Chapter 105: Setting Out

When they arrived at the hiring yard, quite a few children had gathered around, but those fifteen and older who met the recruitment standards numbered only a dozen or so more than yesterday. However, both Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang had brought their fathers.

When Old Smith Shi and Old Roast Chicken saw Zhao Jin, their manner was far more respectful than their sons'; both stepped forward and bowed deeply in salute.

Zhao Jin exchanged a few pleasantries with them, and then they all entered the courtyard chosen the day before. In truth, these two looked far better in complexion and dress than when Zhao Jin had first met them. To put it plainly, they had benefited from Zhao Jin's favor, having connected with the yamen and the guard station, and in turn grown familiar with several merchant households. They had gained more customers, and with hardly anyone buying on credit, business had naturally improved considerably.

He led them on a tour inside and outside the courtyard, carefully explaining his requirements. Shi's father and Ji's father quickly worked out a price together. Having dealt with Zhao Jin a few times, they knew he was straightforward and wouldn't take advantage of them, nor would he stand on ceremony with them, so they quoted a fair price directly.

Zhao Jin did a quick mental calculation and paid the deposit in silver on the spot, demanding it be done as quickly as possible.

The courtyards were to be opened up and connected, the rooms fitted with beds and bedding, areas planned out for sleeping and daily living, a training ground for martial practice, and detailed instructions given on where the meals would be prepared and how they would be transported over.

Wang Zhaojing and Chen Sheng and the others also arrived one after another. They watched quietly as Zhao Jin made his arrangements. After observing for a while, Wang Zhaojing smiled and said to Chen Sheng in a low voice, "Dasheng, Brother Zhao seems capable of anything. He handles every matter with such method."

Chen Sheng was there polishing his blade. Without raising his head, he said, "Sometimes I feel he isn't fifteen, but more like fifty. The way he does things reminds me of my grandfather."

Everyone burst out laughing, finding it amusing.

But their topic of conversation soon turned to the fifty lives lost at Zhouge Village outside the city. Chen Sheng's father, Chen Wu, had also received word early and gone to the yamen to muster men and head out of the city.

Zhouge Village was a large settlement. In the past, it had been a place where merchants from Jining Prefecture in Shandong stopped over, and all sorts of people gathered there. Although it was now deserted, it was still one of the major villages under Xuzhou's jurisdiction. No one had expected such a thing to happen there.

According to Chen Sheng, for a major case like this, all the constables and auxiliary runners in the city would have to be mobilized, and it was very likely that the Xuzhou Guard and the Xuzhou Left Guard would also have to send men to assist.

Just as they were talking, Ye Wenshu and those two runners arrived. Compared to their sullen attitude the day before, they were far more courteous today.

Almost at the same time, as soon as these three men from the yamen arrived, Lu Da and his father also showed up. If Lu Da hadn't introduced him himself, no one would have believed they were biological father and son, because Lu Da was a head and a half taller than his father and much broader in frame. Only upon close inspection could one find a resemblance in their features.

Lu Da's father was rather small and thin. He had arrived full of suspicion and worry, but the moment he saw those three official runners, he immediately became apprehensive. The suspicion vanished, and he simply muttered, "This child has stumbled upon good fortune, to be able to work for these masters and young masters. Since he was little, fortune-tellers said he was destined for great blessings, but so far all he's got is a huge appetite..."

The twelve who had signed the contract yesterday also all came, some bringing their parents, some coming alone. After seeing this scene, their doubts also vanished, and they stayed at ease.

Zhao Jin directly assigned them to work under Shi Manqiang's father. The courtyard needed renovation now, and quite a bit of debris and miscellaneous items needed moving; they just happened to need extra hands.

What Zhao Jin found strange was that, despite all these examples, and even though the table outside was already set up with copper coins laid out on top, the people outside were still watching and waiting, showing no real eagerness to sign up.

He was in no hurry, but Ye Wenshu and his two companions were getting anxious. Each person meant over a hundred copper coins; no people meant no money. The three of them stood up and began shouting to recruit, but the onlookers only retreated farther away, though they didn't leave either.

Everyone felt a bit frustrated. Zhao Jin was also wondering inwardly, thinking, could his method have gone wrong? Yet outwardly he remained composed and simply said with a smile, "No rush."

Before lunch, that Rolling Thunder Lei Cai from yesterday came running over, bringing news from Liu Yong. He said the gambling den had opened and everything was normal, though business wasn't as good as before. The nearby unlicensed brothels had already started paying their fees, but there was no movement from the others. Lei Cai also said that Yizuomao, who was managing the gambling den, claimed the pain in his shattered hand was truly unbearable and had asked for leave to go home and rest. A trustworthy bookkeeper couldn't be found, and Liu Yong wanted to trouble Zhao Jin to find one.

It seemed like everything was getting on the right track. As for the bookkeeper, Sun Dalei had already said he would think of a way.

After this matter was discussed, Ji Xiang's father arrived with the people delivering the food. Two men carried loads on shoulder poles, each load bearing two large wooden buckets. The buckets were covered with padded cotton cloths and were set down directly at the courtyard gate.

They set the buckets down and uncovered them. Two buckets held steamed flatbread made from a mix of coarse and fine flour. The other two held basins filled with dishes. The dishes were steaming hot. Though they were all common fare like radish and cabbage, the broth was dotted with plenty of oil droplets, and the aroma was rich and very enticing.

On top of these common dishes were a few plates. Inside the plates were shredded chicken and duck meat, and sliced pork and mutton, with not a bone in sight.

"Young Master Jin, young men have big appetites, and since you're just starting to recruit, it's better to have leftovers than not enough. I made quite a bit extra. As for the bones, they've all been stewed into the soup. This meat is for you masters to enjoy," Ji Xiang's father said with a smile.

This was also an effort to curry favor. Zhao Jin smiled and said, "Uncle Ji, there's no need for that. The key is to make sure they eat their fill. In the future, this meat should also be distributed to them."

"Feed hired hands this well? Young Master Jin, just thinking to stew the bones in is already a rare act of grace!" Ji Xiang's father exclaimed in surprise, as if offering a reminder.

Zhao Jin smiled and nodded, but did not continue the argument. He first said to Ye Wenshu and the two runners over there, "In a moment, please allow me to treat you three to lunch at an eatery. Let me settle things here first."

Ye Wenshu and his group were paid to do a job, and their attitude had become much more polite. They all stood there nodding with smiles. Zhao Jin raised his voice and called out, "It's dusty inside! Everyone come out and eat!"

That Lu Da was the first to come running out. When he saw the steaming dry rations and stew, his eyes practically lit up.

"One bowl of stew and one flatbread per person. After you finish, you can come back for more. One at a time. Here with me, everything must be done in a line. No grabbing!" Zhao Jin announced.

He was shouting instructions, but those twelve men paid no heed at all. Except for Lu Da, who slowed his steps, everyone else crowded forward, nearly knocking over one of the wooden buckets.

Zhao Jin said nothing further. He simply picked up his long spear and walked over, swinging it to strike. The long spear whistled as it lashed down. Several who were hit were directly knocked to the ground, crying out in pain. After the beating, every one of them retreated to the side in fright.

Because this happened right at the courtyard gate, the scene was also witnessed by the onlookers, who were so scared they backed several steps farther away.

Ye Wenshu frowned, looking back and forth, and muttered to his companion, "That boy from the Zhao family really has no sense. Couldn't he wait to discipline them? He could have done it after recruiting enough people. Now look, he's going to scare everyone away."

He kept his voice low, and no one else heard him. Zhao Jin looked at the twelve men, their faces showing fear and hesitation, and said coldly, "My word is the rule. When I speak, you obey. Disobedience means punishment. Understood?"

His voice was flat, but having all just tasted suffering, no one dared to defy him. They all nodded in agreement. Zhao Jin pointed at Lu Da and said, "He goes first. The rest of you line up in order. Next time you crowd and push like that, everyone gets ten lashes."

This time, they all obediently stepped forward and lined up. Ji Xiang's father's side had long prepared the bowls and chopsticks, distributing a set to each person, and then began handing out the food.

"You twelve came first, so you deserve a reward. Each of you gets two pieces of meat!" Zhao Jin spoke again. The hired hand distributing the food glanced back, and only after getting confirmation did he shake his head and start serving, probably thinking to himself that Zhao Jin was squandering the family fortune.

Though the beating hurt, two pieces of meat were an incredible reward. Even families of moderate means only ate meat during festivals and holidays, let alone these men from impoverished backgrounds.

With the steaming mixed-grain flatbread, the oil-slicked stew, and two pieces of meat in hand, an expression of disbelief appeared on every face. Only after taking the first bite were they fully convinced.

Each man wolfed down his food like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds. The fastest eater was Lu Da. His appetite truly lived up to its reputation. By the time the others were halfway through, he had already finished. Carrying his empty bowl, he went over to get more food. The hired hand hurriedly served him again. By the time the others finished and came for seconds, Lu Da was already on his third helping.

When he came for the third helping, the hired hand distributing the food looked back at Zhao Jin. Zhao Jin nodded. The hired hand shook his head and continued serving, thinking that even the most compassionate master never let hired hands eat without limit like this.

Lu Da ate a full four helpings before stopping. The others also ate two helpings each. The several wooden buckets were scraped completely clean. It was also because Ji Xiang's father had anticipated this, knowing the amount of food Zhao Jin ordered would be too little, and had taken the initiative to make much more. He hadn't expected it would all be eaten clean too.

Ye Wenshu was shaking his head again. Eating like this every day, even a colossal family fortune would be eaten clean. And Zhao Jin had no sense of occasion; that random beating just now had surely scared everyone away. Ye Wenshu wrapped up his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone again, preparing to go to lunch together.

Before he could finish tying it, two people hesitantly and timidly walked over and asked cautiously, "Is this where we sign up?"

Ye Wenshu stopped his motions. Each one was ten copper coins. He immediately smiled and said, "Right here!"

Suddenly, a flood of people came to sign up. Everyone of the right age crowded over, and even the younger ones squeezed in to ask. Ye Wenshu beamed with delight as he answered each one.

Zhao Jin glanced at those twelve young men, who were belching continuously, and said with a smile, "Go over there and help. Follow the rules from just now: make them line up, one at a time, and chase out anyone who isn't old enough."

After the lesson of that beating earlier, no one dared to be negligent upon hearing Zhao Jin's order. They hurriedly ran over and got busy.

With those twelve men over there, cursing and shoving, order was quickly maintained. A long line was formed in front of Ye Wenshu, and those not old enough were also chased out by them.