Chapter 300 Self-reliance

Liu Jixin said that if I really confessed and wanted leniency, I would definitely be killed without a burial place.

But he really didn't cause her any trouble this time!

Liu Ji looked innocent, holding his chest and asked, "My dear, am I really not worthy of your trust?"

Qin Yao saw that he didn't seem to be guilty, so she asked in disbelief, "Really?"

Liu Ji answered decisively: "Really not!"

Seeing that she didn't believe him, he raised his hand and was about to swear, after all, the village chief was still next to him, so Qin Yao quickly pulled his hand back.

As they were talking, the three of them had already arrived at the gate of the county government office. When the officer on duty saw Liu Ji, he smiled and nodded at him, obviously because they were familiar with each other.

Liu Ji had been familiar to these people before, but at that time he was just a commoner and no one looked at him straight in the eye.

But now it’s different. He is also a student. Although his background is not very legitimate, he is still a serious scholar!

Only then did the people in the yamen look at him straight in the eye and even said a few polite words to him.

Of course, the identity of Qin Niangzi's husband also gave him great convenience. Liu Ji was also good at taking advantage of these. He would climb up the ladder if given a pole. All the officials in the county government knew him.

Having money in hand is more useful than anything else. Liu Ji spent a little bit of the money he earned from the literacy class and immediately helped Qin Yao.

Liu Ji proudly led Qin Yao and the village chief into the county government office. He was as familiar with the place as if it were his own home. He knew exactly what was going on there.

While the village chief was talking and no one was paying attention, Liu Ji whispered in Qin Yao's ear: "Madam, I found a way to make money."

Qin Yao felt that he was being really weird today. How could a lazy person find a legitimate way to make money?

But this time she really underestimated him. Liu Ji pointed to the small rooms in front of him used for official business and told Qin Yao that he planned to be a broker for the yamen, specifically leading the way for those who wanted to come to the yamen to do official business but didn't know what to do or where to go, and helping them.

He didn't ask for much, just a few dozen cents as an accompanying fee.

Qin Yao raised an eyebrow, seeing his smug look, and asked tentatively, "Can you do it?"

Liu Ji patted his chest and said, "Of course!" The bag of money in his arms was bulging!

Seeing Qin Yao's surprised expression, Liu Ji was about to act cute when he saw her smile and pat his arm and said:

"That's great. You know how to be self-reliant. I won't give you monthly living expenses from now on. Liu Ji, I never thought you could earn money to support yourself now. Well done, that's great!"

When had she ever praised him like this?

Amidst all the praises, Liu Ji couldn't help but laugh out loud, and said hurriedly, "No, no, it's still my wife who has been urging me on well."

After he finished speaking, he looked up and saw that there was no one in front of him. Qin Yao had already gone into the registration room with the village chief to complete the final procedures.

The smile on Liu Ji's face gradually disappeared. He scratched his head, feeling something was wrong. Wait! His living expenses!

Looking at Qin Yao who had finished her work and was walking out chatting and laughing with the village chief, Liu Ji hurried forward to explain everything.

"My wife, you also know that everything is difficult at the beginning. I have thought of this idea, but I haven't had the time to implement it. Do you think we can discuss the living expenses again?" Liu Ji whispered in her ear.

The village chief's curious eyes kept looking over at him, but Liu Ji also wanted to save face, so he didn't dare to speak loudly.

Qin Yao pretended not to hear and asked the village chief whether the registration procedures for the stationery factory had been completed.

After receiving the affirmative response from the village chief, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Now she felt relieved. As long as she paid the taxes and fees on time, the stationery factory would be able to continue operating for a long time.

The village chief smiled with satisfaction, "Once the road is repaired, our Liujia Village will definitely be greatly changed."

Qin Yao also nodded with a smile, looked up at the sky, and it was time for lunch. She happened to pass by Manager Fan's restaurant, so Qin Yao invited the village chief to go in for a simple meal.

The village chief happily agreed, and the two of them entered the inn with smiles on their faces, leaving Liu Ji standing at the door, wanting to say something but stopping himself, "My wife, my living expenses."

The voice was so small that it was instantly drowned out by the noise in the restaurant lobby.

Forget it! Let’s have lunch first!

Liu Ji stomped his feet and strode into the restaurant. He wanted to enjoy the good life with his wife!

Qin Yao didn't chase him away, but asked suspiciously: "You don't have classes in the academy?"

Liu Ji: "The teacher is seriously ill and has asked for leave, so the students can study on their own."

"Oh." Qin Yao was too lazy to ask any more questions. She and the village chief were imagining the bright future of Liujia Village and didn't notice Liu Ji's hint of asking for living expenses at all.

However, when they finished their meal and were about to leave the city, he still gave him two hundred coins and sneered, saying:

"I'm happy for you that you can make money, but don't forget what our primary goal is."

Liu Ji took the money and smiled, "I know, I know, passing the imperial examination is the most important thing, making money is secondary. I don't need to waste time making money, I just need to make you a scholar."

Qin Yao smiled at him gently with satisfaction, "Come on, you don't have to come back next time you take a day off, wait until the middle of July and come back for the autumn harvest."

After hearing the first half of the sentence, Liu Ji felt surprised.

But when he heard the second half of the sentence, Liu Ji recalled the discomfort of being sunburned and itchy all over during the autumn harvest last year, and a big drop of sweat instantly rolled down his forehead.

Without giving him a chance to refuse, they arrived at the city gate. Qin Yao waved her hand and asked him not to see her off, then smiled and left the city with the village chief.

Liu Ji watched them go through the city gate.

In the carriage, Awang asked in a low voice: "Madam, aren't you going home with the master?"

Qin Yao nodded and instructed, "Don't come to pick him up next time you have a day off. I'll ask him to study hard in the academy and come back for the autumn harvest."

Awang nodded to show that he understood.

The village chief sat in the carriage, opened the curtain and felt the cool breeze coming from the roadside. Thinking of Liu Ji's performance in the county government just now, the old man was quite surprised.

"Yao Niang, it has to be you. Look at your Liu Ji. He is not only reliable in his work, but also willing to study hard. He doesn't even go home on holidays, but still studies in the academy. I think our village will soon have another scholar."

Qin Yao smiled and said, "Then I'll take advantage of your good wishes." She also hoped that Liu Ji could pass the provincial examination smoothly next year.

"Oh, right." Seeing the large farmland beside the road, Qin Yao suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "Village Chief, do you know where the best fields are near us?"

The village chief was surprised, "Why are you asking this suddenly? Do you want to buy land again?"

Qin Yao nodded, "Yes, I have some extra money recently, and I want to buy a few dozen acres of land. Even if I can't finish it, I can rent it out to others to grow crops, and it would be nice to collect the rent myself."

(End of this chapter)