novelraw Chapter 114: The Test
Chapter 114: The Test
Chapter 114: The Test The steward of the Sheng Family merchant caravan mentally cataloged the information he observed. Stepping through the gate of Qingyun District, he had already seen more than a dozen young Daoists who handled guests with practiced ease, showing no signs of nervousness or disarray.It was clear they were experienced and not just temporary hires.
Daoist Master Qingyi himself did not appear, as expected.
The young Daoist claimed their master was in seclusion. Whether true or not, at least some of his questions were answered on this trip.
After taking his leave, the steward admired the Treasure Bridge spanning the district for a while. Seeing that the time was right, he proceeded to the neighboring Jingxing District to continue his observations.
This was the rest time for the construction site laborers, so he went directly to the Canteen in Jingxing District, which he had heard about.
He exchanged some of the Xin Prefecture Money Certificates he had prepared for local food ration tickets.
He examined them in his hand, confirming they were the same as the items produced by the old farmer he had seen upon entering the city.
He did not opt for a private room but sat in the public dining area, listening to the idle chatter and bragging of the laborers and loafers around him.
The snow began to melt, but the weather was still cold. Whether it were the construction laborers or the passing loafers, they came here during their break to have a hot soup and a bun or two, which was considered a treat.
Now, with the wages they earned, they could afford such expenses. The remaining wages would be used to buy more dry provisions to take home to their families.His ears were filled with accents from both the southern and northern lands, and while the content was not always elegant, the atmosphere was lively.
In these chaotic times, with numbness, sorrow, and resentment everywhere, the other districts of Xin Prefecture City were much the same.
Only Jingxing District had a liveliness that was reminiscent of the times before the chaos.
During their idle conversations, various rumors from the marketplace circulated, and some even whispered about the two young masters of the Shen Family.
The Sheng Family steward perked up his ears to gather information.
He also saw the bustling construction site of Wanfu Garden being built in Jingxing District – it was a large area, difficult to miss.
The Shen Family truly had money! No, with the Shen Family's current status, even if they were short on cash, plenty of people would offer it to them.
Thinking this, he felt a pang of envy.
In the more peaceful times of the past, they actually looked down on the Shen Family. They were both merchants, but after the Imperial Court eased its policies, many brothers and nephews of his employer, the Sheng Family, had entered officialdom through the Imperial Examinations!
Unlike the Shen Family, who could only rely on marriage alliances for support.
However, times had changed drastically, and the once declining Zhao Family had suddenly risen!
It was easy to imagine that the Shen Family had supported the Zhao Family with its entire clan's strength when they took over Xin Prefecture, thus achieving their current enviable status!
The vagaries of fortune were truly profound!
Even if the Shen Family's descendants were untalented, as long as the Zhao Family stood strong, they would continue to live in prosperity.
He felt so filled with envy and jealousy that his insides seemed to be burning, wishing he could take their place.
He even wondered if he should pray to more deities.
His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but his expression remained impassive.
He observed several people seated nearby, focusing on one in particular.
This person was dressed ordinarily, but compared to the other loafers, he had an air of untamed, open-minded, martial arts world chivalry.
They had encountered many such people running their merchant caravans. Regardless of what thoughts lay beneath, their outward demeanor was quite nostalgic.
So, the Sheng Family steward seized an opportunity and struck up a friendly conversation with the man, generously ordering a few more dishes.
"Our lives are unpredictable.
Those we meet are friends. Have a comforting drink first! Fill it up!"
Of course, there was no wine; wine was a luxury.
Only hot soup was available here.
With soup in lieu of wine, they chatted amiably.
Soon, the Sheng Family steward learned that the man was from the Tiger Might Escort Agency and understood what the "escort agency" profession entailed. In general, they were considered friendly competitors.
He inwardly sneered: What kind of escort agency business scope is this? Their foundation is also weak. They mostly operate only within Xin Prefecture and pose no threat to their Sheng Family caravan.
On the other side, the man from the Tiger Might Escort Agency was also inwardly complaining: Didn't they brag that the Sheng Family caravan was quite capable? How is it that their bodyguard-related services don't seem as professional as ours?
The boss was right. In the future, the bodyguard industry would still depend on their escort agency!
Several people at one table were putting on an act, and no one noticed two laborers from the Sheng Family caravan about to enter the Canteen.
Upon seeing the steward, they quickly turned and left.
They only started cursing and complaining after they were far from the Canteen.
They had privately traded with some locals for four food ration tickets, hoping to have a good meal. But finding the steward there, they had to leave to avoid causing trouble.
However, they were soon drawn to something else. People kept passing by them, carrying food from the Canteen and heading in a certain direction.
Drawn by the aroma of the food and their curiosity, they followed.
Not far away, behind a house, they saw a familiar farmer's ox cart parked there.
Beside the ox cart sat a young clerk, drinking hot soup and eating dry rations, perfunctorily handling his duties.
An old farmer sat there bragging, his familiar northern accent and an air of dictating the world's affairs:
"Those from the southern lands just aren't good enough.
Their techniques don't work here; I have to guide them!"
The old farmer chattered, mocking the other's farming techniques.
The young clerk gave a chuckle, "Uncle, you must have profited quite a bit from this, haven't you?"
The old farmer chuckled, "Just a small fee for my troubles.
Tending to the land is no simple task. Take spring sowing, for example… and this overwintering…"
He went on and on about his skills.
The two Sheng Family laborers hid nearby, eavesdropping. Their expressions shifted from initial mockery to barely concealed tolerance.
When the old farmer bragged about receiving gifts and then earnestly instructing people, they could no longer stand it.
"Don't bother instructing anymore!"
"With this level of skill, you're instructing others?"
"You're just a Village Chief.
With so few people surviving now, in the past, you wouldn't even rank in the village!"
The Sheng Family, being a large merchant caravan, had their own arrogance and confidence, even among the laborers. They wouldn't dare say much to officials, but they wouldn't hesitate to retort against such common folk and minor functionaries when provoked.
After retorting, they looked at the young clerk.
The clerk looked at the old farmer with a questioning gaze, "Uncle, are you…?"
The old farmer interrupted,
"San'er, if this account is in order, then go about your business. It's cold outside, go inside and rest. Don't catch a cold."
As he spoke, he took out a few food ration tickets and stuffed them into the clerk's hand.
The young clerk deftly pocketed the food ration tickets, said not a word, quickly went inside, closed the door, as if he hadn't heard anything.
The two Sheng Family laborers watched the scene unfold, and they were not surprised. It was the usual way for clerks!
Just as they were about to leave, the old farmer, with nimble legs, hurried after them and lowered his voice, "Two young brothers, from what you just said, it seems you have some different opinions.
Could you offer some guidance?"
The two laborers looked at him with disdain.
"What are you dreaming of?! These are ancestral techniques, passed down from generation to generation within families.
How could we tell you?"
Half an hour later.
The two men, clutching their newly acquired food ration tickets, left furtively.
The old farmer watched them go, then turned and went back inside.
Inside, Tao San had already prepared paper and brush.
The old farmer recounted the newly learned farming techniques, combining them with his own experiences. Tao San was responsible for recording them.
After the old farmer finished speaking, he looked at what Tao San was writing and emphasized, "Mark out my own experiences! So that Foreman Wen can differentiate them!"
He also wanted to improve himself, and his achievements should not be attributed to others!
Tao San replied, "I know, I know. I've written it all down.
Uncle, were what those two said correct?"
The old farmer said, "I tested them. They should be fine."
He had mixed his correct and incorrect information, and those two were still able to discern the difference.
"They are all skilled farmers from the north!" the old farmer confirmed.
Tao San nodded in agreement, "The Sheng Family caravan is indeed a major grain merchant. Even their laborers are experienced hands!"
The old farmer, having seen much, said enviously, "Those two seem to have many laborers in their family, with strong backing, good harvests from their land, and they haven't starved too much."
Tao San smiled, "Being taken in by the Sheng Family, they must have their own advantages."
Tao San not only recorded what the old farmer said but also added his own insights and views, as well as a detailed report of his work tasks and achievements for the day.
Their trial today was not limited to the farming techniques mentioned by those two.
After organizing their thoughts and experiences, they took the record to the public office and handed it to Wen Gu.
"Foreman, should we try to poach those two?" Tao San suggested.
Wen Gu looked at the content on the paper and said,
"It won't be easy. Given the Sheng Family's shrewdness, they must have strict control over their caravan members. Even their laborers are screened for their background and wouldn't betray them easily."
Tao San immediately retorted, "That's true. Those two both have northern accents, and they are not people who have migrated north.
Their families must have survived in larger numbers, so they would prefer to stay with their own families."
He added, "Today, those two exchanged for quite a few food ration tickets.
Perhaps tomorrow, someone from the caravan will secretly come over for an exchange. Why don't my uncle and I try them again?"
Wen Gu said,
"No need. Tomorrow, the focus will be on that steward. If he comes again, take them to the land the Zhao Family bought."
Tao San was confused, "Uh… the land the Zhao Family newly bought? That land… is still vacant, isn't it? There's nothing to see."
Wen Gu said, "It has potential.
When you introduce it to them, you can embellish it appropriately."
Tao San understood.
Oh, so it's about bragging!
(End of this chapter)