Looking north towards the rivers and mountains

Chapter 32 I'm back with another chapter

After the Zheng family had gone far away, Wang Huadu stepped forward a few steps, looking as if he had just survived a disaster, and said, "Little Shao, you really surprised me just now, you were so calm."

Shao Shuyi subtly shifted his slightly stiff body, secretly wiped away his sweat, turned around to look at the three people who had gathered around him, forced a smile, and said, "The Zheng family is large and powerful, with many places where they need people. They are so eager to find talented people that they would not turn anyone away. Besides, the Third Dormitory has just taken charge, and it is the perfect time to revitalize and eliminate long-standing problems. At this time of eliminating the old and establishing the new, there are even fewer people who can be used. This is a good opportunity."

"Brother Shao, you thought of all this from the beginning?" Wang Huadu asked in surprise.

Shao Shuyi had intended to show off and say that he had indeed considered everything from the beginning, but in the end he didn't. He just smiled and said, "On the way from Zhangjing to the Qingqi shop, I thought about it carefully and decided to take a gamble. If it doesn't work, I'll leave on my own. There's no reason for Sanshe to want to take us down. Those three or five followers might not be without a fighting chance."

After killing two people, Shao Shuyi became a little arrogant. He felt that no matter how high his martial arts skills were, he could be taken down with a single shot. Yu Yuan held the loaded musket for him, ready to fire at any time, and it wasn't impossible for him to take down someone when the opportunity arose.

Cheng Ji wielded a crossbow and possessed superb archery skills. He could easily take down one person, and it wouldn't be surprising if he killed two.

With the archers controlling the situation and Yu Yuan loading ammunition, and with Wang Huadu adopting a desperate stance, escape was still a possibility.

Is anything in this world simple? How can one expect to reap benefits without risk? On this point, Shao Shuyi thought very clearly and was very carefree.

"Brother Shao, you are amazing. I was terrified last night and today." Yu Yuan stepped forward, looking at him with admiration, and said sincerely.

Seeing his young admirer's adoration, Shao Shuyi felt a surge of secret pleasure and chuckled, "We're brothers, we share both good times and bad. Yu She, we've been through thick and thin together, why say such things? The blueware shop is short of an accountant. If you're interested, just come on over. I reckon you'll get a few bushels of rice and a dozen strings of cash a month, plus room and board."

Yu Yuan hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go back and ask my brother."

"You good-for-nothing," Wang Huadu cursed, then said, "Brother Shao, I'm not going to the ceramics shop. Although the Zheng family's Third Workshop asked you to recruit people, maybe it's just for show? A person or two might be enough, but two or three will be difficult. Let Cheng Ji take the position."

Shao Shuyi was taken aback, then stepped forward and pulled Wang Huadu aside, whispering, "Foolish! I might not be able to stay with the Zheng family for long, so come here first. We'll talk about it later."

"Little Tiger, if I go to the inn, it will be inconvenient for me to move around. While I'm out here, just make sure I don't starve, and it will be easier for you to make contact," Wang Huadu said in a low voice. "Besides, Cheng Ji is even more useful to you. When fighting to the death, an archer standing on high ground has a huge advantage, so you need to win him over."

Shao Shuyi pondered for a moment, then said, "Okay!"

Wang Huadu chuckled, turned to Cheng Ji, and said, "Master Cheng, why don't you come to the antique shop? You've taken over Zhang Neng's position, and the money is quite substantial."

Cheng Ji was somewhat tempted, but ultimately shook his head and said, "I am a military household member; how can I abandon my post?"

"You're so fussy!" Wang Huadu said discontentedly. "Then introduce someone who's willing to 'abandon his post.' Brother Shao trusts you."

Cheng Ji was speechless for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

Just as Shao and Wang thought he would refuse, Cheng Ji said somewhat embarrassedly, "My mother has a nephew who has practiced martial arts since childhood. His ancestors were originally soldiers under Liang Qianhu of Ganpu, and they settled there. There are three brothers in the family, and it's impossible for all of them to be soldiers, so..."

Shao Shuyi understood; he was introducing jobs to his unemployed cousin. That's normal; isn't that how social circles are built—you introduce me, I introduce him, and we gradually gather together?

"Let him come," Shao Shuyi said. "What is the background of Liang Qianhu of Ganpu?"

Cheng Ji gave a brief explanation.

The Liang family originated from Yuancheng in Daming. Starting with Liang Qian and his son Liang Bian, they were a prominent military family in Daming—a place that had been a haven for military men since the mid-Tang Dynasty's Weibo Town.

Liang Bian's younger brother, Liang Zhen, was appointed commander of a thousand men in the new army and marched south to attack the Song Dynasty, where he repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. During the major reorganization after the fall of the Song Dynasty, his unit was incorporated into the "Zhenshou Jiaxing Pizhou Zhongwanhufu" and became a thousand-household garrison under its jurisdiction.

The title of commander of a thousand households was inherited by three generations of Liang Zhen, Liang Shaozu, and Liang Chengzu, and it remains so to this day.

"Three generations enjoying a thousand households, haven't the good days gone by too long?" Wang Huadu said sullenly from the side.

"The thousand-household commanders have good days, but the military households may not," Shao Shuyi said with a smile. "That's settled then."

Cheng Ji breathed a sigh of relief.

Having known Shao Shuyi for so long, he also knew that the position in the ceramics shop was a good job, with plenty of money and food, much better than being a soldier.

Shao Shuyi was called an accountant, but Zheng Jiasanshe temporarily gave him considerable power. By taking advantage of this opportunity to get people in, even if Shao Shuyi lost power in the future, his cousin might not necessarily have to pack up and leave.

After discussing these matters with everyone, Shao Shuyi walked several dozen steps to Li Zhuang, who was busy planing wood shavings. He bowed deeply and said, "Brother Li, I am grateful for your care over the past few months. I will repay you in the future."

Li Zhuang straightened up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "You earned it all; I really didn't help much."

"That's not how it works. Anyway, I'll remember this kindness. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just let me know," Shao Shuyi said solemnly. After speaking, he bowed again and said, "I'll take my leave now."

Li Zhuang returned the greeting and looked at Shao Shuyi with some satisfaction.

******

On July 12th, Shao Shuyi and Wang Huadu arrived at the Qingqi Shop one after the other.

Zheng Fan arrived last night. After hearing the report, he calmly went out and said, "So you still know to come over."

Shao Shuyi smiled and stepped forward to bow.

"Everything's been cleaned up, the authorities won't bother with it." Zheng Fan waved his hand and said, "Is your house cleaned up?"

"It's all cleaned up," Shao Shuyi replied.

The so-called "cleaning up" meant digging a pit and burying the corpses, and cleaning up the bloodstains—the government would certainly not care about this anymore, but if you were unwilling to even do the work of destroying the evidence, then you were really ungrateful.

"It's good that you know what's important." Zheng Fan nodded and said, "I'll be staying here for several months. You should hurry up and take stock of the bronzes and money, and make a new register. We'll use this as the standard from now on. During the inventory period, the shop will be closed. If you need anyone's help, just give the order. If you don't have enough manpower, go and hire people yourself. Just get it done as soon as possible."

"I understand," Shao Shuyi said.

"Go ahead and get busy, I'm going to sleep a bit more." Zheng Fan yawned and muttered, "I was busy cleaning up your mess all night last night, I'm exhausted."

"Thank you," Shao Shuyi said, bowing.

Zheng Fan ignored him and went to sleep.

After his figure completely disappeared, Shao Shuyi turned around, pointed to Cao Tong who was waiting on the side, and said, "Shitou, gather everyone together. I need to re-examine the three treasuries, A, B, and C."

"Okay...okay." Cao Tong was startled and replied quickly.

"And—" Shao Shuyi grabbed Cao Tong, who was about to leave, and laughed, "Where's Wu Youcai from Zhiku?"

"He didn't come yesterday," Cao Tong replied with a mournful face. "Last night, Master Zheng went to his house and sent men to tie him up and send him to Yantietang."

"Is anyone in the shop talking about me?" Shao Shuyi asked with a smile.

Cao Tong's face turned pale.

"Go ahead and speak, it's alright, I've always been broad-minded," Shao Shuyi said.

His tone was calm as still water, as if it were someone else who had carried a severed head, shot Zhang Neng, and shoved a gun barrel into the shopkeeper's mouth to intimidate him yesterday.

Cao Tong was genuinely a little scared, but he didn't dare not answer, so he could only stammer, "Everyone...everyone says the accountant is...is capable. With the accountant here, we...we don't have to be afraid of anything anymore."

Wang Huadu was laughing so hard that tears were almost coming out of his eyes.

Shao Shuyi couldn't help but chuckle.

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Yesterday's big commotion actually established his authority. For a while, the people in the blueware shop probably won't dare to outwardly comply with him but inwardly defy him.

The question is whether there are any people who are truly dedicated to serving Wang Sheng, Zhang Neng, and Wu Youcai; this is a potential problem.

Upon realizing this, Shao Shuyi was startled. So this was what Zheng Guozhen meant when he told him to recruit people himself.

"I still lack social experience, at least not enough experience in ancient society," Shao Shuyi thought to himself.

After composing himself, he released Cao Tong and let him go to inform the others.

Once you have power in your hands, you must carry out your orders properly; this is only natural.