novelraw Chapter 81: Where's the Money?
Chapter 81: Where's the Money?
Chapter 81: Where's the Money?
Date: 2025-04-02
The ten injured and retired personnel who were verbally agreed to be transferred in could not be in place immediately, and it was unknown if there were any changes. Therefore, Wen Gu did not disclose this information to the outside, and also asked Little Liu not to say anything for now.
Little Liu didn't say anything, but he was extremely excited in his heart. His value had skyrocketed since he followed Wen Gu out!
In the village, he always heard people say that people like them had cheap lives, how could they compare to nobles. In chaotic times, their lives were like grass.
But now, it didn't seem like that!
I'm quite valuable!
Little Liu was particularly excited.
Seeing his reaction, others assumed Little Liu was scouted by a big shot from the Patrol Division and was excited about being recruited.
Little Liu was actually excited for multiple reasons. Following "My ancestors were once wealthy," "My life is quite valuable" was gradually deepening in his consciousness.He Da was very envious of Little Liu's "promotion."
But He Da also understood that Little Liu's development path was different from theirs.
Even if Patrol Officer Pei really came to poach him, he...
After some hesitation.
He wouldn't leave either!
He Da clarified his thoughts after some deliberation.
He had no other skills. Receiving a better future from Foreman Wen was his best chance. If he went elsewhere, he would probably just be a runner servant.
Regardless, Little Liu's "change in fate" was witnessed by the people in the district, who also held greater expectations and confidence for the future. This directly translated into them working harder.
They even felt that there weren't enough opportunities to show their abilities. When Wen Gu called out for people, several voices responded enthusiastically from outside.
The district was filled with more spirit and energy, and the Foreman was very satisfied.
Maintain this!
...
The weather grew colder.
The nobles and masters in the city were reluctant to go out, and even visiting each other became less frequent. However, they still wanted to know the news from outside, so they sent their followers and stewards to inquire.
But the followers and stewards were unwilling to brave the north wind to search everywhere, so they found those loafers who ran errands.
The loafers would relay the various big and small matters happening in the city every day, and in return, they would receive a reward.
However, they were also shrewd. Several of them would form groups, each responsible for a different area of the city, and then find a designated location for news aggregation.
This designated location was Jingqing Alley.
Gathering here allowed them to brag and chat, and also to hear interesting stories from the newspaper.
If they could exchange other items for food ration tickets from the laborers in these two districts, they could then go to the canteen in Jingxing District to buy hot food to fill their stomachs.
As long as the weather was not extremely bad, they could hear He Da reading the newspaper at the canteen and the alley entrance.
Even though a newspaper had been read many times, there were still many people who went to listen every day, because He Da not only read the content of the newspaper but also extended his talks to include interesting anecdotes.
For example, how to use a coal stove, the various models and uses of stoves, as well as the Wanfu Garden that Jingxing District was going to build... and that escort agency.
This kind of escort agency was said to be a novelty from the South.
Newly arrived Southerners in Xin Prefecture City: ???
The Tiger Might Escort Agency's trip to pick up the villagers near Shiqiao Village had indeed made its presence felt.
Escort Leader Lin rested for two days after returning, and people continued to inquire, but there were no big commissions that caught their eye. This wouldn't do! The escorts were becoming increasingly anxious.
Eldest sister-in-law offered a suggestion.
So, Escort Leader Lin went to He Da and asked him to help introduce the Tiger Might Escort Agency when he was reading the newspaper and telling anecdotes.
Correspondingly, they would also provide He Da with a reward.
He Da was even shrewder in such matters. He first sought permission from Foreman Wen. After obtaining it, he happily accepted the job and promoted the Tiger Might Escort Agency during his newspaper reading time.
He spoke about his personal experience, how the Tiger Might Escort Agency protected them on their journey north, about how brave and strong Escort Leader Lin and the escorts were, and about the origin of the Tiger Might Escort Agency's tiger head flag and name.
It was better to choose a reputable team than a miscellaneous one, as they were more reliable!
The Tiger Might Escort Agency had even opened a branch in their Jingxing District. They had hundreds of people, and the houses were already built, so they couldn't disappear.
The advertising effect was immediate.
The escort agency suddenly received several employment orders.
For those with many people, they directly exchanged these for rewards with the Zhao Clan.
For those with fewer people, but employers who paid well, it was still profitable for a trip.
For the small teams that the City Defense Army and Xiànsòu Army couldn't attend to, employers formed groups to hire the Tiger Might Escort Agency to pick up relatives and friends.
The escort agency modified a horse-drawn carriage. The interior of the carriage was made fireproof and a coal stove was installed, fixed in place.
The stove was modified by Blacksmith Yu in Qingyun District. It was the kind with exhaust vents and an extended flue, which could keep the carriage warm without the risk of coal poisoning.
A copper pot with a lid was custom-made and modified to prevent splashing.
Someone was specifically assigned to take care of the coal stove inside the carriage and to boil water and cook food. They were willing to invest, as it could be used in the future anyway.
If it snowed, they could even collect clean snow along the way to boil water, which would be even more convenient. This would make the journey less arduous.
As Wen Gu told them, a professional team must demonstrate its professionalism.
Many employers invested heavily and were willing to spend money.
It was profitable, and it could also build their reputation. It was worth it!
Another day filled with hope.
When the district gate opened in the morning, loafers from various districts came and went, gathering again in Jingqing Alley.
Among the big and small news they gathered daily, Jingxing District occupied more than half. Either the news was obtained from here, or it was about this place.
Several loafers, holding hot congee they had just fetched from the canteen, gathered together, looking up at the high cloth tents still erected in Jingqing Alley.
They could hear activity inside every day, but they didn't know what exactly was going on. Before, there were only cloth tents on both sides, but now there was a partition in the middle.
"What is inside that needs to be kept warm?"
"I heard they're building a bridge."
"What kind of bridge is being built on the ground?"
"Perhaps it's a secret technique. The craftsmen of Wanfu Garden have mastered many secret recipes!"
"He Da said it's a treasure bridge!"
Someone whispered, "You believe what he brags! A treasure bridge must have cost a huge amount of money to build. Would they put it here for us to see?"
As they were discussing, someone suddenly reminded them, "Look ahead!"
Looking up, they saw about a dozen people entering Jingxing District not far ahead. The two leading them were wearing official uniforms of the Patrol Division.
More new developments?
The few loafers forgot about discussing how much truth there was in He Da's bragging and hurried to follow. Their news-gathering task for the day had prospects!
At the same time, in another part of the city.
Xianghui District.
Shen Yuan, the current head of the Shen Family, returned home this morning!
Although Shen Yuan's ability was not comparable to the late Patriarch Shen, he still possessed some talent compared to others.
He was strong in arithmetic and skilled in handling accounts. He was entrusted with an important task and followed the personnel of the Patrol Division to other towns in Xin Prefecture to organize account books.
In the future, he would have to make this trip every late autumn and early winter. During this time, many people were moving north, new batches of supplies were being stored, and various transactions were about to begin. It was necessary to inspect and deter, lest certain greedy individuals corrupt public funds for personal gain.
The Shen Family's interests were now closely linked with the Zhao Clan, and they were not short of money or grain themselves.
When it came to accounting matters, after consideration, the head of the Zhao Family handed it over to the Patrol Division and Shen Yuan.
If the Xiànsòu Army was the outward spear, the City Defense Army was the shield for self-protection, then the Patrol Division was the sharp blade forged by Old Zhao, its sharp edge aimed at all restless factors within and outside the city who wanted to disrupt the situation.
Extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures.
Shen Yuan worked alongside them and witnessed a great deal. Even though the Patrol Division's methods were applied to others, and he was merely an observer, he still suffered mentally and physically, and was eager to return to heal his exhaustion and psychological trauma.
He arrived in Xin Prefecture City yesterday and spent the night in the outer city area. There were specialized accommodations there, so he wasn't mistreated, but as soon as the city gates opened at dawn, he couldn't wait to enter the inner city and hurried back.
The moment he stepped into Xianghui District, he felt as if all the physical and mental trauma he had suffered outside had been healed!
Returning made him feel much more relaxed!
It's the end of the year, and there are many social engagements and gifts to prepare for the Chinese New Year. More rich households and nobles arrived in Xin Prefecture this year, so the social obligations will increase.
Now that the Shen Family held an unusual position, he had to handle these matters personally.
There were many things to do.
However, he would put all those aside for now and rest at home for a few days.
After being busy outside, the most relaxing thing upon returning was to lie at home and count money.
Upon returning to his own home, he put aside other matters and, carrying the family's money box, walked towards the bedroom.
When he was away, his wife also had other matters and was not in Xin Prefecture City. Matters involving money at home were left to his subordinates, stewards, and his two sons.
He knew his sons were unreliable and easily fooled, but the situation was different now; his sister was the matriarch of the Zhao Clan!
Who would dare to target his family at this time?
Besides, in Xin Prefecture City nowadays, there were no places for lavish spending on entertainment, so large sums of money wouldn't be used.
Since he hadn't overstepped his authority, he wasn't worried.
How many money certificates could he possibly spend?
He quickened his pace, wanting only to return to his room and count money.
The followers who stayed at home followed him, wanting to speak but hesitating. "Sir, there's something..."
Shen Yuan waved his hand impatiently, "We can talk about it later."
"Actually..."
"Alright, you may all withdraw."
He didn't want to deal with any family or public affairs right now.
If something major had happened, someone would have informed him last night when he was in the outer city area.
As he entered the house today and came all the way here, his home was safe and sound, with no other abnormalities.
This indicated that it wasn't a major event!
Since it wasn't a major event, it could be discussed later.
Don't spoil his mood at this time!
He now only wanted to relax in his own territory, in his own space, and enjoy the pleasant and comfortable time of counting money!
With no one else in the room, Shen Yuan leaned back on the couch casually, holding the money box, shaking his head and humming contentedly:
"What can relieve my worries, only..."
The money box was opened.
The singing stopped abruptly.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still, and he froze as if petrified.
His eyes stared blankly at the money box, his face turning pale inch by inch, as if he had seen something terrifying.
He closed the box and opened it again. It was still the same.
It wasn't an illusion!
Before him, in the money box, were a few thin money certificates and a thick ledger.
After a long while, he suddenly reached out.
He didn't flip through the ledger, but picked it up and shook it hard.
The ledger was not hidden inside. There was indeed only a thin stack of money certificates in the box.
It was almost full when he left home!
Where's the money?!
Where is my money?!
Where did that thick stack go?!!
(End of this chapter)