Great Tang Idyll

Book 2: Chapter 73

From the very beginning, everyone had guessed that the conditions of the two children's families were good, but they didn't expect it to be this good. If it was just venison, then it would be fine, but they even had such big fungus.

Seeing that they took bites after bites and finished it in a short period of time, everyone felt that it was a pity since a piece of fungus like that could be cooked into a large plate of stir-fry or make several portions of soup. Yet, it was given to the two children to eat just like that. How much money do they have in their family since they were able to obtain such a large piece of fungus? Since it was eaten raw by the children, then it must mean that their family definitely did not care about the cost.

Although Jia Wei'ran could hear other people's laughter, he was no longer angry. His only concern was that the children would tell their parents what he had just said. He still had no clue which families the two children belonged to.

Zhang Xiao'bao and Wang Juan took out another equally large piece of fungus. The bamboo tube was empty now, so they put it aside. The two of them ate this as well, and then they took out garlic.

Everyone was stunned. There was nothing special about garlic since a lot of people liked to eat garlic. Some people would even ask if there was any garlic whenever they go to eat, and they would eat it if there were any. However, everyone's facial expressions changed again when the two children took out two large chilled shrimps that were almost four inches long after they finished eating the garlic.

It was shocking to see such large shrimps being eaten cold. If this was anyone else who were from ordinary families, they would be saddened to see this. Normally, ordinary people would only be able to eat shrimps that were about an inch long. There were plenty of ways to prepare a shrimp this large, and certainly, chilling the shrimp after it was cooked would not be one of them.

What is luxury? This is it---using precious ingredients to make simple dishes. Being subtle was the true symbol of wealth.

Everyone watched the two children finish eating these things. When they thought there was nothing left to eat, Zhang Xiao'bao took out two more bamboo tubes from his own bag and from the tube, he took out two cucumbers with thorns and a flower on the top. After pulling it out, he didn't bother with washing them. He rubbed the thorns off with his hands, and then he took a large bite and chewed it in his mouth.

"I picked it from the plant. If Sister wants to eat it, here, I have two more." Wang Juan took out two more bamboo tubes from Zhang Xiao'bao's bag, stood up, ran to the table, and stood on her toes to place them onto the table in front of Xiao'ying.

"We're asking you where it is sold at, can you tell Brother?" Right after Jia Wei'ran questioned her, he suddenly thought of the two little kids' parents, and he changed to a kinder sounding tone.

"Not selling, no matter the price. Wait for the winter." Wang Juan said as she walked to the corner.

"You live in San'shui County?" Jia Wei'ran asked again.

"Mmm, from this county. What do you want?" Wang Juan asked back.

"Haha, San'shui County. That's good then. Do you know who am I?" Jia Wei'ran spoke with a proud voice. He was happy when he heard that the two little kids lived in Sanshui County.

Zhang Xiao'bao and Wang Juan did not question further like Jia did, and they continued to eat cucumbers.

Jia Wei'ran had to speak himself, "The next magistrate of the San'shui County is my father, don't you know?"

"The new county magistrate? It's over. The new one really did come from outside." Wang Juan mouthed her words to Zhang Xiao'bao.

"Mmm, and he also brought a hedonistic son with him. When the son is not well taught, the fault lies in the father; if the teaching is not strict, then the teacher is lazy. From this we can see how the new county magistrate is. There is no news announced yet, so this means that this magistrate has connections in the Imperial Court. We will make some arrangements later. Since he has arrived, we should knock some sense into him."

Zhang Xiao'bao didn't suspect that Jia Wei'ran was lying-- he knew that this was true after taking just one look at the faces of the other people.

Since a local official was not promoted to this position and since the person who came brought a son like this with him, they had to rush to make arrangements.

Wang Juan nodded slightly, "Then what should we do? Teach him a lesson? How about we tell the people from the administrative office to not go greet him when he comes? In principle, Magistrate Cheng should have waited for the new magistrate to come before leaving. Who would have thought that he would leave ahead of time, and just leave behind the magistrate stamp and other items to the Recorder and let him wait for the arrival of the new magistrate?"

"It's not just this. Usually, the new county magistrate will arrive after the New Year. Hearing what he said just now, he should be coming here soon. We have to teach him a lesson, but we can't stop the people from the administrative office from going out to greet. They have to greet him, and it must be done with great fanfare."

Zhang Xiao'bao thought of how to deal with it in an instant, and then he needed to see in detail whether the new county magistrate was as greedy as he imagined and would disregard the life and death of the people.

The two people spoke by mouthing their words, and the others didn't even know what they were saying since their lips were only moving slightly.

Jia Wei'ran was now confident knowing that the two children were scared after hearing about his identity. He asked, "Where is your family? Tell me, when the time comes, I'll help you deal with minor problems."

He actually wanted to appeal to Xiao'ying, the daughter of the Qi family, who also had an official in her family. As for whether he really wants to help them in the future, it depended on how many gifts the families of the two children gave.

Before Zhang Xiao'bao and Wang Juan could talk, Han said while standing beside him, "Jia Wei'ran, your father hasn't taken office yet, and you already started bullying people? Asking you for help? That's just a waste of money. Juan'juan, Xiao'bao, don't be afraid of him. Tell Brother if you have any issues at home, Brother will ask Sister Qi to help you."

Qi Xiao'ying also said, "Yes, you two are so sensible. If you have any difficulties, let people send a message to this place. We will be coming here often in the future when there's nothing to do. What does your family do?"

"Sister Qi is really nice, Brother Han is also really nice. My family farms land, and it's the same for Xiao'bao's too. Sister Qi is going to come here often? Then take this thing then. When you get to the wharf, you will get a 30% discount for buying food and drinks, and 10% off for buying items at any locations with a banner with a drawing of rice crops."

Wang Juan had a feeling that this lady's family was not ordinary. Seeing that there was an opportunity to build a connection, she immediately took out a badge, and then an ink stick. She wet the ink stick with water, pressed her hand on it, then left a print on the back of the wooden badge. Then she took a knife that was used to cut meat, and carved into the wooden badge. Once she was done, she handed it to Qi Xiao'ying.

Everyone watched Wang Juan's series of actions, then watched them hand the badge to Qi Xiao'ying. Only until the two of them left together, were they able to breathe again.

"Jia Wei'ran, Young Master Jia, your father is a county magistrate, what a large official. Zhang and Wang manors asking you for help? Hahaha, I'm going to die from laughter. When your father arrives here, I wonder who will beg who? I can imagine that those two children will repeat what you just said to their parents.

Oh, there's more, didn't you say you want to build a road here? And you wanted them to pay for the road? Juan'juan and Xiao'bao have heard everything. They are so intelligent. Tell me, do you think that such intelligent children will forget what you said?

Xiao'ying is the great one. She even received a badge from them. We can save a lot of money today. Not only can that badge be used at The First Near Water, but also every location in the wharf that has their banner-- including the little boats. There's also the Between The Water and Clouds at the Tu'qiao Village.

Xiao'ying, everyone is here today and we have seen them give you a badge. If something happens in the future, you have to help, otherwise that little girl will be saddened. Such a well-behaved child will cry if you don't help. I would feel distressed too. "

Han said a few words to Jia Wei'ran, who was already stunned, and then pointed out the purpose of the badge and told Xiao'ying, who was holding the wooden badge next to him, what to do.

Jia Wei'ran nodded while in a daze. He admitted that Young Master Han was right. At that time, who will ask who for help? Zhang and Wang manors already made a name for themselves. Without them, the Sanshui County would not be this prosperous, and would not have liang'pi, savory crepes, the workers on the wharf, the carriage drivers, the workers in the stores, the places rented out, the imported soybeans, the curved-plough, the cheap price of soy sauce, and the exchange of old grains for new grains.

The whole San'shui County has been branded by their families. There were also those talented people who wrote poems and music, and the hand-embroidered poems--- which thing is not worthy of making people sigh with awe?

The Zhang and Wang manors have set deep roots in the hearts of the people. One word of theirs during critical times were more impactful than the government's. If those two little children ever get lost in the San'shui County, as long as they tell others their identity, many people will help protect them. The horse carriage businesses would even send out a team of carriages to escort them.

What did he just say earlier? It's over. He couldn't trust that these two children would keep secrets for him. How could such intelligent children not know the meaning of his words? Mouth, why are you asking to be slapped?

Just when Jia Wei'ran was deep in regret, the waiter came in from outside. Now, no one would ask them why they let the two children run into this room. This was their own restaurant, so they could go wherever they wanted to. If their parents came to toast a drink, then that would be showing them respect. The two little kids were so cute. The way they called everyone older brother and older sister was already extremely respectful.

As the waiter spoke, he looked over to Qi Xiao'ying. Just now Zhang Xiao'bao and Wang Juan found out about Qi Xiao'ying's family background the moment they went out. Her family had worked in the Imperial Court for several generations. Although the rank was not too high, their foundation was strong. One should be generous when gifting others. This was not an opportunity that they could let slip pass; many people don't even have the chance to give gifts.

"Huh? That many cucumbers? That's great, I can eat it every day then. Waiter, take this bracelet and give it to Juan'juan. Tell her that it's a token of gratitude from me."

Qi Xiao'ying loved eating cucumbers, but she didn't expect them to give her cucumbers directly. As long as she had this badge, she would be given cucumbers everyday, and she could buy up to five catties when entertaining guests. While talking, she took off the bracelet from her wrist and passed it to the waiter.