Chapter 183: The Marvelous Kitchen Chapter 184: Arrangements

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

After Dutou finished scolding, seeing the other side only knew how to admit fault, he grew even more irritable and couldn't help but lash out at that person's head with the whip two more times. Because the whip was too long, he couldn't swing it properly, the strikes were awkward, and he felt extremely unsatisfied. He simply threw down the whip, stepped forward, and kicked that person twice with hatred.

He was originally someone who made his way on the streets, relying on brute strength since childhood and practicing a set of external martial arts. With those two kicks, they were both vicious and heavy.

One knelt, one kicked; Dutou kicked with both feet at once, striking the person opposite squarely in the solar plexus. As he drew back his leg, he used the momentum, but instead hit that person's chin and neck.

All three spots were vulnerable parts of the human body. The chayi, kneeling, took two consecutive blows. In pain, he clutched his head, curled his legs, and fell sideways to the ground, unable to even cry out for mercy.

The few people nearby saw this and none dared to step forward to advise; they only kept their distance.

Seeing the crowd scatter like rats, Dutou shouted angrily: "What are you running for! When the Kongmu comes to blame us later, none of you will have any good fruit to eat!"

He then cursed: "Liu Liu! Get out here!"

That Chaitou had originally been hiding far away, but now that his name was called, he had no choice but to steel himself, creeping out timidly. Before he even got close, he began to complain, saying: "Dutou, it's not that we little ones are betraying our own side. Who would have thought such a great official would meddle in this kind of idle business? My brothers truly did not actively provoke him!"

"The others were originally waiting outside for news from inside, but who knew that in the end they waited for that Han student to return!"

"Dutou! Do you know that Han plague-chicken, ever since he came to the yamen, hasn't had a moment of peace? Today he asks about this, tomorrow he asks about that. Of our twenty-some brothers, he's questioned every single one. Everyone knows their faces, and at first sight he calls out our names. He also calls over the others and asks us 'Why did you only just arrive'!"

"That would have been enough, but I don't know what that Kong-surnamed student said to him. The plague-chicken returned and immediately started assigning us work, telling us to watch the rear ranks, not allowing anyone to jump the queue or make a ruckus. He even told us to ask about people's origins and divide them into teams by street!"

Dutou was already angry. Hearing this, he almost cursed his mother: "He assigns you, and you just agree? You're all old hands at this duty, and you let a scholar arrange you however he wants? I fart, why don't you go smell it properly?"

That Chaitou immediately cried injustice: "No! No! My brothers knew that someone important had been offended inside, and they were afraid Han Li would take the opportunity to cause trouble and bring trouble to Dutou..."

"Originally they thought they could just muddle through for a while and then run, but who knew that not long after, the Tongpan also came and grabbed us, asking this and that!"

The several chayi nearby quickly spoke up in agreement. Because they didn't dare blame their superior, they pushed the fault onto others.

"Dutou, originally everyone was going to be handcuffed and taken away, but who knew a bunch of women would get in the way!"

"It's all because of that Han plague-chicken, Dutou. You must say a few good words for us, so the Kongmu doesn't pursue the matter!"

……

After figuring out the circumstances, Dutou didn't even bother to continue beating and scolding his subordinates, nor did he dare delay. He took his men and hurried to the Qian Family.

At this moment, in the Qian Family's study, Qian Zhongming sat in a master's chair, holding a book in his hand, not turning a single page for a long while.

Today he had given face to an outside minor official, and in the end had no choice but to sit through a meal with him, yet still couldn't suppress the matter, so the Cen Tongpan learned of this affair.

Even if he claimed illness, the Cen Family's retainers had already come to the door. Nominally they came to inquire after his illness, but in their words, whether explicit or implicit, they were all blaming and warning him.

Since Qian Zhongming had welcomed Cen Dezhang, this Tongpan, he had always tried to smooth things over and bend to others' will. Where had he ever suffered such anger?

He had already sat for a good while. Thinking of the tone of the Transport Commission's clerk and the Cen Family's retainers, his teeth still itched.

After finally calming his mood, the steward below came in to give a report.

"...... Every family has come: the grain shops, the brick and tile shops, even the lumber shops have people at the door. They all invite the Master to a banquet. Because I said the Master was ill and couldn't go out, and said I would come myself, the Madam came forward and refused them. In the end, they sent gifts one after another and also asked me to help inquire when they planned to sell their grain, bricks, tiles, and lumber..."

Hearing this, Qian Zhongming gave a cold laugh and asked: "What gifts? Bring me the gift list."

The steward hurriedly said: "Every family sent quite generous gifts."

As he spoke, he handed over a stack of lists.

Qian Zhongming opened them one by one and flipped down. Though the paper listed generous gifts, his expression grew increasingly ugly.

Seeing this, the steward couldn't help but say: "Master, in my opinion, why not simply lock up all this grain, lumber, and so on, and not allow anyone to sell? Han Li can transfer a batch of grain from Weizhou to last five or ten days. Can he transfer batch after batch from Weizhou?"

"I sent someone to inquire earlier. Right now, from Weizhou they can only use both water and land routes. They requisitioned all boats from nearby counties and towns, spent a whole day, and only then delivered this grain and these people."

"After taking the water route, they must take the mountain route. That mountain route is extremely rugged; carts cannot pass, and everything must be carried by leg. Who knows how much manpower is consumed. Once is fine, but many times cannot be supported. It's just to hoodwink everyone in Hua Prefecture, spending effort to put on a grand show. As long as we drag it out a bit more, he won't be able to keep singing!"

Qian Zhongming shook his head and said: "Too late."

He then ordered: "If anyone from the families comes to ask again, just say it's up to them. If they want to sell, let them sell."

The steward first assented, hesitated a moment, but still couldn't help but say again: "Master, the Du Shui Jian is only here to dig rivers and control water. At most three or five months, they will return to the Capital. After they leave, with only that Cen Tongpan left in Hua Prefecture City, isn't it still the Master who has the final say? Why bother caring about so much?"

He also said: "I'm afraid once this word gets out, those below will think the Master has shown weakness, and in the future it will be even harder to keep them in line!"

Qian Zhongming gave a cold laugh and said: "I continue to manage things. I don't know how people curse me behind my back. It's better to just let go—But, do you think just because I let them sell, they can actually sell?"

"That Han-surnamed student is extremely petty. In the past, when he wanted to buy things, he met people unwilling to sell to him. He lost face and suffered losses, so he certainly won't let it go lightly. Just watch. This time they flock forward, and they will definitely only end up with a bloody nose."

The Qian Family's ancestors were all in the Zhou Ya, controlling upper and lower Hua Prefecture. Even the Prefect and Tongpan couldn't achieve such prestige. Naturally, they didn't rely only on power to suppress others.

The world bustles, all for profit.

With power, why fear a lack of money?

When those merchants and great households discover that as long as they flatter and follow the Qian Family, they can exchange for huge profits, while defying the Qian Family means the lucky ones suffer broken bones and financial disaster, and the unlucky ones face family destruction and extermination, with not even corpses left—who would dare easily touch the moldy head?

But if the benefits are gone, and listening to Qian Zhongming's orders only leads to loss of profit, even if they still worry about future reckoning, when something happens again, they may not be as obedient and hardworking as before.

This time, that Han student's actions seemed on the surface to be just transporting some grain and bringing back some people. But in the eyes of the others in the city, it meant something else entirely.

You won't let people sell grain and supplies?

You won't let people hire workers?

You won't let, you won't give. I have plenty of ways to get people and find grain!

Once the river work starts, who isn't envious?

Such a huge project, moving tens of thousands of people at a time. Even with thin profits, selling more is still a hard-to-come-by good business.

The merchants originally were willing to listen to him. Besides his former prestige, they also thought they could find a way to get their hands into this river project and scoop up some benefits. Now they discover the benefits are in the Han-surnamed man's hands, so naturally they change their attitude.

We still need to act quickly. Find a way to let people know I'm not easy to provoke. Otherwise, given enough time, if the tiger doesn't show its might, they'll think it's a sick cat!

Qian Zhongming was, after all, an old hand. In about the time of a meal, he already had several ideas in mind. Just as he was weighing them, Dutou brought his subordinate chai guan in.

After finishing delivering the bad news, that chai guan's legs were already half-soft. His teeth chattered for no reason, afraid he'd get another beating.

Unexpectedly, Qian Zhongming's attitude this time was very gentle. Not only did he not pursue the matter, he even personally comforted them with a few words, and said: "So we provoked him. It's not like we can't afford to provoke him."

Speaking, he called a servant to fetch three strings of cash, handed them to that Chaitou himself, and said: "The brothers have also worked hard; take it and give them a couple of drinks to calm their nerves and relax a bit."

That Chaitou never expected such a windfall; not until the money was in his hand and he was sent out of the room did he still find it hard to believe.

Matters inside the yamen — no one can hide anything from anyone.

Last time a minor clerk handled an errand poorly; the ruffian he hired was caught by that Cook's Wife of the Du Shui Jian and sent back; Kong Facao backhanded him with a slap, made him cover his face and leave, knocking out a bad tooth.

This time he clearly caused even bigger trouble, yet Kong Facao's attitude had completely changed.

What happened?

Also unable to understand what happened was Dutou Ding.

Once the man left, he couldn't help but say: "Why must Kong Facao be so polite to them, a bunch of trash! Can't do a speck of work, yet you give them benefits!"

If it weren't for the fact that this man before him has always been capable, helped do plenty of dirty work, and right now is exactly when manpower is needed, Qian Zhongming would almost want to give him a slap too.

"That's enough!" He glared displeased at Dutou Ding, "Wait until we get past this hurdle, then you can scold and beat as you please."

The latter, hearing this, hurriedly offered a plan: "I hear they're starting to dig the river channel tomorrow; why don't we still find a few rascals to go make trouble at that recruitment stall?"

And urgently added: "Kong Facao, that river won't be easy for them to just dig! I went to look at the spot Wu Guiren marked out the day before yesterday; if the water runs that way, the good fields I just bought last month, originally perfectly fine, will have the new river channel passing right by them, and all turn into waterless dry land!"

"Besides me, there are quite a few brothers who followed us buying fields and land; they've sunk their life savings in, they can't withstand this kind of messing about!"

"Why didn't you act earlier! That surnamed Han has already returned, brought all those people; what use is making a scene at a little stall!"

Qian Zhongming, holding a bellyful of anger, sprayed the man opposite full in the face with saliva.

"Forget it, you listen then!"

"Tomorrow the channel digging starts; the first day, everything will surely be chaotic; you take the initiative, put on a show of being considerate to superiors, send a few trusted men over to do kitchen duty, feel out the bottom details there."

"Also the kitchen; send people to find out the situation — where ingredients, grain, and water come from, where they're stored, how many kitchen laborers total, see if we can also slip a few of our own people in."

Dutou Ding perked up at once, hurriedly saying: "Kong Facao, how about tomorrow I call trustworthy brothers, find a way to cause an accident, even if no one dies, injure a few to see!"

He is, after all, his own trusted aide, and single-mindedly does things; this time Qian Zhongming didn't scold again, just shook his head and said: "Digging rivers and channels, when has it not killed people? Broad daylight, hard to make a move inside the channel, even if all make a move it's limited; furthermore, right now the arrow is on the string — not to mention a few deaths, even ten-odd deaths, Cen Dezhang would suppress it."

"To make a big incident, we must attack on two fronts; the channel is only the assistant, we still must get into the kitchen."

Not only is Qian Zhongming making arrangements; at this very moment, in the official post station, Han Li is also making arrangements.

Today outside the official post station gate a total of nearly four hundred able-bodied men were recruited; the laborers transported from Weizhou also number over eight hundred; added together, over twelve hundred people; Kong Fuyang has already, together with the others, divided them into upper and lower two shifts according to the blueprints and plans he and Wu Gong left behind earlier.

Three men form a small group, ten groups a small squad, ten squads a small camp; four camps total, each with a Lingtou; these Lingtou will be elected by themselves tomorrow.

Able-bodied men are not soldiers, cannot achieve orders strictly obeyed; those Weizhou laborers now living in worksite sheds are somewhat better, but only slightly; the rest coming from inside and outside the city to the worksite will certainly include latecomers, those with sudden matters, those who signed up but ultimately don't come.

"First day, just get the start going; each of you responsible for two small squads, must clearly explain the things that must be paid attention to daily; also arrange a patrol group every day, constant inspection."

Someone asked: "Leader Han, patrol group five squads set one group — isn't that a bit too many? Our manpower is already not enough; afraid the construction period won't be met; if changed to ten squads set one group, would that work?"

Han Li solemnly shook his head: "To save a bit of laziness, people will do anything; back when I was in Bingzhou, I saw laborers who, to save the effort and time of moving a wooden ladder, climbed the earthwork barehanded, thought nothing would happen; result, one slip, fell from above, not only died themselves, but also crushed three people working below to death."

"Another, clearly knew the rope was already rotten, held a fluke hope; result, when going down the well the rope indeed snapped..."

"Other works, whether people die or not, we can't control; but this time we are in charge ourselves; you also don't want a real fatality to occur in the squads you manage, right?"

That man, hearing this, shivered with cold, honestly shrank back.

The rest of the room full of people all became alert.

Qian Zhongming's side had just agreed to let each merchant house sell things to the yamen; that steward got the promise, hadn't even walked out of the study yet; that other side, several grain houses clearly hadn't received a reply, yet already early on proactively sent invitation cards to the official post station.

Also that old friend of Xiang Yuan, Xie Hu of the Xie Family Grain House, even directly using the pretext of "apologizing to Song Xiaoniangzi", sent people to deliver quite a few gifts.

Besides food and necessities, there was also a set of silver head ornaments.

Song Miao looked at the gift list, kept two boxes of pastries, returned the rest; it just so happened she bought quite a few fresh fruits today, and sent back a basket of fruit in return.

Waiting until the people up front finished their business and dispersed, she then found a gap to tell the matter to that Han Li.

Hearing she had handled it, the latter didn't even ask how she handled it, just turned the page on the matter, only saying: "It's really getting late; you hurry back and rest."

Speaking, he picked up a lantern from the side, intending to escort her back to the back courtyard.