While Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were happily chatting with the old man, Steward Zhang was not happy at all.
When Steward Zhang knew that the young master wanted him to go to the Chen Family's Zhuangzi to talk about something, he hurriedly ate some food and rushed over. When he arrived, he saw that the small river leading to the Yuan Family's Zhuangzi was blocked. He filled some sacks with sand and threw them at the source of the water.
Seeing that the river did not flow there, Steward Zhang became anxious. The spring plowing had begun, and they were all paddy fields. Without water, what were they going to plant?
He quickly knocked on the door of the Chen Family's Zhuangzi. The Chen Family's Zhuangzi did not have any official position and was only a businessman. Just looking at the tall door, Steward Zhang could feel the aura of gold and silver.
As the door was pulled open from the inside, a head popped out from the crack and looked around. Finally, his eyes stopped on Steward Zhang and asked, "What are you doing here? Which one are you looking for? "
"Little brother, I am the housekeeper of Zhangjia Zhuangzi of Tuqiao Village. I want to discuss something with your master. Please help me pass on the message."
Steward Zhang puffed out his chest and said to the person behind the door.
"Tuqiao Village? Which village? Zhangjia Zhuangzi? I don't know. Master is busy and has no time. Come back tomorrow. "The gatekeeper threw down these words and closed the door with a bang.
Steward Zhang was stunned. He looked at the closed door and did not react for a long time. He did not know the Zhangjia Zhuangzi of Tuqiao Village? Who would believe that? It's not like it's far away. Don't you know whose water is blocked by your house?
After hesitating for a moment, Steward Zhang took out 20 copper coins from his sleeve pocket and counted them in his hand. He went to knock on the door again. After a few knocks, the door was opened from the inside again. The same head popped out and looked at Steward Zhang.
"What's wrong with you? I told you that Master is busy. Why are you still knocking? If you have the time, you should think about what to do. You're an adult and don't know how to behave. "
As he spoke, he was about to close the door again. Steward Zhang quickly said, "Little brother, I do have something to discuss with your master. This money is for you to buy a cup of tea."
Steward Zhang said as he handed the money over. The gatekeeper's eyes suddenly widened and his expression changed. He took the money and said, "Oh, so it's Steward Zhang from Zhangjia Zhuangzi of Tuqiao Village. Look at me, I'm confused. Wait a moment, I'll go in and report."
The gatekeeper turned around and ran inside as quickly as he closed the door. Steward Zhang could hear the footsteps. He curled his lips and muttered, "This is the kind of gatekeeper. Just wait and see. Don't expect to make a fortune. If the gatekeeper of Zhangjia Zhuangzi dares to do this, I'll break his leg."
After waiting for a while, he heard the footsteps inside. Then the door was opened and a person came out. He looked at Steward Zhang and they looked at each other. Steward Zhang said first, "Are you the head of the Chen family?"
"I'm the housekeeper of the Chen family. Master is busy and can't come out. If you have something to say, just say it." The person who came out didn't mean to let Steward Zhang in. He blocked the door and said.
Steward Zhang felt uncomfortable. What was this? He didn't even have the basic etiquette. Could it be that he couldn't even afford a cup of tea?
Suppressing the unhappiness in his heart, Steward Zhang pointed behind him. It was the place where the river was and said, "It's spring, so we need some water. I didn't know that the river was connected to your village. After it broke, I came to check and found out. I hope that your village can move that thing away for the sake of your neighbor. In the future, the Zhang family will be very grateful."
"What river? Oh, the ditch that the Yuan family used to connect to. Aiya, this is difficult. There isn't enough rain this year. We don't know if we have enough water in our fields. If we dig up the ditch, what will happen to our village? Why don't Steward Zhang go back and think of other ways? Ah, I can't help you here. "
Housekeeper Chen didn't have any expression on his face when he spoke. He directly refused to give water.
Steward Zhang naturally didn't believe him. What lack of rain? How could he not know how much water there was on the other side of the river? Otherwise, why would he expand the river? He thought in his heart but couldn't say it out loud.
"Housekeeper Chen, let's not talk about the rain first. Zhangjia Zhuangzi is willing to pay. Let's give you 100 copper coins for one day. Is that okay?"
Hearing Steward Zhang's words, Housekeeper Chen turned his head and looked to the side. He didn't say anything.
"150 copper coins a day. What do you think?" Steward Zhang added more money. There was a lot of land there. 150 copper coins wasn't a lot.
Housekeeper Chen still didn't say anything. Steward Zhang had to raise the price again. "200 copper coins a day. If it's more, we might as well dig a well."
At this time, Housekeeper Chen said, "Digging a well is good. It's convenient to use water. Even if there isn't enough rain, we don't have to worry. Steward Zhang's idea is good. If we lack manpower to dig a well, the Zhuangzi of the Chen family can send people over to help. The daily wages can be given as usual. As for food, I think Zhangjia Zhuangzi will give the villagers the same as usual."
Steward Zhang knew that Housekeeper Chen wouldn't agree. He thought about it and tried again. "Housekeeper Chen, in the future, the Zhuangzi of the Zhang and Chen families will be connected. Who doesn't have difficulties? At that time, if the Chen family is in trouble, the Zhang family won't stand by and do nothing. "
"Don't, don't. If the Chen family is in trouble, your Zhang family must stand by and do nothing. Don't get involved with the Chen family. The Chen family isn't as capable as the Yuan and Han families. They can't afford to compensate, and they can't find people to go to the capital to mediate. Zhangjia Zhuangzi, just let the Chen family go. Tomorrow, get someone to plant some thorns between the two Zhuangzi. In the future, the Zhuangzi won't be connected."
Housekeeper Chen sneered. As he spoke, he cupped his hands to Steward Zhang.
Steward Zhang understood that the Chen family's Zhuangzi was either related to the two Zhuangzi, or they were doing this on purpose. Isn't the Zhang family powerful? If I ignore you, I'll show you who's more powerful.
Other than these two reasons, Housekeeper Zhang couldn't think of any other reason. If it was Zhangjia Zhuangzi who harmed the Han and Yuan families, as long as one wasn't a fool, one would know that it was wrong. It was the Han and Yuan families who harmed them.
Steward Zhang lowered his head and thought for a while. Just as he raised his head and was about to speak, he saw that Housekeeper Chen had already turned around and went back in. The door was closed with a bang.
Steward Zhang stood at the door for a while. In the end, he couldn't do anything. He sighed helplessly, turned around, and went back to talk to the young master and see what he would do.
When Steward Zhang dejectedly returned to Between the Clouds and the Water, Zhang Xiaobao and the other children were learning from the old man. As they were learning, they saw Steward Zhang coming over.
The old man also saw the expression on Steward Zhang's face and stopped talking.
"Steward Zhang, what's wrong? Is it that no matter what we say, they won't give us any water? Tell us what you said, everyone listen. Don't worry. "When Zhang Xiaobao saw Steward Zhang's expression, he understood and comforted him.
Steward Zhang sat down on the stool and told the young master everything that had happened, including what he thought, what he said, and what the other party was like. He didn't add anything that shouldn't be said. He knew that the young master didn't want to hear those things that had been changed.
"Oh, I see. They want to arm wrestle with my Zhang family. If they won't give us any water, then so be it. Why do they have to say those sarcastic words? They don't seem to have any relationship with the other two families, and it's the same with County Magistrate Wen. Otherwise, how would a merchant family dare to speak to Steward Zhang like that after the three people were arrested?
Since that's the case, forget it. Spend more money and effort. Let's take the river from the Li family. Our land is higher, so we'll dig deeper. Let them plant thorns. If they want to plant them in their own land, so be it. We'll agree to let them plant half of it. In the future, we'll go our separate ways and mind our own business.
Today, we've wronged Steward Zhang. Originally, the main family should help Steward Zhang, but this matter is too small. It's not worth it to become a life and death enemy. When there's a chance in the future, we'll definitely help Steward Zhang get back his dignity. "
After hearing what Steward Zhang said, Zhang Xiaobao pondered for a while and decided on this. There wasn't any deep hatred, so he couldn't use thunderous means immediately. If this continued, he would make more enemies in the future.
"With the young master's words, I won't feel wronged anymore. I believe that the young master will get back at me one day. Then I'll arrange for people to dig the canal now." When Steward Zhang heard the young master talk about his matter in private, he felt much better.
It was only now. He had suffered less grievances in the past. If Zhuangzi couldn't do it, then what could he do? He could only endure. Wasn't this the job of a steward? To take the blame, take the blame, and be wronged again.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded and didn't say anything. He felt uncomfortable in his heart. Before beating a dog, one had to look at its master. The Chen family's Zhuangzi didn't give them any face at all. Steward Zhang's men were more than the Chen family's Zhuangzi.
Don't do anything overboard. Don't offend me. Otherwise, I won't let your Chen family have an easy time.
Zhang Xiaobao tapped his face with his hand as he pondered. Wang Juan saw this from the side and began to mourn for the Chen family. Zhang Xiaobao's personality had always been like this. An eye for an eye, an eye for an eye. Furthermore, his revenge was even more ruthless. If you slapped him, he would return the favor with a knife.
The old man didn't want to care about this kind of thing. When he saw that Steward Zhang had left, he continued to talk. The old man was much more knowledgeable than Father Zhang, and the children who listened benefited greatly. Even his granddaughter, Xin Er, could understand part of it. These days, Xin Er had been eating Xiaoxian.
She didn't want to be too far away from others.
Zhang Xiaobao wasn't the kind of person who kept thinking about how to affect other things when he encountered something small. After Steward Zhang's matter was over, he put all his attention on his studies and didn't think about it at all.
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