When it was a cloudy day at the beach in summer, the sea breeze would bring along the moisture of the sea. The closer one was to the beach, the more uncomfortable their skin would feel. Even if one didn't do any exercise, they would still feel stuffy. Furthermore, the sweat that came out of their bodies would feel hot to the outside, but when they touched their arms, they would feel cold.
At this time, the best way to relieve the heat was to take a shower with warm water. Never use cold water. One person would easily get sick, while the other would feel even hotter after this. If the conditions at home allowed it, then they would dig a swimming pool. It was convenient and fast. They could dive in and come out, and it would be cool.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan repeated this action. It was good to have an artesian well. After a flood, they didn't know what happened underground. The water in the artesian well could actually shoot up more than ten feet high.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't investigate this phenomenon. Instead, they made use of the fountain and built a large pool. They didn't even need a swimming pool. They dug a river and connected it to the river three li away. No one objected. Compared to the original Provincial Governor Shi, it could be said that the difference was like heaven and earth.
In the entire manor, other than the front area for official business, the back area was designed into a garden by the two of them. Two-story bamboo buildings stood there. There were ponds, small lakes, all kinds of pavilions, corridors, and canals in the surrounding areas. They also raised some fish and planted flowers.
Newcomers would get lost in this garden. Unfortunately, there weren't that many villagers who came to play. Even if they opened the door at the back of the manor and posted a notice for the commoners' children to come and play, no one came.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan spent a lot of effort to design the original courtyard into a children's playground with a small wooden house, a slide, a swing, a seesaw, and a water carousel. However, because no one came, it became a decoration. Only Li Xun, the older child, came to play from beginning to end.
Then, the three of them sat in the pool that was less than two feet deep, staring at the fake fish carved out of wood in a daze.
At noon today, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan finally couldn't stand the sultry weather. It looked like it was going to rain, but there was no wind. For the whole morning, not a single drop of rain fell. They were too close to the beach, and their bodies were wet and sticky. They asked someone to guard the door of the fountain and jumped in to soak.
Underground water was indeed different. It was bone-chilling. After soaking in it for a while, it would come out and warm up. It was a little addictive.
"It's been two days. Qi Dong has been locked up for two days. After a while, it will be three days. He has been drinking water all this time. Should we send him some food? He must be feeling terrible today. "
Wang Juan finally stopped feeling stuffy. She shook her wet hair and reminded Zhang Xiaobao.
"There's no rush. We'll see tomorrow. If you still can't figure out what to do, just give him something to eat. I think a steamed bun a day should be enough. What's the reaction of Liu Shaoqing and the others? Send someone to ask them later. "
Zhang Xiaobao estimated that as long as Qi Dong had enough water and didn't commit suicide, he wouldn't die in a short time. On the contrary, he was more concerned about Liu Shaoqing and the others. He didn't get any information today, so he didn't know how the division plan was going.
When the two people's hair was almost dry, the person who went to inquire finally came back.
"Little Master, Little Miss, nothing happened. The four of them have been in their own houses for the past two days. Although they are close to each other, they don't have much contact. The servants in their houses seem to have become well-behaved. Even if they meet every day, they just don't talk. They haven't fought."
The person who inquired about the news came back to report.
Hearing this news, Zhang Xiaobao was satisfied and said, "It's good that things are stable. Otherwise, if they fight again, the hatred that was accumulated with great difficulty will be released. Small conflicts are easy to solve. Only when the accumulation reaches a certain level, will it be uncontrollable and continue to the next step."
*****
Liu Shaoqing was still in a worrying situation. His subordinates had tried their best to catch prawns, but the amount was far from enough. There were only 100 jars. If they could get all the prawns caught by the other three families, it might be enough. But now, Zhang Zhong had ordered people to spread the news that a jar of prawn sauce would be sold for 10 strings of coins.
There were a dozen or so people who happened to have a jar in their houses and had already gone to exchange it for money. The four families were catching prawns and waiting to sell them when they were ready. They originally wanted to see if any other people were catching prawns and buy some at a high price. In the end, all the people were busy. Some were digging the river, some were building houses, and some fishermen had already joined the Zhang family's fishing business.
There were less than 20 days left. Even if it was heated manually, it would take a long time. If there were no more prawns, they would have to wait to lose money.
"We gathered for profit, so why should we complain about profit? If there is wealth in the dynasty, we will leave without profit. Sigh ~! Good move, Zhang Zhong, oh Zhang Zhong, what a good move to sow discord. You clearly saw through it, but you couldn't avoid it. " Liu Shaoqing sat there. It was unknown whether it was the gloomy weather that made his mood bad, or he suddenly thought it through. He muttered a few words to himself.
He wasn't the only one who understood. Cao Herui also knew that this was Zhang Zhong's plan. But even if he knew about the plan to sow discord, he had to jump into the trap in order to be able to pay off the debt as soon as possible. How could he not earn 10 strings of coins for a jar of prawn sauce?
Cao Herui found a reason for himself when he betrayed and felt a little better.
"Master, Master, good news. Master, the price of prawn sauce has increased again. The Zhang family's people came out and said that a jar of prawn sauce is 15 strings of coins. 'Pickled vegetable store' will only accept 1,000 jars of prawn sauce. Master, hurry up and make it."
Cao Herui's servant hurriedly ran in and happily told his master, who was sitting in the middle of the courtyard and feeling a little better, what he saw just now.
"15 strings of coins? Tell those 30 people who only know how to drink to do their jobs properly. They can't be delayed. " Cao Herui's heart was beating a little faster and a little unsteadily because of this news. He knew that those 30 people ate and drank well in the Zhang family and rarely helped out.
It was fine if it was in the past, but not now. Money! Time was money. The Zhang family gave them a high salary. If they really worked hard, they could make two jars of prawn sauce with the salary of one person a day. They would only accept 1,000 jars of prawn sauce. This promise was made. For the sake of their reputation, the Zhang family would not go back on their word.
30 people would make 60 jars a day. 600 jars in 10 days. How much money would that be? 9,000 strings of coins. They would still have money left after paying back all the money.
The servant hurriedly ran over and hurriedly left after receiving the order.
When the news of 15 strings of coins for a jar was released, some of the people were tempted. They wanted to catch prawns to make prawn sauce in their free time. However, Zhang Zhong posted another notice saying that he was going to build a seawall to prevent typhoons and tidal waves from destroying the houses.
When the people were given a choice between money and Zhang Zhong, most of them chose Zhang Zhong. Only a small number of them chose money. When it was their turn to work, they did not work hard. When they were resting, they would go catch prawns.
For two days in a row, a small number of people did not work hard. This made Zhang Zhong feel a little sad. He had done so much for Lu Zhou. Under the circumstances where he was not forced, his words could not be compared to that little bit of money. The people who had just destroyed their homes and those who did not want to face the disaster.
"This is human nature. Never think of others as how they should be. Who can you blame for that? This notice is a touchstone. Yes, between heaven and hell, the outcome is decided when you make the choice. Those who don't work hard are not needed from tomorrow onwards. Let's catch prawns. "
When Zhang Xiaobao received the news, he did not look sad at all. He only felt sad for those people. 15 strings of coins for a jar of prawn sauce. Prawn sauce? They were all waiting for a pie to fall from the sky.
Wang Juan also felt that it was not worth it for those who chose to catch prawns. There was no such thing as 15 strings of coins. It was all a scam. Apart from the pickling line, the fishing line was almost done. Many people thought that the pickling line belonged to the Zhang family and the fishing line belonged to the Zhang family. Therefore, the prawn sauce they received was not from the Zhang family.
They were too naive. Various industries shared shares and settled accounts separately. Even if that was not the case, they could just find someone to buy the prawn sauce from the fishing line and sell it to the pickling line. At that time, those who wanted to cry would cry, and those who wanted to laugh would laugh. They would be able to see the various forms of life again.
"If the wind does not blow, the leaves will fall. If the water does not ripple, the fish will live. If the heart is not calm, there is nothing to be done. The sky is cloudy and there are many floating clouds." Wang Juan missed Zhuangzi, where the Zhang Family and the Wang Family lived. There were not many worries there. Every time the farmers made a choice, they would listen to the master, and the master had never disappointed them.
"Help, help." "I know what to do. Help." "Bang Bang." "I know what to do. Help."
"Eh? Xiao Bao, did you hear something? "Wang Juan suddenly heard someone shouting for help.
Zhang Xiaobao had locked Qi Dong up for nearly five days. He finally heard something and pulled Wang Juan over. "I heard it. Qi Dong is banging on the door. He has figured it out. Let's go and ask him what he knows."
"Do we need to call a guard?" Wang Juan was afraid that Qi Dong would suddenly attack them.
Zhang Xiaobao waved his hand. "Let's go. There is no need to call a guard. He ate a steamed bun yesterday and has been drinking water for the past few days. Who do you think he is? Without salt, a steamed bun can heal him. His legs are still tied. "
"Help. I know what to do. I will do whatever you want me to do. I can even fake the accounts. I can't take it anymore."
When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan arrived outside the woodshed, they heard Qi Dong's weak voice.
"You don't say, he's really smart. He knows how to do what he's told." Wang Juan praised.
Zhang Xiaobao chuckled. "How many fools would be willing to spend so much effort to fake the accounts? Let's have a good chat with him. "
The two of them stood outside the door of the firewood shed. Qi Dong, who was inside, noticed that the crack in the door was dark. He peeked out with one eye and immediately said happily, "Young master, young lady, quickly tell His Excellency. I understand what His Excellency means. I will listen to him."
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