in2ebook Chapter 375 People from the County Government Arrive
Chapter 375 People from the County Government Arrive
"How about buying some to try? We'll give you a 20% discount!" Huang asked, her hands itching to put the copper coins in her pocket.
"Too expensive! Sixty coins a pound!" Zhao Di shook her head when she heard someone asking about the price.
"Sigh!" Huang sighed. It was indeed a bit expensive, but if they didn't sell it for a high price, where would their wages come from? Processing those small fish, she was covered in fishy smell every day. She heard that the workshop would provide soap next month, but she didn't know if it was true.
The female workers selling snacks next door were extremely busy, with three of them going around packing, weighing, and collecting money for customers. Upon seeing this, they immediately greeted them cheerfully.
"Young ladies, take a look at these brown sugar twisted dough sticks. They were just fried yesterday, and they're sweet, crispy, and delicious right now. Since you're also from Chen's, you can get a 20% discount with your sign-in card. They're only twelve coins a pound, isn't that a great deal? Would you like some?"
“That’s right, buy some, we’re going to spend the money we earn.” Another female worker selling goods, dressed in Chen’s Workshop’s uniform, smiled radiantly.
"Then I'll weigh out a pound." Huang looked at the golden twisted dough sticks, filling the basket to the brim, emitting a sweet, oily aroma that was very tempting.
Zhao Di glanced at her son, who was swallowing hard but remained silent, and quickly said, "Then weigh one jin for me too."
"Alright, these two girls will each get a pound." The female saleswoman picked up a wooden food spatula, scooped up two scoops of the contents into an oil paper bag, weighed it, and it was exactly a pound.
The two paid the money and eagerly stuffed it into the hands of the child next to them. Only after wiping their hands did they carefully take one and put it in their mouths. The sweetness of the brown sugar, the crispness of the flour, and the texture of the oil were all just right.
"It's delicious!" they both exclaimed simultaneously, then exchanged a knowing smile. "Haha!"
The children had finished eating in no time, licking their fingers as they watched them. Zhao Di gave a few more to the children. She put the remaining twisted dough sticks into her cloth bag. At this moment, the real feeling of having earned money and having money to spend was so obvious. Zhao Di let out a long breath and followed Huang Shi, who was looking at the pastries with great interest. She should buy some other things too.
Five days later, in the military camp, Wang Erniu, having learned from Chen Wenfang, used a basket to collect copper coins and make them ring. It seemed that everyone was happy to do so.
Chen Wenfang was in a bad mood because of Huang Yijia's injury at fifteen, and was unwilling to go alone. Wang Erniu, on the other hand, was receiving silver on time for the first time since arriving at the post, and as his superior, he naturally could not be absent.
The soldiers were all lined up in the training ground, waiting. Wang Erniu was already a militia member, and Lü Xiong and his adjutant Wang naturally rose in rank with him. Two other new recruits were also promoted, two local officers surnamed Lin, Lin Fukang and Lin Yi. They were arranged to lead a few soldiers and carry baskets of money past them.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Today is the day to start. Without further ado, let's begin!" Wang Erniu saw that the soldiers were practically glowing green with envy as they looked at the copper coins, so he waved his hand and started the ceremony.
"Lin Jiadong, step forward. Your monthly salary is one tael. If you make it into the top ten in shooting, you'll receive a five-qian bonus. That's one tael and five qian in total. Do you want silver or copper coins?" Deputy Wang dictated, and Lü Xiong recorded it.
"Yes, thank you, sir." Lin Jiadong happily accepted the silver. This Commander Wang was truly a good official; not only did he eat well here, but he also didn't skimp on his pay.
The crowd gradually thinned out. The soldiers who had received the silver could not hide their joy, but they did not create chaos. They simply continued to queue at the exit, and those who were in a hurry could ask their superiors for leave and rest on their own.
Lin Shuisheng saw that his cousins had already received their money and were waiting for him at the exit, and he couldn't help but feel anxious. They had agreed to go home together.
"Lin Shuisheng!"
"Here!" he replied subconsciously, showing that the intense training personally taught by Wang Erniu was indeed effective.
"Is the monthly salary one tael of silver or copper coins?" With so many people around, Lieutenant Wang was practically foaming at the mouth from talking.
"I want copper coins!"
"it is good!"
He walked over and pressed his fingerprint on the paper. Wang Erniu smiled and handed him the money.
Lin Shuisheng smiled sincerely at him, "Thank you, Shangguan."
Wang Erniu patted him on the shoulder and said, "You're good, keep up the good work."
Lin Shuisheng was even more excited, nodded heavily, and then quickly and happily left.
With about ten soldiers left, Wang Erniu continued to diligently act as his mascot, handing out money, when a constable approached.
"Greetings, Commander Wang. Magistrate Zheng has urgent business and requests your presence at the county office immediately." The constable bowed, his urgency barely concealed.
"Brothers, I have urgent business to attend to at the county government office, so I won't be able to pay your monthly salaries. I'm sorry," Wang Erniu apologized sincerely.
"It's nothing, thank you, General!"
"General, please continue with your duties!"
The soldiers responded enthusiastically to him.
Once Wang Erniu was away from the crowd, he asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
The official tilted his head. "The Huang family has arrived. There are quite a few people, about two hundred. They've surrounded the county government office. If they really take action, it will be very troublesome."
Wang Erniu immediately understood. He whispered something to Lü Xiong, who was standing next to him, and Lü Xiong nodded and turned to leave.
Outside the county government office, Wang Erniu, accompanied by a dozen or so personal guards, looked at the densely packed crowd of men in blue turbans and black uniforms outside the office and let out a cold laugh. The Huang family really has a lot of influence!
Passersby hurriedly left as if in fear, as if avoiding a plague.
Wang Erniu, holding his long sword, stepped forward with his head held high and chest out, his expression unchanged. He thought to himself, "Luckily, I wore armor to the camp today to look cool, even though it's soaked through."
"Make way! Commander Wang is here!" Wang Feng, a bodyguard, shouted loudly. This sixteen-year-old boy was exceptionally arrogant, much like Lü Xiong when he was young.
The thugs in black clothes remained unmoved and deliberately blocked them at the door.
"Huh?..." Wang Erniu's face turned cold, and he unleashed the fierce killing intent that he had suppressed for many years on the battlefield, causing the leading thugs to tremble involuntarily.
"Please invite Commander Wang in..." A slightly aged voice came from inside, rescuing them, and the thugs quickly made way.
Wang Erniu glanced at them indifferently and walked in quietly.
"Ah, Commander Wang is here. This is Lord Huang Zhong, the magistrate of Longyan County," Magistrate Zheng said with a sigh of relief.
Wang Erniu understood his meaning. Although Longyan was a county, it was essentially equivalent to Quanzhou. This Lord Huang was probably sent by the prefect to handle some business.
"Greetings, Commander Wang. I am honored to meet you." Magistrate Huang bowed casually. It was beneath his age to bow to a young man, but he had to give him face because of the Jiang family behind him.
"Not at all, this junior doesn't deserve it." Wang Erniu replied impeccably, offering a slight gesture of support as he sidestepped the man's greeting.