Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 228 4.24 You don't want your brother to——

Volume Four

4.24 You don’t want your brother to—

It took a lot of time to help Qin Keqing "arrange". Fortunately, with enough money, it was just a matter of explaining the problem. For example, Zhou Yang spent a lot of effort to buy the current yard. Now, I bought a small courtyard on the south side of Ningrong Street. Just after the news of "double price" spread, someone came to the door the next day.

It is not difficult to arrange manpower. Four female bodyguards are staying in Ningguo Mansion and eight female swordsmen are staying in the small courtyard. Zhao Qiying can easily solve them just by relying on the method he used last time. Eight maids and women are even easier. Qin Keqing's nanny's son can just run away. A trip to the dental shop was arranged. Of course, it was said to be "quick", but it still took three or four days.

It wasn't until July [-]th that Zhou Yang had time for the "inspection to the west of the city" that he had planned long ago. Yang Xin had already arranged things at Wuying Tavern and Shilipu, and was waiting for him to come.

"Old slave (grassroots) pays homage to Lord Zhou!" As soon as Zhou Yang entered the backyard of the tavern, he saw a dozen people kneeling in front of him. The leader was naturally the shopkeeper Yang Xin, and the others were elders and representatives of various families in Shilipu. , this village has a mixed population, and the origins of surnames are messy, which just avoids the problem of "slaves bullying their masters".

"Elders of the clan, please rise." Zhou Yang gave a casual gesture, which was regarded as a response. After everyone stood up and stood respectfully, he said calmly, "I believe that shopkeeper Yang has already said what I will do next. , Shilipu has received a lot of favors from me in the past two years and also given me a lot of convenience, for which I am very grateful."

"Old slave (grassroots) don't dare!" A group of people quickly bowed and saluted.

This is not Zhou Yang's showing off, but this is how it should be in this era. With his current status, he is unable to achieve "everyone is equal", so he can only temporarily follow the locals, not to mention that as an official "going out" from Shilipu, It really paid off.

"Your Excellency is too polite, not to mention that the 100 acres of tax-free land under your name have now been given to every family in the village, making everyone's life much easier." As a qualified slave, Yang Xin will definitely help his master praise his virtues. "Just in the past two years, your Excellency has promoted more than [-] young people from the village, and every family has benefited from it.

Now that your Excellency has received the grace of the imperial court and been awarded the official status of the fifth rank, the old slave and every family in the village are honored. This time, I invite you to come over. One is to thank you for your grace, and the other is to report some heartfelt words to you! "

"Oh?" Zhou Yang smiled "curiously". What Yang Xin said was naturally discussed in advance, "I wonder if shopkeeper Yang has something important to do and needs my help?"

"Your Majesty, most of the young people in the village are now enjoying the blessings of Your Majesty. Every family is naturally very grateful." Yang Xin said respectfully, "It's just that these people are illiterate. Even if they follow Your Majesty, they can only do menial work. In fact, There is no way to repay your kindness, not to mention there are hundreds of little beasts in the village. Now, apart from playing, they are fighting and causing trouble."

"I understand!" Zhou Yang "suddenly realized", hesitated and looked at Yang Xin and said, "Shopkeeper Yang, if we build a school in this village, how much money will it cost? Well, it will be based on the standard of accommodating all the children in the village; Also, is there any difficulty in recruiting teachers? How many people are needed, and how should we arrange the repairs?"

"My lord's grace!" The old men and women of the clan who had not stood still knelt down again. There was no way. It was basically impossible for ordinary people to read and write in this era. The so-called "poor nobles", the "poor families" here were not ordinary. The common people are declining aristocratic families or small landowners. The so-called "people's hearts" have never included these farmers who face the loess and turn their backs to the sky.

"Sir, I just want to build the school. There is no need to consider the manpower. The people in the village will do their best." Yang Xin knelt and said, "What you need to pay is actually the money for building materials. There are about two hundred and four in the village." The number of children under 14 taels of silver is enough.

In this way, at least ten gentlemen are needed, at least three or two of them must have the title of scholar. These people must have at least five taels per month, and generous gifts will be given on New Year's Day; You don’t even need three taels, just a New Year’s gift is enough, that’s it.”

"Shop Manager Yang, you go directly to Manager Zhang and withdraw 2000 taels of silver. Regardless of whether it is from the school or the teacher, it will be the best. I think this amount of money will be enough within three years." Zhou Yang said in a calm tone, without asking any questions. A group of clan elders stopped kowtowing and said, "In three years, I should be able to be promoted and return to the capital. We will discuss the remaining issues then."

"Thank you for your grace!" All the elders were so excited that they almost cried.

This is not because Zhou Yang has too much money and nowhere to spend it, but because of the need for loyalty. In the feudal era, "clan" was very important, but the problem is that Zhou Yang does not have one. Shilipu has a population of thousands, but so far no one has come out on the stage; the two sides can be regarded as mutual friends. When he needed it, he paid money to support it, and these villagers reciprocated with absolute loyalty.

He now has a total of 120 soldiers and servants, all of whom were selected from Shilipu; the money paid today is actually equivalent to the "settlement allowance" for these people, so that they will definitely be free from worries. On the one hand, they dare to fight hard at critical moments , on the other hand, it also gives the family something to look forward to, and they can risk their lives if necessary. "Okay, you all go and get busy. Remember to ask the village to prepare some manpower. I have sent people to send a batch of wine and meat, just to give everyone some extra fuel and water." Zhou Yang smiled and waved his hand to signal them to get out. Then he said to Yang Xin, "Shopkeeper Yang, I told you to take over a restaurant. Is there any progress now?"

"My lord, it's been done." Yang Xin quickly replied, "It was in the downtown area of ​​Dongcheng in the inner city. It was originally the property of a Shanxi merchant. It may have been a problem in the business and it was sold out of no other choice; After the old slave has finished his meal, the chef and waiter will be here, so you can do it now."

"Replace them all. Except for the chefs, all staff will be recruited from Shilipu. Priority will be given to the family members of the men who are among the soldiers." Zhou Yang interrupted him directly. Restaurants and kitchens must be absolutely safe. If someone does it, It's too late to make amends if you mess up your hands and feet. "The chef must be absolutely reliable. Also, is the shopkeeper ready?"

"This——" Yang Xin hesitated before saying, "The old slave didn't choose a few that were not suitable, so I let Yang An, the dog, try it out, but I couldn't think of it."

"You old guy, you have a lot of thoughts!" Zhou Yang glanced at the flattering Yang Xin angrily, but still nodded in agreement, "Okay, it's him. I don't expect to earn much money, but at least I have to guarantee it. From now on, when our people come to Beijing, they will have a reliable place to stay, do you understand?"

"Don't worry, sir. If you really go wrong, you don't have to worry. I will break the little beast's legs by myself!" Yang Xin knelt on the ground in surprise and kowtowed three times.

"Also, you must train those forty servants well. You don't expect them to be very capable, but you must at least ensure that they can be used when needed." Zhou Yang said lightly, "With them, when necessary, If we add more manpower, there shouldn't be any problems under normal circumstances - get out!"

"Old slave understands!" Yang Xin immediately bowed and saluted, "It's just that there is a girl on the carriage outside the gate, informing old slave Rang. She said her surname is Fu."

"Huh?" Zhou Yang knew who it was as soon as he heard it, but he still looked at Yang Xin sternly.

"Your Excellency, you are wronged!" Yang Xin quickly knelt on the ground, "I don't have the guts to reveal your whereabouts, but the girl will come and wait at six o'clock every day during this period, and leave after noon, and call the old slave early in the morning. I said hello, that’s all.”

"Go away, let her come over!" Zhou Yang waved his hand impatiently, "Also, if this happens again in the future, we will drive her away. Do you understand?"

"Thank you, sir, I understand!" Yang Xin quickly kowtowed and exited.

Zhou Yang frowned and returned to his original bedroom. He had no idea why Fu Qiufang came over at this time. Logically speaking, she should not be exposed to such an obvious situation because the Jia family arranged a marriage for Jia Baoyu. He would not accept a woman running around; not to mention that he and this scheming woman had already completed the deal and there was nothing to talk about.

"Qiu Fang has met you, sir!" Fu Qiufang immediately knelt down in front of him when he saw Zhou Yang's face was not good-looking as soon as he entered the door. "Please forgive me, sir. Qiu Fang heard that you started your business here and later showed kindness to the village many times." The common people in the country thought that they would come here before taking office to give this village greater favors. I happened to have something to report, so that's why."

"You are very smart." Zhou Yang faintly stretched out his hand and lifted her chin, "So, you should understand that if there is no good reason today, I will consider terminating our transaction. For example, the person who is very ambitious My lord, you don’t want your brother to—”

"Qiu Fang doesn't dare!" Fu Qiufang quickly lowered his head and said respectfully, "The main reason is that Qiu Fang has received a lot of news in the Jia Mansion these days and wants to report it to your lord as soon as possible."

"Oh?" Zhou Yang smiled faintly, looked at Fu Qiufang and said, "I hope your news is of good value, at least so that I won't be angry about it."

"I will not disappoint you." Fu Qiufang said with a sigh of relief, "Qiufang once accidentally heard from Lin Zhixiao's family that before Mrs. Wang married into the Rongguo Mansion, because the Jia family and the Wang family were family friends, she He also often visits the mansion, and has a good relationship with the two masters of the Jia mansion."

"what?"

(End of this chapter)