Chapter 206

Chen Wuji was almost driven crazy by Shen Youwei, and in the end could only falsely report a number, saying it twice.

If he had said three times, Huo Sanniang and the others might not say it outright, but they would certainly be jealous inside.

He could eat three big bowls outside, but at home couldn't even finish one bowl of rice; that would be tough on anyone and disturb family harmony.

After all kinds of persistent questioning, Shen Youwei finally got the answer, satisfied, smiling slyly, then shifted the topic to Chen Wuji becoming an official, arranging a celebration.

Chen Wuji now holds an official post, which is certainly worth celebrating.

Though he is only a brigade commander of the provincial troops, a lowly post without even a rank, Chen Wuji, a hunter, has risen from hunter to provincial troops brigade commander—a difficult leap, not easily done.

A slight shift in status, yet it marks a change of class.

Huo Sanniang and the three were arranging the evening celebration feast; Chen Wuji fried two big pots of field snails, summoned the two Yuan Jinshi brothers, and had them deliver respectively to the Charitable Refuge, Yang Ji, and to Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji.

Lunch was fairly simple, just stewed deer bone.

After the meal, Chen Wuji took the two Yuan Jinshi brothers, pushed a cart of meat that had been divided earlier that day, and hauled it to the Chen ancestral hall.

Today the clan will discuss the detailed procedure for the great family sacrifice; all male members from each household will gather at the ancestral hall, and Chen Wuji, in passing, brought the meat that had been divided earlier.

Each family receives about ten catties; the exact type of meat is no longer clear, so they take whatever they get.

While distributing the meat, Chen Wuji, in passing, asked the clan if there were any idle people to help him raise some cattle.

Compared to other businesses, this trade is small; achieving scale would take a longer time.

But Chen Wuji still believes that in an agrarian society, this is a business that ought to be undertaken.

Anyway, given his current means, hiring someone to tend those cattle is not much trouble.

He just asked casually, and the clan members responded en masse, nearly everyone volunteering themselves.

Their lives are not too good; nobody wants to pass up a money‑making opportunity.

This, however, put Chen Wuji in a bind.

In the end he asked Chen Bushi, and chose the most difficult case in the family, Chen Wangzu.

Chen Wangzu's father is Chen Wuyou, of the same generation as Chen Wuji, and somewhat older than Chen Wuji.

This father and son are the sort of people whose honesty and integrity are extreme; saying a few words embarrasses them, they can't even raise their voice, let alone have the courage to do anything else.

"Wangzu, the monthly wage is one tael of silver; I'll entrust those few cattle entirely to you—make sure they're fed well. For breeding, go ask your grandfather Paozi; the two of you discuss it, don't worry about the money—he certainly wouldn't be embarrassed to ask me for a few melons and dates." Chen Wuji ruffled Chen Wangzu's messy, fuzzy head and instructed.

Xiong Paozi happened to be nearby; hearing this, his eyes shot up instantly: "I have no shame, why wouldn't I be ashamed? Do you know how much silver I get for one match? Without two hundred wen I won't do it, you brat actually think you can just brush me off like that."

"If you have time, come to my place for a drink." Chen Wuji said lightly.

Xiong Paozi instantly did a 180‑degree face change: "Got it, with those words I'll take responsibility for this; Wangzu is too young to understand this, I'll keep an eye on him for you."

Chen Wuji gave a light smile, "You little brat, you still can't handle me."

Chen Wangzu's age is indeed small, barely eleven years old.

But in the countryside, eleven or twelve years old already counts as a strong laborer for the family.

Just like his father Chen Wuyou, who was already married at eleven and had Chen Wangzu the following year.

Eleven‑ or twelve‑year‑old boys and girls of this era cannot be judged by later standards.

Chen Wuyou felt a bit uneasy, "Wuji, is a month's pay of one tael of silver too much? It's just herding cattle; a hundred wen would be about right."

"We're all family; give them a bit more." Chen Wuji said.

"Our Chen family must find a way out of poverty; first fill our stomachs. Later, if there are other jobs, others will also have a chance, with roughly the same pay—I won't play favorites, I'll treat everyone equally."

Chen Bushi followed up, saying: "You all heard Wuji's meaning, right? That big fellow drew his blade without hesitation that night to save someone, and Wuji won't forget him. He may have many tasks lined up for everyone ahead—all family, no other talk, no picking of workers; all such work will start from the poorest households."

"I hope you remember this: with generous wages, do the work neatly and beautifully, and keep your hearts loyal. Chen Wuji is the Family Head line of the Chen clan; after the great sacrifice, he will be the Family Head! Our Chen clan's rules—I hope each of you keeps this in mind."

The surrounding Chen clan Young Strongmen instantly turned solemn; their previously bent waists snapped straight, and their eyes grew deep and stern.

Chen Wuji watched this scene, feeling deeply moved.

Even if the Chen clan has declined, those things in its bones have not been lost.

This is still the once mighty Chen clan that dominated Beijun and kept foreign tribes from stepping even half a step into Zhongyuan.

"What arrangements next?" Chen Wuji asked Chen Bushi.

"Assign personnel, each to their duty." Chen Bushi said.

"I'll handle this; the Chen clan's merchant convoy should be arriving soon—you go discuss this. Also, we need to arrange one or two people to represent you before the convoy. As for the choice, you might as well decide now; you've already spoken those big words, so let the wages be equal for all."

"Do we still need someone to watch over our own people?" Chen Wuji asked doubtfully.

Chen Bushi's eyes narrowed slightly: "After all, we are no longer the former Chen clan; the main line has declined, the branches scattered everywhere. People's hearts are still fairly united for now, but it's inevitable that some self‑interested types will appear—know that wealth has always moved hearts, so we need to keep an eye on things."

"I suggest you choose Chen Li and Chen Wuyi; this shouldn't be picked from the poorest. Chen Li is steady in his work, and Chen Wuyi, this little fellow, has a bit of scheming in his chest and can handle some situations."

Chen Wuji understood in his heart, "Then let's decide on those two."

"Chen Li, Chen Wuyi!" Chen Bushi nodded, calling Chen Li and Chen Wuyi from the crowd.

When Chen Wuji and Chen Bushi discussed this matter, they did not keep it secret from others.

Chen Li and Chen Wuyi already knew what they would have to do next.

Chen Wuji's instructions for them were simple: clear the accounts, and make sure the people return safe and sound.

The wages are the same as Chen Wangzu's: one tael of silver per month.

Others were envious but said nothing.

With Chen Wuji's promise ahead, they didn't complain; instead, they looked forward to becoming the next one.

A monthly wage of one tael of silver is much higher than the accountants of those wealthy households.