Chapter 75: Redeeming the Reward
Tang Shujing hesitated and did not dare to exaggerate. She told the story that had just happened in front of the stinky tofu stall without any distortion or concealment.
After she finished speaking, she looked up with grievance, looked at Tang Ju and said: "Su Xian said, 'Brother Shi is also a brother, and the eldest brother is like a father', and my daughter was so angry that she..."
As she spoke, her voice faded away.
Because Tang Ju's expression didn't change at all.
Failed to pretend to be pitiful!
"Nephew Su is right!" Tang Ju shouted, "Why do you feel wronged? From what you said, it was you who spoke rudely first..."
Tang Ju scolded loudly for a while, but found that Tang Shujing just lowered her head, neither refutating nor resisting. Her silent resistance made him feel like he was punching cotton.
"That's all!"
Tang Ju sighed, his tone softened, and he said earnestly: "Nephew Su is not only your brother, he is also your father's benefactor. If it weren't for Nephew Su, I would have lost my position!"
“…”
Tang Ju said a lot and felt a little thirsty.
Seeing that Tang Shujing seemed to be regretful, he stopped talking and asked, "Did Nephew Su leave?"
Tang Shujing looked up and was about to speak when a clerk came running over from a distance and shouted, "Mingfu, Master Su Xian has arrived and is outside the government office."
"arrive!"
Tang Ju immediately left Tang Shujing behind and ran to the gate of the county government with the county lieutenant...
Half a quarter of an hour later.
In a side hall at the entrance of the county government office, Su Xian, Tang Ju, Tang Shujing and others gathered there.
After Tang Ju's mediation, Tang Shujing apologized to Su Xian in a decent manner, calling him "Brother Shi" every time she opened her mouth and "Brother Shi" every time she closed her mouth, as if she had become a different person.
Lord Su Xian did not bear grudges and accepted her apology, and the two seemed to have reconciled.
Tang Ju laughed loudly at this, took Su Xian's hand and said, "My dear nephew, it's noon now, and I have already set up a banquet in the back hall. Let's hurry over there."
"By the way, I have also invited all the officials from the government office to come here. I will introduce them to you later..."
“…”
They rushed to the back hall of the yamen and saw a group of people in round-collared official robes waiting inside.
Before the banquet began, Tang Ju pulled Su Xian aside to personally introduce the county magistrate, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant, as well as the clerks of the three classes and six departments, the military assistants, and so on.
It has a strong implication of support.
Su Xian also greeted everyone with a smile. Most of them were very kind, except for two people who had strange expressions and even some hostility towards him.
One of them was the county magistrate, and the other was General Chen from the Household Department.
I don’t seem to have provoked these two people... Su Xian muttered to himself, not understanding the ins and outs here.
After the introductions, everyone sat at the table and the banquet began.
During the banquet , people toasted each other and talked a lot. Su Xian mingled with them and gained a lot of knowledge.
After the banquet, Tang Ju was a little drunk. With a red face, he ordered the reward of one thousand taels to be delivered. He wanted to reward Su Xian on the spot.
Su Xian pretended to refuse three times, but seeing Tang Ju insisted, he humbly accepted it...
Then, Tang Ju said a lot of things in front of everyone, the general effect of which was "Su Xian will be under his protection from now on, so you'd better be more careful."
After chatting for a while, Su Xian saw that it was getting late, so he stood up and said goodbye...
After Su Xian left, everyone else also left together.
It is said that the county magistrate and Chen Canjun, the household officer, came to the county magistrate's duty room together. After ordering two cups of strong tea, they closed the door tightly.
"Just now at the banquet, it seemed that General Chen was not getting along with Su Xian?" the county magistrate asked casually.
"It's more than just not dealing with him. If possible, I really want to catch him and force him to tell me the secret recipe of stinky tofu!" General Chen looked sinister.
The county magistrate glanced at him, picked up the teacup and took a sip, then asked, "Although stinky tofu is famous, it is just a snack. Is it worth it for General Chen to make such a fuss?"
"You don't know, County Magistrate, that tofu is far inferior to stinky tofu, but if we monopolize the supply of tofu in the whole city, the profits will be very considerable."
"Some time ago, the regular money I gave to the county magistrate as a tribute almost doubled! Does the county magistrate know the reason?" asked General Chen with a smile.
"You have a monopoly on the tofu supply in the entire city?"
"That's right! County Magistrate, just think about it, if you monopolize tofu alone, you can get such huge profits. It's conceivable that if you get the secret recipe of stinky tofu, then... hehehe!"
The county magistrate raised his eyebrows, put down his teacup, and silently calculated for a while, then said with a smile: "I'm afraid the profit will increase several times!"
Chen Canjun sighed and said, "Yeah, what a pity, what a pity that the secret recipe of stinky tofu is not in our hands... I really want to catch Su Xian and force him to tell me the secret recipe of stinky tofu so that I can use it for myself!"
There was a hint of ruthlessness in his voice, and he clenched his fist and pounded it hard on the small coffee table next to the chair.
The county magistrate pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Since ancient times, money has moved people's hearts, but not all money can be used. Su Xian is the son of the former classmate of the Ming Mansion, and now he is under the protection of the Ming Mansion. He is on the rise, and Chen Canjun must not be impulsive."
"I understand naturally."
The fierceness on Army Officer Chen's face slowly faded, and he said with a smile: "Although the governor has only been the magistrate of Leshou County for half a year, everyone in the county government obeys him."
"In addition, now that we have overcome the difficulty of the murder case on the city wall, I am afraid that the chief clerk and the county lieutenant will be even more loyal."
"From now on, I'm afraid the days I'm waiting for will be difficult..."
General Chen shook his head awkwardly, looking rather lonely.
When the county magistrate heard this, he felt a little embarrassed.
Because General Chen had only been with him for a few months and didn't know his true identity, even if Tang Ju was at the peak of his career, he could still live a very comfortable life in Leshou County.
It's time to reveal something to Chen Canjun... The county magistrate thought for a while and said with a smile: "Chen Canjun, don't be pessimistic. Just follow me and everything will be fine. I will keep you safe."
General Chen looked at him in surprise.
The county magistrate smiled and said, "Tell the truth to General Chen, I once served under you, the envoy!"
Shijun refers to the governor of Yingzhou.
He did not say it in full, but Military Officer Chen understood that the county magistrate had served under the governor of Yingzhou, which meant he was the governor's "former official."
With this relationship, the governor of Yingzhou will definitely take care of the county magistrate.
General Chen was overjoyed.
The county magistrate said calmly: "Besides, my daughter is not talented, and she has married you as a concubine!"
Shit, the county magistrate is not only the governor's old official, but also the governor's father-in-law. This relationship is even more incredible... Military Officer Chen was overjoyed and hurriedly offered a lot of flattery.
The county magistrate was so proud of himself that he felt elated.
Then, Chen Canjun said excitedly: "Since we have the support of the envoy, we don't have to be afraid of the governor. I will find a way to force the secret recipe of stinky tofu from Su Xian and make a lot of money!"
Why did he accept a younger brother who was obsessed with money... The county magistrate's smug smile slowly froze, and he glanced at Army Officer Chen coldly and said, "The overall situation is more important. How can we destroy the balance of the situation for such a small profit?"
"As the saying goes, a county magistrate is not as good as a current manager. The Ming Mansion is also a big name. If you insist on stealing the stinky tofu secret recipe, you will bear the wrath of the Ming Mansion alone. I will not lend a helping hand!"
The county magistrate said coldly.
"Yes, yes, I was reckless..." General Chen apologized and admitted his mistake on the surface, but the fire in his heart had not been extinguished.
