novel-bin 46. Offering
46. Offering
Looking at this newly promoted middle-aged martial artist with true qi, Jin Xiulan reconsidered the risks and benefits of this matter.
The Lu family has no shortage of money.
Back in the prefectural city, the master has already secured this year's salt quota, which is no less than in previous years, and his connections with the higher-ups are also fine, after all, they are people he has cultivated for many years.
The core issue is that being targeted and having trade routes blocked has created a situation of near-slow blood loss, while simultaneously causing widespread anxiety.
The Liu family will certainly not admit to taking down this group of ruthless bandits, but it is, after all, a form of military deterrence and warning.
Jade Marrow Realm martial artists are high above others and will not be at the beck and call of the Lu family. Even money won't work for them. Which Jade Marrow Realm martial artist is short of money?
The person before me, a newly promoted True Qi cultivator, comes from a poor background... yet he is truly the most suitable choice at this moment.
Even if the plan to kill the bandits fails, it is still worthwhile to maintain a long-term friendship.
"Lord Ren, this time, we really need your help. Whether it succeeds or not, whether these bandits live or die, my Lu family will be grateful."
As she spoke, she clapped her hands gently.
Two maids immediately came out from behind, each carrying a tray covered with a red cloth. They gracefully bowed and carefully placed the trays on the table; they looked quite heavy.
Two plates.
silver.
It has to be the lady... she's really generous!
Salt merchants are really rich!
Ren Qingshan gracefully unveiled the red cloth, revealing two neatly arranged plates of silver, one ingot worth fifty taels and the other twenty ingots, totaling a full two thousand taels.
Raising an eyebrow, Ren Qingshan stared at her: "Madam, you certainly act decisively."
Jin Xiulan stood up and said softly with a smile, "I understand the risks involved. In martial arts battles, swords have no eyes... This is what you deserve. From now on, our two families should visit each other often during festivals."
Ren Qingshan nodded.
My opinion of her has risen even higher.
This statement implies that if something happens to you, your family will be taken care of by the Lu family.
pattern.
That shows your vision.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'm really a bit short on cash right now, but there's one more thing I need to trouble you with, Madam."
"I'll take five hundred taels to use for daily expenses."
"I have 1,500 taels left. I would like to trouble you, Madam, to help me purchase some land. It would be best if it were dry land, preferably close to my village, or near Lu Family Village. It doesn't matter."
Buying land is a rather complicated matter. Renjia Village has almost completely acquired all the available land. Buying land from other villages is not impossible, but it is still troublesome.
The Lu family is a business family with many stores and their own managers.
Jin Xiulan nodded with pleasure, then casually asked, "Sir, you have a long-term vision, but why only buy dry land and not paddy fields?"
"The paddy fields are fertile, requiring little effort but yielding high output, and are the lifeline for small households. Although I have acquired land, I do not want to cut off their livelihood."
"I'll just buy dry land. It'll just require more manpower, but in years of famine, it might even be able to support more tenant farmers."
Ren Qingshan had already thought of this, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly.
Jin Xiulan's expression suddenly turned serious, and she stared at him without blinking. She paused for at least three breaths, and a sense of respect welled up in her heart.
I never imagined that this person would have such profound thoughts and ideas... truly an extraordinary person.
The inner room.
Lu Qingyi listened quietly to her mother's conversation with Ren Qingshan. Upon hearing this, her long eyelashes trembled, her heart tingled, and she sensed a rare and exceptional quality in him. She really wanted to go out and say a few words to him.
He was trying to suppress his emotions, but he couldn't hold back any longer and, somewhat rudely, stepped out from behind.
"Senior Ren, I...I was rude, but I still want to tell you that I admire you very much! Really! I only knew you were short of money before, but I never imagined that you could still be so kind and righteous after you became rich!"
Ren Qingshan chuckled, looking at her rosy cheeks and then at her mother.
Uh.
I just wish I had a camera with me, otherwise I would have definitely snapped a picture.
Pleasant to the eye.
……
Noon has passed.
When Ren Qingshan arrived at Wude Courtyard, the gatekeeper led him to the same room as yesterday.
Fang Yanping was still brewing medicine. In addition to Master Zhou and Wang Liang, there were four other doctors in the room, as if they were brainstorming together.
One of the doctors looked quite familiar. After a moment's thought, Ren Qingshan remembered him: Xue Jiren, the doctor from Lujiazhuang who sold centipedes earlier.
However, this is not the time to greet each other.
On the table was an earthenware jar containing long, white worms that were wriggling disgustingly.
This... is probably a roundworm?
Of course, there are no pagoda-shaped sugars here.
"Master Fang."
Ren Qingshan cupped his hands and smiled.
"Yes, he's here. Old Zhou, take Ren Qingshan to the drill ground and have Master Pang take him in. He will serve as a servant in our academy."
Fang Yanping looked up and smiled, then quickly gave the instructions.
The advisor, Zhou Jinwen, responded and walked towards Ren Qingshan with a smile: "Ren, let's go."
The two went out.
Xue Jiren glanced in this direction and was immediately taken aback.
Wude Temple, for worship?
When Ren Qingshan came to sell centipedes, he thought he was just a down-on-his-luck martial artist. He never expected that he was actually a retainer of Lord Fang's Martial Virtue Academy.
You can't judge a book by its cover.
However, he didn't mention it and continued to study the prescription with the others.
……
"As a member of the Wude Academy, your monthly salary is fifty taels. In addition, any donations from disciples or other people will naturally belong to you."
"The responsibility lies in two places."
"First, complete the various tasks assigned by Lord Fang. There aren't many tasks, and the time is flexible."
"Secondly, it's about providing daily guidance to these disciples. Currently, there are only two people serving in the academy, and with you, that makes three. The three of them take turns on duty each day."
As they walked toward the training ground, Zhou Jinwen introduced the area in a friendly manner.
Ren Qingshan nodded slightly.
A monthly salary of fifty taels is probably more than the monthly salary of a county magistrate issued by the imperial court. Of course, the income of a county magistrate is definitely not a fixed salary.
How could someone in the center of power possibly lack money?
"The other two are named Zhao Qianfeng, who is in the late Silver Blood stage. He was once a centurion in the border army. He lost both legs due to injury and had to retire due to illness. However, his skills are quite profound. Even Lord Fang has great respect for such righteous men who fight for their country."
Ren Qingshan solemnly said, "I also respect the brave warriors of the border army. Even if there are conflicts in the future, I will give them some leeway."
Such people enjoy preferential treatment, and there's nothing to say about it.
Seeing that he knew when to advance and retreat, Zhou Jinwen's eyes showed admiration. Looking at the training ground not far away, he said in a low voice, "The second one is Pang Ziqian. The Pang family is a prominent family in Huaiyin. Three martial arts scholars have emerged from the family. This person is one of them. Although he is over fifty years old, he is still diligent in learning martial arts."
"He was learning martial arts in the prefectural city before, and was just summoned back by the master last month. Master Pang is both a scholar and a warrior. Although he has not yet condensed his true qi, he is proficient in various martial arts styles and is a person who loves martial arts to the point of obsession. He failed the martial arts examination twice before, and is currently recuperating and preparing to take the exam again."
Ren Qingshan, recalling how Xiao Hui had been framed and harmed by the Pang family, still smiled and said, "Martial arts fanatic? Why didn't you pass the imperial examination?"
"Master Fang's comment: He has a wide range of knowledge but lacks depth."
"However, this person is exactly the opposite of you, and the two of you can verify each other."
Ren Qingshan nodded with a smile: "Lord Fang is very thoughtful, then let's verify it with him more."
……
……