Chapter 984
“Are you two literate?” Gu shouxin looked at the two of them.
The two of them shook their heads.
Gu shouxin didn’t have much hope and asked again, ” “Are there many people of your age in the city? What do most of them do for a living?”
“Milord, there are no men of our age in the city who are between 18 and 30 years old. He either joined the Peng family’s Army or went to work for a rich family.”
“Ha, there are rich people in kun city?” Gu shouxin asked.
Wang Cheng,”there is!” However, the host’s family didn’t live in kun city often. Most of them were businessmen from other states and had only bought a house in kun city. Sir, we didn’t want to be slaves. We had no family, and we didn’t know how to farm. We only knew how to hunt. We came to kun city after the whole village moved away.”
“There should be young men in the nearby villages, right?” Gu shouxin raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, but they can’t afford it,” Wang Cheng nodded.
“What silver?” Gu shouxin asked.
Wang Cheng replied,”they have to pay a sum of silver if they go to the Yamen to do a job. It’s ten taels of silver. It’s enough for them to live for one or two years.” Most of the men in kun city were over thirty years old, and the young ones were almost all in the Peng family’s army camp. And more than half of them were family members who followed the Army. Usually, the Yamen didn’t have much to do. In the past, they just dealt with the troublesome matters at the trading area. Ordinary people usually didn’t cause trouble, and those who caused trouble would be dealt with by themselves. Those who caused trouble in the village would find it troublesome to go to the Yamen. After the incident with County Magistrate Hu, the Peng family has been in charge of the trading District.”
Gu shouxin understood.
To be honest, he had never been a small official. The people he had dealt with were all old foxes in the court who made all kinds of conspiracies and plots. This was the first time he had encountered such a trivial matter that the county Magistrate was in charge of.
Moreover, first Madam Peng had said yesterday that after he took office, the trading area would still be handed over to the county government. Every trading day, the Peng family Army would help to guard it.
Through his understanding, Gu shouxin knew that in the southern direction of the West City, there was a trading area where merchants from various countries lived. In the past, the Peng family Army was only responsible for public security, and the incident where County Magistrate Hu colluded with the langge Kingdom to send out the blueprint happened in that trading area.
Gu shouxin pondered for a while. Wang Cheng, from tomorrow onwards, look for people in the city who are below 40 years old, strong, and willing to work in the Yamen. It doesn’t matter whether they are men or women. I won’t take any money. Zhang Hu, go to the villages below and look for people below 30, regardless of gender. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, I will personally select bailiffs.”
“Lord Gu, you really don’t want to take money? Then, do you accept gifts?” This time, even Zhang Hu was surprised.
Which place didn’t need money to get into the Yamen?
Gu shouxin replied,”none.” As long as you are willing, you can come over on the tenth day. Where are you two staying?”
“Sir, there’s a large courtyard next to the county office. The bailiffs used to live there, but now the younger ones live there.” The two of them replied.
Gu shouxin nodded and said,”sure. When you go to the village to recruit people, remember that we will provide food and accommodation.” These days, you should also find a woman to take care of the Yamen’s food. “Of course, there’s no need to be anxious. There’s only the two of you right now. You should be able to handle it on your own. Also, I found that the injustice drum at the gate is broken, so I’ll find someone to repair it!”
After that, Gu shouxin asked them to leave after learning some other things.
Looking at the empty Hall, Gu shouxin felt quite amused. The Emperor was really, really sharpening him. He was really not afraid that one day he would not be able to stand it and rebel.