Chapter 0009: Wu Xiandi, the Loyal Traitor

Of course, this situation is set on Koli, but the person behind it is certainly not Koli who is orchestrating the scheme

If someone acts as a guarantor, the process can naturally be simplified

Such an obvious flaw, Kou Ji does not believe that Kou Li cannot see it

The most worthless rhinoceros horn is valued at less than one hundred guan

Kou Jiruo nodded thoughtfully

"Jier, your father wishes to tell you that Wu Xiandi is a rare good person"

One is a living guarantee, and the other is a dead guarantee

A pawn is equivalent to a temporary mortgage given to the pawnshop, while a dead pawn is akin to selling it to the pawnshop

He silently put away the ticket and continued to ask: "Father, may I ask who this Brother Wu is, what is his surname and given name, and what is his status?"

The Wu Xian-di mentioned by Kou Li must be a key figure in the organization

Kou Ji silently noted down these two names, and then asked: "Father, which gambling house do you go to for playing cards?"

Kou Li searched his body and took out a ticket, handing it to Kou Ji

Kou Ji was pondering a strategy in his mind, while asking, "Father, do you know what is special about Grandfather's rhinoceros horn belt?"

The former can be redeemed after expiration, while the latter cannot be redeemed, constituting a one-time transaction

The most expensive rhinoceros horn can be valued at around 100,000 guan

The man was dressed in the attire of a household servant, with bulging pouches on his chest and back, causing his shoulders to appear somewhat hunched.

Is it possible to act as a live performer? Do you have a ticket for the performance?

Kou Ji was unwilling to continue listening; he interrupted Kou Li and asked, "So you are saying that you incurred gambling debts, which is why you stole your grandfather's rhinoceros horn belt to sell it?"

Firstly, the term "rhinoceros leather" is somewhat vague, as different species of rhinoceros produce different types of hides, and the value of the hides varies depending on the different parts of the rhinoceros's body.

However, the live ticket in Koli's hand clearly has a flaw

Kou Ji's mind was filled with calculations, and he casually replied, "It's nothing..."

The pawnshop merely used the two characters "xi dai" to obscure the matter.

Twenty catties of copper coins are pressed on Erbao, who would probably be bent over while walking under the weight

At this point, Cole was deceived by others

Kou Li was taken aback and quickly waved his hand, saying: "It is not for sale; my father has merely pawned the rhinoceros horn at the pawnshop, and it is a live pawn. As long as the money is raised, it can be redeemed."

Kou Jina took the ticket and upon closer inspection, it was written on it

But what if the guarantor turns against you in the end

Kou Lid道: "Wu Xiandi is now like his father, a scholar within the Taixue, named Wu Ming. His elder brother, Wu Xian, is an attendant official at the Censorate."

In this era where copper coins are the mainstream currency

The Imperial Attendant, holding the official rank of Junior Sixth Grade

Upon hearing this, Kou Ji was at a loss for words.

His status as a noble is not sufficient to warrant others setting a trap against him

Secondly, when the ticket specifies a redemption period but does not clarify the amount of money required for redemption

This is a living ticket

He turned to Kou Zhong, who was standing by, and said, "Help me fetch some money, I am going to leave the residence"

Kou Li, upon hearing this, patted his chest and said: "Ji'er, rest assured, with Brother Wu as the guarantor in the middle, there will be no mistakes."

From Kou Zhun's attitude towards their father and son, it can be inferred that the rhinoceros horn belt pawned by Kou Li is likely not an ordinary one

Purple Qi Gambling House

Kou Ji nodded and took Er Bao to the entrance of the mansion

It is highly likely that this has been a setup from the beginning to the end

The Origin of the Name "Donglai": "The Purple Qi Gambling House is located right next to the Donglai Pawnshop. It is said that when the owner of the Donglai Pawnshop was naming his establishment, he was inspired by the Purple Qi Gambling House next door and whimsically decided to name his pawnshop 'Donglai'. The intention behind 'Purple Qi Donglai' was to hope that his business would flourish just like the Purple Qi Gambling House.

Kou Jichang let out a sigh and nodded at his second child, who was looking at him eagerly.

Pawning items at a pawnshop is generally divided into two categories

Kou Li had not noticed Kou Ji's emotional changes at all; he continued to talk about that Wu Xian Di, lost in his own world.

Kou Ji chatted with Kou Li for a few more moments, then found an excuse to leave the ancestral hall

Kou Ji wishes to handle this matter, but it is likely to be challenging

Although pawnshops have their own rules, if this is not specified on the pawn ticket, and if the other party acts unreasonably, Kou Li would find himself helpless against them

Kou Ji held the ticket and helplessly said to Kou Li: "Father, you this..."

Even if Kou Ji tells Kou Li that Wu Xian has issues, Kou Li may not necessarily believe it

Kou Jiyi was taken aback and asked with a twitch at the corner of his mouth: "Are the Ziqi Gambling House and the Donglai Pawnshop located on the same street?"

In terms of discourse power, it surpasses that of those third or fourth-tier officials who are dispatched abroad by a few degrees

From the time Kou Li made friends at the Taixue, to being led into the brothels, to entering the gambling house to make a fortune, and then falling into debt and resorting to selling stolen goods, all these events bear the shadow of that brother Wu Xian.

Twenty guan of copper coins, nearly twenty thousand wen, weighing about twenty jin, felt heavy when carried on the person

As I approached the entrance of the residence, I saw a robust man standing at the door, waiting, with a large bundle slung over his back

The person behind it, who is truly orchestrating everything, must be Kou Zhun

Kou Ji shook his head and let out a long sigh

Since the person is intentionally scheming, the matter will undoubtedly be handled thoroughly from beginning to end

There are many... ...

Because from Kou Li's words, Kou Ji deduced that Kou Li was likely not simply deceived by others.

Kou Li looked at Kou Ji and asked in confusion, "What’s wrong? Why are you asking this?"

Kou Zhong bowed and said: "In response to the young master, the funds you requested have been prepared, and the steward has already taken the money and is waiting at the gate of the residence"

That Wu Xiandi, I do not know what means he used, has deceived Kou Li to the extent that he is completely convinced by him

If this matter were truly as simple as Kou Li claims, how could Wang Shu, a third-rank official, dare to say that even if he intervened, he might not be able to resolve it successfully

Kou Li tilted his head thoughtfully and recalled, saying: "I remember your grandfather mentioning that the rhinoceros horn belt was a reward from Emperor Taizong, made from the hide of the Tongtian rhinoceros..."

A trap set for Cole

No wonder the accountant had to send a steward to accompany him

If Kou Ji holds the conversation, it will likely bend him over

Even if one takes the matter to the government office, it is still very difficult to win the lawsuit

Previously, Kou Ji only had suspicions about Wu Xiandi as mentioned by Kou Li, but now Kou Ji can almost conclude that there is indeed an issue with Wu Xiandi as referred to by Kou Li

Purple Qi Gambling House

Exited the ancestral hall door

Compared to the Censor, the Grand Censor, and the Deputy Censor, it appears somewhat inferior

If Kou Li were to use money to redeem it, he might not necessarily be able to obtain the original rhinoceros horn belt

A rhinoceros horn, valued at one thousand guan, priced at four hundred guan, was pawned at the Donglai Pawnshop for a period of ten days

But he is also a distinguished official, one of those who can be heard in the court.