Chapter 144: Tracing the Source
Gu Yan went out to sea fishing on a boat, and the steward Zhu, who had followed from the villa to serve, was on duty in the shed.
Steward Zhu was nearly fifty, with the appearance of a good-natured person who smiled at everyone. Although he was also dressed in silk, his silk clothes were half-worn, and the cuffs were already frayed.
The porters, who were mustering their courage with trepidation, relaxed immediately upon seeing such a steward. They sat or stood around Steward Zhu, chattering about how others broke the rules and falsely claimed bamboo tokens, and how things used to be.
Steward Zhu smiled and listened carefully to everyone finish speaking, then said with a smile, “Let me sort this out. See if I’m right.”
“You speak, you speak!”
“You are working now, and two trips count as one bamboo token. But you say the new people, one trip counts as one bamboo token. Is that right?”
“Yes, yes, yes! The rules of our wharf are one token for two trips. They are falsely claiming tokens!”
“Let me ask one more thing. All the wharves in Pingjiang City count one trip as one. Why is it two trips here?” Steward Zhu looked puzzled.
“This is Linhai Town!”
“Our wages are high! Our wages increase every year!”
“It’s not every year. We didn’t get a raise the year before last, and we didn’t get one last year either.”
“That’s because rice and oil prices didn’t go up. When the prices of rice and oil go up, we’ll get a raise!”
…
“How about this,” Steward Zhu said with a smile, raising his hands and pressing them down lightly. “This matter must be reported to our Young Lord, right? But if you just say that they are like this and you are like that, with just one sentence, our Young Lord might get angry.”
“Ah? Why?” The porters were very surprised.
“First, why do other wharves count one trip as one, but our wharf counts two trips as one? This matter needs to be explained clearly, right?” Steward Zhu smiled at everyone.
“Our wages are high!”
“This is Linhai Town!”
“It’s always been like this. These are the rules.”
“They say it’s a cut from the gang.”
After everyone finished speaking, Steward Zhu smiled and said, “See? The four of you have four different explanations, one for each person. Who is right?”
The crowd looked at each other.
“I think this way: everyone, go back and find out clearly about this matter. Why does our wharf count two trips as one? How much higher are our wharf wages compared to other wharves, like in Pingjiang City? Is it that one trip of ours is equivalent to two trips at other wharves?
“You need to find out clearly before you can report to our Young Lord, don’t you think?”
“Yes, yes, yes, that makes sense!”
“Master Zhu, you are right.”
“We’ll go back and inquire now. This matter needs to be clarified!”
“Master Zhu, we’ll be going back then. We’ll tell you after we’ve inquired.”
The crowd discussed and left the shed, heading back.
As the sun began to set in the west, Gu Yan returned from fishing. After hearing Steward Zhu’s report, he squinted at the porters gathered in small groups far and near. After watching for a while, he stood up, stretched his shoulders, and lazily ordered, “They’re really bored. You stay here and watch. If anything happens, report it to the villa. I need to go back and rest.”
Shi Gun quickly waved his hand to signal.
The servants, attendants, and guards hurriedly packed their things, brought the horses, and Gu Yan mounted his horse, leading the way back to Pingjiang City.
Since the porters had started inquiring, the water in this pond had begun to stir. He needed to temporarily withdraw and make way for this pond to churn properly, bringing up all the filth settled at the bottom!
He Ruiming had been sent out by Gu Yan early in the morning to buy some rare ingredients. He returned to Linhai Town from Pingjiang City and received a report at the town entrance that Gu Yan had returned to the villa a quarter of an hour ago. He Ruiming stayed for a moment and then headed straight for the He Family Old Shop.
He Chengzhe sat in the rocking chair by the main house door, his eyes slightly closed as if asleep. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and looked towards the second gate.
“The Young Lord has returned. I don’t know which road he took, so we didn’t meet.” He Ruiming’s expression was somewhat gloomy.
During the Young Lord’s stay in Linhai Town these past few days, the tasks assigned to him were either arranging accommodation, preparing fishing gear, or buying ingredients. This was not just a lack of trust; it was practically an insult.
“Starting the day before yesterday, the new Yanzhou Gang began counting one trip as one.” He Chengzhe said word by word.
He Ruiming froze for a moment, then his eyes widened. “Does the Young Lord know?”
He Chengzhe looked at his son speechlessly.
“Son was confused. It’s the Yanzhou Gang. That A Wu is from Yanzhou. So?” He Ruiming quickly admitted his mistake and looked at his father.
“Today, a group of porters came to the Young Lord to report the Yanzhou Gang for falsely claiming bamboo tokens.” He Chengzhe continued.
“The Young Lord went out fishing early this morning.” He Ruiming blurted out instinctively.
“Yes, he left Old Zhu in that shed. Old Zhu told those porters to first investigate the origin of the two trips counting as one at the Linhai Town wharf.” He Chengzhe slowly circled his thumbs.
“But the Young Lord has returned!” He Ruiming pointed his finger in the direction of Pingjiang City.
“Sigh.” He Chengzhe looked at his son and sighed.
His son was good, but only good.
Alas, for thousands of years, no family has had outstanding descendants generation after generation. Being good is already good enough.
“During the days the Young Lord was stationed at the wharf, today’s incident was the only one that reached the shed. If he hadn’t left, he would have had to deal with it, but it’s not time to deal with it yet.
“It’s good that the Young Lord left.” He Chengzhe was silent for a moment, then continued, “For the past year or so, people have said the Young Lord has grown up and become more steady. The Young Lord has not only become steadier. Prince Rui’s Mansion is indeed blessed with deep fortune.”
He Ruiming understood a little less than half, and more than half was confused.
“You immediately go to the villa and explain to the Young Lord the origin of the two trips counting as one at this wharf. When you get to the villa, go find the Young Lord and report immediately. Don’t wait for an opportunity,” He Chengzhe instructed.
“Ah? Okay. To what extent should I explain?” He Ruiming asked.
“Stick to the facts, don’t elaborate. For now, follow the Young Lord. He takes one step, and we follow one step, sticking to the facts.” He Chengzhe’s voice was low, and his expression was serious.
“Okay. Then I’m leaving.” He Ruiming stood up.
…
Gu Yan rode his horse all the way back to the villa. After washing up, he stood under the corridor, looking at the red sun still visible on the horizon. He hesitated for a moment, then ordered, “Call Wan Jing. Go into the city.”
Li Xiaonan was whispering to Mei Jie: Leek pancakes are not fragrant with just dried shrimp; they need eggs. One is too little, two is also too little. It’s best to have one for each person.
Hearing Wan Jing’s voice, Li Xiaonan quickly responded and came out.
“Dinner is almost ready.” Li Xiaonan stood inside the threshold, not going out.
“Our Young Lord specifically said: he is inviting you to dinner.” Wan Jing looked at Li Xiaonan speechlessly.
In front of this sentence from her Young Lord was another: if Miss Li says she hasn’t eaten and refuses to come out…
This dead girl really prioritizes food!
