Chapter 267

There was a bridge at the intersection of Qing Ping Street, and under the bridge was a clear and shallow stream about two feet deep. There were soft water plants growing in the water, and commoners often used this stream to wash their clothes and vegetables. At the same time, this stream was also an important channel for flood discharge during rainstorms.

At this moment, the soft water plants had already been uprooted to the embankment on both sides of the river. Lumps of silt pressed down on the soft water plants, and occasionally, a hint of green could be seen. The originally clear river water had been stirred into a muddy soup. Dozens of laborers wearing underpants stood in the middle of the river, doing their best to dig up the silt.

The first shop on Qing Ping Street was a pharmacy. Because of the dredging of the river, there were very few people walking around the bridge. Shopkeeper Zhu had nothing to do, so he came out to chat with Su Xuntian, who was supervising the project. Shopkeeper Zhu said to Su Xuntian, "Boss Su, to what extent do you plan to clean up this river?"

Su Xuntian said, "This river is the main channel for flood discharge. According to the engineering department, this river was originally four feet wide, two feet wide, and seven feet deep. Look at how silted it is now, it's not even two feet deep. We plan to restore this river to its original state."

Shopkeeper Zhu's face lit up with joy, "That's great, but … I don't know how long it will take to clean up this part of the river. As you can see, the dredging has already affected my family's business. If it takes too long, then I, Old Zhu, will have nothing to eat."

Su Xuntian said, "Don't worry, Shopkeeper Zhu, it won't take long. Didn't you see that we started from this intersection to clear this place as soon as possible so that it doesn't affect the commoners' access? At least three days, at most five days, this area will be cleaned up. "

Shopkeeper Zhu heard that it would take three to five days. Although he was unwilling, he could afford to delay it for three to five days. He smiled apologetically, "Then I'll have to trouble Boss Su. Please take care of it. The sooner it's finished, the better. Ah, the sun is getting brighter and brighter. Boss Su, why don't you come to my place for a cup of tea? "

On the other side of Qing Ping Street was an underground canal. This underground canal also had the function of discharging floodwaters, but it was also the outlet for all kinds of daily water. After the canal was built, it was covered with stone slabs, and the stone slabs were then covered with soil, turning it into an ordinary street.

After the canal was built, it was covered with stone slabs, and the stone slabs were then covered with soil, turning it into an ordinary street. However, at this moment, the ground had already been dug up, and the stone slabs covering the underground river had already seen the light of day again. The underground river was very seriously blocked. The gurgling water could still pass through, but if the water was slightly larger, it would definitely be silted up, and could no longer discharge the flood.

As soon as the underground canal was opened, the stench filled the air. Most of the pedestrians covered their noses and hurried past. Both sides of the road were filled with taverns and teahouses. They used to be very popular, but now their business plummeted. Not to mention that there were no customers, even the owners and waiters who picked up their bowls couldn't swallow the stench that filled their mouths and noses.

The restaurant owners all complained and hurriedly went out to inquire. When they found out that the burly man surnamed Mao was the supervisor of this section of the road, they hurriedly went up to him and complained, "Haitou, you can't do this. Why did you suddenly expose the whole street? Our business can't continue."

Are you rebelling? This is the magistrate's grace. It is for the benefit of the village and the people. " This is the grace of the prefectural magistrate, a blessing to the village, a blessing to the common people. Do you understand? Do you still dare to go against the prefectural magistrate's words? "

The shopkeepers explained in a low voice, "It's not like that. We are naturally grateful that the magistrate wants to clean up the canal. We just want to know how long it will take to clean up the canal. We still have to do business, and we can't afford any delays. "

Mao Wenzhi said, "What's the hurry? This underground canal was built in the Song Dynasty, and it took five hundred years to clean up. I plan to build a flood discharge canal that can still be used a thousand years later, so that people a thousand years later will remember the magistrate's grace. If we cut corners and the magistrate finds out, are you going to take responsibility or me? You won't be able to eat hot cake if you're impatient. "

Build an underground canal that can be used for a thousand years? The shopkeepers groaned inwardly. Immediately a quick-witted businessman took out a stack of money and stuffed it into Mao Wenzhi's hand. He smiled apologetically and said, "This is just a small token of my respect. Mao Tou 'er and brothers have worked hard. Take it and have a cup of tea. We don't ask for anything else. We just hope that Mao can fix this road as soon as possible. We will be very grateful. "

The shopkeepers saw his actions and realized what he meant. They immediately reached into their sleeves, chests, and purses. Mao Wenzhi shouted, "What are you doing? What are you doing? Hurry up and take back the money, or else I'll charge you with bribing an official. Hehe, I, Old Mao, have been thirsty for a long time … "

At this time, a servant ran over. He pushed the shopkeepers aside and whispered something to Mao Wenzhi. Mao Wenzhi immediately raised his arms and shouted, "Boys, it's time to pack up!"

"Huh?" The shopkeepers were all shocked. The businessman who had tried to bribe Mao Wenzhi just now stammered, "Mao Wenzhi, it's still a long time before noon. Why are you packing up?"

Mao Wenzhi glared at him and shouted, "The magistrate has ordered us to go to the west of the city first to build a flood channel for his relatives. What, you don't like it? If you don't like it, go talk to the magistrate. "

The shopkeepers cried and asked, "Mao Wenzhi, if you leave just like that, what about here?"

Mao Wenzhi said, "We'll talk after we finish building the west of the city. Let's go to the west of the city! "

Mao Wenzhi ordered his men to put up the government's flag in the half-cleaned area. He then led a group of bare-chested laborers with their trousers rolled up and left, leaving the Qing Ping Street shopkeepers with a stinking mess.

The same scene happened at the busiest part of the Three Streets and Six Alleys …

…

In the evening, the Hua family's wife was sifting through stale rice in the courtyard. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly saw a guest coming from the courtyard next door. The guest was well-dressed and carried two boxes of gifts in his hand. He knocked on the door and exchanged a few words with the Jiang family's wife before he was led into the house.

The Hua family's wife hastily placed the dustpan on top of the stone roller and entered the house with a twist of her buttocks. She spoke mysteriously, "Husband, I saw a squire entering Manager Jiang's house just now. He even brought a gift."

Manager Hua had been running around all the construction sites for the whole day, making overall arrangements and dispatching personnel. His body, which had not moved for a long time, couldn't take it for a while. Now he felt like he was going to fall apart. He was lazily lying there to rest. When he heard his wife's words, he said indifferently, "Why do you care about other people's business?"

"Bullsh * t!" The Hua family's wife slapped his butt hard and scolded, "He is Manager Hua, and so are you. Why is it that there are people coming to him with gifts and begging him, but no one comes to you to give you benefits? You useless thing … "

The more the Hua family's wife said, the angrier she got. She saw that her husband was still lying there with a half-dead appearance. She twisted his ear and lifted him up, "Are you pretending to be dead? Did you hear what I said?"

"Hey, hey, hey, be gentle, be gentle …" Hua Dalang sat up with a bitter face. At this time, he heard someone calling from the door, "May I ask if Manager Hua is at home?"

The Hua family's wife let go of her husband's ear and walked over to open the door. She saw a thin old man wearing a brocade robe with copper coin patterns standing outside. The Hua family's wife felt that this old man looked familiar. After thinking carefully, she was so shocked that her mouth opened wide. Wasn't this the owner of the 'Shu's Head Ornament Shop' on Qing Lang Street?

The ornament shop sold hair ornaments, earrings, neck ornaments, arm ornaments, hand ornaments, hairpins and mirror combs. These things were expensive and cheap. It was the same for a few copper coins or a few thousand taels. Different materials were used and the price was as different as heaven and earth. 'Shu's Head Ornament Shop' was the biggest ornament shop on Qing Lang Street. Of course, it sold expensive things.

It was said that only the 'Tycoon Miscellaneous Goods Shop' on Qing Lang Street was slightly better than the Shu family's shop. However, that 'Tycoon Sundry Goods Store' only sold rare and rare items, it was not categorized into categories, hence the name 'sundry goods'. It was not a place that matrons like the Hua family's wife would like to visit.

The Hua family's wife often went to the Shu's Head Ornament Shop. She was reluctant to part with those dazzling and precious ornaments. Unfortunately, she was short of money. Even if she went there, she could only look at them. She could not afford them. Therefore, this owner Shu treated her very coldly. But at this moment, this owner Shu was carrying a gift box with a face full of smiles.

The Hua family's wife looked at Owner Shu as if she was in a dream. Owner Shu bowed to her with a smile and politely asked, "This lady must be Madam Hua? This old man is the owner of Shu's Head Ornament Shop on Qing Lang Street. I wonder if your honorable husband, Hua daren, is at home? "

The Hua family's wife looked like she had just met in a dream. She stammered, "Ah! He … he's here. Owner Shu, please come in! "

The Hua family let Owner Shu into the house. At this time, Owner Shu had already come out from the inner room. Owner Shu hurriedly went forward to greet him. Although Owner Shu was a bit poor, he was not at a loss like his wife. He calmly said, "My humble abode is a bit crude. Owner Shu, please take a seat."

The Hua family poured a cup of tea for her husband and Owner Shu. She still stood in the courtyard. She could not help but secretly peek into the room. She saw that the usually arrogant Owner Shu sometimes smiled apologetically and sometimes cupped his hands in front of his chest. His attitude was very humble. And her husband, who usually did not dare to talk back even if she hit or scolded him, was sitting upright like a mountain. He stroked his beard and nodded calmly. Flower Lady could not help but have a strange feeling in her heart.

When Owner Shu left, the Hua family hurriedly returned to the room and asked, "Husband, why did Owner Shu look for you?"

Hua Shujie said lightly, "It's nothing much. He just asked me to do something." After saying that, he handed the gift box to her and still lightly said, "This is a gift from Owner Shu. You keep it." After saying that, he went back to the inner room and lay down.

The Hua family hurriedly opened the gift box. Inside the box was a whole set of head jewelry. There were exquisite earrings, a sparkling necklace, and a trembling buyao. The Hua family's heart immediately jumped.

The Hua family happily accepted the jewelry. Just as she was about to run back to the room to tell her husband what the gift was, she heard someone outside the door asking a question. When she opened the door, it was still a person dressed like a Owner Shu. Behind him was a manservant carrying two baskets of silk.

This time, Owner Shu was receiving guests in the main room. The Hua family hid in the inner room and listened through the curtain. She heard that the Owner Shu seemed to be begging her husband for help. He said things like business couldn't be delayed. After a lot of good words, her husband finally agreed to help her. The Owner Shu thanked him profusely and left.

Owner Shu opened the curtain and saw the inner room. He handed the two baskets of silk to the Hua family. The Hua family's eyes lit up and said, "Heavens, good quality Huzhou silk."

Owner Shu's face was still calm. Today, the expression 'indifferent' became the most common expression on his face. Owner Shu lightly glanced at her and lightly said, "Isn't it just a few pieces of silk? Just put it away. Don't make a fuss about nothing. Don't be so ignorant. I've been busy all day. I'm really tired. I'm going to rest first. Quickly go and prepare dinner. "

After saying that, Owner Shu lightly lay down on the bed. When the Hua family heard his words, she frowned. But when she looked at her husband lying down on the bed, she suddenly lost the courage to act up.

Owner Shu closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Suddenly, a pair of hands rested on his shoulders. When he opened his eyes, he saw the Hua family's cheeks blushing like a bride. She tenderly said, "Husband's body is tired. Let me give you a massage."

Owner Shu closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. His face was still as indifferent as before. But in his heart, it was as if ten thousand grass mud horses were roaring. He was extremely excited. "Teacher Li was right. Following this Ye-daren is really good."