Steward Zhang walked out of the pavilion with a happy mood. He almost jumped out of the pavilion. Only the tips of his feet touched the ground. It was as if he had changed into a different person. The usually taciturn person was now beaming with joy and humming a tune that seemed to be out of tune.
Steward Zhang was very happy. He knew that the Young Master was capable, but he didn't expect him to be so ruthless. No wonder the Young Master asked him to bear with it when he was wronged yesterday. It turned out that this idea was a little against the natural order. What about the Chen family's Zhuangzi?
"Why couldn't your Chen Manor have done this at a better time? Why did you have to wait until there were so many people repairing the river? Then, you could have diverted some people and changed the river's course. It would have gone around a few hills there. They aren't big, just a few. But the water wouldn't be able to pass through, unless your Chen Manor dug the hills."
Steward Zhang seemed to feel that just thinking about it couldn't make him happy anymore. He muttered as he walked. When he reached the river, he directly found the person in charge of this matter and ordered, "Gather a thousand people.
Go there and dig the river. The Young Master said that we don't need to care about the other families. Just connect the river with the one the Zheng family is digging. We have to finish it within a day. It's only six miles in total. Go, go, go. "
When the person heard that it was the Young Master's order, he didn't dare to delay and immediately went to find people. After shouting a few times, about 1,300 people came over. The person in charge was about to ask for 1,000 people to stay when Steward Zhang spoke.
"That's all. Go and dig immediately. If you can't finish it in the day, continue at night. I'll give you good food and pay. But if you don't work hard, you don't have to work here."
When these people heard that they would be paid, they became happy. They were supposed to do 20 days of volunteer work. Especially when they heard that there would be good food at night. Since Steward Zhang said so, it was definitely good food.
He took the tools and walked over. Originally, this place had already been marked out, but Zhang Xiaobao did not want the water below to run out, so he changed it a little. Now, it was just right to use it. It was a kind of plant that was grown in a dry place, so there was no need to use so much water.
With 1,300 to 1,400 people, they only managed to dig out six li of the river. They didn't need a large boat, so it was quite easy. Especially now that the snow had melted and spring had arrived, the ground was soft. With one shovel, they could dig out a large piece of the river.
Steward Zhang watched them work and did not plan to go anywhere else. He just waited. When the river was finished, he would block the other side. That side belonged to the Wang Clan and the Ge Clan. He thought that the Ge Clan would not help the Chen Clan.
With so many people, they dug all the way until night fell. They lit a fire and continued to work. When they rested, Steward Zhang gave them four dishes and a bowl of wine. He didn't give them any soup. Each person drank a large bowl of wine to warm their bodies and make them more energetic. If they drank too much, they wouldn't be able to do it.
When these people saw that the wine and food were good, they all patted their chests and promised that they would not sleep until they finished digging. Steward Zhang took out some copper coins and gave each person ten. These people's enthusiasm was completely aroused.
Steward Zhang did not feel sleepy. He was always energetic. From time to time, he would look in the direction of the Chen Clan's Zhuangzi. However, he was blocked by the mountain, so he felt very happy.
After these people finished eating, they began to work again under the light of the lanterns. After drinking wine, their bodies were warm. The cool feeling at night made them work faster.
In the middle of the night, the river connected to the other side was dug out. After the water was released, they could continue to widen it. The water level was low now, so they were not in a hurry.
The rest of the work did not need to be done by those who were working. Steward Zhang let them go back to rest and wait for the Young Master and Young Lady to come over. Ordinary people could not do this work. Erniu could do it, but it was a pity that he followed Master to the capital.
Steward Zhang was still not sleepy. He was still excited. After thinking about it, he had to go back to sleep. Otherwise, he would not have the strength to deal with the Chen Clan tomorrow. He was ready to vent his anger.
In the darkness of the night, many people could not sleep.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were lying on the bed and talking.
"Cuckoo, are you sure you can do it tomorrow? The quality of the soil has not been tested. I am afraid that something will happen. "Zhang Xiaobao was lying there, looking at the roof, and asked Wang Juan.
Wang Juan was lying there with her chin on the pillow. She moved her head and said, "Don't worry. It's just an explosion. Blow up the last place that is blocking the water. I will not stand there and use the fire sickle to ignite the fire. I will pull the cannon line long. This should be fine, right? Pull it out two li."
"Our cannon line is a bamboo pipe. How can you connect it so far? Why don't you think of another way? Don't get too close. I am worried." Zhang Xiaobao was still a little worried.
Wang Juan had already heard Zhang Xiaobao say it six times. She knew that he was worried about her. She could only say, "How about this? Let's put oil paper under the fire. The twisters will connect directly to that place. Then I will use the fire sickle to ignite it. You see if it works. Put a few more. There will be one that will be affected.
Aiya, at worst, I will use 100,000 firecrackers. If I am not afraid that the medicinal rope will get wet, I will use it directly. I know to be careful. Let's sleep. "
"Yes, let's use the medicinal rope. If one strand is not enough, let's make dozens of strands. When combined, how much can it get wet? Tomorrow morning, we will get them to make it. Let's sleep. "Zhang Xiaobao thought of an idea and was relieved.
Wang Juan turned over and fell asleep. She knew that there were many ways, but Zhang Xiaobao was worried that something would happen to her. So, he was confused.
Steward Zhang did not sleep at this time. He did not sleep with his wife. Today, he wanted to sleep by himself. He lay there and muttered, "You are finished. My young master avenged me. How dare you block the road. Tomorrow, tomorrow, it will be fine. I am going to sleep."
"I want to see if the Chen family's master and butler can treat me like they did yesterday and today. Humph! I am not the Steward Zhang of the past who can be bullied by anyone. No, I am going to sleep. This time, my body is going to sleep. "
"You said that you don't have any contact with the Zhang family. I don't believe it. How can you run away … sleep …"
"Heavenly Horse …"
"…"
In Zhuangzi, the head of the Chen family, Chen Gengxin, was also not asleep. He was talking with Butler Chen in the study.
"Steward Chen, don't you think we've gone too far? The Zhang family didn't offend us, nor did they provoke us. We're blocking the river and the road. If they find the Imperial Nephew, won't they find an excuse to arrest us too?"
Chen Gengxin said to Butler Chen worriedly.
"Master, don't worry. No matter how powerful they are, they have to find a reason. After all, we asked the Yuan family to dig this river. It is under our control. As for blocking the road, master, if we don't do this, how can we get benefits?
They have been in trouble several times and they have won. If we are so obedient, there will be no place for the Chen family in the future. This time, if we do well, not only can we get benefits from the Zhang family, but other businessmen will also know how powerful we are. Master, it will be much easier for you to do business. "
Butler Chen persuaded him, as if he was about to succeed. He was very excited.
Chen Gengxin was also moved by the butler's words. After thinking about it, he felt that there was nothing to be afraid of. He relaxed a little and said with a smile, "Butler Chen, you are the best. If it were someone else, they would be afraid of them. At that time, they would not be able to get any benefits and the family business would be difficult. Butler Chen, you have done a great job this time."
"Master, you don't have to praise me like this. I did what I should do. In the future, no one will dare to mess with our Chen family in this place. Except for the emperor's nephew, we don't need to be afraid of anyone else."
Steward Chen said modestly, but his smug expression could not be concealed. Chen Gengxin naturally did not care about his expression. He closed his eyes and thought about the future. He said, "Steward Chen, after the spring plowing, come out with me for a walk. There are some trades that you have to do more often."
Housekeeper Chen didn't expect that this master, who was also his brother-in-law, would show him mercy and let him intervene in his family's business. He was so happy that he couldn't speak for a while. After a while, he said, "Master, don't worry. I will definitely do the business well. If there is even a little mistake, you can drive me out. Master, it's late, you should go to bed early."
"Well, that's good. Go to your sister's place. Don't worry. Do your job well. It doesn't matter if there is a little mistake." Chen Gengxin stood up and said to Butler Chen. He turned and left, heading to another wing room.
Butler Chen was relieved. As long as his brother-in-law still wanted to go to his sister's place, his position in the family would not be taken away by others.
After a while, Butler Chen gently closed the door. He stood in the middle of the yard and said to himself, "Tomorrow, I will go to the Zhang family to talk about something. Well, I will go early in the morning."
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