the royal business. At this time, if there was no possibility of making up for it, once it was exposed, it would become a very ugly place in the Su family's accounts.
Su Wengui and others outside the meeting hall did not need to think about this. Even if they said that the deficit of Su Tan'er's subordinates was a million, they would not feel any psychological burden. For the people in the conference hall, when several shopkeepers who belonged to the first branch had come out to confess something in their hands, it seemed that there was no need to consider things in a purely rational way for a while. Since Su Tingguang first appeared, all kinds of opinions had erupted into a heated argument.
At this time, the argument was still going on, but some of the leaders in the various branches had already gradually quietened down. Su Zhongkan returned to his seat and drank tea as he rested. Su Yunfang was discussing some matters with Yu Daxian with a frown. On the first branch's side, Su Yunsong had also gradually realized that some matters could not be reversed. He had originally argued for a while over the accounts, but later on, he realized that perhaps there was no point in continuing to argue.
Some things, at this time, had already revealed some clues in the still noisy quarrel. No matter what the outcome of this quarrel was, what was displayed in front of the elders above was that the first branch was no longer favored, and the people's hearts were starting to turn against each other. If it was someone else, there might still be a chance, but as a woman, Su Tan'er's identity, she could no longer endure such a failure. This matter had nothing to do with right or wrong.
Where the spear pointed, Su Tan'er could only sit quietly beside her father, occasionally raising her head to look at all this.
After Su Zhongkan finished drinking tea, he stood up and tried to mediate between the two sides that were still arguing. Then, he walked back and sat down. The quarrel seemed to be still intense. Some members of the first branch who knew that if this matter ended, they would inevitably lose power were still arguing. Many people from the second and third branches also passionately accompanied them. Su Zhongkan naturally wasn't trying to mediate, but the things that had already been arranged were more or less done. After a while, the arguments below would subside, and it would be time for those elders above, and even his father, who was the clan leader, to make that logical conclusion.
From the beginning of this meeting, his father's mood was not high. All kinds of words were spoken by Seventh Uncle, and he just watched, occasionally being a little more serious. He understood the reason for this. His second niece was capable, and his father had also spent a lot of effort. Moreover, the old man had hoped that the family would be well all these years. Suddenly, something happened to the first branch, and even the division, naturally made him feel disappointed and lost.
But in any case, father, when these things were in front of us, there was no other way. Yunfang and I didn't fight fiercely, we just pushed the boat along with the current. This time, Tan'er really lost too much, and this kind of thing happened to eldest brother … You can finally understand …
Over the past two months, things had finally developed to this point. At this point, the situation was already clear. Father should also be able to accept all this. Su Zhongkan sighed in his heart, waiting for the last quarter of an hour to pass. He looked at Su Yunfang on the side, while his third brother smiled and spread his hands silently. After a moment, Su Zhongkan noticed a small change in the noisy quarrel above …
Su Chonghua was a little bored, and because of this, he was perhaps the first to notice some changes in the group of clan leaders above.
From the beginning of Su Tingguang's appearance, the people below had become noisy. The clan leaders above did not interfere, but they were already frowning, and occasionally whispering to each other. This was very normal. The people below kept quarreling, and the people above kept summarizing and summarizing these things. The two old men beside Su Yu were the second and fourth children of the family. Occasionally, the second uncle, who usually did not speak much, would frown and talk to Su Yu, probably worried about the family. Su Yu might reply with one or two sentences, but his eyes were only looking at the chaos below, and he did not have much intention to express his position.
This old man was the center of the whole family. Even if it was a forced abdication, everyone had to give him enough time to be mentally prepared. Everything that had been displayed here today was in fact to force this group of clan leaders, and in the end, force him to make a summary and state his position.
Because he had been too calm all this time, in the midst of this violent and chaotic scene, a small movement was almost overlooked. At a certain moment, when the second uncle came over and whispered something, Su Yu also tilted his head and replied a few words. Then, he took out a few pieces of paper from his sleeves, and handed them to the old man beside him to see.
This was perhaps the first time that Su Yu had made some kind of clear and purposeful statement after so long of the meeting. Of course, at this time, everyone below was still focused on the quarrel, and did not notice this. They all knew that the more clear the quarrel here was, the easier it would be for the people above to summarize the results. For a moment, Su Chonghua did not have much curiosity about those pieces of paper, but after a moment, he noticed the change in the expression of the old man above as he looked at those pieces of paper.
This elder brother of Su Yu had already frowned when he saw the first page. He looked at Su Yu, and after turning a page, he said something to Su Yu, and then continued to read. The more he read, the more serious his expression became.
Perhaps … that was the draft for third uncle to make a decision … Su Chonghua thought. But the situation after that was slightly different.
A few of the old men around them began to notice those pieces of paper. Someone came over, and then seemed to ask Su Yu something out of concern. Su Yu also tilted his head and answered a few words. Then, one, two, three, these clan elders seemed to no longer care about the quarrel below, and began to discuss those pieces of paper above.
When Su Zhongkan noticed it, the whole situation had already become like this. Those pieces of paper attracted the attention of a few old men beside Su Yu, and a few sitting at the side had also noticed this situation. They came over to take a look, and then revealed a surprised expression.
Su Yu looked down, and let the brothers of the clan beside him discuss. Then, after a moment of slight astonishment, the quarrel below began to die down.
Not long after, the quarrel below gradually died down. The discussion above continued, and after one or two old men saw those pieces of paper, their gazes looked back and forth below. It was very complicated. Su Zhongkan looked at Su Yunfang, not quite understanding the meaning of those pieces of paper that suddenly appeared. Then, he looked at Su Tan'er. Su Boyong, who was already weak after being injured, was still lowering his head in silence. Su Tan'er was still quiet, and no one could tell what she was thinking. It was also at this time that the sound of crutches hitting the ground was finally heard from above.
As the clan elder, Su Yu, who had seen everything from the beginning to the end, finally got up from his seat. After sitting for so long, he also looked a little tired, and his gaze swept across the audience.
"All … the quarrel is over, right? I've heard enough." The old man walked over slowly. After the meeting hall quieted down, the quarrel outside the meeting hall also gradually died down. Su Wengui and the others looked in from the door, waiting for the outcome of the matter.
"In the past four months, many things have happened to our Su family. There were external troubles, and after the external troubles, there were also internal troubles." He sighed, and began to speak slowly, "I'm already old. Sometimes, I feel a little powerless. Since Bo Yong was assassinated, I've roughly felt this."
"In the past four months, the problems of the Su family are actually clear to everyone. Today, everyone rushed back from all over the country to solve these problems. Some people also told me, old brother, I know you're unwilling, but some decisions have to be made eventually. I actually also know … "
Noticing their father's tone, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang's hearts relaxed. Ah, things are almost done …
"Actually, I've been thinking about these things since a few years ago. The situation of our Su family is a little strange. In the third branch, a group of children can maintain the status quo, but they lack the ability to expand. Perhaps the way our Su family teaches them is wrong. A few years ago, the one who made people feel that the most ideas and potential was a girl. A few years ago, I was also very hesitant. However, one day, when I'm gone and Bo Yong and the others are in charge of the family, there must be a good one. Tan'Er has also suffered, so at that time, it didn't matter to let her try … "
The old man paused. "However, when it comes to doing business, girls can't take advantage of it. If others can do it with some effort, you have to put in some effort. Because of this, Tan'Er's marriage was delayed, and there were all kinds of rumors outside … In any case, these things have always worried me. If one day, when Bo Yong retires, will he really let a girl take charge of so many businesses? Actually, no one has much confidence … "
"Tan 'er is a very ambitious child. Over the years, all of us have witnessed how well the businesses under her management are doing. But she is still a little young, especially after what happened to Bo Yong. I've been thinking about what you've told me all this time. At this time, can she still continue to manage these things? If Bo Yong retires, can she still have this ability, prestige, and can she give everyone this confidence? Today … I want to make this decision … "
The old man closed his eyes. Everyone inside and outside the meeting hall was waiting. When he opened his eyes, he glanced at the back. "Tan'Er, you should also get ready …" Su Tan'Er nodded, bent over to take a small box from the wheelchair behind her father, and got up to walk out. The old man turned back and walked back to his seat, his walking stick on the ground.
"From today onwards, everything that was originally under Bo Yong's management, the business of each province, and the accounts," he said, "will all be handed over to his eldest daughter, Su Tan'Er."
Su Yunfang stood up. Su Zhongkan hesitated for a moment, then also stood up. There was an uproar around. On the seat, Su Yunsong's eyes widened. On the seat of the second branch, Su Chonghua was stunned there. However, some things began to surge from the bottom of his heart, and some images were repeatedly pushed out there. The little girl, the rice paper, and the poem.
"Uncle Mountain Elder, that is mine."
"Teacher exchanged it with Little Seven."
The bamboo stick and straw shoes were lighter than a horse, who was afraid!
The chilly spring wind sobered up, slightly cold, but the slanting light from the mountain top welcomed …
... Calm the storm.
In front, Su Tan'Er opened the small box on the table in front of the clan elders, and took out the things one by one. They were all papers, banknotes, and contracts. She bowed to the people in front of her, then turned around and looked at everyone here quietly. Inside and outside the meeting hall, some people were even involuntarily shocked by this figure's gaze, and stopped talking and just wanted to see what she was going to say.
"Everything you want to see is here," she said, "This is just the first batch."
*****
"You … no, Tan'Er … have long predicted today's events?"
It was still somewhat quiet in the courtyard, and they could hear the voices inside and outside the meeting hall from afar. In the pavilion, Ning Yi was a little bored after eating the peanuts, and Su Danhong was in some kind of puzzled and complicated mood. Throughout the whole process, some of the things that Ning Yi said to her were a little strange, as if he had already predicted the current situation, and even made arrangements, and there seemed to be a faint turning point in today's events. However, Ning Yi seemed to be unwilling to make things clear, so she could only run around, occasionally going to the meeting hall to see the arguments, and when she was anxious, she could not help but come back.
"Always so anxious, this is because subconsciously, you do not believe that Tan'Er can turn the tables, because she is a woman. Those shopkeepers, such as Uncle Tingguang, actually think so too, they may not have any evil intentions, but … "
"Tan'Er is originally a woman, and others all think so. I care about her, so naturally I also think so …"
"But there is no other way, you have to stop them from thinking like this, it is unreasonable. Even if she is a woman, after taking charge of this situation, you have to let people give up that kind of thinking, let people think that even if she is a woman, she is not inferior to men. If you can not let people forget that she is a woman, you have to let people remember something more profound … Listen, there is no sound over there. "
Then, there was an uproar again.
"This time, they will remember it deeply." Ning Yi laughed.
"What, what is going on …"
"More than … four hundred and seventy thousand taels of silver notes, more than twenty land deeds, property contracts, and business contracts. There are about five types of cloth formulas. I'm not too sure about the rest, but … these things should be enough to shut everyone's mouths for now …"
Ning Yi swept the peanut shells off his body, stood up, and said, "Let's go, let's go and see the comeback."
"You, you, you, what the hell are you talking about, what … silver notes, land deeds … Hey …"
*****
"This … this is impossible!"
Su Zhongkan shook his head, checking the silver notes and the deed on the table. As for the weaving recipe, Su Tan'er put it into her sleeve, not letting anyone see it, and said, "Where else can you get these from? No, this land is … How can it be this land?"
"Grandpa." Tan'er said to the front, and Su Yu took back the first few pieces of paper from the side and handed them to her. Su Tan'er put the paper on the table, and said, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and everyone else, look at this. This … is the deed signed by Wu Chenghou, everything is on it, and in the end, what needs to be given is not only what is on the table."
Su Zhongkan and the others flipped through it. Up above, Seventh Uncle frowned and asked, "The Wu Family is … How could he give these to you?"
"Then how many Wu Family members can there be?!" Someone in the crowd said.
"There's no way such a thing could happen …"
"But the Wu Family's cloth has faded."
"The Wu Family is … Ah …"
Everyone was stunned. Su Yunfang looked up at his niece in front of him, and asked, "What did you say?"
Su Tan'er laughed, "The Wu Family's cloth has faded. If he doesn't come to me for help, what else can I do?"
"The Wu Family's cloth …" Su Yunfang thought for a moment, and his eyes turned. "The imperial merchant's cloth? It has faded? "
"Yes."
There was silence. Everyone was thinking about this sudden moment, and they looked at the girl in front of them who seemed to be smiling innocently. After all, she was only 19 years old, and at this time, her smile was sincere and interesting.
"So, more than four months ago, you already …"
"The Wu Family stole the fake recipe?"
"The real recipe is with you?"
"Have you been pretending for the past few months? Waiting for the yellow cloth to fade? "
There was an uproar. Su Tan'er smiled noncommittally. In a moment, the people inside and outside the meeting hall could already outline the whole outline. Above, Su Yu sighed.
"Now, you don't have to question the result of the imperial merchant … Four months ago, when Bo Yong was assassinated and Tan'er fell ill, the first branch made up their mind to take the risk out of desperation. At that time … I also knew about it."
"This matter needs to be strictly kept secret. It is not easy to succeed. Many people have made efforts, and everyone is kept in the dark … I also know that everyone cares about the Su family, and it is all out of sincerity. In fact, if it weren't for the situation of the Su family, this matter should have been said after everything was settled … "
Su Yu stood up and told everyone about the process of the past four months. Then, he talked about the difficulty of this matter to succeed, the meticulous layout, and the control and operation of people's hearts, "… After this matter, I finally know that there are two moles in the Su family. One is Qi Guangzu! The other is Han Qi, who is now in charge of the warehouse in Shengxing Street! Now he has been taken into custody and will be sent to the government for investigation tomorrow! "
Everyone was actually still in a daze from this reversal. When the old man suddenly shouted out the names of the two moles, some people came to their senses and looked at Su Tan'er over there. This time, not only the Wu Family was set up like this, but the second and third branches of the family all failed, but the moles in the family were also found at one time.
On the side, Su Tingguang and others, who had been persuaded by Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang, stood out. At this time, they still looked panicked, and their eyes were wandering.
"This matter is difficult to operate, but the profit is great. Outside, the Xue family, the Lv family, the Chen family, and so on, who have been staring at the Su family, have completely failed. The success of this matter cannot be separated from the unity of the Su family." This was a trap.
"Tan'er's control and operation of the overall situation." This was naturally true.
"And the most important thing is …" The old man paused, "Liheng's strategy."
This name finally came out. Su Zhongkan raised his head and looked at his father, thinking that he had said the wrong flower. Su Yunfang, Su Yunsong, and others had already widened their eyes, and Su Chonghua leaned back in the chair. Next to the table, Su Tan'er, who had been smiling slightly, was also stunned. The expression froze on her face. The woman turned her head and looked at her grandfather behind her with some astonishment. Su Yu looked at her with a smile, and his eyes did not change at all.
"Tan'er, you have a good husband. Brother Zian … has a good grandson. "
Grandpa …
*****
Su Danhong and Ning Yi bypassed the path and came over from there. When they were about to reach the small square, they finally felt a certain atmosphere.
Ning Yi did not walk fast. As he walked, he looked at the groups of people. Most of the people gathered at the door of the meeting hall had that kind of expression on their faces. They were talking inside. He could not hear clearly, but he could probably guess what it was like. There was no doubt about it. At this moment, it was indeed quite interesting.
Just as he began to approach, the uproar began to spread. Some people began to turn their heads and look at him. Some people were talking, some people were pointing, including Su Wengui and others. They looked at him with a shocked expression as if they had seen a ghost. More and more people looked over. They were all relatives of the Su family, but they were sure that their eyes were looking at him, not at Su Danhong next to him.
He stopped, his eyes turned, and he pursed his lips.
These expressions of onlookers were not what he liked to see very much, because there were too many of them.
Su Danhong looked at the crowd and also turned to look at him. "What, what's wrong?"
"It seems that I shouldn't walk with you. It's not a good influence …" Ning Yi shook his head, turned around, and walked as tactfully as possible to a secluded corner.
Sigh, I'll hide first.
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