Two hours later, a fast horse brought the news to the mansion. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were thinking about the weaving machine. Both of them knew that there was a weaving machine that was very useful and understood the general principle, but when they saw the weaving machine, they felt a little dizzy.
"This place is where the line goes. When there is an extra thing to let the line go through, the direction of the line changes. This place is where the shuttle is sent. The line goes around from there …"
Wang Juan was thinking about it bit by bit while muttering. Zhang Xiaobao was even worse. He was trying hard to imagine a picture of a weaving machine.
"Xiao Bao, it's better to find a few more people to think about it. When we see it, we will find that it is different from the picture. Tomorrow morning, there will be skilled craftsmen. It's not a difficult thing. We just need to give them more money. I don't know if the students from the engineering school can do it. Zhang Jiuling has connections there.
Discuss with the old housekeeper here and help send a letter. What if they come up with something and don't know where to use it? Let's give them some advice. "
Wang Juan was also confused. She could think of a human-powered propeller, but this weaving machine was a little difficult. The main reason was that she didn't know the weaving process, so she decided to give the idea to others and let them come up with a research project.
"Two pigeons will fly back and forth. It's impossible for the pigeon to fly back. A long-distance letter can be said to be a life-saving thing at a critical moment. We have to give some benefits to the old housekeeper here."
Zhang Xiaobao was a little worried that Zhang Jiuling would not agree, so he prepared to take some benefits.
Wang Juan thought of the money donated and the time when Zhang Jiuling's family looked down on Zhang Zhong. She suggested, "He still owes us twice. Use this to pay."
Zhang Xiaobao hurriedly shook his head. "Remember, he doesn't owe us anything. Don't mention it. This is a passive favor. Unless there is really a day when there is no other way, just wait for him to think about it himself. We haven't come up with the method of hatching chicks yet, so let's hatch more pigeons first.
It shouldn't be difficult to use a pigeon to exchange for his help. He's not the prime minister yet. Once our pigeons are bred and the communication network is built, we'll be able to make a lot of money. We'll specialize in delivering urgent news to rich people. "
"What about the commoners?" Wang Juan asked.
"Ordinary people? What urgent news did the ordinary citizens have? Even if there was a letter, it would be useless. For example, if there was a student from a humble family who was rushing to take the exam and left from here, the family here had urgent matters to attend to. They said that this person had left home for five months and wanted us to send a letter to them. How would we do that?
We usually send letters to aristocratic families and merchants. It's less common for aristocratic families. Aristocratic families have their own means, but merchants are different. If they open a branch outside or have dealings with a merchant, we'll send letters to them. "
Zhang Xiaobao attached great importance to the matter of the carrier pigeon. If he knew some news in advance, he could make preparations in advance, especially when it came to making money.
Wang Juan felt a little regretful. Many good things were invented to serve the military. Then, it was the rich's turn. When the rich had better things, it was the poor's turn. She felt that she should be considered rich now, so she should be more concerned about the poor.
"Xiao Bao, do you know how to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor?"
"I don't know. The simplest way is to play Fight the Landlord and fight the tycoons. But I'll tell you this, as long as the landlord and tycoon can still live like other people after they're done playing Fight the Landlord and the tycoon, no one will restrict them. Then, a large portion of them will still become rich and surpass others.
Zhang Xiaobao had specially thought about how to make ordinary people earn more money. In the end, he realized that only those who were unwilling to accept the status quo and dared to take risks could become rich. Some took bigger risks, some took smaller ones. Some were not capable and had bad luck when taking risks. Some were done for. Some succeeded. It was too difficult for people who were content with the status quo to succeed.
Wang Juan felt a little regretful. "Then forget it. Let's live our lives well. If we can help others, we will. We are not saviors."
The two of them stopped studying the loom and began to talk about some philosophical thoughts.
At this time, the person who was investigating the situation came over and reported to the two of them in detail.
After the person left, Zhang Xiaobao smiled.
"Xiao Bao, what rotten idea did you come up with this time?" Wang Juan saw Zhang Xiaobao's innocent smile and knew that someone was going to be unlucky.
Tomorrow morning, I'll ask the kiln to sell the remaining jars. Then, we'll start to buy the shrimp paste. Each jar contains 20 catties of shrimp paste. We'll buy all of them in cash. No deposit, no receipt. We'll just spread the news. I want to see if a person's heart can withstand the test of money. In three days, we'll buy all of them in cash. "
Zhang Xiaobao said as he walked out. The person who delivered the bill had come. He had to clear up the account.
Wang Juan followed behind him. She could help as well. She looked at Zhang Xiaobao's back and shook her head. Zhang Xiaobao had been working too hard recently. He had to think about everything. He even talked in his sleep at night. If one listened carefully, they would hear him talking in his sleep.
When the two of them arrived at the study, Wang Juan asked as she ground an ink stick, "Xiao Bao, do you hate those four people so much that you want to teach them a lesson?"
"It's not that I hate them. I don't have concrete evidence, but they did what they did. I mainly treated them as chickens and killed them as a warning to the monkeys. When Lu Zhou's construction is done, someone will come to pick the fruits of their labor. It's time for my father to leave. Your father can't always stay in his position as a seventh-grade official. This time, I'll give him some credit.
Even if the court knows that he didn't do much, they still have to give him face. It's also good to give your mother a better title. A tree lives with skin, and a person lives with dignity. My mother won't have to worry about it. Even if my father doesn't fight for it, there will be others who will. If they don't raise your family's status, it'll be difficult when you marry me. "
Zhang Xiaobao flipped through the account book and said.
Wang Juan pinched Zhang Xiaobao's face and asked, "Who said I'm going to marry you, little brat? Tell me, who's the monkey?"
Zhang Xiaobao stared at the account book. He flipped through it again and said, "I don't know who's the monkey, but I want those who can be the monkey in the future to be careful. Those who are capable, step forward. Those who aren't, step back. After we're done with Lu Zhou, my father still can't enter the capital. He's still young. What kind of place is this?
Who's doing the accounts in Huaqing County? Are you trying to scare a fool? You were fine yesterday, and yet, you dare to falsify the accounts for me today. It seems like some people didn't teach you a lesson last time, and they're tempted again. Are they getting restless after seeing summer? "
"What's going on?" When Wang Juan heard that something was up, she curiously leaned over to take a look. "It's nothing.
The river is connected to the bay, and there's a total of 1,200 people. We used 550 catties of grain. It's normal to eat this every day. We should at least let them eat their fill, right? It's enough if we add vegetables. The vegetables are 600 catties of spinach, and they'll shrink when they're stir-fried. We used 7.5 catties of salt. This seems a little too much, but it's normal. After all, we made salted vegetables. The salt and water consumption of the people working is high. We also have salt water to replenish our bodies when we don't eat.
It's normal to use 400 catties of firewood. I'd believe him if he said he used 1,000 catties. What if the wind is strong, and the firewood isn't good? What do you see? "
Wang Juan knew how to check the accounts as well. She did not see anything else after looking through it. The accounts for water and wages were in another book, and it had nothing to do with this.
Thinking that there was a problem with the other book, Wang Juan also found the account book. She carefully looked at this place, shook her head, and said, "There's no problem with this.
It's very clear. The difference with yesterday's account is within the usual range. Let me look at yesterday's account book. The only difference is that the place where they dug is different. Today, they dug through the bay here. Yesterday, they were still a little short, but the consumption is the same. Yesterday, they used more firewood than today. "
"That's the mistake. It's a rainy day today. Don't you think they used too little firewood? You also said that it's not a problem to use 1,000 catties of firewood. I won't say anything if you use 5,000 catties of firewood. Look at this account book for water. It's a separate account. Compared with yesterday's, it's actually less water than yesterday's. The wages of the workers are less. "
Zhang Xiaobao took out several accounts books and showed them to Wang Juan.
Chapter 47: The Calculation of the Secular World Continues
Wang Juan took a look and still did not find any problems. She said to the worker who delivered water, "It's not as hot today as yesterday, so they drank less water."
"How can it be less? They eat so much salt and work so hard. Aren't they thirsty? Huaqing County's Deputy County Magistrate Qi Dong is in charge over there, right? This time, he will be able to get two strings of cash. Two strings of cash is not a lot, but I can't let him be greedy. As long as he succeeds this time, who knows what will happen next time. Other people will also feel lucky when they see this.
How can I have time to chat with them? We still have work to do. I don't know what they are thinking by making false accounts in front of me. Kill a chicken first and let others see. Back then, for the sake of the disaster relief, he organized better and gave him a chance. But he can't control himself anymore. "
Zhang Xiaobao was most annoyed by the petty tricks of his subordinates. For two strings of cash, they made the accounts so well that even Wang Juan, who was from the Special Second Department, could not see through it.
Wang Juan heard Zhang Xiaobao's certainty, but she still did not understand. "How can he be greedy for so much money?"
"Because of the amount of work. Look at the progress in the accounts. According to our estimates, the amount of soil and rocks dug out is about the same. But it rained today, so the soil is easy to dig. Also, the area near the bay is easier to dig. You have seen that area. It's not rocks, but sand.
How much did the labor do? Just like what you said, the firewood is not valuable, but it can be used to cook salt. We paid for it, and he cooked the salt himself. In order to make up for this, he made salted vegetables. How many people here can calculate so clearly? Let him try it in San Shui County. The people can directly calculate how much salt he took. "
Zhang Xiaobao continued to explain to Wang Juan. At the same time, he really admired this county deputy, Qi Dong. It was not worth it to use his ability on two strings of cash.
"Then why didn't he increase the amount of water? Wouldn't that be easier to calculate the consumption of salt? "Wang Juan asked again.
"He calculated the consumption of cold water for other people. If I'm not wrong, those water delivery boys earn more than other places. Boiling salt is hotter, so he took out a hundred copper coins to make up for the water delivery boys."
"Then the money for the water and the water delivery workers was calculated separately. Go to another person's account."
"Isn't it enough to give some money to this person? The account is recorded by Huaqing County's Knife Brush Officer. Give him half a string of cash, which is 500 copper coins, and I think he will agree. In this way, Qi Dong earned about half a string of cash in a day. This person is really not ordinary. He calculated according to the weather and was willing to spend money. If you don't believe me, you can find a worker there and ask him."
Zhang Xiaobao hesitated. He was a talent. For such a small amount of money, he calculated so many steps. As long as he was given a wider sky, he would definitely be able to spread his wings and soar. However, if he did not stop this trend, others would follow suit. He could not spend too much energy on such a small matter, right?
Wang Juan thought for a while, then gave Zhang Xiaobao a thumbs up and said, "Comrade Zhang Xiaobao, as expected, you didn't diminish your reputation. So many people wanted to catch you but couldn't. It wasn't luck. To be able to see so many calculations just by looking at the account books, I really want to say to that Qi Dong, 'It's not that you didn't do well enough, but that you met the person you should not have met in your life.'
Just like Song Jinggong back then, he calculated and calculated and tricked so many people. In the end, when he reached the small bridge, I don't know if he hesitated when he crossed the bridge, but I know that he walked very slowly. After that, there was one less liar in this world. I think, in everyone's heart, there is such a bridge.
The Bridge of Helplessness between heaven and hell. How many people can turn back at that time? How many people can stay at that time and not drink that bowl of Granny Meng's soup? I still admire Mi Fan more. At the crucial moment, he knows how to compromise. "
Zhang Xiaobao listened for a while and finally understood. He said to Wang Juan, "You want me to let Qi Dong go? Actually, it's fine to let him go, but there are many ways to do so. For example, if my father is an official here, other than normal people, who would take the initiative to come here? This is a place of exile.
If it was Qi Dong, we could also use this method. It's good that he has the ability. I'm really not afraid of him causing trouble. I'm prepared to exile him to the capital. He can forget about being a deputy county magistrate. How about he go to Sanshui County to be an official? He can do whatever he wants there. "
"Okay, then it's settled. Let's scare him first." Wang Juan also couldn't bear to part with a talent. There weren't many people who could avoid her checking the account books. Although she didn't have the patience to check bit by bit, she still checked. Zhang Xiaobao only glanced at it.
*****
Others didn't know that in the prefecture, there were two children talking about someone's life and death. The sun still rose and set, just like the tide. Those who were supposed to eat, those who were supposed to wear, and those who were supposed to wear, wore their clothes.
Cao Herui could be said to be a drop of water in the vast sea of people. When he was thinking hard, he probably didn't think that there were many people who wouldn't care at all if they encountered such a thing. He also didn't think that there was someone who calculated every move he made.
Cao Herui was also very angry when he heard about the incident at the seaside. He was angry at Liu Shaoqing. He felt that since he handed Liu Shaoqing over to him, he should treat him well. His own servants didn't work, but let others do it. He didn't even give them food. Who was helping who? Who wrote the note?
Was it possible that he had to ask others to help him when he was helping others? If you, Liu Shaoqing, were a powerful provincial governor like Zhang Zhong, it would still make sense. But you, Liu Shaoqing, are the same as us. We're all judges. If we help you, it's out of friendship. If we don't, it's our duty.
In the past, it was indeed beneficial for all four of them. They shared the benefits equally. But now, what about the debt? No one said that they would help others bear the debt. Those who had more servants also had more. After earning money, they had to pay their own debts.
Since this was the case, how could Cao Herui's servants be worse than others? Those who helped were reprimanded and didn't have food to eat. The ones who were really anxious were the supervisors. There was no reason for this.
Thinking of this, Cao Herui became even more angry. He shouted outside: "Someone, prepare the carriage. We are going to visit Magistrate Liu's house. Bring a gift box."
The servant hurriedly complied and ran out to prepare. He understood in his heart that the master was angry. The four families were close to each other, and there was even a connecting door between the courtyards. The master had even brought out a carriage. He said that there were official positions, and he even wanted to bring a calendar. This was clearly going according to the official position.
Thinking about it, the servant didn't dare to be negligent. He prepared everything and came to greet them. Cao Herui went out and took the carriage. He made a circle and arrived at the Liu residence in less than half an hour. The purpose of making a circle was to let people know that he was going to pay a formal visit. The other party could prepare according to their status.
As expected, Liu Shaoqing was prepared. The main door was wide open. In fact, it wasn't closed. Two people just came and did this. Jiang Huanshi and Fan Jianxi also wanted to ask how they were going to cooperate. They couldn't just casually send people here to do manual labor and then not have food. That wasn't cooperation. Bullying the servants was bullying the master.
Liu Shaoqing already knew what happened. He beat the servant who made the decision without permission half to death. But this didn't solve the problem. People would think that he deliberately made a scene for others to see. Wasn't it just the trick of injuring oneself to gain sympathy? Many years ago, there were people who used it again and again.
Liu Shaoqing naturally knew what the third person meant. He personally went to the door to welcome him. As soon as Cao Herui got out of the carriage, he hurried to the front and said with a smile, "Brother Cao, you must be here because of the servant in my family. Please come in. Brother Jiang and Brother Fan are also here.
That servant of mine offended all three families at once, and I didn't mention how to beat him up. In the end, it was my mistake this time. I hope Brother Cao can understand. Brother Cao should also know that I can't even protect all three families, so how could I bully you? If you want to die, you can just find a rope. Why do you have to do this? "
In fact, Cao Herui didn't come here to make trouble. He mainly used this as an excuse to let his servant work with the Zhang family. He wanted to make more money and pay off the debt as soon as possible.
Hearing Liu Shaoqing's words, he chuckled and said, "Brother Liu, I'm not here to denounce you. My servant was bullied and can't eat. These are all small matters. En, small matters. I came here this time to discuss the matter of the shrimp paste with Brother Liu.
I'm sure Brother Liu already knows about today's situation, so I won't hide it from you. Brother Liu, look, this is the contract written by the Zhang family. As long as I send 30 people to work there, their final wages will be exchanged for prawns that can be used to make prawn sauce. I think that in a few days, Brother Liu will have enough prawns.
It usually takes a month to make shrimp sauce. Normally, there isn't enough time, but the Zhang family didn't say that if they can't make it in a month, they will immediately compensate. You said in the agreement that you will receive it in a month. You can just find some reason.
Even if you don't have a reason, you don't have to be afraid. The length of the shrimp sauce depends on the temperature. If it's hot, the time will be shorter. You can let people light a fire around the jar and keep it hot. That way, it won't take a month. In the past, when the weather was good, it would only take 20 days. What do you think? "
Liu Shaoqing did know about today's matter, but he didn't expect it to be like this. He heard a useful piece of news and said happily, "Brother Cao, I'm sorry. I'll kill that person later to give Brother Cao an explanation."
"You're going to kill me? Let's do it like this. When Brother Liu makes money, don't forget that we are still in debt. "
Cao Herui pointed out the most important thing.
"Brother Cao, don't worry. When we sell the shrimp sauce, you get 60% and I get 40%." Liu Shaoqing happily divided the profits.
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