From a humble farmer to a great martial arts master

11. Bounty, Danger

Ren Qingshan took in everyone's expressions and smiled slightly: "Luckily, luckily, I won't try this three thousand jin, lest I get injured."

A silver medal is the ceiling for ordinary nursing staff.

The Lu family only has two gold medals.

Fang Yonggang is a longtime friend of the Lu family patriarch. The two had a friendship before the Lu family became wealthy.

Lu Jiu is the adopted son of the family.

There is absolutely no chance of winning a gold medal if you are not a close relative or a member of the inner circle.

Fang Yonggang nodded to Ren Qingshan, signaling him to return to the group, then cupped his hands to Steward Li and flattered him with a smile, "Yes, Steward Li has a discerning eye. Since Ren Qingshan came to my Lu family, he has been conscientious, low-key and diligent, which is why he has achieved what he has today."

"But it is also due to Lord Fang's excellent teaching."

The two showered each other with compliments.

Lu Qingyi asked casually, "How old is he?"

Fang Yonggang immediately responded, "I'm thirty-five this year, and after the New Year, I'll be thirty-six."

"Um."

"Next one."

Lu Qingyi nodded slightly, ignoring it.

Thirty-six years old is indeed too old.

If he were eighteen, he might still be of some use.

Ren Qingshan listened to their conversation, observing their expressions and demeanor, and vaguely sensed something was amiss.

—It seems that an opportunity has quietly slipped away because I'm too old.

But I didn't really care.

The earth book is the greatest opportunity!

With the Earth Book in hand, what other opportunities do we need?

Making more money and buying more land is the key to success!

……

Around noon.

All the guards on the training ground completed their strength tests.

Besides Ren Qingshan, there was another bronze medalist named Liu Xinming who completed the feat of exerting a force of 2,000 jin, while all the other bronze medalists failed.

Silver medal.

The maximum strength is 6,000 jin, and the minimum is 2,000 jin.

It's almost lunchtime.

A group of young masters from the Lu family, who were initially very interested, gradually became bored and prepared to leave.

"Gentlemen, you have all done a good job protecting our home this year. Each of you will be rewarded with one month's salary. Let's continue our efforts next year."

Lu Qingyi casually uttered a sentence and then gracefully departed.

Fang Yonggang and Lu Jiu hurriedly went to deliver it.

The others in the training ground all had a hint of joy on their faces.

With the New Year just around the corner, this reward from the master was an unexpected delight. It was a month's salary, and it was enough to have a prosperous New Year.

……

"Ren Qingshan, this is your reward."

"And a silver medal and clothes."

As evening fell, the rewards were distributed. Fang Yonggang distributed them on behalf of the recipients, calling each person in turn to come in and collect their reward.

Ren Qingshan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the three pieces of silver on the tray.

If you're promoted to silver medal, is the reward calculated based on whether you were awarded a bronze medal or a silver medal?

If it's the latter, then the difference of two taels has probably already been pocketed by Fang Yonggang.

"Boss Fang, why is it only three ounces?"

"I was promoted to silver medal, shouldn't it be five taels?"

Ren Qingshan asked with a smile.

Two taels of silver is enough to buy about an acre of barren, dry land, so of course you have to ask for details.

He earns half a month's salary through martial arts, and he still can't make ends meet?

Two taels of silver, and you still want to drink the blood of your subordinates?

Fang Yonggang looked at him with a half-smile, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, but he laughed heartily, "Haha, right, it's five taels. I'm so used to giving them out, I almost forgot."

"Congratulations on winning the silver medal, Ren. Please take good care of me in the future."

He shoved the two pieces of silver back into Ren Qingshan's tray, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his words.

Ren Qingshan pretended not to understand, smiled innocently, and took the tray: "Sir, you are too kind. If you have a holiday during the New Year, please come to my village for a drink."

"I'm afraid you won't be able to get a divorce."

"You've just won the silver medal this year, so of course you need to put on a great show. During the holidays, all sorts of evil spirits and monsters are up to no good, and everyone wants to have a prosperous year."

"From the first to the fifteenth of this month, you will lead the team to guard Salt Field No. 3. You must not leave for a moment and must not make any mistakes."

Fang Yonggang said with a smile.

This subordinate is tactless. Country folk have limited vision and are reluctant to show filial piety, so of course they need to be reprimanded.

The No. 3 salt field is located deep in the mountains and forests. It is a well salt mining area with extremely harsh conditions, so he was sent there to endure the hardships.

Eating and drinking?

Who cares about a meal from you?

Ren Qingshan frowned slightly, understanding that this was his revenge.

However, after weighing the pros and cons, the two taels of silver were still more important.

As for the harsh conditions, they are nothing to martial artists.

However, not being allowed to leave from the first to the fifteenth of the lunar month is a bit excessive.

"This...isn't this inappropriate?"

"During the Lunar New Year, I have to go back for at least one day to go to the ancestral hall and burn incense."

"Is it possible to arrange for someone to take a day off in between?"

Ren Qingshan asked with a smile as always.

Fang Yonggang sighed.

"Qingshan, it's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult for you, but it's really hard to coordinate things during the Lunar New Year. Everyone wants to go home for the New Year, but someone has to take turns on duty."

"To be honest, from the first to the fifteenth of the month, I am also busy. Master Lu has to visit people everywhere, go to the county town, and go to the prefectural city. He has to make arrangements at all levels, and I have to protect him throughout the whole process."

"You'll have to work hard, just bear with it. We'll arrange for you to take turns resting after the New Year."

His earnest explanation.

Ren Qingshan knew, of course, that this was just an excuse; he was just trying to manipulate him.

Ultimately, it all came down to two taels of silver.

Too lazy to argue with him any further, Ren Qingshan nodded in agreement, took his things, and went out.

……

Outside.

After exchanging a brief greeting with Liu Xinming, Ren Qingshan waited at the door for a while, watching him go in and come out again before leaving with him.

Walk a distance.

"How many taels of silver did the master give you as a reward?"

Looking around and seeing no one, before Ren Qingshan could speak, Liu Xinming asked in a low voice.

"Three taels."

"But I asked him for another two ounces."

Ren Qingshan smiled faintly.

Liu Xinming stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief and a hint of panic: "Are you crazy? Would you offend him for two taels of silver? How did he even schedule you for work?"

"From the first to the fifteenth of the lunar month, saltworks number three. What about you?"

Ren Qingshan could tell from his words that he was a coward who didn't dare to argue even when his two ounces were deducted.

"I... am two days short, from the third to the fifteenth of the month, at Saltworks No. 1."

Liu Xinming said somewhat awkwardly.

Saltworks No. 1 is located in Lujiazhuang, and the environment is excellent in all aspects. Even if you are on duty, you can go home in no time.

This is the benefit that two taels of silver bring.

"That's too good to be true. Since you have money, give me a tael of silver, or I'll go to the steward and complain that you bribed your superior to get an easier shift schedule."

Ren Qingshan said with a smile.

Liu Xinming: ...

He glanced at Ren Qingshan with a hint of helplessness, hesitated, and then took out a small piece of silver from his pocket.

Ren Qingshan: ?

No, buddy, are you that cowardly?

I haven't had much contact with this person in the past three months, but we have chatted a few times. His family are blacksmiths in Lujiazhuang and they are quite wealthy.

Thanks.

Ren Qingshan picked it up casually, not caring about this or that.

This is compensation for emotional distress!

Liu Xinming seemed unconcerned, only saying in a low voice, "You've been to Saltworks No. 3 before, haven't you?"

"I've been there three times, what's wrong?"

Ren Qingshan casually agreed, his goodwill towards this guy growing stronger.

"Never go to the back of the salt field, especially the abandoned salt wells. Make sure to light all the torches at night."

"There might be something in there."

"It comes out to cause trouble every year. Last year and the year before were okay, and it didn't cause any major trouble. The year before that, a silver medalist died."

His voice was leisurely, and his eyes were mysterious, which made Ren Qingshan's heart tighten.

No wonder they paid that tael of silver so readily!

"What is it?"

Ren Qingshan asked in a stern voice.

"Centipedes, a nest of centipedes, hiding deep underground."

"More than a decade ago, the Demon Suppression Division killed a giant centipede demon, and these should be its offspring."

"Since it hasn't become a spirit yet, the Demon Suppression Division won't interfere; they're even raising it... Once it becomes a spirit, they'll kill it to refine a powerful elixir."

"However, for us, it is a bitter experience..."

……

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