Ge Yingxi panicked and let Er Gou go first. He also went out and looked at the moon outside. He sighed. He originally planned to enjoy the moon and drink wine, but he didn't expect to be busy with this kind of thing.
After walking two steps, Ge Yingxi saw that the other side of the bridge was brightly lit. If it wasn't for the fact that his village was there, he would have liked to enjoy the scenery. Beautiful, really beautiful. This time, the Zhang Family and Wang Family must have spent a lot of money.
After walking for a while, Ge Yingxi finally arrived at the other side of the bridge. He thought that Er Gou had already called everyone here and was waiting for him. He didn't expect that there was no one here. On the other hand, the other side of the bridge was very lively.
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Ge Yingxi took a few steps forward. From time to time, the sounds of laughter, hawking, and shouting reached his ears. A special atmosphere appeared here, making him feel better unconsciously.
"Village Chief Ge, you also came. Quick, this way please." Ge Yingxi was looking around to see what his villagers were doing when Xu Si came up to him. He was in charge of the market, so he naturally had to greet the villagers first. These three small Zhuangzi all had a village chief. Normally, this identity wouldn't be used.
Ge Yingxi was stunned when he saw the person in front of him. He was about to politely greet him when he realized that the person in front of him was Er Gou, who had just left a few days ago. Ge Yingxi's face immediately sank. "Er Gou, what are you doing here?"
"Village Chief Ge, this Xu is now working for Zhangjia Zhuangzi and is in charge of the market. Village Chief Ge, why don't you take a look around? Today, everything in the market is sold at the same price. In a few days, the price will increase." When Xu Si heard Ge Yingxi call him by his nickname, he was less respectful.
Ge Yingxi heard the change and was about to ask when he suddenly remembered that Er Gou was no longer one of his villagers. He could only suppress his anger. "What good things are here? Does my Ge Family Village lack such ordinary things?"
"Village Chief Ge's words are reasonable. The Ge Family's Zhuangzi are much wealthier than normal people, especially as the main family. Village Chief Ge, please take a look. This Xu will go back and report to the master."
Xu Si still had a lot of things to do, so he didn't have time to accompany other people. Moreover, his status was slightly lower, whether it was as the head of the family or as the village chief given by the government.
After Xu Si left, Ge Yingxi felt even angrier. He didn't wait for someone from the Zhang Family and Wang Family to come. He went straight to the bustling area in front of him. He wanted to find Er Gou first and ask him what was going on.
Along the way, he hadn't found Er Gou yet, but he did see a lot of villagers buying and exchanging things. All of them had joyous expressions on their faces. Normally, he would be happy to see villagers like this, but today, he wasn't happy at all.
"Wu Family's Xiao San, what are you doing?" Ge Yingxi finally couldn't hold it in any longer. He happened to see a farmer squatting there, talking and laughing with a stall owner. He took two steps forward and asked in a deep voice.
"Master, you're also here. I'm exchanging some things here. Look, I just exchanged for a thimble. The one in my family can't be used anymore. Today, the things here are cheap, so I used a salted duck egg to exchange for a thimble and two rolls of thread, one black and one white.
Look, that's it. When I go back, I'll mend the clothes that I accidentally tore. Those clothes are my best ones, so they look decent. "
Wu Family's Xiao San didn't seem to feel the anger of the head of the family. He raised the things in his hands and spoke happily. When he glanced at the Zhang Family and Wang Family's villagers, he revealed a trace of envy. They were all wearing new clothes, and the cloth was much better than what he was wearing. It was a gift from the head of the family, and it was tailor-made.
Ge Yingxi was stunned. With the help of the surrounding lights, he saw the expression in Wu Family's Xiao San's eyes. He originally wanted to scold him, but in the end, he didn't say anything. He looked at the villagers of the Zhang Family and Wang Family. Their clean and tidy clothes were eye-catching.
Then he looked at the lanterns made of silk cloth. There was an invisible kind of oppressive aura. When he compared his own villagers to these people, the difference was not just a little bit.
"Village Head Ge, I didn't expect you to have the time to come here. How is it? This market is not bad, right? In a few days, when the goods are ready, it will be convenient for the surrounding Zhuangzi to come here to buy and sell things. At that time, it will be even more lively. "
Just as Ge Yingxi was comparing, a voice suddenly sounded. Ge Yingxi looked carefully. It was the head of the Wang Family in Zhuangzi. He couldn't treat him like how he treated Si Gou, so he forced a smile.
"So it's Village Head Wang. Village Head Wang and Village Head Zhang are very generous. I heard that this time, the two villagers of Zhuangzi received a lot of things from you. But if you want to collect taxes in this market, you have to report it to the government. It's not easy to deal with the government."
"Collect taxes? What taxes? " Father Wang was stunned for a moment. Then he smiled, "Village Head Ge misunderstood. I don't want to collect any taxes. With this market, it will be more convenient for everyone to buy and sell things. I also want to build a few houses here and set up some sheds. When the time comes, we can cook some food.
People who come from afar can also rest here. The money earned from these things can be used to repair the surrounding areas. When summer comes, when there is a lot of rain, the river will flood. We can use this money to repair it. Also, the roads are the same. Village Head Ge, why don't you join in? "
"Oh, since Village Head Wang has plans, then let's do it first. My road is still okay, so I'm not in a hurry. Village Head Wang also found a lion dancer for the villagers. In total, you must have spent a lot of money, right? There are many torches in the village, so it will be easy to go back at night. "
Ge Yingxi didn't want to work with the two Zhuangzi. He would have to listen to them when the time comes. He tactfully refused and talked about other things.
Father Wang didn't continue to talk about this matter. He followed Ge Yingxi's words and said, "It didn't cost much, only 180 taels of silver. It has been a year, and it hasn't been easy for the villagers. Let's be happy together.
The torches are still okay. There are 790 torches, no more, no less. It's just the number of people from the Zhang Family and Wang Family. When the moon is full, people should be together. When the stars are dark, let the torches that represent the people from the Zhang Family and Zhuangzi Family light up the night sky together. "
After these words were said, the surrounding villagers who heard it quietened down. Some of the villagers from the Zhang Family and Wang Family felt a lump in their throat, and their eyes turned red. So this was the meaning of the torches. The main family was treating them as family. Yes, together.
The gazes of the people from the Ge Family's manor dimmed. In the past, everyone was the same and it was nothing much. Now that the Zhang and Wang Family's manors were rich, they started to treat the villagers better. They celebrated the fifteenth day of the month together, laughed together, and lit up the night sky together. If it were them, they would be content with their lives.
Ge Yingxi was also silent. He didn't have the courage to call the villagers from his village back. He was afraid that if he did, the villagers wouldn't have the energy for this year's spring planting. He felt that he was inferior to Village Wang, and the bustle here seemed to be far away from him. He thought for a while and said,
"Village Wang, your village is really good. I'm also happy. You are busy. I still have things to do at home, so I'll take my leave first."
After he finished speaking, he didn't wait for the other party to say anything and turned to leave. There was a trace of sadness between his eyebrows.
But before he reached the bridge, Ergou came looking for him. "Master, I have something to discuss with you."
"Ergou, where did you go? What is it? Say it. "Ge Yingxi was not in the mood to scold Ergou, so his voice was much lower.
"Master, this lowly one wants to redeem myself. Just now, this lowly one ran back from a small path and asked the housekeeper. The housekeeper said that this lowly one needs to take out 92 taels of silver. Do you agree?" Er Gou asked carefully.
Ge Yingxi was scared. At the same time, he knew why he couldn't find Ergou. He stared at Ergou and said, "Yes, the housekeeper said so. It's definitely true. Do you have 92 taels of silver?"
Ge Yingxi smiled as he said this. Is Ergou sick? It's a death contract. He dared to ask for 92 taels of silver.
Ergou's face was full of joy. He took out a package from his bulging arms. After thinking for a while, he ran away again without even saying goodbye. This made Ge Yingxi, who wanted to leave, stay and wait for him.
After a while, Er Gou ran back, opened the package, and held it in front of Ge Yingxi. "Master, here are ninety-two taels of silver. Take a look. If you count correctly, can you return the deed to me?"
Ge Yingxi looked at the heavy gray silver and his eyes widened. He only came back to his senses when Ergou asked again. "Ergou, where did you get the money?"
"Si Gou gave it to me. Si Gou and I have been together since we were young. He is now in charge of the market of the Zhang Family and the Wang Family in Zhuangzi. He wants me to go and help."
"Then where did he get the money?"
"The master gave it to me. I heard Si Gou say that he went to the master of the Zhang family and asked for 100 taels of silver. The master said, 'Yes, Si Gou is worth it.' He has a good eye for money. 100 taels of silver is not much. I also think so. This market was built by Si Gou in just a few days.
Master, take this money and return my contract to me. I will work hard here in the future. I will not lose face for you. Si Gou asked me to help him set the price. "
Ergou said and pushed the silver forward. He had just exchanged 10 taels of silver for a 2 taels of silver. Who knew that the master would give him the remaining 8 taels of silver?
"You said that Si Gou built the market by himself? And set the price? Good, good, good. Don't blame others but me. 100 taels of silver. It's worth it. It's really worth it. It's such a big stall. No wonder there is a price. Why didn't I think Si Gou was so capable? He was let go for just one tael of silver. "
Ge Yingxi's eyes were full of confusion. His voice became softer and softer as he spoke. He lowered his head and bent his back. He knew how much work was needed to run such a big stall. He also knew how much benefit the Zhang Family and the Wang Family could get from setting the price. These were all done by Si Gou, who he used to look down on.
"Forget it. Let's go. Let's all go. Ergou, come back with me. I will give you the contract. If there is a chance in the future, take care of Ge Zhuang's family."
Ge Yingxi felt so tired that he didn't even want to walk. He told Ergou and walked back step by step.
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