BXBX NOVEL Chapter 254 - 254: Taking Advantage
After Zhou Jia coaxed Yangyang to sleep, he carried him to the small bed and covered him with the blanket. He sat by the bed and told Li Yu what he had seen at the magistrate’s office today. “That Comrade Wu has been sizing me up behind my back. I guess he should have been in this position, but I beat him to it for some reason. I’ve already made up my mind. No matter which side he’s on, I’ll do my job well.”
Li Yu thought for a moment. “I don’t know much about officialdom either, but you were made an exception by His Majesty to be promoted to a magistrate. I think those people have long found out about it. They don’t dare to play any tricks. At most, they will give you some trouble so that your official duties in the magistrate’s office won’t be so smooth. If you think being an official is cheerless, we can just resign and go back to being rich.”
Zhou Jia thought about it and felt that it made sense. He kissed Li Yu on the cheek and smiled. “That’s true. I’ll go wash up. Let’s rest.”
“Okay!” Li Yu agreed gently and crawled into bed.
In the Intoxicated Immortal Restaurant opposite, those officials became even more unrestrained after Zhou Jia left. Wang Qinghai lay in the arms of a prostitute and looked vaguely at Comrade Wu, who was drunk beside him. He thought that this Comrade Wu did not have any official luck. It was not easy for him to survive until the old magistrate returned to his hometown. He assumed that the position of the magistrate was already firmly in his hands. Who knew that a small county magistrate would hijack his promotion?
Wang Qinghai thought of how Zhou Jia had said that his wife was a little difficult to get along with. He appeared to complain, but his eyes were smiling. He couldn’t help but smile and think to himself that the new magistrate must be an interesting person.
Comrade Wu drank for a while before suddenly getting up and saying shakily, “Do as you please. I’m going back too.”
“I’ll go back too.” Everyone stood up and walked out of the restuarant.
Li Yu and the others busied themselves for a few days before putting the house back in order. Just as she was about to bring Ji Xiang and the others to the streets to take a look, the new maidservant, Gu Yu, reported, “Madam, there’s a person called Chu Sihai outside asking to see you.”
“Chu Sihai.” Li Yu thought for a moment and said, “He is Manager Chu of Tongzhou. Quickly invite him to the living room at the front. Then, go to the front office to invite Master back.”
“I’ll call Master.” Zhao Cai turned around and walked toward the front office.
Li Yu handed Yang Yang to Aunt Zhang and went to the living room in the front yard. Soon, Gu Yu brought Chu Sihai and a refined middle-aged man over. Chu Sihai and the man bowed and said, “Greetings, Madam.”
Li Yu smiled brightly and said, “Shopkeeper Chu, you’re too polite. We’re not outsiders. Please sit.”
“Madam is as straightforward as ever.” Chu Sihai pointed at the man with him.
“This is the shopkeeper of the Four Seas Bank in the State Capital of Yunzhou,
Chu Feng. Madam, feel free to instruct him if you need anything in the future.”
Chu Feng bowed and said, “Greetings, Madam.”
Li Yu smiled and said, “Hello, Shopkeeper Chu. Please take a seat.”
After the two of them sat down, Chu Sihai said to Li Yu, “Madam, I came from
Tongzhou this time. Young Master Ah Qing and your aunt asked me to bring you some tmngs. young IVIaster An Qing IS preparing to participate In tne township examination this year. He said that he would come to see you after the examination.” Shopkeeper Chu paused for a moment and took out a few letters from his pocket. He handed them to Gu Yu, who was standing at the side. “Madam, these are letters from Young Master Ah Qing and Uncle Zhou.”
Li Yu took the letter and thanked Chu Sihai. Chu Feng stood up and said to Li
Yu, “Madam, the Drunken Immortal Restaurant opposite is opened by the Four Seas Bank. The bank has some other businesses in Yunzhou. If you need anything, please let me know.”
Li Yu smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Shopkeeper Chu.”
At this moment, Zhou Jia returned from the office. The three of them greeted one another and went to the study to discuss matters. Li Yu went to the kitchen to arrange a banquet to entertain the two of them.
After noon, Zhou Jia sent the two of them off and said to Li Yu, “Shopkeeper
Chu told me about the relationship between the officials of the Yunzhou
Prefecture and the big clans, local squires, and the government.”
“Shopkeeper Chu mentioned Wang Qinghai and said that Wang Qinghai was a descendant of the Wang family in Yunzhou. The Wang family had helped Emperor Taizu in his ascension. In the past, the Wang family could be said to be influential in Yunzhou. Ever since the former emperor ascended the throne, he began to suppress the Wang family. At that time, the second master of the Wang family was still working in the Ministry of Revenue. Seeing that the consort and the eldest prince were favored, he secretly sided with the eldest prince. Old Master Wang was wholeheartedly supporting the empress and the current emperor. Later, something happened to the eldest prince and the second prince. One broke his spine and the other broke his leg. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he spared Second Master Wang on account of Old Master Wang and asked him to resign and go home.”
“There’s also Wu Tingxian. Behind Wu Tingxian is Minister Wu Lao. Wu Tingxian has been a deputy for two terms in Yunzhou. As an official, he’s quite upright. Originally, he was supposed to assume the position of the magistrate of Yunzhou. Because of his stubborn personality, he’s not tolerant of others. In addition, Great Qi is now restless for Great Yong. His Majesty was afraid that he would cause trouble, so he brought me here.”
Zhou Jia smiled. “I think I’m here to watch over Wu Tingxian.”
Li Yu also smiled. “Looks like you got a bargain. However, you’ve been busy in Qingchuan for a few years. Take the opportunity to rest here. Come, let’s read the letter first.”
Li Yu took out the letter Chu Sihai brought and handed it to Zhou Jia. She saw that there was also a letter from Butcher He for Ruyi and her husband.
The two of them had read the letter. Uncle Zhou’s letter contained greetings for the two of them and a gift for Yangyang. Auntie He had made boots and clothes for the family of three. Ah Qing had written about his longing for the two of them and asked how Yangyang was and if he was obedient. Li Mei had made clothes, shoes, hats, sweaters, and socks for Yang Yang.
Li Yu and Zhou Jia went out to pack up the gifts and returned to the room. Zhou Jia pulled Li Yu into his arms and continued what he had said earlier, “It’s not as easy as you think. I have to collect taxes, inspect the assessment, and give instructions. I also have to inspect the county offices. A lot of things are within the scope of my duty.”
Li Yu stood up and smiled. “Alright! I don’t understand your government affairs either. Go ahead and do your work. Oh! Ah Wei and Sir went to the countryside for a volunteer medical consultation. I’m going to look for desolate mountains on the way. I plan to walk around the streets.”
Zhou Jia smoothed the hair by Li Yu’s ear and said gently, “Alright! I’m busy these few days and don’t have time to accompany you. It’s good for you to walk around the streets. If Ah Wei finds a good wasteland you’re satisfied with, buy it. ”
Li Yu sent Zhou Jia to the hanging flower door and saw him go to the front office. She went back and handed Yangyang to Xiaoyu and Ruyi. Then, she brought Gu Yu and Ji Xiang out of the house, got into the cart, and headed towards the street.
The cart arrived at a street that sold fabric and rouge. Ji Xiang said to Li Yu, “Madam, the shop selling yarn and bags is a little ahead. Do you want to take a look?”
“It’s good to take a look.”
Ji Xiang drove the cart to the shop and said to Li Yu, “Madam, we’re here..”