Chapter 59: Bestowing A Seat
Chen Shun’an finished his morning errands, fetched well water in a bucket, and rinsed the sweat from his body.
Only then did he change into that washed-out plain jacket and hurry with Lin Shou Zhuo, Sun Xiao, Shopkeeper Li, and the others to the Eight Treasures Tower.
On the second floor, they arrived neither too early nor too late; quite a few people were already seated at the three Eight-Immortal Tables.
But most people were only sitting at the two tables on the left and right.
The innermost Eight-Immortal Table, with its screen, ice platter, sound insulation, and coolness, had only two or three people sparsely seated.
“Brother Shou Zhuo, you’re here? Quick, come sit here!”
“That night was rushed, no time to catch up with you; us old brothers haven’t chatted in a while.”
Lin Shou Zhuo was an extremely famous figure under Landlord Zhao’s command.
At the sight of Lin Shou Zhuo’s figure, the few people at the innermost table all stood up and greeted him.
Lin Shou Zhuo and Shopkeeper Li walked toward the innermost table.
Chen Shun’an and Sun Xiao and the others, very perceptive, found empty seats at the two outer tables and sat down.
“Brother Chen.”
“Brother Chen, don’t take that Ah Hua matter to heart. When the forest is big, all kinds of birds are there; us water carriers can’t ruin our own harmony.”
“I heard Brother Chen lives in Chaodou Hutong, not far from my Crooked Neck Alley. We can get closer in the days to come.”
Water Carrier at the table saw Chen Shun’an and couldn’t help but chat him up.
Most were water carriers from Brother Well Station, meeting Chen Shun’an for the first time, but after some high talk, they drew closer, even throwing arms around shoulders.
No way around it, Chen Shun’an was too good at advancing!
Making that scene in front of Landlord Zhao—no matter how jealous or cursing inwardly, everyone put on a full show on their faces.
Moments later, a blue wool private sedan chair stopped outside the Eight Treasures Tower.
Zhao Guangxi and Zhou Qing arrived gracefully and went upstairs.
Seeing the two, the crowd of water carriers who had been chatting stood up and respectfully shouted,
“Landlord!”
“Senior Zhou!”
Zhao Guangxi smiled, said nothing, and went straight to the innermost Eight-Immortal Table, lightly lifting his long jacket to take the main seat.
“Please sit, everyone. We’re all brothers; no need to stand on ceremony!”
If no need to stand on ceremony, why not say so earlier? Making the brothers stand for so long.
Some muttered inwardly, but showed no sign on their faces.
“Thanks, Landlord!”
Everyone stood and took their seats.
At Zhao Guangxi’s table, he sat in the center; to his left were successively the three shopkeepers from Freshwater Wells, then shopkeepers like Shopkeeper Li from Turbid Water Wells.
Due to insufficient ‘seats,’ some Turbid Water Well shopkeepers had to take secondary positions, squeezing in with the other water carriers at one table.
On Zhao Guangxi’s right were first Zhou Qing, then a broad-shouldered, massive, burly seven-foot giant with a pair of huge eyeballs shaking like two bronze bells.
Lin Shou Zhuo sat at the position below this giant.
Further down were several veteran second-rate late stage water carriers.
Silently, the crowd of water carriers had completed a contest for positions reflecting hierarchy.
After all, even at the Grit Well water station, there were disparities in order, high and low status.
Here, it was naturally the same.
“Twenty-seven second-rate experts, mostly early or mid second-rate; including me, late stage ones don’t exceed six.”
Chen Shun’an sat in the corner, silently eating a plate of pre-meal fruits while analyzing and summarizing the strength of Landlord Zhao’s team.
“What background does that giant have? He’s even ranked a bit higher than Instructor Lin in Landlord Zhao’s mind; his aura is majestic and domineering, like rolling magma… Hardening Technique?
Heard that besides Zhou Qing, Landlord Zhao has a famous first-rate expert under him who stays year-round at the Freshwater Ancient Well, practicing Immovable Zen Skill. Hmm, Lu Jing left and broke with Landlord Zhao years ago; Landlord Zhao hasn’t recruited a new first-rate expert yet. First-rate experts are rare…”
Chen Shun’an thought this way.
At the main table, Zhao Guangxi’s gaze passed over everyone, pausing on Chen Shun’an, and smiled,
“Old Chen, why are you hiding so far away? Come, sit over here!”
Zhao Guangxi signaled the waiter to add a stool next to Lin Shou Zhuo.
Clearly, it wasn’t a lack of seats, but a lack of status.
At these words, the second floor suddenly fell quiet.
Bowls and chopsticks stopped; everyone looked toward Chen Shun’an.
Chen Shun’an was also somewhat surprised.
His gaze inadvertently swept the main table, only to see Zhou Qing’s eyes holding amusement, those pupils like autumn water or cold stars, seeming to speak, making Chen Shun’an feel another chill.
Presumably, Zhou Qing had secretly told Zhao Guangxi about Chen Shun’an’s exceptional lightness skill and concurrent finger techniques ‘secret.’
That was why Zhao Guangxi truly regarded Chen Shun’an highly, granting him a seat at the main table.
Power comes from above.
Being regarded highly by Landlord Zhao brought all sorts of subtle benefits!
In a flash, he figured out the key.
Chen Shun’an showed a flattered expression but didn’t dare delay, quickly standing and cupping hands,
“Thanks to Landlord for the seat.”
Quite a few looked at Chen Shun’an enviously as he lifted his robe corner and quick-stepped over; if gazes could turn to swords, Chen Shun’an would have been riddled with holes long ago.
“Blessing in disguise… How come no one ambushes me behind the scenes?!”
Quite a few muttered inwardly again.
With everyone gathered, fine wine and dishes flowed onto the Eight-Immortal Tables.
Seeing the precious dietary supplements before them, many water carriers immediately stuffed their cheeks and ate voraciously.
At the main table with Landlord Zhao present, it was somewhat more refined.
Zhao Guangxi said: “Old Chen, I forgot to ask your age this year?”
Chen Shun’an put down his chopsticks and said: “Turn fifty at the end of the year in the twelfth lunar month.”
“Fifty is knowing destiny; Old Chen, you really show signs of knowing destiny… Follow Shopkeeper Li well; Well Shopkeeper won’t short you.”
Zhao Guangxi said a few more polite and encouraging words, then turned to chat with the other shopkeepers.
Zhao Guangxi was eloquent, extremely skilled at such occasions, handling them with ease, spreading favor evenly while subtly commanding respect.
Even Chen Shun’an benefited greatly.
Cups clinked, the little wine prickling the head.
Looking at the crowd toasting and drinking before him.
Chen Shun’an suddenly felt a bit drunk, dizzy, his thoughts drifting far.
A few days ago, Chen Shun’an had been yearning to eat dietary supplements in a private room at the Second Meat Shop like Instructor Lin and others, no more pork offal or sheep intestines.
Who would have thought, in the blink of an eye, he’d be sitting here.
Though not entirely due to strength, more like taking a shortcut.
The Ah Hua matter instead let Chen Shun’an enter Landlord Zhao’s sight faster and earlier.
But the result was always good.
Chen Shun’an couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Ah Hua, you did well.
……
After the meal, everyone left one after another.
Chen Shun’an, half-drunk, walked at the back and went downstairs with Lin Shou Zhuo.
Feet stepping on the stairs.
Chen Shun’an wiped his face, qi and blood spreading, acupoints humming, expelling all the alcohol from his body.
His slightly tipsy eyes immediately brightened.
Drinking only for enjoyment, not to miss business.
Including Shopkeeper Li, all well shopkeepers stayed on the second floor, seemingly reporting to Landlord Zhao.
Chen Shun’an heard words like ‘wellhead,’ ‘greatly differing,’ ‘fierce competition,’ ‘heavy flow debts, bottomless pits.’
Linking to Landlord Zhao’s recent successive reforms of water station rules and drawing silver, Chen Shun’an vaguely understood.
“Landlord Zhao’s matter of buying an official post seems quite unsuccessful?”
After all, the Qianning Envoy Mission Visit the Sacred Dynasty news had spread for over a month; everyone who should know did.
The Court of Colonial Affairs for Qianning and Hall of Translations were already taking shape; most positions probably already taken.
At this thought, Chen Shun’an raised an eyebrow, a glint flashing in his eyes.
“Instructor Lin, you go ahead; I have something, want to find Shopkeeper Li.”
