"What's the shortcoming?" Shangguan Jin asked curiously.
She was deeply impressed by what Gu Xu said about Feng Shui just now. She was very much looking forward to learning more unpopular and profound knowledge from Gu Xu again.
However, this time, she heard Gu Xu frown and say: "... Its only shortcoming is its price. If I want to buy it, I have to buy it again. Five Lantern Festival competitions."
Shangguan Jin sighed and said, "Oh, the housing and land prices in Luojing City have really risen rapidly in recent years. I bought the house in Sishunfang five years ago. , only requires less than 400 taels of silver. I didn’t expect it to have increased to more than 600 taels of silver.
“However, Gu Daoyou, as the imperial official of the Daqi Dynasty, your credibility is guaranteed. The money does not need to be settled all at once. In addition, the Exorcism Department will also provide a very generous subsidy to officials from other places..."
"I have learned about what you are talking about before," Gu Xu smiled and said She cut off her words, "But don't forget, the 'Shenji Camp' will be opened in a few months. By then, we will probably be either working hard in the camp or running around doing tasks outside - the houses in the capital will most likely become decorations.
"It is not easy for workers like us to make money. In this case, it is even more important to spend money wisely. In terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation, we should be a little frugal and use more Spend more money and energy on self-improvement and work hard to realize the exorcism department’s mission of killing ghosts.”
Shangguan Jin couldn’t think of how to respond.
She obviously didn’t expect that someone could use “picking” in such a high-sounding way.
After a while, she finally said slowly: "So what is your intention?"
"I choose the one in Zhengpingfang," Gu Xu said without hesitation He replied, "For the same area, it is two hundred and fifty taels cheaper."
Actually, in addition to saving money, he also had another reason that he did not say -
The residences of the big shots in Luojing City are generally close to the Luohe River.
Gu Xu just wanted to practice quietly and didn't want to get too close to them. Even if the geographical location is slightly remote, he doesn't care.
…………
A moment later, the carriage arrived at Zhengpingfang, located in the south of Luojing City.
At this time the sun has climbed up to the treetops.
The cool breeze blew across the street, making the bare willow branches on the street whisper. The sound of reading came from the nearby Imperial College, from far to near, vaguely present.
Shangguan Jin got out of the carriage first, followed by Gu Xu and Shi Xiaohan.
The three of them walked into an alley, turned a corner, and then stopped in front of a black door.
Because the original owner of this courtyard was a wealthy businessman without an official position, he did not dare to be extravagant in his residence - he did not dare to build a solemn "Guangliang Gate" Or "Golden Pillar Gate", only dare to build scaleThe smaller "Manzi Gate" also has no decorations on the door.
When Gu Xu and the other three arrived, the businessman was already waiting outside the door respectfully with several servants.
After Gu Xu expressed his intention to buy a house, the businessman's face showed an expression of joy, and he enthusiastically took Gu Xu to visit this two-entry courtyard house of more than 600 square meters.
At the same time, he eloquently introduced every piece of furniture in the house and every decoration in the courtyard, using up all his literary thoughts to make it so exciting.
"Master Gu, this calligraphy on the wall is an authentic work left by Luojing City calligraphy master Gan Wenrong ten years ago. I spent a lot of money to buy it from someone else... ”
“Mr. Gu, have you seen the bronze mirror on the table? Even though it looks ugly and has a lot of rust on the surface, it is actually more than 700 years old. An antique, a priceless treasure! When this mirror was made, Emperor Taizu had not yet been born, and Dahuang was still under the rule of the Chu Dynasty. It is said that this bronze mirror was used by the oirans in the capital to dress up. Later, she fell in love with a poor scholar and took the mirror as a token of love. After the scholar died, the mirror disappeared among the people... Until a few years ago, I spent a lot of money to buy it from the market. Come..."
"Master Gu, these tables, chairs and benches in the main room are all expensive rosewood furniture. Their raw materials are shipped from the coast of the South China Sea, and the best in the capital are hired. They are made and processed by carpenters. They are even more valuable than the rosewood furniture commonly seen in palaces. The wood is extremely stable and will not deform, crack or bend regardless of the cold or heat..."
"Master Gu, The porcelain on the coffee table is all Doucai porcelain from the official kiln. The quantity is extremely rare. Even if you have money, you may not be able to buy it in the market..."
"..."
The businessman described every valuable item in the house for a long time.
It wasn’t until they had gone around the entire courtyard that the merchant took a break, and then with a very enthusiastic smile on his face, he said to Gu Xu: "Master Gu, we only need three hundred and fifty." For two silver, everything in this house belongs to you. You can't find such affordable prices elsewhere in Luojing City."
Gu Xu looked around quietly and did not respond immediately. .
His eyes suddenly became as deep as an ancient well, reflecting everything in the world, making it difficult to see through.
A few minutes later, he turned back, stared into the businessman's eyes, and said with a faint smile: "You look like you can't wait to move out of here! You are actually willing to make such a loss. Business!"
The businessman scratched his head and said with a smile: "Master Gu, I will leave the capital soon and go back to my hometown to do business. I won't be using this house anymore. Sell it as soon as possible and use the money to buy a new batch of goods."
Hearing his explanation, Gu Xu narrowed his eyes.eyes, the smile became more meaningful: "What's your name?"
"Yang Changfu."
"Mr. Yang, do you know that lying in front of the exorcism department officials will violate the law?" "But..."
"There is no 'but', Mr. Yang," Gu Xu slowed down and said seriously, "Yours Your eyes have given you away. If you want me to let you go, please tell me the truth as soon as possible."
Businessman Yang Changfu took a deep breath and hesitated for a long time before speaking. Said: "Master Gu, this... this is because I have been very unlucky recently, always encountering all kinds of troubles... Later I paid for a fortune teller, and he said that there was something wrong with my home's feng shui, which affected me. The fortune..."
In the following period, Yang Changfu kept slipping on the steps, forgetting to bring his keys when he went out every now and then, accidentally sending letters home to the wrong address, and going to the market. He confided to Gu Xu all the unlucky things like two banknotes being stolen, bird droppings falling on his head while walking on the street, several expensive porcelain bowls being broken by servants, business becoming deserted for no reason, and so on.
"Then why don't you report the situation to the exorcism department?" Gu Xu frowned slightly and asked, "You should have understood that Feng Shui issues are related to the flow of evil spirits and Luo Jing. Daqi Exorcist Department has always attached great importance to the movement of dragon energy and the breeding of demons and ghosts.”
Yes, why didn’t I think of reporting the situation to the Exorcist Office?
Businessman Yang Changfu lowered his head, feeling at a loss in his mind.