Chapter 97: Let's Treat the Clan to a Drink

Chen Wuji hastily waved his hand, "No need to be so exaggerated, just listen to Yang Dage, twenty percent is twenty percent."

Although he knew the Dayu Dynasty placed great importance on skills, any trade was not passed on outwardly, teaching disciples involved layer after layer of examination, and apprentices were virtually equivalent to sons.

But Chen Wuji truly couldn't adapt to this.

He had many more skills.

If he continued like this in the future, his apprentices would probably line up in a large group.

Yang Tiejiang kicked Fuwa to the side with one foot, scolding, "You clumsy thing, why don't you kneel? What's the use of just saying you'll bow? You're disgracing the laborers!"

"I... I have to wait for my uncle to nod!" Fuwa said, feeling wronged.

Yang Tiejiang burst with anger, "Being stupid counts as begging, your uncle already taught you the craft, what else are you waiting for? To become a disciple, if you don't take the initiative, you're waiting for the master to act? Damn it, the laborers get angrier the more they think!"

Yang Tiejiang suddenly lunged out, pressed down Fuwa, and gave him a fierce beating.

Chen Wuji: ……

Yang Tiejiang's temper really matches his appearance.

Really explosive.

Chen Wuji hurriedly persuaded him to stop, but the matter of taking on a disciple ended there.

Yang Tiejiang only scolded Fuwa, and also didn't say anything else to Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji lingered a while longer at the blacksmith's shop, chatting with Yang Tiejiang about what came next.

They settled on Fuwa going out to gain fame next, while Yang Tiejiang focused on securing inventory.

Once the iron pots go on sale, making and selling them on the spot is absolutely unacceptable; there must be some stock.

After settling these matters, Chen Wuji took one large and one small pot, limping and swaying as he went to East Market; the meeting point he had agreed on with Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi was at the East Market Entrance.

Chen Bushi and the other had likely arrived a while earlier; one slept on the donkey cart, the other under it, both actually asleep, their loud snoring could be heard from far away.

Chen Wuji stood aside, openly expressing admiration.

In such a chaotic place, I really don't know whether these two are truly skilled and bold, or skilled and bold.

"Get up already." Chen Wuji kicked the donkey cart.

"I'm awake, why are you shouting?" Chen Bushi supported the back of his head with both hands and opened his eyes.

Chen Wuji peered toward the one lying under the donkey cart, "Is that the one sleeping underneath?"

"He's awake too." Chen Luozi said, stretching his waist.

Chen Wuji: ……

Such vigilance, no wonder they're thieves.

Even from far away he clearly heard that snoring, yet as soon as he approached, he woke up.

"How is it?" Chen Wuji asked.

"You're going to be an official." Chen Bushi sat up from the donkey cart, "The magistrate has already sent your beheading count and detailed documents to the prefecture; when the time comes, the prefectural governor's office will make arrangements. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be a county office clerk or a non-regular ninth-rank inspector, but either way it's a post that receives a salary from the court."

"I also told the magistrate your meaning, and he was quite agreeable, frankly saying that if you don't wish to serve the court, he could also grant you more farmland; the choice is entirely yours."

After Chen Bushi finished speaking and paused slightly, he said with a tone of seriousness: "But if you have no other concerns, I suggest you accept this post, a clerk in the six offices of the county office, which can lead to promotion to registrar, and later there are opportunities for advancement through military merit. For those without accomplishments, this is a path upward."

Chen Wuji pondered, nodded, and said, "I'll give it proper thought."

Chen Bushi produced a money bag and handed it over, "Surrounded by Zhou Buping's head, twenty taels! This person is a bandit chief; his head is worth far more than ordinary bandits, but..."

"It's been shaved again, right?" Chen Wuji asked with a laugh.

"It's as expected, right?" Chen Bushi sneered, "If I recall correctly, the Dayu law states it should be fifty taels. But, them giving something is already not bad; we can't quibble further."

"Taking the head of someone surnamed Zhang to exchange for reward money at the county office—this matter must not be spoken of any further."

Chen Wuji naturally understood this in his heart.

Having twenty taels is indeed not bad.

If the magistrate knew these bandits were raised by the Zhang family in the mountains, he likely wouldn't give any silver reward, and would instead bind the three of them and send them to the Zhang family's grand mansion gate to apologize.

Even if they were secretly on bad terms, the magistrate would certainly maintain this superficial courtesy.

"Having it is already fine; could you two uncles escort me into East Market?" Chen Wuji joked with a smile, "Tonight I want to treat the clan to a drink, need to prepare some food and alcohol."

"There's no need for that; our clan's affairs aren't settled by a single meal of food and drink." Chen Bushi waved his hand.

"It is necessary, hurry up, why are you being so indecisive?" Chen Wuji, with some caution, climbed onto the donkey cart; to let his wound heal sooner, he now behaves as cautiously as a seventy- or eighty-year-old man.

Chen Luozi laughed, "Some people just earned silver, Lao San, what are you stingy about? Come on, come on, I'll buy the wine, Wuji you prepare the meat."

……

The mountains clasp the setting sun, chilling ripples; the herdboy returns, lying across the ox's back.

Under a dusk tinged with rain, smoke and fire rose in Chen Wuji's courtyard, mingling with the aroma of food, accompanied by people's joyful laughter.

Yuan Jinshi carried a bamboo skewer, limping into the courtyard, telling everyone he now called himself Chen Jinshi, having changed his name to follow the host's surname.

After nursing his wounds for three days, his condition was much better than Chen Wuji's.

Although his body still had bandages wrapped, his movement was basically unimpeded.

Licentiate Yuan greeted everyone along the way, handing the smoothed bamboo strips to Chen Qun.

His and Licentiate Yuan's task tonight is to whittle bamboo skewers for stringing meat.

"Yuan Jinshi, you brat, make the seniority clear for the laborers, or else I'll have the laborers whip you to death for demoting your rank!" Chen Wuji, sitting under the eaves for a moment, shouted loudly.

This rascal calls him "Big Brother Wuji," yet calls Chen Qun and the others "uncle," and directly elevates Chen Bushi and company to grandfather generation—what is he?

If he shouts like that, doesn't he also become Chen Bushi's grandson?

Yuan Jinshi scratched his head, "Big Brother Wuji, I don't think I shouted wrong! Third Grandfather, I used to call Chen Third Grandfather."

"Think about it properly." Chen Wuji shouted.

Quite a smart kid, yet he's unclear about such a small matter.

The people around all spoke up, laughing and telling Chen Wuji not to argue with a child.

Chen Wuji rolled his eyes, really thinking he couldn't see the vulgar fun of this bunch.

Still wanting to take advantage of him.

Yuan Jinshi scratched his head and left; he still really couldn't figure it out.

"Xue Hongdou, from now on the fire can be smaller." Chen Wuji turned his head and ordered again.

Xue Hongdou still seemed like an outsider who didn't fit in, sitting there quietly, eyes fixed on the fire under the earthen stove, dazed, occasionally adding a piece of firewood.

She didn't respond, just turned her head, glanced at Chen Wuji and nodded.

"San Shu, keep it down, you're kicking up so much dust, later if you eat dirt don't blame me!" Chen Wuji looked at the dust drifting from the kitchen door and shouted loudly.

"Got it, there's still a lot of trivial stuff!" Chen Bushi's voice came from the kitchen.

Chen Wuji hehe-he smiled, quite satisfied with the current situation.

He is the overall commander of tonight's drinking.

Directing everyone.

He directed Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei to make Dongpo pork, and directed Xue Hongdou to be a little pot-sister.

He directed Chen Qun and Chen Wuwei to grill barbecue, and also directed Chen Bushi and others to tear down his family's old stove and rebuild it according to his idea.

Everything was very harmonious.

Those who should cook in the yard cooked, those who should work in the kitchen worked.