Chapter 378

Finally home.

Of course, this does not refer to a home in the twenty-first century, but to that residence in Haojing Lane in Jingzhou.

This is the first property under Wang Yang's name since he transmigrated, and it is currently his only one. It is the place where he lives most freely and comfortably.

There is no need to mention the barbarian tribes; it was basically like being sent to the countryside. The Prince of Badong's mansion is considered magnificent, but even setting aside realistic interests, Wang Yang would rather live in his own home. As the saying goes, a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one's own... ahem, my residence is actually quite nice!

Wang Yang took a bath, changed his clothes, and leaned lazily against the armrest, listening to the Black Man's report. His eyes swept over the clean and warm room; everything was as usual, clearly well-cared for daily. Then, taking the clear tea brewed by Little A-Wu, he took a sip, and a feeling of warmth slowly rose from his chest, dissipating even the layer of lingering fatigue between his brows.

Yes, Wang Yang was very tired.

Although he was high-spirited in front of the Prince of Badong, confident in front of Xie Xinghan, and handled Kong Zhangyu with ease, he was actually very tired in his true state.

It was just that he had hidden this side of himself, and it only revealed itself when he stepped into this small residence that belonged entirely to him.

According to the rule of writing a small piece every three days and a large piece every five days, he should actually write something tonight. This rule was part of his "daily lessons," and he rarely delayed it even when he was at the barbarian tribes. But he was feeling too lazy now, not even wanting to move his fingertips...

"Let's stop here for today. We won't look at the accounts; tomorrow... the day after tomorrow, I'll look at them the day after tomorrow. Although Zhang Er had the heart of a thief, he didn't succeed in stealing after all. You handle it as you see fit, but this person cannot stay. It's too late now; send him away tomorrow morning. Let Old Cheng handle the gatehouse for now; there's no need to replace anyone for the time being."

Zhang Er could talk well and was responsible in his work (see Chapter 257, "Xie Ke"), and Wang Yang had a good impression of him. If he hadn't had crooked thoughts this time, Wang Yang might have transferred him to the warehouse business once it opened and cultivated him further, but that was no longer possible.

The Black Man agreed, but did not take his leave, because there was one more thing he hadn't reported. But thinking of Wang Yang saying "let's stop here for today," he couldn't decide whether he should leave this matter for tomorrow.

"What's wrong?" Wang Yang asked.

"Replying to the Young Master, it's about Sister-in-law Song..."

Before Wang Yang left, he had entrusted the procurement matters of the kitchen to Sister-in-law Song, while the specific account expenditures were managed by the Black Man. The Black Man saw that the procurement prices were all in line with market prices, so he had always paid according to the usual practice. However, the Black Man had always been careful in his work; he not only checked the quality of the goods but also followed the procurement accounts to verify the sources. This check revealed the trickery.

It turned out that Sister-in-law Song had used her connections from when she worked at the restaurant (see Chapter 128, "False Jade is Hard to Distinguish") to hook up with several suppliers who specialized in supplying restaurants, secretly driving down the prices, but reporting the original prices in the accounts.

In other words, her actual procurement expenditure was 10% to 20% lower than the market price she reported to the Black Man, and the price difference for fresh goods was even greater. And the profit in between all fell silently into her own pocket.

Little A-Wu was greatly shocked, staring straight at her father with an expression that said, "Such a big thing, and you didn't tell me sooner!" She only remembered that the Young Master was present and could not act rashly, so she didn't speak, but her eyes were bright and clear, as if they could shoot out little rockets to hit someone!

The Black Man turned a blind eye to his daughter's gaze. First of all, Sister-in-law Song's matter was different from Zhang Er's theft. Secondly, their duties were different; Sister-in-law Song was not only responsible for procurement but also for cooking, and the Young Master's three meals a day all came from her hands. Furthermore, her husband, Old Song, was the Young Master's carriage driver; it wasn't just a matter of pulling one hair and moving the whole body, but it was also a case of dragging the vine and bringing the gourd.

And in terms of face in front of the Young Master, Sister-in-law Song was also much more respected than Zhang Er. Therefore, the Black Man did not act out, but just kept a clear record of every account and kept the evidence, waiting for Wang Yang to return before reporting it. This was both safe and not overstepping his authority.

Although A-Wu was smart, she was still young after all, and as time went on, she might not be able to keep her composure, so he simply kept it from his daughter as well.

Wang Yang saw Little A-Wu's eyes wide open like a black cat sheriff, and laughed:

"What kind of expression is that..."

Little A-Wu was filled with righteous indignation, her little face puffed up:

"It's too much! I felt before that she put too much oil in, and when she made meat soup, she also—"

This really wasn't much... If it were according to A-Wu's previous method of wanting to boil everything in clear water, her eyes would have turned green from hunger...

Sister-in-law Song had good skills, was not stupid, and was willing to follow Wang Yang's instructions to make new styles, otherwise Wang Yang wouldn't have kept using her.

Wang Yang interrupted A-Wu's severe criticism of Sister-in-law Song's oil usage and asked:

"Tell me first, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Little A-Wu said angrily:

"The same as Zhang Er! Arrest her! Get back the money she swindled! Drive her out!"

Wang Yang guided her step by step:

"Think carefully, is there any difference between Sister-in-law Song and Zhang Er?"

Little A-Wu frowned her thin eyebrows, her little face slightly tense because of her seriousness, her eyes blinking gently under her lashes, and her thoughts becoming clearer bit by bit:

"There is indeed a difference. Zhang Er stole the Young Master's money; the more he stole, the more the Young Master lost. But Sister-in-law Song didn't make the Young Master lose money, because she didn't report the accounts at a price higher than the market price, but reported them at the original price of the previous procurement. If it weren't for Sister-in-law Song, we would still have to buy at this price, so Sister-in-law Song relied on her own ability, which cannot be counted as theft..."

Wang Yang smiled and touched Little A-Wu's head:

"Smart!"

The Black Man had always known that Wang Yang was teaching A-Wu, and his gratitude could no longer be expressed in words. Now, seeing Wang Yang pointing out the principles of the matter to his daughter in person, his gratitude was even greater, and he felt that even if he were reincarnated for several lifetimes, he could not repay the Young Master's kindness to their father and daughter!

Wang Yang said to the Black Man again:

"Her ability to drive down prices is her own skill, so I won't pursue this money. However, procurement cannot be left to her in the future. In a while, pass down the word that the city is chaotic now, and starting tomorrow, no one is allowed to leave the mansion except for you. This will directly take over the procurement matter. You work hard and manage it for me for now; when there is a suitable person in the future, they will replace you."

Hearing this, the Black Man was both impressed and respectful, and immediately agreed respectfully.

A-Wu was puzzled after being praised by Wang Yang, and after hearing what Wang Yang said, she was even more puzzled!

Wang Yang looked at A-Wu with a smile:

"What do you want to ask?"

A-Wu asked uncomprehendingly:

"Since Sister-in-law Song is not stealing, why did the Young Master take away the procurement matter..."

"Do you think Sister-in-law Song did the right thing?"

"Of course not!" A-Wu answered without hesitation.

"Why is it not right?"

"Uh..." A-Wu hadn't quite figured it out.

"We said before that Sister-in-law Song earned this price difference by her own ability, but this is actually inaccurate. Sister-in-law Song is in her position and should perform her duties. Her ability to drive down prices is, first, due to her own connections; second, due to the status of being the purchaser for the Wang residence; and third, although the number of items our residence purchases is not large, it is stable and continuous, not a casual customer who buys in the morning and stops in the evening. Moreover, many of the things we need have quality requirements, and the prices are not low. As for the demand prospects, that is to say, in the eyes of merchants, our future purchasing demand will become larger and larger. That is why they are willing to make concessions.

If it weren't for Sister-in-law Song, we wouldn't be able to buy good things, or our purchase price would be higher, so Sister-in-law Song has merit, and it is justifiable for her to earn some price difference. But since it makes no difference whether she is there or not, and Sister-in-law Song's bargaining advantage is largely built on her position, then it is not fair for her to earn this money.

If she had told me clearly in advance, I wouldn't blame her; as long as the quality remains the same, whatever money she drives down would be hers. But she didn't say anything. Seeking personal gain in the name of public duty and then deceiving and reporting falsely is where she is wrong.

A-Wu, remember, the indulgence of the human heart is like water flowing downwards; if it doesn't stop, it will flow.

If a small greed is allowed to extend, it will give rise to luck; if one thought of luck arises, a hundred evils will follow.

At first, it starts with small profits; over time, one relies on power to indulge desires and gradually lets one's heart run wild; eventually, the accumulated evils are hard to reverse, and great pests are born.

Therefore, the superior prevent trouble before it sprouts, the middle save from trouble when it just starts, and the inferior eliminate trouble after it is already done.

Whether governing a family or a country, it is the same.

It is nothing for Sister-in-law Song to earn some price difference now, but if it is allowed to continue, it will be hard to say in the future.

What's more, when I put Sister-in-law Song in this position, I originally had the intention of testing her.

Now it seems that she is more suitable for guarding the kitchen.

Sigh, the two people I tested this time are both not up to the task. I already have a candidate for the gatehouse, but as for procurement...

Let's look again, let's look again..."

Wang Yang pondered. A-Wu seemed to have frozen, lost in thought.

The Black Man sighed:

"The Young Master uses people and handles affairs with such clear understanding of the severity; this humble servant respects you from the bottom of my heart!"

Wang Yang casually used the allusion of Chen Ping and joked:

"If I were to govern the world, it would also be like this."

Hearing this sentence, the Black Man felt an indescribable shudder run up his spine, rushing straight to the top of his head!

He had always known that what the Young Master held in his chest was never just this small residence!

But he couldn't clearly say how much more there was besides the residence.

But now he felt that he seemed to understand a little.

His throat rolled, and hot blood began to surge inexplicably in his chest!

It turns out that the person he followed from the beginning was a figure far, far more remarkable than he had imagined!!!

Wang Yang didn't notice the shock his casual remark brought to the Black Man, because he was looking at A-Wu.

He saw A-Wu's little face turning pale bit by bit, her lips trembling slightly.

Wang Yang asked hurriedly:

"A-Wu, what's wrong with you?"

A-Wu's small shoulders shrank, her voice carrying a sob she was trying hard to suppress:

"A-Wu understands... It turns out that when the Young Master first let A-Wu manage the kitchen, he also wanted to test A-Wu's mettle, but found that A-Wu was not up to the task, so he hired someone else to replace A-Wu... It's A-Wu who is useless... ε(┬┬﹏┬┬)3"

Wang Yang:......

But it can also be considered drawing inferences about other cases...

Heavy doors are locked, residual lamp fire.

The Black Man had already taken his leave, and Wang Yang put on his sleeping clothes and got into bed, preparing to sleep.

Little A-Wu was extinguishing the candles one by one, leaving only the lamp in the bedroom.

Wang Yang remembered one thing and called A-Wu over, letting her bring the calligraphy she had practiced during this time for him to see.

A-Wu obediently followed suit.

"That... although there are only three sheets, I have actually been writing according to the Young Master's requirements. It's mainly because I was afraid of wasting paper, so I have been writing on the ground."

Wang Yang looked at the three pitiful little sheets of paper. Then he looked at A-Wu:

"Do you write on the ground every day?"

"Yes."

"Where on the ground do you write?"

"In the front yard."

"Where in the front yard?"

"In the middle."

"Is it the same place every day?"

"Yes."

"What time do you write?"

"At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM)."

"Is it the same time every day?"

"Yes."

"Who saw it?"

"A-Gun. He sweeps the front yard after I write; I write before he sweeps. If the Young Master doesn't believe me, you can ask A-Gun."

"What do you use to write?"

"A tree branch, it's placed in the corner of the front yard wall. If the Young Master doesn't believe me, I can bring it for the Young Master to see."

The two asked and answered quickly; A-Wu answered fluently, and her expression had no flaws.

"Alright, you have both human and physical evidence..."

Wang Yang supported his head with his hand, smiled, and suddenly said:

"But I have a question I'm very curious about: how do you write on rainy days?"

A-Wu froze. She wanted to say that she wrote on paper on rainy days:

"Ac-actually, I wasn't—"

"Do you remember what the first question I asked you was?"

A-Wu shook her head in fear.

Wang Yang put away his smile:

"The first question I asked was: Do you write on the ground every day?"

A-Wu collapsed and wailed:

"A-Wu was wrong!!!"

Wang Yang got up to change his clothes, and at the same time mercilessly lifted A-Wu up:

"'Diligence has merit, play has no benefit. Take heed, and strive hard!' Stop wailing, get up and write! It just so happens I haven't written either, let's do it together..."