Chapter 81: Where's the Money?

The ten wounded personnel who had been verbally agreed to be transferred over could not arrive immediately, and it was unknown if there would be any changes, so Wen Gu did not disclose this to the outside, and also told Xiao Liu not to speak of it for the time being.

Xiao Liu did not speak, but he was incredibly excited inside. Ever since he started following Wen Gu, his personal value had skyrocketed!

In the past, he always heard people in the Village say that people of their background had lives as cheap as dirt, and how could they compare to the nobles. In chaotic times, life was even more like blades of grass.

But looking at it now, that is not the case at all!

I am actually quite valuable!

Xiao Liu was especially excited.

Seeing this, the others only assumed that Xiao Liu had been spotted by a big shot from the Patrol Guard Division and recruited, which was why he was so excited.

Xiao Liu was actually excited for many reasons; following "my ancestors were once wealthy," "my life is quite valuable" was also gradually sinking into his consciousness.

He Da was very envious of Xiao Liu's "promotion."

But He Da also understood that Xiao Liu's path of development was different from theirs.

Even if the Patrol Guard Pei really came to poach him, he...

He hesitated for a moment.

He still would not go with them!

After wavering, He Da thought it through clearly.

He had no other skills; he could obtain a better future here with Ward Chief Wen, whereas going elsewhere, he would likely just be a servant running errands.

Regardless, Xiao Liu's "change of fate" was witnessed by the people in the Ward, and they held greater expectations and confidence for the future. This was directly manifested in them working harder.

They even felt that there were not enough opportunities to perform; when Wen Gu called for people, several voices would suddenly appear outside responding actively.

The spirit within the Ward was stronger, and the Ward Chief was very satisfied.

Keep it up!

The weather was getting colder.

The noble gentlemen in the city were unwilling to go out, and even visiting each other became less frequent, but wanting to know news from the outside, they had their attendants and stewards go inquire.

But the attendants and stewards were unwilling to brave the north wind to scout around, so they found those Idlers who ran errands.

The Idlers would pass on the big and small events happening in the city every day, and they would receive a reward.

But they also had their own cleverness; several people would group together, each responsible for one area of the city, and then find a designated location to aggregate the news.

This designated location was Jingqing Lane.

Gathering here, they could brag and chat, and also listen to interesting news from the newspapers.

If they could use other items to trade with the laborers of these two Wards for a few Grain Tickets, they could also go to the Jingxing Fang canteen to buy some hot food to fill their stomachs.

As long as the weather was not extremely severe, one could hear He Da reading the newspaper in the canteen and at the entrance of the lane.

Even if a newspaper had already been read many times, there were still many people who went to listen every day, because He Da would not only read the content in the newspaper but also elaborate on some interesting anecdotes.

For example, how to use a Coal Stove, the various styles and uses of the stoves, and that Wanfu Garden that Jingxing Fang was going to build... and that thing called an Escort Agency.

This thing called an Escort Agency was said to be a trend from the south.

The Southerners who had just arrived in Xinzhou City:???

The trip the Huwei Escort Agency took to pick up the villagers near Shiqiao Village certainly made their presence felt.

Head Escort Lin returned and rested for two days, and people came to inquire one after another, but there were no big orders that caught his eye. This would not do! The escort masters were becoming increasingly restless.

The eldest sister-in-law came up with an idea.

Thus, Head Escort Lin went to find He Da, asking him to help introduce the Huwei Escort Agency while he was reading the newspaper and telling stories.

Correspondingly, they would also give He Da a reward.

He Da was more clever in such matters. He first went to ask Ward Chief Wen for instructions, and only after receiving permission did he happily take on this job, advertising for the Huwei Escort Agency during newspaper reading time.

He talked about his own personal experience, how the Huwei Escort Agency protected them on the journey north, spoke about how mighty and robust Head Escort Lin and the escort masters were, and chatted about the origin of the Huwei Escort Agency's Tiger Head Flag and its name.

Choosing a famous name is more reliable than choosing a ragtag team!

The Huwei Escort Agency even opened a branch in their Jingxing Fang, with over a hundred people, and the buildings were already built, so they could not run away.

The advertising effect was immediate.

The Escort Agency suddenly received several employment orders.

For large groups, they directly exchanged the count for rewards from the Zhao Clan.

For small groups, even if the employer paid a lot, it was not a loss to make the trip.

For small teams that the City Defense Army and the Xianshou Army could not attend to, employers would group together to hire the Huwei Escort Agency to make a trip and meet their relatives and friends.

The Escort Agency cleared out a carriage to modify it; the interior of the carriage was fireproofed, and a coal stove was placed and wedged in a fixed position.

The stove was modified with the help of Blacksmith Yu from Qingyun Fang, the kind with exhaust holes and an extended flue pipe, which allowed the carriage to be heated without worrying about carbon poisoning.

They custom-made a copper pot with a lid and made anti-splash modifications.

They assigned people inside the carriage to specifically look after the coal stove and be responsible for boiling water and cooking food; they were willing to spend the capital, as it could be used in the future anyway.

If it had snowed, they could also collect clean snow along the way to boil water, which was even more convenient. People would also suffer less along the way.

Just as Wen Gu told them, a professional team must demonstrate its professionalism.

There were many employers who were willing to invest and spend money.

There was money to be made, and they could also build their reputation. It was worth it!

It was another day full of hope.

In the morning, the Ward gates opened, and Idlers from various Wards came and went, gathering again at Jingqing Lane.

Among the big and small news they heard every day, Jingxing Fang accounted for more than half; it was either news obtained from here or news about this place.

Several Idlers held hot porridge they had just gotten from the canteen, gathered together, and looked up at the cloth tent that was still set up high over at Jingqing Lane.

Every day they could hear movement inside, but they did not know what exactly was being done. Before, there were only cloth tents set up on both sides, but now the middle was also blocked off.

"What kind of thing inside needs to be kept warm?"

"I heard they're building a bridge."

"Building what kind of bridge on the ground?"

"Maybe it's a secret technique; the craftsmen at this Wanfu Garden have mastered quite a few secret recipes!"

"He Da said it's a Treasure Bridge!"

Someone whispered: "Listen to him brag! A Treasure Bridge must cost a massive amount of money to build; would they set it up here for us to see?"

As a few of them were discussing this, someone suddenly warned: "Look ahead!"

Looking up, they saw a group of ten or so people entering Jingxing Fang one after another, the two in the lead still wearing the official uniforms of the Patrol Guard Division.

New developments again?

The few of them couldn't care about discussing "how much of He Da's bragging is true" and hurried to follow. Today's news mission had a lead!

At the same time, in another part of the city.

Xianghui Fang.

The current head of the Shen Family, Shen Yuan, returned home early this morning!

This Shen Yuan, although his ability cannot compare to the late Old Master Shen, still has a bit of talent compared to others.

He is strong in arithmetic and skilled at handling accounts, so he was entrusted with an important task: to go to other towns in Xinzhou with the people from the Patrol Guard Division to organize account books.

From now on, he has to make this trip at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter every year; at this time, many people are migrating north, a new batch of supplies is entering the warehouse, and transactions from all sides are about to begin, so he must inspect and deter to prevent certain greedy people from damaging the public interest to enrich themselves.

Their Shen Family's interests are now closely tied to the Zhao Clan, and they themselves are not lacking in money or grain.

Regarding matters involving accounts, after the Head of the Family of the Zhao Family pondered it, he handed them over to the Patrol Guard Division and Shen Yuan.

If one were to say that the Xianshou Army is the Long Spear facing outward, and the City Defense Army is the sturdy Shield for self-protection, then the Patrol Guard Division is the sharp knife forged by Lao Zhao, with its blade aimed at all restless elements inside and outside who want to disrupt the situation.

Extraordinary times, extraordinary measures.

Shen Yuan followed along to handle affairs and saw many things; even though the methods of the Patrol Guard Division were applied to others, and even though he was merely a bystander, he was still physically and mentally tormented, urgently wanting to return to heal his exhaustion and psychological trauma.

He arrived in Xinzhou City yesterday and spent the night in the Outer City District. There was specialized lodging there, so he didn't suffer, but as soon as the sky brightened and the city gates opened, he couldn't wait to enter Neicheng and hurried back.

The moment he stepped into Xianghui Fang, he felt that all the physical and mental trauma suffered while away was cured without medicine!

It is much more relaxed to be back!

It is the end of the year, and he must prepare many social engagements and holiday gifts for the New Year; this year, more wealthy families and nobles have arrived in Xinzhou from the north, so the social engagements will also increase.

Now that the Shen Family's status is unusual, he has to handle them personally.

There are many things to do.

However, those can all be set aside for now; he will stay at home for a few days to rest.

After being busy outside for a round, the most relaxing thing to do upon returning is to curl up at home and count money.

Back at his own home, he ignores everything else and carries the family's money box toward the bedroom.

He was not at home, and his wife also had other affairs and was not in Xinzhou City, so matters involving money in the household were thrown to the stewards under him and his two sons.

He knows his sons are unreliable and easily swindled, but the situation is different now; his sister is the mistress of the Zhao Clan!

Who would dare to make a move against his family at this time?

Besides, there is no place in this Xinzhou City now to spend money on food, drink, or entertainment, so he cannot spend large amounts of money.

Without his authorization, he is not worried.

Even if they use money, how many Money Vouchers could they possibly use up?

Quickening his pace, he only wanted to return to his room to count money.

The attendant who stayed at home followed him, wanting to speak but hesitating, and said: "Master, there is a matter..."

Shen Yuan waved his hand impatiently: "Talk about matters later."

"Actually..."

"That's enough, you all withdraw first."

Whether it is family business or official business, he does not want to deal with it now.

If there were truly a major event, someone would have told him when he was in the Outer City District last night.

Entering the door today and coming all the way here, the household was peaceful, with no other abnormalities.

This means it is not a major event!

Since there is no major event, then it can be discussed later.

Do not spoil the mood at this time!

He now only wants to be on his own turf, in a relaxed space, enjoying a comfortable and wonderful time counting money!

There was no one else in the room, and Shen Yuan leaned casually on the couch, holding the money box, shaking his head in comfort, and singing softly:

"How to dispel sorrow, only by..."

The money box opened.

The singing stopped abruptly.

At this very moment, time seemed to stand still, and his whole person seemed to have frozen.

His eyes stared blankly at the money box, his complexion turning pale inch by inch, as if he had seen some terrifying scene.

He closed the box and opened it again; it was still the same.

It was not an illusion!

Before him, inside the money box, were a few thin Money Vouchers and the thick Account Book.

After a long while, he reached out abruptly.

He didn't look through the Account Book, but grabbed it and shook it vigorously.

There was nothing tucked into the Account Book; inside the box, there was indeed only that thin stack of Money Vouchers.

It was almost full before leaving home!

Where is the money?!

Where is my money?!

Where did such a thick stack go?!!

(End of chapter)