Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 59 2.36 What if I am willing to take you in?
Volume Two

2.36 What if I am willing to admit you?
"Hiss--" Shaking his head hard, Zhou Yang touched his forehead and raised his head from the pillow, then dropped it helplessly. He rubbed his temples vigorously. The headache caused by the hangover would definitely not be solved for the time being. Fortunately, he went out yesterday and took the Li family with him. Brother, only then could he wake up this morning and take a carriage back. Unfortunately, he couldn't rest for the time being, because the deafening sound of firecrackers in the direction of the official road made him understand that something new was coming.

"Congratulations to Mr. Zhou, who won No. 48 in the 1th Martial Arts Examination in Longwu, Senior High School, and won the Huangjia title!" Equally harsh were the slogans that could not be drowned out by the sound of firecrackers. If he hadn't remembered that he had already dismissed the newspaper, he would have Everyone thought that their time had been set back two days.

"Master, this is Chief Wang. Chief Wang has brought many people from the village here to congratulate the Master!" Just as she was thinking about whether to get up or not, Qingwen had already rushed into the bedroom excitedly, not caring about any nonsense like "the difference between men and women". Son, "This is the first time I have seen him so respectful, he is like a pug!"

"Okay, bring me a basin of water!" He shook his head speechlessly and looked at the sun approaching due south. Zhou Yang knew that these people must be received.

Although Shilipu is not a big place, it is currently his only source of hard-core manpower. At least after he wins the election, he needs to find a few more people to prepare in advance as future soldiers.Even though he was so happy drinking with Meng Kun and Yuan Xiu yesterday, as long as he hasn't been appointed an official for a day, it's hard to tell whether these people are trustworthy.

"I've seen Mr. Zhou!" After washing up and tidying up, Zhou Yang entered the lobby of the tavern. More than a dozen people who were sitting or standing knelt on the floor, but it was Bao Zhang Wang who spoke, considered the "representative of all parties" in Shilipu. , "Mr. Zhou is now in high school, and the village and Yourong have jointly prepared some local products and local rituals."

"Okay, I'm glad you can come." Zhou Yang does need the manpower of Shilipu, but he doesn't need the group of land security guards, clan elders and other cunning people in front of him, but he also knows that he can't do without them these days, "I now There is no shortage of this little money. I understand what you mean, but we cannot let everyone spend so much money.

That's all right, I'll take these things, the money and the like will be taken with you first, and the pigs, sheep, cows, and wine will all be collected in this tavern. You all have to work hard, and we'll entertain all the families in the village here to have a good tooth ceremony. If there's anything missing, I'll use the money I brought this time to make up for it. If there's not enough, I'll pay for it. That's it! "

"Master Zhou is benevolent and righteous!" What else can a bunch of old cunning people say?
"I can guess why you are here, so it doesn't matter!" Since you have decided to use someone else, you naturally need to give some benefits. "Since I won the martial arts examination, according to the regulations of the imperial court, I have two hundred acres of land for student aid without paying taxes. Yes, since I don’t have any land, I still leave the old rules to you, is that okay?”

"Master Zhou is benevolent!" More than a dozen old fellows knelt down on the ground again.

"Everyone, get up." After they kowtowed three times, Zhou Yang waved his hand for them to get up. He must treat these people with both kindness and power. Benefits can be given, but they must also be in awe. "One more thing, I need If we have a few people, let’s order ten first. If you have suitable ones, we’ll send them over.

I don't have a place to stay at the moment, so I will come here during the day, train with the Li brothers, take care of the meals at noon, and go home in the evening. When I am appointed an official in the future, their benefits will naturally be indispensable. I believe you all have no objections, right? "

"Thank you, Mr. Zhou for your grace -" A group of old cunning men had no choice but to kneel down again.
Shilipu mainly makes a living by supplying various daily necessities and skills to the capital. Generally speaking, it is getting by. Therefore, there are a lot of people, tens of thousands, and preparations for a banquet start near noon. In addition, there are not enough materials to go to Beijing to replenish. , too many staff, chaotic management, etc. It was almost Shen time (three o'clock in the afternoon) before the meal was served, but no one complained. They all stared at the greasy meat and vegetables eagerly, so that by the time they finished eating, it was already close to You time (afternoon). five o'clock).

"Master, if we have money in the future, can we put it in a few more times?" Standing on the official road in front of the tavern, watching the villagers leaving with great gratitude, Qingwen, who grew up in Shilipu, even more The first time she met an old man who was two generations above her and kowtowed to express gratitude, she burst into tears during the second half of the banquet, saying, "They lived a very hard life."

"Then we can only choose the right opportunity, such as during the New Year and the holidays." Touching the maid's head helplessly shook her head, Zhou Yang is indeed not short of money now, but he knows that "a big favor will turn into an enemy", "a favor will turn into an enemy", "a favor will turn into a favor" According to the rules of "Qiu", he never thought about raising them. He had done enough for this village.

"Master, the ten people you asked for have been sent. They are all young and strong young people." As he was talking, Yang Xin came over to report respectfully. Since Zhou Yang won the election, the old shopkeeper's attitude has become obviously more respectful, " They are all at the gate of the courtyard now, young master, right?"

"No need, just let Li Xiong take care of it." He waved his hand to signal Yang Xin to go down. Zhou Yang had no intention of leaving now. He was looking for these ten people mainly as "preparatory soldiers". The problem was that he was far away from being awarded the official. It's still early, so now I can only take care of myself as a servant. "Don't forget to take it with you to practice every day. You'll need it sooner or later."

"Yes, Master!" Yang Xin bowed and returned to the tavern.

"Master, let's go back." Qingwen gently pulled Zhou Yang's sleeves with a strange look on her face, "I have prepared a surprise!"

"Huh?" Zhou Yang frowned, and simply picked up the maid and put her on his shoulders. He also applied a few more PP on the way, completely ignoring the small fists that kept hitting his back. This girl always likes to cause trouble. , literally means "not to put on the roof for three days".

"I've met Mr. Zhou!" As soon as he entered the hospital, Zhou Yang was quite embarrassed by the two girls in front of him. Sisters Zhao Qiying and Zhao Yanling blushed and clasped their fists in salute, then quickly looked away. Apparently, they were attracted by Zhou Yang and Qingwen's intimate interaction was so embarrassing. "I've seen two Miss Zhao!" He quickly put Qingwen down. The girl's face was already red with embarrassment. She kicked her young master hard and ran into the room with her face covered. Zhou Yang didn't know how to smooth things over. , just shamelessly pretend that nothing happened.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Zhou. I've been out with close escorts these days, so I couldn't return the sword as soon as possible." Zhao Qiying took off the black iron sword from his waist and handed it over politely with both hands. There was a residue on his cheek. The blush made her look even more cheerful, "Although Mr. Zhou must not care about this anymore with his current status, I really don't dare."

"Miss Zhao, just keep it." Zhou Yang showed no intention of taking it back. He smiled and reached out to press the sword, "Besides, you didn't mind chatting with me and even sparring with me a few days ago. Why have you become so alienated after not seeing each other for a few days?"

"We didn't expect that after not seeing each other for a while, Mr. Zhou was already a master." Sure enough, personality is difficult to change. Compared with Zhao Qiying's gentleness and courtesy, Zhao Yanling still didn't have so many scruples, "Early Knowing this, I advised my sister to stop thinking about 'returning the sword', since you don't care anyway."

"It's better, Miss Third!" The awkward atmosphere finally dissipated, and Zhou Yang couldn't help laughing, "Why is Qiying so persistent? If you really feel that you don't want to owe me anything, then give me more pointers on my martial arts. "

"You -" Zhao Qiying immediately blushed and was quite dissatisfied with Zhou Yang's title, but knew that he couldn't stop it, so she could only glare at him bitterly and pretended not to hear anything, "Master Zhou has been eliminated from the martial arts exam." Yuan, what can the little girl give me?"

"Miss Third, I don't know-" Zhou Yang did not answer, but turned to look at Zhao Yanling.

"I haven't seen sister Qingwen for a while, so I just want to have a good chat with her." Zhao Yanling smiled and turned to give her eldest sister an ambiguous expression. Ignoring questions such as "selling out sisters", she turned around and walked in. He walked into Qingwen's room, and before leaving, he didn't forget to give Zhou Yang a "you owe me once" look.

"Mr. Zhou, you—" Zhao Qiying blushed completely with embarrassment. She stamped her feet like a girl. When she turned around and was about to run away, she was stopped.

"Qiying, do you really not understand what I mean?" He grabbed the sword in Zhao Qiying's hand, but "very accidentally" grasped it with the delicate hand holding the sword. Zhou Yang did not give her time to react, and made his attitude clear with a single blow. , "Still have something on your mind?"

"Master Zhou"

"Just call me Ziyang." Zhou Yang interrupted her again simply. First of all, the title should not be too harsh.

"Zi Ziyang——" After several attempts but unable to pull back her slender hand, Zhao Qiying resigned herself to her fate, "You and I are very different in status now, which is already different from last time. How can I be able to be by your side?"

"What if -" Even though he didn't want to let go of the girl in front of him, Zhou Yang still had no confidence in his own conditions, "What if I am willing to admit you?"

Zhao Qiying froze instantly.

"Thank you Master Zhou for your wrong love. Zhao Qiying has no intention of becoming a concubine." Slowly but forcefully he withdrew his delicate hand, and Zhao Qiying's tone also became serious, "Master Zhou is a young and talented man. I believe he will not be short of confidantes around him. I will give you permission in advance." congratulate."

"Qiying!" Regardless of the pointless resistance, Zhou Yang pulled the girl into his arms and hugged her tightly. He lowered his head and bit her ear and said, "You have now traveled around the country and sent bodyguards many times. Then ask yourself, is this really the life you want?"

"Children of the Jianghu." Zhao Qiying's voice became very weak, and her originally stiff body slowly softened. She could not continue speaking after only half a sentence. After a long while, she weakly expressed her difficulties, "Thanks to Ziyang's wrong love. , Qiying is still engaged."

"An engagement?" Zhou Yang gently lifted Zhao Qiying's chin, remembering that there was indeed a baby kiss on her body, but he didn't care at all. He even hugged her tightly to suppress the meaningless dissatisfaction, "That's not the case. what?"

(End of this chapter)